Podcast 002: Tree of Life

CLICK HERE to listen to Podcast 002. Right click on the link and save it to your hard drive, or better yet, so you don't miss future podcasts, subscribe using one of the links to the right.

Total length of this podcast: 26 minutes

You can download the MP3 audio file (which can be played in iTunes or other multimedia players) and skip to whatever segment interests you -- check the minute marker for each segment.

INTRODUCTION

OK, so after listening to this podcast I realized a couple of things: I need to remember to use my pop filter, and I need to talk more to flesh out a couple of segments, especially the descriptions of the various projects. I just don't want to blab on about stuff that might bore you to tears... Hey, I'm still learning! Please bear with me!

Today's theme is Tree of Life, which I had planned to use in each of the segments. Life itself got in the way, however, and instead of my originally planned apple recipe in the Recipe Segment, I'm giving you a recipe for my mom's yummy Raisin Filled Cookies. You won't be disappointed!

Thanks to everyone who kindly commented on my blog, emailed me, and especially mentioned my new podcast on their own podcast!

Here is a photo of the quilt I was commissioned to make. It is part of my Icon Quilt series, and is called Christ Pantokrator, which means "Almighty" in Greek. This image is one of the oldest icons in existence. The original is in Saint Catherine's Monastery in the Sinai Desert. The quilt measures about 9 x 18 inches.

CLICK HERE to download the next in my free Alice in Wonderland redwork patterns. This time it's The White Rabbit as Herald, and here's a photo of my finished piece.

My sister-in-law Michelle surprised me with this quilt for my birthday last June. It is a photo of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter from the upcoming Tim Burton movie, Alice in Wonderland (to be released in March 2010).

THE FIBER ARTS SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker: 6:28]

CLICK HERE to download the free Tree of Life quilt block and wall hanging pattern. Here is a photo of the completed project:

CLICK HERE to check out Thangles -- they're a real lifesaver when making half-square triangles!

Here's a picture of my oak leaf quilting motif. It's included in the project file.

THE PAPER ARTS SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker: 11:16]

CLICK HERE to download the Tree of Life Quilt Block Note Card project.

Here's a picture of the completed card.

(Yeah, those are the apples I bought to make the apple recipe I promised...and then I changed my mind!)

THE RECIPE SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker: 14:25]

CLICK HERE for the Raisin Filled Cookies recipe.

Here's a photo of the cookies. They didn't last long!

CLICK HERE to check out Flying Pigs Farm, one of the only places you can get leaf lard (at least that I've found).

THE GRAB BAG [Podcast minute marker: 18:32]

My deepest gratitude to Eric Peltoniemi for allowing me to record his beautiful song "Tree of Life" so I could share it with you.

The legal stuff:

Tree of Life: Words and music by Eric Peltoniemi, copyright Eric Peltoniemi Music, ASCAP.

CLICK HERE to visit Eric's Web site.
CLICK HERE to visit Red House Records.

Thanks for listening, and until next time, remember:

Creativity isn't a race...
it's an adventure!

Saturday Is Cookie Baking Day

My son Teddy is in a Christian fraternity at the University of Michigan (Phi Alpha Kappa), and this year when I sent him off to college I gave him a cookie jar with the promise that I would keep it filled. Teddy usually comes home for a quick family meal on Sundays, which means that Saturday is cookie baking day at our house.

Today I decided to make my mom's Raisin Filled Cookies, which are one of our family favorites. These are a little like Fig Newtons, but are much yummier! Here's a picture of the cookies fresh from the oven!

So, because I made these cookies today, I decided that I'll share this recipe with you in my upcoming podcast, rather than the recipe containing apples. I do promise that I'll share my apple recipe next, because it is apple season here in Michigan, and the trees are laden with Honey Crisp apples (my very favorite!).

Podcast recording is underway, and I plan to make it available on September 30!

Sneak Preview of Next Week's Podcast, and Baking Day!

I plan to publish a podcast twice monthly, the 15th and last of each month, but I'll do blog updates in between.

The theme of next week's podcast is Tree of Life. Below you'll see the quilt project I'm offering, there will be a related paper arts segment, a fabulous recipe (hint: it's apple season in Michigan!), and I'll end the podcast with one of my favorite songs called, appropriately enough, "Tree of Life," composed by Eric Peltoniemi.

It's too bad that "smell-o-vision" for the computer hasn't been invented yet. Today is baking day at my house, and I'm baking a loaf of pain de mie (French sandwich bread) and a batch of scrumptious ricciarelli, Tuscan almond cookies. Heavenly!

Here's the pain de mie ready to go into the oven. Yes, that is a big rock on top of the pan. Yeast is really powerful stuff, and if I didn't have that rock on there, it would explode! (well, not quite that dramatically...)

And here it is right out of the oven -- for whatever reason, my oven was running hot today, so it's darker than usual -- but that'll make it taste even better.

Finally, here are the ricciarelli. Again, because my oven was hot, and the day was humid, they turned out flat and brown -- but, boy, are they crispy and delicious!

Thanks for all of the encouraging comments and emails I have received about my new podcast/blog -- it's good to know that I am on the right track. I'll tell you, it's pretty awesome to stand on the shoulders of all of the talented podcasting pioneers out there.

Ruthann

The Premiere Podcast!

CLICK HERE to listen to Podcast 001. Right click on the link and save it to your hard drive.
Total length of this podcast: 39 minutes 

You can download the MP3 audio file (which can be played in iTunes or other multimedia players) and skip to whatever segment interests you -- check the minute marker for each segment.

This blog is an accompaniment to my podcast, Mirkwood Designs - Adventures in Creativity! You'll find show notes, information, and links to the projects discussed in the podcast. Initially, I hope to record a podcast twice monthly, the 15th and last day of each month. I may update the blog more frequently. And of course, like real life, this is subject to change!

THE PODCAST MUSIC
The music used in both the introduction and closing is Simple Gifts, a traditional Shaker song composed in 1848 by Elder Joseph Brackett; it is performed by me on Appalachian dulcimer and guitar. The bumper music (between each segment) is Shall I 'Sue, composed by 17th-century composer and lutenist John Dowland. Again, that's me on the guitar.

INTRODUCTION
In the Introduction of each podcast I'll chat a bit about my life, current projects, books, etc. --  whatever strikes my fancy. In my premier podcast I talk about who I am, my family, and my view of creativity.

THE FIBER ARTS SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker: 7:06 ]
Each podcast I'll present a Fiber Arts segment. Today's topic is redwork.

Here are some good links about the needle art of redwork:

• A Redwork Embroidery Primer
• Redwork Embroidery History: From Tea Towels to Quilts

Common redwork stitching techniques (reverse if you're left-handed!):

 

Below is the first in a series of original free redwork patterns -- "Alice and the Pig Baby" from the original illustrations by Sir John Tenniel for Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.

 

CLICK HERE to go to The Projects page where you'll find the free downloadable redwork file

(Note:  You'll need the free application Adobe Reader to open the PDF file -- a link is on The Projects page.)

My sister Karen drafted a series of redwork patterns based on the charming Hummel figurines. She used green floss rather than the traditional red, and my sister Pat sewed Karen's "greenwork" squares into a queen-sized quilt. Please note that because of copyright restrictions, these Hummel patterns are NOT available. Karen made them as a tribute to our late mother, who loved the Hummel children and cross stitched innumerable Hummel wall hangings for her children and grandchildren. Following are two of Karen's Hummel "greenwork" pieces:

You can easily make your own redwork patterns by tracing pictures from coloring books, drawings, or even favorite photographs. Following is a photo (not a very good one) of my son's kitten Titus Andronicus, the sketch I made from the photo, and the resulting needlework. I used black floss and the stem stitch for this project. It took only a couple of hours from drafting the pattern to taking the final stitch, and I think it turned out well!

  

 

THE PAPER ARTS SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker: 14:25 ]
Each podcast I'll present a Paper Arts segment. Today's topic is making a basic envelope.

Basic Paper Crafting Supplies
Following are the most basic supplies you need if you do paper crafting:

• Self-healing cutting mat
• Pencil (I prefer mechanical pencils)
• Adhesive tape
• Folding tool (I prefer a bone folder, but even a butter knife will work.)
• Scissors (Don't use your sewing scissors!)
• Permanent marker (This is not really essential, but really handy.)
• Paper glue (There are many brands available.)
• Craft knife
• Ruler (Do not use a ruler designed for quilters. I prefer a metal cork-backed ruler because it won't slip on your paper or work surface.)

Here is a photo of my most basic paper crafting supplies.

Here are a couple of envelopes I made using my simple template. You can easily make an envelope of any size following the instruction on the project file. Making envelopes is a great way to get children involved with paper crafting -- they make something really fun and functional!

CLICK HERE to go to the Projects Page where you'll find the free downloadable envelope template.
(Note: You'll need the free application Adobe Reader to open the PDF file -- a link is on The Projects page.)

If you're a fan of my Mirkwood Designs Templates (which have been available freely on the Web beginning in 1997), CLICK HERE to download more of them.

THE RECIPE SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker: 23:57 ]
Each podcast I'll present an original recipe. After all, we can't create on an empty stomach! Today's recipe is Hot Chocolate Surprise!

Here is a photo of the supplies and ingredients I used to make the hot chocolate.

 

And here is a picture of the finished product. I had to take a photo quickly before I drank it!

CLICK HERE to go to the Recipes Page where you'll find the free downloadable recipe.
(Note: You'll need the free application Adobe Reader to open the PDF file -- a link is on The Projects page.)

THE GRAB BAG SEGMENT [Podcast minute marker: 33:25]
Each podcast I'll present a segment called The Grab Bag that contains stuff that won't fit anywhere else. It could be a story, a poem, or even a song. This time it's a quote about creativity by 20th century American psychologist Abraham Maslow:

The key question isn't, "What fosters creativity?" But it is why in God's name isn't everyone creative? Where was the human potential lost? How was it crippled? I think therefore a good question might be not, “Why do people create?” But, “Why do people not create or innovate?” We have got to abandon that sense of amazement in the face of creativity, as if it were a miracle if anybody created anything.

Thanks for listening, and until next time, remember:

Creativity isn't a race...
it's an adventure!