Small space gardening, with big ideas!

Good afternoon all! Thought we could get cozy in the garden this week...hope you don't mind getting better aquainted! I've never been much of a 'green thumb', even though my maiden name was Green for the first 24 years of my life...and now I'm a Potter, LOL! Guess God really wants me to dig into dirt, eh?!

How 'bout you? Ever get a hankerin' for some cool dirt to be underneath your toes, plantin' a few pretties you picked up on sale...and then, hope for the best?! Then, sweetie...we have alot more in common than you think! What I don't know, I make up for in reading, surfin' the net, and simply askin' lots of questions to perfect strangers that look at me funny! I'm kind of quirky that way, ya know....it makes life much more interesting I think! I'm okay with the fact that not everyone's going to like me...as long as I like me...that's all that counts!

Now, gardening....like I said, I like pretty things and I love to decorate...so, contatiner gardening is really my speed of gorgeous, if I do say so myself! I just need to remember to water it every so often...like when it's wilting, then I run for the water hose! It gives me a little more exercise in my day...and that's a good thing!

In my search today, I found some great ideas that I wanted to share with ya'll....starting with this great website to get ya started...all made with reycled materials in small spaces...anyone can do this; including ME!

http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2010/03/17/good-things-in-small-boxes-urban-garden-tiny-footprint/

Got an old dresser you can't use anymore? Oh my goodness...what a great new use for it!

 Okay, who doesn't have one of these layin' around in the closet or on the back of your door, not being used to its fullest potential? I do! And this is what I'm going to do with mine! HERBS anyone? Or how bout' some cherry tomatoes?! Whoop, whoop! I just can't wait to get it planted...and you?!

This is incredibly simple...gutters! OMGosh...would've never given it a thought....I mean, WOW! This could be put anywhere...on the side of anything; cut to length, screw to the wall and plant your seeds...and let God do the rest!

Now, these are some pretty neat ideas, don't ya think?! I'm excited to go try at least one, maybe more! I found some cute old pallet ideas, along with old tin cans...if you can recycle it...why not REUSE IT?!

You might want to try some Haute-Urban Gardening..."it's sexy and you know it"! I love the Black Eye Peas...so much fun, you can't help but join in! And that's how I feel when I get into this article on small space gardening: http://ecosalon.com/10-ideas-for-sexy-urban-gardens/

 

Doesn't this look easy, and fun? Something you could definitely do with the kids, right?! That's what I was thinkin to! You could use any size can that you're recycling...you just need some dirt and flowers, and you're set! Apartment dwelling, condo porch, deck or window farming...it's all doable!

Well then, hope I gave you something to look forward to makin' in your little space, you call "HOME"! I'm going out to start workin' on mine right now! Can't wait to see what I can come up with after all this research...a few up & coming rummage sales might be in the 'forecast'! Ya think?!

Happy Day to ya'll...and remember, if you're not thinkin' outside the box here, you're definitely, NOT LIVING in your space!

Create and grow, my friend...that's what God engineered us to do. In fact, Jesus so instructed us to do exactly that...in John 6:12, He speaks volumes in the matter of 'waste not, want not', that I believe we should all be following in EVERYTHING we do...not just what WE THINK we should be doing with what we have!

"When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples,

'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted'."

Treasure Hunting!

Hey all! Hope your having a wonderful PRE-MOTHER'S DAY! I decided to take the day off, and do a little 'Goodwill Hunting', along with some garden/flower shopping today. And shop, I DID!


Wow...what an exciting trip I had this morning, too! I went in search of containers for the garden...and I came away with soooooo much more than I bargained for! I swear, you can't ever salvage enough...it's great for the community, too! Everyone WINS! I love that part the most...because, someone can always benefit from someone elses' junk...or as I love to say, "TREASURE"!

 I had the cart full, from top to bottom before I left today!

 From old plates, different size baskets to fill up with some good ol' dirt and plants, to some crafting supplies...it was a well rounded trip!

 This mans tie compliments this one of a kind placemat...along with a few more dishes...couple more baskets, some star and flower doilies, and a glass jar decanter that's sloped in the front! Oh...and get a load of my chicken head...it was a whoppin' 39 cents...and I got 50 % off that yet! Who can beat a deal that good?!

 This cute lil' jean jacket is the perfect chair back cover, if I do say so myself! And the glass block...99 cents! Plus, this book is loaded with good stuff...from crocheting, knitting, sewing, and other types of needlecrafting! Again...99 cents! Seriously...you gotta start shopping at your local refuge center...you never know what your going to get, or who your going to be helping, either!

 I know...more plates, baskets and cool vintage planter material! I'm just so psyched...I went right over to the plant store after I left here, just to get what I needed, to come back home and quickly start planting! LOL!  There's no time...like the PRESENT, to act on our passion...right?! So...I urge you...get in your cupboards...stop at a rummage sale...don't let that unused, unloved stuff go to waste! Make it work for you...inside or out! Your world is your oyster...make it anything you want! I'm making mine....."Treasurable"!

 

Aren't these georgously, mystifying?! What a story they have to tell! Can't wait to get them up on my wall....they're just so captivating!

 

 I like to take the kids "treasure hunting" too, because it teaches them that you don't have to buy everything brand new, and that it's okay to give as much as you recieve...like with their donatables, too! It's easier to get them to part with stuff they don't play with any longer, because they know it's going to a good cause. I try to use every trip like a lesson plan, for a rainy day...like more pennies in your pocket to do other things with...or the commitment to practice community service, like the workers at the thrift store where we like to shop...that they 'volunteer' their time...and give back in other ways to their communities. There's always a teachable moment...when we'thre paying attention, don't you think? 

This summer is only just begun girls...it's not even Mother's Day yet...don't just smell the flowers...get out there and create a new living scenery that you just can't wait to share with your family and friends! Treasures are what you make of them...and they don't even have to cost you a penny! You might already have what you're lookin' for and don't even know it! Look at everything as if it were the first time you've ever seen it...with inspiration and awe!

You could take your mom to a flea market for breakfast this weekend...and find some treasures together, while making it a Happy Mother's Day to remember!

Our "Alley" CAT!

My twins have a friend at school that just celebrated her 6th birthday yesterday...and so, it was fitting then, to gift her with something specially handmade...and represented her! Her name is Ally...and she loves to play dress up, go bike riding and play with all her pets...my husband nick named her ALLEY CAT...because she's like that little stray that you can't help falling in love with! She's perky and sassy, with a heart of gold...just like a playful kitten, looking for a scratchin' post!

When I saw a cat pillow, made by a lady on Ravelry...I just couldn't help myself, but to look into makin' of of my own...it was the perfect gift for our little Ally...however, it was missing the main ingredient! The PATTERN!...So, I set my pen to paper, and came up with some chicken scratch that I'm still trying to interpret...kidding, hahaha!

I just have to type it up yet...but in the meantime, I thought you'd all enjoy a picture of the finished Alley CAT...Happy Birthday to all you other ALLEY CATS out there! Enjoy!

She moved to fast for my camera here...this is the best I could do under the circumstances, but at least you can see how happy she looks!

Hairs the challenge!

First of all, I have to thank Chrissy for this extremely awesome challenge! And, after I saw the original photo of this little girls dress-up hat...I couldn't wait to figure out how to make it! And so........my story of HAIR unravels!


What little girl doesn't like to play dress up?! It's a pretty big deal when you're a little girl...especially the accessories, because every BIG GIRL knows that it's the ACCESSORIES that makes the outfit, right?! Come on girl...don't you kid yourself! We all started from the BEGINNING...when playing dress-up was FREE & FUN! So tell me...whose closet did you raid? Your moms or your big sisters...maybe it was your gramma or your auntie...either way, it was a blast! And that's why we girls know how to still have fun, when we go shopping right? I mean, really....how many outfits do you try on when you're out and about hitting the mall? What goes back in the rack...and what do you actually buy?! huh, got ya! Not much, I'm sure! Either way, it's still fun...unless you're really serious, and you can't find what you're lookin' for, then it's no fun.


But either way, any good lookin' outfit, always comes down to the right HAIR....cut, color and style! That Barbie doll never has a 'bad hair day', does she?! Like, really......what's that all about? That's just not natural! Really though, when you think about it....a wig is the RIGHT CHOICE...like Dolly Parton always says! You can be anyone you desire, and no one can take it away from you, 'cause you own it! LOL!


If you ever thought you'd like to be a redhead, try wearing a WIG first....it just might change your life. It did mine......literally! I tried wearing a wig the night before I got married, and I never looked back...trust me, that's a true story! LOL! I was a brunette for the first 24 years of my life, only to become a redhead for the next 20! And, yes...you guessed it...I still am! They say, redheads have more fun....and I'm living proof....hence, the 'let's play dress-up' today!
Aren't ya glad you came to see what was going on today? Who could have more fun, right?!
Let's make our little girl dreams come true, and make a crocheted version of a blonde haired, pig tailed girl!

"Let's play dress-up & be a Blondee"

Start with some yellow (red heart or your preferred 4 ply yarn) and an I hook;
Row 1: ch 3, and make 9dc in the first chain =10dc (first ch3 counts as 1dc)
Row 2: sl st to the top of ch3, and ch3 (counts as the 1st dc of that row and every row thereafter.)
inc by 2dc in each st, and then every st around =20 dcs
Row 3: sl st to top of ch 3, and ch 3, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st*, and repeat around from * to *; = 30 dcs
Row 4: sl st to top of ch 3, and ch 3, dc in next st, and 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 2 sts, and 2 dc in next st*, and repeat around from * to *; = 40 dcs
Row 5: sl st to top of ch 3, and ch 3, dc in next 2 st, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 3 sts, and 2 dc in next st*, and repeat around from * to *; = 50 dcs
Row 6: sl st to top of ch 3, and ch3, then dc in each st around, til end of that row. = 50 dcs
*(now, if you're lookin' for this to be a baby/toddler size hat/xsm; I'd stop here, but if you're lookin' to make this pattern a bit larger for a small to medium size child, then increase to 60 sts in the next row 7, otherwise skip this row and go to row 8)
*Row 7:(optional/for larger child size) sl st in top of ch 3, ch 3, then dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, *dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st*, and increase around from * to *; = 60 dcs.
Row 8-11: sl st to top of ch 3, ch3 and dc around. repeat for each row. =60 dcs (ea. row)
The beginning of your hat/beanie is now made...
Now, for the fun stuff...the bangs! Whoop, whoop!
Row 9: sl st to the top of ch 3, and ch 1 in same st as joining; at the same time, pull up long loop (about an inch or so...this is your hair/don't make it too long..they're going to be your bangs!)
do this twice in the same st, and then, in each st around (front loop only)... = 120 sc/loops at the end of this row.

 Once, you get all the way around, this is what it should look like when you get all the way around that row.

Now, Row 12...from last sc/loop combo...place your hook in the BACK of the remaining st from the previous row and slst into that next st, ch3 and then dc and next back loop, and around, to last st, sl st in top of 1st ch 3 and tie off. = 60 dcs.

Weave in your ends to finish this part of the hat. I did make bangs to go around the head...to be more like hair all the way around...so, you could actually make it into a boy if you liked...otherwise only make the bangs in the front area only and then sc around the rest of the hat/beanie in row 11.

Now it's time to make the tassles for the pigtails that we will be attaching to either side of the beanie/hat...you'll want to make 2 of these, approximately 6 or so inches...or longer, depending on how you want your dress up hair to look when it's all done!

Start with a book...something hardcovered, like this...

then take your yarn from your hair/hat/beanie you just created, and start wrapping the yarn around the book (short or long way, depending on the length your striving for.) I wrapped mine 80 times around...

Now, take your needle and a length of yarn and put it through the middle on the top, like so...and tie as tight as you can (double knot it!)...then turn it upside down, while squeazing it tight (so you have a nice even cut with your scissors)...

then, flip it back up on the table, and take another length of yarn and place it about 1/4 way down from the top and tie around, doubling the knot again, to assure its tightness.

then, make 1 more...and trim the bottoms carefully with your scissors before attaching to your hat...

Attach in the third row down from the center on either side...make sure its tightly secured again with a double knot,

then weave ends to the inside of the hat....and whala...your 'dress-up girl hat with pigtails'

 is ready to wear!

Say cheese, Quirty! ....and the real ones are on the left....hehehe! 

So, what do ya think of our transformation?!

Crafting Homemade Goodness with love & butter!

What do you think of, when someone says the word craft? Do you think of it as something fun, that only children do? Or do you think, "oh, I can't do that!", because you think you're not talented enough? No skills? No problem...not here, anyway! If you looked at the definition of what a craft is, you might think otherwise....

craft (krft) n.

1. Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts; proficiency.

tr.v. craft·ed, craft·ing, crafts

1. To make by hand.

2. Usage Problem To make or construct (something) in a manner suggesting great care or ingenuity

Now, think about a skill that you do everyday around the house...you cook, you clean, you take care of your children, you wash and fold clothes...do I have to go on? I hope not! You are skilled, my dearest...now, that qualifies you as a proficient skilled laborer of the household arts! Imagine that! Bet you never thought of yourself with such passion before...to make something with your hands...that would qualify everyone then to be a 'crafter' of sorts...wouldn't it?!
Why, YES IT WOULD!


So, what are you waiting for? An invitation maybe? To do what, exactly...paint, wallpaper, change your furniture around? Really? The house is yours, my friend...have fun with it! Rent? No problem...that's what "apartment therapy" is all about...using what you have to help you enjoy the space in your in, while you can...living in the moment! I don't believe that God wants us to live any other way...cease the day...make it yours...with all the gusto you can muster, and with what you've been given to work with right where you are! Don't waste a minute...get crafting with the first thing you see that needs your attention right now!


What's that....you have clutter everywhere? Well then, I'd say you need to start there...in the midst of you chaos, so you can see where God needs your help the most! They say, when you help others...you are helping yourself! Cleaning the house let's our family find and use their 'stuff', which inturn makes you the 'mom-with-the-mostest'! Mostest....skills, that is! See, you're a crafter of old already...and you didn't even know it! Go ahead....laugh at yourself now...you deserve it! You'll be surprised at all the new found 'crafty' things you'll be able to put your mind to now...maybe, just maybe...you'll find enjoyment in your daily craft...where once you thought it to be plain, routine and boring!


Need more inspiration? Okay...how about making some brownies from scratch in 5 easy minutes today for you and your family to say, "I love you"...you're special to me....and you are worth it! Now, that's some crafty goodness, that you made with love for another, while giving yourself the time to make them without feeling guilty when you had one for yourself! Did you get all that?! Enjoy the simple things in your day, and don't get bogged down with the things that seem to swallow up your day...like all the work you do...if you can't take a break and enjoy a little bit of it...what's the sense of doing it in the first place?

THE ULTIMATE 5 MINUTE BROWNIE RECIPE:

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa (nuts optional)
Cream sugar, eggs, salt, vanilla and butter together; then, blend in four and cocoa, til completely blended. Spray a glass 8x8 (or the size that will fit in your microwave) and microwave @ 100% high power for 5 minutes. Then, allow 5 minutes for 'set up' time in your microwave before removing and ENJOY!!! & Make sure you save some for the kids...lol!


1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (Just like the wonderful mom you are for these wonderful freshly made brownies, that you're graciously sharing with your family, to enjoy with you and your Father!)