Life is what you make it

"LIFE should not be a Journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body but RATHER TO SKID IN BROADSIDE, THOROUGHLY USED UP, TOTALLY WORN OUT and LOUDLY PROCLAIMING WOW WHAT A RIDE" many authors





Sunday, December 25, 2011

Spinach Pie (healthier version)

In my constant search for recipes that I can make healthier and more along the lines of my heart healthy diet I have found a spin on Spinach Pie that is very tasty and is lower in calories and fat.

Thaw and drain a box of frozen cut spinach.  Take the Phyllo dough out of the freezer
Mince 2 cloves of garlic, tablespoon of Olive oil, 1/4 sweet onion, salt and pepper in a food processor

combine :
1/2 cup of plain GREEK (much thicker consistency and better for you) Yogurt
1/2 cup fat free sour cream (or fat free cream cheese)

add the above ingredients together in a bowl and stir to combine ingredients.
Gently mix in a half cup of feta cheese and 1/4th cup goat cheese into the mixture.

Set aside the Spinach mixture and prepare the phyllo dough as directed with this exception : replace the butter with olive oil.  Follow the same box directions for adding filling and add the Spinach mixture to the phyllo sheets and fold as directed.
** I also threw in a 1/4th cup of flax seeds.  I liked them but they added a texture change and kinda popped in your mouth when eating.  I think I recommend flax powder or running the flax seeds through a food processor and then add them to the Spinach pie mixture.  Great way to get extra omegas without changing up the taste.

Depending on how you make the phyllo folds will depend on how many this makes.  I got enough for 6 servings

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Pictures of the Polymer Bracelet Class

Back by popular demand, the Polymer Clay Bracelet class will be offered again on January 28th, 2012. 

Give me a call to sign up.  Bring a new to class friend and you will get $5 off your class.  If you had so much fun the first time that you want to take it again, I am giving you a $5 discount off the class as well. Class is $6.50 for materials and $20 for class 

We had a blast with our creations and made some beautiful Bracelets. 
 The ladies putting the final touches on their bracelets
 Gluing the clay tiles to the bracelet blanks
 Collette and her beautiful creations
 Sandy spraying a coat of Future floor polish on her tiles to seal them.
Jill's creations

Also on January 14th will be the Altered Cigar Box.  My fingers are inky so the samples are nearing completion. Pictures will be posted soon.  A variety of themes will be available for you to choose from. Beach, time, vintage, modern, postal, girlie, black and white, regal... oh you name it and I will probably have it available.

Leah's ph 941-704-3074 (Between now and New Years I may be away from my phone some but please leave a message and I will call you back as soon as I can and we will get you scheduled for class)  email inkfulthinking@gmail.com 

I love this time of year! May yours be blessed.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Blog under construction

I pushed the wrong button and my blog was showing only posts... so as soon as 2012 gets here I will continue refreshing it. 


Upcoming news


Photos of our last Polymer Bracelet class will be posted soon.  A second go of that class is set for Jan 28 and upcoming new classes are


Jan 14 - Altered Cigar box
and  feb 25th Polymer the next step where we will make a pendant and attach to a necklace. :D 


Looking forward to seeing you in class

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Just in: Stampendous stamps...

Hand dyed fabric flower bundles, Felt words Joy and Love as well as poinsettias just in time for your Christmas creations.  Also all sorts of  EPHEMERA, charms, new sets of buttons, zippers as well as Kitchen tools, Celluloid and brass Mirrors, bottles and hand made purses and Jewelry to make your Christmas shopping easy.  My booth is also 20% off.











Thursday, November 3, 2011

Polymer Clay Bracelets

Come join in on the fun.  Make a mother daughter day out of it.


Polymer clays are plastic modeling compounds that come in many colors, can be formed into any shape, and will bake permanently hard in a home oven. They won’t dry out until they are baked hard (if properly stored, kept cool and dark). They don’t shrink or expand--you can form them over any bake-able armature or finding. Polymer clays do not require kilns bake in, rather 15 min in your oven and the tiles ready. Finished pieces can be drilled, carved, sanded, or glued to backings (using a contact cement or epoxy). Polymer clays are ideal for jewelry—pins, earrings, pendants—and for figures, doll faces, and beads. Using Sculpey polymer clay your creations are endless.

In this 2 and half hour class we will easily sculpt our clay tiles and walk out of class with a beautiful sculpted bracelet. You will have the opportunity to free form your own tiles as well as using clay cutters to form the tiles for your bracelet. We will use Pigment powders and inks with our clay tiles. If desired rubber stamps will be available to use to make impressions in the clay as well as stamping images onto the bracelet tiles.



Saturday | November 19th |  11AM - 1:30PM   $20 plus $6.50 material fee. Bring a lunch to eat while our clay tiles bake and dry


Last Saturdays cards and domino pendants class was a lot of fun and I think everyone learned a thing or two. :D  Here is a picture of the cards class. We were so busy with dominos that I did not get a picture.
Check out the PAC ( www.palmettoartcenter.com ) for the fun that is awaiting you.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Halloween Pendants

These are my latest works in the Domino pendant arena.  I am on a roll. These are more samples of what you can do with a domino. I am not cookoo for Halloween but my friends in club are.  So I made these pendants for them.  I hope they love them as much as I did making them.  I am also teaching a class at Palmettoartcenter.com on Saturday with them.  Give Gretchen a call (941) 518 - 2109 . 


Saturday, October 22, 2011

I spent the day at Emiline's Antiques and Collectibles totally revamping

I have found some delish vintage treats ready to become your treasures,  when I was out and about last weekend.

The top of the booth.  Those horse pencil prints are from 1944 T H Gurley, to 1960.  A vintage Christmas tin and then some vintage bottles as well as some of my artwork

 My bottle collection.  The coolest is a 1927 Cuban beer bottle.  Also have some Autumn leaves pattern serving dishes.  The floral canisters are from Italy. Also vintage Christmas ornaments, hand made Christmas ornaments, bracelets and necklaces packaged on the side. In the background there are flower arrangements with vintage leaves and bling that can be taken apart and all used seperately. Vintage post cards and first release postage stamp envelopes.. and so much more

 Charms  and flowers and atlered Jewelry.  Below the charms is the Kitchen section for your vintage kitchen tool needs as well as a couple of brass and celluloid hand mirrors. OH and the Chicken timer (front and center). To the left there is Vintage Southern living christmas books and Belgium Apothecary jars
 This is the hand bag and heavy kitchen tools department with some hand made cards thrown in here and there.
 Side view of the bottles and Autumn leaves dishes
 Side angle shot of of Vintage kitchen tools, tins, and the vanity section with the brass and celluloid hand held mirrors
 close up of the vanity section.  Doilies add a nice homey touch but are for sale
close up of the fabrick flower arrangements.
Come on by Emilines Antiques and Collectibles in Palmetto on 301 right next door to Goodwill.  

Classes on the card making and the Domino pendant are next Saturday at Palmetto Art Center.  Scroll down for more pictures of class samples

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

My latest creations and class samples

Pendants, pendants and more pendant options.  The class is Oct 29th at Palmettoartcenter.com  Come out and play.
For my November 19th class at Palmettoartcenter.com , we will be making clay tile bracelets.  Here are couple of samples.  the one with all the different tiles is an illustration of all you can do with the clay tiles.
They are perfect for yourself or as a Christmas gift.  I cant believe Christmas is around the corner already!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

I was busy at Emiline's Antiques and Collectibles yesterday






I sorted, added too and refreshed my glass case at Emiline's yesterday.  Between what my mom and dad found for me in their travels to what David and Daniel found for me garage saling, I had lots to choose from.  Doilies, vintage soda bottles as well as Clorox in brown glass, 1920 cookie cutters, laces, canisters and more! Come check me out at Emiline's.  Don't forget I teach classes on Oct 29th at Palmetto Art Center.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Upcoming Classes for October 29th


http://myemail.constantcontact.com/PAC---Fresh-off-the-Press----PAC-October-News-.html?soid=1103578015701&aid=fzT6dPTt33I


My CLASSES at PAC.Oct 29th. Mark your calendar. Take both classes and get a discount.


Fall is in the air. Get in the spirit with these three autumn themed cards. You will learn several techniques, experiment with several mediums and get those creative vibes moving. Leah will have everything cut and prepped and ready for your creative touches in this card making class. 
1 - 2PM | $10 + $5 for materials

The things you can do with a domino: After taking this class your dominoes will never be safe just for games again. In this class you will make a vibrant fall colored pendant. You will learn several techniques and use different mediums to transform the domino into the perfect for fall accessory or gift for someone special. 
2:30PM - 3:30PM | $10 + $4 for materials

Note: RSVP for both of Leah's classes the fee will be reduced 
to $15 for both classes + $9 for materials.
RSVP  | Gretchen (941) 518 - 2109 

Friday, September 9, 2011

The latest at Emilines Antiques and Collectibles

Here are my latest additions to my glass case #80.  I am now in a glass case upfront right by the checkout counter.  I have brass charms more vintage trims, ric rak, Zva , Petaloo and an assortment of stamps.  I still have some silver charms as well as many other items for crafting , collaging, mixed media and epherema.

Emiline's Antiques and collectibles, Palmetto Fl. Off of 301 approx a mile east of Walmart and next door to Goodwill. Due to popularity I have extended the sale of Anything over $10.00 is 20% off through the end of this month 






Monday, August 8, 2011

Teaching locations

IF you are interested in my classes, you can find the information here.

Palmetto Art Center

My booth is at Emiline's Antiques and Collectibles off 301 in Palmetto.  It is Just East of the Haben blvd stop light and 301. East of Goodwill on the North side of the road.


Thursday, August 4, 2011

The August news letter from PAC is out


Here is the August Newsletter from Palmetto Art Center (PAC) In it you will find the details of my beach card classes. Come join the fun! This is my first Month with PAC so spread the word. Looking forward to class and hope to see you there! :D

Click on the link and scroll down for my beach card class.  The total price for the class is $20 not $25.  $5 Materials fee is in the $20.
PAC August News letter

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Pearl Ex workshop

Here are the photos for the Pearl Ex workshop I will be offering a similar class in the future. Details to follow.





Thursday, July 28, 2011

Lots has been happening over the last couple of weeks.

My booth #30 at Emiline's Antiques and Collectibles has been doing well.  I fill it weekly with new finds, collage materials and my latest edition are charm sets in themes of beach, sea life, sea shells, time and even some early snow flakes.  I have laces and ribbons flowing vintage materials, post cards and other ephemera.







At the same time I will begin teaching here locally as of August 27th and 29th at the Palmetto Art Center!   www.palmettoartcenter.com  We will start off with an introduction of inks and stamps by making some collage beach cards. Stay tuned for the PAC class schedule on Monday.


HOPE to see you in August at one location or another.  Happy creativity!