My sister arrived at my house recently with a table I had asked her to paint for me. The original table was cream color and had a split in the top. Needed help! She took it home and this is what she brought back to me:
I love it! Can't believe how creative she is. She has done many painted furniture pieces. I have a chair that she painted also. I'll share that with you next post.
I also wanted to show you my paisley rug finally made into a pillow. Took some doing, but I love the results.
I like Pinterest and I do use it. Not a lot, but every once in a while when I'm looking for inspiration. I have some boards of my own, but I'm beginning to rethink pinning photos belonging to other people.
I have a rather extensive rug hooking board with samples of many hooked rugs. Some of the rugs are labeled with the name of the piece and/or the hooker. The problem for me has become this. No one has given me permission to use these photos. And, I'm not always sure about the accuracy of the information I'm using for a description. I ask myself would I want my photos put up on someone's board without my permission. It's one thing to put photos of my own rugs up, but what really gives me the right to put other people's photos up.
I guess it comes down to this. If a photo is published on the Web, does it then become a free domain for everyone to use? Some Web sites explicitly say that the photos are the property of the site owner. Does that mean, they cannot be used on other pages?
I think I will be taking my boards down. I just don't feel comfortable pinning other people's photos and work without their permission.
For those of you learning to dye and starting to invest in the equipment needed for dyeing, here is an interesting alternative to the very expensive measuring spoons normally used when dyeing.
I was looking for measuring spoons for cooking and came across these on amazon.com. Although the smallest measure is 1/64, it is an inexpensive way to start out. Not that hard to figure out 1/128 and 1/256.
Work continues on my flower rug (see previous post). In the meantime, I've been cooking a lot these last few days. Roasted some red peppers this morning, and this delightful mix is going in the oven for dinner. Baby red potatoes and broccoli florets combined with olive oil, salt, pepper and two cloves of minced garlic. Roast in a 400° oven until potatoes are tender. Be sure to flip occasionally.
Since it is absolutely pouring out and has been all day, I decided today was a good day to cook and hook. First, I made Salmon Burgers from the 400 Calorie Fix book (which I highly recommend). They were quick and easy.
Next, I made oatmeal, cranberry, and walnut cookies. (They are not from the above mentioned cookbook, but one a day can't hurt!) In between, I've been pulling loops on my new rug.
Here is the wool.
Here is the rug.
Still finishing up the binding on the cigar rug. As usual, I got involved with this new rug and couldn't look back. I tell myself that after my afternoon cup of coffee, I will put some time into the binding. (At least that's what I'm telling myself!)
I'm probably one of the last out there to read The Hunger Games, but I was finally forced into it as my book club chose it as its April selection. I definitely went in kicking and screaming, but I am forced to admit that I loved it. Expecting it to be gory and gruesome, it was a wonderful story that frankly, I had a hard time putting down. I quickly got the second installment Catching Fire which I just started. I've already read a fair amount, and this book looks to be as good as the first. If you haven't read The Hunger Games, I heartily recommend it!
For a light-hearted read I just finished the second book in a mystery series by Cleo Coyle (Through the Grinder) that takes place in a NYC coffee house. Having become addicted to coffee later in life, I got pleasure from just reading the descriptions of the coffee being brewed. Will be going to Starbuck's tomorrow to sample there blonde bean. Yes, I know it's been out for a while, but I'm usually a bit behind the times. Can't wait! I hear they also have a limited edition Three Season blend that is of the bold variety. Not sure I can handle that!
For the first time in many, many years, I saw a Baltimore Oriole. When I was a kid, we saw them all the time, but now I never seem to spot them. Yesterday, while getting a haircut at my friend Cathy's, we spotted an oriole in the trees. She lives in a very rural setting and sees them all the time. Alas, city living does have its drawbacks!
