Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Good Vegetable Soup

Jam

'Peace' in the Fulu language, Nigeria

'Carrying the Moon on her back'
part of a series of Moon artistic photographs by Laurent Laveder

Well, I am going to the chiropractor this morning to see if I can get rid of these terrible headaches. I do so hope it helps.
Makes me very very grouchy.
Really.
Grouchy.

I thought you might like the recipe for this really tasty vegetable soup that I made the other day.  I started out with no recipe, just a refrigerator of vegetables that I didn't want to spoil!

1 large pot with lid- I use the largest I have.
3 peeled and cut potatoes, bite size or so
3 carrots, peeled and cut into med size circles- bite size
1 package of large white mushrooms, all of them, sliced
1 small jar of pimiento. I rinsed out the vinegar first
a handful of edamame beans. (Fancy name for soy beans, fresh,green)
3 teaspoons of beef bouillon, dry
2 bay leaves
about 1 tsp of dried fresh parsley
about 1 tsp of dried fresh basil
a pinch of oregano
some salting with onion salt - to taste, so not too much - maybe 1/2 tsp?
Some sprinkling of onion powder. Maybe 1/2 tsp? or so?
1 can of tomato pieces (Or you can use a can of tomato sauce, NOT paste)
2/3 of one red bell pepper sliced and chopped
some stalks of fresh celery, chopped, including leafy tops - about 6
1 can of pinto beans
several pods of garlic. Not the entire head, just the parts inside.
                 I'm sure there is a cooking term for these,but I have a headache and
                  can't think of it!
1 /2 Cup - 1 Cup Pace picante sauce, medium hot


Add enough water to cover well.
Set on a medium burner, and put on lid.
Stir, and set on a low burner once it is hot throughout. Let it simmer (which means an occasional bubble on the surface) until you serve. It just gets tastier the next day.

That's it.

I also like to add 1 Cup of Pace Picante Sauce to my chili.

:0)
have a super day!

inkspired

Monday, January 30, 2012

Black and White Art Deco style paperdolls

Hi!
Black Lace Barbie with Butterfly original Collage Art Doll

Well, I continue to have a screaming headache, so today I will share some neat 1920's style paper dolls. You even get to color them! I would suggest colored pencils or watercolor pencils.

I'm loving the 1920's era style re-birth. Soooo much nice than the 1960's craze!




These are from a 1988 artist's rendition, so any copyrights are in place. You may print them for your own enjoyment!
Thanks to OrigamiBears for sharing with us.

I have also been trying to put into some of my Collage ARt Dolls the 1920's 'flapper feel'. NOt the flapping galoshes, just not my thing!!

'Strollilng through 1921' original Collage Art Doll
recycled junk mail, by http://www.inkspired.etsy.com/

'Art Deco Flapper' original Collage Art Doll by inkspired

'Pearl Roses's headband' original Collage Art Doll using all recycled junk mail

Well, I can't stand the bright screen anymore, so I'm off.
I have a chiropractor appt. tomorrow and I REALLY hope that fixes things.

See you soon!
:0)

inkspired

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Peace to Armenia and some fun History

Khaghaghutyun

(corrected spelling, thanks to a dear reader!)


'Peace'
in Armenian

The Armenian Flag at the Genocide Memorial,
Yerevan, Armenia 

I have just spent several hours learning all about the country of Armenia.
I love history!
Armenia is one of the countries that have checked out my blog.
Yippee!

An Armenian woman in traditional dress circa 1800's

This learning expedition started when I looked at my list of languages, and how to say 'Peace' in different countries.



I wanted to say 'Peace' in a language from one of the countries that visit my blog.  That's 90 countries since I checked yesterday!
Whoohooo 
:0)
If only someone from each country would leave a comment!
That would be truly cool.
Even MORE cool if each sent a picture of their country!!

HINT HINT HINT

And yeah, you Americans, send me a picture of where you live too!

To me this is what the internet is all about.
People connecting with people all over the globe.

Dancing in traditional Armenian costumes

I was going to try and write this blog in the colors of the Armenian flag, but red seems too much like yelling,
and the orange doesn't really show up to read easily,
which leaves me with bright blue.

So I guess we will do this funky color.
:0)

Armenian Dance costumes,


Today is all about Armenia.
I learned things I had no idea of!
(and a few I did know!)

Mount Ararat (Turkey) with the Khor Virap Monastery in front.

Armenia is a land locked and earthquake ridden country
set in rugged mountains.
I guess I never realized that Mount Ararat is adjacent to Armenia.
I thought it was in Turkey, kind of vaguely....
Mount Ararat is part of the Armenian Plateaus, and can be seen,
of course, from Armenia.

Mount Ararat, seen from the Armenian side, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

For those of you who may not know, Mount Ararat is the mountain where traditional belief makes it the final resting place of the Biblical Noah's Ark.

Mrav mountain range seen from Gandzasar, Armenia

There is a large Cathedral and monastery in Gandzasar.


The foundations of the Cathedral St. Hovhannes Mkrtich (St. John the Baptist)were laid in 1216. It was completed in 1238 AD.
First records about the Gandzasar Monastery go back to the 10th century where an assembly was called in 949 AD to resolve disputes about the holy Trinity.
That's really old.
See it from the United States of America's viewpoint, it's ancient!
(Being as we are such a 'young' country of only 250 years or so).

A chorus sung in Gandzasar's Cathedral of St. John the Baptist
during a liturgical ceremony.

Interesting note:
In 301 AD, Armenia became the first Christian nation.
Today, it's official religion is 'Armenian Apostolic'.

The Gavit (or narthex) of the Gandszasar Monastery.

Gandzasar is translated as "Treasured Mountain".
The centerpiece is the Walled Abbey and the
Cathedral St. Hovhannes Mkrtich.

The Armenians believe that the Cathedral contains,
or contained in the past, a key Christian relic:
the head of St. John the Baptist.

It is also believed that there are several other body parts of well known saints either laid to rest there currently, or at one time in the past.
One of the relics is said to be the right arm of a saint.

Northern main entrance to the gavit Gandzasar

Hmmmm...I'm not really into that.
No disrespect meant to those who are. It's just that as far back as the Old Testament G-d tells us that no other graven image or god should be worshipped.
I think a person's head or arm falls into that category.
It is interesting history, however!

Father Ter-Hovhannes leading Holy Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist

The Cathedral and Monastery have been sacked several times, most notably the Mongol hordes at the beginning of the 13th century, and again in the late 18th century when it was looted by Turkic gangs.
Most recently it was attacked in 1992 by Azerbaijanis.

There's LOTS of info on the Azerbaijan mass genocide program against the Armenians.
I think I just was not aware about the Huge-ness of it.

an Armenia woman who identified herself as Udin, vintage photo

Well, there's lots more great historical stuff.
Has to be with a country as old as this one!
Here are just a few more Armenia Facts -

Population: 3 million
Area: 11,484 square miles
Language: Armenian, Russian
Capital: Yerevan, with a population of 1,079,000 (1/3)
Life expectancy: 72
Currency: Dram
LITERARY: 99%

The front and back of a greeting card
traditional Armenian dress

There's lots more fun stuff, but I have a splitting headache,
and have been putting this together for more than 3 days,
so it's time to post!
As a country that has seen so little of it,
for so long,
I say

Khanaghutyun


Much of my information I gleaned from

-     National Geographic Atlas of the World 8th edition

see you soon!

inkspired


Friday, January 27, 2012

Baby it's cold outside

Where's the fireplace?

(Tanner's first thoughts after coming in from outside)

I just love her digital photograph/paintings!


Well, I can't get the first line, or middle line or whatever
"Baby it's cold out side"
sung by Zoey in Will Ferrel's "Elf".
She does such a good job, and if that's Will Ferrel's voice in the duet,
he does a great job too.
Never seen 'Elf'? Add it to your must-see movies, we like it alot.

c.1918
Today's theme was a no brainer - COLD! WINTER! SNOW!

c.1904
I woke up this morning to gray skies and snow on the ground.
Our high is supposed to be 34'F,
 but I'm doubting that as it is 1:30pm and it is only 28'F.

On with the snow!
(This one's for you, Glenda!)

Wee Wisdom magazine cover, January 1967
Stuck indoors? Here are a few things you can do:

from Maggie's Crochet 40 FREE PATTERNS

1. Bulky Baby Hat
Size: 3-6 months
Materials: 2 ½ oz, 115 yds Bulky Weight Yarn
Crochet Hook:  Size I-9 (5.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 10 sc = 4”
Special Stitches: Single Crochet Decrease (Sc dec): (Insert hook in next st, yo, pull lp through) twice, yo, pull through 3 lps on hook.
Joining with SC: When instructed to join with sc, begin with sl knot on hook, insert hook in st or sp indicated, yo and pull up a loop, yo and draw through both loops on hook.
Crown
Rnd 1 (right side): Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.  DO NOT JOIN, MARK ENDS OF RND
Rnd 2: 2 Sc in each sc around. (12 sc)
Rnd 3: (Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (18 sc)
Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (24 sc)
Rnd 5: (Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (30 sc)
Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (36 sc)
Rnd 7: (Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around. (42 sc)
Rnds 8-17: Sc in each sc around. (42 sc)
First Ear Flap
Row 1: Working in BL only, sc in next 7 sc.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (7 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc dec, sc in next 3 sc, sc dec. (5 sc)
Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (5 sc)
Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc dec, sc in next sc, sc dec. (3 sc)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across. (3 sc)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, (insert hook in next st, yo, pull lp through) 3 times, yo, pull through 4 lps on hook. (1 sc) Ch 35 for tie.  Finish off.
Second Ear Flap
Row 1: With Right Side facing, skip 12 sc in Row 17 of Crown, working in BL only, join yarn with sc in next sc, sc in next 6 sc.
(7 sc) Repeat Rows 2-7 of First Ear Flap.
Brim
Rnd 1: With Right Side facing, working in FL only, join yarn with sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc)
20 times. (63 sc)
Rnd 2: (Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 9 times. (72 sc)
Rnd 3: (Sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in next sc) 6 times. (78 sc)  Finish off.
 
2. Bulky Baby Scarf
Size: Approx 30” long.
Materials: 1 ¾ oz, 80 yds Bulky Weight Yarn
Crochet Hook: Size I-9 (5.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 10 sc = 4”
Directions:
Row 1: Ch 10, sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each ch across. (9 sc)
Row 2: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across. (9 hdc)
Rows 3 – 46: Rep Row 2.
Row 47: Ch 1, turn, sc cl over first 3 hdc, ch 3, skip next 3 hdc, sc cl over last 3 hdc.
Row 48: Ch 1, turn, 3 sc in first st, sc in next 3 ch, 3 sc in last st. (9 sc)
Rows 49 – 67: Rep Row 2.  At end of Row 67, finish off and weave in all ends.

3. Bulky Baby Mittens
Size: 3-6 months
Materials: 1 oz, 46 yds Bulky Weight Yarn
Crochet Hook: Size I-9 (5.5 mm) or size needed to obtain gauge.
Gauge: 10 sc = 4”
Directions (Make 2)
Rnd 1: Ch 4, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 3 sc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch, working around other side in unused loops of starting ch, 3 sc in next ch.  DO NOT JOIN, MARK ENDS OF RND (12 sc)
Rnd 2: (2 Sc in next sc, sc in next 5 sc) twice. (14 sc)
Rnds 3 – 8: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 9: (Sc dec, sc in next 2 sc) 3 times, sc in last 2 sc. (11 sc)
Rnd 10: Sc in each sc around, ch 35 for tie.  Finish off and weave in all ends.
 
SEW ON SOME BUTTONS

a fabric snowflake button bag, www.hobocampcrafts.com

What a cute idea!
Wouldn't this work well on a sweatshirt?
Or a back pocket of a pair of jeans? (Just don't sit too long!!)
How about recycling a pair of jeans into a retro-look apron,
and embellish the hems and pockets with buttons!


Poor things,
are you stuck at the office, and boredom is threatening to take over?
Not enough work to keep you happy?
No interesting gossip to exchange over break?
Let's get creative!!!

beaded snowflake from www.sistinebluestarflake.etsy.com
Easily completed during one boring break.


Office Guys paperclip magnets.
I'm pretty sure I found these on etsy, but after searching, I can't find whose shop they are in. If you do, let me know!

Otherwise, here's the
BUDGET OFFICE ACTIVITY:
Large paperclips
computer and printer
google eyes
magnetic business cards you don't want anymore
or
button magnets
glue -I prefer Aleene's Tacky Glue in the gold bottle for most projects,
however-
super glue would work well with this project
sense of humor
subdued giggling
(don't want the boss to think there's not enough work to go around, now do we?)

1. Print out phrases that make you laugh. Leave enough room around each phrase so you can draw a 'thought bubble' around it. Clever computer people - I'm sure there's some program out there that will do this for you! Completely idiot non-computer people - hand write them! I fall somewhere between the two.

2. If you have a laminating machine close and handy, laminate each phrase. If not, either way, cut around phrase. Thrifty people can also use wide clear packing tape to seal each phrase, before cutting!

3. Using super glue, glue on google eyes. If you feel like it, make one eye bigger than the other! I had many days at the office when that is what I felt like I looked like. View picture for placement ideas.

4. Cut those annoying little magnetic business cards that people give to you, even when you say 'no thanks'. Cut small strips to fit behind google eyes. If you are not planning on holding anything with these magnets, it won't take much 'magnet' to hold the paper clip to a metal surface. Super glue to paperclip behind the google eyes.

5. If you are planning on trying to hold something with these wild and crazy guys, you might want to skip the magnetic strips and go for a small magnet button. I get mine at Michael's Craft Stores. Again, superglue behind eyes.

6. Stealthily stalk around and place paperclip guys where they are needed them most.

Not in the mood to do anything?
Check out these paperclips from etsy stores:


This next idea and product comes from a very creative and eco-aware mind:

What a great idea, it's stylish and modern.
She has many many more shapes and colors - look up her etsy shop:

Now, this next etsy shop has an incredibly FANTASTIC paper clip:


(think this person works in an office?!!)

c.1902

Next up - a couple of coloring pages.
You can probably sneak these into work between important folders.
How you get the crayons in is up to you.
Colored pencils and markers can work too!




For your screensaver:

unknown photographer


Okay, time to put a Barbie in the Blog!
Inuit Legend Barbie, 2005
A sad but true story: I don't have this one.
sob.

Yes. It's that time again.
I must do laundry.
I must eat lunch.
I must let the dog out.
I must let the dog in.
I must clear the kitchen table.
I must post more of my new Collage Art Dolls to my etsy shop.
I must ready the photos for more bottlecap magnets to post.
Yep, there's a lot more musts to do also....

See you soon!
inkspired


 

Thursday, January 26, 2012

More Cinderella Glamour

"I'm having a wicked shoe craving."

- Buffy, The Vampire Slayer TV show


cinderellas-wish-crystal-glass-and-pearl shoes, $610


c.1949 Disney poster

Next is a wonderful example of iris folding:

by JBkoets

Let's make our own Cinderella Castle over the weekend!
These instructions are not in English, but I bet we can figure them out!





Here is a photo of Cinderella and her Prince Charming on a float, during a wonderful DisneyLand parade:

DisneyLand 2005


"The shoe that fits one person
pinches another;
there is no recipe for living
that fits all cases."
 - Carl Gustav Jung



clear silver & vinyl Kaplan shoes

Still.....there's nothing like dreaming about Cinderella fairy tales!
:0)

Cinderella Castle, Walt Disney World, www.squidoo.com

A scrolly clock in scherensnitte:

by mdereus27


unknown source


A lite-up Princess Cinderella from the Disney store,
that my son gave me many years ago.
Thanks again Peter!


vintage 1980's Dolce lace shoes


a Disney coloring page of Cinderella

and another:

I had a Cinderella coloring book when I was growing up, and boy did I love to color all those gowns!

Here is a nice Fairy Godmother:

unknown source

That's it for today!
and yes.....I have more Cinderella, but for a later date!

recycled junk mail bottlecap magnet by inkspired

inkspired