Hollyhocks

Spice Drawers and the Little Things

It's a quality of life issue.

Every time I opened that spice drawer, I cringed as the search began. Sometimes I had to open a little bag and try to determine what it contained....hmmm...marjoram or basil....??? Consequently, I had doubles and triples of some herbs and none of others in there.

After searching Pinterest for ideas, I found this etsy seller and voila!

..About 2 hours later I had this! Every time I open that drawer now, I am so pleased with it. Sharp eyes may have noticed that the majoram is empty. Unbelievable...the one herb I need today...

I have about 5,000 more projects like that...let's see at 2 hours each...that's....

Making a Nest Wreath

A few weeks ago I was in the Bird Store and I saw a wreath covered in nesting materials for the birds. This way, the birds can just stop by and pick out some nesting material to avoid that matchy-matchy look so many robins have...brown nest, mud base...yawn... I have always wanted to make one, so yesterday I gathered the supplies while the twins watched Their favorite show.

We used roving, twine, yarn, cotton balls and angelina fibers, glued to a $2.99 Joanns straw wreath form. The twins loved the project except when the Angelina fibers stuck to the gluey hands-they both rushed to the sink amidst great theatrics to wash their sullied skin.

 I hope we see a lot of snazzy nests around here soon.

I am saving links to tons of rainy-day projects. I think I have as much fun as they do, making things.

Art Projects for Children

The twins need a dedicated art area. Every weekend they would ask to get the art supplies out of the bin and draw/paint/etc. on the dining room table. It occured to me that, if they had an area that was accessible and inviting...they might occupy themselves for a few minutes here and there. I really want to encourage artistic pursuits. We needed an area with lots of storage and it had to be budget-friendly (hear that Pottery Barn?) and able to grow with the twins. I settled on this white shelf, cut to fit at the store, and double brackets for strength, the brackets fit into tracks the DH screwed into the wall. As the twins grow, we will move the desk shelf up. The second shelf holds every washable item we own and the construction paper. We have giant stamps and BINGO-type daubers and markers, crayons, glue sticks and colored pencils.

The twins were incredulous when they realized that they could get their art supplies out any time WITHOUT ASKING!. As my son said when we told them "even markers?". I just realized that there was no reason to keep these things away from their reach. They are old enough to understand the rules and the occasional mess is easily wiped up. Most of the art supplies are courtesy of "grandma Mommy", my Mom, who ordered piles of supplies online. This seller has great prices and you can order once and pretty much have a life supply! It has been really fun to see them just spontaneously sit down, organize their supplies and start making art. Scissors and Play-Doh are available "upon request".

Three and a half is a great age. Summer, here we come!

Jewelry Class

I am teaching a jewelry design elective this year at school. It is both really fun and really stressful. The class is designed as a therapeutic activity group for girls. We have a topic each day, often girl-directed, and my assistant and I teach them how to make earrings, necklaces and bracelets using simple wire and headpin loops and clasp attachments. They get to keep the first of any new project they make.

The day I taught them how to make tiny loops to attach freshwater pearls to hoop earrings there was so much swearing to address that after the class left I just wanted to put my head down on the table and rest. We are asking girls of vastly different fine motor and coordination skills to do a very precise task...with tools.

...and the funny thing is...

The girls have learned how to make jewelry. We are selling our jewelry to make money for supplies and to support a good cause, Haven House shelter for victims of domestic violence. The show is next week and I am nervous but excited. Never underestimate the ability of an At-Risk teen when you put good supplies into her hands and tell her that success is the only option.

 Cover your ears though because a broken earwire can result in a torrent of obscenities the likes of which you have never heard!

Thanks for visiting hollyhocks.

Making Martha S. and Betz White Projects

I have made a lot of things in the past year. This tree stump trivet from Martha Stewart is used every day. We put the twins' water pitcher on it so I can enjoy a minute of dinner in between waitressing duties. It is made of tons of felt strips. A nice repetitive task.

I also made the tree branch draft dodger from Betz White's Book. It's stuffed with tons of plastic grocery bags and really works. I thought it might make a good project for work but it may be a bit too complicated for my guys right now. We did bag holders instead... Rectangle with 1.5" hem at either end sewed into a tube with elastic at both ends and a loop to hang it. Done.

Making is just good for the soul.

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks.

Congratulations. Be Careful.

One of my favorite students graduated last year. I cried at the ceremony. He is a very bright young man. Six feet tall. A big guy who just happens to love sewing. He spent so much extra time in my sewing classroom that the principal had to remind him to focus on the classes he needed to graduate.

Every year we give away a donated sewing machine and one year he got the sewing machine. He used to sew on the floor in his room because he didn't want to have to explain his unusual hobby to visitors and have to deal with their comments. Once his machine jammed and he took it on the bus to bring it back to school for repair. The sight of a very large African-American teenager carrying a sewing machine on the bus caused quite a few stares. Undaunted, he turned to one kid and said "What, you haven't ever seen a sewing machine before?"

That young man knew the value of good tools. As my intern, he earned the privilege of using the "good" Gingher scissors. This was a right that he guarded judiciously. He happily told the other boys in class that they weren't "ready" for such a serious tool. When he graduated, I gave him a pair of Gingher dressmaker shears, engraved to say "Congratulations. Be Careful."

What is it about good tools? The good hand sewing needles, the good, sharp pins and the Schmetz machine needles? The Rowenta irons? The quilting cottons that are so soft and smooth that they are a pleasure to use. I thought I knew about most of the good stuff in sewing...until last Wednesday when I visited The Patchwork Garden. The shop carries Cosmo embroidery floss, which I have read recently, is great smooth floss that doesn't tangle.

They also carry Aurifil thread. I have been reading people's stories about how this thread sews like a dream for piecing. Apparently it doesn't create lint in the machine and doesn't EVER break. Yipee! Broken thread is such an annoyance.

One of the owners of The Patchwork Garden told me that grey Aurifil thread is the only thread she uses to piece. I debated, but with such a recommendation, had to try it. I'll let you know...The Cosmo floss will be used for some simple Day-of-the-Week embroidery, compliments of Laura Bray. Her blog Katydiddys is really sweet. I like her food watercolors. When I retire, I shall do watercolors...Too scared to try until then. So, I hope this finds you eating cake and watching sweet movies....

Tell me about the tools you love.

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks.

Back to Blogging...I Think

It all started back in '06 at the height of my pretty-picture magazine addiction. I was wandering around the web and I found a blog called All Sorts. The colors were so vivid and the design was so fresh. I checked in nearly every day. Then I found Pam and loved her ability to turn pretty fabric into beautiful quilt blocks. Soon after that I found Kim of Daisy Cottage and the list grew and grew in "my favorites" list until I decided to join the crew and start Hollyhocks. I "met" Fred of Fredsworld and my current Bricks and Mortar friend Josie and blogs became a daily part of life.

When I was on bedrest, blogs became my contact with the outside world.

After the twins were born, blogs were a community of people to turn to when I felt isolated but too tired to embark upon the chore of getting 2 babies fed, dressed, packed and into the car/stroller. It was easier to just stay home and visit all of you.

Then,the little weasals learned to walk...and to talk...

...and life got so busy that all I had time to do was compose partial blog posts in my head.

Who are these women who move mountains "after the kids go to bed"? I collapse in a heap on the sofa with Barbara and Alicia and call it a day.

Life is slowing down a bit now, the twins are 3 and a half, so...I would like to catch up with all of you. I hope you'll stop back.

Thank you for visiting Hollyhocks.

See You Soon