Horticulture

"You can lead a whore to culture but you cannot make her think."
Dorothy Parker

Ah! the beleaguered garden. It suffered last year, when my craft batching ran rampant through all the planting months.
Weeds went all the way to seed and this spring they are coming back in drifts or maybe I should say in 'batches' all their own.
I want to plant and plan but I don't quite remember just what I planted where and when it might reappear. I am fearful of beheading a sprouting bulb or an awakening perenial rootball by just digging around. So, I just tear up and pile up gardening articles instead. A humongous stack of well tended green beds, one after the other. I have used them create a book of my own.

I feel like going out to the garden and showing those pictures to the chaotic growth and leggy, winter beaten specimens..

"See?" I would say, tapping the page.. "More like this.. This is what I had in mind."

Perhaps they would all pull up root, stand up staighter and shuffle into reasonable groupings.
"Oh sorry.. We just had no idea what you were thinking."

" Well!" .. I would retort saucily.. "That is more like it! Now, don't you feel better? And I can see where to put the annuals."

Or maybe I just better put aside some weekend. More weeding.. Less reading.

Scrappy and happy but still buying

Here are a few thing I have made over the last year that were great for using precious little bits of ribbons and laces and goodies.
I am putting it on my blog in solidarity with all the brave crafters that are committing to "use what they have".
I have been checking on a couple of my favorite blogs and am amused to see that some of the brave are stocking up for the event. (Umm..Is that cheating? )
I am not sure I can manage it. I have a vacation in April and I may want to try something major. I have an old travel trailer in the backyard that I am determined to craft into the coolest of guest houses. I also have just started thrifting regularly after a 3 year hiatus. (After our last move my husband made such a major stink over my major stash, I had to swear to knock it off.. and I did. but not forever.) Because of the timing have not thrown my hat in the ring so to speak.. But I am deeply intrigued. I may go for it in May and June as a personal misson.

Perhaps I should also mention.. ( just in case anyone finds this little blog).. If swapping what you have, for what I have, is an acceptable option.. I have a lot of velvet/velveteen..cloud grey, red, burgundy, crushed burgundy and crushed blue violet. Email me and I will send pics.

And to all who rallied to the call.. My hat is off to you.

Getting Eggy With It

Just a quick snap of some goodies I am working on for some upcoming swaps..
The real surprise is inside.. hahaha.
I will need to get them to their new homes before I post those photos.

They are all real eggshells decoupaged with dress patterns and layered with Mod Podge,
various papers, ribbon, glitter and the like.

With this project, I am officially kicking winter to the curb.

Sunshine Family

I found these guys on a last minute thrift dash on Sunday. I could not believe my eyes. My mom hated Barbie when I was growing up but she was completely at peace with the fabulous furry Sunshine family in their sandals, hiking boots, long dresses and turtle necks.

My sister Sarah and I wore these dolls out. Their eyes eventually popped out and limbs fell off. They hiked and swam in lakes and climbed rocks and camped out just like all good hippy families in the 70's did.By comparison the fam I found at the thrift store is dang near pristine. Dad's sweater is chewed and Grandma lost her sandals but they were lightly used for certain.
I rushed home and called my sister and after some mildly squealy reminiscences, I informed her I will soon be bestowing the Sunshine family on her and her young daughter Violet.

I hope Violet has as much fun with them as we did.

Can you believe at the thrift store you can sometimes find about 1000 memories for just 3.00?

Bunnies from Wee Wonderfuls

http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/

Made these from Wee Wonderfuls Freebee pattern..
Thanks for sharing that Hillary!!!

They have beanie butts and pom pom collars. Fun single sitting craft..

I want to make a small army and a stuffed ball for bunny bowling.

Yippee.

Springy crafty stuff

http://pinned.blah.net/wordpress/?p=71


Well, I am now playing with yarn..

I don’t crochet.. No knitting..
but I have more pom-poms than
a short bus full of cheerleaders.

These critters are quick and fun to make.
I got the idea from my obnoxious/obssessive library of old Martha Stewart Living mags.

Fuzzy yarn trimmings get everywhere because the real trick is shaping the poms with nice sharp scissors.
One last Pom..

If you go to my flicker photos you can see my little sheep. A bit harder than the others but well worth is.. There is felt sewn around pipe cleaners for the legs, and his head is a pom of half black cotton yarn, half curly mohair yarn and then trimmed relentlessly.
Wooly.

I doubt the pom pom obsession will wear off before the spring holidays. I do so love a “single sitting” craft. Instant gratification is the opiate of the working mother.

Can’t wait to plop these darlins into an Easter Basket or two.. In fact I might sponsor my first craft swap (http://getcrafty.com/viewtopic.php?t=6320) so I can get a couple of these fuzz buckets in the hands of the craft faithful.. Fuzzy toys and chocolate..That is what I’m talking about ..

Damn is it spring yet?

All tied up.

Here is an obi I made to go over layered t-shirts.
It was an idea I got seeing all the clothing that was inspired by Memoirs of a Geisha.
I will probably do a few more over the next week as I keep having fun ideas on how to tweak it.
I am going to make some fimo tabs to sew on to use as loops for the ribbon and I got some new fabric i got last weekend with my son.

I got fabric and I got him some knitting needles. I hope he will make me a scarf someday.

I just got turned down for a craft fair so I am spending some time re-evaluting my crafterpreurial goals and intentions..
Try more local fairs? Etsy?.. Obsessive swapping? Craft to post?

I have a very challenging full time job, a two hour a day commute, a 10 year old son and a complicated marriage.
I am considering what I really want. Craft blog? Cottage industry? Industrious diversion? More time to sleep?

I seem to want to make more than I can use.
It is definitely in the making for me.

So here come the questions:
Am I crafting for love?.. for money? .. because I am trying to fill some kind of wacky void?.. Avoidance?.. Prestige?..

Oh Jeez.. maybe just to kill some time.

I mean, seriously .. we don't have cable.

moving blog arenas

Well I tried to get an iLife with my marvelous new Mac but my pal Michelle ( Green Kitchen) said'

"Why are you doing it that way?" Umm.. no one can leave comments."

and later..

"I liked your post... but I am waiting for the comments."

SO I am shedding my craft blog limitations and moving.
Apparently comments are oh so VERY important
(and frankly blogging without them is a bit like singing in the shower,
you might sound fantastic but only those closest to you will ever appreciate your talent.)

So, Comment all you want.. I will craft more.