Free Herb Magazine

I posted this to my garden blog but wanted to share it here.
The Essential Herbal magazine is offering a free copy of its sold out edition concerning vegetable gardens :)
dig for victory here and get your own copy!

You might also like to know that Mother Earth News has a "Grow Your Own Food" guide out as well- worth getting :)
Those of us who have been doing this for years are loving the new trend... :D

SNOW!!

You can see some of my snow pictures scrolling in the flickr box above, but for the rest, and some of the story about the snow, visit my nature notebook blog:)

My Rainbow

I am not sure I like my rainbow very much LOL

Your rainbow is intensely shaded yellow, blue, and indigo.

What is says about you: You are a tranquil person. You appreciate cities, technology, and other great things people have created. Friends count on you for being honest and insightful. You're good at getting people to like you.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

H.T. To Ann Thompson Nemcosky

Ice-Storm

I just uploaded some photos of the freezing rain, onto my nature notebook :) I am considering HOW I might paint this... :)

STOP the CPSIA!!

I don't like to talk much politically here, but I am getting very angry about this particular act! you can read all about it here at Kidhaus and download the action plan from here Blog by Handmade .

Slowing Down...

So it looks like I haven't done much in the last couple of weeks. That's not really true.
I have produced SOME art. Not a daily dose as I should though. I have no excuse except to say I have a slight Artistic block- maybe it is the lack of vegetables ;)
No, indeed the last couple of weeks I have been focusing on getting my internet time sorted. I am on a trial where I really do not touch the computer while schooling the kids. It does make for better time, but I am not sure if it is the fact that we are not in Rebel's bedroom (where my computer is) being distracted by all the toys, or if they just like me reading or knitting better!

Rebel turned 9, and we had a day off for him to play with his new toys. Then last week he was sick with a cold- which meant that I gave him another day off. Sort of- it was more like unschooling :)

Last weekend we attended the Fall Fiber Festival at James Madison's Montpelier Virginia. This was MY birthday treat, and a lot of my creative energies are going towards the knitting and felting side of things. If I just has a few more hours each day I could do both! Instead I have to pick and choose :(

One up side, is that now the kids have seen sheepdogs in action, I can tell them that M'Lady is the sheep and Rebel is the dog (or vice versa) and get them to do things!!

In the meantime, I'll be trying to sneak my internet time back in during the afternoons to compensate :)

Something to Think About

It is interesting to me, as a non-citizen, to see the way this election is turning out. On this, the anniversary of 9/11, I thought it would be appropriate to make a serious point.

It's a serious choice people, and you would do well to listen to this man, Craig Ferguson. I saw a clip of this on the morning news, then I saw the whole thing on As Cosy As Spring.
As she says, this is not precisely kid friendly, but it IS well said. Plus he is my favourite late-night Comedian/Host ;)
And that is the end of my political points, and the seriousness for today :)

Finally...

I was excited to see in my blogger dashboard the other day, the new 'followers' feature they were recommending.
I was a little disappointed to see that I had yet to get it, but resigned to the idea that it might take a while.
So I was VERY happy to see it this morning as I logged on. I've added the widget to my sidebar, so should you want to follow me you can just click it ;)
Otherwise, it's a feature that works with Google Reader and you can add me to your list there too ;)

Now... if they have a widget to add the blogs I am following to my blog... :)

Remembering Tasha

For those of you who don't know, Tasha Tudor died in June. In Memoriam, Cay Gibson and the ladies over at Author Fiesta, have made Tasha their current author. Tasha was a talented artist and author, and a very interesting person.

The ladies of Author Fiesta then decided to have a 'Tasha Tudor Rememberance Day', inspired by Clarice (of Storybook Woods). This will take place on the 28th August :)
We have been told to spread the news, and I hope you will join in the celebration of an amazing woman :)

Thanks to Clarice of Storybook Woods for the banner and sidebar button :)

SERENDIPITY HAS A WEBSITE!!

This is great news for all the Serendipity fans out there... check it out!!

http://www.elizabethfoss.com/elizabethfoss/serendipity/

The Joy of Dancing

I admit... I have been sent this video several times over the last few weeks... and everytime I laugh and cry during it, because the JOY that is felt with these people is SO cool.

You might remember Matt, the star, from previous Viral Videos out there. He's back, with extras, and the film is well worth the watch!

HT to Macbeth for the Vimeo Link :)


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

How to Make an Art /Travel Journals

How to Make a Simple Art Journal/Travel Journal

The wonder of drawing, is that you can capture the feel of a moment. Most cameras cannot do that as well as a drawing can, although an experienced and talented photographer can certainly capture it better than most!
But lets say you want to go on vacation, and make momentoes of your trip... why not make your own journal to do it?

This way is surprisingly easy :) You will be able to make at least 2 journals out of the stuff described below.

All you need:
1 sheet of uncut matt-board (from a craft store that sells matts for pictures)
2 sets of 2 large sheets of matching scrapbook paper (i.e. 2 of one and two of another)
4 pieces of plain paper
Your choice of filler paper... I used 3 large sheets of mi-teints paper in different colours, and one pad of 10 sheets of watercolour paper (130lb)

1. Cut the mat board into 4 covers. Mine all measure approximately 6.5" x 10".

2. Cover one side of these with the scrapbook paper. Use a white glue such as Elmer's or Tacky Glue, and cover the paper. I mitred the corners by pushing the corner down BEFORE the sides.

3. Cut the plain paper so it is just slightly smaller than the matt-board, and cover the other side of the covers. This is the endpaper. You can just see the cover and the endpaper in the photo below. You might like to add an elastic cover closure before gluing the endpaper down. Those are made by gluing a piece of elastic the appropriate size to go around your completed book, UNDER the endpaper. They are quite useful if you glue things into your journal.


4. Cut the paper into sizes just slightly smaller than the matt board covers. You can see my paper as I cut it above. Given another chance, I would use a paper cutter/guillotine and measure it rather than folding it and cutting as I did :) I would also cut them slightly bigger than shown!

This picture shows you the different papers... three different Mi-Teintes (black, blue and sand) and white watercolour paper (cold press).

5. Use a spiral binding or comb binding machine to punch holes in the side of the papers and covers, and bind with a spiral or comb. A copy place will do this for you at a reasonable price, if you don't have access to a machine.

Why make your own?
Because you customise the paper. My has paper capable of holding watercolours AND different colours/textures of paper. This is actually a very enjoyable thing to play around with... after all, whites will actually SHOW on coloured paper ;)

Why comb/spiral?
Because it allows you to add things your book. The combs and spirals allow you to paste things INTO a book- a map of your trip, ephemera you collect AS WELL as the drawings and paintings you might make :) Not to mention you can easily adjust the bound side or size of your book. This one is bound on the short side:

While the one at the top was bound on the long side :)

Why Matt Board?
Because it is nice and thick... which means maximum protection for your work AND it is easy to get! One sheet did both these books, with enough left over for maybe two more!!

And there you have it, a simple book for using as an art/travel journal. You can also use it as a nature diary if you like, or a simple sketch book... your own preference :)

Modesty

Marry Ellen said it very well... and you can read about it here.

Some new links

I just added some new art related links to the sidebar if you are interested ;)

Also, the Simple Woman has a new blog about food preservation... hooray for us newbies to the art!!

For those of you who like to plan

Dawn is finally sharing how she does it :)

Check it out!!

Washday 1916

This little piece was sent to us in a Church newsletter, and I thought it deserved repeating.
It is a receipt for washing clothes and appears as written.

1. Bilt fire in backyard to heet kettle of rain water.
2. Set tubs so smoke won't blow in eyes if wind is pert.
3. Shave one hold cake lie soap in billin water.
4. Sort things, make three piles. 1 pile white, 1 pile collored, 1 pile work britches and rags.
5. Stir flour in cold water to smooth, then thin down with bilin water.
6. Rub dirty spots on board, scrub hard, then bile. Rub collored don't bile, just rinch in starch.
7. Take white things out of kettle with broomstick handle then rinch, and starch.
8. Hang old rags on fince.
9. Spread tee towels on grass.
10. Pour rinch water in flower bed.
11. Scrub porch with hot soapy water.
12. Turn tubs upside down.
13. Go put on house dress, smooth hair with side combs. brew cup of tee, sit and rest and rock a spell and count blessings.

This was taken from an old newspaper article, which then advises the readers to "hang this above your automatic washer, and when things look bad, read again". :)

(Translations: billin/bilin is boiling, bile is boil, rinch is rinse.)

There is a Light

Corey has been sharing her struggle with us recently. Her struggle over the prolonged death of her father. With grace and humility, she has shared her worries and fears, as well as her heartbreaking realization that God chooses when we go, not ourselves.
Tonight, her father is with the other souls in heaven. Say a prayer for him and the family.
And if you get the chance, please do check out the rest of Corey's beautiful blog.

And if after that, you want something a little more upbeat, then check out Mom is teaching's Post, How to Hate on Homeschoolers Properly! You have probably seen the offending article mentioned therein, mentioned on a number of other sites already ;)

Mothers Day Giveaway

Over at Maple Lane. You could win a teapot, teacozy, tea cutters and a handmade apron from J. Carrell Originals! Aren't they pretty? (There are more photos at her blog)


Jan says there are three ways to win:
Post about the giveaway on your blog and then leave a comment on her blog under the giveaway post.

List her blog on the link list of your blog, then email her to let her know.

Look at her website J. Carrell Originals and then leave a comment on the Apronista Blog or her blog, under the giveaway post stating two of your favorite items and any other comments you might have.

The winner will be chosen by random drawing at 9:00 P.M. on May 4, 2008. Apron will be mailed the following Monday so that you will receive it in time for Mother’s Day.
Due to the high cost of shipping internationally. Shipping for the prize will only be for residents of the United States.

Happy Earth Day!

Your Life is 68% Green

You live a very green life, and you're aware of how your actions help the earth. Of course, it's hard to be totally green. But when you make a tradeoff, you know why you're making it.

How Green Is Your Life?

HT To Dawn over at By Sun and Candlelight, who has a lovely post about some Earth Day activities!

I do think that homeschoolers have a slight advantage over others in this... after all, we telecommute daily (blogging and internet;)) and we ALWAYS bring our lunch to school with us! And although I try to walk more often than not... well there is the point that our area is just not designed for that!

In the meantime, I am watching the rain fall (still) and enjoying the green-ness out there :)

It's one of THOSE days...

You know the ones. The ones where it is a struggle to get the kids to do a simple page of filling out the answers or where they stay in bed until you have to drag them out.
Yes, one of those days.
I don't think it helped that it rained yesterday.
Because it rained, it was darker later, and we got up later and started everything later.
I cleaned out M'Lady's closet. Wow was that a mess or what? It is now filled with much fewer clothes (I hope I don't regret throwing those out!) and a lot of toys disappeared too. Some of those caused a little anxiety on my part, but I really don't think they will miss them!
Once the closet was done, I attacked her toy boxes, and rearranged the room. It looks great... and she even has a little 'nook' at her window (the one with the best view in the entire house!).
Unfortunately, this means that the room has to be messed up, investigated with big brother and all sorts.
His room will be attacked next week!
But yes, back to today. Lots of rain and a struggle...