Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Fiber Bracelets and more

Good morning, I have been busily posting new bracelets picture on my Etsy site so I thought to share them here too.
More views and other NEW items can be found at www.theartsyclutch.etsy.com

Vines of Fiber


Canyon Lands


Dreams of Spring


Swirls & Swirls

Friday, December 7, 2012

Ghostly images.....

Wow, I really can't believe its been about a month since I last posted. The year is fastly coming to an end, we are preparing for the Christmas season and just plain ole keeping busy.

Last weekend while at the farm , I was taking pictures of nature in its finest , it was a cool but absolutely beautiful day for the first weekend in December. We have a very marshy area toward the back of our farm, our spring gently tumbles down a hill and falls into the creek that lays in the valley, keeping this area very moist in places. One such spot has a underground  stream that has bubbled up and created a small about 1'x 1' hole about 5-6 inches deep. We had poked at it, under the edges to see how far back it went under the ground. Our stick was about 4 feet long and went in about 2 feet before hitting something solid. This was Saturday. On Sunday we went back , thinking to dig it out some, but instead I decided to take some pictures. Unbeknown to me until I got home and downloaded them was a ghostly image looking back at me.
I know you are thinking, pretty day and what I captured was my own image. Maybe it was the algae in the pool, maybe it was reflection of the sky and trees... or maybe it was a ghostly image. You'll have to decide on your own. Imagination... what would we do with out it.

The image is clearer the smaller it gets. Look closely in the center of the picture you can make out the eyes, nose, brows, mouth, hair line and a slight roundness top the face overall.
Something to think about.

Plus a couple more nature picture to enjoy. -TNfrmgrl

Update:
Sat.December 8- HK said he found three faces in the picture, but a friend from China said he also saw two faces and that of a bear? MMMMmmm.....

 
 
Really cool turkey tail mushrooms on a stick in the creek

Just a pretty picture of our valley in December
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Direct checkout on Etsy site

Guess what ? I am so excited, the Artsy Clutch now offers Direct Checkout and excepts Etsy gift cards. If you don't know what this means , I'll tell you.
Instead of going through an off site account like Papal you can make your purchases in one place with your credit card at my Etsy site. For me that is Big, I have been on the fence about changing up who I went through, don't really know why as I trust Etsy for purchasing items this way, I guess I thought it would mean they would get more money, which they do sort of, but in today's age who doesn't.
Craft shows are over,Thank Goodness... a lot of effort, not big in rewards;YET, I am getting my name out there I suppose.
I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week. Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
The year is winding down, what will 2013 hold. A new year , a new start, new adventures etc. Kind of exciting.

I now have 46 items listed on my Etsy site. Just getting them there have been an effort. I tried making a catalog with my purses, descriptions , prices etc.  in WORD, then I could copy and paste to make it easier when I am listing a new items, but this just isn't working. An easier way has to be out there. Suggestions?

Its Friday, the start of a new weekend, tomorrow I am taking my mother-in-law Christmas shopping & for a girls day out while the boys are building a glass closed in porch at the farm. (Such a small area, its best to stay out of the way.) We started doing this about four times a year when they moved to TN, its a good way to bond , I enjoy it I think she does too.
We haven't been out at the farm in the last month, I miss seeing the woods changing colors for the season. Looking for new sink holes or seeing which ones have sunk even further in.

If I can get it to work I'll leave you with a fun picture from this time last year.
You really need to watch the "varmints" coming off the hill at Twilight, they'll a little crazy at times.
Hey JAMO this ones for you.... AA

-TNfrmgrl


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Biscuits Baking Old vs .New

Biscuits, brown and buttery. who doesn't like a good one.

A few weeks ago I had the chance to try a late 1800-early 1900 biscuits recipe. I like to cook but,what I really like is to read about the histories of old recipes and try them if I have the ingredients. ( which I confess isn't often)
 Anyway, I set off and got the ingredients, made the dough like it said, called my mother-in0law for the oven temps, because this old recipe was for a wood stove, cut out these perfectly even circles with m y new wooden cutter and proceeded to bake. They rose a little, browned a little, smelled yummy, took them out and guess what they were very dry, not too bad tasting and defiantly not hard as rocks, but a good buttery biscuit, Alas No they were not. more like eating a really, really thick cracker.

Here is the recipe note the items in () are today's ingredient equivalents, other wise it is written like it was given to me.

Soda Bisquits circa 1890-1920
ingredients: 1 cup flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder , 1/4 tsp soda ( baking soda), 1/2 tsp salt ,
 lard (Crisco) , sour milk (buttermilk)

Sift all ingredients in a small bowl with spoon. Add a good rounded TBSP of lard (Crisco Shortening). Mix it with flour with a spoon. Add enough sour milk (buttermilk) to make dough stiff enough to m kae dough, pat out on floured board and cut out  into bisquit shape.

Now what isn't added is to cook today set oven to 400 bake until brown about 12-14 minutes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you want a more modern take try this one out, though it was listed as and old fashion recipe, take not of the measurement of the ingredients used  a big difference in looks and especially in taste.
Flaky, Buttery Biscuits

ingredients: 3 cups flour, 4 1/2 tsp. Baking powder, 2 TBSP Sugar, 3/4 tsp. Cream of Tartar
1/2 tsp. Salt, 3/4 cup cold butter ( I used unsalted) , 1 whole egg slightly beaten,
1 cup whole milk ( I used 1/2 milk 1/2 buttermilk)

Heat oven 400-450

Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter until pea sized.
Mix egg and milk(s) in small bowl then add to dry ingredients. Combine until mixture forms a soft ball, ( I mix with my hands as this is the easiest for me.) Turn out onto a floured surface and pat down until it is about 1/2 -3/4 inch thick, using cutter or open end of glass jar cut out your biscuits and place onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden. Enjoy!

I got this recipe from www.tastykitchen.com

This is an awesome recipe and I hope you enjoy both. I will try the first one again, just make some modern day swaps in it though. Have fun... until we talk again. - TNfrmgrl





Craft shows ???!!!!

Okay, we know the first craft show of the 2012 season was a bust, but here we go again,,Tomorrow I have sent several pieces with my father in-law to Alabama for a show at Our Lady of Sorrow Church and school craft show. He makes wooden toys and thought my washer necklace's and needle felted clutches would be a nice soft factor to help sell his toys , breaking down the hardness and all. Kind of a hard and soft look if you will.
I am presenting at the Elzie D. Patton Expo in Mt. Juliet , TN next weekend. This is looking to be a fun filled day for everyone. I was quite impressed and surprised when I received a call earlier this week from the chairperson to make sure i was still attending and to answer any questions I would have. That was awesome.
A view from inside my craft show tub

A new  fun necklace made for Fall from felt scrapes

Monday, October 8, 2012

Craft Show

Don't you hate it when you get so excited about something, then the let-down happens.

This craft show that I have been working getting stuff made for was a real disappointment, we drove 1 1/2 hours with stop over night at the farm , got up and on the road by 6am to travel another hour, I sold NOTHING!!!! Lots of lookers, talked to several, told them about my craft, but didn't make one sale. HK sold two monkey fist key fobs & my father-in-law sold several items.

Disappointed big time, we all came home, ate dinner and were in bed before eight o'clock PM.

Of course it started out raining but by the time we set up and the festival opened the rain was gone and the day, while on the cool side turned out very nice. We had a great spot as we were the second to the front where everyone had to pass by to get in or go out.
Here are a couple of pictures of our booth.



Lots of color, maybe I should have made more different levels.

the other side of my table.
 
 
 
This was Pops side of our booth, we even added another table for him after the rain passed.
He builds wooden toys for all ages.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Nine days later

It's been nine days, since my last post, and I have been a busy bee.

64+ Washers inked, 10 new clutch wallets ( to the 40 I already have done); 3  (2 necklaces + 1 purse)  donation to our church  annual youth fish fry,One week of revamping the book store I work for ( we are rearranging every book row, kiosk, etc. in 5 days, we are on day three...) The craft show sale is 16 days and counting. I'm pooped!! Many, many,  many more to make.




After two years on my inspiration board It hit and I finally made this one into a clutch.

This one is called Fireworks, It was free form machine stitched in a firework pattern then beads added onto each burst point.
Swirls, Swirls and more swirls
Power of the PINK ! Pink is so happy and feminine.

Starfish, Poinsettia.. you decide it just FUN!


Anyway, Thats it for today.

Oh yeah a little political humor to lighten up your day..




Monday, September 10, 2012

Washer Necklaces 2


Just a few better pictures of my Alcohol Inked Washer Necklaces. I really like the grey barn wood background, brings out the colors on the necklaces.
 
 



 
Three Needle Felted Eye Glasses  Holders

 

 

 
-TNfrmgrl

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Inked Washer Necklaces

A few new items soon to be listed on my Etsy site. www.theartsyclutch.etsy.com

These washers were first alcohol inked, glossed, dryed for a day then wire wrapped and beaded.
They will sale for $15.00 each. they have a light  leather cord and a silver or gold closure depending on wire used to wrap them.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Labor Day Weekend 2012

The smell of Roasting Herb Chicken is permeating the air. I love roasted chicken, but after a disastrous last time, with a whole chicken that had gone bad while in the fridge, I really thought I'd never fix it again. You are probably asking Why? Have you ever had a raw chicken go bad on you. usually you can have one in the fridge for a couple of days without freezing it, but this one well, maybe it had been put back into the cooler section at the grocery( from an non cooled section) but by the time I decided to fix it,, well i won't say anymore.

But today, the craving won out. We chopped fresh Sage, rosemary, chives & garlic. added a little sea salt, fresh ground pepper, lemon juice and a little olive oil. Mixed well and spread over my chicken then plopped him into my clay roaster (Pampered Chef). Cook for 1 1/2 hours at 350* or until done.

Sounds yummy. I really wanted yellow squash casserole to go with it.
So I boiled about 1 lb sliced yellow squash and 1 large onion (eigthed). until soft.
drain add 1/2 mayo only the real stuff will do, 1/2 cup  sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 fresh  chopped finely  green pepper, 1 egg slightly beaten,  mix well add about 1 tsp sugar, salt and ground pepper to taste,. Pour into greased baking dish, cover with Italian or plain bread crumbs and pats of butter. bake for 30-45
@350  minutes until casserole looking.
note: a great cookbook with this recipe and others in it is Miss Daisy Celebrates Tennessee .(By Daisy King, )Mine is so dotted with splashes, its sometimes best to know the recipe(s) by heart.

What Else, well there are only two of us, so I'll probably just make up some Texas garlic toast and call it a meal. Oh yeah, one more thing if your from the south we have a little beverage called Southern Fruit Tea. It would perfectly top off this meal.
(this recipe was taken from www.tastykitchen.com)
Southern Fruit Tea

Prep Time
Cook Time
Servings 16Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts Filtered Water, Divided
  • 4 bags (Family Size Bags) Tea
  • ¾ cups Sugar
  • 12 ounces, fluid Can Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate (thawed)
  • 12 ounces, fluid Can Frozen Lemonade Concentrate (thawed)
  • 48 ounces, fluid Can Pineapple Juice
  • 5 slices Fresh Orange For Garnish
  • 5 slices Fresh Lemon For Garnish

Preparation Instructions

Measure a quart of filtered water into a medium sauce pan. Heat water to near boiling. Add the family size tea bags to the near-boiling water. Cover the pan, remove the pan from heat, and steep tea for 15 minutes. Remove tea bags and add the sugar to the warm tea water. Stir to dissolve the sugar and add the remaining quart of filtered cold water to make 2 quarts brewed sweet tea.
In a gallon pitcher, add the brewed sweet tea and the thawed orange juice and lemonade concentrate. Stir gently until well blended then add the pineapple juice. Stir the pineapple juice into the tea mixture. Taste the tea. More water can be added to suit your taste. Some folks like this tea stronger and sweeter, others will prefer weaker tea. Serve in a pretty beverage dispenser with orange and lemon slices for garnish.
Refrigerate unused tea and stir before serving.

 

  • 48 ounces, fluid Can Pineapple Juice
  • 5 slices Fresh Orange For Garnish
  • 5 slices Fresh Lemon For Garnish

Preparation Instructions

Measure a quart of filtered water into a medium sauce pan. Heat water to near boiling. Add the











Enjoy everyone and have a Happy Labor Day weekend  (if your in the great USA)

-TNfrmgrl






























Friday, August 31, 2012

Updated 6/2013 Alcohol Inks & Sharpie Markers

I have been playing around for the last few days with alcohol inks, by Ranger Inks. Have you tried them out? If not you really should as these are so much fun.

I decided I wanted to make some drop necklaces for an upcoming Craft show and wanted something unusual. I saw a few pictures of these on Etsy and Pinterest. Its really about technique to create that something special effect using the inks. They don't mix , really & can become muddy if you add too much. I suppose if you do make a mistake one plus and a big one at that is you can correct it to a point by using a small piece of felt and the blending solution and "erase' and start again.

I also decided to make so tile art too. This was even more fun. Drop, drop , drop of ink, blow with can aired or straw , drop ink aging repeat,a few more times and viola! you have an amazing cool ( not heat) trivet, coaster etc. However, I would really cover your ink with MOD-PODGE or a glossy medium to protect  the surface design.Tried the drop style, did not like how it came out, but YOU can paint pictures with the alcohol ink, here are a few I did. Just remember you have to move quickly, because alcohol inks dry fast, any detail add after ink has dried, like the fir trees in the top left picture.                                                                          






As for the sharpie part of this note, well, I tried making Sharpie scarves, well lets just say, this project takes a lot of skills, now if you know me, I can't do it is not in my vocabulary. I love art, I will try anything at least once. For these i have tried three times.One on a cotton/mix base was okay, but nothing like the pictures I have seen from artist Suzanne McNeil and one of her workshops. She really made it seem simple. maybe i am over complicating it. The first I did on a silk scarf I had purchased for .50 cents. I artfully marked all over the surface, then i carefully dipped it into my alcohol solution. Mud does not even try and describe it. It totally fades out my art work, with faint sharpie lines still visible. Mmm... down one silk scarf, (maybe I can use it again). The second was the cotton/ mix base. But the third well I decided to use another silk scarf as this was really what i had them for, and I can't is not in my dictionary. We went with a zigzag print. I fold my scarf in half, set it on a plastic board,  and using  about twenty different rainbow chisel and fine tip markers i zigged and zagged over the entire piece, making sure to exert enough pressure to let the sharpie bleed through to the other side. I carefully gathered up my misting alcohol bottle and went outside to cover its surface in a well ventilated area and await the magic.
I suppose it did do what it was suppose to at least on half of my scarf. It bled beautifully, just not where it needed to bleed.


I want the washers to dry quickly so I
can finish the necklaces. They're colors are starting to lighten up and they have a nice rounded hard surface forming. I will probably add some wire and beads to glitz them up. And add a felt circle to the back so they will rest nicely on the skin.

Oh, yeah I stopped by a nice shop at Etsy called Wysteria, they had the most amazing variegated wool. I bought four packs. A blue, a green, a lavender and one called sunset with is orangy coppers.
May just make up some new clutches this weekend.


-TNfrmgrl

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Trees

 From last week : Well this week has been exciting, as we had a huge dead tree (Hack berry/elm) removed from our fence line . Starting on Wednesday and finishing up  late yesterday. While trying to trim the big wad of ivy out of the top a Opossum came out and ran into the tree topper, he said it came him a small fright. So yesterday when the other trimmer went up every few feet he would shake and thump a branch on the trunk announcing he was coming up. Luckily , no critters this time.:)
To get the machinery into our backyard and down our narrow driveway they had to cut back several still living trees, I was amazed at how much sunlight is in the yard now, It has made our once dim little yard into a brightly lit yard. Sunlight dabbled through it all day yesterday.


Since the dead tree was somewhat hollow and they were concerned about being on it and cutting on it, they decided to pull down the entire trunk (45 Feet of it) into the yard. I almost couldn't watch with the fear of them hitting the house(the tree was taller then the distance to the back porch).They said they were going to have it fall between the house and up the drive way, sure enough that's what they did. Amazing accuracy.