Sunday, November 22, 2015

Pinecone Creations

While hiking recently, I gathered some pinecones for holiday decorating. 
Usually I toss them in a bowl or on a plate. 
I love using pieces of nature to decorate-especially pinecones. 


 For something different, I decided to spray a few with silver paint.
I also found some twine with silver woven through and some silver findings.
So I added a little silver ball and a loop for hanging.





Wouldn't these be cute Christmas ornaments?
Hmmm, I think I need a few more pinecones,
I think I have a few more ideas.

Have a great week!

-Lynn

Friday, November 6, 2015

Hudson Valley Autumn

Good Morning!
 One of my favorite things to do is take a drive off the beaten path.
 I love to explore roads I've never driven, towns I've never seen.
It's a little adventure each time and I always discover something new. 
Usually I take a lot of photos, which I use to sketch or paint watercolors.
The sky was amazing, ever changing throughout the afternoon.
Take a peek at the Hudson Valley before all the beautiful Autumn colors disappear.
 Country road-so pretty and peaceful.

I'm going to attempt to sketch and/or paint this old barn.



 A view of the Taconics from Columbia County.

 A view of the Catskills from Columbia County.

 
I love all the beautiful horse farms in the area-I miss having horses.

Hope you enjoyed the little tour.
Have a wonderful weekend!

-Lynn

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Adirondack Hike

There is no place I'd rather be. 
This is what makes me happy.
This is what keeps me balanced and at peace.




























Where do you go to find peace?
The forest? Mountains? Beach?

Wishing you a peaceful week :)

Monday, September 28, 2015

Autumn Apple Cake

Are you a baker?
Autumn is my favorite time of year to bake. 
I love to go apple, pear and pumpkin picking so I can bake breads, cakes, crisps and pies.
Today I'd like to share a recipe I found for Autumn Apple Cake.




Autumn Apple Cake
-1 1/4 cups canola oil
-2 cups sugar (I may experiment and cut down the sugar the next time I make this)
-3 cups flour
-3 eggs
-1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
-3 1/2 cups sliced apples
-1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans or both

 Grease and flour your bunt pan. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a bowl mix oil and sugar. Add eggs to mixture and stir. Mix in dry ingredients, then add vanilla extract. Gently stir apples and nuts into batter.
Spoon batter into bunt pan and bake for approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check with knife, if it comes clean-it's done. Cool on cooling rack. When completely cool sprinkle with powder sugar or frost. I left the cake plain.

A piece of apple cake and a cup of tea, a perfect treat.
Enjoy!
What do you like to bake?

Friday, September 25, 2015

Paper Christmas Tree Tutorial

Yes-it's not even Halloween and I'm posting Christmas trees!
Well, as I said in an earlier post-I'm trying to get a jump on the holidays.
A while back I posted some pretty paper trees, which you can view here:
Today I thought I'd show you how to make a simple, twisted tissue paper tree.


Start with a paper cone any size you'd like. I use 100 lb. Bristol, but use any sturdy paper or bendable cardboard. Make a paper cone and tape to secure-I use a lot of tape.


Once you've made your cone, cut long strips of your favorite color tissue paper. Today I chose blue because it's my favorite color and I think my Christmas colors this year are going to be blue and white.
Begin a twist and tape the beginning to the cone starting at the bottom. Continue loosely or tightly twisting while wrapping around the cone. At the end of the twist tape to the cone or I have done this with hot glue. Your choice. Make sure the ends are hidden.


Then my favorite part-add some glitter.
Today, I chose sliver.


With a paint brush add glue to sections and sprinkle on glitter.
I brush along a twist and add glitter a little at a time.
Voila!


A sparkling Christmas tree.


This one is very simple. 
I like to make all different colors, sizes and shapes-tall and skinny, short and stout.
Then I arrange them on my dining room table or mantel during the holidays.
Experiment with different papers, glitters, etc.
 It's your own creation.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me.
And, I'd love to see what you've created.

Happy creating!

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Flowers From Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill Garden

Good Morning!
Thought I'd share some beautiful flowers with you from Val-Kill.
We are very fortunate to live in an area so rich with history, the Hudson Valley. Before my daughter left for school we decided to visit Eleanor Roosevelt's cottage, something we hadn't done before. Sometimes we overlook what's right in our own backyard. As I've said before, we love going to gardens and taking photos.

Take a peek.




































Hope you enjoyed the garden tour.
Have a great rest of the weekend and a great week ahead!

-Lynn

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Getting A Jump On Holiday Creations!

I know! I know! It's only September!
And, it's 93 degrees today.
Truth is, I was cleaning out my art closet and ran across this little basket that happens to have a few ornaments in it. I started to think, when should I start posting holiday items on Etsy?
(I actually posted a few already-too soon?!)
Last year I don't think I posted anything, time got away from me and the next thing you know the holidays were here!
This basket is more of a reminder that I should be working on my creations now.
I did plan to make my ornaments in September, and now September is here.
So, I guess it's time to get to work.



 These are ornaments I'm making for my own tree this year. I was thinking about a blue and white theme-something very simple. Usually I decorate with pinecones and things found in nature. This year I'd like to do something different.




 I love using these small glass balls and various materials. The light blue ornaments are decorated with tissue and glitter. The white one is glitter alone. I think I'll make more of these and also use little white lights on the tree. 






So sorry to post about the holidays already! I promise I'll hold off posting about Christmas until Halloween and Thanksgiving have past. 

When do you start creating for the holidays?

Guess I'm tired of stressing and doing things under pressure. I told myself this year would be different. Isn't it better to start early and enjoy the process? Isn't that what it's all about?

Would love to hear from you!

Have a great day :)
-Lynn