For those who wish to knit or crochet, try starting with the larger needles. It makes the item go quickly. Big is anything over a size 15. Some needles are huge, almost broomstick size. I got into knitting a couple years ago, DD wanted a pancho for school. Panchos were just starting to get popular. I made it pretty fast, loose weave was pretty, so garment was light and not overly hot in school. Just a couple rectangles sewn together, so there was a point in front and back, head opening. I crocheted an edging with real fluffy yarn in a nice contrast color. Turned out well, she got lots of compliments on it. If you use synthetices, you can run it thru the washer. Wool FEELS so nice, but does take extra care and summer storage for moth prevention. For kids, synthetics are the way to go, keep clean easily. I also crochet, actually prefer it. But finding a large hook, size S, made it fun crocheting rugs with strips of old cloth. I have made a number of rugs now, and they are fast to do, wash wonderfully. I just hang them on a lawn chair to dry on the porch. I just make the pattern up as I go along. I have squares and ovals, all about 36" x 24". Seems to be a good lap size, bigger is harder to handle and heavy. Sizes will fit well in front of the sink, bathroom shower, back door for the dog to lay on. I might put a piece of no-slip stuff under it, to keep rug still on a vinyl or wood floor. So if you are considering doing knitting or crochet, try just doing some easy squares, in a large size like 36"x36", using a big hook or pair of needles. You might want the needles with a string between the ends, easier to use with wider knit projects. Knitting is just back and forth, so the string/cable needles are very handy with bigger pieces. You only need to know one stitch to start, get good at it, to finish the piece. I did some with knit on one side, purl on the other. Really basic, but pretty with nice yarn. Pieces that size or slightly longer, can make lap robes, baby afghans, or be put together for a larger sized afghan. Really go quickly to finish. I tend to watch TV when working, don't need a lot of attention to project with only one stitch on each side, just keep doing the same thing. Other good, fast projects are hats. They can go quickly, done in a couple days or less. Can be done knitted or crocheted flat, then sew the edges together to be round. I consider myself a beginning knitter and crochet person. Only have a couple stitches in my skill list, but you can do a lot with just basics. Very fun to produce an object, rug, hat, with these basics. I HAVE learned to do cables this winter, so am moving up the skill levels. Cables are surprisingly easy! Now on to learning to do pattern reading! My SIL was making scarves a couple years ago, just one stitch. Now she does FANCY socks, lookes almost embroidered. Needles are so tiny, that she can do pictures on the socks. Huge jump in skill, just trying new stuff. I think she keeps all her socks, wears them to show off! As well she should, they are amazing. The knee socks shown above, are very attractive. I will try some one of these days! I am planning to work on mittens first though. We can always use mittens around here. Have to get the thumb part down. Maybe then I will be ready for sock heels and 4 needles like my mother does them. I do some painting of items used in the gardens. Stepping stone enhancement, coloring some statues, ironwork that I have around. Not really original stuff, not the artist. Painting is a winter thing, too busy in summer. Also do some sewing, with fancy pillowcases being an inspiration this year. LOTS of elaborate lace trim, which is fun to look at on colored cases. Make good gifts at Christmas and other occassions. I am using the few inches left over as trim on a case for the couch pillow. Just many kinds of lace on a piece of material, to be used as an accent piece. Kind of fun doing fancy, after using the sewing to mostly repair work clothing. Made some tank tops for DD, all the kids need a lot of them to layer. I had the material, she chose the colors she wanted. I will be letting her do the next ones, pinning neck and arms takes all the time. Then she can make more when she wants them. About an hour each shirt. Rolling knife is a big time saver there. We used her purchased shirts as patterns, just cut around them, so they were just the right style and sizing. I don't want any clothing to look "homemade" because no one will wear it. My "Arty" skills come out in putting things together, some designing talents, not a pictoral art skill. I did a lot of picture framing over winter to get the art stuff up on the walls. We had gathered quite a lot, not hung it before. Priced getting it professionally matted and framed. ACKK!! The PRICES THEY WANTED!! I checked out mat cutters and got one, bought some frames to do it myself. That was fun, picking matting colors, cutting the mats, double layers or fancy cutting, framing it up. Very satisfying to see them all finished up. Those who have seen the walls of pictures, like it too. Good thing Art can cover a lot of talent and skills!

Many garden statuary are imported so it's best to find out the names of local manufaturers and to ask if they hold factory sales. You just might find one near your area. My garden find for the day, is surprisingly from a card shop.. Carlton Cards is holding sales and I got my coloured glass windchimes for around $13. I plan to take it apart and not to utilize it as windchimes. (one windchime is enough) I like the look of the sun shining through glass but it's been quite expensive to find stained glass work for outdoor purposes. This way, I can hang the glass on branches around the yard and feel great about the splashes of colours. Right now I'm regretting not purchasing those really neat statues of plump pigeons to set in one or two corners of the garden. An element of surprise is always a necessary thing for me when designing.

Nick and I are going to hit it today too. He wants a new CP and then he wants to to go to Hollywood Studios, LOL, but he's still just 10. Did anyone get anything good? Was anyone selling carnivores? Last year at all the plant sales I bought gingers for under the Oak and Chinese Lantern tree on the border of my garden. While I was in India the neighbor cut down the Lantern tree and trimmed back the oak severly well over my yard. I probably had $300 worth of gingers under it that are all going white with sunburn. That was my only safe spot to grow them. But I don't want another 'enemy' neighbor. I already don't get along with my south neighbor. when he move in (we live in a circle cul-de-sac) he didn't know where the property line was and he cut down all of my plants in a flower bed including a papaya, a bay leaf, and a bougie. Then he argued about the property line! Like it had magically moved just because he moved in. Oh well.

cut down a tree yesterday & am paying for it today: can't move parts of my body I didn't even know I had! so I'm updating my list (any excuse is a good excuse, right?) Here's what I have: ..................Has.....................Wants Deb: name tag...................crinum (I think the Vick's plant has returned to the earth, but if it shows any green, I'll bring it.) Donna.....................................crinum Rebecca......dog treats...........no entry-Did I miss something? Dorothy..... no real entry, but I have seeds from May's house for her cockscomb, don't know if it's dwarf or not, it's about 16" tall? Lin.....variegated aspidistra,................shade plants ........tall pink Mexican petunia ........aloe Alley......cannas.........................Turk's cap, blue mistflower, Louisiana irises April.....shea butter balms..........many mints, drought-tolerant perennials (I know I'll have Brazilian rock rose, lamb's ears, white yarrow, maybe yarrow Papriks, which is red). Tina.....lemon mint (lots) & cannas......pots! Tessa...tomato seedlings, loquat..............ginger Weldon.....pink or white kolanchoes........aucuba (just cut & stuck them this morning!) Danna....evergreens?....................tough roses Julie...yellow ice plant, pink mum.........lamb's ear, crinums, Bridal Wreath cuttings if they root, ginger if I can find, bulbs depending on what I can find Carrie......ice plant, tall cannas............mauve crinum If I've omitted anything, please let me know. off to take an aspirin... (Does anybody know a way to get columns to show up on the posts?)