Prepare for the Summer Garden

In California, it's looking a lot like the end of Spring. But, as my calender schedule tells me, it's about the time to start the seed pots for this summers bounty. As always, I dig my nose into the latest seed catalogs, stand like a kid in a candy store in front of the seed display at the local store and plan for a giant garden. In reality, I have several raised beds that are stuffed to the brim with growing goodies.

This years plan is seen above....too much?? Well, after this photo was taken, I put in an order for more seeds. Is there such thing as a seed-aholic? Come to find out, my mother was out of something that I just so happen to have. So I am planning on starting seedlings and giving her a ready to plant heirloom tomato. I also start seedlings and bring them into work. It is always fun when people bring in veggies to share in the summer.
Where to put the seeds? I am also an organization junkie, so I have a place for everything.

The Seed Box is a simple index card box(large sized) with dividers. Seed packets fit right in to their designated area.

Next up, making seed pots from newspaper. I have this great little gadget from Burpee Seeds, called the Potmaker. A wooden contraption that rolls lengths of newspaper into pots that grow seedlings that can be planted straight into the ground. Very clever.I have accomplished the same process by rolling a length of newspaper (10"x4") around something round (eg. thick dowel, small can like tomato paste) and folding the bottom edge to hold together. I have put tape on the bottoms before, but had to remove the paper before planting.
New items I have chosen this year are small golden squash that look like pears, luffa sponges, Cinderella pumpkins, and heirloom veggies that I plan to seed save to use for years to come. By the way, saving seeds is easy and free. Just don't save hybrid seeds. They might grow again, but not the same as first year.

Happy Seeding!

Project Studio : The Beginning

I have been working a lot lately on a studio that would, for now, be living quarters for you soon to be 18 yr old (since she can't move far away-I still need a babysitter for my night shifts). Once she is ready to move on...my crafting studio/canning kitchen/storage area. I have found that with permits and such, two 12ftx10ft sheds put together will do the trick. This is an example of one of the sheds.

Now, picture two of these, off set by five feet, set together. The first shed will be the living room area, with high ceilings and a sliding glass door where the barn door is. A window at the "X" on top and one more on the side. The back shed will be the kitchen, bath, dining area. This shed will have a loft to be the bedroom.
So far, I have had great fun in planning, changing and finally liking a layout so much, I ordered the sheds.
Why use sheds? I looked into small mobile homes- and found a price tag that was outragious! Sheds make this little space within anyones budget.
I plan to chronicle my journey here.
I had an area of my yard that wasn't doing much, but had great potential.

This side yard has a lot of shade and was used as my dog run. I had to move my clothes line :( Pardon the mess on the right, I had to clear out most of the stuff in the yard.
Next up, dig the foundation.

Today, concrete foundations were poured in prep for concrete blocks. It was a tradition with my contractor dad, the youngest kid got to put his/her handprint in every job. William got this task. I also was able to put a memorial for my dad. I live in the last house he built, it seemed appropriate I do something for him for the first 'house' I built.

Now, I get to rest and let cement dry. On to cleaning and crafting and such. I will keep posting updates as well as ending cost vs. budget. I am amazed at what a mom and her kids can do.
Happy Construction!

Quick Crochet iPod/iPhone Case

I learned how to crochet during my recent recovery from surgery. How? Youtube! I found lots of great information and how to do a bunch of stitches. A great find..Art of Crochet by Teresa. She does everything!!  So, I was inspired and made this simple, yet effective iPod case. I use mine at work all the time and a few times I have banged it while moving a patient in bed. My biggest fear is finding a crack in the screen. Both my daughter and her boyfriend have large cracks, but the little wonders are still functional.
What I did:   Chained out a good length of yarn, enough to make the width of my iPod with some room on either side. Next, I alternated single crochets and double crochets. This took me two nights watching movies with my kids. When it was long enough to fold over my devise like an envelope, I tied it off and yarn stitched the sides. It needed a little bling, as all things do, so I added the gem. It didn't have any holes, so the glue gun helped out.

Now, I feel a little safer with my iPod in my pocket at work. It also helps to find it in the bottom of my purse too.



Happy crocheting and sleep tight little iPod

Lollipop Valentines that won't break your Budget

This year marks my youngest son's kindergarten Valentine's Day. I wanted to do something sweet that he could put together. I got this idea from Martha Stewart's Holiday Book. Lollipop roses! The best part, total cost....$7. At our local dollar store, I found fabric rose petals in red and pink, mini lollipops (two bags were needed for a class of 24), red sparkly tissue paper, and Valentines pencils (again, two packs). I had leftover green ribbon from clearance Christmas.

First, I set aside three red petals with small slits cut in the pointy portions. Next, I cut small slits in the tops of the pink petals to create depth, again with small slits in the base. I roughly cut the tissue paper into 3x3" squares with slits in the center. The ribbon cut into 4" strips and I printed 'address labels' as name cards.
William assembled about five of these before it got boring, but he boasts that he made them all. We took the lollipop, added three pinks, then three red petals. Then added the tissue paper. I trimmed the edges to create a circle pattern and affixed it with clear tape. We taped them to pencils (not pictured above). I attached the name card to the ribbon and tied it to the lollipop.

Happy Valentine's Day

Washable Swiffer Covers

As you can see, I have a Swiffer. I also have three dogs. Which translated to a lot of wet cloth replacements. My tile floor is beautiful, yet the cleaning agent on the wet towels leave odd streaks all over my floor. Plus, my entire house is tile, so I could easily go through one box on a 'quick' clean up. So I decided to find a greener (and cheaper) solution.
You need:
1 old towel, cut into strips 10.5"x4.5"
Scrap fabric, cut into strips 10.5"x2.5" cut 2
Scrap fabric, cut into 10.5"x9", cut 1
Swiffer mop, or other type of sweeper mop

1.) Using a disposable mop refill as a guide, or the photo above. Assemble the small strips on either side of the towel. With right sides together, sew along the long edges. Your sewing machine needle should be sturdy enough to handle the thickness of the towel.

2.) I used a small seam allowance. Unfold and place the large fabric with right sides together. Sew along three sides, leaving one side open for turning out.

3.) Once right side out, push out your corners for a nice square. Tuck and sew open edge.

 Your finished project should be the same size as the dry mop refill. I made 8 of these, because I feel like I am always cleaning my floors, and my towel was that big. Put on you Swiffer just as you would the regular refills. Cleaning up small spills, oops' from little kids and little dogs, etc. is simple. When your done, just throw it in the wash.

My dogs loved it. I thought it was awsome, cleaned up wet spills easy, for multipurpose, spray floor with homemade cleaning solution and it was a snap.
Happy Sewing and Cleaning