New Bird In Our Yard

My husband is the main bird watcher at our house.  He gets so excited when he sees the birds returning in the spring.  This year we have one that we haven't seen before.  It's a Western Tangier.  The male is much more colorful than the female.  Figures.  Don't they always have to show off?  Here is a photo of the male.

Home decor

Found items can not only be used to create garden art, but also decorative and useful items for inside your home.  For this easy-to-make piece I glued two light blue tea light candle holders bottom to bottom, then glued them to an upside down clear glass saucer.  I topped it with a vintage milk glass saucer.  I added a row of rhinestones for a little glitter.  It can be used or a candy dish, trinket dish or a catch-all for jewelry..  Great for an unusual decor item in  your home or as a gift for that special person in your life.

Garden sign

It's the middle of May and still raining.  It was 48 degrees this morning when I got up.  Unbelievable!!  I'm ready for a long hot summer!  I planted sweet peas two months ago and there's no sign of them peeking out of the ground yet. 

I love making humorous garden/yard signs.  They're easy to make and they put smiles on visitor's faces.  All you need is a board, a stake and paint.  I used a paint pen.  Below is a photo of one of them.  Others I've made include the message:  Garden of Weedin' and Frog Parking - All Others Will Be Toad.  Put this on your to-do list for an easy, fun project.

You can see this sign and more garden items in my etsy shop.
.http://www.etsy.com/shop/RecycleRoom

The Woolgatherer

They say I’m a dreamer
indulging in idle fancies;
a woolgatherer
who observes the world through
a rose-tinted mist.

I’m told I don’t view reality,
but do they notice
the tiny sprout peeking
through early spring earth,
the intricate lace that spiders spin,
cloud works-of-art in a sunset sky?

Do they visit exotic lands
from a fireside chair,
revel in a future
full of impossible dreams?

I’m a woolgatherer;
a dreamer, indulging in idle fancies,
perceiving worlds they never see.

Spring Has Sprung!!

What a beautiful afternoon!!  Are any of you Washingtonians tired of the cold, rainy days?  I know we should be thankful that we haven't had the terrible storms that some of the rest of the country has had, but still it gets a little tiresome. 

Some of my favorite handcrafted garden items has been my solar lights.  The first time I saw the glow after dark I was SO excited.  I craft the base and container for them with found glass objects; then insert the solar light.  After I made the first one I just had to make another.  I have used a clear glass lid on top so that the light can easily be replaced if necessary.

Bottle Bug Tutorial

It's been several days since I've posted here.  Sometimes life just gets in the way.  Our beautiful thirteen year old great-granddaughter died last Friday after being in a coma most of the week.  She died from heart failure.

So, finally, here's a tutorial for making the bottle bugs.  I think each crafter does it a little differently, but this is my method, at least for this one.

Materials:
Glass bottle - any size
Wire - I used 30.5 m steel wire
Adhesive for glass - I used GE Silicone for Windows & Doors
Screen
Round flat object for face - I used a large flat marble
2 small round pieces for eyes - On this one I used tiny glass mirrors
 Needle nose pliers

Cut the screen into the shape of wings (all one piece).  Make a fold in the center.

 Cut a piece of wire long enough to go around the bottle neck plus two or three inches for feet.  Run the two ends of the wire through the top of folded wings and draw tight.  Wrap it around the bottle neck and twist tightly using needle nose pliers.  Bend the ends for feet, cutting the wire ends if necessary.

 Cut another wire long enough to go around the bottle neck plus several inches.  This will be the the feelers.  Wrap the wire around the bottle from the bottom to the top, run the ends through the screen and pull tight.  Twist tightly as you did for the feet.  Cut the wire to the desired length.  With the needle nose pliers make a small circle at each wire end.

Cut one more wire for the hanger.  Wrap it around the bottle as you did the others, twist tightly and make a loop on the end for hanging.  Glue the large round piece to the bottle mouth.  Glue the eyes on.....

...and you're done!  Hang outdoors or in.  If hanging outside be sure to use an adhesive for outdoor use.
You can decorate the wings if you so desire.  Paint them, put rhinestones on them or whatever your imagination conjures up.

Bottle bugs

Did you ever want bugs that wouldn't harm your garden? I have some of these flying around my yard.  They create a little whimsy in the garden and give some color in the winter when the flowers and plants are sparse.
They're so much fun and easy to make. Check back in a day or two for a tutorial.

The weather has been so chilly and dreary here this spring.  I'm more than ready for summer!  I want to dig in the dirt.  I want to plant some of those shrubs and perennials that I've been reading about in the magazines and catalogs.  I want color!