The Year of Gardening on a very tight budget...My Garden

So, this is my garden. It is full of things that have either volunteered from last year, perennials, or plants I grew from seed. Since I am not working full time anymore, money has gotten really tight so I couldn't do the flowers like I normally like to do this year. I got the idea to just grow seed starts for my flowers. I found out real quick what starts EASILY and what does not. I tried petunias and they took forever to germinate. I tried sunflowers and they were like a weed. Pansies did nothing, I was very surprised. I sprouted gourds and they went crazy, and the marigolds were a no-brainer. Zinnias also did great until one cool frosty spring morning zapped them.

After awhile of getting frustrated with that, I discovered I had a million and one (maybe I exaggerate a tad bit) cosmos growing from where they were planted last year. So I began to dig them up...and move them to the backyard, the front yard, the side yard, pretty much everywhere I could find an empty spot. I did this in early spring thinking I better move them while they were seedlings and the weather was still cool.. well, since then I have moved them at 18" and 80 degree heat. Oh, they wilt a bit for a day or so, but I drench them and they pop right back and go crazy!

Then I discovered that all the sunflower volunteers that were growing underneath the bird feeder would make great starts! So, off they went around the yard. Some of them are now about 4' tall and blooming. They look so cool along the brick exterior of our fireplace and really give my 12" deep flower bed between the driveway and the house some height and life.

I really have a weakness for ornamental grasses so I bought some blue fescue seeds and sprouted them. I almost gave up on them because they took forrrrrrrever to germinate. But finally they went. They are still small, but I haven't planted them out yet and I know as soon as I do they will take off, too. The other grass I have is a ribbon grass. I had one in the front yard bed that has taken over, so I dug up the shoots and spotted them here and there around the yard. They just sit there for now, but I know next year they will become big beautiful clumps like in the front. It is a wonderful grass for part shade because of the white variegation, it really lights things up. And my Carex 'Ice Dance' is gorgeous and growing like crazy from last year. I was weeding around them this year and realized there were little "babies" growing around them, so I dug those up and moved them into pots....gave them away. Hey, free plants are a very great thing!

So, I wish I had pictures to post with this blog tonight. We are getting a new camera any day and I want to try it out so when I get it I will post some pics of all my lovelies!

My Baby's Play Mat

I just finished this play mat for my son..didn't want to pay 50 or 60 dollars for one, so I decided to try my hand at making one. The cool thing is that its custom, I used fabrics that I already have made his blankets, sling, lovey and other things from so it all ties in together. I used two layers of batting in between microsuede on the bottom and super soft cuddly fabrics for him to lay on.
I added three pockets so he can find his toys "tucked" in, and put little short straps with snaps on each pocket to attach the toys. That way when I pick up the mat, all the toys stay put! I also added a "ring/handle" of super soft furry black fabric that is stitched onto the blanket, he loves to grab on to it. Fabric scraps were used for the binding, although it has many imperfections. Still struggling with binding and getting it right. All in all, it came out nice. Oh, and I added a strap with a snap on the back so I can roll it up and secure it when I'm done with it.

I sold some items!!!

I am so excited, here yesterday I was just saying how slow Etsy has been. Then yesterday evening I sold my Michael Miller Tattoo Parlour apron on Etsy to someone in Florida!! Then I sold another one locally! How funny, so I spent the evening sewing more tattoo aprons! I also have someone interested in my trash bags. It sounds like she wants one for her car and a bigger one for her child's dirty diapers...great idea, why didn't I think of that! Someone else wants me to make a layette, and I just finished a red and white hawaiian print pouch sling lined with striped minky white fabric for my friend. I'll post a pic of that cuz it turned out really cool, the minky feels so soft on your skin, I tried it out last night with my four month old son and he loved it. Well, on to more sewing and promoting my MamasBabyLove!