Tuscan Countryside

Here is my latest painting. I haven't had much success with landscapes (looks like that is still the case...), so I'll need to practice as much as I can. I can't believe there are parts of the world that look like that - it's almost like a dream.

Sweet

Strawberries have been in season for a while here. I hadn't had much success with my previous attempt at chocolate dipped strawberries. Rather than some fancy recipe, this time I just melted some Ghirardelli chocolate chips and dipped the berries in the melted chocolate, then melted a little white chocolate chips for the decorations. They are not perfect, but they sure were tasty - and doesn't practice make perfect?

Illustration Friday: Sour

When life gives you lemons... paint them!

Oil painting on canvas, 6x6".

More Gifts!

A friend's birthday last month had me at my sewing machine again, this time making a small bag. It's my second one ever and my first without a pattern (totally winged it!) It's made of linen with cotton and a layer of flannel in between.


I added a pocket on the inside. I hope she likes it!

Lonely Pear

I've been wanting to paint some pears for quite a while, and this time we got to paint fruit, so I took the opportunity and did this monochromatic piece. I tend to use very little paint on the canvas, so this is my most painterly one yet! I want to paint some green pears soon.

Chocolate 40th

A co-worker recently turned 40. Upon discovering the imminent milestone, I asked what her favorite cake was and she immediately replied: Chocolate! So I made these the day of to celebrate. I love cupcakes, I make some with sprinkles, some without, regular size and mini ones (which are much appreciated by people on diets who can still have a treat.) Now quite Saturday Pudding, but close!

More Than Two!

I have finished my third painting. I decided to go with a landscape this time. I had painted one landscape years ago, and I was not happy with it at all so I had avoided them ever since. Looks like a few years have helped a little bit! I am thrilled to be back to painting with oils again.

Placemats

A friend has a sunny yellow kitchen, along with smiley face dishes for leisurely, cheery Saturday morning breakfasts. I made these placemats and matching napkins as a gift to go with those Saturday morning breakfasts. They are made of linen and cotton with flannel in the middle. I embroidered their initials on the napkins before mailing them off.

Back to Painting

For a variety of reasons, I haven't painted in over 12 years. I've been meaning to get back to it but the past few years I have been riddled with fear that I've forgotten how to paint, a real shame considering how many years I'd spent painting and drawing before the painting hiatus. So I finally signed up for an oil painting class, and although not extremely pleased with my work so far, at least it's better than nothing. Here's my second painting (the first was absolutely hideous and it's not going online...)

Back to Sewing!

I have been absent from the ol' blog, but that means I've been busy with lots of projects!

I made an apron as a gift for a friend. She loves to bake and loves lime green and frogs, so when I saw this fabric, I knew it'd be perfect for her!
It's brown linen and cotton fabrics. I made the neck adjustable with D rings.

I couldn't decide if all frogs or just a frog detail, so I made it fully reversible with pockets on both sides so she'd do whichever one works best for her.

I hope she likes it! I'm just happy to be back to sewing, it has been a while!

Breakfast

I love weekends: I actually have time to cook and eat more leisurely breakfasts, like this Dutch Baby I baked recently.

Busy lately

But the garden is doing well and I'm full of ideas. I hope to post some of my progress soon! :)

Happy Valentines Day

Virtual strawberry cupcakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and marshmallows for you! :)

Ripples Galore

I've been wanting to work on a ripple blanket for a while, but am a beginner at this crochet thing (all I've done so far is a bathroom rug in single and double crochet...) but I'd already done my homework and had the necessary pattern for the ripple blanket and even some yarn to get started stashed away since before my move. So I dug out my instructions and got started with two ripples and once I figured out what I was doing, I got started on the real deal. I did have to rip out a few times (probably due to my lack of experience, not the instructions) but finally got it and am making progress.

I decided to go with warm colors to match my new family room and am randomly attaching colors as I feel like it rather than planning it all ahead of time (I hope I don't regret this later!) and am so happy to see the ripples come together. It's a fairly relaxing pattern and I'm enjoying it.

Whew!

Well, I feel as though the move and holidays ate the past couple of months (is this what the "dog ate my homework" excuses sound like?) but life is finally starting to get back to normal - I hope to post here a bit more often. I have a ton of projects that I want to work on this year.

The oven at my new place is working and I've baked a few things, here are last night's strawberry bran muffins (original recipe from Farmgirl Fare) I of course tweaked the recipe to use what I had and ended up making several substitutions. This recipe is like a wonderful blank canvas, and I've several ideas already for future batches. I had one for breakfast this morning and have to agree with Farmgirl that they taste better the next day.