Nothing much to say today, thanks to Sarah Palin

So, I was ready to write a post and share my insights on the world and the economical issues at hand, but after viewing Sarah Palin's response to a question posed by Katie Couric during an interview I suddenly don't feel like talking. See how you feel after watching:

Extremely easy indoor houseplants, without the attitude

Even though the weather is cooling down in preparation for fall and ultimately winter, my backwards nature is suddenly craving greenery.

I got my green thumb working on a couple easy indoor houseplants. The first and probably the easiest to maintain: Bamboo. You know, the kind they sell in the dollar store by the stick, but also at expensive flower shops in asian inspired pots surrounded by polished stones? Well, I got mine at the dollar store when they were quite small. I wanted to give them lots of light and water but I opted NOT to add the stones. I've found in the past that the roots can become entangled with the stone and make the plants hard to transfer to another pot, should you decide to do so later on. So, here are my three hearty bamboo shoots in my very stylish red 7-Eleven Extreme Gulp thermal cup.

Next up, the mystery plant. Pretty nasty looking start, but a quick growing, beautiful plant emerges after only a couple weeks. What could it be you say? Well, it ain't Audrey II. Although it does bare a striking resemblance to the infamous man-eating plant from "Little Shop of Horrors" (one of my favorite movies and soundtracks). Can you say, "Feed me Seymour?"

Give up? Ok, think, Mexican, think Guacomole!

Think, an avocado plant. In fact, I have three of them. I started these plants by eating the avocado fruit (is it even a fruit???), then cleaning the seed and sticking 3 or 4 toothpicks in it's side. The toothpicks hold the seed upright in a small cup of water (pointy part of the seed up). The water should cover about two-thirds of the seed at all time. Leave it alone for a couple of weeks in a sunny spot and you should start to see roots poking through the bottom of the seed, then shortly after the seed will split and a young plant will emerge. Once you see the roots touching the bottom of the cup, its time to transfer the plant to soil so it can get some real nourishment. As you can see, I'm a little late in transfering mine but I'm picking up some pots and soil today. I promise.

A Cryptic Post

*Update* Now that my PIFs have their gifts I can stop being so cryptic. I received a very sweet response from my PIF Kyle, on his blog:

http://www.kylewilliam.com/3/post/2008/09/paying-it-forward-thank-you-v.html

Just posting to say thanks for the lovely card, "you know who." I'm so glad you enjoyed your pillow and that it reminds you of family. It was made from recycled neckties on my 1935 Singer Featherweight (221) sewing machine and there isn't another pillow like it in the whole wide world :)

Be sure to tell your guests about it as they enjoy all the rich treasures sure to be found in your guest room ;-) Here's the pic I took after finishing it.

In joy,

V.

Finding the time to blog

Whose got time to blog when there's so much to be done? Sorry, that's just how I've been feeling lately. My sweetheart has been in the hospital for almost a month now with a head injury and I spend all my time traveling - work->hospital->home->work->hospital->home... well, you get the picture. When I am home, you'd think I'd catch up on some sleep, right? WRONG! I can't sleep. I stay up till 3 or 4 in the morning. I guess my nerves are so shot I feel too jittery to sleep. So, I sew. I sit at my machine and make random items. My random items of the week are quilted post cards and wristlets (thanks Chanecia!)

On another topic, I listed a few of my machines for sale on craigslist recently. Just trying to make room for my ever growing Featherweight and 301 machine stash. Well, no one contacted me about buying the machines, but I did get an email from a wonderful woman named Karen who had a cabinet for a 15-91 machine that she was giving away. That's right, I said "giving!" Well, I'm not big on cabinets because most are a dime a dozen and the rest are sitting on the curb come garbage day in any given neighborhood, but something about how she described this machine caught my attention. She stated that the cabinet was "interesting" and that it had drawers and plenty of storage, yet she listed the size as being the average sized "throw in your trunk" cabinet. Interesting... I had to see this cabinet. I made arrangements to drive out to her place and when I drove to the end of her driveway I saw one of the most amazing little cabinets I've ever seen. After some research I've found its a Singer No. 48 cabinet made exclusively for the 201 machines (although a 15 machine fits just fine, as will other models).

Enough about me and my sweet deal of a cabinet. I found out that Karen, this wonderful giving woman, makes clothing for American Girl dolls. She took me inside her fabulous home (warm and richly filled with all things vintagy) and showed me her collection of clothing that she's made on her vintage Singer 15 machine. The collection is amazing!!! I've never seen so many doll garmets, ensembles, everything from the dresses with matching jewelry, to raincoats with tiny umbrellas, faux fur outfits, hippie garbs with beads and peace signs, costumes with masks, gowns, frilly girly clothing and so very much more! Karen does about 30 doll shows a year but get this, she doesn't do anything online! No website, no forums, nothing. What a shame I can't point you guys to her website so you can see her handywork. You will be amazed! I for one am hoping to inspire and help her get her wares online. The world needs to see all she has to offer. This is one very talented woman y'all. Makes me want to start collecting American Girl dolls just so I can dress them up in her clothing.

If anyone is interested in beautiful original designs of very well made American Girl doll clothing, shoot me note and I'll put you in touch with Karen.