Vintage appeal, Hand dyed Seam Binding

Seam binding can be used in a variety of ways and looks great as an enhancement for any art and craft theme.  With Christmas just around the corner it is a great stocking filler and gift idea.  I love to use it on my hand made gift tags and when wrapping pressies for that personal touch.

 

 

 Each length of vintage look, crushed seam binding shows beautiful mottled hues as they have been individually hand dyed ~ so no two are exactly the same. 

 

 

 

God is so good - Our life is in His hands

This was sent to my Facebook page by a friend and I thought it was so inspiring that I placed the post here for you to read.

**A picture began circulating in November. It should be "The Picture of the Year," or perhaps, "Picture of the Decade." It won't be. In fact, unless you obtained a copy of the U.S. paper which published it, you probably would never have seen it.

The picture is that of a 21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagno...sed with spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother's womb. Little Samuel's mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta. She knew of Dr. Bruner's remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, he performs these special operations while the baby is still in the womb.

During the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr. Bruner completed the surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger. Dr. Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile.

The photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity. The editors titled the picture, "Hand of Hope." The text explaining the picture begins, "The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas emerges from the mother's uterus to grasp the finger of Dr. Joseph Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life."

Little Samuel's mother said they "wept for days" when they saw the picture. She said, "The photo reminds us pregnancy isn't about disability or an illness, it's about a little person" Samuel was born in perfect health, the operation 100 percent successful. Now see the actual picture, and it is awesome...incre dible....and hey, pass it on! The world needs to see this one!

New Year Giveaway

Win a Personal Planner - scroll down to see how

Would you like to add some colour to your workday at the same time as making your planner more efficient and that bit more personal?

 

 If so, Personal Planner has a great idea I think you’ll love!

 

 

Their planners provide you with endless design possibilities.

You can change colour, text and design on front/back cover as well as inlay.

 

There are also clever boxes for to-do list, gym session, preschool, idea of the week and weather. Friend’s and family member’s birthdays can also be added to the inlay directly from Facebook. They print and deliver the finished product directly to our your doorstep. 

 

Here are a few things that I like about these planners:

• Design the front/back cover
• Tons of ways to design the inside to suit your style & needs
• Add friends & family members birthdays to the inlay 
• Choose between 4 different sizes
• You pick the start date
• And best of all its fun and easy

To have a chance at winning your personally designed Personal Planner:

1. Comment below and give me a good reason why you want the planner
2. Click here to visit their website and facebook page
3. like them on facebook and Tweet this post

Opportunity begins 15/01/13 and ends 31/01/13 - be quick! 

Retro Recipe Card

A little Kitch for the Kitchen

apple pie

apple pie......mmmmm

 

Fresh, juicy apples painted into a pie - this is my first painting for my handpainted Dessert Book. 

I am in the process of painting five books - one for each of my children and one for me.

I'm a great believer in creating art from the heart to hand on to my future grandchildren.

 

I am going to post a picture of each as I go and include the recipe - just in case you want to have a go and make the yummy desserts for your family.
                                           

apple pie

 

Oh la la ~ Macaroons

"A worldwide symbol of dainty indulgence, the macaroon seduces tastebuds and practically invites itself onto our plates"

Jose Marechal

Classic Macaroons ~ how delicious!

Recipe

An Artistic Array

It has been said that like a frothy Chanel frock, a macaroon is a work of art.

In every respect this almond based sweet is a metaphor for the esteemed principles of couture: they’re gorgeous, delicious and exclusive, which explains why the macaroon is perceived as the ultimate style icon of the culinary world.

Pastel Delicious

 Scrumdiddleyumptious!



Belle Petit Fleur ~ Artist of the Month

ALEX CARMAN

of

BELLE PETIT FLEUR

A stay-at-home mum, who likes to spend what little spare time she has

 creating delectable jewelry guaranteed to inspire and delight!

APRICOT FLEUR HEADBAND

I highly recommend these items from Alex ~ they make wonderful gifts for any age!

I purchased some myself recently and they are VERY reasonably priced,

beautifully made

and look stunning on ~ quite vintage looking!

Check them out at Belle Petit Fleur

ROMANCE BOBBY TRIO

CRYSANTHEMUM VINTAGE EAR CANDY

Items can also be purchased at the Fullarton Plant & Craft Market (SA only)

on the 4th Saturday of every month.

See website for details: http://www.fullartonmarket.com.au/.

The Band Perry - If I Die Young

I absolutely love this band and this song ~ fantastic ~ just have to buy this Album!

Lyrics

If I die young bury me in satin

Lay me down on a bed of roses

Sink me in the river at dawn
Send me away with the words of a love song

oh oh oh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I’ll shine down on my mother

She'll know I’m safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and

Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no

ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I’ve had just enough time

If I die young bury me in satin

Lay me down on a bed of roses

Sink me in the river at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I’ve had just enough time

And I’ll be wearing white when I come into your kingdom

I’m as green as the ring on my little cold finger

I’ve never known the lovin' of a man

But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand

There’s a boy here in town says he’ll love me forever

Who would have thought forever could be severed by

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I’ve had just enough time

So put on your best boys and I’ll wear my pearls

What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no I’ll sell them for a dollar

They're worth so much more after I’m a goner

And maybe then you’ll hear the words I been singin’

Funny when you're dead how people start listenin’

If I die young bury me in satin

Lay me down on a bed of roses

Sink me in the river at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

oh oh

The ballad of a dove

Go with peace and love

Gather up your tears, keep ‘em in your pocket

Save them for a time when your really gonna need 'em oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I’ve had just enough time

So put on your best boys and I’ll wear my pearls

Showcasing Handpainted Rubie Dubie Designs

These darling little dresses have just been listed on my Etsy store - Rubie Dubie Designs

I will be continuing to paint many funky floral designsfor the little princess in your life.

They are made with excellent quality fabrics and custom painted

with the most delicious flowers and other unique designs.

They are sold at the very reasonable amount of $45 plus postage.

If you would like a custom design please email me at karengrant@writeme.com 

and I will create one especially for you.

 Lazy Daisy

Alexandra Bear

Roses Roses

Iris

Handpainted Childrens' Aprons

Bec Clarke Creations

This weeks featured artist is

Bec Clarke.

Bec hails from Tumbarumba in NSW, Australia

her Etsy is

Bec Clarke Creations

Bec sells delightful items in her Etsy shop,

including these wonderful little patterns

 

or these wonderful fat quarters!

what are you waiting for....go, take a look!

ALIHSEE BLOGSPOT

Make sure you check out this beautiful Bloggy by

Alexandra Carman

http://alihsee.blogspot.com/

Alex rewards her bloggy readers by offering beautiful GIVEAWAYS

Don't miss out ~ become a follower today ~

for the opportunity of reading many interesting posts and taking part in

her GIVEAWAYS.

WHITE CHOCOLATE LEMON MYRTLE CHEESECAKE

My SCRUMDIDDLIUMCIOUS

White Chocolate Lemon Myrtle Cheesecake

will soon be included in a cookbook published by Pacific Magazines

along with many other wonderful 'reader' recipes.

SOOOO EXCITED!!

I'll let you know when and where you can

put your hands on a copy as soon as it is on the shelf.

Rubie Dubie Designs

My NEW SHOP!

featuring

Childrens clothing, Shu Shus and Accessories ~ Handmade in Australia from quality Vintage and New fabric.

EENSY WEENSY DESIGNS

GIVEAWAY!!!

Be the first customer at

EENSY WEENSY DESIGNS

by Alex Carman

http://eensyweensydesigns.etsy.com/

and you will have the blessing of choosing from these lovely giveaway items

~ you will also need to leave a comment on this post and let me know which of her items you love the best ~

A set of 6 Beautiful Butterfly Sillouette Cards

OR

A set of 6 Awesome Cupcake Cards

HANDPAINTED SHOES

GORGUS! GORGUS! GORGUS!

I painted these today and will be listing them in my ARTSHUSHUS shop on Etsy

http://www.artshus.etsy.com/

TWINS by Karen Grant

A beautiful Sepia tone design on Antique White background.

They are handpainted using quality Australian made and owned Archival Acrylics

onto 100% cotton, comfy slip-ons.

Only One of a Kind designs - not repeated!

They are works of Art

and a unique 'Fashion Statement'

Email me if you are interested in having  unique

designer handpainted Artshus.

karengrant@writeme.com