just added a few more soldered china charms in my etsy shop. Click here to go etsy shopping.
Today's charms have a tarnished patina, one of my favorite finishes. They are a perfect ornament for a cottage decor. I like to tie ribbons on these charms and hand them here and there around the house. They also work nicely as embellishments.
At any given time, I have several journal going. My favorite will always be working in the visual journal. Some of the journals themes are a daily type, an inspiration journal and a garden journal.
I have several garden journals from houses that I have owned over the years. They are not pretty like the visual journals but they are fun to look back through over time.
I like to make notes of plants that I have grown, what worked, what the deer devoured and plants to try next season. It is a good place to put inspiration from magazines and dreams of what I would like to try. Garden journals smugged with dirt.
every month I try to take a picture for the journal to show that I have actually made progress. For this garden journal, I used a composition book and started the first page with pictures of the day I moved in.
slowly, very slowly progress is being made (gosh, a better photographer would have moved the bags of mulch and potting soil before taking this picture).
The previous owners of my little cottage were not gardeners. I am thankful for many large pecan trees and the gigantic sycamore is a treasure but I could have done without all the poison ivy and throngs of weeds.
Rocks are being sorted and the ones with interesting fossils are getting the best seats in the flower beds so they can be studied and enjoyed as the gardens mature.
cute tiny blue faces framed with rich deep purple leaves
I would love to have several large pots and planters on the patio. A start is made with this one I put together yesterday.
remembering you today, there is a void in my life without you. I am thankful for the time we were given. You are my inspiration.
Currently Blooming - Amaryllis
high winds today are knocking down the Amaryllis providing the opportunity to cut armfuls of flowers.
**after Christmas sales are a great opportunity to pick up these bulbs cheap. In my climate zone, I am able to plant the bulbs and leave them in the ground all year long. They multiply fast and are quite resilient. I have moved the bulbs with every relocation. This move I didn't have time or a place to plant them and I forgot about the bulbs for about 2 months. When I opened the box some of the bulbs were starting to flower, so I quickly popped them in the ground. This fall I will move them to a place that is more protected from the wind. Even with the neglect, they are rewarding me with a magnificent flower show.
some new charms added to the etsy shop
more pages in the visual journal
and some pages that are in the works
quiltie potholders made from scraps
because good fabric should not be wasted
today I will be found making more of these and eating this salad
a favorite side salad
Summer Salad
6 medium tomatoes cut in 1/2" cubes
1 medium cucumber cut in 1/2" cubes
15 ounce can of peaches cut in 1/2" cubes
1/2 sweet onion cut in 1/2" cubes
8 ounces of cabbage shredded
Dressing
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup salad oil
1 1/2 teaspoon of salt
mix dressing well and toss to coat salad ingredients
it's just so good!!!
No time for a proper post but I wanted to give anyone with a Costco store in their area this heads up. Check out this really cool flocked paper collection I found while shopping this weekend. I am not sure if all Costco stores carry it but if you have one in your area and you love flocked paper as much as I do, it's worth checking out.
today's entry into my digital journal. It doesn't look I will be able to make it into the studio for another day but playing digitally helps satisfy the need to make something. "Seriously", I could use more hours in the day.
currently in bloom
Not much of a mystery as it turned out to be just who I thought was digging holes in the yard.
just a tiny baby hanging out in the garden, eating some ants and enjoying some sun. Must be a photogenic celebrity lizard as he waited around while I ran in the house to get my camera.
Here is todays biology lesson - The Texas Horned Lizard (actually quite interesting)
The Texas horned lizard, along with at least three other species, also has the ability to squirt an aimed stream of blood from the corners of the eyes for a distance of up to 5 feet. (how neat is that!!)
This not only confuses would-be predators (heck, who wouldn't be confused by that), the blood is mixed with a chemical that is foul-tasting to canidae predators such as wolves, coyotes and domestic dogs (note to self, must teach Ralph the dog about this). If it is sufficiently agitated it may release up to 1/3 of the blood in its body!
Horned lizards are unusual in that they are myrmecophagous - ant eaters - with blunt, noncuspid, peglike teeth for crushing prey.
Some Native American peoples regard the horned lizard as sacred.
Phrynosoma cornutum, the Texas horned lizard, is the Texas State Reptile.
Just in time for summer are the newest tag pads and die cut labels have arrived!!
Blue Awning Tag Pad
The die-cut Blue Awning Tag Pad creates the perfect place for journaling, secret messages and memorabilia.
Contains two each of 12 assorted, full-color designs. 24 total tags (9 of the designs shown) - only $2.00
Sea Glass Tag Pad
The die-cut Sea Glass Tag Pad creates the perfect place for journaling, secret messages and memorabilia.
Contains two each of 12 assorted, full-color designs. 24 total tags (9 of the designs shown) - only $2.00
Die Cut Labels - Blue Awning
Beautifully-detailed, these die-cut tags and labels splendidly frame journaling, photo details, names, dates, quotes, and monograms! Perfect for layouts, handmade cards and more!
Each package includes ten each of four different designs, 40 tags total - only $3.50
Die Cut Labels - Sea Glass
Beautifully-detailed, these die-cut tags and labels splendidly frame journaling, photo details, names, dates, quotes, and monograms! Perfect for layouts, handmade cards and more!
Each package includes ten each of four different designs, 40 tags total - only $3.50
These new items are now available on the Tuscan Rose Web site.
pulling out favorite pieces of fabric and piecing them to make pillowcases
soft silky vintage cottons. The daisy check fabric was a little girls skirt and the neat lime green and rose fabric was a Warrington flea market purchase.
some are pieces of old drapes
some are used clothing that have been taken apart for the fabric. This pretty aqua blue with flower bouquets was a blouse in a former life.
it all makes for a nice stack of pillows. I never was one for matching and coordinating ,so a mixed bed linen collection is just right.
