Crafty post #2

Ok so Im getting a little "crafty" again. I have seen these cute flip flops and have even tried them once before but ended up with a mess and jewels that fell off. Well I found the secret!!! It called E-6000 adhesive. WOW this stuff will stick to ANYTHING- I have even thought of gluing my children to the wall but since there is no "antidote" to remove them --I thought better. Anyway- you just buy the flip flops at your local craft store- get some gems, ribbon, shells, bows, fabric--whatever your little mind can think of and glue away- just make sure you are in a well ventilated room - this stuff stinks people. AND be sure to let it "cure" over night. The cute ones with the bows are for my daughter and the "bling" ones are mine. The pictures are kinda blurred because I took this with my phone- my hubby has the camera with him on his business trip to England. Stay tuned for more "crafty" projets- Im kinda liking this stuff. I found some cute fabric for my daughter that has beach umbrellas, sun screen, sunglasses, and shovel and pails on it- and it says "summer vacation" all over it. She wants me to make a picnic blanket and napkins out of it to take with us to the beach house in July. oooooo AND since my sister is getting married soon!!!!! YAY YAY YAY!!! Im doing the bridal shower- oooo I have such fun ideas- I'll post those too-- the theme: "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Baby shower fun

I have meant to post these pics. for a while and I am just getting to it. My sister in law is having a baby girl in July and we had a shower for her a few weeks back. It was beautiful all done in pink & brown. I was in charge of the party favors and the wreath for the door. So I thought I would post a couple of pics of my craftiness. Im not usually a craft-y person. Dont get me wrong I L-O-V-E decorating and sewing- but "crafts" not so much- but I did have fun making these wonderful chocolate butterfly candy suckers - you would not believe all the cool candy molds they have out there and they're cheap.

To display them I filled a low basket with Styrofoam and covered it in pink-paper grass then stuck the sticks in it.

Then for the door wreath- (which I have seen at boutiques for $50 or more) I used a plain raffia/grass type wreath- wrapped it 1st in white ribbon - then bought a pink boa (on sale :-) ) and wrapped the boa around the wreath- then added cute embellishments and ribbon- all for under 20 bucks!! I love stuff like that!

Thought I would share

Since my dear friend at http://www.wearethatfamily.com/

mentioned a project she did in her bathroom- I thought I would share my pictures too. Like she said hubbys tend to run when you mention painting. But once you get started- they usually jump in and help. One out of fear you'll screw up or two that you'll end up in tears and he will have to break down and hire a professional. Check out my friends blog for the complete how to instructions- she's great at giving directions. http://www.wearethatfamily.com/

Here is my small downstairs closet size bathroom- I did it in a Taupe color. You can add a stamp of any kind if you like- or just the plain stripes are fun.




Here is my red, red, red dining room- an to acheive this deep color- I had to first paint it *gasp* with black!! I was soooo afraid- but once the red went on- I was all smiles.

become a water reclaiming designer

This image from 'Small Gardens' is the basis of the Permaculture water system we are about to make real

From July 14th, a gang and I will start constructing the Permaculture courtyard gardens I designed in the aftermath of the amazing APC9.


"Just get out there, start doing something nobody yet knows how to do, and you find out how its done."My teacher Geoff Lawton, the world's most prolific permaculture designer and teacher, said that what ignited him into action was a line from Bill Mollison: 'Its a very boring state, being afraid". So I ignored 'afraid', found some gardens to renovate, got experts to do what I can't. Now I'm searching for effective, creative people to work with me in making them real.

It really is fun, being not afraid. You meet the best people. And when things look like going wrong, you just find whats missing, and put it in.

Click here to see the design for a Water Reclaiming Courtyard for an Elwood home.


Keep scrolling down to see the Climate Control Permaculture Courtyard garden design, for Buoyany foundation (takes 3 minutes to download) or scroll down.


Grapevine and hops will create dapples, to keep down the summers heat, and keep a convivial courtyard atmosphere.



From where can I get suitable hops? What is the best kind of grapevine for small soil space?
Who can create a dome for the grapes to grow over?

I look forward to hearing from people who want to work on any of these projects, and find out how its all done.
I dearly need help in sourcing good things, and would love to hear from someone with good ideas and good ambitions.

Working together on the Permabliz at Grandma Monica's: synergy happens.

Busted

ummm well..... I wanted ice cream and couldnt decide which one I wanted- so I had em all!!!! But you know you can get away with things like this when your preggo. I had my tums handy to top it all off.

Nature Class

So one morning I was out on my front porch watering the plants when I kept hearing this "peep peep" sound. I look around trying to find out where it was coming from then realized it was in my floral arrangement hanging on the wall near the door bell. I quickly ran inside to look out the window and investigate. See I have this fear of things that fly, so I figured being behind glass I would be protected just in case something decided to escape. Well to my surprise this is what I found.

five little baby birds calling out to their mommy for food. It has been so fun to watch these little guys grow and be taken care of by their mother-- and yes the dad even visits from time to time with a big plump juicy worm. My kids cant wait to get up in the morning and run down stairs to check on them. Whats so funny is that for the past two years I had this arrangement hanging on the front door and for two years this same momma bird would lay her eggs but I guess because of us going in and out the door- the eggs would never hatch. I would eventually have to toss them because they would decay and start smelling. Well this past fall I moved it to the wall and low and behold they hatched- she finally got her family- poor gal she was probably starting to think she needed fertility shots because she couldn't produce.

This whole experience has reminded me how much God cares for each and every living thing and how much more He cares for us. I keep thinking of the scripture Matthew 10:29

29Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Random acts of "kindness"

So today I'm having the steam cleaning people come and clean my nasty carpets. Yes I mean nasty- its quite embarrassing- but with two kids and a dog what do you expect. (and no I am not going to post before and after pics- its that bad) But after my wonderful hubby moved all the furniture out I started walking around and noticing things--- like the walls and how they desperately needed to be painted, then I noticed little random acts of "kindness" left by my children over the years. For some reason with all the furniture and "stuff" crammed in the rooms you don't notice these things. This first one is from my daughter- I know this because she LOVES lip gloss. Apparently one day she decided to "kiss" the wall with her velvety lips.

and notice the small chocolate stain above it- I believe that one was from my son and his chubby chocolate covered fingers or is that mud?- you know with him you never know.

Then there is this one left by my son via pink marker...

There is also a yellow "drawing" done in crayon . but that one did not come out well on camera. So if you would like to see that one you will have to come visit.

I just don't have the heart to remove these random acts just yet. Because I know one day they will be grown and my heart will ache for times like this.

So just know when you come visit our "art museum" - the carpets will be clean but the walls...well..........