Single-variety planters take just as much watering and grooming as fancy planters. If you want to mix plants, go for it. If you prefer the look of all-one-variety, then do that instead. You're the one who will see it daily. You can certainly put together something fabulous from catalogs, but for your first combo, go easy on yourself. I recommend you go to a friendly nursery where they will let you play around a bit. Take one of your favorite plants on a tour of the nursery and put it next to anything else you like the look of. Pick out some friends for your favorite. Check labels and ask the staff, if necessary, to make sure all your choices need the same amount of light, food and water. Take a few of each plant that you like, and keeping them in their pots, place them on the counter, floor, little red wagon, etc. so you can see how they look together. Stand back and see how it looks. Try a few different arrangements. Make sure you buy enough plants to make your containers look full from the start. Have fun! Oh, and at this point, you may be able to score some discounted or free plants to fill in what you have this year. Many nurseries do clearance sales this time of year. The plants may look sad, but they often bounce back after a couple of weeks of TLC. I picked up some free annuals today, from a nursery that wanted to get rid of them. They posted on Freecycle. I love Freecycle. Here is a link that might be useful: Freecycle

My seeds came yesterday, but I have not had time to look at them. I'll post later with the high points. Thanks MIchelle, for another successful swap. Finally had a chance to open my envelope. Everyone sent great seeds and I will be sowing a lot of them this season. The most creative referenced the poultry and egg garden, including several plumes, Turkey Craw pole beans, a couple of feathers and one Cranesbill, not to mention a couple of foxes in the hen house (Foxgloves). I am always surprised and delighted by some of the associations people make in this swap. Other themes got nice seeds too and poor Miss Lottie could not help but be encouraged by all the different kinds of Marigold. Thanks again! Alana This post was edited by poisondartfrog on Tue, Feb 25, 14 at 19:09

I don't sew clothes for myself anymore - only crafts/household decor. I do sew for my 2 1/2 yr. old granddaughter, but judiciously . . . they outgrow clothes so fast and you can get them so cheap now - much cheaper than I can sew them, so I only make very special or unique things for her. This winter, I made her a couple of animal-print fleece coats with black fur trim that get comments every single time we go out the door! My Joann's store has a rack of flyers right inside their door, and every one has a 40% off coupon for a 'cut' of fabric - as much as you want, as long as it's not on sale. Once I use my mailed coupons, I can go back as many times as necessary and use another flyer coupon. When I have time, I look through the pattern books and make a list of the patterns I want, then wait until they go on sale for 99 cents to 1.99 . . . which they always do, within a few weeks or so. I really miss our Walmart fabric section, so I'm pretty much at the mercy of Joann's . . . although we have a factory a half hour away that makes worldwide draperies, bedding, etc. They have an outlet store that sells end rolls of all their high quality decorating fabrics for next to nothing. I have made lots of valances, pillows, etc with their fabrics for a few dollars. I also mix and match pattern pieces to get a new version of something . . . it's true, sewing isn't what it used to be (cheap), but with a little effort, you can still "get your project runway on" and express your creativity without breaking the bank :)

I would love to join your sticker swap. Could you send your address as soon as possible because I live in Canada as well and it takes 4-5 days longer to get to you sometimes. Thanks