Potting Sheds

I am not the neat, tidy, everything has its place type of Potting Shed Girl.

I guess I am more of a shabby, rustic, country type Potting Shed Girl.

We need a new potting/storage shed.

I am loving all these ideas.

Photos:

The Potting Shed

Garden Structures

Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways

(I definitely lean towards The Potting Shed)

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Didn't I totally forget to tell you how the laundry soap worked? Brilliant! I am so happy I tried it. The laundry smells so clean. I know that sounds silly but it smells indescribably clean and fresh. I think I am now a convert. Oh, and very white and stains seem to be disappearing so I will soldier on with the homemade. The recipe is basically this:

2 cups borax

2 cups washing soda

1 bar of grated soap (I used Ivory as that was what I had on hand)

baking soda (not all recipes call for this so I used one box for the whole lot)

I mixed as I went and ending up tripling the recipe. The key here is you only require a couple of TABLESPOONS per load. Seriously, this stuff will last forever.

So thrilled ;)

Lisa xo

This is the plan...

I am going to attempt to make my own laundry soap. My middle daughter has eczema and has always had an allergy to a famous name brand laundry detergent so I have always had to use another brand. Lately, with this brand, she has been complaining of itchiness again so I thought I would give this a try. Apparently, you only use a few tablespoons to half a cup for these homemade mixtures. I am making the powdered version. The liquid just seems too icky as you must boil it on the stove. There are many resources on the web for these recipes. Let me know if you attempt any of them. And wish me luck!

If I Could Get Some Advice Here...

Absolutely, for sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, my camera cannot be fixed. So I need some suggestions from my faithful readers. I know many of you have fantastic cameras and I would love your input. Do I continue with my Canon love affair? Do I try Fuji? Please, all suggestions will be considered. And of course, it must be of the point and shoot variety. I am far too timid to be an SLR girl.

This was my first camera, btw. I loved it. Is that not the most delightful flash ever? It was this little cube that would rotate. Thanks for dropping by, girls.








Lisa xoxo




PS Thanks for your most gracious comments on my paint job!

Charming and Beautiful

I have just discovered this wonderful artist.

Her name is Janet Hill.

I think her work is stunning.

The problem is I cannot decide on which ones to buy and when I do, they are sold.

They do get bought up quickly.

Can't you see why?

She also has an etsy shop.

Almost Done

Hello, you. I am still busy cleaning, putting away, sorting and well, you know how it is after a big paint job.

I am really pleased with the colours. The trim is parma gray and the walls are pointing, both Farrow and Ball colours.

Unforntunately, there have been some fatalities. Two of my most beloved pink transferware cups were broken. Don't ask, but basically trying to do too much at one time. Very upset about that. Especially since I have so much of the set. So disappointed in myself.

But onward and upward. Did anyone watch Grey Gardens? It was simply fabulous. Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange were both phenomenal. I would not be suprised if one or the other were nominated for awards. And the set design was stunningly beautiful. Of course, the costumes were to die for...

Tonight

On HBO

Grey Gardens

I have been looking forward to this for months! We are painting but I plan to be sitting with my cup of tea by 8:00. Wish me luck, my pretties!

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For more information on this poignant story, read here.

Chocolate Deprived Easter for the Knitty Household

Don't I just have the most lovely Easter greeting for all my faithful readers. I planned some appropriate words and some little tidbits to wish you all a Spring Welcome etc. Instead, tonight we come home to a very hyper dog.

In the living room we find all that remains for the children's special day is a few ripped up pieces of plastic and cardboard. The sweet chocolate Peter Rabbit nowhere to be found. The boxes of chocolate given to all three girls from my mum and dad nothing but saliva encased bits of paper and what used to be cardboard.

My pug, however, looks like he gained 5 pounds. And he is WIRED. We have been through this before. Hallowe'en he got into the chocolate bars and devoured 17 bars before we found him and the wrappers. He did not like the Aero bars but had a passion for the Kitkats. He had gone on a chair, tore open the bag, chewed through the box and ate them. Nothing was left except the Aero bars. I immediately called the vet and they told me the real danger is the really good chocolate and not these kind as they have very little "real" cocoa in them. Thank God. He was fine. Just really, really, hyper.

I am really hoping I do not wake up Easter morning to see a re-appearance of the digested chocolate if you understand my meaning.

Hoping you are all having a better one than I. And what the heck can the Easter Bunny produce in the next 8 hours??? All I have in the cupboard is a half eaten package of TimTams and some left over Cinnamon hearts from Valentine's Day...

My New Favourite Book

How pretty are these images? I think this is my new favourite.

You know how I love blue and white. It is so nice to see it incorporated in new and innovative ways. More modern and fresh.

Not quite so matchy-matchy if you know what I mean. But still flows.

I love blues and greens together. And I just love the powerful look of purple and blue like the mix below.

The book is Decorating with Blue and White by Gail Abbott.

Blogging Privacy

I have just read, with such a sad heart, the terrible time A Thrifty Mrs. has had at her blog. I know many of you sympathise with her and can understand the horrendous time she must have had dealing with this and having to get the police involved. I read her blog all the time and enjoy it very much but wonder if this may give her or others a reason to discontinue blogging. I have met so many wonderful people from the blogging world and it is so disheartening when something like this happens. Scary even.

I have, on many occasions wanted to let you all in to my home on a much more personal level but have not simply because of something like this. There has been many moments, especially last week, when I have wanted to give you more intimate details of my life and my family's accomplishments but have not for fear of a similar situation. I have never really shown pictures of me or my family and wonder sometimes if I am too over cautious. Do any of you worry about this? I have never shown the outside of my home (with the house number) or have gone in to too much detail of exactly where I live or my general area. I have always wondered if there really are people out there that "stalk".

What do you think?

And the Winner is...

Lissylou! (thanks random.org). Your prize includes a Cath pillowcase, 4 dusting cloths, some spotty and gingham tea towels and a magazine of your choice! I hope you like it. Please email me with your magazine preference and address and I will post it as soon as I can.

Congratulations!

I cannot describe to you the week and a half I have had. I was gone all week to my daughter's school provincials for hockey. And didn't they win it all? Gold Medal. Not only has their school never won it for hockey, let alone girl's hockey but their region has never won either. Really, big, big news. Our newspaper has covered it and there has been no less than three articles in there, mostly highlighting my daughter. There has been in person interviews, telephone interviews and photo shoots. Absolutely crazy, especially when you have a daughter that abhors the limelight. I'm not kidding. It embarrasses her to no end. So there was that.

Before I left to go away I got this fantastic idea to paint the kitchen. First I painted the window to see if I liked the colour. I do. Now I must organise myself enough to get the rest of the kitchen and sitting area painted. The window colour is Parma Gray by Farrow and Ball and the walls will be Pointing. I am laughing because I really do not know when I will get to this...

Like as if time will magically appear out of nowhere.

Can you see my latest little addition to my family? Sairer at PrettyShabby just blogged about her little red beauty and I had just picked this up before I left. I really love this colour blue. Peaceful.

Just a glamour shot of my dresser.

And many, many heartfelt thanks to Happy Loves Rosie for this wonderul award. I am so terribly pleased.

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On another note, I did something to my right knee yesterday and it does not appear to be working properly. It may have been that little "ping" I heard as I was ascending the stairs. I don't think hearing a little "ping" in your knee is a good thing so I am going right now to have a wee rest. See what I mean about the painting?

And thank you all so much for entering my little contest. I did not realize there were so many of you out there that read my little blurbs ;)

Lisa xoxo

Blog Contest and/or Giveaway

I know I haven't been around much. My goodness, over a week since I posted? Wow. I was away all weekend for hockey and am leaving again on Monday for Provincials for the school hockey. Thank you so very, very much for your lovely comments on my crocheted cushion. I will be answering some of your questions, when I have a moment. I LOVE BLOGGERS! We're just so darn nice! And, just for being so darn nice I am having a little contest. Easy peasy. Pop in a comment and you are in. Link to me in a post or in your sidebar and I will throw your name in three times. Sound fair?

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Lisa xo

Added Later: If I am already on your sidebar you are in for three! And if you are one of my faithful followers and comment you are in for three as well. And of course, I would love to see some new faces. Good Luck, Ladies.

Added Much, Much Later:

* * *Disclaimer* * *

It has come to my attention that my lovely blog readers may think I am giving away this chair. I am, in fact, not giving away this chair. This chair has been sitting in my picture folder for a very long time and it was meant to denote my absence from this blog. To avoid any kind of litigation later on I am confirming this fact now. I do, however, have some wonderful gifts set aside for the lucky winner that will not entail a forty dollar shipping charge on my part ;)

Too Granny?

Really, I can take the truth. I know some bloggers have done similar and it looks simply fab at their places but too granny for me? Sometimes I feel dangerously close to those older folks that sit behind the table at the bazaars and church charity things with the loo roll covers and the orange acrylic potholders.

I figured out how to do an edging in a shell (like) pattern. It's only been about two years that I have been crocheting. I made this pattern up. I don't even know if I did this cushion the proper way. I have never done anything in a circle before.

I had a bag of feathers from a previous project that was just the right amount for it. Do you know you really shouldn't try to fill a cushion with feathers inside the house? Ahh, see most of you already knew that, correct? I didn't. Not only that, I made the mistake of not leaving a big enough hole to actually put my hand "in". My oldest was watching me totally cracking up. It was quite funny. Then, brilliantly, I thought "I should do this on the porch". Well, in retrospect, doing this outside on a day with 60-70km an hour winds was probably not a good idea either. So, consequently, as I am filling the cushion, the bag of feathers falls over, just as the wind blows the door back open. Well, you get the picture. Some blew between the houses as well and it sort of looks like the German shepherd next door assassinated something there.

I think I like the flower. Or do you prefer it without? I can't decide. I have another flower pattern but it is knit, not crochet. I may try that one as well.

I do think it is cute though. Maybe not so granny? Maybe they are cool enough if you use the right colours and nice yarn? I mean if this was orange and brown acrylic .99 cent stuff it would be kind of blech.

I really should be off, though.

Gotta vacuum.

Hexagon Knitting

I have a link on the right that will take you to my post with this pattern. These are knit hexagons. If you cannot crochet, or just love these in general, they are the project for you. I can whip two or three of these off in a night, when I am so inclined. The beauty of them is they require very little yarn. So all those bits and pieces you do not know what to do with? Perfect. I have been doing them for a year or two and have amassed probably 20 or 30. The pattern is actually from my mum that had it on a tea stained piece of paper that, as I recall, had no title just "1970" typed at the top. I typed the pattern out and posted it a while back, for your pleasure ladies. Mostly because the most hits I have from google are "Knit Hexagon" and "Knitted Hexagon". I believe the blanket above may be felted a wee bit.

I delivered the baby booties to my nephew and the baby on Sunday and didn't they just love them? So proud. A truly gorgeous baby. My husband held her for a while and gave me that "aw come on, let's have another look". Ever seen that look? It can be very scary when you have an almost 20 year old. (I was married very, very young).

And finally, the most gorgeous Louisa Harding bag. Love.

Have a great week, ladies.


Lisa xo

PS Ladies, if you are looking for a free pattern for a crochet hexagon there is one available here.

Seriously, The Cutest Baby Booties Ever

After going to the doctor on Monday, I have felt marginally better. Oh yes, thank you the sinuses are definitely better. However, there is the small problem of the medication that has a somewhat undesirable effect on my inner workings. But we will not get into that. We will discuss, however, my deep and emotional love towards Debbie Bliss for creating just the cutest darn pattern for baby booties. This particular pattern is from the Quick Knits book but is modified the Knitty, Vintage and Rosy way.

How you may ask? Well I didn't have any Debbie Bliss yarn in stock so I used a beautiful Baby Alpaca I did have in stock. The little problem was it was a bit thicker than the pattern calls for and they came out bigger than they were suppose to. So in my crafty (ha) sort of way I decided to felt them. That is the result. I just love them. I really cannot capture their utter cuteness on my super yucky camera. But they are adorable.

I also finished the Mason Dixon Bib. Simple. Fast. Cute. With a flowery little button for the closure. These little knitted bits will be given to my nephew's new baby. Her name is Madison and she has rosy cheeks like her Auntie. Yes, I know technically I am her great Aunt but we are not mentioning that fact around here.

And the slow progress of my sock knitting. Between the baby items and the ripple blanket, these hands can only do so much ;)

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Thank you so very much ladies for your kind words while I was ill. It does seem there is a general problem worldwide with mummy having any kind of down time. Here I thought I was the only one with these "superpowers".

Darling, Where Have You Been?

I've been on the sofa for the better part of the whole weekend. Another sinus infection that has been waiting in the wings for a couple of weeks now. Everyone has had a cold here and I have been waiting for it, really.

My house has totally fallen apart these last two days. Nobody, I repeat, NOBODY, knows where anything goes when mother is indisposed. Shoes are piled high at the front door. I made the mistake of leaving the dishwasher to be unloaded and NOBODY knew where to put everything. The dog did get fed but such a measly portion, a dormouse could not survive on it. Luckily, I spied that one and filled it properly. The kitchen is not in very good shape either. There is an unidentifiable stain on my lovely ironed tea towel that will surely have been used for some dastardly deed that may involve the floor and/or the dog so that shall be put in the every growing pile of laundry (apparently the washer has a secret combination that only "I" can decipher). The dishcloth, that was bleached to within an inch on Friday has a charming "tea stained" patina to it now that professional dyers could only dream of. Every single toilet roll needed to be changed today because, again, I am the only one with that elusive power.

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Why, oh, why does this bother me so? On a more pleasant note, I have been fed and watered.