Northwoods

Garden Update

The seasons have finally changed and my little friends are enjoying the outdoors.  This week will be a little chillier, so they may have to play indoors again for a few days.  I'm only planting a few things this year, due to the limited space issue, though I hope to learn more about patio/raised bed gardening, and perhaps do something larger next year.  I do have some things inside still growing from seed, like edamame, cilantro and banana peppers!  

Zucchini, wheatgrass and chives

Dwarf green beans (with homemade trellis - STICKS ARE FREE!) and spinach/lettuce/mesclun

spinach/lettuce/mesclun

Dwarf green beans

Great window box hooks for the porch save space!

Basil and a little thyme

More lettuce and mesclun

Rosemary, lavender and some succulants

Spoiled Baby

Still working on some gifts for my dear friends' bun on the way.  I always overmake when I'm excited.  I think the baby will like this one, because it's super grunge. 

Also, a pair of sweet botties in some cottons I had left over from some past projects.  Still in progress however!

Baby Bears and B-day Affairs

I've been busy working on fun little gifts for a fun little friend on the way.  I have until June to make some toys and clothes for one of my best friend's first child.  How grown-up!  Speaking of, Friday's my b-day and as an early gift, Dylan's mom gave me a special succulent indoor planter.  Happy spring!

Hearts to Japan

I have a good friend who has a special place in her heart for Totoro.  I made this for her.

I love these mini kraft envelopes from Muji

I love everything on Linnet

Remember to give to the Red Cross to contribute to relief efforts if you haven't yet.

Little Laundry

I have this obsession with not having too much of anything laying around.  So, I took out the old sewing machine and made these drawstring laundry bags from all the fabric I've been collecting as of late.  A great way to organize my undergarments and clean out the fabric stash.  Double-decker spring cleaning!

Paper Items!

Check out my newest editions to the Etsy shop.  Paper!

Baby Kicks

After admiring some photos of our Chicago friends' beautiful baby girl, I decided to send her some little mary-janes for summer!  A great way to work through leftover yarn.

Small Landscapes

 

 

I love gardening, indoor and outdoor, but it's pretty safe to say I have a lot to learn.  Often times, I over-water, under-water or do something to send my pretty plants to an early grave.  My mother, who I think may have the greenest thumb on Earth, gave me a few tips I'd like to share as we enter into the gardening season:

• Get a humidity gauge.  It's all about the watering.  You can pick one of these up for under $10, and it can make all the difference.  On the back of the package is usually a plant guide, what types of plants should be as what in the humidity range.  Amazon has a few here
• Know what you're planting.  If it's an indoor or outdoor variety, know how much light and water it needs.  Is it even right for your region? 
• Drainage.  I always make sure my container plants have a couple inches of rock at the bottom and an adequate drainage hole.

I hope to have better luck this year with my herbs, and with the new things I'm planting, such as zuchinni, edamame, and lavender.  Since we are in the city, and we have crazy gangs of rabbits in our neighborhood,  we're going to have to get creative with hanging baskets and raised containers.  I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Fiber Fun

As I started a new job this week, I buttoned up my last unemployment era project.  Every year I like to make a new sweater for myself, but got around to it a little late this year with the excitement around the ReRae shop and spending every waking hour fullfilling orders for my beloved customers.  I found this great pattern in Knitting Today, a great contemporary knitting mag that has projects you'd actually like to wear and use.  

Also, a little local knit bombing a block from our apartment!