Bacon and Cream Cheese Peppers

Before the garden was finished for the season, I happened upon a simple recipe for the abundance of peppers we had. They were such a hit, I wish I had found it sooner! I used both banana peppers and jalapeños for this recipe. Cut peppers in half and scrape out the seeds with a spoon (unless you have the right kind of gadget for this). Fill each half with cream cheese... or string cheese... and wrap with a slice of bacon. Place on pan and bake at 400 until bacon is done... maybe 20 - 30 minutes. If needed you can use a toothpick to hold the bacon on the peppers. Enjoy!

A Log Cabin Christmas Preview

First of all... If the photos or typing look weird the last few days, it's because I dropped my old laptop..... It's the one I had to revert to using after I spilled pop on the newer one my son gave to me. So I bought a tablet thinking I could take care of everything with it.....wrong! I am disliking this tablet more and more. I can,t print anything from it unless I send everything to that cloud thing.... And even if I did that, I ca n't get it to recognize my printer. I also can't edit my photos with Adobe PS on this thing and more times than not something happens when I'm typing and it types several words or letters llllikkkelikelike thissssthiiiis. It's not my typing... there's something wrong with the tablet. Needless to say I am returning it. That's not the worst.... The computer shop could not retrieve any of my files, documents, or photos... And I had a lot on there that I hadn't backed up. I should have learned my lesson the last time. :(

So, let's move on to what I'm working on this week. I will have three punchneedle designs listed at Early Work Mercantile Saturday evening. These photos are a sneak peek.

Have a lovely evening and don't forget to back up your files!!!

Lana

Whimsy Wednesday - Playing with Punchneedle

In the last few days I received a couple of shipments of Valdani Threads perle cotton and got started on punchneedle designs. I'd done punchneedle several years ago, but got busy with other things and put aside my supplies.

Recently I decided to start doing more wool applique and thought the patterns would also make good designs for punchneedle.

As you can see I got right to work... punching away! These are one of a kind. I referred to antique rugs, quilts, frakturs, etc. and then drew the design directly on the fabric. I forgot to make a pattern first!

It's taking a toll on my wrist, but I will just have to take breaks more often.... or maybe get one of those handy punchneedle stands. Has anyone tried those? It may be easier than holding an embroidery hoop.

The Fraktur Bouquet (left) is edged with a strip from a recycled cashmere sweater. Smokey (the horse) is edged with a twisted recycled wool strip. The Autumn Floral Fraktur design is also edged with a twisted recycled wool strip. All needleworks are about 4" x 5". Each one is attached to wood that I have painted, stained, and then hand waxed with my homemade beeswax paste. The taller wood pieces are about 9". My intentions were to list these at Early Work Mercantile, but while working on the last one yesterday, I remembered that Early Work Mercantile November update theme is A Log Cabin Christmas, so I won't be offering these at EWM. I'll have to think of something else.

Fraktur Bouquet ~ $55 plus shipping

Smokey ~ $55 plus shipping Sold ~ thank you!

Autumn Floral Fraktur ~ $55 plus shipping Sold ~ thank you!

Email me for a PayPal invoice or information on paying by check.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Take care & God bless,
Lana

Whimsy Wednesday - Wool Penny Rug

In between working on pumpkins and pin keeps, I managed to work on pennies! This is a little piece, but really sweet and perfect for a small space. The backing is aged linen. I hand cut all the pennies, which are all from recycled wool sweaters and skirts. They are blanket-stitched using Maple Syrup Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art. The penny rug measures about 5" x 8".

{The Whale Pin Keep is available here}

If you'd like to add this petite penny rug to your collection,
the cost is $30 plus shipping.

SOLD ~ thank you!

Have a lovely, blessed day!
Lana

Wooly Whales

Once I started going through my big stash of wool, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop! I have made another Whale Pin Keep using recycled wool from a sweater. It's the perfect blue / gray for a whale. I've placed it on a lovely dotted paisley cotton print... the paisley designs make me think of little whales swimming all over the fabric!

You can see read more about it on my Honeysuckle Lane shop blog.

I'm still waiting for my shipment of Valdani threads... from two different sources. I can hardly wait to begin working with them! :)

Blessings,
Lana

Simplifying Business

Remember when I began selling online as Honeysuckle Lane? It seems like a lifetime ago! In 2004, on my old website (you can see one of the old banners above)... on my Inspirations page... I talked of how and why I was inspired to name my business Honeysuckle Lane. Well that has never left me, even when I tested the waters of modern, whimsical designs. And so, here I am again, re-thinking my business --- will it ever end, you wonder??? But... I have come full circle. I have come home... home to Honeysuckle Lane. :)

As I near 50 (ok, I'm only 48 but I'll get there soon) and as I look forward to my first grandchild in January, and as I see more and more things I want to accomplish here at home, in our home and outside our home, I want to simplify my life. I'm not sure that's even possible, but I am going to start with work. Oh, believe me I am not slowing down on handwork! I am just making it simpler. Simpler to find, simpler to manage, simpler all the way around. I have enjoyed Simple Joys Paperie and Lana Manis Designs, but they will close. When I make paper love tokens and paper whimsies and when I paint a few whimsical still lifes, I'll pop them in my Honeysuckle Lane shop. And I do still enjoy the lighter style of modern whimsy, and I'm sure you will see it here and there in my work. But to make things simpler, everything will be Honeysuckle Lane --- the blog, the Etsy shop (for now), and eventually the website.

So thank you for staying with me all these years, and for recently finding me --- all of you are appreciated!

I have made a 50% off coupon code for the two shops that are going to close:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/simplejoyspaperie
and
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LanaManisDesigns

When you are ready to check out and are viewing your cart, under the payment options is an "apply shop coupon code" link. Click that link and type GOODBYE2015 in the box and it will take 50% off your order. I will not be adding anything else to these shops other than a few more art prints that I found in a box that had not been listed.   

As for Honeysuckle Lane... I will be working on more more early style pincushions, needlework, and Christmas ornaments over the next several weeks. I will announce the web show dates a little closer to time. I hope to eventually leave Etsy and sell on my own shop blog or website. It'll just take time to get everything ready.

Thanks for visiting me today!

Take care and God bless,
Lana

A Little Photo Fun with PicMonkey!

What can I say? I love PicMonkey! I haven't done much photo editing in a long time... nothing other than sharpen / crop / contrast... those kinds of things.

But recently I saw some really sweet banners and cartouches on people's photos and asked some friends where do you find those kinds of things?

Lori Ann Corelis mentioned that I try PicMonkey. I have used it to make a collage for my social media banners but that was it.

So I revisited the website... paid the subscription (it's only $2.70 something a month!) and I am having so much fun prettying up my photos! You can do a lot with their free program. I wanted a few extras so I did the pay thing this time.

I may go overboard, but I can't help it....

And, no, I am not affiliated with PicMonkey. I just want you to know there's a place where you can do this without buying expensive programs and with very little editing experience.

Have fun! :)
Lana

Whimsy Wednesday to Tardy Thursday

So... I missed the second Whimsy Wednesday and I'm posting a day late! I have been working on pumpkin orders and completely forgot to post something. Sorry about that!

Today's offering, which should have been yesterday's, is my own simple design based on 19th century art: 1760 Whale Pin Keep. The blue-gray whale is made from recycled wool and is blanket-stitched on a dull robin's egg blue linen fabric. The year 1760 has been hand-embroidered with DMC cotton floss. The pin keep is hand-stitched closed, filled with wool scraps from my previous projects, and has a hand-written label stitched on the back. Old felt-covered pins are NOT included. It's about 5" x 7".

If you'd like to add this pin keep to your folk art collection,
it's yours for $35 (plus shipping).
Email me if interested.

SOLD ~ thank you!


Coming soon....
I recently ordered a collection of Valdani Threads and I am so excited to get started on new designs! I'll share more on that later.

Blessings,
Lana

Lavender Pumpkins, Paintings, and Pincushions

I was going through some of my fall watercolors and realized they have a slightly lavender-ish background....

which matches a triangle pincushion I recently made (it's shipping out to the new owner tomorrow)...

which matches a lavender wool pumpkin I also recently made...

Funny how things just go together without even planning it! :)

The puzzle ball pincushion and the triangle pincushion are spoken for, but all watercolors and the large wool pumpkin (which great for a pincushion or to display longer hat pins) are available.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Lana

Whimsy Wednesday - French Textile Triangle Pincushions

A few times in the past I made plans to list items once a week on this blog. Some times it happened, some times it didn't, and then finally I forgot about it.

My son and I were talking about it again this week and I was trying to come up with a catchy name. He suggested Whimsy Wednesday... and I love it! So... I am going to do my best to have something handmade to list each Wednesday (in addition to items in my Etsy shops or on my shop blog).


This week I have several small triangle pincushions for you that are based on a couple of antique pincushions I have in my collection.

Each pincushion is made from mostly antique and vintage fabrics, some of which I purchased directly from a dealer in France. In the photo below they are freshly laundered, waiting to be pressed...

I've listed the Triangle Pincushions below. Each one has been completely hand-stitched and embellished with feather-stitching.

When ordering, please choose by number of the item(s).

$15 each plus 1st class shipping (priority mail if several are purchased).

I accept PayPal, check, or money order.

Email me to ask questions or to purchase.


1. Made from an antique ticking fabric that was once a pillow. I bought the pillow years ago at an antique store, removed all the feathers, and have been using this fabric sparingly in my projects. About 2 1/8" at widest point.

2. Top left fabric is antique / vintage ticking from France, top right fabric is aged, reproduction dotted / paisley cotton, bottom fabric is aged, vintage damask. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

3. Top left fabric is a vintage floral stripe, the fabric on the right is an antique silk ombre moire, bottom fabric antique / vintage ticking from France. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

4. SOLD ~ thank you!
All three fabrics are antique / vintage French textiles. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

5. The red and white floral is a vintage French textile, dark red print is a reproduction calico cotton, bottom fabric is from an antique linen towel. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

6. The silk stripe is antique, the raw silk is recycled, the bottom fabric is cotton lining from a vintage curtain. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

7. SOLD ~ thank you!
All fabrics are antique / vintage French textiles. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

8. Top two fabrics are antique / vintage French textiles, bottom fabric is aged linen. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

9. All three fabrics are antique / vintage French textiles. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

10. Top two fabrics are antique / vintage French textiles, bottom fabric is aged, vintage damask. About 2 1/2" across widest point.

 Thanks so much for visiting!

Take care & God bless,
Lana