Additional Info For Previous Postings :)

I have been busy!  Making dresses, sprouting plants, making and selling jewelry and aprons, and time to blog seems to have gotten away from me in the last week.  But I was reminded of some things I typically do to make my projects a little easier, and I'd like to share some of them with you :)

With sewing, I do a few things differently.  I buy multi-sized patterns, and cut out all of the pattern pieces so that all the sizes can be used, in case the next time I need the pattern I need a different size.  That way I'm not buying a pattern for my daughter's size and one for mine.  That presents another problem though, and that is cutting the fabric in the right size without cutting the pattern.  I pin the pattern to the fabric a little bit into the pattern, not right at the edge, and with a little practice, have become pretty good at cutting the fabric underneath the correct lines on the fabric.  It takes a little time and practice to get reasonably good at doing it this way, but when I'm done, I still have a multi-sized pattern.  I also store my patterns in manilla files rather than trying to get all the pattern pieces back into the envelope.  I have patterns from my mother and grandmother, and over the years the tissue has suffered considerable wear being taken out, used, and reinserted into the envelopes.  So I put all the pattern pieces, instructions, and original envelope into a manilla file that can simply be opened, and I make note on the file tab of the pattern make, number, sizes, and what sort of garment it is.  If I'm in the process of choosing a pattern for a project, it's as simple as flipping the file open and looking at the pic on the envelope inside so I can make a decision.  It takes up a lot less storage space in my file cabinet also :)

I have also been working with the plants.  One of the things that is very important is not letting potting mix dry out, as it is very difficult to get it to absorb water again once it dries out, and it's not kind to the seedlings roots if it dries out either.  I start seeds in yogurt containers (reduce, reuse, recycle), but then I put them in waterproof trays with about an inch of water sitting in the bottom.  This keeps the potting soil moist through the bottom, but doesn't waterlog the seeds.  Once the seedlings have sprouted to their first set of primary leaves, I transfer them to cardboard boxes lined with plastic wrap or plastic bags, and start introducing fertilizer to their water to promote strong root systems.  I use a commercial fertilizer (Miracle-Gro), and in the spring there are often larger garden size containers avalible.  I use the small scoop end (included in the fertilizer package) to a gallon of water, which is a little on the light side but prevents fertilizer burn.  Once a week I mix up fertilizer and soak the seedlings in my sink for 15 minutes in about an inch of water, then 2 more times a week I water the seedlings from the top with plain water just enough to keep the soil moist.  I currently have 21 bush beans and 5 bell peppers sprouted, and they just moved outside because the evening lows are supposed to stay above 40 degrees.  They are still in partial shade with good indirect light exposure, but I will move them into more direct sunlight next week, after they've gotten used to being outside. 

On business, I am to the point of working to find a very part time photographer for my jewelry listings.  I am an ok photographer, but not a great one, and I don't have high-end photography equipment or the desire to acquire it.  I have also gotten to the point where I can put a couple weeks or a month's worth of production into one photo shoot day, and plan on doing the listings for that production the next month.  I have a son (in Seattle) who is willing to acqire the photography equipment, software, and devote the time to working on photographs, but if that were not the case, I also have a local community college that offers photography classes, and I'd be able to contact them and offer a bi-weekly or monthly photo shoot at a reasonable cost to me, which would also help them increase their professional portfolios as they're completing their education.  This relieves me of two days of production time every couple of weeks being frustrated in working with photographs also, which lets me concentrate on what I do best--design and make jewelry, and at a reasonable cost. 

Ok, that's all I have today.  Enjoy :)

The Beans Are Sprouting--Just In Time For A Snowstorm lol

Ahhhh, it's Nebraska.

I have 12 bean plants, snug in their yogurt containers, happily sprouted, 5 of them with at least their first set of secondary leaves on (a good sign of whether they'll continue to survive), and the other 7 that have at least initially broken through the soil, just in time for a late season Nebraska snowstorm!  They are not in any sort of danger, sitting happily on the heated side of my sliding glass balcony door (which is the coolest place in the living room, around 65 degrees), and they'll go back out when it's warm enough for them again.  I think I forgot to mention, since it's second nature to me, that they are sitting in a box that I've cut down to just above the top of the containers and lined with some plastic wrap, although in years past I've also used a plastic grocery bag for the same job, which made bringing them in (or moving them anywhere for that matter) very easy. 

This does not include the 16 containers sitting in my kitchen by the way, waiting for them to sprout or show some sign of life, 10 of which I planted today.  I chose my kitchen counter because it's close to the sprayer in the sink, which makes it easy for me to give the little ones a quick (and gentle) drink, and also ensures that they are closely monitored, since they sit on the same counter where I add milk to my coffee.  Several times a day, as I'm doing other things, I can monitor them to make sure they aren't drying out, to see if anything is peeking through the soil (which will get them moved to the tray by the window at the moment, or outside when it gets reasonable again in a day or two).  As I've moved them to the "sprouted" box, I've gotten more yogurt containers out and planted more, so there's a continuing rotation going of the plants being newly planted, sprouting, sitting in the sunlight and "hardening" (getting used to the conditions they'll face outside, which are not nearly as nice as they are on my kitchen counter).  I have to move them to at least partial sunlight as soon as they sprout, also a consideration, since my kitchen has absolutely no sunlight, and it is the sunlight that powers their growth once they are sprouted. 

I have in total now 29 yogurt containers planted with 2 bean seeds each, 12 sprouted, and 5 with their first set of real leaves on them.  I will only need 6 plants for my personal use, but the package of seeds I bought was 1 oz., and doesn't seem quite half empty yet lol.  I have one pot planted with bell pepper seeds, but I haven't seen any of them come up yet, and I have yet to start on the tomato or petunia seeds.  I may have to find yogurt on sale soon so I have more containers! 

In a way, I'm happy the weather is so unhappy outside.  The tray of seedlings sits a couple of feet away from my desk, and it's nice to be able to look over and check on their progress, which can be remarkable even through a single day, since they can go from just barely peeking through the soil to standing almost straight up and showing their baby leaves in that time, under the right conditions.  I would not be surprised if I have 7 of them showing their leaves by tomorrow.  Yep, spring is here and humming along nicely, even in spite of a late season Nebraska snowstorm :)

Time Out For Summer Dresses :)

I love dresses, especially in the summertime.  Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of dresses to wear personally.  I have some issues with my body not fitting off the rack dresses well, and I don't like wearing a sack in pretty colors lol.  But I did learn how to sew relatively well in my youth, I watched Project Runway with concerted interest (both admiring and appalled by some of the "fashions" and sewing errors shown on that program), and I do have a few very nice summer dress patterns.  That takes me to time issues, or more accurately lack of time issues, since I'm running two online businesses which take the majority of my time. 

Today I'm taking a time out and working on a couple of summer dresses for myself.  It is April, the weather is wonderful, and I would happily be outside in a pretty summer dress, if only I had a nice one to wear!  I have one that's been on the project table for a ridiculous amount of time (I was supposed to wear it to a wedding last year, if that gives you an idea), and it's getting done up to setting the zipper today.  (I would set the zipper, but it seems to have run off on me, and I will either have to dedicate some serious time to looking for it or buy another one lol).  I also found in my fabric stash some beautiful flowered fabric with peonies on it, one of my dad's favorite flowers before he passed away.  I have a couple more fabrics that would look wonderful, but I don't want to get ahead of myself, because I don't know when I'll have the time to take a time out again.  Hopefully by this weekend I'll have at least 2 pretty dresses to run around in, wrought from my own hands, tailored to fit my body well, that I can really enjoy.  :)

The Seductive Nature Of The Spring Growing Season

I love being seduced!

Before someone takes that wrong, I should probably explain.  I'm talking about the spring growing season and how very easy it is to start out with small plans which grow bigger and bigger as the enthusiasm grows.  Sorry if you were looking for something else lol. 

I am in the middle of just such a season.  I started out with the relatively modest plans (for me anyway) of putting bush beans in my long planters behind my petunias and growing tomatos in my topsy turvys. 

This is a picture of my petunias from last year, and yes, those are solar lights also.  They light my balcony very nicely until the wee hours with the amount of light they get, they don't attract bugs, and I don't have to run wires all over the place to have light in that area.  I have 2 of these on a 25' balcony, and it's a good thing :)

But I digress.  From 3 petunias and 3 bush beans, plus 2 solar lights, per planter and 3 topsy turvy's planted with tomatos.  Those were my big plans for the season, besides putting my houseplants out.  *sigh*  Some years I'm so niave.....

I live in an apartment complex with 185 units, and it is laid out very nicely.  There has been talk of putting a community garden in for years, and this year it is happening.  I've been involved in a community garden before, City Sprouts in Omaha.  They're an urban garden built on 3 empty lot with the idea of inviting the community to learn and participate in growing their own food rather than being so dependent on what's available and affordable in the grocery store.  I lived a block away from the initial site when they were forming up years ago, and being an overgrown farm kid, would often wander down to get my hands dirty for a few hours, towing my kids along with me.  They learned a lot, and I enjoyed the fellowship with other people gardening even though I had 4 raised beds myself as well.  I also worked at Mulhall's Nursery for a season, learning more along the way, especially about container gardening, which was something I wasn't very familiar with until that time.

Our apartment garden is scheduled to be planted the last weekend in May, which is a little late in the growing season for us.  I suppose I'm not too surprised, as the two event coordinators in charge of the project have no gardening experience.  I give them a lot of credit for being willing to take on this challenge, but they are going to get a little unexpected help.  Since I bought a full packet of bush bean seeds, and will only use at most 6 plants personally, I've been putting the rest in starters so they already have some growth by the time the garden is planted.  I'm using yogurt containers that I use a knife to cut an X in the bottom of, fill it with older potting soil from pots I've had (it's nutrient poor at this point, but still lighter than the clay soil we naturally have, and with some supplimental light fertilizing, will do nicely for giving these plants a good head start).  Needless to say, I have lost one entire counter in my galley kitchen, and my outdoor table in the balcony will soon be covered in yogurt containers filled with beans.  Oh, and peppers, since I decided I want to grow a couple bell peppers too while I was looking at seeds, and I can grow those in a pot.  I'll still start my leftovers and donate them to the community garden though, or if they don't want them, there's enough neighbors with patio gardens that I'm sure I'll be able to find good homes for all of them.  (That also means you'll be seeing recipes for what I do with this produce later, when I start making them lol).  I also got petunia seeds, but I'm sure I'll have too many of those, so they'll also all get started and given away, and I got a packet of tomato seeds, which I'll also have the same issue with.  The reason I'll start all the seeds and give them away is a lot of seeds have a great germination (sprouting) rate the year the packets come out, but if you save them for the next year, the rate goes down, sometimes drastically, and I'd rather get the most of the potential out of the seeds, which means planting them all this year.  All the seeds I bought cost me less than $5, and with the savings of not buying these things at the store even with the few plants I'll keep for myself will more than make up for the initial cost of the seeds and cover all the ones I'll be giving away (except for the petunias, which I grow simply because they're pretty and local pollinator bugs and hummingbirds like them, and they will withstand the heat and very dry weather a Nebraska summer has). 

I will probably end up going out and looking at seeds again before long, just to see if I've missed anything.  And I will probably bring more home, some to keep and some to share.  I may lose more than one counter in my kitchen, because I plant them and keep them there so I can keep an eye on them until there's a good sprout, which is when they get moved out to the balcony, only being moved in if it gets too cold, until it's time for them to go to their new homes. 

This is a great time for a seduction, and I love being seduced like this!  Enjoy :)

Green Spring Cleaning Revisited

It is a beautiful spring day in Nebraska, so what am I doing?  More spring cleaning, of course. I was reminded as I was working on chores that I do some things in a very green way, and thought I'd share them here.

I don't want to pick on paper towels.  They are great for messes that you just want to pick up and throw away, the things with a high "ewwwwww" factor.  But for general cleaning, I use rags recycled from other sources.  What can you turn into rags?  Well, try old t-shirts that have seen better days.  Old sheets that are too worn for service anymore can either be rags or torn into strips for attaching plants in the garden to cages or trellises.  Dress shirts that are no longer in style can also be turned into rags (or quilt blocks), as well as children's clothing that have stains or too much wear, etc.  The wonderful thing about using rags is you have the option of throwing them in the laundry so they can be reused or just throwing them away if they are too dirty guilt-free, because they've already been recycled.  They are also great for using in the garage, to clean up bikes, motercycles, lawn mowers, just about anything greasy, just don't let dirty rags in the garage sit for any length of time (they can spontaniously combust under certain conditions). 

This is also the time of year when people used to drag their rugs outside, hang them on the clothesline and beat them until there was no more dust.  Even today with vacuming them, there is usually still dust deep in the fibers, and giving them a good beating will help extend the life of the rug.  Wait, you don't have a clothesline?  Why not?  With warmer weather, it's an excellent time to forgo the dryer for the clothesline, and there's nothing more luxurious than climbing between sheets that have been kissed by the sun all afternoon (assuming you don't have allergies).  The only energy you'll use on a clothesline is the energy you expend carrying the basket out to the line, and that's pretty easy on the wallet.  My mother used to have a clothespin hanger made out of a regular clothes hanger and a couple pieces of scrap material, sewn together to create a large pocket and slit about 1/3 of the way down the front to allow for easy access to the pins. 

This is also the time of year that I empty my wicker baskets and give them a good rinse, just to banish the dust that gathers on them.  If they have cloth liners, the liners do a turn in the laundry.  It's ok to rinse wicker, as long as you don't let the baskets sit in water and allow about 24 hours to let them dry.  The first couple of times you do it you may notice some of the stain running off of them--which is ok, that adds to the aged or patinaed appearance.  You can do the same with wicker furnature, but those are best taken outside and rinsed off with a garden hose, again giving them about 24 hours to dry.  You can also redo baskets if they color isn't right for your new decorating scheme with a can of spray paint in your new colors.  Baskets used to be handed down through the generations, and with good care, a basket can last a very long time.

Ok, my break time is over, so it's back to work for me.  Enjoy the day!  :)

Peregrine Falcon Sighting--A First For Me :)

I was priviledged to experience a first for me yesterday.  I looked out my sliding glass door as I routinely do, and noticed some movement in a tree in our apartment courtyard.  It's not unusual for birds from wild canaries to crows to the occasional red tailed hawk to hang out in our courtyard--it's a large green area where the kids play football or catch.  But I noticed this bird did not have the silluette of any of the regular birds we have around here.  I finally was able to identify it as having the body shape of a peregrine falcon, the ferarri of the raptor world.  I've seen them on nature shows and even at a couple of educational raptor events locally, and I knew that they've been reintroducing them to the Omaha area for at least the last 20 years or so, both in the downtown area (where they have a falcon camera feed when there are eggs in the nest on top of one of the skyscrapers), and at the Raptor Center about 10 miles from me, but I've never seen one just hanging out in the wild, especially not in my apartment complex.  It had apparently caught a groundsquirrel and was working on it's breakfast when I noticed it, and I don't think it was used to people, as it would stop and guard it's catch everytime someone appeared within about 30 yards of it. 

Peregrine falcons are considered an endangered species, and there's more information on them here peregrine falcon info  They are considered one of the fastest birds in the world, in a dive having been recorded going almost 70 mph.  They've been trained by raptor handlers for centuries, and were almost wiped out by widespread use of DDT in the 60's. 

And I got to see one in my neighborhood.  Coolness :)

Time For Gardening :)

We're past April 1st, so it's time to start the seedlings for my garden.  Since I live in an apartment and have a balcony rather than on the garden level, I do a lot of container gardening, which I've found challenging but also rewarding.

I have a couple topsy turvys that I'll put tomato plants in, and I'll buy the plants at the grocery store rather than starting them from seed, because sometimes I have problems with fungus when I start them from seed.  I usually plant one with a full-sized tomato and the other with cherry or grape tomatos, and they've done well so far, although I need to get used to assessing them and pruning them upside down lol.  I might invest in a couple more, because I'd like to see how yellow squash and zuccini do in them also--always problem crops in a container for me.  They are fairly easy to use, just follow the directions on the package and remember to water them every day.  If you don't water them, the soil gets rock hard and the water has a hard time penetrating it.

Today I'm starting bush beans.  To give you an idea of the "green" factor, I'm starting them in yogurt containers that I usually save for water when I'm painting.  I have an abundance of them, and cutting an "x" in the bottom with a utility knife is pretty easy so the water can drain.  I fill them with a quality potting mix, use a pencil to tap a hole about 1" deep, and put 2 seeds in each one.  These will later be thinned to the strongest one when they have 4 leaves on them, and is insurance in case one of the seeds doesn't sprout.  I put the yogurt cups in a tray that will hold at least 1" of water in the bottom, and set aside.  When I see sprouts, I'll move them to a sunny area so they can continue to develop.  They'll go in 2 styrofoam planters I have when the danger of frost has passed, to share the space with petunias.  I like the styrofoam planters because they insulate the soil in the drastic hot and cold of the Nebraska climate.  (I often have petunias last well beyond frost in these as they hold their heat very well).  Putting petunias in the same space will attract pollinating critters, and I've even seen humming birds dropping by for a nip at sunset.  Attracting pollinating critters is important, since the flowers need to be pollinated before they will produce a bean, tomato or other crop.  I'll also put petunias in several hanging baskets, again to attract pollinating critters. 

The first step is done.  Hello spring!  :)