Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Prayers and Healthy Thoughts Please

Greetings my friends,

I wasn’t going to say anything but then I realized that the more people who are thinking good, healthy thoughts for me the better, so , this afternoon I am heading in to the Dr. to find out what is going on with my leg. I have a small lump and my leg is aching. I am an active person and recognize what a pulled muscle feels like and this ain’t that! So, I would appreciate all prayers and healthy thoughts you can offer!

While I am generally a “Glass is Half Full” kind of girl, when it comes to my health I tend to freak out over the tiniest things. So, since I have an ache that won’t go away and a lump I, of course, automatically think the worst :0)

I will update with the results as soon as I know. Hopefully I will be telling you all that I was an idiot and that it is nothing – fingers crossed! Once I find out, regardless of the diagnosis, I will be back here and posting again.

So please think healthy thoughts for me and if you pray I would really appreciate a prayer or two!

Sincerely,

Autumnwind

Monday, March 24, 2014

Artsy Monday Post Delayed!

Due to unforeseen events the Artsy Monday post on Tea Lite cakes will be delayed! Darn it! Check back soon,

Thank you

Autumnwind

Saturday, March 22, 2014

What I've Been Working On Lately

Mendhika Medallion Tarot Bag

I've been busy embroidering things for my Etsy shop this weekend. This is one of the silk, hand beaded, zippered, Tarot bags that I just added to the shop. These are so much fun to make and so pretty. This one can be used for all sorts of things but a standard Tarot deck fits beautifully in it.

Purple Tarot Bag

I've got a couple of different zippered bags listed right now. I've had such fun making these that I just had to share!!

In April, I am heading to San Francisco for my birthday and while there I'll be picking up a selection of herbs and other magical supply items to add to my Etsy shop. I can't wait!

This week on Artsy Monday I'll be showing you how to make an adorable tea light cake. These little light-up treats are easy to make and super cute and best of all - NO CALORIES! :0)

Friday, March 21, 2014

The Hues of Oz


A big thank you to Oma Linda over at Olde Baggs and Stuffed Shirts for hosting this awesome blog party.

With so many amazing colors to choose from it was almost hard to pick just one but there is one color from the Land of OZ that is truly dear to my heart and that is Ruby Red, especially when it is on slippers. 

When my daughter was a little girl she desperately wanted to be Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz but at that time (she just turned 26) there were no readymade ruby slippers or Dorothy costumes so I was on my own.

Being a creative soul I decided to make ruby slippers out of little girl ked sneakers. So, I painted them with sparkling red glitter paint, added a red satin bow with a big red jewel in the center and my daughter was thrilled. Easy Peasy! Unfortunately I have no idea where those original shoes are but today I am going to show you how to make your own Ruby Red Slippers – Adult Style

Materials:
Red shoes (Or any light colored shoe)
Red glitter paint
Red Glitter
Red Ribbon
Red Jewel
Sealant
Masking Tape
Newspaper or Plastic Grocery Bags
Sponge Brush



First find a pair of red colored heels in your size. You can use lighter colors of white and tan but you will need to do a base coat of red paint before you apply the glitter due to the slick nature of the shoes. If you are using canvas sneakers you can use white and then add several coats of the glitter paint. The canvas takes the paint much better than the leatherette/vinyl does.


Stuff newspaper or plastic grocery bags inside the shoe and mask off the areas you do not want painted.

Using a sponge brush cover the entire shoe with red glitter paint and let dry completely. If you need another coat or two to get the coverage you like be sure to let the paint dry completely between each coat. 

Red Glitter

 Now here is the secret to glittery ruby slippers, on your last coat, right after you apply the paint, sprinkle red glitter over the paint and then let it dry. BAM! Ruby Red slippers, just as glittery as Dorothy’s. Once the glitter dries there may be a spot or two that you need to touch up, just brush on some paint and add more glitter. (Another option is to use modpodge glue instead of paint.



Red Shoe is on Left, Vream Shoe is on Right

Once the glitter and paint are dry, seal the shoes with a sealant and let them dry completely. 

Take a length of ribbon and sew or hot glue the ends together so you have a loop of ribbon. Take a shorter piece of the same ribbon and do the same. Laying the shorter loop on top of the first, longer loop then lay the loops flat and tie a knot in the center using string. Take a small piece of the original ribbon and wrap around the center, covering the string. Lap the ends and secure with glue.

Glue the bow to the shoe and then add a matching jewel

Voila!
Comparison

Sealed and Ready to Wear - Once I make the second one!

Ruby Slippers 


Monday, March 10, 2014

Artsy Monday - Fairy Doors



For this week’s Artsy Monday project I wanted to show you the process I use to make Fairy doors. These little doors are so cute when added to a baseboard or along the wall. I have one in my office of my day job and several in my studio.  They can be whimsical and full of color or made to look like a natural part of the environment.

Materials:

Polymer clay
Texture Rubber Stamps
Rolling Pin or Pasta Machine (for use with clay only)
Exacto/Razor knife
Ruler

Optional:
Rub n Buff
Pearl-Ex Powders

 My Wood Toned Mix 

I make mine from polymer clay and mix several colors together to give the piece more depth.

For this tutorial I am using Premo clay in the following colors: 5093 – 1/8 block Ecru, ¼ block 5392 - Raw Sienna, 1/8 block 5303 – Gold, and ¼ block 5053 – Burnt Umber. I like adding a bit of gold to my mix because of the warmth it adds to the door.



The first thing I do is mix all the colors into a single log. I condition this by hand, twisting, tearing and re-combining until I like the way the mix looks. Then I run it though a pasta machine so that I have a nice even thickness to work with when I make the door.

After being run through Pasta Machine


Gently Adding Texture

Once I have a good piece I texture it by laying it on a rubber stamp and rolling a small rolling pin over it to press it into the stamp. Don’t mash it! You will have a hard time removing it from the stamp if you are not careful.

Textured vs. Smooth Clay

In this example I am using cheesecloth and crackle background stamps rather than a wood grain. I have used wood grain, script and many more to achieve different effects. Experiment with what you have on hand. You never know what an image will look like in clay until you try it.


Once I am satisfied with the base clay I cut a door shape out of it. I usually free-hand mine but you can always find an image of a door that you like and use it as a pattern.

To add further dimension to the door I add strips across the grain and then “screws”, a door knob and finally I add the contrasting piece that wraps around the door giving the illusion of a door jamb.

Ready to Trim


To make the strips I combine some of the "door mix" with a chunk of darker clay. Once combined I roll it out flat and cut it into strips using a metal ruler and an razor knife. The rest of this contrasting clay I roll into a "snake" to wrap around the door.

Before you bake it you can dust the screws with a metallic pigment powder such as pearl ex or you can wait until after the piece has been baked and then use Rub and Buff to add a metallic shimmer to the screws.


Ready to Bake

To make the screws I take small balls of clay and gently press them on the strips. Using my knife I gently make the line for the screwdriver.

You can add vines, flowers, faces, hinges, wreaths, etc. With polymer clay you can add almost anything you can think up! Don’t be afraid to play with the clay. 

Bake the clay according to the manufacturers directions in a well ventilated area. I have a dedicated counter top convection oven that I use for my sculptures and other polymer clay pieces but you can use your oven. DO NOT use a toaster oven. The temperature is not stable and could burn your clay. 

Fairy Door with Rub and Buff on Screws

Fairy Door Pendant

Once you get your base door completed you can still add decorations to it. I generally make my door and then bake it so that I don't ruin the texture when I work on any decorations I want to add. Once I fit the decorations to the door and check for size I take a picture for placement and then gently remove the decorations and bake them separately. Once they are baked I use the Ultimate glue to adhere the pieces together. 

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

DIY Breath Freshening Treats for Your Canine Furbabies - Witchy Green Wednesday


I made these dog treats for my two pups this week and they LOVED them! Until a year ago I never thought to make treats for my dogs. I don’t know why. I cook, I bake, I like to make healthy snacks for my family and those two pups are definitely part of the family!

Alice and Sophie Waiting for Treats

Making dog treats that are healthy is easy and takes very little time. I made this batch just after tossing a load of laundry in the washer and they baked up nicely while I was cleaning the kitchen after dinner. Easy Peasy.

If you are a Pinterest fan search for DIY Dog Treats and you’ll find plenty of recipes for healthy treat recipes.

This recipe is for Breath-Freshening Biscuits for Dogs and comes from Vegan Mama’s Blog 
  • 3/4 c. minced parsley leaves
  • 1/4 grated carrot
  • 1 Tbsp. safflower oil
  • 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 c. corn flour or finely grated corn meal
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 c. water
1. Preheat oven to 350. In a small bowl mix together parsley, carrot and oil

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flours and baking powder. Add parsley mixture and work until flour mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Add water, mix and knead with hands until dough comes together in a smooth ball.

Ready to Bake

3. On a lightly floured surface roll dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Using a bone shaped cookie cutter (or any similarly sized cookie cutter -I used a shamrock cookie cutter), cut out biscuits, re-rolling, scraping as necessary. Place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake 20 min (for softer); 30 min for harder biscuits. Keep refrigerated!!!

Thanks for stopping by, if you make some let me know how your fur family likes them.