1, 2, 3...Snap!...

... I embroidered out this free design I found at http://www.embroiderydesigns.com 

and put it in a frame late last night.

 

I changed the suggested color red to brown.

(yes my wall really is dark butterscotch)

All the designs I have sewn out from this site

 have been great except for the pizza slice; it was a little loopy & my embroidery foot kept getting stuck underneath the stitches. I was testing this one out to make a little case

 for my new camera but when it was finished I thought it would be great on the wall in the guys bathroom. 

It has a few puckers because I used a satin type fabric & I didn't pull the iron out. If I have time today

 I will do that but I thought it was so cute I'd share it. 

How many of us have a picture of ourselves as child in the bathroom? hahaha OhSnap!

Mugged...

 

... I love the mugs that people make with Sharpies that I have seen on Pinterest.  These are a few of my favorites I have seen.  For Father's day our little "Bubbie" gave my hubby a hand painted mug, & it has been a joy for "PopPoP" to use.  There are only remnants of the paint left even though it has been hand washed.  So thinking of Christmas, (yes already!), I want to make some special mugs for some of my beloveds. Finding the right words like the first one above is not as easy as making them! Wouldn't these be great way to personalize a gift basket?!

Last year I used a Sharpie on a antique plate & on some old Corelle plates.  A tip I learned  if you make these... even though the most directions say to clean it off with soap & alcohol prior to inking & baking at 350 degrees for 30 minutes,  don't,  just make sure it's clean - I ran mine through the dishwasher. Putting the alcohol on it first seems to make the ink tend to run a little & not stick as well.  I actually used a brown Marvy Marker on the plates, which is a water resistant book marker. Once baked it did not smear at all it was very well adhered. On this first plate I had to clean it up (it wasn't baked yet in the photo) over & over before I baked it, I think because of the soap & alcohol.  The soap & alcohol tended to make the ink slide while you are creating your design. The latter was easier when I did use the soap & alcohol. Of course I would not eat on these, nor would I run them through the dishwasher.  The mugs I would hand wash as well so that the design wouldn't fade.

On this plate I simply outlined the design on the plate & incorporated it into my drawing.

These get your "right mind" gears working and could become addiction, eyeing every flowered plate that you pass by in a whole new way!

Home Sweet Home...

...No not just mine but the Hearst Castle as well!  We had a wonderful week with our friends. We went to the Castle 2 days and the weather couldn't have been better!  It was amazing.  This is one of my favorite statues that sat in front of one of the Cottages.  At first I thought it was a deer but nope it's a goat & she is feeding him an ear of corn. So gorgeous, and so art deco, I love it.  I took so much video I ran the memory out & had to use my phone to take some pictures, which includes this one...

 

Here's a little DIY project I did a little while back

 with an aging tv tray.  I have been meaning to post it but...

it disappeared into my son's room.

 Before & After.

 I LOVE PAINT!

I finished the following painting I had been working on for a month or so & listed it in my Etsy Shop. Lots of thin layers of  paint on this one. I'm starting another. I guess I'm in a mushroom mood! Maybe succulents are next. I came home full of inspiration from being at the beach & at Hearst Castle. I was just as impressed with the landscaping as I was all the art.

"A Hidden Happy Place"