Garden Challenge ~ May update

The weather sure has been getting warmer. I do have one complaint; generally it has been nicer during the week than on the weekends. With all of the outside projects we have scheduled we ran out of nice weather weekends to get a garden space tilled and fenced in from deer and rabbits. So, this year we have to do our vegetables in pots. We planted 5 tomato plants, 1 habanero pepper plant (for daddy) and some chocolate mint that the girls picked out at the plant sale.

I placed the pots amidst the front landscaping.


We also planted some flowers. Begonias, Moss Roses, Petunias and some accent plants.

HSV Garden challenge

Since it is still too cold to plant a veggie garden around here (and will be for another 3-4 weeks) we have been doing some indoor plant observing. We just got a cute yellow viola to observe. Bug learned that her plant needs water and sunshine to do good and has been quite concerned that it has been cloudy out. I assured her that it would be okay.


And then we put a few bean seeds on a wet paper towel in a zipper bag. I taped it to the window and it has acted like a mini greenhouse to sprout the seeds. We have been watching their progress and are now able to see sprouts and roots.

Check out The Homeschool Village for more linkups!

HSV Gardening Challenge

While browsing the blogosphere, I found a kids gardening challenge that looked like fun. So far in Minnesota we haven't given much thought to planting as the ground is still covered with snow. I am hoping we can build a raised bed this year, otherwise we'll look into containers I think. We decided our first step in the challenge would be to get some books about gardens from the library. We are now set to learn! The girls can't wait to "dig in" and get planting soon! You can check out more details over at HSV.

a flashback, a preview and some updates

I was digging through my studio, starting to think of the daunting task coming this fall...packing it all up so we can rip out the basement ceiling to do repairs, and I came across this chicken card. It is a Stampin' Up! set (best of cluck) that I colored with markers and a blender pen. I thought the sentiment was appropriate for this post...Just Chicken In.


Here is a preview of something I am working on for my girls and will post upon its completion. Any guesses as to what I am making? I'll give you a clue...I am thinking of labeling the segment "teaching Thursday"

Here is a second clue...any guesses now?

And look at my sweet Elvis. He's 3 1/2 months old now. He's grown so much.

And here is one of our recent items to receive attention in the home. We were trying to just get a glimpse at how they hung the light and found this... Notice that all the wires are black...that is smoke damage. The wires were cracked too, not good. The damage was old, prior to when we purchased the home, but frightening to think that it was sitting as a fire hazard for that long. Praise God for his protection! Finding that halted our plans that weekend but we got new wires run and a new light up now.

And lastly...HUGE THANKS to Patti and Paper Maniac for letting me be a part of the design team for the past year! It was a blast, anytime you need a guest, I'm here!

boo!

Today I thought I'd get a jump on Halloween. I broke out my new Stampers Anonymous and Tim Holtz texture fades and can I just say I am in LOVE! I love the incompleteness and distressed aspect of Tim's designs and have more on my wish list! I inked up the raised portion with my Memento Black and it just pops. It's hard to make out, but I used versamark on a script stamp from the Shabby French stamp set and stamped it on the black base layer. Boo was stamped in distress ink and then I used a circle punch to get the letters centered, I inked the edges black. I made this a 5x5 square card.




Card Stock: black, shimmery lavender, white
Patterned Paper: none
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous: Shabby French
Ink: Memento: Tuxedo Black, Distress Ink: Dusty Concord, Spiced Marmalade, Versamark
Accessories: Tim Holtz texture fades, Circle punch, ATG

A Monarch Passes Through

We interrupt the stamping and scrapping projects while I get my rebuilt computer loaded with things like camera software, once that is loaded I hope to have more regular postings again. The good news is that the virus seems to be gone! In the meantime I thought I'd share a couple pictures of the monarch that passed through our yard.

Once upon a time, Bug found it on the flowers by the garage. She picked it up/coaxed it on to her hand.



After a minute or two, it flew off and promptly landed in Button's hair.

She was less than thrilled with that experience!

The End!

Halloween Tree

Happy Fall! I can't wait for the leaves to change colors! Today I used a stamp from a past Unity KOTM and added glitter accents. They dried lighter than I wanted so I colored over them with my copics! (Love them and can't wait to play more!).




Card Stock: Pumpkin Pie
Patterned Paper: None
Ink: Memento Black
Stamps: Unity KOTM
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Corner Rounder, Copics, Glitter Glue