Grow Your Soul

By cultivating the beautiful, we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers...

Moonflower seeds and pods

Words are also seeds, and when dropped into the invisible spiritual substance, they grow and bring forth after their kind. ~ Charles Fillmore

Portable Snowman!

Disclaimer - No actual snowmen were harmed in the making of these water bottles : )

How cute is this!?  And I am sharing the link to make these cute labels, courtesy of my sister and her website.

Perfect for school parties, get togethers and even toting around for yourself during the holidays.  She's even using this design for another clever upcoming project, so be sure to check back to her blog.

Here's some of her tips for best results:

- Make sure your printer has the option to "print to edge of paper" or something to that effect.  On my printer, it is one of the effects for printing photographs.

- Use regular printer paper NOT cardstock.  Cardstock will make the labels pop open like Santa's buttons after too many cookies!

- Use the thin dark blue lines as cutting guides.  There will be extra to slice off on the last label.

- Use Sticky Strip to fasten them on.

Have fun!

…Especially the glitter ones!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

"Simply Creative Christmas" Sale runs
November 16-November 27

Daily Deals - November 16
BIGIF Rotary Blades (all brands!)

Daily Deals - November 23
Butterick 5 for $5
Vogue $3.99

2013 Houston Quilt Festival Finds

I found a couple things and a couple of people at the Houston Quilt Festival this year.
Hope springs eternal breathing in the same creative air will inspire and these little quilting projects may/might turn out.

Mostly these items caught my eye for 1) their simplicity, and 2) their marketing/packaging/pricing.   Plus the booth vendors were very nice.  So a special shout-out to them!

I spoke to Pam Bocko herself, the Pieceful Designs designer of the Flash Cards Notebook Cover at the top of the photo, who even offered to help me via email.  The design is so cute and I loved how the pen is incorporated into the closure.

The bottom one from The Designer's Workshop is called "Coffee Break," but I want to rename my result, "Tea Time"!  I'm almost hesitant to unfold and use the fabric (which is enough to make both designs).  I think it would be a pretty Christmas ornament or sewing room decoration as is!

And for many of the others who wouldn't even look up, acknowledge us or try to sell their items. . .Sorry to bother you, I'm moving on.

But also how friendly were these ladies -- Alex Anderson and Lyric Kinard!  And Alex's husband who offered to take the picture!  Amongst other talents, Lyric also does amazing watercolors.

Flanked by quilting royalty!

Thursday Tea Time - Immuni-tea!

This week:  The Republic of Tea Be Well Red Teas - Get Wellness

Cost:   $9.99 at Whole Foods
Number of teabags:   36
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  5 to 7 minutes, I went for 7
Add ins:  Natural Bliss Sweet Cream
Ingredients:  Organic rooibos (leaf), licorice (root), ashwagandha (root), European elder berries, astragalus (root), chicory (root), echinacea purpurea (root), natural spice flavor, cardamom and cloves
Fragrance:    Cardamom and cloves, then the distinctive rooibos
Opinion:  Tastes great and will boost my immunity?!  I will gladly drink a mugful of this every day!  I know that previously I said I was getting a bit off on the rooibos, but I like the interesting mingling of herbs and flavors.  The label even says:  "This sassy, spicy blend opens up to reveal sweet aromatic cardamom and assertive cloves with a soothing finish."  True that!   Who wouldn't want to drink and be sassy?!  Some have said it takes getting used to, but I loved it from first sip.  You could drink it plain with a little honey, but just a tiny splash of the sweet cream does me just fine.
Rating:  5  I'm running back for another canister (or two, or three, or four) to get me through the holidays, cold and flu season.

Way Back Wednesday - Simplicity 9544

Simplicity 9544

I LOVED this pattern!! 

Picture if you will, the Fall of 1971 - 7th grade Hoover Drive Junior High School. 

Otherwise known as Hell on Earth.   (Gah.  At least I thought I was sew cool.)  

A Mom and Dad-approved way to be able to wear 1) a mini dress, 2) hot pants. 

Picture, too, how cool these boots would still be today!  

I made this twice.  And yes, one of them with the rick-rack.  

(I even put it down the center…and in hot pink!)  

Let's bring back rick-rack.  Rick-rack, like frosting, makes everything better.

(Perhaps not so much being in 7th grade, but I think I got an A for effort, and in rick-rack application)

Fall Garden Update

Latest additions to the garden, which finally seem to be taking.  I swear the past few months I was just burying money in there.

Penny Red Blotch Viola
(Blotch?!  Yes!)

Wallflower
(really!)
Erysimum, if you want to get technical

I think my coolest find was this Wallflower, which seems to be very happy being so in my garden.  It actually is fragrant, like honeysuckle?  Who knew?!  It is a perennial, albeit labeled 'tender perennial' - aren't all wallflowers?  This is Erysimum in "Citrona Yellow"  The label also said it is "a superb cool-season plant, great with pansies and other fall plants."

Looks like I have a good combo!

Love is all around Texas

Outside the old Rexall Drug Store on Highway 36 in Wallis, Texas.

Forget Hindsight

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

November 3/9

McCall's - 5/$7

Veterans' Day Sale - November 10/15

Simplicity - 5/$5
50% off interfacing by the yard

Holiday Chai!

This week - Numi Organic Holiday Herbal Chai


Cost:   $6.99 at Whole Foods (Update:  On sale now for $5.49 through December 3)
Number of teabags:   18 individually wrapped tea bags
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  Four minutes
Add ins:  Natural Bliss Sweet Cream
Ingredients:  Fair Trade certified organic:   Rooibos, cloves, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and cardamom
Fragrance:   Cinnamon and clove
Opinion:  Love this tea, I think this is my new favorite!  Another great caffeine-free chai to enjoy in the evening, too.
Rating:  5

Happy Halloween!

Creative Fuel

Wednesday Work in Progress

My pumpkin from the Galveston Farmer's Market

My room at the Tremont House in Galveston

This week we were focusing on interiors.  (The pumpkin was a bonus)  

We only have one more class left this session.  I am definitely going to re-up!

Chantal Warehouse Sale!

Which lately the first weekend has been falling on the Houston Quilt Festival, but fortunately for us all the warehouse will be open three weekends in November with plenty of shoppertunities.  (In the past they have had different specials each weekend.)

Mark your calendars -- November 1/3, 8/10 and 15/17
Fridays and Saturdays 9 AM-6 PM
Sundays Noon-5 PM

5425 North Sam Houston Parkway West
www.chantal.com

Houston International Quilt Festival 2013

The Houston International Quilt Festival kick-off begins in just a few days!

Festival hours for the public are:
Wednesday, October 30 7 to 10 PM
Thursday/Saturday, October 31/November 2 10 AM to 7 PM
Sunday, November 3 10 AM to 4 PM
Yours truly will be there and will post my finds, pictures and of course, opinions during the Festival.
If you can't make it this year, make plans for next year.  The 2014 Houston International Quilt Festival dates will be October 30/November 2.

The 2013 ticket prices are:

$12 adults
$9 seniors/students
$12 Preview Night package, includes additional free day
Children 10 and under free
$42 Full Show pass (includes Preview Night)
(Want to buy and print your tickets in advance?  Click here  The fee is $1 to do so.)

Pssst!  Here's a sneak peek at this year's Exhibitors -- and their booth numbers (as of October 22) so you can map out and plan your shopping strategy.   You may also want to keep in mind everyone automatically heads to the right once they enter.  Take it from a seasoned shopper and booth exhibitor, you may want to start a few rows over (remember which row you began so you don't miss a thing!).
Click here for the floor plans
There's also a lull around 3-4:30 PM before the after-work local crowd arrives.  Want to pick up some deals?  Then shop Sunday, especially mid-afternoon.  Vendors often don't want to pay or go through the hassle of shipping things back.  It's also an especially good time to get display magazines from the different publishers.  (Honestly, they toss them out.)  Surprisingly, Preview Night on Wednesday isn't that crowded.  It's also the best time to check the quilt displays.  But please, park in a safe and secure area, especially at night.  I recommend parking directly across the street or the Hilton parking garage.  Don't try to save money on safety.

Last year, Craftsy had a pop-up class booth in the Food Court area, and gave away discounted class tickets.  I'm hoping they will be back this year, too.  Make It University will also be returning.

Wear comfy shoes, stick a package of trail mix in your purse, have fun, and hope to see y'all there!

Pumpkin 'Puncture

Here's the pumpkin I did for Hooked on Acupuncture

A great place for affordable acupuncture (right next door to Yoga Haven).  Owner Clint McCallum basically gave me my life back after having the shingles.  In fact, I now feel better than before I got sick!  Seriously.  He's also a Chinese medicine herbalist.  Between the acupuncture and the herbal drops, I have not had any allergy problems at all, and this is usually my worst sinus/bronchitis time of year.  (knock on pumpkin)

If you live in the Houston/Galveston area, you've got to check this place out!

Hooked on Acupuncture

2505 Market Street, Galveston, Tx 77550 • 409-241-3199

Take a yoga class next door, follow up with a visit to the Oasis Juice Bar. and you've got a great, restorative day of health, healing and happy.

~~~~~

This is how I applied the glitter to just the tips of the flames.  I mixed a little of the sealant with the glitter and applied with a brush.  The brush happens to be part of a makeup brush set (Sonia Kashuk) which shape seemed better suited for painting and crafting than applying eyeshadow.

Halloween Pumpkin 2013!

Hopefully Chococat will have nine lives and stick around!

I used Martha Stewart's glitters -- Crystal Fine, Onyx, Brownstone, Cinnabar and Turquoise - from that 24 pack I scored at Michael's awhile back, 50% off.

I was pretty impressed with this - found it at Texas Art Supply for less than $2!

I also used Liquid Pearls in "White Opal", to highlight the ears, around the face and along the stem.

I thought this looked like a starfish!

Inspiration:  Magnet 

The sketch!

Ready to trace!
I put it on top of the pumpkin and with a little pressure traced along the lines with a pencil to create a line (dent) in the pumpkin
No need for carbon paper!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Moonlight Madness - October 20/26

99 cent McCall's
40% off interfacing by the yard


October 31/November 2

5 for $7 Butterick patterns
$4.99 Vogue patterns

Thursday Tea Time - Fuego!

This week - Archer Farms Organic Fiery Chai Herbal Tea

Cost:   $2.99 at Target
Number of teabags:   20 individually wrapped tea bags -- nice to tuck and go in your computer bag.
Caffeine:   No
Type of tea:   Herbal
Steeping time:  Five minutes
Add ins:  Add a little fat free Half & Half if you'd like a chai tea latte.  Otherwise, nothing else is needed.  Not even any sweetener!
Ingredients:  All organic:   Rooibos, cinnamon, ginger root, cloves, cardamom, black pepper and nutmeg
Fragrance:   Cinnamon and clove
Opinion:  I like that I can drink this as is, no additional need for sweetener.  In fact, I even tried adding just a little bit of sugar and didn't like it at all.  The fact it is organic is a bonus, too.  And caffeine-free means I can enjoy this in the evening, also. The box suggests steeping in hot apple cider or juice...I may just have to try that!  Overall, a nice way to warm your days and evenings.
Rating:  4

Ooh, pretty!

Love the little Archer Farms rooster
(Though I miss the tea bags which used to have the sayings)

Wednesday Work in Progress

I guess we both are!

Live Love

Spotted on a bench outside Inversion Coffee House yesterday afternoon. . .

Good Morning!

Sunrise - October 18, 2013
Galveston, Texas

"How beautiful, how buoyant, and glad is morning!" 

~ L.E. Landon

Today's Favorite Workout Song

As I look at my ice skates. . .

John Newman - "Love Me Again" - 3:59

Catchy song, I love the piano part at 2:57
Bonus this week it is FREE on iTunes - grab it!

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Trader Joe's Organic Yerba Mate

Cost:   $3.99 at Trader Joe's
Number of teabags:   25
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Herbal?
Steeping time:  Five minutes
Add ins:  Plays well with just sugar or sugar and organic half&half, or honey.
Ingredients:   Yerba mate
Fragrance:  Sweet tobacco-y
Opinion:   Evidently there are many health benefits to drinking yerba mate tea.  Here's a link to a good list.  This has a bit of a kick, but it doesn't hit until about 6 hours later, as attested by waking up at 2 AM.  So not a good candidate for after dinner tea.  It wasn't bitter at all and in fact, had a quite pleasant mellow flavor.  Pretty packaging, too.  I'll be grabbing another bag next time I'm at Trader Joe's.  (Along with another container or two of their dark chocolate almond bark!)
Rating:  4

Wednesday Work In Progress

Morning Reflection - at The Tremont House

"Morning Reflection"

This was the view from the fourth floor of The Tremont House in Galveston, October 11, 2013

Our watercolor class project was to learn to paint reflection and water.  Some painted flowers in a vase. I thought this would be a good learning opportunity
One classmate said, "You always choose challenging pictures" - My motto has always been jump in and figure it out as I go along.

Which I did.

First you tape off to make an interesting point of view.

This is actually a picture of the picture from the worktable
You see almost a different color palette
I might just use that for the next painting

"Paint the pretty colors first!"

Then the dark colors. . .

Oops!  

Insert hissy fit and a break for a salted caramel latte.  (Fortunately there is a coffeehouse in the same building.)

But an easy fix - and good life advice.  

In order to get more light, you need more dark.  

Add more color. 

Not take things and details so literally.

And don't give up.  

I was even able to "turn on" that last light on the right.

Not too bad!  The more I look at it, the more I think "hmmm" and start to smile.

I will save a vase of flowers for another time.

While we are passing through space...

Shinedown - "I'll Follow You" - 3:58

Great swimming and ice skating song!
(Just a twee out of practice)

Bounty from the Galveston Farmers Market

I got to the Galveston's Own Farmer's Market early this morning and was finally able to score some Kenz Henz eggs, rye bread, raisin cinnamon roll and iced oatmeal raisin cookie from Galveston Bread Company, a homegrown pumpkin (which I think was from Moon Dog Farms, right next to the Oasis Juice Bar tent), and a spice Mud Cookie.   Coconut iced tea from Oasis Juice Bar not pictured.

Today is their one-year anniversary celebration, so you still have time to get there and get some goodies for yourself.  2508 Postoffice Street at 25th Street, just a few blocks from the cruise ship terminal.

What Will Be

Fall Friday Flowers

Fall Flowers from Trader Joe's

Their flowers last a long time.  This had a nice assortment of two roses, two Gerbera daisies, pom-pom daisies, celosia and a sprig of eucalyptus and greenery all for $5.99.

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Celestial Seasonings Sweet Harvest Pumpkin Holiday Tea

Cost:   $2.19 at Super Target
Number of teabags:   20
Caffeine:   Yes
Type of tea:   Black
Steeping time:  Five minutes
Add ins:   I tried everything - plain, Half & Half, a little sugar, even the Cinnamon Natural Bliss Half & Half.
Ingredients:   Black Tea, Cinnamon, Ginger, Roasted Chicory, Natural Pumpkin Flavor With Other Natural Flavors (Soy Lecithin), Luo Han Guo, Cloves, Nutmeg, Natural Sweetener (Stevia Extract) and Pumpkin.
Fragrance:  It did smell like pumpkin pie!
Opinion:  I so wanted to like this.  Alas, no. I thought it tasted odd.  You could taste the cloves and nutmeg with a nice bite of ginger - nice.  But then there was an aftertaste.  Three times I tried this, three times I dumped it into the sink.  I don't know if it was from the Luo Han Guo or the stevia.  My bet is on the stevia.  I don't like to use it because it does have a "different" sweetness, which can vary from product to label.  
Rating:   0.5 (Useful as a potential potpourri?)