Happy Birthday to ME and Happy 5 yr anniversary!

Golly day it's been a busy and super fun week!   Dinners, presents (handmade!!), crafting, drinks, hugs, AND my husband's band Gringo played Saturday night, whew!

I have photos but the festivities must go on as today is the culmination of our 7 day celebration and I have yet to shower.

August 5th 2006

I love this photo of us- it's been such a wonderful experience to grow with another person and through that gain patience and a deeper understanding of a loved one and ultimately yourself.

Now here's me just being pretty:

Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday!

I spent my first half hour of the day, fueled by a coconut iced coffee, making this happy birthday bunting.  As the place is already pretty festive with a giant piñata hanging from the vaulted ceiling and tons of strands of christmas lights, i made a simple hanging to inform everyone of this grandeur occasion.  Maybe we'll even get some strangers leaving gifts of 6-packs at our door.

I didnt have construction paper but was able to wrangle a random blue sheet of cardstock

Today my husband turns 38 yrs old; in two days we celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary, and two days after that is MY birthday.  We're kicking off the 7 day extravaganza with an afternoon crafting each other's cards and gifts.   I've already got the best idea for a pop-up card and made some sketches last night!

I love the way he looks in my jewelry:

Weekend Fun with my Crafty Sisters- Cleveland Style!

For a good time, call Cleveland AA!  

Soon after arriving in my favorite neighborhood of Tremont (and taking a small wine break), we walked over to Lincoln Park to hula hoop and watch some fire dancing.  There was a good sized group and all were welcome to join in. 

 Faith, of Rockstar Rehab Clothing, teaches hula hooping at Cleveland School of Exotic Dance and also performs.

Mind you, as all this was going on I was just standing there lazily swinging my hips round the hoop as keeping it up was the extent of my ability.  Though I'm excited to see what the scene is here in Raleigh.

As dusk fell, you could feel the heat of these torches.  

There was also the gifting of handmade goodies!  Like this bullet casing necklace made with a personal memento for K.t.:

With wine in hand we trekked all my favorite paths through the neighborhood- stopping in vintage stores, cafes, plucking mint from yards, and making great aerobic use of this jungle gym.  And all the while looking so fabulous I got called a princess at Target by little kids.  Thanks, Maxi Dress, because despite unshaved legs and wine stained shoes you still present me so well.

And nothing gives me a kick in my crafty ass like visiting Faith's studio which always makes me ask myself, what are you doing with yourself?!?!

Girl is so hooked up!  In the week that I've been back I have definitely benefitted from this renewed fervor by organizing (not all the way) my own crafty spot and looking for some shows to do.  This the season of the craft fair, after all.

We left her place on foot and stopped off at an Asian Market where we gathered a feast fit for a random, city picnic on an abandoned loading dock.  Delicious!  

And of course there was then the Red Giant 20th Anniversary Show!  

So now I'm back with all these wonderful photos to remind me of my amazing art family in Cleveland.

...and that will also tempt me to move back.  Every day here is a virtual paradise, though, and I'm determined to keep up with making things and I've met some pretty awesome ladies.  What price can I really put on the fact that last winter was the first in YEARS that I wasnt so cold and wet all the time- cursing the white devil.   Snow is nice, but not 5 months in a row.  And I just love Sweet Tea.

Cheap and Easy Planters and Plant Stand

As seedlings emerge and their roots outgrow their starter pots, I find myself in massive need of containers.  I've always gardened on apartment balconies and so while decorative for some, a good pot becomes the only ground I can sow and an absolute necessity to ensure I always have home grown herbs and veggies.  A couple of summers ago, I had great luck with my seeds and had 50 basil plants alone!

So earlier this week I found myself down to my last pot with 7 plants still to go.  I visited a local high school plant sale on their last day and so everything was 50% off

Herb Medley $2.50, aw yeah.

And after going up, down, and all around twice- I settled on this recent find.  It's a woven basket discovered at a long abandoned fruit stand.  I'm sure it was once filled to overflowing with wonderful, seasonal treats but it now had a spider living in it.

Lonesome Basket

 I didn't want all the dirt I just bought (less than $4 or FOR FREE outside.  Use a spoon like i do if you no have shovel) to fall through the holes of the open weave so I grabbed some cotton shirts from my box of yucko and lined the bottom of the basket.  I tried to get the sleeves (both long) to lay up the sides which you can also place there as you add the dirt.

Old cotton shirts from the Goodwill Box

First layer- will hold in dirt but allow rainwater to drain.  

Then you just start adding dirt.  Do this over a box top so you can catch the dirt that misses the basket.  It also makes the clean up quicker.

Going up to just above sleeve level.

Then you put your plants in!

I've read that people use chicken wire and moss to make planters but i dont have those items.  i had shirts and a basket already so this cost me the $2.50 for plants and used a small portion of my $3.something bag of dirt.

You know what?  While I'm at it...

Did I tell you about this most amazing planter I rigged out of a chair I found at the dumpster??
It had nasty rotting wicker so I pulled it all off while I was by the trash (and inspecting other goods) to reveal a VERY decent frame.  I had intended on redoing it but as it sat on the balcony, plant season came before refurbishing season.

Chair from Dumpster

I had gone by the drugstore and there were a couple planters I really wanted.  One was shaped like an urn vase with a detachable pedestal and I thought, man I hope I'm here when they're half off.  And a week later I was!

So it turns out it the lip part is wide enough to suspend on the seat frame.
I filled it with dirt and planted little "volunteers" that grow long tendrils to drape over the edge and framework of this wonderful, simple chair.

The volunteers I found growing out of the ground below my mom's plant.  I've seen those cascade down a few feet.

 This is when they were pretty small.  Hopefully I have a picture of them in late summer to compare it!

This would be at about one week's growth.  

 Chair was free, dirt was from a yard, plants were free, and the pot was $3.50

Also, dont be afraid to buy beautiful tea pots because their lids are missing.  This one I used for cilantro:
 I got it for free

37 plants so far, and way more after this weekend's Herb Fest.  

Time to start converting some more planters for the bounty.

Sunday Hike in the Tea Garden Tank

A gorgeous day, becoming of Daylight Savings and a great preview of Spring which is just one week away!  Had an amazing time visiting the local Farmer's Market and having some fried fish which came with the best Hush Puppies I've ever had.  There were so many vendors with herbs that I later planted my basil seeds, seeing how they're all so far ahead of me!   Then we went for a great walk through the woods, along a creek, and around a pond.

A true lady,  I was sure to have matching wedge heels for our journey.  And though a sign suggested we turn back and not trudge the uncertain terrain ahead, we went for it!  Every time we came to a spot where we needed to cross the creek, we joked about who would be the one to fall in and, of course, the last one we come across (where there was a family of four hanging out to witness) I totally take the plunge. Lucky I only screamed out, "Oh, Shhhh-(glance toward parents watching the scene)-oooot!  See!  I don't cuss!" With squishy shoes and bits of leaves floating around my toes we trekked back to the car.

A super day indeed and I got to test run my new top made from vintage fabric and trim with the sleeves of an upcycled shirt.

I have a lot of these shirts and dresses to sew but unfortunately I  also have a lot dishes that need attending to.  I might compromise and just do enough so I can cook dinner then paint my nails.

New Necklaces and my fave Vintage Dress

When I went to bed last night and when I woke this morning I knew I would have made multiple sales.  And this morning when I checked online, I'd sold three things within a few hours.  How bout that?  

This is one of my newest pieces and it just sold though I think I have enough to do one more:

Descent into Morocco 

My mother doesn't know it, but I'm stealing her planter because I am in love with how it looks in pictures.

Gorgeous weather is on its way and I've already started stocking up on sun dresses. For the moment I've been wearing my vintage gear since the polyester keeps me warmer and it ain't that nice yet (though it's comparable to a Northern Spring/Summer).

This is one of my favorites and you can totally see my tiny Beer Belly poking out in front (and my beer in my hand).  Guess it's time to get more serious about exercise, too!

Vintage Dress and Beer Belly

Heaven is a Flea Market

I should have set up to sell but it was a crazy day with a lot tentatively going on so I went for a look.  I recently got some beautiful tea pots from my mother in law that are like 50 years old but none of my 70's brown and orange mugs looked good next to them.  I needed a saucer for carrying my tea up to the studio loft (spills) and a place to rest my sugar spoon and of course this all had to be done with the most feminine design.  So I came across a guy selling all his grandmother's dishes and I'm lucky (though I feel UNlucky) that I only brought limited cash.   

I got two from him for $2 (one for me, one for a friend): 

This one has a wonderful floral design-  Reminds me of what you'd see sketched to illustrate a children's book in the Victorian era

Ladylike Tea Cup and Saucer

 This one is my fave color:

Fuchsia and Gold Tea Cup

 And this I did not buy but it got wrapped up into the box anyway.  I'll use this small platter for cookies.

On the way home I passed a locally owned thrift store that was in danger of being closed down so everything was half off to try and catch up on bills.  I've always hated Goodwill's pricing system and that they don't have 1/2 off days so I thought I'd go in and show some support.

Now my husband can have tea with me! Maybe it's for expresso, and maybe I'll let him drink coffee out of it, but I'm calling it his Tea Party Set.  It's blue though it looks purple here.

For a Manly cup of tea

 I also scored this wonderful tea set that came with: pot, cream pitcher, sugar dish, butter dish, storage container, and salt and pepper shakers.  I really don't need it and will sell it or gift it.  I just couldn't let it go to someone who may not have appreciated it.

Shroom Tea Pot

 And to add to my collection of religious imagery, I found Moses himself with the tablets of the Ten Commandments.  I love it because it's my first statue that isnt the traditional Holy Family or a saint.  Also, it's not just Christian but Jewish.

Moses

 And then I saw this!  I kinda looked around to make sure no one else had seen it as I quickly made my way to it.  Oh, sweet Jesus, thank you for such pleasures in small treasures.  It matches TWO of my favorite dishes that I got from my mother in law AND it's my only dish that's divided into two sections.  Half Off??  I quickly put down the leather and fringed fur moccasins that were to be my big purchase of the day and ran this up to the cashier for safe keeping.

Freaking Awesome Pyrex

And so now, it's time to UnSpendingSpree by selling stuff!!