Seedling and Rooting Update

I have the seedlings transplanted and I am acclimating them to the outdoors now.

The strawberries are still very small but should start taking off now.

I have put the pineapple seedlings in their own little containers. I am using recycled pint sized cream cartons for them.

The pineapple tops that I have rooted are also in their own pots now.

I recently bought an organic lemon. It was very small and had wonderful seeds inside, so I planted six seeds and so far three have taken to root. Here is one of them.

I am hoping I can keep it trimmed and grow it as a miniature lemon tree so that I can bring it indoors in the winter.

My tomato and pepper plants are doing very well.

So are my leeks!

Today I put some apple seeds in pots to see if they will grow. They will be planted on the grove side of my house with the plum tree that I started and the cherry tree that has been growing for a few years.

This coming week is going to be dedicated to working outside in the garden. My aim is to make it a cozy and useful space.

Thanks for stopping by!

Dee Dee

Help in the Bathroom and Seedling Update

This post is for those that worry about stock piling enough toilet paper for a crisis.

I am also adding in some extras as well.

In the center is a cleansing bottle. Many hospitals give these to new mothers. I have kept mine and continue to use it for cleansing. If you do not have one of these you could use something like a dish soap bottle as the blue one just to the left of center. There are many other plastic bottles that can be used for cleansing yourself after you do your business.

For basic use, warm water does a fine job of spraying off the "cling-ons" and reduces the amount of toilet paper needed. Most of the time you will be clean enough to just dry off.

What if you run out of toilet paper?

It is a good idea to keep old clothing, sheets, and other cloth and cut them into "do rags" about the size of a washcloth. Get a special container to stack them in and keep within reach of the toilet. Keep a pail near the toilet for soiled rags. As long as you use a cleansing bottle the do rags should not have much of a smell. When they do smell add warm (not hot) water to the pail and pour in a small amount of bleach. Let soak for no more than one hour and proceed to washing them to use over.

Now let's talk about the bottle of witch hazel. Why is that in the picture? Well, if a person should have hemorrhoids, adding one ounce of witch hazel to your cleansing bottle and filling the rest with warm water can make you feel better. Just do a quick test to make sure you are not too sensitive to it.

Now on to the bottle of apple cider vinegar. There are certain conditions that the ladies can get that can be very uncomfortable as well. One ounce of Apple Cider Vinegar (please not the white vinegar)  to 7 ounces of warm water to cleanse with can help you. This you must also test for sensitivity. There may be a slight sting, if it stings too much use less ACV to water or stop and see a doctor. Use after each visit to the toilet. This is not for every female problem and if your condition continues after a couple of days or get worse seek medical attention. Make sure you use raw, organic apple cider vinegar for this. And treating at the first signs of an itch is the best. Never use full strength ACV. 

NEVER USE RUBBING ALCOHOL IN YOUR CLEANSING BOTTLE

The hydrogen peroxide is not for the cleansing bottle either, it is used for cleaning blood from cloth bandages and such before bleaching and washing.

If you would rather use leaves of a pine cone to clean yourself when you run out of TP that's your call. I would prefer the do rags.

SEEDLING UPDATE

Between the two seedlings is a very tiny green speck of a new sprout. There are also two red dots between the large plant and the green speck that are pineapple seeds as well.

And I have pepper plants that are sprouting here too.

I put them outside every day that it is warm enough and bring them in at night.

I have also started broccoli, cabbage, and leeks. I will be starting herbs and other things soon. I am running out of counter space.

I need to go work on my garden. Enjoy your day!

Thank you for reading my blog!

Dee Dee

The Firefly Emerges With A Hand Drill

Making a fire may be the most important survival skill one can possess.

I have seen people start fire with a many different techniques, the simplest being a lighter, but I wanted to test an idea I had using the hand drill from my survival pack.

So here I present to you, with pictures, the results of my test.

Here is the hand drill.

I collected tinder of milkweed silk, birch bark, dried pine needles and shredded soft wood.

The pine needles and shredded wood are in there.

Then I took a twig that was dried, strong enough and small enough to fit into the drill and used my knife to make a point on it, put it in the drill and tightened it in.

Try to find one that is fairly straight.

You can use your knife to make a slight indentation on your flat wood so that the tip of the twig doesn't dance around. Since I used a thin top piece and a thicker bottom piece of wood I stuck some tinder between the two pieces of wood before I started drilling.

Under this top thin wood strip is birch bark. Below that is milkweed silk, pine needles and some wood shavings. I had to push out the milkweed silk from near the drilling point as the silk would wrap around the  wooden stick and insulate it, keeping it from getting hot enough. I held the top piece of wood in place by placing my foot on the far end of it.

You can see how the drill heats the wood and the charred shavings around the beginning of the hole. What I didn't catch on camera is the smoke it made. The stick ended up boring a hole through the top layer and then down to the bottom layer. It did take a few times to get the kindling to finally spark, I spent about 20 minutes with this first attempt.

The birch bark really made the fire take off. It didn't give me any time to capture the smoking before igniting.

I did this test in my garage since it is a windy day and I didn't want to start fire to the neighborhood. After it started I dumped it on the bare garage floor, I sure hope my husband doesn't mind the scorch mark. Ooops! 

Here you can see the several indents on the larger board from moving the drill around. I am not sure which one actually sparked the fire. I am pretty sure that the wood shavings are what caught fire first and then the rest of the kindling made it burst. Be careful with the tip of the drill stick, it gets very hot and can burn you even if it doesn't look hot or is smoking.

An additional note on milkweed silk.

Milkweed silk will ignite almost like black powder, with a burst! Use extreme care when using it for tinder. It also has an insulation property that is said to be warmer than goose down. It was used for life jackets during WW2 as one pound can keep a 100 to 150 pound man afloat for a few hours.

Milkweed is vital to monarch butterflies, so if you are going to use some for kindling please take the seeds off the silk first and spread them where they can grow uninterrupted. I collect the seed pods before they open and release the seeds so that I can contain the seeds and plant them where I want them for the butterflies.

The stem of milkweed is a wonderful source for cordage. It makes a very strong twine when spun right.

The sappy milk is said to be a great remedy for poison ivy.

Kindling will vary on where you are. Get to know some of the native plants in your area so that you won't be drilling for nothing.

So in conclusion the hand drill; worked to start a fire, was fairly fast, was a bit of a lower arm workout, and can be used for more than just the purpose of drilling holes. I am very glad that I decided to get one for my survival pack.

If you have ever used a bow drill for starting a fire, this should be a piece of cake for you.

I hope this has been helpful to you. I find a campfire to be very cozy especially with some fish planked next to it and some camp bread slowly roast over it.

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Cucumber Sandwiches and Croutons

When I was a teen and had been living in the cities for a few years I took a trip with my mother to visit my Grandparents. After a 9 hour car ride we arrived tired and hungry.

My Grandmother lived through the Great Depression and learned to use and reuse everything so that nothing went to waste. It turned her into a packrat, but that is another story.

When we got to their home my Grandmother graciously asked if I would like a tomato sandwich. "A tomato sandwhich?" I thought. "Really? What about some bacon and lettuce to go with that?"

I politely declined. Inside I don't think I was so polite.

I had grown up somewhat poor compared to others but nothing compared to those of the depression era, and that is something that I realize now as something that could seriously affect my children more than me if another collapse happens.

I am pretty sure they too would choose to starve for awhile.

Years later I saw a TV show where someone was serving cucumber sandwiches and I instantly thought about my Grandma. There had to be some reason these sandwiches would attract the attention of TV writers. Then a few years later I was visiting my husband's Aunt and she was about to have a party for her garden club.

She was at a loss as to what food to make.

There she was in the kitchen with a pile of cucumbers straight from her garden on the kitchen counter and a few loaves of bread in her freezer, and it hit me.

I told her that I would make cucumber sandwiches. It was a risky move.

She was excited at the idea, though it was something that she had never had.

The only problem was that she didn't have any salad dressing. Not even ranch.

However she had made some coleslaw dressing and had some extra in the fridge so I decided to try that.

Now I wish I had her recipe for that because it was amazing!

The sandwiches were a big hit!

So here I am to bring back the cucumber sandwiches and make some croutons for salad later.

Pretty simple stuff here!

Cut off the crust of the bread and dice for croutons.

Peel and slice the cucumbers.

Put coleslaw dressing on the bread and place the cucumbers.

Slice in quarters. They are best as little sandwiches!

Take your cubed bread crust and add a pad of butter. Use the heel of the loaf while you are at it for more croutons. I know many people discard this but they really shouldn't!

Mix the butter and bread crumbs and sprinkle lightly with a season salt of your choosing. Or get creative and use a cheese powder or tomato powder with a little basil.

Place in the oven and set for 300 degrees F. Once the oven reaches 300, turn the oven off and leave the door shut for at least one hour. Then try a crouton. If it is crunchy all the way through it is ready. They should not be as hard as store bought croutons, but they should not be soft inside.

Let cool completely. I am not sure on the storage of these yet since we used them up on salad before dinner. I know that if you put them in anything too soon they will get soggy and with butter on them they should go in the fridge or freezer.

After you try this you may never buy croutons again. 

If you leave the seasonings off you can have your own bread crumbs for stuffing or crab cakes.

These are comfort foods and for good reason. When you are so very hungry any food will comfort that pain. Grandma knew this and her children lived it. A tomato sandwich, or fried gizzards, or cucumber sandwiches can bring you back to a time when things were hard and you were grateful that your tummy no longer hurt. 

I hope you found this to be helpful.

Please share with others if you did!

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Mystery Yarn and Rolling a Ball

Every now and then I get a free bag of yarn from someone that has partial skeins or rolled balls that are too small for big projects and they have no labels so there is no way to get more, and some of the skeins that do have labels are so very old that the yarn is no longer available.

This is a ball from one of those bags.

Let me start by saying, if you are going to roll your yarn into a ball this is not how it should be done. This yarn was rolled really tightly and what happens is that the yarn looses some of it's elasticity.

When rolling your yarn hold a few fingers under the strands as you are winding the yarn and when you turn the ball to roll in a different direction move your fingers so that you are always winding over your fingers. This gives the yarn space to relax and keep it's elasticity.

Since I am one that doesn't like to see things go to waste I will use this yarn anyways.

This yarn is soft and fine, I would guess a fingering weight which is perfect for baby socks. Baby socks take such a small amount of yarn as do baby mitts so that is what I am making with this.

I also have a few other mystery rolls so I will be using those up on similar projects.

Baby socks are great beginner socks to make and scrap rolls are sometimes the best yarn to use when learning how to knit socks. They are small and very portable and you can make a pair in a day or two.

I used a US size 1 set of 4 double pointed needles. Once you get accustomed to the small size the work is not so hard. Knitting two stitches together can be a little tricky but being able to complete something fast is good for your confidence.

When it takes a month or two or three to make a blanket or sweater you can start feeling like you will never finish it. Take a break and make some socks or mitts. If you don't have any babies in your family, wash them up when you are done and donate them to either hospitals or food shelves.

Or do as I am and make them for the Grandbabies you so look forward to but that your children continuously deny you.

Baby mitts are thumbless and are helpful to keep newborns from scratching themselves.

You can make them just like socks minus the heel.

I know I have been in sock mode here for awhile, but it is just a really good thing to be able to make and I like to do some finish-quick projects every now and then. I really encourage all of you to take the time to explore what you can do!

Thanks for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Universal Yarn - Classic Worsted Tapestry Yarn Review.

I bought this yarn from a specialty yarn store in Minnesota, called "all about YARN" for $8 per skein. 

It is 75% Acrylic and 25% Wool and it is made in Turkey.

It is machine washable and dryable.

The neat thing about this yarn is that when you make socks or mittens, it makes a pattern like some of the socks made in Nordic lands.

I had hoped that since I bought two skeins that both socks would have been more of a match with the  patterns but that was not the case. Another disappointment was finding the yarn was broken in one skein and had a sloppy knot in the second one.

On the positive side, this yarn was incredibly easy to work with and very fun to watch the pattern as it developed in my work. It really made the knitting seem to go faster. I would recommend this yarn especially for beginners. It is easy to unravel or back up stitches as well as to pick up dropped stitches or correct mistakes. This would be a perfect yarn for practicing those skills.

For long socks, these are pretty cute! I made them for my youngest daughter who said while modeling them here, "Hurry up! These are hot!" It was warm here last night, I am just hoping they are nice and toasty cozy in the winter time for her.

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Baby Socks - Pattern - Jamie by Lion Brand - Review

This yarn is a Pompadour yarn that is machine washable and dryable.

It is allergy free, shrink proof, non-pilling and moth proof.

A Sayelle yarn made from 85% Dupont Orlon Acrylic and 15% Rayon.

It has a shiny thread that wraps around the strand and it adds a slight sheen in specks on the finished project.

I didn't acquire very much of this yarn so I decided to make baby socks.

Free Pattern Here!

Using a US size 1 set of 4 double pointed needles cast on 32 stitches, distributing the stitches - 8 on first needle, 16 one second needle, 8 on third needle, being careful not to twist join last stitch to first stitch.

Knit 2, Purl 2 for the ribbing working in the round and continue until the cuff is 2 1/2 inches long.

The heel flap is done in the Eye of Partridge stitch.

To do this, work the rib stitch to the end of the first needle. Turn (leaving the needle with the 16 stitches alone) Slip the first stitch as if to purl and then purl across the 2 needles with the 8 stitches on them. I like to purl them onto one needle so I have 2 needles holding 16 stitches each. Turn for the next row. Slip the next stitch as if to purl, but keep the yarn in the knit position, then knit 1 slip one (as if to knit) all the way across. Repeat these 2 rows until the heel flap is about one inch ending with the K1 P1 row.

To turn the heel (which is where I changed the yarn color), Slip one as to Purl and then Purl half of the stitches plus one, then Purl 2 together Purl 1. At this point you should have 4 stitches remaining. Turn, Slip one, knit until there are 7 stitches left, then do a SSK.

The SSK is called a slip slip knit, which means that you slip two stitches onto your needle and then insert the needle that you slipped those stitches off of back into those 2 stitches and knit them together off the working needle as to become a single stitch. SSK is often used in place of Slip 1 Knit 1 PSSO (pass slipped stitch over). If you do not understand with my directions I recommend that you find a video online to get a visual.

Back to the heel.

After you do the SSK knit one more stitch, leaving 4 on the needle and turn your work. *Always leave an even amount of stitches when turning the heel*

Slip the first stitch as to Purl and then Purl until you are 1 stitch before the gap. The gap should be pretty easy to see. Purl 2 together to close that gap, Purl 1 leaving 2 stitches remaining. Turn, Slip first stitch and knit across to 1 before the gap, SSK, knit 1, leaving 2 stitches remaining. Turn, Slip first stitch and purl across to one before the gap, Purl 2 together, Purl 1 - end of row. Turn, Slip first stitch, Knit across to one before the gap, SSK, Knit 1 - end of row.

Now it is time to work the gussets.

Each slipped stitch on the edge of each side of the heel flap are fairly easy to see and this is where you will be adding stitches to. It is easiest to use a crochet hook to pull the yarn through the stitches and place on the needle holding the heel. Also add an extra picked up stitch or two between the side and the top of the foot where the angle meets, this prevents a "hole" at this point. This is another thing that is easiest to learn with visuals. You will add the stitches from one side first, then knit across the needle that held the first 16 stitches and then pick up the same amount of stitches on the other side, but add those to a new needle, so once again you will have 3 needles holding stitches. Add half of the heel stitches (5) onto the 3rd needle and you are ready to finish working the gusset. 

Knit stitches on first needle to 3 before the end, Knit 2 together, Knit 1. Knit across 2nd needle, On 3rd needle Knit 1, SSK, then knit across. 

Next round, knit across all 3 needles.

Repeat these two rows until you have 8 stitches on first needle, 16 on 2nd needle and 8 on the 3rd needle.

Continue on Knitting in the round for the foot. I knitted about 3/4 of an inch before I started the toe. For a longer sock this is where you add for length. The toe shaping is done in about one inch so figure that in for the desired length of sock. The foot of the socks I made here are 3 1/2 inches long.

To work the toe start with the first needle, knit to 3 remaining stitches Knit 2 together Knit 1. On the 2nd needle Knit 1, SSK knit to 3 remaining stitches Knit 2 together Knit 1. On 3rd needle Knit 1, SSK, Knit remaining stitches.

Next row knit the round.

Repeat those two rows until you have 3 stitches on needle one, 6 on needle 2 and 3 on needle 3, then knit the 3 stitches on needle 1 onto the 3rd needle so you have your work on two needles, 6 stitches each.

Now it is time to weave the toe.

You will need a yarn darning needle to sew the seam.
Cut the yarn so you have at least a 16 inch tail to weave with.
Thread the needle.
Insert needle as if to Purl in first stitch on needle closest to you and draw yarn through leaving stitch on the knitting needle. Then insert needle in the first stitch on the back knitting needle as if to knit and draw through leaving that stitch on the knitting needle.

***
Then insert needle as if to knit in the first stitch of the front K needle and draw through, this time slipping the stitch off the K needle. Then insert the needle into the next front stitch as to Purl and draw the yarn through leaving the stitch on the K needle, then insert the needle into the first stitch on the back K needle as if to Purl and draw the yarn through and slip off the back K needle. Then insert the needle into the next stitch on the back K needle as if to Knit, draw through and leave stitch on K needle.
Repeat from *** until all the stitches have been woven together.

This leaves the toe seamless.
Then just weave in the loose ends and your sock is done.
Now I just need a little Grandbaby to put these on!

These little socks don't take much yarn or time to make. In fact the colored yarn was just a little bit that I had no idea what to do with.

Finishing the review of this yarn.
It really is a beautiful yarn.
Looks aren't everything.
The negative is that the feel is stiff and the texture is far from soft.
Another positive is that it appears that it would be a very durable yarn. This would make a nice "dress" sock.

I hope this has been helpful for you even though there are not visuals to help guide you.

If you like my blog, please share with others.
Thank you for stopping by.
Dee Dee

Getting Ready For Home Schooling

It's time to put "socialization" on hold and let education get the focus this year.

I have watched my daughter get grades in public school that are less than worthy of bragging about. The schools always claim it is the parents fault if a student does not do well.

Well, if it is my fault than I guess there is only one thing for me to do and that is to remove her from public school and home school her.

One of the biggest cuts our public schools have made is to the arts.

They want the students to excel in Math and Science and yet they remove a critical piece in the development of the student's mind.
Creativity.
When creativity is absent in education the rest suffers.
Playing a musical instrument has been shown to increase math scores.

Many problem solving skills are developed through the arts.
Students are sorely lacking in problem solving skills as I have witnessed in my daughter and her peers this past year. I would have thought that schools would have made some improvements in this area since I was in school and unfortunately that is not the case.

What good is socialization if you can not teach them how to resolve problems in a mature manner?

So at any rate. This year she is mine to teach. She will be getting her basics through an online school and I will be teaching her; the Arts, Music, Home Economics, Shop, Woodworking and Alternative Energy.
I might even find some other things to teach her as well.

I went to the craft store and bought her her first decent paint set.

5 canvases
Acrylic paints
Oil paints
A set of 10 assorted paint brushes
and 10 other assorted paint brushes

I have plenty of other supplies already in my sets that she can use including pallets, an airbrush, a wash bin for brushes and things like Acrylic Mediums and Oil thinners and dryers.

We also have things for wood-burning, pottery, paper mache and more.

I will share her art classes here as they come up.

Thank you for stopping by.
Dee Dee

Antique Henry Sears & Son Prussia scissors

This pair of scissors has been in my husband's family for decades if not a century.

I don't know anything about it, but I wanted to share it with you.

It is still very sharp.

Look at how beautiful the detail is!

I have not been able to find any information on these.

It is stamped with:

HENRY

SEARS&SON

PRUSSIA

If you have any knowledge of this model of scissors and where is came from, please leave a comment for me.

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Why Have Long Socks

One article of clothing that has become a victim of the fashion industry is the sock.

Not many socks are made for comfort in the cold climates, that is unless they are handmade.

Why so many women willingly give up the comfort of warmth in the winter to freeze just to show a little leg, and for what? So others will think you are "attractive"?

I have news for some of you. 

I have ugly pairs of socks.

These ugly socks are 100% wool and very warm for the cold weather we will have here. These are ugly knee-highs and they are very much not in style. In fact I made them myself. They are so incredibly ugly that no one else would want to make them. People laugh at these ugly socks.

One day I was wearing a pair of my ugly socks and I had an unforgettable encounter with my husband.

He sees me at times in nylons and he thinks that is nice, but when he sees me in the ugly socks he always remembers that encounter with a smile. It is not the fashion of the sock, it is what you do in them. Anyone can stand there in fishnet stockings and look good. It takes something more to pull off the ugly socks.

Now with that knowledge, wouldn't you rather be warm and cozy when you are out in the snow? Think about that the next time you are freezing in your anklets walking to the shops. 

If you are lucky enough to have a pair of unwanted ugly socks, be sure that you wear them with sizzle, because you are going to be warm, maybe even hot!

Thank you for stopping by!

Dee Dee

Planning Next Year's Garden -The Pond #1

I have been collecting things for a pond for a few years now.

I have been checking thrift and surplus stores, garage and estate sales, and that wonderful online group called Freecycle!

I started out with a 40 gallon water trough from a feed store. I knew it was not quite big enough for fish on it's own so I started looking for other options. I found a fountain pump. I forgot how many GPH this pump runs but it should have more than enough to handle this project.

I think I got this at a surplus store.

Then I came across this pond shell on Freecycle.

The white coloring is mineral deposits, the circle in the center is where I scrubbed some of the deposits off. It isn't really like a third depth.

 I have no idea how many gallons this holds so I will post the next to pictures to show the comparison between this and the 40 gallon tub. I am think the pond is close to 150 gallons.

As you can see the 40 gallon tub is not as deep as the center part of the pond.

Now that I am aware of aquaponics I am hoping that I can use these things to set up a system that looks more natural for an enchanting feel in my garden.

I am hoping that the pond is big enough to raise some yellow perch in.

I also picked up some bags of pea gravel and I have an assortment of things from tubes and hoses to some pond pots.

I have more boxes filled with things that I can use on this project but, I realize I have many things that I still need to get to complete the system. The first goal is to figure out the placement of the pond and how to make the whole system as natural looking as you can with a preformed pond shell. Then I would like to construct a geodesic dome to enclose the whole system so that I can have it going in the winter time. 

Be sure to watch for more garden and pond updates!

Thank you for stopping by!

Dee Dee

Planning Next Year's Garden -The Beginning

If you are in the Northern hemisphere Now is a great time to start planning next year's garden. If you are in the Southern hemisphere I would think that you would have your planning complete and you are either putting things in the garden or waiting to.

"Why start now?", you may ask.

Let me share a few things with you.

These are some of my left over seeds. Some, I am sure, are no longer viable but I have decided to try to use them up next year and maybe a few this fall.

My garden will be done in cooperation with a few neighbors and not only will we be sharing the fruits of our labor, it will be a wonderful opportunity to learn from others and share knowledge and to just enjoy the company of others. 

The first part in planning is deciding what to plant. "They" say  "Plant what you eat!" 

I say, "Why limit yourself?"

While many people won't try new things, there are others that are bravely forging a new food path. In the USA we have people here from all over the world and those who are Indigenous. They all have brought their different foods and a piece of their own cultivation experience and we learn from each other. When I was young I did not like garlic, today I love it. Some day you might like spinach. Why not grow it and try it from time to time.

Many of us are looking back at the old ways of growing as the best tasting produce, and most responsible to the planet. No Chemicals, all natural. I know that some of you will be able to pick out the fact that I have some old hybrid seeds in my basket. I will be quickly using them up and starting heirloom seeds when all the hybrids are gone. Some of the hybrids are so old I am sure they won't sprout. I will be getting into seed saving as time goes on.

So I need to sit down with my lovely neighbor and go through the planning of planting. What to plant and where, and how much should be planted.  We will draw out designs so that we can have a beautiful garden that will feed the eyes and soul as well as the body.

In the mean time, here is a tip for this time of year.

Start saving the empty toilet paper rolls and clean out empty one pint (milk, half & half or cream) containers.

Rinsing out and cutting off the top of the pint container, then poking some holes in the bottom make great starting pots. The thrifty have been doing this for decades.

The toilet paper rolls are for putting collars around plants to prevent cut worms from wiping out your seedlings.

Now to show you what we are up against and what we have to work with.

This is what happens when you have a garden and you get sick and have no one else there to help with it.

That lush growth there is where my compost pile was. It is weeds now.

These just happen to be my raspberry bushes.

At least I am providing a nursery for Monarch Butterflies.

This is my Asparagus row on the back side of the garden.

My Strawberries are lost and the Rhubarb is close to dying too. I couldn't even find the onion beds I had.

So as you can see there is much work to be done to get it ready for next year and I am still hoping against odds that I can just maybe get something this year.

What is needed is hard work. I hope I can rise up to the challenge. 

I hope you come back to watch the progress. I will try to post on it at least once a week.

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Boa for a Scarf

It was like knitting one never ending string of false eyelashes.

Just look!

It is called Boa and it is made by Bernat.

It is 100% Polyester. Hand wash and dry flat.

The color is Phoenix, which has an autumn glow like a sugar maple.

I used size 9 needles and followed a pattern on the inside of the label.

The pattern was easy enough but working with this "yarn" slowed it down. The lashes tend to hide the main thread and can make it hard to tell where one stitch ends and the next begins. I found backing up hard and trying to experiment on a dropped stitch was difficult. My opinion is that you would have to pay me money to use this yarn again.

On the positive side, the end product is really flashy and perfect for fall fashions. It looks really nice with a dark brown suede jacket.

So why does the model look mad? 

She didn't get paid.

But at least she was able to go have fun later.

Thank you for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Loops & Threads Dewdrops

Loops & Thread yarn is a Michael's in store brand. The Dewdrops yarn is a bulky yarn with sequins and when I first looked at it I was both intrigued and concerned. I was concerned over how the sequins would feel while working with this yarn and I can say that you do have to be a little careful as I have gotten one small paper-cut type of scratch from it. The pattern that I used was one of the free patterns that they provide. The color I used was Topaz which is a brown with garnet colored sequins.

I have heard that many stores are considering eliminating the free patterns which I believe would be a big mistake, because these free patterns sell yarn. I would not have bought this yarn if I had not seen the free pattern. Also the yarn was on clearance and I am on a very tight budget so that helped as well.

Dewdrops yarn is 51% Acrylic, 18% Mohair, 18% Polyamide, 8% Polyester and 5% Payette. The bulk of it is a soft, lightly brush yarn that is made up of what looks like a (stockinette) knitted chain of maybe 3 stitches of a thin yarn to produce a bulkier yarn with sequins scattered in the making. That is a lot of work to go into a skein of yarn. It was made in Turkey.

The pattern is for a wrap/shawl with a difficulty level of 2. It is very much a pattern that you need to pay close attention to and make sure that you end each row which the proper amount of stitches. I am not at an expert level of knitting yet and this pattern made me question my intermediate level that I thought I had reached if this is just a level 2. This would not be a good project to do if you have constant interruptions but one thing I found helpful was to clip a paper over the rows on the pattern that I had completed as I worked so that I did not lose my place.

This yarn does have a tendency to blend and stick with previous rows as you knit so backing up to fix an error can be a bit of a challenge.

The finished piece is warm and feels nice if you push the sequins to the right side so that they are not against your skin. It did take me longer to complete than the 8 hours they list on the pattern but I did have many distractions to deal with. In the picture you can not really see the sequins but in ordinary lighting they do sparkle well.

This would be a nice wrap for a sleeveless dress or shirt on cool nights out on the town.

Thank you for stopping by.
Dee Dee