January Pinterest Club

January Pinterest Club was definately well attended. These are some of the examples of the Valentine's Board we did. My niece, Shelby, did the light gray above, & I really like the way it turned out!

I like this dark gray one as well. I am making mine very similar to this one above. The stencils were cut with the Silhouette Cameo. I really like the versatility of the machine. I like that I can cut any font, any size that I might have on my computer. I also like that they made it Apple compatible, since the first version was not. I do think that the Silhouette is fairly easy to use, and cuts a little better than the Cricut machine that I have. 

One of the other projects that we did were these frames. They are 15" x 15" square, with an 8" x 8" opening. The stencils, again, were cut using the Silhouette Cameo, using binder cover for the stencil material. I would say that it did very well, holding up wonderfully project after project. We only had a couple minor problems.  One, on a few, some of the sticky tape used to connect the binder covers together making it large enough, would come apart. The second thing, was actually with the person doing the stenciling, and it was in using too much paint on their brush, or using a sponge stencil applicator instead of an actual stencil brush. 

I love this chevron look!

I have to say, the stencil brush does do a significantly better job than that of a stencil applicator sponge. This frame above, in the blue and periwinkle, was done by my daughter, Haylee. Some of the trim was hand cut, and it did give it a very cute look. She did a great job. 

The black and white frames are also a favorite! I haven't actually done mine yet, and I don't know exactly what color I am going to choose! 

The third project we did was a burlap pillow with a stitched ribbon heart. It was so cute, but I neglected to get a pic of it before my friend who did it went home. There was definately a giant amount of work for Pinterest Club this time. If I had to do it again, I think I would limit the amount of frames that could be ordered, as most people weren't able to finish theirs anyway, and it just was a little too much! 

However, they all turned out amazing! They even looked great in a solid color only!

Happy crafting!

The Craftermath of Pinterest Club Prep

Pinterest Club for January is happening this Thursday. That is in 2 days, and the 58 frames are finally done. I think next time there will be a limit on how many people can order. These beauties are 15" x 15" with an 8" x 8" opening. They cost about 6 dollars to make, and although they don't have them now, each will be dressed up with some paint, stencil work and a bit of trim. So excited for mine to be done. Loved the ones we saw on Pinterest, although they were a bit smaller.

My husband says that "this" (meaning the picture above) is the craftermath. Craftermath is whatever is left after you make stuff from Pinterest. Funny honey!

Happy crafting!

It's Cold Outside!

So, finally the weather is turning a little cold. Yesterday morning, at around 5:30am I looked on my back porch, which is in the shade, and saw that the temperature was 38 degrees F. Pretty chilly for Arizona! Since that is getting down into almost freezing temperatures, and I do have some vegetables out in the garden that technically are not cold hardy, like peppers and cucumbers and zucchini and tomatoes, I put in hoops and cover the bed with a 4 mil plastic. This works well for me, as I have used it in the past with great success. It is just an effort to get it put out, and such. 

As you can see by the picture below, I do raise it during the day, as our temperatures are still in the high 60's and sometimes even the low 70's during the day. Such beautiful weather! Can't complain. Tomorrow we are due for a heavy winter storm, so tonite I need to batten down the hatches. 

Above are the small little pepper plants that are growing from seed. Hopefully they will make it through the winter, if I keep them covered!

A couple of days ago, I planted some sweet pea seeds that I had saved from 2 years ago, and after soaking them overnight, and planting them everywhere I could, I realized I just had too many! So, those became little gifts to a couple friends who haven't ever grown them before. I love sweet peas, as my grandma & mom planted them every year that I can remember. I used to take handfuls of the blooms wrapped in a wet paper towel and plastic wrap, to school and church to give to my teachers. I don't see anyone doing that anymore. Kind of sad. :(

The broccoli is almost ready to harvest! I can hardly wait as that is one of our favorite vegetables! Yesterday I was reading about how broccoli is one of those vegetables that we usually have to force ourselves to eat! I am not sure where the writer got their info from. What do you think?

I happened upon a blog when I was on pinterest that showed how the blogger made some edible Christmas garlands for her chickens. 

This is the post: http://fresh-eggs-daily.blogspot.com/2012/12/edible-christmas-garlands.html.

I decided that they looked pretty cute and thought I would make one for my little henny pennies! The writer of fresh-eggs-daily blog showed how she actually drilled little holes into her brussel sprouts to make them easier to thread. FYI, this is definately not necessary. I just used a long doll needle and some kitchen string. It was very easy to string a garland up in a manner of minutes. They loved the grapes, ate the apples over a couple of days, and the brussel sprouts are still there. Exactly how I feel about those little things too!

My little nephew, loves the chickens and would happily stand in the chicken coop all day throwing seed and dirt down for them! I usually have to bribe him with a trowel to dig with to get him out of the coop! Silly boy, all boy!!

I discovered the dreaded little white powdery mildew spots on my roses a couple of mornings ago. If you look closely, you can just see them in the picture above. I bought an organic spray that is supposed to rid the roses from this disease, and have sprayed them. I have noticed a little difference, but it is not gone yet. I suspect I will need to keep spraying til it's gone, as it's spreading to the other roses as well. Not good. I have read that once you get it, it spreads rapidly. 

Last month's pinterest club we did these lovely little signs you see in the picture below. They were so easy to do, as the were stencils cut from plastic report covers with the silhouette cameo. That machine is so easy to use. I just love it. The signs are so cute and I hope to get the time to make a few more of the "Merry Little Christmas" ones to give to my neighbors!

Happy gardening and crafting!

November Pinterest Club

Our November Pinterest Club was held a couple of weeks ago at my home. The above JOY signs are something I have been wanting to do for about a year. I really love them. We just cut a stencil on the Silhouette machine out of a clear binder cover, which was thick enough to stencil on, distressed them, applied stain, and it was all finished!! So easy!  

 The above 2 pics are of the girlies doing a cuff bracelet. I know they took a pic of the finished project and I will add that on tomorrow. They did turn out adorable!

Again, we just cut a stencil for this sign. It is getting a snowflake on the top of it, but this pic doesn't have it yet. LOVE it!!

YAY Pinterest Club!! Happy crafting!