Linda Nelson, Author at Linda Nelson - The Createaerie

MAKING IT INTO STAMPINGTON & CO

November 30, 2016

Oh gosh, with all this sciatica nonsense I’ve been contending with, I almost forgot to make my announcement –

I made it into Stampington & Co’s Somerset Studio Gallery winter 2017 issue! Aren’t their publications just the best? They do such a lovely job with showcasing each and every artists’ works. Every one of their magazines are packed with visual deliciousness.

It’s a first time experience for me, so I’m feeling exceptionally giddy! I think the only other thing that would tickle me this way would be being called to “come on down” on The Price is Right.

Happy crafting, everyone!

©Linda Nelson 2016

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THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, LITTLE SISTER!

November 30, 2016

My sister had been doing some clutter purging, and passed a few fabric remnants on to me when I spent Thanksgiving at her home. I’m a sucker for handouts like that. A few days later my mom mentioned to me that she had a box of trim, lace and sewing notions stashed away in a closet, and asked if I was interested in the stuff. Yes, mom. Oh my……. I’ll need to prepare quite a bit for this future post because opening that box led to opening other boxes, and to opening up a running stitch of memories. And, I can’t wait to share those memories with you!

Anyway, I’ve decided that I’m going to return some of the fabric to my sister. Yep, I’m going to “gift” the piece of olive green velvet fabric back to her……. for Christmas.

Ta-da!

©Linda Nelson 2016

If you’d like to make a stuffed yo-yo Christmas tree, you will need –

a sister who’s getting rid of about 1/2 yard of fabric
button thread (it’s much more durable than regular thread)
a needle
round templates in graduating sizes (I used pot lids dishes, etc…)
beanbag fill (rabbit/guinea pig bedding shavings would also work!)
a dowel or metal rod about 3/8″diam. (the length depends on how tall you make your tree)
a small pair of pointy scissors
tree base and tree topper (*see note)

©Linda Nelson 2016

Stitch, stuff, cinch and tie off all your yo-yo’s. Using the pointed end of the scissors, poke a hole through the center of each yo-yo making sure the hole is wide enough to feed the dowel/rod through. Feed all the yo-yos onto the rod (cinched side facing up). Now, it’s time to add your topper and base, though I must let you in on a little secret –

©Linda Nelson 2016

* I used old lamp parts to assemble my tree, but I’m confident that if you don’t have any lurking around your home, you will successfully finish the assembly some other imaginative and resourceful way. Just get creative!

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GETTIN’ GRITTY WIT IT

November 28, 2016

Do you know that a “pain in the a$$” is actually a real thing? If you’ve ever experienced sciatica, then you most certainly know it to be true. But, sciatica doesn’t just park itself at one of your “cheeks”. No, it also takes a little joy ride down your leg and tortures you to no end. It debilitates you. It robs you of all energy. It makes you miserable. It is also your body’s way of telling you that your sensitive nerves may be getting pinched by your misaligned and compacted spine……. well, at least in my case. That’s what years of landscape gardening can do to the body.

My spine is responding well to the chiropractic adjustments I’ve been receiving, but I’ve had to limit the amount of time I spend sitting down; hence, I haven’t been at my computer much lately. Yesterday’s spark of spinal relief prompted me to, of course, get creative.

So, here’s a gritty little faux cement tutorial just for you!

white gesso
white pre-mixed sanded grout
black acrylic paint
brown acrylic paint
soilless potting mix or peat moss
green Spanish moss
glue
paintbrush
objects d’transformation (I chose a classic ball ornament, tiny clay pots and pine cones)

Mix two parts gesso to one part grout together in a small bowl. Add a tiny drop or two each of black and brown paint to obtain a cement-like base color. Paint the concoction onto your object, then let it dry. Next, brush on (in a patchy-like fashion)some gesso tinted just slightly lighter than your base color, and let it dry. Do not use any grout with this layer. Then, using only the white gesso, dab some areas with your fingertip and smudge/blur it in to create the look of limescale residue. Now, put a few pinches of Spanish moss and peat moss together into a coffee grinder and grind them up to create a coarse powder. Brush some glue onto your object and sprinkle the powder onto those areas. When dry, buff the residual particles off with your hands.

©Linda Nelson 2016

That’s all there is to it.

Now, go grab something, make it gritty and get creative.

And, most importantly, take good care of your back.

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WING COTTAGE ROCKS!

October 31, 2016

We all need a little break from our routines at times. A simple, overnight getaway can be an ideal way to achieve that, which is what I did this past weekend. A three hour road trip landed me back at Wing Cottage, nestled in the ever so quaint and rural, Clinton Corners, NY. My friend has been renting this little gem for the past few years, and I make every effort to visit her there with the turn of each season.

We started off with lunch at Jeanie Bean and Family deli/cafe. No fuss. No pretentiousness. It’s just pure charm and deliciousness. Next, we made a pit stop at Big Rock Community Farm Market, where I purchased a sampling of (new to me) apple varieties – Snapdragon, Cameo and Crimson Crisp. Before retreating back to the cottage, we poked around a barn yard sale. I scored with forking over fifty cents for this little hen basket. No doubt, vintage decorative props are my weakness.

©Linda Nelson 2016

That evening, we strolled the village streets of Rhinebeck(a neighboring town), then dined at the friendly, popular, laid back and oh, so delicious GiGi Trattoria.

The following morning I took my ritual stroll around the property. My friend’s beau is a practiced rock stacker. His ubiquitous creations have multiplied since my last visit here, and I enjoy seeking them out.

Inside the cottage, carefully chosen fine furnishings and decor are artfully and lovingly placed about. The mood is curious and elegantly understated.

A winter visit will complete my four season stay at Wing Cottage. Perhaps it will be a snow blanketed one. We’ll see.

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