Monday Mix – 5-5-2014

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IMG_0639When I was growing up, I was taught to save buttons off old clothes just in case I might need them later on. Indeed over the years, old buttons has saved me money and time.
IMG_0624Well, this weekend, I learned something new and I’m going to share it with you… Awhile back, the slider part of the zipper in a pair of shorts broke. I had to order a pack of zipper sliders. I thought they were over-priced, but they’re still cheaper than buying new shorts. After I put the slider on the zipper and had the shorts ready to wear, it suddenly occurred to me that I should save the sliders off old pants or clothes that we’re going to throw away.  If I had been saving sliders over the years, I may not have had to buy any.  Cool, I learned something to help me in the future. (If I can remember it and it doesn’t slide out of my memory. lol 😉 )

IMG_06571 We got some more of our garden planted this weekend. I still have a few squash & cucumber seedlings to plant in the garden, but they’re not old enough yet. They need to put on some true leaves and grow a bit more.
Most folks plant squash and cucumber seeds directly in the garden and the seeds do great. Our garden is real contrary and doesn’t start squash and cucumber seeds well at all. I wish it did because it would make less work for me. Thankfully, after the seedlings are planted in the garden soil they’re usually productive.

IMG_0660We sure have enjoyed sitting on the porch these warm (windy) days. It’s so comforting watching the world turn luscious hues of green. I hope everyone had a good weekend. Here in our area, it was really nice. The temps got up into the high 80’s and the forecast looks good for the next few days.

I hope you all have a pleasant week.
🙂

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Flashback Friday – Color Palette Generator – cool online gadget

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smilecI’m posting one of my most favorite gadgets. I found it many years ago when I was doing a lot of web page building. It was very helpful for making a better looking color scheme.

I think this is a really cool online gadget and it may be of
help to anyone who’s wanting to do a color theme around a certain photo:

Color Palette Generator at degraeve.com

All you do is go to the page, enter the url to the image in
their color palette search box thingy and hit enter.  And wah-lah
the matching colors and hex codes for them are right there ready to use.

In other words, if I wanted a color scheme built around my
smiley ball photo: All I have to do is enter my url for my photo
and here are my results:cpg000

 

Pretty neat, huh? 😉

I love cool little gadgets or widgets like this.

Color Palette Generator at degraeve.com

Wishing you all creative fun!

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May Wreath

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02-IMG_0416For my Wreath of the Month for May, I decided not to do traditional flowers and fluff for this special month, I decided to give tribute to the creative side of Motherhood. Mom’s are the most creative people I know and I’m not talking just crafts either. As I’m the only Mom in this house, I chose some of my favorite stuff to put on my May wreath.

I sculpted the loom & loom hook and then made the little red toboggan on the loom (just to see if I could.)
My sister sort of stepped in the role of Mom after our Mother passed on. She’s spent alot of time and care on me and my family. She’s my Bff and responsible for introducing me to the addictive and enjoyable craft of looming.

I sculpted the crochet hook and it does work, but it’s close to an ‘I’ size, so I crocheted the little granny square with a metal size ‘G’ hook. The size ‘G’ hook was my Mom’s. I think of her every time I use it. I’m thankful she gifted me with the love of crochet.

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click to read big size

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I made the cell phone with plastic canvas. I hope it looks like a bit of Excessive Crafting like I really made a plastic canvas case for a cell phone. lol
I made the texting with my image program. The text advice is something I’ve shared many times with my family. Crafting to calm down is a pleasant and enjoyable way to relax.
My Bff has on more than one occasion echoed these words back at me when I get stressed.

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I sculpted the spoon and fork in honor of all the meals and cooking that goes into raising a family. (and also for us old folks after the little birdies have left the nest.)

My embroidered red-work heart is for sewing. It makes me smile remembering all the buttons, costumes, clothes, toys and stuff that I’ve mended or made over the years. I’m so thankful that my Mom gifted me with the skill of sewing. She spent many an hour and many a day happily sewing away on apparel or quilts or toys. She was an amazing lady.
I think my mason jar ring worked out nicely for a frame for my embroidered heart.

I crocheted the 3 daisies awhile back, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to use them on. I needed another something for the wreath and happily they fit okay.
Plus my Mom never met a flower that she didn’t like and pretty much I’m the same way. Gardening is a wonderful gift she passed on to me too.

The wreath base is made of newspaper and covered in knitted yarn blocks made on a cardboard loom.

I’m sorry I’m running so late on posting this. I’ve had a bit of a goofy week and can’t seem to get organized.

Wishing you all a Happy May!

t6202

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Here’s why I’m making a ‘Wreath of the Month’ for every month of 2014.
~*~

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Wildlife Wednesday – Squirrel

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We see squirrels digging in the yard. Sometimes they’ll dig up walnuts that they’ve stored there last fall. That’s what the squirrel in my photo was doing.  I wonder how many walnuts are buried  that will be forgotten. Also I have to wonder, if we stopped mowing, how long would it be until our yard would be a forest. I have a tough time keeping the saplings dug out of my flower beds and garden, so I figure it wouldn’t be many years at all. Makes me wonder though.

Wishing you all a Wonderful Wednesday!

squirrel
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Scattered Storms

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IMG_0118The dogwoods were in full bloom this weekend. I love the many stages of bloom they go through. It’s hard some years to catch the full bloom stage. But this year I manage to get a few photos of them.

It’s scattered storms today and forecast to storm for the next few days. I’m making this post in between storms while I have electric and internet. I’m going to try and get some blog visiting in, but I can’t promise I will. So, if I don’t visit your blog, Don’t give up on me. I’ll be around when I can.

IMG_0232We had our first casualty in the flower beds. Apparently the baby bunny some critter decided to eat a marigold and then change it’s mind. The bottom part of the plant is still planted in the ground and I figure it’ll grow back with time.

We have some new plants growing in the garden. The storms will either wash the tender seedlings away, drown them or give them a boost to grow. We shall see.
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I have to stop and try to post this now before the next storm hits. I hear distant thundering.

Wishing you all a great week.
🙂

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