Olivia's LLC

Rock Creek Hook-in 2012

2012-02-28T10:31:00.000-06:00

Here's one of my favorite rugs from the Rock Creek Hook-In Show. To see more go to;

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/slideshow/582398735fKXZVv

Guesssing Game

2012-02-24T08:54:00.000-06:00

Guess the number of buttons in the jar for a chance to win the wool "dream" pillow. Click on the Facebook icon on the right for more details. Good luck and hope to see you at the Hook-In on Saturday.

Rock Creek Hook-In

2012-02-24T08:31:00.000-06:00

Please join us:
Rock Creek Hook-In
February 25, 2012
(Saturday, 9AM to 3PM)
Lenexa Community Center
93rd & Pflumm Rd
Lenexa, KS

Bizarre Bazaar

2011-11-19T23:37:00.000-06:00

Nov 25,26
Friday 5PM-9PM

Saturday 9AM-5PM

Lawrence Arts Center

940 New Hampshire St

Lawrence, KS 66044

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bizarre-Bazaar/155406641194929

Art In the Park

2011-04-05T08:41:00.000-05:00

The 50th Anniversary of Art in the Park will be held Sunday, May 1, 2011 in South Park, Lawrence, Kansas.

This annual event attracts thousands of patrons from all over the midwest to enjoy the artwork of over 100 artists. Musical entertainment, food vendors and childrens activities continue throughout the day. Come and join us from 10am until 5pm for a great time! While in the area visit 1109 gallery (1/2 block north on Massachusetts) for the "Art by the Park" exhibit being held in conjunction with our show.

Rock Creek Hook-In 2011

2011-02-28T11:58:00.001-06:00

What a fun time at the 15th Annual Rock Creek Hook-In... a wonderful group of people to spend the day with. Great to see familiar faces as well as new ones.
My daughter shot a few pictures of the rugs that caught her eye, so I will share some of them. Please let me know if you were there and have any information on any of the rugs as I would be happy to post more info about them.

Rock Creek Hook In

2011-02-18T10:20:00.000-06:00

My great Aunt Florence loved rug hooking and needlepoint. Her small apartment was furnished with fine furniture from all over the world as well as beautiful needlepoint pillows and hooked rugs she had made. As a small girl, I was always intrigued by all her beautiful things. I did not have the fortune of her teaching me her skills, but did inherit one of her needlepoint pillows (lovingly worn around the edges) and her rug hooking supplies. When I attend the Hook-In it brings back many memories of my Aunt Flo and her lovely creations...

Feb. 26, 2011
Rock Creek Hook-In
(Saturday, 9AM to 3PM)
Lenexa Community Center
93rd & Pflumm Rd
Lenexa, KS

"No Name Craft Fair"

2011-02-04T09:52:00.000-06:00

Need a recycled felted wool flower pin to brighten up that winter coat...

Come see more from Creative Females Who Dare to BRAG!

"No Name Craft Fair".

February 12, 2011

10AM to 2PM

Bechelmeyer's Banquet Room,

427 E 4th St.

Tonganoxie, KS

Free Admission

Amaze Boutique & Studio

2011-02-02T12:24:00.000-06:00

Lots of "amazing" things...great apparel, gifts, jewelry, gourmet goodies and funky finds. So many treasures you will have a hard time seeing everything in one visit. You may even come across some felted flower pins from Olivia's LLC.

Check out their website for directions and more information, including Jane's class schedules at amazeboutique.com

2010-12-13T11:26:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!!

As girls, my sister and I had a nic nac shelf in our room with numerous ceramic figurines we received throughout our childhood.

There was this Mr and Mrs. Santa salt and pepper set, dogs, cats, beautifully dressed girls, but one thing really stood out on that shelf. It was a small bottle shaped like a lamp with a removable lamp shade. This little lamp was filled with the best smelling perfume and was cherished by my sister. No, it was one of her most prized possessions. At the age of 3, I loved to get into her "junk drawer"while she was at school. A little girls dream... colorful ribbons, marbles, small baby dolls, jewelry, trinkets galore...it was delightful, but one day the lamp caught my eye as I knew I had to smell that wonderful perfume. I climbed upon the bed, then onto the headboard. On my tippy toes, I managed to get hold of the little lamp. I took off the little green metallic lampshade, untwisted the top, lost my balance and spewed perfume all over myself and the bed. After my sister came home from school and smelled our heavenly room and saw the empty bottle so carefully placed back on the nick nack shelf...well, lets just say the little lamp was never all that special after that.

So when my mother carefully packaged and sent me these fragile little figurines of Santa and Mrs. Claus it brought back a lot of "scentamental" memories. Sorry, sis...

Lawrence Art Guild Holiday Art Fair

2010-11-15T09:04:00.000-06:00

The Holiday Art Fair presented by the Lawrence Art Guild is a wonderful place to come in browse, shop and warm up after the Lawrence's Old Fashioned Christmas Parade.

This will be Olivia's LLC final show for the 2010 Holiday Season. Would love to see you there! Bert.

Bizarre Bazaar

2010-11-08T08:50:00.002-06:00

Let the party begin at the Bizarre Bazaar in Lawrence, Kansas!!! This is a very fun and unique show with artists on three floors ....many one-of-a-kind items not found or seen elsewhere. Live music, food and art.

Maple Leaf Festival

2010-10-20T16:54:00.001-05:00

Thank you to all who stopped by our booth at the Maple Leaf Festival to shop, browse or just to say hello.

It was great to see everyone and the weather was beautiful!!

Art in the Stacks

2010-10-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

Olivia's LLC will be an exhibitor for Art In the Stacks at the Johnson County Libraries this month. The Johnson County Library sponsors exhibits of original artwork by local and regional artists and has been recognized nationally for its fantastic arts-related and cultural events.

Olivia's LLC will be displaying at:

Cedar Roe Library

5120 Cedar St.

Roeland Park, KS

Aug. 12 - Sept. 30, 2010

Central Resource Library

9875 W. 87th St.

Overland Park, KS 66212

Oct.1 -Oct. 31, 2010

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

2010-07-07T09:49:00.001-05:00

I've been getting quite a few requests for this salsa recipe so thought I would share it with everyone. Enjoy!!! Promised it to my Bunko Babe friends some time ago....so here you go.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

chopped jalepeno pepper, to taste

Juice of one lime

1 -14oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

1c. corn, frozen or canned (drained)

1 -14oz. can diced tomatoes

1 medium jicama, peeled and chopped

1/2 c. Italian Dressing

1/8 c. sweet BBQ sauce

1/2 c. diced red pepper

1/2 c. diced green pepper

1 bermuda onion, chopped

Dash or two of red wine vinegar

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate a couple of hours before serving for best flavor. This makes a large batch, close to 1 1/2 quarts. Great with tortilla chips or straight from the bowl.

Young At Heart

2010-06-28T08:46:00.001-05:00

My family celebrated my Mom and Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary at the City Park in Spearfish, South Dakota a few days ago. They amaze me. On their 35th Anniversay they were jumping on a trampoline together...first time they had ever tried it. On their 50th, my Dad, was trying out the zip line (more than once) at the park. Hope I can keep up with them ... Congratulations Mom and Dad!!!

Recycled Felted Wool Coasters

2010-06-07T10:10:00.001-05:00

I thought I would share the instructions for these felted wool coasters with you. They are so fun and easy to make and are a great little gift for giving. Wool fibers are naturally water repellent so the moisture from your glass or cup doesn't soak through but usually beads up on the the top of the coaster.

First, you will need some nice thick felted wool sweaters in the colors of your choosing. Cut them apart and press.
Second, decide on a shape you like. I've done them in circles, squares, squares with rounded corners,butterflies,etc and the flowers as pictured. Large cookie cutters or small saucers make great templates.
Third, trace around your template and cut out with a sharp pair of scissors.
Fourth, brush the edges with a stiff brush to give the edges a more finished look.

That's all there is to it. They are now ready for use or tie them together with a pretty ribbon, yarn, or raffia for gift giving.

Memories of my Great Aunt Olive

2010-05-31T08:45:00.000-05:00

Many of you have asked .... who is Olivia? She was my great Aunt Olive. She once told me her real name was Olivia and I always thought it was strange she went by Olive rather than Olivia. She lived in the country across the river from our family where we frequented her often for home made cookies, spice cake or our favorite .... donuts. Her confectioneries were always served with hot green tea with lots of cream and sugar. (To this day my husband doesn't understand how I can stand drinking hot green tea!) She lived in the house built by her father (my great grandfather) most of her life and was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and family. She was never idle ... she loved to care for others, enjoyed her country home and animals, gardening and sewing. Aunt Olive walked with the aid of crutches most of years I knew her due to osteoporosis, but still got around very well . One of my fondest memories of her was her driving. She owned a 1956 Chevrolet pickup with a large hay rack on the back. We would often see her picking up mail at our country post office....she did not drive like a woman in her late 70's, but was the master of the stick shift driving like a Nascar driver with an attitude! The road was hers. I truly miss her....

Snugly Chenille Stroller Blanket

2010-05-18T11:16:00.000-05:00

This snugly stroller blanket was created using vintage dyed chenille bedspreads, recycled cashmere sweaters, and new flannel. The combination of textures makes it very touchable for little hands, but at the same time very cozy and comfortable. It measures about 36" x36" which is small enough to use in a stroller or as a car seat cover yet large enough for snuggling up in at home. Hoping to make one for a little boy...any suggestions on motifs, style, color, etc???

The appliqued purple flower (upper right) is made from the soft cashmere sweaters and the entire back is lined with the floral cotton flannel (lower left).

Mother's Day 5k Run/Walk for Women

2010-05-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

Hope you all had a great Mother's Day!!!

This is my dear friends, me and our daughters crossing the finish line at the Mother's Day 5k Run/Walk for Women. It was a fun time with over 3400 participants. My daughter says we definitley have to do it again next year.
The tutus or (extra pizazz as we call them) were made by my peeps the night before...they stayed up until 1 AM making them for us to wear. Thanks so much girls, they definitley made it more special for all of us.
Totally recommend this to all women. Take a look at their site /http://www.mothersdayrun.com/ and hope to see you there next year with your extra pizazz:)

Post race picture of 1st Time Participants.

Folklorica Fabrics

2010-04-20T11:50:00.001-05:00

Isn't this the most unique fabric. It is designed by artist and illustrator Julie Paschkis( http://www.juliepaschkis.com/)

My Mom sent my daughter and me some she purchased at Hancock Fabrics of Paducah. They, also, carry other coordinating fabrics designed by Julie.

I couldn't wait to make something fun for a little girl to wear!!
Wouldn' these fabrics make a beautiful quilt....
Thanks, Julie!!

Dyed Chenille

2010-04-16T14:22:00.000-05:00

Here's some chenille dyed in spring colors. Love working with chenille because there are so many types and textures.

I usually use Dylon dye which comes in shades of pastels as well as vibrant and earthy tones. It works very well on the natural cotton fiber.

This is a children's chenille jacket and hat designed from recycled fabrics. More jackets can be seen at www.oliviascatalog.com/chenille (Please click on each picture for a closeup of texture and color .)

Work is underway using chenille in another project, so check back soon.

Take care.

Happy Spring

2010-04-09T14:27:00.000-05:00

Aren't you just happy to see Spring is finally here? A friend gave me a small sprig of these vinca a few years ago....I can't believe how they have grown. Love the pretty purple and green. Weeding is not my favorite thing so this makes a wonderful ground cover.

Getting ready to dye some chenille for little jackets and such, so I think I'll do some in pretty spring colors. Keep you posted on how they turn out.

Tooth Fairy Pillows

2010-04-03T08:09:00.000-05:00

This is my first post to my first blog.... I've been working on tooth fairy pillows and some more t-shirts for kids. Started an etsy account hoping to keep things more up to date than the original website http://www.oliviascatalog.com/ We'll see how that goes.

I've kept some of you waiting on the tooth fairy pillows and I do apologize for that. Just not enough hours in the day, but there are some listed on etsy now, just click on the shopping sidebar if you would like to take a look.

Hoping you all have a very Happy Easter surrounded by family and friends.

Bert.