Garden Box

My eldest daughter and I recently took an organic gardening class together (at one of our fave local haunts, Green and Greener). The class was geared towards kids - with lots of talk of vermiculture and "oooohs" over the definition of "casings".

The best part for me was the box we got to bring home.



The instructor (John Lyons of The Woven Garden - who is a wonderful teacher)had the kids plant a variety of items - bulbs (shallots), seeds (cat grass), seedlings (pansies) and plants (strawberries) into a wooden wine crate he had procured from a neighborhood restaurant.

The little box has been receiving a lot of TLC and happily growing on our patio. Happy plants - and happy reuse!

Sweet Dreams

One of my favourite things to sew for the girls are PJs.

Will be adding this pattern from Oliver and S to my list.

found via inchmark journal

Rainy-Day Salt Dough

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
about 1/3 cup water (to desired texture)
a tsp or so of vegetable oil

Mix

Play

(You may add food colouring if desired. Or we bake for 4 hours at 250F then paint. Unused dough may be stored in an airtight container / plastic bag for a couple of days.)

"If you need it get it. If you don't need it - forget it." -- Thelma May Beets b.1918

Over breakfast this morning I read my girls a really inspiring article in today's LA Times - memories of survivors of the Great Depression.

The children of those times learned things that they would remember for the rest of their lives. They discovered how to make endless pots of soup, how to use corncobs for fuel, how to make undergarments from bleached feed sacks. They learned the value of a wild imagination and honest neighbors.
They were good lessons.

You can read the article in its entirety here as well as images, and very moving audio from the interviews conducted.




cross-posted at sewgreen and jumilla bugs

Tokens of my affection

Two years ago I made a pledge to myself to not buy them anything for Valentine's Day. I hope that little tokens (made with love) will express the sentiment better.

The first year was pendants - inspired by Carol

Last year - t-shirts with appliqued fabric hearts.

and this year, these - with a little love note tucked in the pocket - were on my "to do" list.


pattern courtesy of mollychicken


Happy Valentine's Day!

For the One I Love

D and I have a Valentine pact - an artwork for our home instead of an expensive night out (babysitter + dinner = ouch).

With a closer eye on our pocketbook this year, I opted for this sweet little print by Lisa Congdon .



I have put in a request - not quite an artwork - but something to hang on the wall none-the-less:


image found on amazon.com

a staghorn fern from a local nursery.

Love you Cowboy (wink wink)

Carded

Lots of other great handmade Valentine's appearing...

Love these by over at all buttoned up with the pretty fabric hearts.



And a riff on the same at uniform studio - this time using paper hearts.




more inspiration to be found
purlbee
angry chicken

happy heart day

We are falling for the old stand-by again this year.



Crayon hearts. Wrapped up in brown-wax paper bags with doily closures a la little birds

Crayons based on the instructions over at MSL