Monday, April 6, 2020

T Stands For Texture!


 How is everyone doing? Hopefully you are having good weather because that is a big help right now.  In my area we are still allowed to go for walks, runs, or a bike ride so long as we practice distance. And we are allowed to go to our jobs, or the store for necessities. If you get stopped for just joy riding in the car without  having a specific purpose you will get ticketed, and that's a good thing!
I have noticed many more people wearing masks and thinking it could become mandatory I spent time over the weekend making one for myself:



There are MANY You Tube how to's and other places with instructions for making any kind of mask- sewn or not, with elastic or not. I challenged myself to sew one with a few pleats in the front. I already had the materials. First time I used my old Kenmore machine for something other than sewing papers for my mixed media art and thankfully this came out OK:):)
Edited In: Elizabeth asked what tutorial i used. I had looked at about 7 different ones on You Tube but this one helped me the most : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FB--BOyTiU&t=8s

 It has been gorgeous out the last few days so hubby and I spent lots of time in our yard. I even had breakfast out on the picnic table for the first time this season:


 I made this Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa for the first time and hubby and I both loved it!! I also love oatmeal but hubby hates the texture of it so this quinoa with the sweet, nutty flavor and crunch was perfect. Recipe at bottom of this post! Cheers to the T Stands For Tuesday gang!

 In my last post I mentioned winning a gift card from Altenew- and my products arrived just a few hours ago:

 I added a small gift card from my birthday as well because I really wanted the dies along with this beautiful Antique Roses stamp set;) Can't wait to play with these stamps and stencils!

 Oh, and I also recently won a stamp set and stencil of my choice from an IG challenge by Darkroom Door!! I won for the tags I made for their last challenge. You can see them in this post.

Remember in my last post I shared a grungy page I had begun on my art table? Well , this is the finished page which was inspired by Shawn Petite:


 The bicycle with flower basket and words stencils are from Art Minds. Acrylic paints and gesso. I will join Try It On Tuesday with the theme of "The Beauty of Nature".

 The Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge theme is to "Add Some Texture" so I have this journal page:


 I began by gluing down two strips of gauze using gel medium. Then I watered down some Dina Wakley paints and painted and spattered over it. The circle art is another piece from a Circle Challenge I participated in  on IG  last year.

 I will also join in at Art Journal Journey for this month's theme of Geometric Shapes, and Paint Party Friday.

 For those of you celebrating Easter this Sunday I wish you a happy Easter. It sure will be different , and it's the first year in many that I won't be hosting a small family dinner for anyone other than myself and hubby. Grateful though to be able to stay in touch with other, safer ways right now.

 Stay well, stay safe, keep healthy dear ones!

" I find hope in the darkest of days and focus in the brightness. I do not judge the universe."
                                  Dalai Lama



                    Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa (recipe from SuccessRice.com) serves 2

1 bag Success Tri-Color Quinoa         1 c. apple juice
2 Tbsp. butter                                      1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 lg. apple, cored, peeled and sliced   1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1/4 c. dried cranberries                       1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. chopped walnuts                     

   Prepare quinoa according to package directions, adding the apple juice to the water. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add brown sugar, apple, maple syrup, dried cranberries, and cinnamon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until apples are just tender 5 - 8 min. Stir in nuts. Serve quinoa topped with the apple mixture.
Note- I made the apple mixture ahead but omitted the walnuts and refrigerated it for the next morning. I just reheated the apple mixture then added the nuts before topping the quinoa.


42 comments:

  1. Before I forget to mention it, thanks for joining us at Try It On Tuesday and Art Journal Journey with these great pieces of art. I love the texture with the mesh. I need to make some masks. I got everything out today and tomorrow between classes I shall sew them. And I find it interesting that people can't just go out for a ride. I would think they is enclosed in their cars and not in a big crowd. I guess everyplace is different. I hope you have a wonderful T day Linda. Hugs-Erika

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  2. You look lovely in your mask. Stay well!

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  3. Your journal pages are so pretty. The Kraft background with the bicycle full of flowers is my favorite! But I really love the texture from the fabric in the the other one.
    Your breakfast looks and sounds delicious. I have never made quinoa but have always wanted too. I have a package in my pantry but don't know what to so with it. This recipes might be the one. Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  4. Lovely art as always, and thanks for linking to my theme at AJJ, much appreciated. You look good in your face mask, well done! And congrats on your wins, so many lovely new stamps, enjoy! The apple cinnamon quinoa looks wonderful, glad you were able to eat out in the garden. Happy T Day, stay safe, hugs, Valerie

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  5. I have spent about two hours (SERIOUSLY) looking for the type of mask you made. They have masks made with elastic, headbands, and ties made with twill tape, but nothing like what you show. PLEASE SHARE where you got your pattern. PLEASE!

    You win more art goodies than anyone I know. Congrats on your lucky win and lovely stencils and stamps, as well as your other win. Either you are incredibly lucky or you won based on your ability. Great job, either way.

    LOVE your grungy journal page. I love the bike and the basket of flowers. It's a beauty.

    One of my favorite beauties turned into a lovely journal page for Art Journal Journey. I love the design and it's perfect for Valerie's theme.

    I have quinoa, but not the tri color. I'm sure the recipe would still be the same with a single color. What I love about quinoa is it can be used in both savory and sweet foods. The recipe and meal looks wonderful. I also like oatmeal, but agree with your husband that the texture is rather slimy if you get too much water. It sure looks like you enjoyed it on your patio, along with your coffee. Thanks for sharing your art, your recipe, your art wins, and your coffee with us for T this Tuesday. And please don't forget to let me know where you found the pattern for the mask.

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  6. You've created some beautiful artwork. It's good you were able to make your own mask. I love your china plate pattern, and the bunny mug. Happy T-Day!

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  7. Good morning, I love seeing your art-congrats on the wins-always so fun to win crafting items.Thanks for your quinoa recipe sounds good-my husband will not eat any cooked cereal-I always loved oatmeal and grits for breakfast.
    so glad you were able to eat outdoors-a good feeling that summer is on its way. Happy T wishes Kathy

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  8. I like you mask, I’ve just this morning made two following a video from Joanns, took me a while to make the first one but the second was much easier.
    Your breakfast looks delicious, can’t say I’ve ever seen quinoa over here!
    Your artwork is beautiful, I love the basket of flowers on the cycle, the second piece is really lovely, I love the texture with the gauze in the BG and the circles with the spots in it.
    Happy t Day, jan x

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  9. A super post Linda, your art as always looks fantastic and I am so happy you have shared pieces at Art Journal Journey and Try it on Tuesdays.
    Congratulations on your wins as well.
    Your breakfast quinoa looked delicious, it must have felt good eating outside in the fresh air.
    Stay safe and well and Happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx

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  10. Both pages are beautiful! The flowers in the basket are so bright and cheerful, and I love your background. I agree, the secret is to keep going and doing, learning and loving ~ Blessings

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  11. You look great in your mask!Well done!
    Your quinoa breakfast looks really yummy. I have copied the recipe and will try that at some stage.
    Your prize items are beautiful. I love those antique roses. I can totally imagine you wanted the whole set.
    Your journal page with the texture is great, as is the advice.
    Happy T-Day and
    Take care,
    Hugs,
    Lisca

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  12. Wow ~ yet again ~ another creative post ~ love the T for texture and bW and colors ~
    (I'll be back)

    Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    PS ~ Zoe 'on the mend' gratefully ^_^

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  13. I'm going to use a lined bandana the next time I go out. (Yours is prettier :) ) It can't hurt, and they are recommending it now. I love the cheering flowers in the bike basket :)

    Happy Easter (early) as people figure out a new way to observe the day. Happy T Tuesday!

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  14. Fabulous post, thanks for the recipe! Your breakfast looks yummy and it had been so nice to spend time outdoors enjoying the garden too 😀. That's a great mask that you made. I'm loving all the texture on your page and those colourful flowers really pop against the background - perfect! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Try it on Tuesday 😁.

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  15. I can't sew but found a tutorial folding bandanas and hair ties. Breakfast outside at the picnic table sounds good. I bet that topping would taste delicious over oatmeal, too. I like both pages your created. Really uplifting sentiments. Take care and Happy T Day

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  16. Beautiful art today, Linda. I love "enjoy the ride" page. I love the contrast of B&W with the pop of colorful flowers. It makes me think of the Urban Art that Lisca shared today by coincidence. The texture page is fabulous!

    Cool prizes too. Have fun with your new toys!

    Many of us have been busy making masks. Yours is quite fashionabe. Your Easter and spring dishes are perfect for the season.

    Wishing you a healthy and happy T-Day! Eileen xx

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  17. Thanks Linda, but I don't have elastic. I thought you used fabric that matched the front of the mask. I'll have to figure it out, I guess. I DO appreciate you getting back to me with the tutorial, though.

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  18. Beautiful pages. Thank you for joining us at Try it on Tuesday.

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  19. Good job making that mask ~ I am still struggling to get motivated to make one ~ thanks ^_^

    Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  20. Beautiful pages! Great mask!
    Stay safe and well!
    Greetings Elke

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  21. Your Art pages are so Gorgeous Linda !! Love the bicycle with the flower, and love the second one, great colours. Your look so well with this lovely mask.
    Congratulations for all those beautiful presents, you´ll make fabulous Artpieces. I wish you spent a nice T-day.
    Thank you very much for this recipe of apple cinnamon breakfast with quinoa.
    I wish you stay safe and well dear friend, take care.
    Big hugs, Caty

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  22. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I think we may try it. Your creations are fab - great mask, super cool page with the bicycle (love that stencil) and page with the gauze (I really like that idea of putting it down with gel). Thanks for sharing all this. I feel inspired!

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  23. Yep ~ secret ~ to keep going ~ so true ~ especially in these troubled times ~
    Lovely and creative artwork piece ~

    Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  24. Love your 'Enjoy a drive' page. Thank you for sharing interesting photos about your daily life.
    Be safe and happy Easter time xx

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  25. Hi, Linda. Oh, lucky you. I miss my walks so much. Love all these designs. Fantastic use of colour, as always. Keep safe.

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  26. You are so good at texture and color. I would love to play with making tags and stamping-but I don't know where to begin. I do have some blank tags-I guess I could start there! Stay safe!

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  27. Your bicycle and basket are just perfect. We are seeing people out on their bicycles more than ever lately. I too went to YouTube for my mask instructions and I must say, in the Florida heat, they are not much fun to wear so I constantly remind myself that I am protecting others from me. Have a nice healthy Easter.

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  28. Hi Linda, happy PPF and have a great weekend, stay safe. Hugs, Valerie

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  29. Yes indeed. I enjoyed your bike and flowers
    Happy PPF

    much 🎨love

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  30. I always love your blog.... varied and beautiful, but so interesting. You live near Cape May? We moved to CO from MD and there are very few wearing masks here. VERY few bikers who respect distance too. Oy. I loved the card that said the secret is keep going

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  31. Gorgeous pages and a beautiful mask you made. Handy that you can sew.

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  32. I like the bike with lots of flowers in it. Really Easter looking to me.
    It is good we have spring now to brighten our days.
    Take care and stay safe.

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  33. Beautiful art. Enjoy the ride and keep going. So true. Happy Easter.

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  34. Lovely pages, "Enjoy the drive" is beautiful. I loved the colour and texture in "The secret" too! You are versatile - a mask too!! :)
    Here. we are not allowed to step out. Only one person can go out to get the essential stuff and we need a permit to do so.
    Take care Linda!

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  35. Your mask looks great! We don't see many folk wearing them here but then we are a bit out of the main areas and we aren't doing our own shopping!
    Your breakfast looks delicious and I shall add Quinoa to ur shopping list in the hopes there is some on the shelves! I love your journal pages and the thoughts of a Cycle ride in the countryside sounds very appealing! Thank you for joining us at Try It On Tuesday! Belated Happy T Day! Chrisx

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  36. You have been busy. Since I have worn a mask for 6 years I have plenty of good masks. I like yours. Your art is beautiful and I eat Quinoa foods all the time. I have made this one before. It is delich. Be Safe and Elbow Hugs

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  37. Your blog is filled with creativity ~ Happy Easter to you and your loved ones ~ Xox

    Be Well,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  38. Stay safe, my friend. I hope you have a wonderful and very happy Easter! I absolutely love both of your beautiful pages. WOW! So full of talent. HUGS!!!

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  39. A fabulous grungy background for the bicycle and flower basket which looks so pretty, Thanks for sharing this at TioT
    The gauze on your journal pages adds a lovely texture, I like it a lot.
    Your breakfast sounds delicious, might just give that a try.
    Stay safe, hugs, Avril xx

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  40. Flat base looks totally different with texture. And lovely colors :)

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  41. Great art and delicious recipe! Thanks! See you next Friday!

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!