Here’s how to make another type of basket! Starting First cut slits in four of the spokes in the center of the spoke. Next make a slant cut on the ends of the non-slitted spokes so it is sharp and pointed. Slide the cut end spokes through the slits in the other spokes. This basket […]
Archive for the ‘Crafts’ Category
More Baskets!
Posted in Crafts, tagged baskets, homemade baskets, making baskets, natural baskets on February 16, 2021 | Leave a Comment »
Branch Borders
Posted in Crafts, Growing, tagged borders, branch borders, branches, garden borders on January 26, 2021 | 2 Comments »
I just trimmed my redwood dogwoods to get basket making supplies and decided to use the larger branches to make a border for a flower and herb bed.
Edible Flowers
Posted in Cooking, Crafts, Growing, tagged edible flowers on May 10, 2020 | Leave a Comment »
Many of the flowers that grace our yards are edible. They can be used as accents in a salad or as garnish on a main dish. Here are a few of my favorites: I like to use chive flowers in salads to lend a slightly onion flavor. Here’s a recipe for omelets with chive flowers. Lavender cookies are […]
Stone Necklaces
Posted in Crafts, tagged rustic jewelry, stone necklaces, wire wrapped stones on December 5, 2019 | 3 Comments »
This post is one of the most popular on the site. Over the years I have made necklaces from stones collected on both coasts and they remind me of the trips. Here are step by step instructions for making necklaces from small stones. To start you will need a few basic tools such as needle-nosed pliers, […]
Calendula Cream
Posted in Cooking, Crafts, tagged calendula cream, creams on August 10, 2019 | Leave a Comment »
Calendula’s blooming so it’s time to make soothing cream.
Garlic Braids
Posted in Crafts, Growing, tagged garlic braid, harvesting garlic on July 28, 2019 | Leave a Comment »
Right now is a good time to harvest garlic. Braiding it then hanging it in a cool, dark place is a great way to store it for later. First dry the garlic until the leaves are limp and the outside of the bulb is getting papery. Gently brush off the dirt and trim the roots off. […]
Darn That Sock!
Posted in Crafts, tagged darning, sock darning, sock repair on January 23, 2019 | Leave a Comment »
“Oh there’s a hole in my sock dear Liza, dear Liza…” Wait, wrong song but the hole definitely is in my daughter’s sock; we’ve all moved to mainly wool socks and with each pair running about eighteen dollars it’s time to darn that hole. First turn the sock inside out and put something round into the […]
Bean Necklaces
Posted in Crafts, tagged dried bean necklaces, homemade necklaces on October 20, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
Every urban farmer should have at least one bean necklace for that perfect agricultural fashion accent. Right now is a great time to harvest those end of the season beans and get crafting. Here’s how: Many colorful varieties can be used and you can do patterns with solid color beans. I like using pliers to pull […]
Dyeing with Black Walnuts
Posted in Crafts, Foraging, tagged black walnut dye, dyeing with black walnut, natural plant dyeing on October 15, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
If you’ve ever handled black walnuts you know how well they can dye your hands, countertop and many other things you may not want a deep brown color. Dark brown yarn is lovely. The first step is to carefully harvest your walnuts. I always use gloves to do this as the fruit is a bit […]
Grapevine Wreaths
Posted in Crafts, tagged grapevine wreaths, wreaths on October 10, 2018 | Leave a Comment »
It’s a wee bit early to be pruning grapes but I wanted to neaten up the front yard so trimmed off the long, ropy vines. Using these vines to make wreaths is easy and they turn out great.