Digging holes is so much easier since I got this nice augur that attaches to my power drill. I can put out a flat of flowers in no time. It costs about $20.
Try this
DIY
Envy Attack
I am usually not much troubled by envy. Still, I was savagely attacked a few days ago in the checkout line at the garden center. I was behind a mother/daughter duo with three large wheeled carts of plants, everything from cyclamens to ornamental trees. Don’t get me wrong. I buy my fair share of plants but nothing like this bonanza. I hadn’t been incapacitated by envy at this point. I was busy rubbernecking, admiring their choices and wondering how long it would take to get this garden in the ground.
As I eavesdropped in the checkout line, envy nearly dropped me to my knees. The daughter of the pair, a woman in her thirties told the cashier, “It’s my birthday. Mom’s buying me all this for my birthday.”
Then Mom chimed in. “Now all we have to do is get out in your yard!”
”That’ll be $967.” replied the checker. “What a wonderful gift!”
At that moment, I wished that young woman had a feather up her butt and I had her plants so we’d both be tickled to death!
Mother’s Garden
Mother is ninety-seven and recently moved to an independent living facility. She has happily transformed her patio into a garden, already. She is at the garden center grabbing plants every time she can finagle a ride. My sister ,Connie and her husband, Tim, built this beautiful garden box and filled it with luscious flowers. They are currently her favorite family.
She is nurturing these beauties along a trellis adjacent to her patio. Mother had a lush garden at her little cottage before she moved here but I do believe she’s gone over the edge now.
Sadly for my budget, I inherited her obsession. I am on my way out now to put out hydrangeas and petunias.
Incredible Quilt/Crochet Project Everyone Will Envy
Crochet Belt
I recently made this easy Crocheted Belt Project from yarn and craft scraps at no expense output. I gifted to a family member who seemed quite pleased. I will do another today from two strands of yarn to give it more body. It took me less than two hours
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEmTJCuIOToysaW6ufkBgMmcfM7kvVZna&si=BcxRttoGBmp-6DwK
Homemade Dutch Oven Table and Bean Pot Tripod
My husband constructed this Dutch Oven Cooking Stand out of an old aluminum truck toolbox using an old bed frame to attach legs purchased from Home Depot for less than $30. All other materials were from his shop. It is light, folds up well for travel and storage and shows no signs of heat damage or wear despite several years of use. The wind screen latches in place with small holes at corner. I put my coals directly on table and use it for hours. You can see it is very heavily loaded. I bake bread and desserts in Dutch oven as well, using a cast iron trivet to avoid burning the bottoms.
He also built this fine tripod from scrap using the hollow legs of a rack from a truck. The actual tripod connector is made of 5/8″ cold roll heated in his forge and bent into shape. I love this thing!
I have a nice collection of cast iron, though not nearly enough, of course. I bought a few pieces new and picked up a lot at flea markets. I don’t shy away from a piece without a lid. You can get a good deal on them and pick up a lid some other time. When I am looking for a lid, I measure the inside diameter of inside rim and keep a tape measure in my pocket. I picked up my !4″ Lodge Dutch Oven for $37 without a lid and ordered lid from Amazon (No shipping) for around $20. Bought new, the Dutch Oven would have been over $100.
A flat bottom Dutch Oven works beautifully placed on top of pot lifter.
Sew and Sew Part 3
Home Economics in ninth grade pushed me a little harder. I had to make a two piece outfit with a collar, long sleeves, and cuffs with buttons. That meant lots of buttonholes since the blouse buttoned up the back. The skirt had to have pockets, a zipper,a set in waste band and a kick pleat. It taxed me. I ripped out at least half my stitches and redid them. Sewing a straight seam is harder than it looks. To make matters worse, the teacher assigned a home sewing project with the same specifications as the in class project due at the end of same grading period.
The home sewing project was a bigger challenge since I didn’t have the teacher casting her expert eye on every stitch I made. In theory, I would remember all the skills I’d learned in class and practice them on the home project. Sadly, I’d retained little. I struggled with every step. Of course, I didn’t get right on it, so my meagre skills diminished as each day passed. That project was a total misery, but I did finally get a barely acceptable product turned in. I was grateful for a c+ on it.
A couple of girls in the class turned in projects made by their mothers and got A s. I was so jealous!
I wore both those outfits till they wore out. After I struggled through that class, I had sufficient skills to start making my own clothes, though I still had a lot to learn.
DIY Kitchen Window Squirrel Feeder: A Step-by-Step Guide
Bud made this feeding shelf for my kitchen window. I load it with sunflower seeds for the critters. This young squirrel is the first of his clan bold enough to take advantage of it. I was glad he tolerated my presence well enough to get this picture. Of course, it was built with birds in mind but I like squirrels, too.
The tray is 9×14 “ with a 3/4 ledge wrapped around. It is anchored by a strap cut from a milk jug that runs from base of tray. The other end is wrapped and stapled around a dowel rod that extends inside window. Closing the window on strap with the dowel inside holds it securely. Bud intends to go back today and add additional support.
DIY Vacuum Box to Decrease Dust When Carving with Dremel Tool
Wood Spirit carved out of wild cherry. It has a Tung Oil finish. I like the way it seems to have a missing front tooth.
Bud stained this one and treated it with Tung Oil. These make nice gifts.
Vacuum box sitting on his work bench.
While Bud really enjoys carving with his Dremel, the dust was extremely problematic. He solved this problem by building a vacuum box. It’s just a 12×12 box with a 7×7 inset with 49 holes in the top with the vacuum attached to the base. He places the object he’s drilling on top and the vacuum pulls the dust right away. He still uses eye protection but his vacuum box virtually takes care of the dust problem making his dremelling much more pleasant.
Nutsrok 