Wednesday, February 29, 2012

New Spring

Oodles of projects, home upgrades and a very large to-do list around here lately.
That's a fold over tag I've been working on for some Bittersweet lavender sachets. A butterfly punch is attached on top so that the package can hang.
I mentioned the wood bunny tags on Bittersweet blog but if you didn't happen to see it here's the scoop. I have received several emails requesting where I purchased the wood tags. If you haven't hopped over to Bittersweet then you are also not aware that the wood tags come in a package of 8 and are $1!
I painted mine with a whitewash and then stamped the rabbit.
Also worth repeating...This....
Yeah, I know!
Both items were purchased at Joann's craft store.
I'm still pondering flower garden thoughts. Even more after browsing through this selection of pretty fabric paper.
Warmly,
Jill 00

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Spring on my mind

I just can't seem to stop thinking about spring! Please excuse me if you've traveled to and fro on Calico's sister blogs only to discover spring topics there too.

That picture was taken last spring, summer of one of my flower beds.

The twig ladder was a handmade gift from Lennis. Isn't it cool? I love it! When he first presented it the steps were covered with English ivy, naturally sweet that guy of mine.

I usually plant lots of flower seeds and I sow seeds more often then purchasing ready established plants. It' not only cost effective I get a genuine great feeling monitoring the tiny seeds transform themselves into beautiful buds. If the weather is good that transformation happens quickly and before you know your landscape is bathed with colorful blossoms.

I'm pondering serious spring thoughts. This season I'm experimenting with everlasting flowers. I've grown them before but it's been many moons ago so I'm anxious to bring back those happy flowering thoughts.
Straw flowers, baby's breath, statice, larkspur and a few different varieties of lavender so that I can make wands. All of those varieties dry nice. Cant' forget hydrangeas. I have a row planted on the north side of our home.
Straw flowers and vintage blouses. Kind of go together nicely don't you think?
Old fashioned Bachelor Button welcoming a favorite friend.
Another favorite flower, the delicate tiny blooms of a forget me not. I was thrilled when this single bloom sprouted a few weeks after I planted the seeds. Very unusal, because they usually don't bloom until the following year. A forget me not blessing, I'd say.

This is a hydrangea cluster from last season. It too somewhat of a sweet surprise as I had beautuful blue blooms directly next to the pink ones without treating the soil.

By the way, this is when you pick the flower heads to dry. After they've bllomed and beginning to turn a pretty shade of green with dense heavy heads. Simply stick the stem in a vessel to dry. No upside down action needed. The same techinique should be used for the other everlasting buds too. How easy is that? Love it!

Before the hyrdangeas bud out the peonies and mock orange bloom. Usually around Memorial weekend on my side of the pond. If you've never seen mock orange it's a very old fashioned bush type. The blossoms are white and they carry a lovely scent quite similar to orange blossoms, gardenia, or jasmine.
The sweet lacy like allysum. Another favorite. The perfect ground covering flower or low growing layering bloom.
The wild wood violet. That's what I call her.  When I was a little girl I remember seeing her pretty purple face in the woods. She'll be arriving soon!
 Miss Lilac too.

The edible flower, nasturtium. She prefers being started by seed. Her tender young brightly colored blooms arrive almost over night.

Part two of spring on my mind coming next.

Warmly,
Jill 00

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentines Day

I hope it's a day filled with hugs, kisses and smiles...xo
Jill

Thursday, February 9, 2012

A little calico kitchen and my favorite chocolate cake

Yummy! This is my trusty chocolate cake recipe. The coffee adds a mild flavor to the recipe.
It's Ina's recipe. I have several of Ina's cookbooks that I reference recipes from. This is by far a favorite. I use dark dutch cocoa for both the batter and icing. That is why the icing is so dark.
Another play day this afternoon on Pinterest.
I found this cute little calico kitchen picture.

I love the wood bench, the plate rack, the light. Hey, I have that light! Just realized that as I look at the picture.

Well not exactly, but close.

Love that calico kitchen!

Beans and cornbread for dinner because old man winter has came for a visit.

Warmly,

Jill 00

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Sweetness♥

I'd like to take this moment to thank everyone that happens upon Calico Petals, Fussy French and Bittersweet. Having three blogs may seem daunting to some folks but not to me. I enjoy the down time they offer me during my busy schedule. Yep, I'm usually on some sort of scheduling. I have to otherwise nothing would get done!
Can you believe Valentines Day is only a few short days away?
Thinking maybe holidays should be more than one day! What do you think?

Anyway I wanted to thank you for visiting Calico Petals. I don't often find the time to respond to emails or posts but please know I'm appreciative of your comments and emails and read each and every one.

It's been 6 years since my first post on Bittersweet blog. Wowsa! The daily interaction amongst fellow bloggers has brought joy to my life and a song in my heart. I mean that!
A lot of things have changed since that first post. I guess that's how time works. Nothing stays the same over time. Eventually a change occurs.

Some exciting things in the works for Fussy French, Bittersweet and Calico Petals.
Shh. I can't spill the beans quite yet.
Hint: There's a story behind every.....-------......

Warmly,
Jill 00

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