Veggie Garden

I have been working on a vegetable garden in the backyard. So far everything is still alive lol, but I have run into some problems with certain veggies. The first being green beans... DO NOT EVER get the leaves wet! It can cause a bunch of problems, one being powdery mildew. I am unsure if they are going to make it, even after buying some organic fungus spray. Plan B is to plant the nice new green ones I bought and keep the others in quarantine until they either have recouped or I have to toss them. Since using the spray the new leaves seem to be staying green, so I am taking it as a good sign.

These are the before pics

The next veggie is the squash/zucchini I started from seeds, besides mixing them up lol, they weren't doing well in the temporary containers. I have been waiting for the fence to be completed before planting in the ground and the black containers were baking my poor squash. So I have moved them out of the full sun into part shade and they seem to be recouping a bit with some new green leaves and flowers. They will be planted as soon as the gate is completed, hopefully tomorrow. Plan B is to buy a couple replacements in case they aren't going to recover, they are pretty sad looking.

On one of my planted squash, I believe I have silver-leaf. I did spray in case the powdery mildew was spreading but on further inspection the white/silver does not rub off like with powdery mildew. I sprayed again today with insecticide soap and in doing so found some white flies, which cause the silver-leaf. I sprayed all the squash and zucchini  thoroughly since they like to hide on the underside of the leaves.

This is the before pic.

The bane of my existence, besides the aphid attack and powdery mildew, is caterpillars. They have tried to attack almost everything and it started in the front garden with my petunias. There were literally no flowers left, the budworms ate every single one. Until I bought Safer brand caterpillar killer, the stuff works like a charm. My petunias are back to full bloom after only a couple weeks after being demolished. Besides petunias different kinds of caterpillars (mostly green) have attacked my: strawberry, lettuce, basil, eggplant, squash, green beans, corn, morning glories and a few other flowers as well as leaves. I keep a close eye and reapply  if any munching is noticed.

The other pest getting to my plants has been mice. They apparently love bell peppers, banana peppers, parsley, and strawberries. I have to set traps to keep them at bay, but the stray cat in the neighborhood has been helping out as well.

These pics are from 5-27-14 

Eggplant, bell peppers, squash

Corn

Cherry tomato

Here are some more recent pics

I ended up pulling out the eaten bell pepper and transplanting the other to get it away from the mice and i planted green beans in their place

 Happy corn

 Banana pepper

 Happy squash

Baby cantaloupe!

Pallet garden pics coming up soon!

Garden Update

 Finished garden before pics

After pics

 Cantaloupe, green beans,  tomatoes lettuce

 Cherry tomato

 Eggplant, peppers, and zucchini

 Corn

 Here are the pallate gardens

Herb garden

So far I have harvested cherry tomatoes, lettuce,  blueberries, and 2 corn

Hedgehog Beanie

In between wraps to break up the project a bit I completed this hedgehog hat. I really loved this pattern because of the texture with the bobbles. It came out really great.

The pattern I used is: Prickle the Hedgehog by Fiona Goble

I did make a couple of changes. One being I used worsted weight yarn instead of the DK yarn called for in the pattern. There was also a mistake in the pattern. Details below

I used worsted weight yarn instead of DK yarn. It came out a little bigger because of that, about 20in after the crochet boarder. (about 21 before) Fits my adult 22in head.

There is a mistake in the pattern at row 35-39. The bobbles are supposed to be staggered, and at row 35 they are on top of each other if you follow the pattern. Here is what i did instead

35: k2, MB (k2tog, k1, MB)8x k3, MB, k3(MB, k1, ssk)8x MB, k2
37: k3 (MB k2tog)9x k1 (k2tog, MB)k3
39: k2 (MB, k1, k2tog)4x MB, k2, MB, k2, MB (ssk, k1, MB)4x k2

I was having trouble doing the decMB, having tried many times, I still kept getting a big hole that would be really visible even after a couple rows. So instead I k2tog as stated above in my revised version. 

Also instead of embroidering on the eyes/nose I crochet circles and stitched them on after. The only other change I made was to the crochet edge. I used a H 5mm hook (I have no idea where my G went to) and had to ch3 dec1 around, untill the nose area where i ch around.

 

 

 

I finally received a client pic!



Large Wrap

I have been working on a large order for a client and I am now officially over half way done. The order is for four large wraps, and I just started on the third. I sent the client the first two and I am currently waiting for pics after he had them blocked. I am really glad to be completing these projects for him so he can give them to his family. 

The pattern I am using is: Guernsey Wrap by Jared Flood

Here is the first one completed in jade heather.

Here is the second completed in lilac.
I did run into a bit of a yardage discrepancy, which means I needed more yarn than the pattern stated. It really seams to depend on the yarn used but so far I have needed more.

First wrap: I found out that 630 yards, like the pattern states, is not going to be enough. I am already into my 3rd skein (660 yards) and have one more chart repeat to complete. So its probably going to be around 750 yards needed instead.
I ended up using almost all of the 4 skeins of patons classic wool worsted (840 yards), there is not much left maybe 50 yards.

Second wrap: I just finished my second wrap and it took less yards than the first wrap, but still more than the pattern states. I used almost all of 3 skeins of Shepherd’s wool, which is 750 yards total.

More pics and updates to come. Two more to go.

Here is the latest wrap I have completed and again I needed more yarn than the pattern stated.

Finally finished the last wrap. 

Garden

Lately I have been spending my free time sprucing up my front yard garden. We had to get a tree stump removed in order to complete my vision. The flowers are from Lowes and Orchard. The bench, pillows, and table are from World Market. The two blue pots were purchased from Home Goods.

Pavers were added under the table and under the each leg of the bench to make sure everything will last as long as possible. 

We also added some grass seeds to fill in the dirt where the stump was removed. Because a tree was there before there wasn't much grass to speak of to begin with.

The only thing I have left to get is a bench cover, everywhere around me is out of stock, so I have to order one online.

USC Bricks

Just finished these USC bricks for a friend. It was a bit challenging getting the size to be so small and fit both of the charts that needed to go on it. Both of the charts I came up with myself on http://knittingpattern.p-jansson.com/. It was a really helpful chart maker, and after looking at a bunch, the one I liked most. Once I had the dimensions of the charts I came up with the rest of the pattern myself. After all of the pieces were made, I stitched them onto this plastic mesh I bought at Joann's in the needlepoint section. Then I stitched them together how I would normally stitch any knitting project. The only thing I would do differently would be to make maybe one more row around the whole project, then I did to make for better seaming. I made just enough to fit onto the mesh instead of having a little extra hanging off the edge of the mesh. If i had a little extra the seams could be a little smaller, less noticeable. Here are some pics of my work

Here is the chart I made for the USC logo.    

Monster Tissue Box Cover

Just finished these tissue box covers, I cant wait to make some more with modifications. The pattern came from the book Knit a Monster Nursery by Rebecca Danger. The pattern is called Monster Tissue and Wipes Box Covers.

 

 

One with the origional face.

 

One with a smile.

 

 

The saftey eyes I had for this project didn't end up working out because the backings were too long so I had to come up with my own.

 

 

The  pupil (with black worsted yarn) Crochet hook F

sc 6 in magic circle and bind off

make 2

 

The white eye (with white worsted yarn) Crochet hook H

sc 6 in magic circle

sc2, sc1 around and bind off

make 2

 

The eyelids (with green worsted yarn) size 5 DPN

start by making an icord and CO 4sts

knit 4 rows

kfb k1 around

knit 2 rows

kfb k2 around

knit 1 row

k2tog k2 around

knit 2 rows

k2tog k1 around

knit 2 rows

BO

make 2

Arm Knit Cowl

This is my first go at arm knitting, I needed a quick gift for a friends Birthday. It was really easy and didnt take long at all to do. Once you learn how to do it you can use any bulky yarn and make scarves, cowls, and even blankets.

 This is the pattern I used : http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32381.html?noImages=

There is also a how to video on the site if you are unfamilar with arm knitting.

 

 



Airplane with Bear Pilot

I have currently been working on the The Flying Cat and His Amazing Plane pattern by: MysteriousCats.

Pattern found at http://mysteriouscats.etsy.com

 

I have made some modifications because of yarn weight.

 

I am using worsted weight yarn instead of Dk yarn, because of color choices from my client. I had to go down a hook size, from a G to a F hook. Its coming out a little bigger because of the yarn, but not my much. The plane body is supposed too be 5.5 in and mine is about 7 in.

The other thing I noticed is that the wings are going to be too small. If you look at the picture of the front of the plane that comes with the pattern I count 20 rounds before they join. I made the top wings bigger by adding 6 rows of sc. I also had to adjust the bottom wings to make them longer by 2 rows of sc. I have started the assembly to make sure my pilot is going to be the right size.

I have everything but the top wing and wheels attached.(Pictured above) I needed a break after having some difficulty with the bottom wings and wing holders. The bottom wings need to be attached really well in order to support the weight of the top wing. Also the wing holders need to be stuffed firmly, mine didn’t have enough at first. After another round of stitching the bottom wing support I think it will be sturdy enough to not have the top wing be floppy like it was.

 Finished Airplane

 

I have all the pieces done for the pilot, now on to putting him together.

All done putting my pilot together.

 

Finished bear pilot, I made a few modifications to the pattern. The head and hat were a little big so I omited a row of increase and added a few rows of sc. The ears and tail I sc 6 in a magic circle and sc 2 rows. The goggles I also omited the increase row and just used the black yarn, I also had to add more ch to the strap to fit around his head.

 

I added two ovals for the tummy and nose. I also added the red scarf, I just chained long enough to go around his neck and sc 1 row.

 

They look great together!



Polymer Clay Earrings

I have been having more fun with polymer clay, this time I am making earrings. After finding some inspiration on Etsy, I decided to have a go at it. In my to do list are t-rex, cow, hippo, squirrel, and Totoro. Last night I made three pairs of Calcifer from the movie Spirited away.

The first ones I made are on the bottom, they didn't come out great, but I got better with practice.

I'm going to try and tackle a couple of the others listed above tonight and get the rest of the supplies tomorrow from Micheals. Like special polymer clay glue and earring posts. After looking online the best way I found to attach them are to bake the earrings, glue on the posts, then add more clay covering the back (so you end up having a clay to clay bond), and bake them again.

More earrings :-)

Squirrels

Cows

I also purchased the rest of my materiels that I'm going to need to make them into earrings. I bought earring posts and backings from Joanns, polybond glue and a gloss paint for polymer clay from Michaels.