Foxy Art Studio

This blog on long Vacation --check out new blog!

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 23:55:00 +0000

Hi--I am now immersed in Peace Corps training on St Lucia island in the eastern Caribbean, so I have started a new blog called ISLAND DISPATCHES---please check it out here:

http://dominicaislanddispatches.blogspot.com/

this blog will be on an extended vacation....for not sure how long, but I invite you to follow my new adventure..hugs to everyone! Aurora

Moving Onward...

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 19:06:00 +0000

My news for the NEW YEAR is that I have been accepted to join the US Peace Corps ! and I am leaving the country in about 18 days for my assignment and training in the Eastern Caribbean.

Looks pretty idyllic--huh? but the Island where I will be volunteering has alot of poverty---not always apparent behind the tourist industry's promotion of paradise. But more about that in a later post--after I am there and know more. This I do know: the average temperature is 85 degrees year round, it is a tropical rain forest, and the least developed of all the Caribbean islands.

Some of you may know that in doing this I am following in my parent's footsteps--they were in the Peace Corps for 2 years around 1971 and were sent to Jamaica (also in the Caribbean). In fact, their service there and hearing so much about the Peace Corps from them over the years, is one thing that inspired me to do this.

So, I am leaving Seattle on Jan 23--not long off at all! and very busy packing and dealing with last minute affairs. I plan to start a NEW BLOG about my Peace Corps life, and will probably not be posting much here. However, when I get the new blog up and running (hopefully soon), I will post a link here for everyone.

oh! and in case you are wondering which island by now?---I am going to Dominica Island (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic)....see above? it is in red on the map....

I really lucked out with this location and plan to make the most of it and help all I can. So far, the Peace Corps tells me I will be doing "NGO Development"---which could be almost anything. I won't know until I complete my 3 months of in country training exactly where I will be or what I will be doing....so for now I'm just going with the flow and letting that mystery be. I know everything will be ok and I am on the right path....

Happy New Year Everyone !

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Santa is on his way....

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Happy Holidaze to Everyone!

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 02:59:00 +0000

Make a picture slideshow

Scrappy IPad Mini Case

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:20:00 +0000

I recently purchased an IPad Mini, and I didn't want to pay another $40-$50 for a nice commercial made case for it--but I did want it better protected when I took it with me---so I created this case from fabric scraps. Hence : THE SCRAPPY IPAD MINI CASE. The case has a velcro closure, and has a padded lining.

front of case (with flap closed)

front of case--with flap open

back of case

Now I can take my IPad Mini with me anywhere, and it is stylishly protected. Oh, and yes--I do like this device--especially for the portability.

A Very Merry Vintage Christmas #3....

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:47:00 +0000

I love vintage Christmas images, so each year I share some here...

The Fruit Cake Haters Holiday Fruitcake

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 19:02:00 +0000

I bet you are thinking fruit cake already??? well, this fruit cake is better if it can "age" a few weeks before you eat it so I am sharing this scrumptious recipe now. Bake it now for eating around Christmas time. I call this the FRUIT CAKE HATERS fruit cake because even avowed fruit cake haters LOVE this fruit cake made with all natural dried fruit (and rum!)

The Fruit Cake Haters Holiday Fruitcake

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

1 big bottle brandy or rum
(one year I used very dark Jamaican rum --which my folks brought me from Jamaica---to soak the dried fruit in---and when we first tasted the cake we discovered --to our great disappointment!---the rum taste was so strong it was inedible. But when I told an elderly friend about this--she said--"Honey, you just but that fruitcake away until March and then try it." So we stuck the fruitcake in the back of the refrigerator for a few months and when we next tried it--that rum fruitcake was really delicious!)

About 7 -8 cups pitted, chopped, dried fruit
(I use a mixture of raisens, prunes, dates, dried cherries, dried pears, dried apples, dried peaches, dried apricots---all organic, natural and unsulphured if possible)
1/2-1 cup candied orange and lemon peels
(you can purchase these, but I make my own candied citrus fruit peels--these are great in other holiday goodies, also--so I make a big batch each year)
(Note: whatever you do --DO NOT use those commercial candied fruit mixes in the recipe--it ruins the recipe)
2 cups coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans
2 1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup honey (or molasses for a dark cake)
1/2 cup softened butter
4 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4-1/2 cup brandy or apple

cheesecloth

Chop all the dried fruit and citrus peels into about 1/2 chunks---sometimes it easiest to cut the dried fruit with kitchen scissors---and place the fruit in a big bowl. Pour the brandy over the fruit--enough to cover the fruit totally. Cover this with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 3-4 days---the fruit will soak up all the brandy.
(Note: if you don't cook with alcohol, you may use apple juice to soak the fruit in)

After the allotted time, thoroughly drain the fruit in a strainer--but save the juices. Stir together the dry ingredients, pressing out any lumps. Cream honey, butter, and eggs. Then stir in the dry ingredients. Fold in the soaked fruit and the nuts, adding enough of the liquid from soaking the fruit to make a pourable batter (not too runny though--like a cake batter). If you don't have much fruit soaking liquid--use apple juice or brandy. (Note: there will be less batter than fruit--but it will be ok)

Grease breads pans and line the bottom with greased parchment paper. (important step--don't omit the parchment paper!) Pour batter into pans--filling only halfway. I usually use a mix small and large bread pans. I like the small pans for gifts.

Bake at 3oo degrees for about 3 hours with a pan of hot water on the bottom shelf of the oven. The tops will be golden brown and cracked and a toothpick will come out clean when they are done. Cool for 20 minutes in the pans before carefully removing. After the cakes are completely cooled pour brandy (or rum) over them, and wrap each cake in cheesecloth you have soaked with the brandy (or rum). Seal up in tinfoil and place in the refrigerator to age. This fruitcake definitely improves with age, but also can be eaten right away.

So bake a batch of these fruitcakes and be pleasantly surprised by how yummy they are. I'm off to purchase the dried fruit and rum now....

Tis' the Season for Holiday Wreaths

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 23:10:00 +0000

We are starting the winter holidaze...so here are some non-traditional Holiday Wreath DYI ideas from around the web....

A lovely snow flake wreath

a fun paper straw wreath

a Holiday Wreath to hold your holiday cards

a button wreath

a cookie cutter wreath (to let them know the cookies are coming!?)

Cork Holiday wreath---(here's good use for all those wine corks you've been saving)

Hey! a Marshmellow wreath! (hang this one out of the rain)

a paper chain (box chain) wreath

Aren't these fun?? I'm sure you--my creative reader--can come up with your own crafty DYI holiday wreath....so put on some holiday music, get craftin' and have fun!!! of course, if you want to try and make any of these----just follow the links provided.

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 18:23:00 +0000

In honor of Veteran's Day

"May my sweet blossoms

never cease

to bloom, in love

and trust and peace."

Holiday Elves at Work Again : Bead Crochet Bracelets

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 21:33:00 +0000

It has been awhile since I worked with beads, but a few weeks ago the urge to play with my beads overtook me and so I started stringing up some seed beads for a few bracelets. This one I call "porcupine" pattern, for obvious reasons.

I love these seafoam green colored seed beads, in a spiral pattern.

And a lavender bracelet with a lovely iridescent bluish-purple drop bead in the spiral. All of these are for sale at my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BorealisBeads just in time for holiday gifts!

Owl-ly Baby's Room Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 17:17:00 +0000

I recently painted this tree on the wall in baby Finn's room. Quite a fun project and Mommy and Daddy were pleased also. I love the notion of Finn growing up in this room with a magical tree to keep him company...

Finn's Mom wanted to use owl's as a theme--and I was so pleased that FINALLY I had a home for these two embroidered owls I created about 2 years ago. Now they grace a wall in Finn's room, along with the tree...may he be blessed with both owl wisdom and the love of nature.

Knitting is the NEW Yoga....

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 22:40:00 +0000

Any day spent KNITTING is a good day!

Breath Deeply & Repeat....

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 04:17:00 +0000

I have been having fun creating a few illustrated versions of some of my fave quotes:

Adventure ahead...

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:00:00 +0000

I'm off on a road trip adventure --to do just this!! hope you all are having good adventures also!!! back in 10 days or so....

Sweater re-purposed into HAND PUPPET

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 05:09:00 +0000

I created this "doggie"hand puppet for my Grandson wee Caden for his 1st birthday....

the puppet is sewn entirely out of felted sweaters..and is very soft and cuddly...

wee Caden and I have alot of fun playing with his new doggie puppet...arf! arf!

Must Love Pink (Socks)

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 18:31:00 +0000

So---most of the summer off from blogging...and I'm back!!!! and I have been creative the past few months.....

I just finished these wool socks---I call them MUST LOVE PINK socks, because --well you can see....

they are mostly pink! I made these for myself--and they fit perfectly---I am very happy with them! because I love pink......

I created these socks as I went along---with two variegated colors of Koigu wool yarn---which I love knitting with because Koigu is dream yarn. Stay tuned...more creative endeavors coming soon to this blog...

Sweaters repurposed into Happy Monster

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Thu, 31 May 2012 05:56:00 +0000

I made this Happy Monster for my grandson Aram's 1st birthday.

Aram seemed to like his new toy....

and so did his big brother --Jasper....

Happy Monster was created from some felted sweaters with embroidery details....quite a fun project !!! toys are a joy to make when you see little ones playing with them....

Poetry Palooza continued (National Poetry Month!)

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:20:00 +0000

Today is a lovely spring day here in Seattle so some Emily Dickinson seems apropos....for our Earth---Celebrating EARTH DAY every day!

A little Madness in the Spring (1333)

By Emily Dickinson

A little Madness in the Spring
Is wholesome even for the King,
But God be with the Clown---

Who ponders this tremendous scene---
This whole Experiment of Green---
As if it were his own!

***************************

this poem--although written in the 1800's---to me speaks of Earth love, environmentalism & preservation....how can we think we "own" our Earth? if we revered her properly, we would not be mistreating her so. So far much of our Earth stewardship has not been the best, I hope the tide is turning in favor of more care and real concern for the mess we have made of her.

I took these photos one spring in Alaska...where I learned to love and revere our green Earth.

**************************************************************

Paint Chip Art # 2

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:50:00 +0000

Here are a few more experiments painting with gouache onto commericial paint chips...

foxy....

put a bird on it or hoot! hoot!

you can see my first PAINT CHIP ART blog post HERE

Poetry-palooza # 5 for National Poetry Month

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:05:00 +0000

Sometimes

by Sheenagh Pugh

Sometimes things don't go, after all,
from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel
faces down green frost, green thrives, the crops don't fail,
sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people will sometimes step back from war;
elect an honest man, decide they care
enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go
amiss, sometimes we all do as we meant to.
The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you.

Note: above drawing by me --- a tessalation!

Walls come down...

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 18:05:00 +0000

Mending Wall
by Robert Frost

Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun; And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. The work of hunters is another thing: I have come after them and made repair Where they have left not one stone on a stone, But they would have the rabbit out of hiding, To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean, No one has seen them made or heard them made, But at spring mending-time we find them there. I let my neighbor know beyond the hill; And on a day we meet to walk the line And set the wall between us once again. We keep the wall between us as we go. To each the boulders that have fallen to each. And some are loaves and some so nearly balls We have to use a spell to make them balance: 'Stay where you are until our backs are turned!' We wear our fingers rough with handling them. Oh, just another kind of outdoor game, One on a side. It comes to little more: There where it is we do not need the wall: He is all pine and I am apple orchard. My apple trees will never get across And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him. He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors.' Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder If I could put a notion in his head: 'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it Where there are cows? But here there are no cows. Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offense. Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That wants it down.' I could say 'Elves' to him, But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather He said it for himself. I see him there Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed. He moves in darkness as it seems to me, Not of woods only and the shade of trees. He will not go behind his father's saying, And he likes having thought of it so well He says again, 'Good fences make good neighbors.'

Poetry-palooza Daffodills (and Spring)

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:11:00 +0000

In time of daffodils

by E. E. Cummings

in time of daffodils (who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why, remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so (forgetting seem)

in time of roses (who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if, remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek (forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me, remember me

noreply@blogger.com (Aurora) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:45:00 +0000

I know nothing about geese

by Maya Stein

I know nothing about geese, only saw them landing
at the outer edge of the pond sometime around noon
while I was walking the perimeter of the field in orange sandals.
I want to say they were “gliding” or something that says I understand
the way of birds, but I can’t say I saw how they honed in on that particular
patch of water, don’t know how, en masse, they agreed to take a break,
only that they did, and had begun a slow canoe looking for what,
I imagine, to be lunch. I was hungry and went inside to eat. Look how even without
the language to tell it, a story begins to tell itself, find threadlines and affinities.
I, too, understand nourishment. I, too, know my own wings.

April is National Poetry Month! here is a link to poet Maya Stein's blog....enjoy ;-)