A Dead Hedge for a Lively Garden

As the season warms a number of garden projects are getting underway. This year, among other things, I am making some new beds in underused parts of the yard. And adding some privacy. Mr. Crafty has been asking for more solid fencing since he moved in, and we have a dog now who will pace and charge the fence when other dogs are about. (Yes, we are training her out of it, no it's not happened yet...)

I first heard about dead hedges in the BBC's fantastic history programs concerning  historic farming. It was commonly used as stock fencing in spots that a live hedge wasn't growing. But there are a number of important features of a dead hedge that make it useful in the modern garden as well.
1.) It uses up material that does not compost well unless you have a mulching machine.
2.) It offers important habitat to many wild garden friends, including native bees!
3.) It's basically free. I bought a few sturdy stakes to complement my scavenged branches.

 Here it is growing and shaping up. As other parts of the yard get cleared out and suckers get trimmed down I keep finding more and more material to add to it. I've been digging my new veggie bed right in front of it and that has yielded tree roots as well.

And now, spring has sprung, the grass is painfully green, there are rows of beets planted, and the hedge is almost to the top of the fence. It will compact with time so I will have to keep adding to it. Fortunately, I have plenty of pruning yet to go, so there will be no lack of materials!

Get out and put your hands in the soil@

Winter Incense

 The Yuletide is long passed, which means that old trees are popping up each and every trash day. The Crafty Household has been dragging them home to be cut up for firewood and mulch, nice smelling work on a sunny winter's day. It's traditional to burn all the leftover Yule at Imbolc, but first I did some collecting...

I collected needles and branch tips from a variety of evergreens - Pine, Spruce, Fir, and even some Cedar and Juniper. I left them in this jar, breathable fabric on top, on a warm porch to dry for a few days. We've been alternating between blowing snowstorms and 70 F and sunny, just a normal Colorado January.

 Usually I do all my incense making in a small mortar bowl, but this was quite the pile. I used the Cuisinart to quicken the work. Pulsing it gently for a while.

 There were a few bits that hadn't dried as much as needed, so I put the whole thing in a cracked-open low oven. At this point Mr. Crafty and the Crafty roommate were attracted by the smell, and came to ask why this was not an everyday occurrence...

 After a short while drying further the needles all fell apart perfectly! I pulsed a while, not trying to pulverize the bits, just break them small enough to be heaped on a coal.

It fits a much smaller jar now! I can use it a bit at a time, grinding fresh what I'm going to burn. Yummmm, winter smell...  For Yule I made a version with cinnamon chips, clove oil, and frankincense. For Imbolc I added lemon peel and flowers. Note - don't put resins in your electric grinders, they will make a sticky mess!

Don't bother with cheap imitations, if you want a "Forest Fresh" scent, use the real thing!

Finds - Spring has Sprung

The trees are finally greening around here, even with late snow storms passing thru they just cannot wait! I've been springing up the house to get in a flowery mood. Here's some Etsy pics to get you in the mood too!

Illustration by TonySheltonFineArt.

 

Add a 'welcome' to your front door with Forsythia, Wreath by ATPitman.

 

Bring the carpet of fresh greens inside with this crochet rag rug by TupperRugs.

Funky Handknit sweater by Tasssha, with pops of bright color and wild buttons!

Or, make your own spring time lovely, hand-dyed yarn by Gynx.

Greening for Spring

 School has been limiting my time for craftiness, it's cramping my style! But I'm still working my way thru projects.

My crochet pattern of the month has made almost 6 squares, and this month's has me itching to get hooking! I've even been a good girl and woven in all my ends each time I finish a square. Which is just evading the final dilemma of what color to trim each square in....

And my knitting needles aren't resting either. This has been my knitting-in-class project for quite some time, this is in fact the third time starting it to get the proper collar/shoulders size ratio. It will be a lovely flowy green caplet if it takes me the rest of the semester! I did plan on wearing it for Eoster next week, yeah right...

Everyone go easy on the whiskey and green beer tonight! Are you crafting for spring?

Finds - Green Awakening

I don't often find myself wishing that time moved faster, but an unseasonably warm winter has made me crave the warm wet blooming of spring. Let's get green!

A fabulous bloom with the green remains of an ancient tree! Made by Dreamspell.

Brilliant take on a mug, this handle wraps all the way around! Hand-thrown and finished by MudonMyMind.

Spectacular specimens of green from the animal kingdom, an unexpected touch of spring! From RealButterflyGifts.

Delicate greens that remind me of a small bud pushing out from the earth, and fluffy merino. This win-win hand-spun by SpunbySuzanne

 

This glorious tree from PaperMoth could be fresh spring buds, redolent summer shade, or the first hint of autumn. It is a "Welcome Change" indeed!

I am currently preparing to sprout seedlings inside, and already making my list of garden task. But I know that we need plenty of snowfall to keep all our plants from wilting away like last year! Are you preparing for spring? Or savoring the last snows of winter?

Squared Up

 I'm certain that everyone who has ever met me knows I knit, usually in front of them in fact. What's worse than forgetting to bring your knitting with you? But I also know crochet. That is, I knew exactly two stitches - chain, and single crochet.

I just joined a year-long crochet afghan class, and already doubled by repertoire of crochet skills! Each month we will be learning a new square, and then sewing them together to make a mixed blanket. It's like a sampler that keeps you warm!

I bought all the yarns already - 10 different shades of green. After all my years of art classes and yarn dying the safest color combo for me is still to not combo at all ...

You locals can still join the class if you want to dedicate yourself to a year-long project (they may be offering the classes month by month also, for those of you who are afraid of commitment.) Check it out at Fancy Tiger.

Are you expanding your craft in the new year?

Finds - Summer Solstice

The longest days of the year are upon us, the wheel turns, and solstice is more than just a feature of astronomy. This time of year we celebrate the beginning of summer harvest and the greening of the world. The Green Man and the Earthmother are busy providing for all of us, and we are busy working hard to keep up. This lovely card from EmilyBalivet features the Oak King - bringer of Litha and this fine weather we are all enjoying.

The blazing sun is the other focus of the solstice. The longest days of the year with the noonday sun climbing high and lingering long. This is when the crops flourish and nature hits her peak. This beautiful mosaic piece from DoMosaics combines bright sunshine and mottled greenery, and I bet it glints in the sun.

The light this time of year is special as the sun angles high in the mid-day and takes it's sweet time waiting to set. This photo from AnnWilkinson beautifully captures to lush greenery and the soft light. If this doesn't bring you a warm fuzzy feeling you might be a robot!

We're having a gray day here, so I might need to have some artificial sunshine to brighten the room. This window hanging in lovely yellow from HarvestMoonByHand is both intricately made and simply beautiful. Try not to get lost staring at it...

Bring color and warmth to an outfit year-round with this necklace from 13thStreetJewelry. Lush olive green with little bits of sunshine, just right for the midsummer. But you can brighten your life in the winter with it too.

Some yarn for you crafty folks, fiber sunshine! This cheery yellow from SweetBasilFibreWorks in perfect for summer months. Get some colorful needles out and get knitting! Make something light and lofty - tho in these parts summer still has those chilly days...

So to celebrate the summer months and the Green Man be sure to get outside! And you can bring a little bit of outside in... This sweet mask from MythicalDesigns is colorful enough to hang on the wall when you aren't wearing it out to your local solstice party. No parties you know of? Then get your crew together and make your own!

Finds - Greening Up

As the garden has been thriving, and all the plants are enjoying the early rains we got, outside has become a shade of green so saturated I can hardly describe it. The bright and brilliant greens are almost tropical (unusual for Colorado) and I'm loving it! Just like this silk scarf from Essiewb you can wrap yourself in these great shades of green!

I think this should be me motto, like go big or go home right? The bright chartreuse cozy is as much a pick-you-up as whatever is in the cup. And a not so gentle reminder that you need to be doing wonderful things doesn't hurt. Knotworkshop wants to make your morning!


If you like to dress for the season, or you just enjoy bright colors, this necklace from SilverLiningDecor is cute and colorful. With brilliant greens that remind me of the foliage and yellow blooms this piece screams summer fun. And it's not fussy so you can dress it up or wear it with something casual!

Just what the procrastinating seamstress needs, something to remind her that she's hungry... This adorable green felt pincushion from Shmugusta is based on a yummy tomato. Oddly enough my attempts to stab real tomatoes with pins and needles just make a mess...


I am always in awe of woodworkers, they use big dangerous looking tools and bring out the natural beauty of the materials! This bowl from Makye77 is no exception, the smooth bright green interior contrast with the grainy black outside. The rough and cracking edges are a nice reminder of neighborhood trees, so fun to see the origin of items.

Perhaps you would care to enjoy a spectrum of brilliant greens year round? This sassy modern quilt from PeaceLoveandQuilts has greens front and back to bring color into your house. The tan background makes the colors pop that much more, and makes it work with many color schemes.