Monday Night Stained Glass Class - A New Project

Our teacher, Alice, found out I had a thing for fleur-de-lis, so she surprised me with this tonight in class. I decided to change it up a bit, as we agreed it looked a little squatty, plus she always encourages us to make up our own patterns whenever we can.

I immediately knew I wanted to use clear glass for the background, however there were only smaller pieces available in the bin we have to select from. Until Alice presented me with this gorgeous embossed piece and told me the story behind it. It's called Thistle, and it was part of a collection given to her by her dear friend Ann, before she passed away back in 2000. Alice told me the piece had good karma and she would be glad to see it used in my project.

I found these aqua colored glass baubles at Goodwill recently and will use them to add some color to the clear glass. I think my changed up fleur-de-lis looks more traditional now.

Oh and here's my friend Diane, who posed for me just as she was starting to solder her first masterpiece.

How is it she even looks gorgeous in a respirator?!

Almost Endless Supply of Toile

Toile is one of my favorite French inspired fabrics, so when I found this rubber stamp in the bargain bin I snatched it up. My mission was to experiment to see if I could use just plain acrylic paint with this rubber stamp to apply a pattern of toile on some fabric I had laying around to make a window covering.

Well, I found an old white sheet that had seen better days, doubled it up from the length and sewed a zigzag stitch up to the border, finishing off the sides as well. I pressed it with my Parisian (of course) linen water to give it a glorious scent. Ooh la la!




I had enough to make a valance for my curtains too. I used a square piece and doubled it over by folding it into a triangle, sewed right sides together, turned, pressed and then began stamping away.

I see a pattern developing . . .

Yes, definitely toile. I love how each stamp is either darker or lighter in tone too. Adds character you know.

And what's toile without a fleur de lis? This was done with some liquid gold leaf and a fleur de lis stencil. The gold leaf bled a little over the stencil, but again, more character!

I soaked the fabric for this pillow in strong black coffee before stamping.

This is giving me so many ideas! You know, I've always wanted a room done in toile wallpaper. Hmmmm.

Romancing the Chowdah

Freshly scrubbed potatoes I dug up from my garden

become an ingredient in the meal that I made today.

A simple bowl of fish chowder with thick, crusty slices of warm buttered bread.

Tales of old sailors and sea lore, filled with mythical creatures are imagined as we dine in the room where our charming tin seahorse hangs out.

Behind our backs, on the bench where we sit, are words that speak of our love of the sea.

Our glowing candle lit wall sconce adds a touch of romance.

In our tiny nook right here in our kitchen, with a mirrored porthole for our view.

Such a cozy spot we have, all within reach of another bright garden harvest.

And a quick way to pull down the shade.

I just love spending time in my tiny kitchen by the sea!