Hand Painted Table Runner No. 2

A few months ago I published a post on how to make a hand painted table runner.  That first table runner had a floral design and today, I just want to very quickly show you another that I have completed that is a whimsical version using birds and chicks as the design theme.

Hand Painted Table Runner
S. King-Allikas

Hand Painted Table Runner
S. King-Allikas

 

What I thought was fun was to use bits of collage to represent the birds' wings.  I used a palette knife to paint most of the background and then a brush to outline the birds.  Placing the birds in different directions avoids the design from having a one way orientation only.

 

You could make a few of these and tuck them away for gift giving.  Just remember that to store these table runners you will need to roll them up, not fold them.

 

Thanks for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today,

 

Wishing you a fun and whimsical day,

 

Sandra



 

 





 



Painting of a Teacup

My previous posts this month have been about creating a warm cozy home environment in which to nestle for these frigid winter months.  With all of that sorting, purging and beautifying done my focus has wandered back to the easel.

I've just finished a 36" x 36" painting of a teacup.  The use of a simple subject allowed me to employ texture, collage and to play around with the background without the painting becoming too busy or fussy.  Setting the cup off kilter lends an unexpected and playful element to an otherwise very traditional still life subject.

Painting of a Teacup
36" x 36" Mixed Media
Sandra King-Allikas

The inside of the cup is covered in collage (A special thank you to Stella for amply supplying me with collage material!).   

Detail - Painting of a Teacup
Bird motif and its reflection
Sandra King-Allikas

During the painting process I noticed a motif of a bird had quite accidentally appeared on the upper right hand side sitting on the saucer (you may have to use your imagination), then I noticed a small dark reflection of the bird on the saucer just below it.  That's weird, I thought.  Later, as I was working on the collaged area at the upper left,  I notice another bird motif (see the light coloured square and how the space between the collage creates a geometric shaped bird facing left?).  It's interesting how our subconscious works.  My painting mentor didn't hesitate when I pointed them out to her...."Freedom", she said, "Birds represent the concept of freedom and what your subconscious is dealing with will float (or should I say fly?) to the surface of your paintings."

Detail - Painting of a Teacup
Bird motif in collage
Sandra King-Allikas



Freedom.  I have been pondering the concept of freedom; the word appears on the pages of my journal, in my prayers and in my conversations.  I am realizing more and more that I have so much freedom, much more than I ever believed; it was only the constraints of old belief systems, the expectations of others and self-imposed limits that ever clipped my wings.  What a wonderful feeling, freedom... now that is my cup of tea!

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you be truly free today,

Sandra

Make a Hand Painted Pillow

It's wintery and blustery and oh so chilly.  Here's an idea for making a beautiful hand painted pillow that will be comfy and add a pretty touch to a special cozy corner.

I created this painting pretty much as I would for any of my traditional paintings, so that it a truly original piece of art and signed by the artist. 

To create this project you will need.

Canvas type fabric
Acrylic paint
Paint brush or pallet knife
duct tape or masking tape
a pillow form or fibrefill for the stuffing
a sewing machine or needle and thread for hand sewing.

I think the process is probably obvious for most DIY-ers but here are some photos to guide you.

tape off area to be painted

Create your masterpiece
(don't worry the fabric will get wavy until it dries)

Let paint dry. Remove masking tape.

 

Sign your name

With right sides together, sew the back and front of the pillow
together, leaving an opening for your pillow form.
Turn, trim corners and insert the pillow form.
I made mine so that the cover could be removed for laundering.
Yes! they are washable on a delicate cycle, hang to dry.



• If you want to make your pillow cover washable you will have to "set" the paint.  Once the paint is fully dry, place it on your ironing board.  Cover the painted area completely with an old tea towel or piece of cotton fabric.  Iron on a high setting for about 20 seconds.  Remove the tea towel and let cool.

Let your imagination run wild, or coordinate your colours to your decor.  With some supervision, even your children can create a pillow for their room or to give as a gift.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a pillowy-soft kinda day,

Sandra

Make your own whole wheat sugar free pita bread

Healthy Whole Wheat Pita Bread
(No Oil or Sugar)
Sandra King-Allikas

 Sometimes desperation forces me to take radical actions.  Such was the case when for the second week in a row I haven't been able to find my usual whole wheat pita bread.  I'm particular when it comes to my food (some would say picky). I don't want to eat sugar, white flour or ingredients that I wouldn't use in my own cooking.  I also don't especially like a list of ingredients that says it may contain something or it may not.  After reading the ingredients list of four other whole wheat pita bread packages I left without any.

But wait, this story has a very happy ending.  I found a recipe on line click here for recipe for Healthy Whole Wheat Pita Bread (No Oil or Sugar).  One batch yields 10 pitas (mine made 8) which is enough for an entire week.  In addition, this recipe was quick and easy but the best, best part is how delicious they taste.

I am no kitchen goddess, so when I say this was easy, you can be sure that it is really easy.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a delicious day,

Sandra

Home as Haven - Part IV

Maybe you are still reeling from the thought of sorting through that part of your home that has become the dumping ground for all  matter of things that you don't want to deal with or that do not have a designated storage place.  Part - III

Because that task may actually take you days (weeks?) to complete, let's not forget to keep our spirits up.  Indulge your senses as you move from room to room looking for little touches that you can incorporate to bring warmth, light, scent, sound and texture to your winter nest, your refuge from the dark and blustery days and nights of January.

Yesterday I made of candle for our dining room using pure bees wax, the scent is sweet and reminiscent of honey, the colour is beautifully rich.  There is something special about candles that you make yourself.  As far as DIY projects go, it doesn't get much easier.

DIY Bees wax candle
Sandra King-Allikas




Pure bees wax, candle wicks, a mold,
and a double boiler for melting the wax.
S.King-Allikas

There are plenty of on-line tutorials that will guide you through the process of candle making if you are unsure.  I used an empty coffee cream container as my candle mold.

Another super easy, scent-pleasing, idea is to stick whole cloves into oranges.  You can insert them randomly or create a design.  Arrange the decorated oranges on a beautiful saucer or bowl.  The cloves pierce the orange peel releasing a delicate, natural spicy-citrus scent. 

While you have the spices out, place a cup of water in a small saucepan, sprinkle in some cinnamon, ground cloves and nutmeg.  Simmer this mixture, uncovered, over low heat (checking that it doesn't evaporate) for several hours and your home will be deliciously scented for the day.

To freshen your linen closet, place a few bars of lavender soap among your towels and sheets.  Your closet will smell lovely when you open the door and your linens will have a delicate scent .

While we're on the subject of scents, may I mention a personal pet peeve?  Yes? Thank you.  Air fresheners; in my opinion, if you are not able to create a wholesome air freshener from ingredients in your kitchen, just forget it and carry on your merry way.  Those chemical filled plug-ins, sprays, waxy twist opens, time release swooshes are unnatural, over bearing and potentially dangerous (I know, I know... what isn't potentially dangerous to our health?...but still!)  Even strongly chemically scented candles should be done away with, in my humble opinion.

Phew, I feel much better now.  Where were we?  Ah yes, keeping your spirits up and your home beautiful while you do the "heavy-lifting" of  decluttering: filing, shredding, donating, organizing, down-sizing and generally getting your junk to the curb.  If you find your determination waning, try tacking up a photo of a room that has the feel you would like to achieve in your own home.  Let this be your inspiration as you continue to liberate your home and yourself.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle life today.

Wishing you a scent-uous day,

Sandra

Home as Haven - Part III

Hopefully by now you have begun to sort through the holiday chaos Part I and to incorporate some comforting winter luxuries Part II into your home.





While these two steps have hopefully been easy and fun, what we want to tackle next are those nooks, crannies, attics, basements and spare rooms that are victims of clutter.

Is "clutter" too offensive a word? Okay, let's take a gentle look at those spaces that are home to unused sporting equipment, filled with boxes never unpacked from you last move, boxes of unsorted photos, craft supplies, fabric, high school yearbooks, shoes, purses and clothes that are outdated but "perfectly good", bags of children's school papers and artwork, old stamp collections, girl guide outfits, the wedding dress (from the first marriage), coffee tins filled with old drapery hardware, keys for places you no longer live and for luggage you no longer own.

Providing sufficient time has passed, it may also be time to evaluate what to keep and what to donate in the way of inherited items; at the time it seemed fitting to haul home all of your great-aunt's books and dishes, but you can re-evaluate that now.

Yes, this is difficult, emotional and time consuming; but until you deal with this heap (be it large or small) your home will always have a stagnant, toxic pond or ponds brewing behind a closed door or hidden away on a seldom seen level. These areas affect the energy in your home whether or not you see them, whether or not you are thinking about them.

Personally, I can motivate myself for this task in one of two ways, either I pretend that I am getting ready to pack up and move, therefore forcing me to ask, "Do I really want to pay to have this 1970's era exercise bike moved?" or, I imagine that if I suddenly died, my daughters would be forced to sort through what was left in my home. I picture them regarding dried up nail polish bottles, macramé hanging plant holders, old bills, receipts, ten year old magazines, socks with holes and wondering "What in the world was she thinking?"

The other consideration is that from what I've been observing, this task of decluttering only becomes more difficult with age. The older people get the more reluctant they seem to let go of used wrapping paper, clothes, purses, old linens and especially furniture. I cannot tell you how many situations I have heard of (and witnessed) recently where a senior is forced to move into smaller quarters yet cannot accept the fact that a sofa, loveseat, occasional chair, two end tables, a coffee table, a book case a television stand and several overgrown climbing plants are just not going to be squeezed into a 10 ft x 10 ft. room.

Now is definitely the time. You know the drill: three piles - trash, donate, keep. Be ruthless, be honest and don't expect to complete the entire task in an afternoon. Do reward yourself with a cup of your favourite tea and something sweet when you need to take a break, your ultimate reward will be a home that envelopes you in serenity and beauty.


Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a productive day,

Sandra

Home as Haven - Part II

It's the beginning of January and that means that we are all spending a lot more time indoors. Our task this month as we move out of festivity mode and begin to feather our winter nest is to create harmony and authenticity in our homes. We are looking for a way to express our genuine selves and to create an environment that not only catches us, but embraces us as we cross the threshold whether after a workday or a day spent building snow forts and ice skating.

Close your eyes for a moment and picture a home that is a truly comforting winter retreat.

What do you see as you enter?

·  What aromas, colours, textures, furnishings fill the rooms?

·  Is there a special chair or window seat that you can curl up in?

·  Is the table set with floral china or rugged pottery?

·  Are there candles, rugs, or simmering potpourri?

·  Are the curtains open to appreciate the winter view or closed to create a cozy nest?

·  Is there music?

 

 

If you live in a truly four season climate your home needs to change her wardrobe as much as you do. Warning: before you dash off to Crate and Barrel or Ikea or (yikes!) the mall, stop and think for a moment; what do you already have that could be dusted off and repurposed?

·  A long woven scarf becomes a colourful table runner

·  A wooly sweater that you no longer love is cut to recover decorative pillows

·  Group together mismatched pillar candles onto a silver tray that reflects their glow as you dine

·  Relocate your favourite serving plate to your entranceway table to catch keys, sunglasses and loose change

·  Could you hang your antique quilt on the wall or leave it draped near your favourite chair?

·  Do you love your china dishes yet save them for entertaining only? Really?

C'mon you know better than that, this is all about comfort and surrounding yourself with items that you love. We've all been practical for far too long.

Let yourself imagine and dream a little. Scout out those items you love and yet never use. Incorporate fragrance, sound and beauty into your home as you set about to feather your winter nest.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a warm and cozy day,

Sandra

Home as Haven - Part I

Your home has been through a lot in the last little while and so have you; baking, cleaning, cooking, entertaining, crafting, wrapping. Entranceways spilling over with snow covered boots, mitts, hats that melt into puddles. Christmas trees, decorations and cards that now look tired and tacky, gifts lingering under the tree or in a corner waiting to find a permanent home. Are there heaps of extra laundry, sheets, towels and linens from out-of-town guests?

Maybe your home, like mine, is suffering from indigestion; groaning as it were from all of the excess. Perhaps the first order of the New Year isn't leaping into a new exercise regime or swearing off sweets (or whatever your vice is); instead what if you were to focus or refocus on your living space, your home?

We can sometimes become so accustomed to our abodes that we no longer see them for what they are. Oh sure, maybe we keep moving the furniture around and painting the walls but do we ever take time to stop and really "feel" our home environments? They are often a reflection of what is going on inside of us, or inside of the relationships within their walls.

Have you ever entered a home and felt uneasy and yet couldn't really put a finger on why? Are there homes or rooms that you feel at peace in, relaxed, supported and nurtured? There is more going on than meets our eye. I know a woman whose visitors often comment on how "good" her living room feels. "You know," she confides, "It is where I sit early in the morning and pray." Ah yes, that explains a lot.

 

 

Take some time and really assess your home.

·  While it may be Better Homes & Gardens beautiful, does it feel welcoming when you walk through the door?

·  Do you feel relaxed, safe, inspired?

·  Does it truly reflect your personality or only the latest trend?

·  Are there spaces where you can relax and read or write?

·  Has clutter taken control?

·  Are you hiding decades of useless possessions in closets and storage areas?

·  Maybe you're hanging on to possessions that belong to children who have moved out, relatives who have passed away or artwork that (you never loved) and received as a wedding gift.

While it is difficult to hold ourselves and our homes under the light of scrutiny, our goal is to create a home that is a haven, a refuge from the world, an oasis that welcomes us every time we cross the threshold, a place where our personalities are reflected and where we can be truly ourselves.

While it is possible that you may need to acquire something, say a comfy reading chair or a loveseat for two to curl up in; my guess is that you may actually need to excavate - get rid of some of the excess that your home is drowning in so that you both you and your home can breathe again, a sigh of relief and contentment.

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

Wishing you a peaceful day,

Sandra