Kate Themel's Fabulous Fiber Art

Wowed by the fiber art creations of Kate Themel, I just had to share them!
Kate, who lives in Connecticut, asks, "Who needs paint?"
She prefers fabric as her artistic medium, and then adds 
machine stitching to achieve texture, depth, and detail.
Honey Bee, above, with a close up below, shows off her level of expertise.
Enjoy these fine examples of Kate's true talent and creativity!

Artifact: Telephone

Monarch and Milkweed

Honu World

Grandmother

Here's Kate's website!


Images used with direct permission from Kate Themel.

Collections: Vintage Buttons

Many of us have our mom's or grandmother's old buttons,

often stored in cookie tins or mason jars.
I have childhood memories playing with my Granny's stash,
 sifting them through my fingers
sorting by color or size, lining them up.
dazzled by the fancy ones!

Vintage buttons are very collectible, as you'll see

with the variety of groupings here.

Antique bits from the past made of glass, celluloid,

pearl, bakelite, metal, or wood; each is a tiny treasure.

 

Other posts in my "Collections" series:
A Show of Hands

Pie Birds

Elizabeth Blackadder's Watercolor Blossoms

Lovely spring blossoms, perfectly captured 

in watercolors by Scottish artist Elizabeth Blackadder.

Tulips, poppies, irises.

Delicate, airy...beautiful!

“The earth laughs in flowers.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Megan Ivy Griffith's Fanciful Embroidered Dolls

The embroidered detail is exquisite.

The dolls are straight from the pages of folklore and fairy tales.

Welcome to the fanciful world of Megan Ivy Griffiths!

Llamas, lions, and rabbits join their human friends to bring smiles and warm hearts.

Inspired by bohemian style, Megan stitches with lighthearted whimsy.

 I'm just enamored with her sweet creations!

You can keep up with Megan here:

Website

Facebook

Etsy

Instagram

Images used with direct permission from Megan Ivy Griffiths.

Hearty Chicken Soup with Wild Rice

The first very time I made this recipe, 
it skyrocketed to the top of the list of our family's favorites!

And that means I can keep it in circulation and make it regularly.

With the addition of a few flavorful ingredients, (like chopped cabbage!)

it ranks a few notches above the everyday, typical chicken soup.

From Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management (1861)~

Now, here's the ingredient that really puts this soup over-the-top: wild rice.

Not white or brown rice. Wild rice. Do not make substitutions.

Hearty Chicken Soup with Wild Rice

• 
  
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 t poultry seasoning
• 1 C celery, sliced
• 1 C carrots, sliced
• 2 T flour
• 1 C diced cabbage
• 8 C chicken broth
• 2 C cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
• 1/2 large red pepper, diced
• 1 box (4 oz.) wild rice
• 1 1/2 C sliced mushrooms
• salt and pepper

First, heat the oil in a dutch oven, add the onion & garlic, saute for 2 minutes.

Add the carrots, celery, flour & poultry seasoning. Cook another 3 minutes

Add in everything else but the rice and simmer 20 minutes.

Add the rice and cook uncovered 40-45 minutes until the rice is tender.

Salt and pepper to taste.

(My gang loves to top theirs with finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano.)

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Here are a few more great recipes: 

Onion Fennel Soup

Our Ever-Popular Bacon Taco Dip

Cream Cheese Apple Crisp

Easter Blessings: In Christ Alone, My Hope is Found

"In Christ Alone" is a powerful song written by Stuart Townend & Keith Getty.

We've sung it at our church for many years, and it has come to be my favorite.

It features the timeless message of the gospel-

the biblical truth of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Our hope is in the firm foundation of Christ -alone.

Meaning... just Christ.

Not Christ + going to church.

Not Christ + donating to charities.

Not Christ + obeying the Ten Commandments.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, 

and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

It's not about what we have to do,

it's about what Jesus already DID.

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, 

he was crushed for our iniquities; 

the punishment that brought us peace was on him, 

and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

Each and every verse is dynamic.

"What heights of love!"

"What depths of peace!"

Listen to Lauren Daigle's beautiful rendition

from YouTube, with lyrics below.

Rejoice in what He did for us...for YOU.

We stand in the love and power of Christ.

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe.

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand:

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

https://www.stuarttownend.co.uk/song/in-christ-alone/

Cuddle + Kind Dolls Help Feed Needy Children

The Woodgate family developed Cuddle + Kind,  
a line of adorable hand-knit dolls, each with its own name and personality!
Using premium natural cotton yarn, each doll is of heirloom quality.
The sweet detailed embellishments are amazing!
They're made in 2 sizes: Regular 20" and Little 13".

Being very others-minded, the Woodgates wanted this project to reflect that. 
The dolls are ethically produced, giving sustainable employment 
and fair trade wages for 500 artisan women in Peru.

For each doll purchased, 10 school meals are provided 
to needy children in 65 countries, as well as in the US.
 Over 3 million meals have been provided so far!
A truly meaningful gift to give.

May I introduce you to some of the gang?
Meet Ivy the bear.

Here we have the foxes, Sadie & Wyatt.

Aspen the penguin.

 Chelsea the cat.

Pearl and Isla, the mermaids.

Along with dolls, cute prints are available!

The Woodgates~ Jen, Derek, Brooke, Rachel & Ethan.

Here's where you can find Cuddle & Kind~

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Cuddle & Kind's giving partner is the

Children's Hunger Fund.

Images used with direct permission from Laura at Cuddle + Kind.