Check out this page for new projects and happenings here at Ellen Leigh Interiors.  I always have something exciting in the works, new ideas, and new plans, so be sure to check back here to see what I'm up to- or better yet, subscribe and every month, you'll get a summary of What's New, and a link to the site.

September Happenings:

Church Murals: Since I consider my creativity and art work to be a gift from God, I do like to give back to the church every now and then.  So when the Children's Ministry Director at my church asked for some special murals for a couple of classrooms I said yes with enthusiasm!

Fairies by the Stream:  This one was a lot of fun!  My murals are usually painted directly on the wall, but this one was done on canvas so that it's new owner could take it with her when she leases a new office sometime in the future.  She's a massage therapist, and gives theraputic massage in a small windowless dimly lit (for relaxation) room.  The painting had to have depth to expand the space and a calming outdoor garden feel to it complete with the fairies and butterflies that the therapist loves to have around her.

Arizona:  This is a great way to visually expand a small space.  The tiniest of powder rooms, this space just cried out for a window- so I was asked to paint one above the back of the commode, looking out on an Arizona desert landscape.  The mirror on the opposite wall reflects the window too, so it's a twofer!

 September Recipe:

Cornmeal Scones with Blueberries

(adapted from Cooking Light Oct.1993)

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp All purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Salt
3 Tbsp Butter, chilled and cut into small pieces (originally called for stick margarine- I won't preach about it here)
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, un thawed
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
2/3 cup nonfat buttermilk ( I recently found a dry mix for buttermilk, so I can just mix up what I need)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine first six ingredients in a bowl; cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add blueberries and lemon rind; toss well. Combine buttermilk and vanilla; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. (dough will be sticky) Turn dough out onto a greased baking sheet and pat into an 8 inch circle. Cut dough into 12 wedges, cutting most of the way through, but not completely.  Bake at 400 degrees for 23 minutes or until golden. Serve warm. Yield: 1 dozen scones.

The best way to print off the recipe, if you'd like to, is to copy and paste the recipe only onto a new document in 'Word Pad', then print it.  You can also then make the font different, larger, or whatever you need to do to it, for your filing system.

That's all the news for now- I hope you enjoyed my little Newsletter- You can subscribe for free below, (unsubscribe at any time).  I only send out one mailing a month, I know how it is to have to go through all those e-mails every day.

See you on the Web!

Finish of the Month:

  This beautiful effect is a platinum metallic glaze ragged over a soft  bluish green hue called Bridal Bouquet. Not glitzy enough to be garish, it lends a soft glow to the walls that shifts as you move about the room, sometimes seeming to disappear altogether.  Simply elegant!

  Want to see the pictures larger?   Click on the smaller pictures to view them  in another window to see more of the detail.

 On September 23rd, there was a short article in The Detroit Free Press about my company.  You can read the whole article- just click  here.

Upcoming in October:

 It's time to start thinking about scheduling any work you want to get done for the holidays- my schedule fills up fast at this time of year, so give me a call if there's something you'd like to have done.   Since everyone likes a bargain, I'm offering a 15% discount on any new project scheduled before November 22nd, 2007.

Fine art makes a very special gift! Home portraits, pet portraits, or perhaps something from my gallery  can be a very memorable gift for a very special someone.  There will also be a fine selection of jewelry items,  some of my collage notecards, smaller paintings, keyfobs, book thongs, and more- all reasonably priced- that will make wonderful unique gifts.

Projects in the works:

Fall Jewelry and art

Painted Folding Chairs

Orphan Furniture

Recipe web site

I'm working on setting up an on line recipe book with lots of great recipes, some invented here in my kitchen,  some family favorites, and some that I've collected through the years.  I love to try new recipes even though I really don't cook much.  If you have any that you'd like to contribute, just let me know.

Want to see previous "What's New" pages?  Click on the word 'Archives' to find all the previous pages.