Cut Flowers ..... To Go

Just had to share with you this idea that came from my son -- and I think it's brilliant!!  When we met for Mother's Day he brought me cut flowers -- which was so nice, and made me smile ...... but ..... he knew I'd have to get them home and he brought a pitcher of water to keep them alive on the trip.  This turned out to be a brilliant idea, because ..... I could secure the pitcher by passing the seat belt right through the handle and it didnt budge an inch!!   I only kept an inch or so of water so there was no danger of it splashing and, as you can see - they made it home in perfect condition ...

I put the pitcher in the back seat

secured it with the seat belt - around the pitcher and through the handle ...

added the flowers - and drove home ...

Here they are, safe at home in a beautiful vase for me to enjoy!

So....... now I'm thinking ...... what else would transport better in a pitcher that can be secured and safe from spilling???    especially if your pitcher has a lid -- how about fruit salad?  

Cant wait to hear your ideas ....



Off to the Races!!!

In honor of this year's Preakness,

I created two new tote bag designs

featuring the Black-Eyed Susan...
Maryland's state flower - and the official flower of the Preakness

This year marks the 136th running of The Preakness Stakes traditionally  held on the third Saturday in May at  Pimlico Race Course just outside Baltimore, MD.  The Preakness Stakes has been termed "The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans" because a blanket of Black-eyed Susans  is placed around the winner's neck. (the horse's neck, of course:)

The interesting part is ....... Black-Eyed Susans do not bloom in Maryland until June or July!
No worries -- they just take a little 'creative license' and come up with a great look-alike instead.   Some years they have used daisies, others chrysanthemums.  Once the center is darkened who can tell the difference?  It works!
Here are two close up views of the Black-Eyed Susan tote..
complete with sparkles, jewels and glitter!

and just one more thing......
(in case you want to plan a party;)

Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail Punch

1 - 1/4 cup vodka
4 cups orange juice
1 - 1/4 cup light rum
ice ring
3/4 cup triple sec
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
4 cups pineapple juice

Chill all ingredients.
Just before serving combine in a punch bowl.
Unmold ice ring and float in bowl. Serve in tall glasses. Makes 10 large servings.

Some Bunny to Love

Yes, I have a million things on my list to do ...

and I'm sure some of them will fall off for lack of time ....

 Even so, I'm taking just a moment to admire a few of my favorite bunnies.... 

Colonial Bunny

This bunny is just waiting for the right surface -

 then he'll be a surprise gift for my BFF!!

Chubby Bunny

More to Love

Dolly Bunny

Crafted and painted by my sweet cousin Kathy

Bow-Tie Bunny

I love this bunny so much, because I love the friend who made him for me SO much!

Vintage Bunny

Forever Beautiful!

Happy Easter - and remember ...

Every Bunny needs a friend who is all EARS!



Pretty Words -- from the heart

Beautiful Words - Beautiful Letters -- I love them both.    I love writing beautiful words that have a special meaning.   So I was happy when my BFF asked me to write her favorite saying on an out-building at her farm. 

   We printed it in a style we both loved

I enlarged it to use as a guide

Her husband gave me a level line

Next comes a  flourish of leaves (and one special flower)

.... I measured and centered the words ....

and then I started writing ......

(in between moments of holding my breath :)

from the book 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupery ...

the words are ...

And now here is my secret, a very simple secret:

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;

what is essential is invisible to the eye ..

I think the Little Prince would be happy ....

but most importantly .... my BFF is happy

that makes ME happy !

Inspiration - when you least expect it

What inspires you to be creative?  For me, inspiration is literally EVERYWHERE!  I am always snapping pictures of people, places, and things that spark an idea I want to tuck away for future reference. 

I love this little glass topped table.... I can just see it painted - or etched - on a side table for the patio - or how about a mirror?  or maybe on tile, like the table below??

I would love to be invited to this dinner --- does it inspire you to drink another glass of wine?

 What a simple idea to create a cozy evening



Here's another variation on the same idea ---

 would you use this for a baby shower,  afternoon tea, or seaside dinner? 

Classic black and white!

What would you store in these pretty boxes....

Office/craft supplies?  Fancy Hats? Dishes or glassware? Magazines?

Another versatile piece ... I can picture it in an office keeping me organized and efficient ....

or showing off a prized collection ... or filled with stuffed animals or baby dolls ....

how about using it as a bar??

These are just a few of the pictures I've collected to inspire me -- really, it doesnt even scratch the surface! But its enough for today --- now tell me ..... what inspires you??

All Scrubbies - are not created equal...

Did you know that scotch brite scrubbies come in different grits, just like sandpaper?  Yes, they do ...  Here's a chart that shows the various colors and their corresponding grits..

SCOTCHBRITE GRIT CHART

7445 - White pad, called Light Duty Cleansing - (1000)

7448 - Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand - (600-800)

6448 - Green, called Light Duty Hand Pad - (600)

7447 - Maroon pad, called General Purpose Hand - (320-400)

6444 - Brown pad, called Extra Duty Hand - (280-320)

7446 - Dark Grey pad, called Blending Pad (180-220)

7440 - Tan pad, called Heavy Duty Hand Pad - (120-150)

The white  -1000 grit - is perfect for applying paste wax.  Just cut a square, keep it in your wax tin and use it over and over.

Light grey - 600 to 800 grit - is great to polish and 'de-nub'.   After you stain your piece you don't want to sand in between coats of finish (or you will go through the stain) - but you might have raised wood grain that makes it feel rough.   Well, you can just use light grey scotch brite to give a smooth base for your next coat of finish..

The green - light duty 600 grit - is the 'all purpose' choice for everything from ceramics to scrubbing pots. 

The heavy duty grits are a big help when using paint strippers, or getting through a tough finish..

Now that you know all the choices, you can pick the perfect one for your next project!!! 

Work Smart -- Half Rounds & Portable Table

I've learned a lot of smart tips while working at Robert Ortiz Studios - http://www.ortizstudios.com/ - and lots of them are just as valuable for crafts and DIY projects as they are to the professional woodworker. 

Tip #1 ---   Half Rounds ---Once you see how smart it is to use 'half rounds' you will wonder how you ever got along without them.  Half rounds can be described as a wooden dowel literally cut in half! Use them to lift your project off the work table - which provides just enough space so you can reach the sides and ends neatly.   I suggest you have at least 4 - maybe 6 - half rounds.... ask your hardware store to cut them 24-30 inches long.   A sturdy mailing tube is a great way to store them - you can even store your yardsticks and levels in the same place.

Here half rounds are shown with the flat side up --

but you actually use them with the flat side down....

This bubinga top is lifted so I can easily reach the sides and ends..

Tip #2 -- Portable Work Table -- Don't have a work table?  No worries - for about $50 or less you can easily assemble a portable work table.  Invest in two folding saw horses and half a sheet of plywood (2'x4').  You can set up this table in minutes wherever it's needed, and then store it away without taking up valuable floor space.  Add a pretty table cloth and you also have an extra buffet table..  and who doesn't need an extra table sometimes?

Sandpaper Trick

Every time I share this sandpaper 'trick' with the art classes they LOVE it.   Once you see how simple it is you will be amazed...

1) start with a full sheet of sandpaper -- cut into 4 equal pieces

 

 

2) fold and score each quarter sheet into quarters - cut one score just to the middle

3) fold one flap up, then over, and down -- now you have 4 clean sides of sandpaper -

 you can fold and re-fold to a clean side as needed

 

Remember - the only area of your piece that is being sanded is the space just under your fingertips ...

Sand in the direction of the wood grain - but align your fingers perpendictular - so that your fingertips are moving sideways with the grain and not up and down with the grain -- the reason is that each fingertip has a different strength and applies different pressure.   If you go up and down you will essentially create valleys.

Not only will these tips give you a better finished product they will also save you money



Picture This ....

Here I am, once again, sending out a hearty "Thank You" to Melissa and the staff of Salon At Chestertown (www.salonatchestertown.com )   They have been generous enough to host two more of my art pieces. 

"Blue Morning Glories" welcomes the clients as they are offered coffee and snacks at Salon

"Red Geraniums" keep company at Melissa's station.

Both of these pieces started as old windows, then I removed the glass and replaced it with mirrors.  

Each design is painted right on the mirror, baked to be permanent, and re-installed in the frame.

It's tricky to take photos of mirrors, even when the reflections show a nice background.   Still, I think the art work comes through very well here.  If you have a window-less room, or a dark wall, or need a mirror with a little pizazzz -- then here you go.....

both pieces are for sale

.



Protect with Varnish

Some of you know that I work at http://www.ortizstudios.com/ - where Bob creates the most gorgeous furniture you have ever seen (REALLY!!) --- and I do all the oil finishes.   There are a variety of finishes we use on the furniture, depending on the look and durability we want to achieve. 

This is the piece we just finished last week - beautiful computer/office cabinet of mahogany and wenge.  I used Tried & True linseed oil - 5 coats on the top and 3 on the case.

But your artwork deserves a beautiful protection too - and here's one method that our friend Kathy recommends........

1)  Apply seven coats of matte varnish. Do not sand between coats. Let each coat dry 20 minutes. After seven coats let dry overnight.


2)  With 600 grit black wet-dry sandpaper dipped in one cup of water with one drop of dishing washing liquid (any brand) gently rub with the grain. Be careful to use a gentle touch, especially on edges or over dots.  This dulls down any shine.

3)  Wipe with a paper towel to dry.

4)  Using #0000 steel wool pad and neutral Kiwi shoe polish (use a good amount) rub in hard.

5)  Using a clean piece of #0000 steel wool wipe off excess shoe polish.

6)  Buff with a clean soft cloth.
 
7)   Admire and Enjoy!!
 
Stay tuned -- in the next few blogs I will give you tips on more finishes, sandpaper folding, and some smart working ideas from the wood shop...   did you know that 'scotch brite' scrubbies come in different grits just like sandpaper??