Hobbies and Crafts – Page 2

April 8, 2013

Spouts in two days

For the heck of it, I wanted to plant some seeds in some old peat clumps that I had laying around in the garden shed. I put the peat clump in little clay pots after soaking the peat for a few minutes in water. What I think the peat clumps came from was one of those Chia Pet type planters, the never worked for me.

After I put three seeds in each pot…on top the peat, only pressing the seeds in slightly, I covered them with some clear plastic to get that green house effect. I then put the little pots on top of the refrigerator because it’s warm up there and the morning sun shines on it somewhat.

I marked the date on the calendar which was the 4th, that I had planted the seeds. The seeds sprouted in two days. I personally thought it was remarkably fast. I took the plastic off because in only two days the were growing so fast that the plastic was bending the stems. Now, after four days the stems are about two and a half inches tall. I might just start all my seeds like this!

January 13, 2013

Flip flops and T-shirts to heavy duty winter coats

One extreme than another. Yesterday while I was wandering garden sections in stores, wearing flip flops and a french cut shirt with jeans, made me feel like I NEEDED to plant something, do a spring project. I felt literally released from the winter blues. Then… Whamo! The temps dropped, it rained and froze and then out came the long johns and Carhearts again.”We will survive…” and all that.

With little “bugs” that make one miserable hanging on and on, this needs some watching and attention. I have been hit twice, so please have those so called colds checked out. I just got a taste of spring though, so now Ladies and Gents, it’s time to start making plans for your yard, home and garden! I’m so exited for spring to begin, but in the mean time, I’m glad for my long johns and big time heavy duty coats!

I don’t know what I would do without the snow gear type coats and leggings, also full suits. I hate the cold and snow. At least I’m somewhat warm enough for me to venture out, so it says it all. Ya’ll keep warm and safe.

December 20, 2012

And the shopping crunch begins

With only four (actually less) days left to finish my shopping, as I look at my lists it seems rather hopeless. I wonder why I do this to myself. But I know it’s the procrastinating nature I have, yet I must say I do work well under pressure.

Each year, I make a vow that I am going to start my shopping at the beginning of the year and be all “together” by Christmas eve to enjoy the holiday. And each year, something comes up where the money is needed elsewhere. We don’t get my husband’s bonus pay until about a week before Christmas, which we depend on for gifts and the holiday trimmings. We’re fortunate to have this extra money.

As usual, this coming year I’m going to once again try and pick up the little gifts and also am planing on using my crafty ideas as gifts too. I would much rather have a gift someone made than one that is bought in a store, and it seems like as prices soar and money matters take a knocking, this is the way to go.

July 6, 2012

Organization with enclosed cork bulletin boards

My daughter and son wanted to have a place for all their school accomplishments and had been just hanging things on thier bedroom wall, but to me it looked very cluttered and unorganized, so when I have been looking into getting them enclosed cork bulletin boards somewhat like the ones that they have in school, to keep all their medals and achievements organized.

My son didn’t mind the plain bulletin boards, but my daughter preferred something a bit more fancy. I showed her some enclosed fabric bulletin boards and she liked them a lot. They are bigger than what I had really wanted, but then after I thought about it, and looked at all of just the things they have from high school, I think that they are going to work really well for what they want to put in them.

I had at first told them that they both should just put a years worth of special awards, photos, and medals in the enclosed bulletin boards, but then it’s their room and clutter, so it will be up to them to organize the items and put them in the way they want to. I can always give them the bulletin boards of they decide to “leave the nest” on down the line.

April 30, 2012

Garage sale finds

There was an off day garage sale down the road today. I say “off day,” because usually around here, the sales all start on Thursday and run until Sat. or Sun. Of course since sales like this are one of my hobbies, I went.

At first glance, it didn’t look like there were many treasures for me to find. There were a lot of tools and metal items that I had no clue what they would be used for. I looked anyway, of course. Way in the back of the garage were some boxes that held all kinds of kitchen gadgets, mostly broken I noticed, for .25 or a bit more.

I’m very determined when I have a feeling that I’m going to find something I would love to have, and today I had that feeling. So, I kept digging. I was looking in the last big box, and near the bottom of it, I found an antique cherry pit remover, a old wooden handled ice pick, two old but silver, antique button hooks and a small satin sewing kit. Got all five items for 1.00. I am sure the young woman who was having the sale did not know what any of these items were or what they were worth to the right person. I did the happy dance home, since I asked twice if she was sure that was all she wanted for the finds. At least then I didn’t feel like I was cheating her.

April 20, 2012

Feathers, glitter and fancy fixings

Yesterday I went shopping at the hobby store and though it was a fast trip in and out, I did pick up a few items to make a mask for my daughter’s prom outfit. This year the prom theme is Masquerade.

I was informed last night after being told by my daughter for months that she didn’t want to go to her Senior prom, she indeed was going and that she needs a mask by next Saturday. I work well under pressure, but this is cutting it thin, considering I’ve never made a mask before. With my costumes that I make, I work with big time make up to finish off the costume.

I bought a few feathers, two masks, and some little fixings and such, as I do have some ideas in mind. I’m going to mess around with the things tonight and then add to the list of items I’m going to need, once I get a creative brain storm. I might even have some of the items I need and that will save some money.

March 16, 2012

Thinking about stenceling

Lately, I’ve been looking at my walls and in the past, I would on whims, stencil a bit on my walls. Actually, I have stenciled an archway with ivy vines, fairy’s, butterflies and flowers. Since to me, it looked like simple…well…stenciled stuff. To me, it looked “flat” on the wall. Not what I go for.

The more I looked at the archway, the more I wanted to change it. One night, everyone was asleep and I was in a really mellow mood. I got out my paints and hand painted connections between leaves and vines and such. Then added definition to the whole thing, buy painting what these subjects really looked like. I’m pleased to say, that the ivy on the wall, now looks like real ivy. The Fae’s are fluttering, and the flowers should have a smell…

I realize that there are patterns out there that an artist has made and the scene is awesome. But if I bought others pattern pieces, it wouldn’t feel like my own art. So, I’m going stick with my gardens on my wall and do this project all myself. Great thing about painting on walls…you can always paint over it, if you don’t like what you painted. That to me, is more home improvement!

March 6, 2012

From Picture Frames to Elephant Lamps

Recently I was looking though photographs and realized that I wanted picture frames that say family. I have so many pictures that are awesome of our whole family together that I wanted personalized frames for our family photos. Since I am remodeling the den with all of the family’s collections, I decided to do all the walls after we panel, with photos of the family, their hobbies, sports they are into, school pictures and even their awards. So I indeed need lots of frames. I want them to be unique, and found a link that led me to exactly what I was looking for. Everything to help with the den make over in one place!

The den is a very large room that we use as a family room. Each person in the family has their own space. I’m making sure the things that they collect are in each of their “space,” to make it personal. In the middle of the den, is a common sitting place for the whole family. Like I said this room is very large. Actually, it is HUGH! My daughter’s space is nearly finished. Since she likes to sleep in that room sometimes because of the fireplace, and one of the things she collects are elephants, I found two awesome elephant night stand lamps that I can put on the two night tables on either side of her futon. They are going to look awesome!

I have a ways to go to finish this room, but it’s going to look like a welcoming room, and personalized for each member of the family. I love home improvement like this! Everyone will be happy. I still would like to get an electric wall heater, since this house is very old and besides the fireplace, there is no other form of heat. A big room like this, needs a bit more heat to keep it cozy and everyone warm and happy!