New Landscaping

Oh I've been trying to hold back and wait until it's finished to post a picture of our new landscaping.
But it seems I can't wait, so typical of me. There's still a few days work left to do, plants to be set in, sod to be laid and all the clean up from the "construction". Here is a taste of what is to come in my garden.

Crochet calms my soul

Well, I found this picture in a yarn shop catalog advertised as a pattern and have made up my own version using Vanna White's yarn. I cast on 223 chains, then did a single crochet in the second chain from hook and repeated all the way across, chain one and turn and I go in the back of the loop, though I first started alternating front/back with the rows, then decided it would be prettier to go in the back of the loop so I would get the ridges, but I kept those first few rows and will try to duplicate them when I get to the end. I'm using slightly different color combos than this picture. I crochet everywhere I go and so many women stop me and admire the colors in this piece. As soon as I get a few more rows on I'll include a picture of my piece..
I'm eager to get to the end of this one as I want to do one in creams and lavendar, purple and white I think to go with a quilt I am making for my guest room.

Button Dyeing for Chernobyl

Yesterday a friend from our quilt guild taught our stitch group how to dye buttons. Who knew? There was a small charge for the class and supplies. All profits went to benefit the victims of the Chernobyl disaster. To volunteer or donate go to their website chernobyl2000ltd.co.uk

You start out with white plastic buttons, all shapes and sizes and designs. Also buy beads.

you add water, buttons and the tiniest amount of disperse dye to a pan that you will never use for anything else. Bring all to a boil until the color is as you choose. Then rinse and drain and wash rinse with your dish soap and hot water. Rinse until your water runs clear, then lay out to dry on old towels pressing the moisture out.

Separate by colors/size or however you like, then make the jewelry. We worked in alternate groups of four to make these bracelets. We all had a great time together, learned something new and contributed to the efforts for the folks of Chernobyl. Our friend and her friends have made thousands of dollars for them making and selling dyed button bracelets. It's a small way to show you care about others misfortune.