Our Latitude and Longitude

Onward with our year of projects...

I saw this post on Pinterest last year and I loved the idea of displaying the latitude and longitude, of a special location, in our home. 

This picture originated from this Esty shop.

It seemed pretty easy to make..choose a latitude and longitude, find a piece of wood, get the wooden numbers/letters, glue on, hang up and tada, there you have it!  Right? 

Well, finding the piece of wood proved to be more challenging than I thought.  I started looking last year when I first saw this post, but then got sidetracked and put this project aside.  A few weeks ago, I decided it was time to get this done!  I kept seeing it on my Pinterest board, mocking me!  

There is an awesome ReUse Warehouse (not the Habitat for Humanity one) in our city.  This warehouse specializes in reclaimed barn wood, windows, doors, etc.  A few weeks ago, Hubby and I went and we found the perfect piece of wood, salvaged from an ancient farmhouse. 

 

I brought it home, cleaned it up and set out to find the numbers.  We decided to use the latitude and longitude of where we got married.  We felt that place was the most special since it marked the beginning of our lives together.  Finding the numbers the right size was really difficult.  The standard numbers at the craft stores were either too big or too small (too hot or too cold, just not right!).

 

I thought I was going to have to paint the numbers on, until I found this awesome company online called CraftCuts.  They have all different fonts to choose from and you can custom order your sizes.  They were also super helpful with figuring out the right size for the piece of wood I was using.  The numbers came in a few days! 

I painted the numbers, and then used heavy duty wood glue to glue them to the backing piece.  We just hung it up today and I love it! 

 Oh, and sorry for not showing the entire thing, I would like to keep the exact location, shall we say, a mystery, since it is on the property of a relative!

So, one more project down...only a billion or so to go!  But I am so happy to put this on my "done" list.  What latitude and longitude would you choose?

Is it a sign?

I told ya'll 2014 was going to be the year of projects and I am happy to report we are off to a great start!  Is this a sign that we might get everything on our list accomplished?

First, we decided over the winter to expand the chicken pen and make it easier to raise chicks.  We have a brooder house, but we had no way to allow the little ones outside, protected, until they could join the rest of the flock.  Our pen also needed to be bigger.  The girls have to spend more time penned up these days.  This may or may not have to do with this guy....

Anyway, we decided since the garden was not being used this winter, and is conveniently fenced in, that it would make a good home for the girls while we changed their pen.  I say we, but really Hubby did all the work, I just did the supervisin'  

I am so happy with the final result.  So far it has worked beautifully and I think it will be so much easier to raise chicks this Spring!

 

Here is the entire pen, on the left the main pen and door, on the right the biddy pen and door.

The girls were actually out in the yard when I took this picture, but they always come to investigate...so they modeled the food/water/outdoor shelter station for me!

 This is the brooder house side.  At the moment it is totally closed off, but we are putting in a chicken door between the two runs, so after the biddies are integrated in to the flock, they will have the entire run!

Brooder house door and pen.

My favorite part!  I have been wanting to spruce up our yard and garden with non-vegetative things.  I thought the girls could use a little humor in their lives.   

I did paint this myself, but I did not come up with this saying, I saw it on Pinterest!

This chick says..."you better believe the sign lady!"

I am so excited to have the chicken coop completed.   Along with building the new space, we also lined the bottom of the pen with crushed granite we had leftover from another project.  This is so much easier to clean and the girls feet stay healthier.  We also have some suet feeders and ropes for hanging heads of cabbage (chicken tether ball anyone?) to keep the girls occupied when they have to be penned up.  I still want to work around the outside, doing some landscaping and making paths, but that will have to come a little later.  Oh, and I would show you the inside of the chicken house itself, we did a little rearranging, but the ladies were not prepared for company...so maybe next time!  

The Year of Projects

Hubby and I have determined that 2014 is officially going to be the year of projects.  There are so many projects (big and small) around here that need to get done and we are motivated, which is a recipe for actually completing things! 

Some of the things we want to accomplish this year....building a trellis for our newly planted grapevines, preparing a second garden spot, removing a few trees, making the fence gate larger, building a dry creek bed, installing a second garden shed, raising new chicks (yay!)..and the list goes on and on.  Some of the smaller projects I will be tackling, like making frames to grow food for the chickens and sprucing up our garden/yard by giving some of our pots a much needed make over.  

The first project I completed this year was a new clothes hamper.  Our laundry room is tiny so our clothes hamper has to reside in the bedroom.  Finding a hamper that is both functional and attractive proved difficult.  So, Hubby and I decided to make one ourselves. 

Hubby made the frame using a simple "X" style and finished the wood with tung oil.  You can find similar plans on here.

I searched high and low for fabric that would go well in our room without an overpowering pattern.  I found this flower pattern as an accent and liner and used canvas for the bottom.  I used the guidelines from this tutorial to get the measurements for the bags.

Then I finished it using buttons and snaps to hold the bags on the dowel rods.  

 I have to say, I was quite surprised that this came together so easily.  The two bags are HUGE, so with just the two of us we wont have to worry about it overflowing and dirty laundry is fashionably stored!  I was sure I would have measured something wrong and ended up with wonky bags, but it turned out OK!  If every project we do this year has a similar outcome we will be quite lucky!  

What projects do you have planned for 2014?  

Grow, Growing, Grown

How many of you have memories of being measured each year on a door frame or closet door?  Each time hoping you were much taller...because all kids know that the taller you are the closer you are to being an adult (if only we knew back then that staying little was a lot more fun!).  And being an adult meant later bed times and more freedom.  I have watched in amazement at how fast my nephews have grown, their marks on the pantry door at my parents house prove just how fast time has flown. 

In my opinion, there is nothing more precious than documenting how your children grow.  So, a few years ago, when a friend had a wee little one, I decided to make her a growth chart to hang on the nursery wall.  Since then, making growth charts have been, by far, one of my favorite craft projects.  I love the idea that these are portable for those inevitable moves and life changes.  But, above all, I love the feeling I get while I work on these charts, all the time thinking of the recipient and how much I hope they love it!  I also love planning the chart and then seeing my vision come to life.  It is so satisfying and smile inducing!

So, I thought since I have been really slack about posting my craft projects lately, I would share my most recent growth chart (and probably one of my favorites!) and a few of the ones I have done in the past. 

For my friend's little girl Dani, a woodland theme!

 (I must admit that the little gnome is absolutely my favorite part!)

For my husband's cousin's little boy Eli...a cowboy theme!

 

A jungle theme for a little boy, Evan!  (My friend M helped me make this as a gift for one of her friends!)

One of the first charts I made for my friend's little girl Riley

How did your parents keep track of your growth growing up?  Do you do something special for your little ones? 

Sewing and Sowing

It seems like every time I sit down to write a post, I want to apologize for the radio silence.  I just haven't had much to talk about.  But the "eb" has now become a "flow.'  I have so much going on, so much I want to share,  I could talk for days about the long list of "to-do's" that sits before me.

As the weather has gotten warmer, I have found myself drawn to my sewing room with great inspiration to master the summer dress.  Last summer, I made a few "house dresses", simple sundresses I could wear around the house while gardening and canning.  They were great, but not so much the type of dresses I wanted to wear out of the house.  Remember this?

This dress, as well as the others I made came in handy last summer and will continue to be great for this summer's gardening and chores.

However, I am practicing my clothing making skills, with the hopes of producing dresses that have more detail and don't look as homemade.  I have also been working on altering a dress for my cousin's wedding.  It is this dress from Modcloth.  I am making it longer (my dang ol' long legs) by moving the ruffle to the bottom of the dress.  I have also made a few skirts.  Plus, I have some awesome knit fabric and a really cute pattern that I want to try.  My house is successfully covered in tiny bits of fabric and thread (I am really not sure how this happens, since I do have a dedicated sewing room)!  I will be sure to post pictures as projects are completed! 

In between sewing sessions I am working in the garden, preparing the soil.  This weekend marks the last threat of frost for us around here so I am sifting compost and planting seeds/seedlings on Saturday.  I am also making a much needed trip to the local apiary for beekeeping supplies.  Our bees are going crazy with the warm Spring and we are picking up another colony in a few weeks.  So there is a lot to do in the bee department...more on that later.

Somewhere in the midst of all this I am finding time to jump start a new exercise routine and do some Spring cleaning around the house.  Which includes finishing up painting and cleaning the Master bath construction project...pictures of that soon!

I would hate to leave you with my long list of things to do without some sort of clue that I have actually made some progress.  Here is a picture of my first "real" summer dress.  I made this last week using a combination of a shirt pattern for the bodice and a simple elastic skirt for the bottom.  I then added the ruffles and fabric covered buttons for details.  I wore this dress to church on Easter Sunday with a black sweater and of course my Frye boots!  It has a small hidden side pocket for my insulin pump.

 

Too many bags

Hubby says I have too many bags.  It's a good thing he was talking about the number of purses and duffel bags I have...otherwise I might have used one of those bags to knock him upside the head.  In his defense, I have been making a lot of bags for myself lately.  Some of this stems from winter boredom and too much time on Pinterest. But the main reason is that I would like to start selling some of my crafts.  I figure I can't sell stuff if I haven't test driven the design.  This is my newest addition to my ever growing stash of purses!

 I needed a bigger bag to carry all of my junk and various diabetes related paraphernalia, so I made this messenger bag.

 My favorite part is the stitching.  I did this with my grandmother's old Kenmore.

 I put books in the bag to take pictures, but it is plenty big enough for all of my gear.

 

I love the simple outside and the fun vibrant lining, it makes me happy!  Would you buy a bag like this?

I love this...

These made me think of Kyra-dog, she loved her little Octopi (as we so lovingly called her Blue Octopus).  What a quick and easy gift one of these would be for a little person.  I think I know the perfect little niece to make one of these for!

Check it out at Grosgrain

Experimenting

I am experimenting with some new blog templates.  I had grown pretty weary of my other layout...as weary as one gets over blog templates!  Anyway I thought I would try a few new things.  You may notices some changes here and there and maybe some day I will settle on what I like! 

Meanwhile it has been rainy and muggy here for a few days.  The rain is nice, we needed it...but I am ready for cool Fall days without rain! 

Today to beat the rainy day blues I am working on a few sewing projects!  Wish me luck!

Garden Limbo

I've been a horrible blogger lately.  I know you have all been holding your breath in anticipation for my next post......right?.....

Alas, I have not fallen off the face of the planet...I've been a horrible blogger lately.  I know you have all been holding your breath in anticipation for my next post......right?.....I have just been a little bored and I wanted to spare you the pain of reading about my boring life at the moment.  We are in that downtime of late winter/early spring around here.  Late enough in winter to start thinking about the Spring but not warm enough to start really planting and preparing for the Spring growing season any more than we already have.  There is a little work to do (late winter garden, preparing the soil, etc) but not enough to keep me busy!  So I continue to float along in garden limbo for a few more weeks!

In other exciting news, I am working on my 3rd growth chart.  This is my first one for a little boy and I am so excited to get it completed.  I think it will be just darling and boyish all at the same time. 

This weekend hubby and I are getting into the bee hive and doing our Spring maintenance in preparation for the nectar flow.  I am hoping to get some pictures and video of the process . So keep your eyes peeled for that next week!  

In the meantime, here is a picture of one of my crazy chickens drinking out of the dog's water bucket and generally making themselves at home, anywhere they please! 

Surrounded by memories and sewing machines

I have to admit that lately I have been a little obsessed with sewing machines.  Many years ago my Grandma Edith gave my mother her Kenmore 158.1913 sewing machine.  Or maybe the machine was given to me, I don't really recall.  Regardless, the machine is now mine and has a permanent place in my craft room and in my heart.  I would sooner chop off a limb than part with that machine.

Now mind you, I do not sew clothing or much of anything really, but I enjoy learning new things and learning about this machine has been lots of fun.  I retrieved it from my parent's house last year when I decided to make some curtains for my kitchen.  When I was hand-making gifts this Christmas, that was the first time in a while this Kenmore had graced the dining room table.  Actually this machine is even what fueled the process of getting a proper craft room.  This machine has managed to grab ahold of my heart and refused to let go.

I love this machine for more reasons than one.  But first, I have found from further research into the world of vintage Kenmore sewing machines, that I am quite lucky to have it in my possession.  New sewing machines aren't made with the same quality that Kenmore used when making this machine.  It's sturdy and strong and runs like a champ, even 35 years later.  Learning more and more about this machine everyday, I find myself purusing craigslist and ebay looking for parts and attachments and even machines of the same series.  Even last week I picked up my mom's old Kenmore 158.1345, a younger machine but just as awesome.

Awesomeness aside, let me tell you why I like my grandmother's old Kenmore more than anything.  My Grandma Edith was one of the most amazing women I have ever known.  She was strong and independent, kind, funny, and wise.  She was everything I wanted to be in a person and she had more love to share than anyone I have ever known.  When she passed away years ago, it was the first of the biggest heartache our family would endure, the second being the loss of my grandfather, her husband.

I have many memories of Grandma Edith and a few small mementos of our times together.  I don't usually hold a lot of attachment to physical things that belonged to my beloved family members, but this sewing machine, this is different.  When I pull out this machine I touch the same knobs and work the same needles as Grandma once worked.  I even have a box of her old threads and when I pick up that thread, I feel her.  I feel her love and her memory.

When I work with this machine, I imagine her sitting in front of it, stitching a blouse or hemming a skirt.  I see her embroidering gifts and mending holes.  I can imagine her in more vivid detail than I ever have.  Her memory is alive in this machine.  I have come to realize, my Kenmore is more than a sewing machine, it's a living breathing memory of an amazing woman and that is priceless.  Do you have something that brings back memories of someone you loved?

Watch them grow!

My sister-in-law's sister (that's a mouthful!) and her hubby are due to have their first baby sometime in the next two weeks.  I decided a while ago  I wanted to make handmade gift for the baby, but since I have no knitting or crocheting skills, I was at a bit of a loss as to what a new little babe might need.  

That's when the grand idea of making a wall hanging or art for the nursery came to me!  The only obstacle was how the heck would I be able to make anything that resembled art?  Realizing this was not a likely possibility, I begin to think of things I could make out of cloth.  Finally, I settled on making a growth chart for the nursery!  

Aren't yall just dying to see what it looks like!  Well...just hold your horses cause here it is!

(Disclaimer: I apologize for the crummy pictures, the low light conditions paired with a not-so awesome camera and a mediocre photographer yields not-so-good results!)

This is made out of cotton canvas fabric.  I hand-stitched the name using a stem-stitch (again, the crummy light means seeing the name in the picture is not so easy...I promise it looks better in person!).  The numbers are made of fabric and heat-bonded to the canvas.

Along the side of the chart, I hand stitched inch-markers using embroidery thread. 

I made each of the flowers out of material and sewed them on the the canvas.  The cute little bees were an awesome find at the Scrap Exchange.  They are pewter and I added the black beads for little heads.  Then I hand-stitched their "flight-patterns".  

The chart is hung using a dowel rod and some pretty purple ribbon.

 To mark the height on the growth chart, the parents will either use tags pinned on to the canvas, or write the date/height/age with a permanent fabric pen. 

Much inspiration and excitement over how Baby Bella's gift turned out, I just couldn't stop there!  So prompted by a commitment to make homemade gifts for 5 of my friends, I decided to make a growth chart for another good friend.  

Her little girl just turned one at the end of last year.  So I set out to make another growth chart using a similar pattern but a different theme.  Here is what I made for little Riley!

 I used the same fabric for this one, cotton canvas.  

I stitched the name again, using a stem-stitch.  This time I filled in the entire name, which took a lot longer than expected, but well worth it!

The clouds are cut from fabric and heat-bonded to the canvas.  

I made each of the birds from fabric and stuffed them with cotton batting so they are slightly plush and 3-dimensional.

The owls are by far my favorite.  I made these the same way as I did the birds with the exception of heat-bonding fabric to make their "masks".  

Each of the branches as well as the numbers are hand-stitched.  I also hand-stitched the inch-markers along the side of the chart. 

I am so excited about the outcome of this chart as well.  I have to say that I have surprised myself with both of these projects.  I do not claim to have any noteable crafting skills but I am happy with what I would call a successful accident!  

I would have to say that the very best part of working on these growth charts was the constant reminder of the wonderful folks who would be receiving these gifts.  And that my friends makes it all worth while. 

Why needlework is a perfect hobby for a diabetic...

So I have been teaching myself to cross-stitch...well I should really say "re-teaching".  My mom used to cross-stitch and she taught me some things when I was little.  However, since it has probably been 25 years since I learned those tips, I have had to re-teach myself.  The lessons are going along swimmingly.  I am using a few books and referencing a few very helpful stitching websites and I have to say I have been quite pleased with some of my work.

I find the hardest thing to get used to is finding that groove where I can move the needle effortlessly through the fabric.  I am still in the stage of constantly undoing knots and untangling thread, taking out stitches and generally just mucking up most of my projects.

There is one thing I have found less of a nuisance than most folks who sew or stitch by hand.  I was in the fabric store the other day and was considering buying a thimble, you know to protect my fingers while I worked the needle.  Ironic, huh?  Why is this ironic you ask?  Well, I realized (like I could ever forget), I prick my finger 10 times a day....ON PURPOSE....to check my bloodsugar.  My fingertips are callused and tough and generally don't feel much pain anymore. 

That's when I knew that needlework was the perfect hobby for a diabetic.  I laugh in the face of needle pricks.  No thimble needed here, do your worst cross-stitch needle, do your worst!

Lost in fabric and thread

Good morning all!  I know you all have been so worried about my whereabouts these last few weeks.  I promise I have not fallen off the face of the Earth.  I am still here, procrastinating my way through the new year.  It's always hard for me to get back into the swing of things after the holidays, including blogging.  The wintry weather we have had around her doesn't help either....makes me want to stay inside all day and not venture out into the cold world!

I have however, been practically living in my new craft room...emerging for short periods of time to eat and sleep and take care of my other chores.  But most days you will find me hidden away among piles of fabric and thread.  My new craft room has been somewhat of a blessing and I am happy to have a new place to work on my hobbies (some hobbies I didn't even know I had!) 

Currently I am working on some exciting projects.  I want to share so bad, but a few of these things are gifts for folks who read my blog.  So until these secret projects are unveiled to the recipients, I can't show you!  Stay tuned though!  In the meantime, here are some pictures of my new craft room.  I plan to do a little more decorating (curtains and such).  It's nothing fancy but I love the space. 

 This is my new workstation.  Hubby just hung my "inspiration board" yesterday so I have yet to add too much to it!  That's my grandmother's sewing machine, a Kenmore 158-1913.  It's about 30 years old and runs like a champ. 

 My craft storage...fabric, beads, notions, and paint!

My reading corner, sans chair...hopefully coming soon!  

Humphrey, the chinchilla is not sure what to think of sharing his room with me.  Here you will notice him giving me the stink-eye for bugging him.  Up until I remodeled this room, he had it all to himself...now he has to deal with my noise and disturbances.  (He is active mostly in the evenings and very shy, so often my crafting wakes him up from his mid-day naps.)

But he is warming up to the idea of sharing his room...

Often waking up from his naps to check out what I am doing...

And demanding I give him a treat for being so accommodating regarding this new arrangement!