Handmade Ornament

Showing posts with label greenhouse gardening. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Boinging Back to College and the Blessing of the Beads

As I have noted earlier, I returned to college for an 8 week course of Women in Art this spring semester. My 70 year old brother's reaction when I told him I went back to college, "AGAIN?" and "You need to turn off those after burners." 😆

I have BOINGED back to college at least 5 times. My first attempt was at Highline Community College in Washington. Then I moved to Arizona and went to Phoenix College. [Insert 20-year hiatus here] I have attended classes at Sacramento City College off and on for the past 10 years or so.

I only take one class a semester, the majority have been online. I am not in any hurry. Full term fall semester will be August 24 - December 19, and classes are posted. Drawing and Composition 1 is an all day Friday class or mornings Tues./Thurs. After I get my Art History degree, maybe I will become an Art Major. 😀 I must skew the college demographics something awful.

Segueing to gardening. This is my front garden in full bloom.

I have planted seeds in the greenhouse. Some seeds have volunteered from last year's plants. The greenhouse was nearly destroyed from the ungodly winds we had experienced. We are going to wrap the structure in hog wire, rather than replace missing plastic panels.

Ending the post with my thrift shop find of all kinds of beautiful beads. $12.99 for the bag and I had a $10 off credit. I didn't know the delights I had in the bag until I got home. There was much ooooing and aaahhing. Plenty of beads to embellish or even repair beaded items.

In my childhood, I made flower rings made from seed beads. I appreciate this thrift gift from mystery bead crafter.

Thrift shop gods certainly smiled on me. I am still basking in the happy finish of a competition quilt that included these types of beads. Looks like there is more beadwork in my future.🔮

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Selling the Sassy Sisters

My latest round of eBay listings included these sassy sisters, aka Raggady Rag Dolls circa 1989. Made the same year my daughter was born. Selling them together as they came through thrift together. The redhaired one has a wooden heart with the words "Sisters are Special."

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185851880619

Highlighting the other 2 dolls for sale.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185851891053

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185851899971

Gardening update: We were finally able to get outside into the sun to do some gardening. We had round after round of rain and cold, the water much needed so keep it coming! It also means there are super blooms of spring flowers.

This particular daffodil has a pale pink bell edged with pale yellow. So pretty!

The biggest task was trying to restore the greenhouse. The heavy winds knocked out nearly every plastic panel. What is not shown is the extensive damage to the front of the structure, and the missing roof panels.

You can see the artichoke is the star of the show! 🌠 Asparagus is planted to the left of it.
Tomato starts are in the bed to the right, with garlic chives at the front. Potatoes and onions are in the middle bed for now. Kale and climbers cucumbers and sugar snap peas in the bed to the right.

The Mr. had a rattlesnake encounter. There was a tarp on the ground and when he went to move it, the snake was disturbed, rattled, and tried to strike him. Mr. scrambled up the hill from there. We have to be extra vigilant when we are outside. 🐍

Here is one of the delightful book finds from a recent estate sale. While I was loading up on the books, I was oooing and awing over the ones I know will sell.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185851925325

I launched another book sale markdown so I could make room for the growing book death pile. As any seller will discover, there is a limit to certain items you are willing to store. Some may have separate storage units and that isn't an issue. I have a limited amount of space in my home. My offsite storage is my personal collections and items I may or may not sell in the future.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Greenhouse update

We have kept the plants in the greenhouse watered but have pretty much ignored them throughout the summer. Only the strong survive our California heat.

The tomato pear going great guns is in the far planter with tomatoes, bell peppers and brussell sprouts in the other planter.

A cucumber is vining up the plastic trellis. There are stir fry greens and garlic chives in that planter also.

My greenhouse experimenting continues. I just planted these seeds: golden beets, radishes, carrots and French gold pole beans. The seeds are a few years old but still seem to be germinating.

For Christmas, I am going to ask for a solar heater for the greenhouse.

No stunning trail cam pictures, but here is one of a doe.

One delightful side effect of my recent weight loss, having dropped a few pounds, I get to buy all new pants and skirts. Well, new to me, all through thrift. Here is one outfit I have found secondhand in the past couple of weeks.

I will be posting for a couple of prompts for the month of October from #mrsbrimblesboodaily on Instagram.

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Greenhouse update

All of that seedling generation the last two months meant I could finally plant them. I still have the center row and part of the back row to fill up.

The garden beds outside of the greenhouse duplicate what is inside with the exception of rhubarb, zucchini and artichoke. Those plants all tend to need lots of room.

My crafting has suffered because of my gardening and the Mr.'s insistence on housecleaning (say what?). I have also been stricken with some form of eczema on my hands and feet. Hoping my dermatology specialist appointment at the end of this month will shed more light on my condition.

I just discovered a blog hop highlighting Christmas projects for those who have the time and energy for that.
creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/09/christmas-rapping-plus-giveaway/

Monday, April 8, 2019

Going Gonzo Gardening

As a follow up to the Quilty Orphan Adoption, a small group of quilters that offer fabric, quilt blocks, etc. to other quilters, I sent out two boxes, recipients posted here, and threw my name in for these seminole bands offered by Nann at withstringsattached.blogspot.com.

Even prettier in person

She mentioned she might send fabric, or a book, or a pattern, and Boy Hardy, did she! All kinds of fabric, a pattern and a slew of books with my favorite being an OBW (one block wonder) and Mad about Plaid. My interest in a colorwash quilt is waning and my interest in an OBW has taken hold.

My hair stylist is getting married in June and I would like to surprise her with a low-volume bed-sized quilt utilizing fabric remnants of pastels. I did a fabric pull and cut 5" squares, chain pieced a few and will see how it turns out.

Linking up with Jennifer at inquiringquilter.com for:

Thrifting didn't produce much even though I hit up 5 shops. My finds included a summer shift, blue patchwork maxi and a larger hoop for my hexagon hand quilting.

On the gardening front, I've got quite a few seedlings growing in the greenhouse. So far they include heirloom tomatoes, purple carrots, arugula, beets, peas, sweet peppers, beans and onions. Northern California weather has been stunningly beautiful so I have spent every moment outside. My goal is the have the greenhouse jam packed with edible goodness. Images to follow in the weeks to come ~