Friday, September 28, 2012

Happy Friday

charlie collage

What a ham!!!! Have a great weekend!



Thursday, September 27, 2012

Easy to make rag ribbon wreaths

So, my mom surprised me with this beautiful rag ribbon wreath!

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012

She had seen some online for sale, but just knew she could make it herself. So, she did! And, it turned out lovely.

It gave me an idea to make a couple as thank you gifts for my volunteers that recently helped me with the Fair. So, here are some of my creations...

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012 (10)

I had some ribbon stockpiled along with some tule, so I went to town!

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012 (12)

All you have to do is get a grapevine wreath or a foam wreath form and some coordinating ribbon.

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012 (8)

Simply cut strips of ribbon and start tying knots side by side around the form. Keep the knots tight together. This will help the wreath to be full and poofy!

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012 (18)

Stagger the knots so that the ribbon sticks out at different angles to give it fullness and personality! I think it's easier to see on this fall wreath I made...

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012 (21)

It's so simple!!

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012 (23)

Ribbon is not cheap, but if you catch the seasonal ribbon on sale or get lucky and find some at a thrift store, you're good to go! I also attached some spiders and other embellishments to make it spookier! Just use some fishing line hold them in place!

Halloween Rag Wreath Sept 2012 (6)

My mom is so crafty and clever! What an inspiration to me for this project! And, I just love Halloween, so it was extra fun! Email me if you have questions!



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Stocking up for the holidays!

Clean Laundry Sept 2012 (4)

I'm getting all stocked up for the holidays!

Clean Laundry Sept 2012 (6)

Some of the favorite soap scents I'm making lots and lots of! Like clean laundry!

Clean Laundry Sept 2012 (3)

This is quickly becoming a favorite of my customers! Once you smell it, you'll know why!

Clean Laundry Sept 2012 (10)

It's beautiful and smells just as lovely as it looks!

Clean Laundry Sept 2012 (1)

Oh, and there's more of the staples!

Lavender Oatmeal Sept 2012 (2)

Lavender Oatmeal...yum!

Lavender Oatmeal Sept 2012 (4)

Lavender is just fantastic!

Lavender Oatmeal Sept 2012 (10)

And, then there's lavender chamomile...

Lavender Chamomile Soap Sept 2012 (1)

Lavender Chamomile Soap Sept 2012 (3)

I'll be making more soaps each week! I'm also getting ready for a holiday bazaar (more on that soon). If you're interested in giving soaps as gifts for the holidays please place your order with me soon! They make great stocking stuffers! I will also have gift baskets, dead sea salt soaks, and bath bombs!!

Lavender Chamomile Soap Sept 2012 (8)

Happy Tuesday to you all!



Monday, September 24, 2012

Mountain Bike Monday - More gravel grinding

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012

Last Monday I had some time off so I set out to ride 20 miles at the Park. I had never ridden by myself before at the park, so this was a first. I always ride with Dynamo, MBM, or Missy. But, I needed to get in a ride since I had worked all weekend. Going by myself was the only option since most everyone is working on Monday afternoon!

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (21)

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (5)

The only thing I was really worried about was seeing a snake! And, thank goodness that didn't happen! I only saw a few people here and there! For the most part, it was just quiet and calm!

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (12)

One of my favorite spots is at the split rock on Forest Exploration! It was so green and quiet!

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (10)

I ventured around the park getting in some good miles mostly on the Fendley Station Trail.

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (8)

I finished up with 20 miles! Yippee!!

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (7)

Then, on Saturday, I met up with MBM and Missy for a 25 mile ride at the park.

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (3)

We're only 2 weeks away from our 58 mile ride...so we have to step it up!

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (3)

We ventured out again heading over to Forest Exploration first!

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (17)

It was on this route that I lost part of my cyclometer! Bummer! I looked down and it was gone! We backtracked about 2 miles to try and find it, but no luck! Maybe someone will turn it in to lost and found!

Poco Ride September 17 and 22, 2012 (15)

Overall it was a great ride! We missed Dynamo, but hopefully he can join us in a couple of weeks! We completed 25 miles and enjoyed our time together on a beautiful day!

Hope your weekend was lovely!



Thursday, September 20, 2012

over the past week...

...we've been working to get ready for the Isle of Wight County Fair! I've been so busy working with my volunteers to get the Isle Be Green Tent ready, and it all paid off!

We took the children's recycled art from the summer program...

Windsor Summer Program Project July 2012 (9)

And made a recycled art gallery...

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (4)

This was inside the Isle Be Green tent at the County fair...

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (19)

The whole purpose of this tent was to repurpose items (trash to treasure)! Everything inside was made using items we found while dumpster diving in the County dumps!

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (21)

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (22)

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (23)

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (25)

There is beauty hidden, but you have to look for it!

Do you know what these flowers are made of?

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (28)

Records...yes, records! Melted in the oven!

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (17)

We had to educate people about plastic bag recycling...

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (29)

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (10)

And the latest initiative is cigarette litter prevention... (yes, my co-worker dug all those butts from the receptacle).

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (30)

So, here are some more pics for your enjoyment!

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (32)

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (9)

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (15)

Completely repurposed!

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (13)

Isle Be Green Tent 2012 County Fair (12)

But, the best part was when the kids came in to see their artwork! They were so happy!!

Kids recycled art fair 2012 (8)

Kids recycled art fair 2012 (7)

Kids recycled art fair 2012 (5)

Kids recycled art fair 2012

Kids recycled art fair 2012 (2)

Kids recycled art fair 2012 (13)

Now...doesn't that make you smile? It did for me! Even though it was a lot of work and took dedicated volunteers, it was well worth the effort just to see those kids' faces!