Crochet a Cupcake Pincushion Sewing Kit! Try the Flying Geese Paper Pieced Pillow Project! Bruce Hornsby! Cross Stitch Summer Flip Flops! How to Harvest Basil! Make a Magnetic Piece Amy Butler’s Ornament Quilt! Felt a Bird Pod! Jayne Mansfield! Downlo (2024)

There once was a girl who wasn’t feeling very pretty so she went to a genie to make her pretty. The genie told her that to make her feel pretty, he would make it so that every time someone apologized to her, her boobs would increase by one size.

So the girl is walking down the street and someone bumps into her and says, “Oh, I’m sorry,” and the woman’s boobs went up one size.

Then someone accidentally stepped on her foot and said, “I’m sorry,” and her boobs got one size bigger.

Then she’s walking down the street and a man from India bumps into her and says, “Oh my god! A thousand apologies!”

Artists or art that turns me on and feeds my muse! Like it or dislike it, what about this art inspires your own art or creativity? Painting by Russian artist,Konstantin Somov.

Look around you. Design is everywhere! How can you incorporate the beauty that surrounds you into your art or craft?

Well, cupcakes, I’m guessing you already know how I’m feeling about this little sewing stash project. It’s the perfect summer crochet project (and shop from your stash, please…) Here’s the pattern and tutorial:

http://www.1dogwoof.com/2015/05/crochet-cupcake-pincushion-sewing-kit.html

TO SIGN UP FOR MONTANA CLASSES AND LECTURES:

JULY 16-18, 2015

PROGRAM: The Slow Stitching Movement Lecture

PROGRAM:Creative Inspiration for Your Quilting Life Lecture

CLASS: Throw Me a Curve Mystery Quilt

CLASS: Stars & Stripes Quilts of Valor

If your well of quilting inspiration has dried up, or you haven’t had a good quilting idea in years, fret no more. Mark will guide you through new places to turn for amazing quilting ideas, with practical examples that will give you motivation and inspiration for better quilting and a happier life. This lecture will open your mind to sources of creative inspiration you may have never considered. Bring along a notebook to jot down every last suggestion you hear.About Mark Lipinski:

International quilt teacher, fabric designer, and creator/former Executive Editor ofQuilter’s Homemagazine, Mark has been called the “bad boy of quilting” by industry press. His seminars are half quilting, and all stand-up comedy.

In our busy, multi-tasking world, the words “quick,” “fast,” and “easy” are the ones that capture our attention, but the can be fatal to the enjoyment of creative pursuits. If you’ve hit a creative wall, if you have more fabric and notions than inspiration, if all of your quilts are starting to look alike, or if you’ve been quilting for years and feel you have nothing truly unique to show for it, The Slow Stitching Movement is for you!

Program: Bull in a China Shop or The Unexpected Journey of an Out of Control Quilter Travelling the World and What He Encountered Along the Way: A Trunk Show & Lecture

If you’ve ever wondered why a successful television producer would give up a hefty salary for poverty wages to quilt, this lecture will surprise you. Travel with Mark from his boyhood home in Pittsburgh, to San Francisco, Miami, New York, Chicago and New Jersey to learn how each of these places led him to become the quilt master he is today.

From his first quilts to his most recent work, see how he transformed from a duckling to a swan – and feel better about your own quilting transformation. He’ll bring some of his UFOs and explain why he lost interest in finishing them. Hear what inspires him, and allow his life experience and outlook on the creative process to inspire you.

About Mark Lipinski

International quilt teacher, fabric designer, and creator/former Executive Editor ofQuilter’s Homemagazine, Mark has been called the “bad boy of quilting” by industry press. His seminars are half quilting, and all stand-up comedy.

Program:Creative Inspiration for your Quilting Life

CLASS: THROW ME A CURVE MYSTERY QUILT

CLASS: STARS & STRIPES QUILTS OF VALOR QUILT

Here’s a new skill to add to your patchwork expertise . . . sewing a zipper into the back of a traditionally pieced patchwork pillow. I so don’t care for these colors, but love the idea! Here’s how:

http://imaginegnats.com/tutorial-flying-geese-quilted-pillow/

INGREDIENTS:

Ground Beef 80/20
Ketchup
Yellow Mustard
Worcestershire Sauce
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Salt and Pepper
Burger Buns, Toasted
Cheese Slices (Try American, Pepper Jack, Swiss, or Cheddar)

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:http://www.heinzketchup.com/Recipes/Heinz%20Inside-Out%20Burger

IF YOU HAVEN’T SUBSCRIBED TO THIS BLOG YET:

Several months ago, Facebook, without warning, had implemented a new business model. As a result, the vast majority of “LIKErs” who have been faithful readers of this Fan Page have been blocked from receiving my posts, time and time again, from getting all or a few of the postings onto their timeline feed.

The reason is, Facebook would like pages like,Mark Lipinski’s Fan Page, to pay money every day, and on every post, in order to advertise and lure readers like you, onto the Fan Page.

With out “BOOSTING” a post, only about 5% of people who clicked LIKE on MARK LIPINSKI’S FAN PAGE are actually seeing anything I post — and it could be random – sometimes you get a post, and sometimes not. Basically, it sucks for all of us. I am finding that we are all better served if I posted my tips, ideas, links, and jokes, etc. to thisblog. You can subscribe to thisblog (only if you want to) toget an email each time I post a grouping of ideas, links, etc. andnever miss a chance at inspiration.

This series of water splash photography is byHeinz Maier, he has been photographing since 2010. In order to capture the movement of the water splashes in Heinz’creative photographyproject heused a fast shutter speed on a digital camera.

Cross stitch by the pool and create a colorful flip flop motif to use as a focal point for any of your other sewing or quilting projects, or just frame it as is and soak in the fond memories of the Summer of 2015. Here’s where you get the chart:

http://www.sullivans.net/usa/projectcentral/summer/FlipFlops_PojectSheet.zip

Grab your watercolors and learn how to make a watercolor tribal pattern. Try paper first, then try the technique on fabric squares. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be designing your own hand painted fabric in no time! Here’s where you begin:

http://www.inkstruck.com/how-to-make-a-watercolor-tribal-pattern/

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

olive oil, plus more for coating the pan
all-purpose flour
finely ground yellowcornmeal
baking powder
driedoregano
finesalt
baking soda
freshly groundblack pepper
eggs
buttermilk
gratedsummer squash, such as round zucchini, pattypan, or crookneck
finely crumbledfeta cheese(about 3 ounces)

FOR THE FULL RECIPES, CLICK THE LINKS: http://www.chow.com/recipes/28556-savory-summer-squash-quick-bread

Wallpaper murals!

And now a word from our sponsor . . .

Ingredients:

Sugar
Eggs
Flour
Salt
Butter
Lemon
Lemon or Orange Zest

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:http://sweetopia.net/2012/07/when-life-gives-you-lemons-lemon-cookie-recipe-tutorial/

1980’s Moschino Cheap & Chis Watermelon Collection Polka Suit,$876.14

It’s summer! It’s winter! It’s summer! It’s winter! IT’S BOTH! Knit this cool tank top for your summer/winter excursions! Here’s the pattern:

http://www.mamainastitch.com/?p=912

Buccellati Ruby Sapphire Emerald Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet,$39,000

Amy Butler’s Ornament Quilt is fun to make and quick to piece. I might try a different palette and make it larger, but I like this design and the chance to work with curves (my fav). Check out the pattern on Amy’s site:

http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/pdfs/CAMEO_FREEQUILTPATTERN.pdf

Black Pump Floral Print Stiletto Platform Heels

Isn’t the coolest of felting projects? It’s a bird pod. You’d better hurry as there are few feathered friends who lay eggs all summer long. The other side of the coin is this: Learn the technique then figure out what else you can create from the same idea! Ah, go for it, chicken!

http://sallybea.hubpages.com/video/How-to-felt-a-Bird-Pod

Feel like a little floss or yarn embroidery? Download this free pattern and play with learning new stitches:

http://www.needlecrafter.com/SearchKey/SearchKeywords_detail.php?refNum=10065

I just got this for my birthday and I LOVE it!

UE MEGABOOM PORTABLE SPEAKER– If you’re looking for the best, most affordable portable wireless speaker with booming sound to put on your deck or backyard patio this Spring and Summer, this is it. This speaker from Ultimate Ears (UE) boasts dual passive radiators, performance drivers and advanced digital signal processing. It truly drives loud, rich, clear and balanced sound that’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor parties. This Bluetooth speaker is overkill for your kid’s summer camp cabin, but ideal to sit outside by the pool and let your guests connect their own devices to it and run their playlists. UE MegaBoom is a cylindrical shape, which makes this heavy gadget easy to carry around. It’s received rave reviews from the likes of Mashable and the Verge. Make no mistake, this speaker’s sound cannot be compared to the smaller, less powerful (and less costly) Bluetooth speakers. UE MegaBoom comes in four colors and there’s a compatible mobile app available for both iOS and Android. The guests at your parties this Summer will thank you.

$299 atyour local Apple Store!

You know you have to make this magnetic ironing mat for your laundry room. Here’s how:

http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2015/06/magnetic-ironing-mat-diy.html

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

refrigerated sliceable sugar cookies, sliced
JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
milk
COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
mixed fresh fruit (blueberries, raspberries, halved strawberries)

FOR THE FULL RECIPE, CLICK HERE:http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/patriotic-fruit-pizza-56921.aspx

Now, who wouldn’t want to try their hand at piecing this happy cactusEnglish paper pieced whimsy? Here’s where you start:

http://wildolive.blogspot.com/2015/06/epp-template-happy-cactus-english-paper.html

Yes, I love this as coloring book pages, but I also love it as a template for a giant art quilt and/or funky hand embroidery project. Why not do all three? Download the elephant coloring pages here:

http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/elephant-coloring-pages-for-adults/

LECTURE: In our busy, multi-tasking world, the words “quick,” “fast,” and “easy” are the ones that capture our attention, but the can be fatal to the enjoyment of creative pursuits. If you’ve hit a creative wall, if you have more fabric and notions than inspiration, if all of your quilts are starting to look alike, or if you’ve been quilting for years and feel you have nothing truly unique to show for it, The Slow Stitching Movement is for you!