Mid-Summer Misery

"I'm pleased that this hot summer is nearly over."

"Wait! It's only mid-July!"

Biddles and I both have a case of the grumpies. I do not fair well in the Summer, and can't help but complain about it. I can't wait for the autumn. I'm in the midst of a crafting hiatus, but I am sure the creative juices will be flowing again soon. I'll keep you posted!

Green Gardening

I've been container gardening for the first time this summer. It started innocently enough with some catmint and catnip, and now I have quite a tiny and nice collection of other flowers and herbs. The soil is inexpensive - even the organic stuff, so that is great. My complaint is the cost for pots. I love the ceramic ones but they are heavy and pricey. The plastic ones, while cheaper, are still going to add up to too much if I keep up this pace. So....

I have always bought my spring water in the large containers with the spouts. (2 1/2 gallons, I think.)

Here they are, on their short end, spout facing down. I have removed the spout valve.

I cut off the "top", at about 1 1/2- 2 inches. Now I put that underneath the containers and they act as a perfect saucer for the runoff. Then I fill with soil...


Here is my coreopsis. She is not complaining so far. Nice handle too for moving around!!


And in the second container, some coneflower. These containers won't win any beauty awards, but they are not costing me any money. Danny Seo, eat your heart out!! :)



The drain and 'saucer' work perfectly. I take the runoff and toss it into another plant.



I'll keep a close eye on these to make sure there are no unforeseen problems.

After the gardening season is over, I will give the containers a good cleaning and put them in my recycling bin. Perfect!!!

Mr. Biddles approves.

Crochet - Maiden Voyage

Mr. Biddles and I have been hard at work. Here it is, my "first-born" crocheted creation. I have been interested in learning how to crochet for quite some time now. There has been a flurry of recent activity on fellow blog sites on this particular craft, and that got our tails moving on it.

"Right" Side:



"Wrong" Side:



(not sure which side I like better.)

I've been accustomed to knitting so what I find the most vexing in crochet is the placement of yarn on the left hand. I am going to be working out the kinks for quite some time, trying to get just the right amount of tension. Other than that, I am predicting that - overall- crochet might indeed be 'easier' than knitting. I certainly found that to be so when weaving in ends, and being able to finish without binding off, which is very nice indeed. Ah- -and the dreaded 'dropped stitch' is not such a worry in crochet.

Action Shots:






The video clips to learn how to crochet have been invaluable to me. I have several "how-to crochet" books and they were all much harder to understand than to see a video clip of the action. There are great lessons at Crafty Daisies, and a search on YouTube brought up quite a selection as well.

Latest Japanese Mags

Just a few shots of my latest acquisitions:

First book, Cotton Friend. Summer Edition 2007. 4910136250674.


The form for the little box on the right came with the magazine. I love the little extra's you get with these craft mags.

Pop-up greeting cards.


Great idea.


I love the little bag in lower right corner.


I loooooove this sweet, tiny bag!


More great bag designs.



A wonderful pattern to make cloth flip-flops.


A pattern showing how to turn pants into a cute handbag.



Stitching monogram ideas.






I don't know what these are, but I know I like them.



Next book - Cotton & Paint. 2007, Vol 28. 4910039210676.


A very cool umbrella and bag pattern.


Instructions on how to make this bookcase/shelf unit and the round cloth contatiners.


Smocking directions.


Cute bag.


Pretty curtain pattern. Looks similiar to roman shades but more sheer.


I want to know what she is saying to her kitty! Wait. Is that me and Mr. Biddles?


Another cute bag design.


Some small crochet items.


Cute, cute. These pincushions are too sweet.


Cute.


Sweet pajama bag.



Plenty of patterns in both books.



Eep! You know I love little purses!


and big purses.



Not sure what these are either, but I also like very much.


More cute bags.


And a very unusual design for a bag. Very simple.

There were a lot of chidren-oriented clothing patterns and crafts (bibs and such) which I am not interested in at this time. Overall, I was more pleased with the previous mags I purchased, but these certainly have enough to offer and I do not feel my money was ill spent. I will lean more towards "Cotton Time" and "Stitch Ideas" in the future though.

I couldn't help it.

I was taking a walk this morning and saw this in one of the shoppe windows. I had to buy it. I could not help it.




I mean, how could I resist such silliness? They look like they're having a good time.



I think kitty's on for a free ride...



... but puppie does not seem to mind!



And they're both wearing shoes!! Squee!!