Spinning with Granny

Grandma is from New Zealand, where sheep outnumber people 7 to 1! She used to spin, but hadn't for many many years, so when I pulled out my spinning wheel she had to give it a go! She was impressed that I can now buy roving all clean and carded and ready to go, as she recalls that being the least fun part of the process. And of course the design and workings of a spinning wheel hasn't changed for over a hundred years, so it was a familiar feeling!

What a Drag!

Last night I went with my Aunt and Uncle to watch Cousin drag racing at the local strip, situated atop a mesa overlooking the valley.
Friday nights are "amateur night" with anyone who wants to register coming to try their hand at it. Its a mix of refurbished classic cars, souped up new cars and even motorcycles!

My cousin was driving a sweet rebuilt firebird, with air intake popped up thru the hood and everything! His dad rebuilt it from just a frame, and it easily breaks 100mph on the quarter mile track.

"Vacation" in Grand Junction

I'm in Grand Junction until next week helping out my Grandmother after surgery, and enjoying the warmer weather on this side of the divide. I rented a bike and have been enjoying the country roads and orchards around the valley.

Keep those Volvos going!

On my way to Grand Junction I pulled Dad's Volvo 240 Station Wagon over 250,000 miles! Nothing like a good car that just keeps going...

New Ink

It's been about a week, and my boy's new ink looks great! He'd been wanting a piece on his chest for a few years now and he finally got the money the time and the balls at once. A great artist did it and it looks like it's going to heal up well. Its an alchemist circle (ya know, like turning lead into gold...) pretty sweet!

Night Elfs have the Most Fashionable Quest Rewards...

Denver Handmade Craft Fair is Back!

And better than ever! This summer we will be partnering with the Colorado Fresh Farmer's Market on the Esplanade at City Park. We will be setting up the first Sunday of the month June-September. Fees are $60 for a 10'x10' per day. So if you or a crafter you know is interested in participating contact me at DenverHandmade@gmail.com for an application and more info. looking forward to an awesome summer.

Spring in Colorado!...

Means it snowed last night. Yep, 75 on Sunday and snow today. Just an inch or so but still rather a gardening setback. We'll see if our fruit trees set on this year >.< So today instead of yard work I am moving the sewing closet and all it's piles of fabric scraps. Hopefully in a week or two I will be settled in enough to get back to sewing!

"Potted" Plants...

As my little seedlings outgrew their hot box, and started moving to bigger and better digs I've been transplanting them and setting them in a sheltered space outside. I've been using homemade paper pots that are free and biodegradable.
And all it takes, is a phone book, tape and a straight sided glass the size you want your pots!

Rip out the pages of an old phone book, fold in half (the hot dog way) and roll them around your glass. I'm using a water bottle since that's all I could find with straight sides. Put a small piece of tape to hold it in place, be sure there's enough overhand to fold over the bottom. (You can use newspaper too, just cut strips the right height)

Fold the sides down to make the bottom of your pot, flatten well and secure with a bit of tape. You can press the cup down on a table to flatten it out nicely. See why the sides have to be straight, otherwise it would be stuck on the bottle!


TaDa! fill with plant and good soil, write the plant's name on the side and fill up a tray with little seedlings! When you go to plant them in the garden you don't have to worry about root bound plants or disturbing them too much. Just cut the sides open and place in the ground paper and all.

Recycled Kid's Crafts

Just when you think you've seen it all you discover something new...
At the Craft Ballyhoo last month I was helping out at the children's table, doing crafts with little ones. We had a bunch of donated craft supplies and we were making stuff, with a focus on reusing materials. One of the organizers brought some awesome ideas... both are recycled paperboard!
There were a number of cardboard cut outs in the shape of glasses, and the kids loved to decorate and wear them. There were also TP rolls cut into strips. Decorated and tied they make little bracelets that fit a variety of wrist sizes. Fun open ended crafts that were enjoyed by kids of all ages! (Pictured are my creations...)

New House, New Craft Room!

In my new house I'll be upgrading from a closet to an entire room for crafts! But the insipid color and shoddy paint job were not conducive to creativity. The trim was the same color at he walls, and was painted before the carpet was removed. So I picked a cheery yellow and did a proper painting job. You don't realize how much a difference unless you see the painted and un-painted walls... wow!