Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Duck, Duck, Goose!


Welcome!
Duck, Duck, Goose

Today I am reminded of the game "duck, duck, goose!" we played as children. For those of you not familiar with it, here are (our) the rules:
All the kids sit in a circle. One child starts out, circling the group and tapping the top of each head from the back while saying "duck......duck.....duck.....duck". At a random moment, she says "GOOSE!".  The 'goose' has to jump up and chase the child around the circle, hoping to tag her before she can pop into the circle and find a seat.
I suppose it could be compared to a version of 'upside down fruit basket'.

I remember quivering with excitement, hoping I would be chosen as the 'goose'!

duck...

duck....

duck...
one of a kind recycled bottlecap art by inkspired

GOOSE!!!
vintage ad for Pearline crackers

"Our memories are an untidy family album
crammed with images and dreams,
scattered and uncatalogued,
 and their sudden recurrence is wholly unpredictable."
- Don Freeman
What's Up, Duck?: A Book of Opposites (Duck & Goose)

Here is a paper doll by Current. I have previously posted her friend (see March blogs, Ireland) and will continue to post international costumes for them to wear. Today's outfit representing Holland includes a little goose - or is that a duck? - so I thought it fit in with our theme perfectly!

Thanks to OrigamiBears for her wonderful paper doll web site!

"As long as I continue to hear "normal" people
telling me I am too childish, I know I'm doing just fine."
- Wayne Dyer, motivational speaker

GOOSE!!!

thank you to Dover for sharing images from their books

decorated eggs with paper cut outs

Why couldn't we use stickers for similiar results?!

So, when's the last time you quacked like a duck?
inkspired
QUACK!!!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Garden Crazy with coloring page, a paperdoll and vintage clips

With my daffodils blooming every day, with more and more sunny faces, I am getting into a real Garden Craze!

Colleen Moore, Hollywood star, c.1925


"A little garden in which to walk
and immensity in which to dream."
- unknown

Here is a quirky paper doll that loves to garden!





What to do with all the paper doll extras?
For this paper doll, you have lots of extra graphics that you can have fun with. Cut the medium size pieces out carefully, and glue to cardstock or thin cardboard. I like to use blue or green so it will fit in with other scenery. Leave 1 1/2" strip on the bottom of each side, so you can fold the tabs back and let the piece stand on its' own. Cut just a tiny long triangle from the main piece going to a point on the side tab/strip. This will lean your scenery piece slightly back so it will stand better, and not topple over to the front.
Plain as a mud trail?
Practice on some cardstock. You will soon see exactly what I mean.

I would suggest cutting out the little wheelbarrow, the mushroom cluster, the bicycle being held up by the butterfly, the single butterfly, the washtub, basket and jams. Wow! That gives you lots of playing options!
Go ahead and cut out the tiny stuff too. You might want to print them out on sticker paper, so you can add them easily to new outfits. I love my sticker-sized Xyron for projects like this also!

Draw a little bush or small tree. Stick on the fruits - it can be a multi-berry tree, or whatever kind you want! I like to look through old magazines and find a tree and cut it out. Place it on heavy cardstock, glue, trim and make a stand for it.

Don't forget the second kind of easy paper doll stand:
In the center of the picture (in this case a tree) make a small slit from the middle bottom up about 1/2".
Cut a strip of card stock about 3/4" x 3". You can trim this down to size later.
Starting at the top of the strip, make a small cut down about 1/2" from the top towards the bottom. Do not cut the strip all the way.
Slot the two pieces together. Adjust the length of the strip as needed.

A great advantage to either of these stands is that they fold flat!

"When planting this garden
we left room
for fairies to dance."
Fairy of the Garden Barbie, by Mattel

"Gardening - just another day at the plant."


"In a touch of nature, the whole world is kin."
- John Muir, American naturalist
 
painted rock art, MyGardenRocks, etsy

"Row of seedlings poking their heads out to check the weather."
- Dave Wittler

More dimensional cards. See the directions on 4/2/2011 blog.

Well, I'm off to shake the snow off my daffodil blooms!
Have a super, garden crazy kind of day.

inkspired


Sunday, April 3, 2011

A blustery spring day with a free paperdoll

Hello!
Last night and today we have wind!  Makes me think of Winnie the Pooh and his friends on a blustery day!


"In a heavy oppressive atmosphere,
when the spirits sink too low,
the best cordial is to read over
all the letters of one's friends."
- William Shenstone


c. 1917


"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us
as the confident knowledge that they will help us."
- Epicurus, ancient philosopher

"All that matters is what we do for each other."
- Lewis Carroll

Here is a paper doll with her dolly friend:



And for a final note of wisdom:
"Eat oranges-
Hear the larks-
Wait on the sun."
- John Muir
inkspired


Saturday, April 2, 2011

Daffodils, a muffin recipe and Minnie Mouse gardening

Good morning!
Today the sun is shining and there is a light breeze. Just gorgeous!  My daffodils continue to bloom, and each one is exciting to me!
pattern for sale by melbangel, etsy

I hope some of you have started your daffodil afghan from yesterday.
I would LOVE to see pictures of your progress and finished afghan!

Doesn't she just look like a coutntry maid?
go Barbie!

"I don't like formal gardens. I like wild nature.
It's just the wilderness instinct in me I guess."
~ Walt Disney

These are paper punched flowers. Highly addictive to make!


c.1913

Madge Bellamy, Hollywood beauty

In keeping with these spring gardening dreams,
let's do some old fashioned baking!

Poppy Seed Muffins:
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons poppy seeds
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract

1.  Preheat oven to 400'. Grease muffin cups or use baking liners.
2.  In small bowl, stir together flour, poppy seeds, salt and baking soda.
3   In large bowl, cream together sugar and butter.
4.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.
5.  Stir in yogurt (or sour cream) and extract until well blended.
6.   Add flour mixture until moistened thoroughly
         Do Not Over-beat!!!
7.  Fill mluffin cups 2/3 full.
8.  Bake at 400' for 15 - 20 minutes
9. Makes 12 - 16 muffins.

Muffins are always best when served warm! and with real butter.....
oh, better get back to gardening!

These next 3 photos were taken in WaltDisneyWorld, Toon Town.
They are inside Minnie's House.
Look closely, and you will find some funny jokes!
 prize-winning daisies:
 prize-winning buttercups:
Here is a fun coloring page for you (ok, you can share with your kids):

and another:
Go outside and enjoy this wonderful day!
Yes, even if you have snow, or rainy weather. Enjoy it for what it is!
Here in the Rocky Mountains, we always love snow or rain days,
 as we need the moisture.
:0)
inkspired



Friday, April 1, 2011

Having a daffodil dazy day!

Merry April Fool's Day!
Today I am in a Daffodil Daze.
My first daffodils have bloomed, and they make everything look soooo cheerful!
I also have one giant grape hiacynth. No more, never has been. I have no idea where this lovely came from but I sure do like it!


“If you've never been thrilled
to the very edges of your soul
by a flower in spring bloom,
maybe your soul has never
been in bloom.”
~Terri Guillemets

Daffodil crochet afghan:

MaggiesCrochet.com
1-888-454-2101
from 40 Free Patterns

I apologize that the picture is not better. It's what came with it.

38. Daffodil Afghan # 2
Size: 46” x 66”
Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn; Lt Yellow (Y) 24 oz, Gold (G) 22 oz, and White (W) 16 oz
Gauge: Square Motif = 4 ¾”
Crochet Hook: I-9 (5.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Diamond Motif: (Make 32)
Rnd 1 (right side): With W, ch 1 (center ch), ch 4, (dc, ch 1) 7 times in center ch; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-4.  (8 dc)
DO NOT TURN EACH RND.
Rnd 2: Sl st in next ch-1 sp, ch 4, * (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 3, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, tr, ch 3, tr, ch 1, dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp, rep from * around; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-4.  (20 sts)  Finish off.
Rnd 3: With Right Side Facing, join G in any ch-3 sp between 2 tr, ch 3,  (dc, tr, ch 2, tr, 2 dc) in same sp as joining, *2 dc in each of next 4 ch-1 sps, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp, 2 dc in each of next 4 ch-1 sps, (2 dc, tr, ch 2, tr, 2 dc) in next ch-3 sp, rep from * around; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3.  (54 sts)  Finish off.
Flower Motif: (Make 45)
With Y, ch 12, sl st in first ch to form ring.
First Petal: 
Row 1: Ch 2, hdc in same st as joining, 2 hdc in next st. (4 hdc) Ch 2, turn eaCH row.
Row 2: Increasing at beg and end of row hdc across. (6 hdc)
Row 3: Rep Row 2.  (8 hdc)
Row 4: Decreasing at beg and end of row, hdc across.  (6 hdc)
Row 5: Rep Row 4.  (4 hdc)
Row 6: Rep Row 4.  (2 hdc)  Ch 1, turn.
Sl st along side of petal back to starting ch.  Sl st in same ch as last of Row 1 of Petal.
Next Petals:
Row 1: Sl st in next ch of starting ch, ch 2, hdc in same ch, 2 hdc in next ch.  Ch 2, turn eaCH row.
Rep Rows 2-6 of first petal.
When 6th petal is complete, work the following rnd:
Rnd 1: Sl st along side of rows 6 and 5 of petal, * ch 3, sl st in side of 5th row of next petal, working behind petal, ch 4, sl st opposite end of row 5, rep from * around, ch 4, sl st in same sp as joining.  Finish off.
Flower Center:
With Right Side Facing, join Y in any unused lp of beg ch-12. 
Rnd 1: Working in unused lps of beg ch-12, ch 2, (2 hdc in next ch, hdc in next ch) around; join with sl st in 2nd ch of beg ch-2. 
(18 hdc)  Ch 2, do not turn. 
Rnd 2: Ch 2, hdc in each st around.  Join.  (18 hdc)  Finish off Y.
Rnd 3: With Right Side Facing, join G in any st, ch 1, sc in same st, * (sc, ch 3, sc) in next st, sc in next st, rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc.  (27 sc) Finish off leaving long end.
Next Rnds:
Rnd 2: Join W in any ch-4 sp of Flower Rnd 1, ch 4, dc in same sp, * ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch-3 sp, (ch 1, dc) twice in next ch-4 sp, rep from * around; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-4.
Rnd 3: Sl st in next ch-1 sp, ch 4, (dc in next ch-1 sp ch-1) twice, * (dc, ch 3, dc) in next ch-2 sp, (ch-1, dc in next ch-1 sp) 5 times,
ch 1, rep from * around; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-4.  (42 dc)  Finish off W.
Rnd 4: With Right Side Facing, join G in any ch-3 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, * dc in next ch-1 sp, 2 dc in each of next
4  ch-1 sp, dc in next ch-1 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-3 sp, rep from * around; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (84 dc)
Finish off G.  Weave in ends except for long one.  Use long end to tack cup of flower flat as shown in photo.
Finishing:
Sew 5 Flower Motifs Across and 9 Flower Motifs Down.  Fill the spaces in between by sewing in the Diamond Motifs.

shaped soaps from www.SatinAndBirch.etsy.com

here's a simple daffodil for you to color: 

A simple card technique:
These cards are a form of dimensional card making. It involves having several copies of the same picture. You can make these on a copy machine, just watch that the ink doesn't run.

1. In my Daffodil Daze, I would choose the daffodil ones! You start with the first one, the whole flower.
2. Then you cut the second one, with only the leaves and bottom layer of flower. Glue on top of the first.
3. Third, you cut out only the center of the daffodil, and glue in place.
These especially pop if you use double sided sticky foam dots - you can find these in most hobby/craft stores now. Definitely in a rubber stamping store if you are fortunate to have one in your area.
.....You can also make it look more realistic by slightly curving the top 2 layers over a spoon or wooden dowel before glueing in place.
4. Optional: you can brush a clear coat of acrylic sealer like JudiKins Diamond Glaze (my favorite) or Ranger has one that is also good, over the flower.

c.1912

A special gift from my sister. Those really are daffodils in her garland!


Here is another darling Joan Walsh Anglund paper doll for Spring and Easter:
yes, there is a daffodil in her bonnet!

"Everything is blooming most recklessly;
if it were voices instead of colors,
there would be an unbelievable
shrieking into the heart of the night."
 

-   Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke  

Go look for some blooms today! Make it a search and find with the kids when you take a walk! Practice addition with them while you are doing it!
inkspired