Flower & Herb Garden

TheHubby and I have been trying to do a little home improvement around our townhouse. But it's hard because very few things can be permanent. If we paint, we would have to re-paint.  And let's be honest, no body wants to paint a room twice in 2 years.

So this past weekend we focused on our patio/yard

We bought some furniture and an umbrella, and it cooled it down immediately!

But it was still pretty blah. 

What could we do that wasn't permanent but would brighten up our space?

We decided on a little flower and herb garden.

AND

Since our last frost day had come and gone, what better time to get out the dirt and the trowel and get our hands dirty.

All of the supplies were found at Lowes and Walmart

The hardest part was figuring out a design.

Well the design and finding perennials (because I'll be darned if I have to buy new flowers every year)

So here is what we came up with

For the herb garden

I found 3 galvanized steel troughs, about 24 inches long.

I probably planted them too close, but we didn't really have the room to spread them out, also it is SUPER hot on the patio, so they might not all make it

I planted 3 tomato plants (2 big boy and 1 heirloom), 2 green bell pepper, 1 red bell pepper, 2 cucumbers, basil (YUM!!), parsley, rosemary(yum!), and thyme.

They look awesome!

For the flower garden

We got a 4 foot wooden box, lined the bottom with a single layer of river rocks (to drain the water) and filled it up with dirt

We planted Asian Lilies, dianthuses (or is it dianthi plural?), sweet mint, and some ground cover

It also looks awesome!!!  It really brightened up the patio. TheHubby want to do another wood box, but we kind of shot our wad this weekend.  But it has made a huge difference.  With the umbrella, furniture and decor, it really added another room onto our house,  Which is wonderful, especially in the summer, so we don't have to be cooped up inside!

My Puppies

Ava In her stunna shades

Ava is ever so patient when I am taking pictures of her

Matt is Her Favorite

Juno HATES having her picture taken

So I always have to ninja in on her.

But she's such a sweet girl

TheHubby's Quilt

For Christmas, I got a BUNCH of quilting/sewing supplies from the In-Laws, and It was awesome!  So the first thing I ask TheHubby is: Do you want a quilt?  The response?:  Umm...YES! Please!  A Red-White-and-Blue one.  You know, An America Quilt!

So I have been diligently working and slaving away on this quilt for the past 3 months. AND!  It is finally coming together!

I had this piece complete for about 2 weeks before I finally had time to work on it again

This past week I had 3 days off, so I knocked most of it out

All that is left? 

The border

The Batting

The Backing

And the Quilting.

So Quite a bit. Haha

I did start on the border, and Ava decided that she wanted to "help"

She would "Hold" the fabric, and when I nudged her, she would stand up, so I could reposition it, and then lay back down.

She's such a goober.  Updates to come soon!

Updated: 3/31


I got the backing, and the batting complete!

Oh Sweet Victory!

I am currently working on the quilting.  I have 6 of the 35 squares completed.
That is what happens when you make a quilt for the Barrick Men.  Especially when TheHubby is 6ft6in.

Pics to come in the not TOO distant future. 
AKA: Tomorrow or Monday

UPDATE:
Clearly by tomorrow or Monday I meant, 11 months later.  DUH!

So I finished the quilt around May...and here we are....the following February...

I also didn't take a pic of the finished product...lovely But it was pretty epic.  7 feet by 5.5 feet.

Christmas Ornament Wreath

During the holiday season, we LOVE to decorate, so I was in the market for a fun Christmas Wreath, since we actually HAD an outside door in a NOT sketchy neighborhood!

I saw this wreath and though that was a great idea

It was, but it was noisy, I couldn't get it to stop banging every time I opened/closed the door.

I liked the way it looked and it was easy and unique, but I don't know that I will hang it up this year, if I can't figure out a way to make it quieter.

As I *Literally just now, as I'm writing this in March* read her blog, I found out that her frame is permanently glued or otherwise attached to her door.

Original idea from bluecricketdesign.net

You're Full of Crafts

Here are some links that I have received inspiration from.

And, Gasp, Some projects that I have actually finished!




Mason Jar Bathroom Organizer



Picture Frame Jewelry Holder


Picture Frame Christmas Wreath

TheHubby's Quilt (Still working on it)

Flower and Herb Garden
Fan-tastic



One of my favorite Blogs is One Good Thing by Jillee  she has lots of neat how-to's.  It is more around-the house, rather that crafts, but it has a lot of "make-your-own".  Which I love, and have actually done quite a few of

Another I follow is Do It Yourself Divas.  The Name Says it all: Do It Yourself.  From making your own furniture to clothing, these Divas do it all

Fancy Frugal Life, another blog that has many great DIY crafts on a budget! (Which is fantastic, since crafting can get expensive)

The Painted Hive has decorating tips and diy crafts for decorating your Hive

Photography

This was taken from my phone on the Ohio River
In photoshop, I added a layer, then applied "Linear Burn"

Here are some pictures that I have taken, and some tutorials I have found to be fantastic!

Puppy Pics!  This is my first attempt at photoshop.  Not fantastic, but not too shabby either.

Life on the Farm (Coming soon!)





The Pioneer Woman  She has great tutorials and tips on composition.

31 Days to a Better Photo   This blog is great!  It has helped me so much.  Not only understanding the terms, but also on how to apply them to take great pictures

Picture Frame Jewelry Holder

Jewelry: 

I love it, but I DO NOT love organizing it.  It seems, unless you toss it into a box, it always looks like a jumbled pile.  Of course when you DO toss it into the box, It IS a jumbled pile.

So I scoured the internet (aka: Pinterest) and found an idea to staple wire or chikenwire (in some posts) to the back of a painted picture frame and you can hang your earrings off it it.  I used big chicken wire (which I got at Lowes for like $2 and two frames I got at goodwill for like $5) since I was also going to hang necklaces from it.  If you have a lot of stud earrings, I would use a smalled mesh.

It was super easy.  The hardest part was cutting the wire.,  I spray painted the frames and the wire, and stapled it to the back of the frame.

Voila

The necklaces aren't exactly neat, but they are untangled and off of my dresser.

Original idea found at kevinandamada.com