Stepping Away from the Edge

A Little Garden Project

My best gardening pal, Sandie, and I spent a glorious afternoon yesterday making papercrete hypertufa containers.

Huh?

We made containers like this one  (Sandie made this one in a workshop last April).

Only three ingredients:  paper pulp (shredded newspaper soaked in water for 48 hours), Portland cement, and perlite (or, in our case, vermiculite . . . because we couldn't find perlite).

Did you know that cement is really, incredibly cheap?  So cheap. . . that the smallest bag you can buy is 94 pounds!

That's a whole lotta cement. . . but what a deal!  Only $9.79 for a 94 pound bag!

Anyway.  We gathered our ingredients and some plastic forms and other oddments, and set up shop in Sandie's garage.

We measured . . .

and mixed. . .

(3 parts paper pulp : 2 parts Portland cement : 1 part perlite/vermiculite . . . with a splosh of water during the mixing up)

and ended up with a bucket of papercrete!

We coated our plastic molds with vegetable spray,

and then just started glopping it in (with a lot of intentional mooshing and smashing).

We ended up with quite a collection of hypertufa planters!

Now . . . we just have to wait . . . for the papercrete to dry, harden, and cure.  In a few weeks, we'll have new containers for yet more succulents!  (And we have enough cement to last a lifetime. . . )

 

Summer Studies in Fermentation

What's a chemistry student to do over the summer?

I mean, really.  What do you do when your friends are off on exciting ventures in, say, Peru. . . or India . . . or Vienna.  Or even at home in much more exotic locations . . . like Albuquerque, for example.  And you. . . have to take Calculus II at the local community college because you didn't have room for it in your schedule last semester.

What do you do to get past the dullness . . . of a summer mowing the lawn?

Why, you try your hand at making beer, that's what you do!

Way back in '79, the summer I started going out with Tom, he was making beer in his basement bedroom.  At the time, I thought this was . . . rather peculiar.  And colorful.  I mean, it was unusual... back then... to brew your own beer.

That summer, Tom spent a lot of time looking for equipment that would work for home brewing.

I remember he was using a giant trash can (properly sanitized, of course), and that he spent a very long time looking for some sort of "______ometer" (I don't remember the name of that particular thing, and he's not around right now to ask).

In the end, his beer was . . . okay.  Rather explosive, though.  (Some of the bottles actually DID explode.)  He got busy with grad school.  And fishing.  And me.  And the beer-making was left behind.

Now, though. . . there are two chemists in the house.  And they are both interested in the art of craft beer making.  What better time to give it a try . . . again.

What a difference 30 (plus) years makes!  Now there are books and local brewing shops and advice on the Internet.  Now you can find kits and equipment and even ________ometers.  There are ready-made flavor packets and pre-measured malt and hops and barley.

Now, everything you need for beer-making is available and accessible!  You can go out for an hour one afternoon. . . and come back with everything you need for a summer of fermenting fun!

(And, because they are both scientists, there are thorough lab notes. . .)

Summer beer batch #1. . .

Fermenting now. . .

in a basement shower stall!

(I wonder if he'll get extra credit?)

Transformation. . . on the Cheap

For reasons we won't discuss here on the blog, I need to cover the interior side of my front door.  I was looking for some sort of . . . decorative swag . . . to display (and hide a rather unsightly, ummm, feature.)

I have plenty of Christmas decorations.  In fact, I've decided I have Enough Christmas Decorations, and I'm not purchasing any more.  Ever (if I can help it).  But I didn't have anything appropriate to hang on the interior side of my front door -- right there in the entry way.

So I decided to try to make something.  On the Cheap.

I started with this:

A sort-of-sad, basic fake plastic evergreen swag, complete with metallic leaves, pine cones, and a few berries; quite squished and very lopsided.  On sale for $4.99 at my local Michael's store.  (I just noticed that, because of the shadows in this photo, the swag looks much nicer than it actually was.  It was very misshapen in real-life; it almost looks . . . good . . . in this photo.  Lies.)

First, I "floofed" it out a bit and bent the branches into a more natural and pleasing shape.  And I messed around with the (hideous) metallic leaves. . . trying to decide whether they added to or detracted from the overall look I was going for.

Next, I used a wire cutter to separate the individual segments of a "branch" of sparkly, glittery, gold flora (on sale for $1.79 at JoAnn Fabrics) . . .

and randomly wired them in to the "floofed" branches of the swag.  (Still undecided on the metallic leaves, but leaning toward leaving them in.)

Then, I made a bow with two types of ribbon ($2.59 on the super-clearance table at JoAnn Fabrics). . .

and. . . voilà!  A transformed swag!

Much nicer!  (Even with the metallic leaves.)  Does the job!  And all for under 30 minutes and $10!

That's my kind of transformation!

Time for a Pin-tervention?

When I was cleaning out my sewing room last week, I found this:

It is my "old school" Inspiration Journal.  (Actually, it's about #5 in a series of Inspiration Journals; this is just the one in progress.)

Way before Pinterest was a gleam in someone's eye, I was creating "boards" of my own.  In "old school" fashion, I collected (with my trusty scissors) images or quotes that particularly appealed to me.   And then, every so often, I would tape all the images in a journal.  For future reference.  For visual stimulation.  For inspiration.

I have been doing this for years.  Informal scrapbooking.  Collecting images I like.  Inspiring myself -- with a little of everything.  I called these journals my "style books."

Quotes.  Colors.

 

Interior design.  Outfits.  Jewelry.  Bags.  (Always bags.)

Project ideas.

Birds and the like.

The biggest problem with this "old school" journaling process was time.  I used to spend an afternoon now and again clipping from my pile of catalogs and magazines.  And then, I had to find another big swath of time to adhere the images into my journal.

As you can see. . . clippings piled up.

And up.  Always, more inspiration than time to deal with it!

You can imagine my delight, then, when I discovered Pinterest.

Now, I can collect my favorite images and quotes and ideas digitally -- with the simple click of a "Pin It" button.

I can create "boards" and edit and arrange to my heart's content.  It's so easy.  No mess.  No need for big swaths of time to clip and save and tape in.

I love Pinterest.  I love it so much. . . that it's only a matter of time before I need a "Pin-tervention."

How about you?  Have you discovered Pinterest yet?

Guess Whoooo's Sewing?

Well.  Me!

I used to sew all the time.  Clothes.  Curtains.  Bags.  Little crafty things.  I have a beautiful sewing table (that my Dad custom made for me), a lovely "sewing room" (which doubles as a "knitting room"), and a great sewing machine.  I'm set up for sewing.  But I just don't do it much anymore.

I've decided to let Project Spectrum inspire me to sit down at the sewing machine again!

I visited my favorite local fabric store earlier this month, and found some wonderful red fabric -- and an irresistible, aDORable little pattern for owl potholders.  Color me . . . inspired!

The owls go together quite easily, thanks to fusible web.

It's fun to play with color as you build the owls.

The inner layer is an insulated batting product called "Insul-Bright" -- so these potholders are completely functional and can be used to pick up any hot pot or cookie sheet.

The pattern is adorable.  But not detailed.  It says things like "bind all edges with bias tape."  It does not give you any hints, tips, or suggestions.  And you do have to make your own bias tape (but, again, it doesn't tell you how).  I've sewn a lot (and I know how to make bias tape) -- but if you haven't, this might not be the pattern for you!

This adorable little flock of owls will be going with Erin next week when she moves to Pittsburgh.  (She loves owls -- and her kitchen "decor" is red.)

These little guys were so much fun to make.  You can be sure that more of them will be flying out of my sewing machine soon.

Color Me . . . Red!

Project Spectrum 5 has begun!  (Click here for more information.)  Each month, PS participants will focus on a different color, expressing their reflections through, well, any "medium" they choose.

First up. . . Red!

Red always reminds me of hearts, love, Valentines.  When offered a candy, I always, always choose the red ones.  My favorite fruits (cherries, apples) are red.  I love red toenails. . . and red lipstick.  I plant a lot of red blooms in my garden.  The walls in my guest room are bright red.  My front door is red.  I love the way red POPS out and grabs your attention!

To celebrate Project Spectrum, I have a special yarn-y project I'm working on.  I'm not ready to show it quite yet, but I'll give you a couple of hints.  First, it doesn't involve knitting; and second, it covers the "spectrum."

To celebrate Red, I have a little sewing project nearly ready to go.

I also made strawberry shortcake* for dessert.

It'll be fun to see how Red POPS out to grab my attention this month.

==========

*The tasty treat wasn't really to celebrate Project Spectrum.  It was to celebrate the successful completion of Brian's first year of college.  Welcome home, Bud!  (Strawberry shortcake is his favorite!)

31 Down . . . 334 To Go

I like photography.  I'd like to be good at it -- but I'm just starting out.  I don't have a lot of time for photography, and I tend to stumble around with my camera.  I do, though, always enjoy messing around with it

I'd like to become a better photographer.  I'm interested in learning more and trying new things with my camera.

So this year I decided to challenge myself by signing up for one of the photography 365 projects.

I'm not quite playing by the rules, though.  You're supposed to take a photo and post it each day.  One photo.  Each day.  For a year.

I have a hard time with that restriction, though.  I don't always have time to take photos every day.  Especially photos that I'd want to post on a 365 site!  I like to take some time; to think about my photography.

So I've got my own set of rules (for just myself) for MY 365 Project.  I'm thinking about photography every day.  I'm keeping my camera at the ready every day.  I'm becoming more aware of possible shots every day.  I'm organizing my photos on the computer every day.  I'm choosing a recent shot to upload every day.

I think that's good enough.

I've just finished the first month of my 365 Project.  So far, so good!

If you want to follow along, there's a little button in my sidebar that will take you to my 365 Project page.

Otherwise, I'll post some of my shots here on the blog at the end of each month.

SMILE!

 

Perfect Timing

I just arrived home after spending a few days in Chicago for a conference, and found these. . .

I love these labels!  Mine are printed on twill tape -- which gives it a nice, casual look.  I ordered them here.  They carry a variety of materials (tape, ribbon, etc.), and can do nearly any size, color, and font.  They can even add logos. Reasonable price and quick turnaround.

I'm really excited to add these labels to my gift knitting this season.

The timing is perfect!

Inspiration in the Park

Last Saturday, my Mom and I made our annual visit to Art in the Park in Holland.  It's always a fun day -- filled with shopping and browsing and eating and . . . well, looking at the plantings in the park (I never leave my Gardening-Self behind!).  I mean. . . check out this moss and succulent tower!

And this gorgeous Kousa dogwood (I want one. . .)!

 

Anyway, back to the "art" part of Art in the Park. . . The event is juried. . . so most of the 300 vendors display pretty high-quality "stuff" (although there are still the requisite crochet-trim kitchen towels in abundance!).  I discovered a vendor this year, though. . . artist and dollmaker Jennifer Gould. . . and her dolls took my breath away!

 

 

They were stunning.  Just wonderful!  Sadly, I didn't bring one home (they're very, very pricey), but I did gather all of Jennifer's materials -- and learned that she teaches classes!  I would love to take one of her classes and try some of her techniques for myself!

 

I also found a woman doing traditional rug hooking.

 

I've always wanted to try this.  I think it appeals to me for the same reasons knitting appeals to me -- the mix of color, texture, and pattern.

 

I especially liked these fish. . .

 

(She gives classes, too! )

In the end, I bought a kit to make a wool penny rug -- like this one (the circles; on the left). . .

 

and this very clever metal flower for my garden. . .

 

It's made of old silverware!

 

My Mom and I ended the day with a stop to the new pie shop downtown. . .

 

and a charming yarn shop (with the biggest selection of Rowan yarns I've seen in one place outside of Liberty!).

 

What a great - inspiring - day!

Bloomin' Favorite

It's that time of year. . . when most of the things in my garden are looking good.  June is a satisfying time to be a gardener.  Lots of easy success.  Lots of color.  Lots of thriving and growing and blooming. 

Here's my favorite thing in the garden right now. . .

 

It's my "living succulent wreath."  I planted this (and ruined my fingernails forever) a while ago.  I left it laying flat -- so the roots could take hold -- until last weekend.  But now, it defies gravity -- hanging on my back gate and welcoming any garden visitors.

I especially like the little purslane blooms. . .

 

They add such a nice little punch of color here and there.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I'm going to do a little gardening, catch up on some paperwork, finish listening to "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest," knit when I can, and generally avoid housework.