Keeping my eye on the ball

I am watching these boxwood balls created on the 22nd of December just before my bookclub Christmas party. I decided to make them at the last minute (big mistake!) they take quite a bit of time cutting, and sticking and filling the whole sphere but I did manage to make three of them and used them several times in several ways over the holidays (see my December postings), but I wondered how long in advance could I have made these and how long would they look nice and fresh. Here's a picture I took this morning. I have moved them outdoors and they have been resoaked in a bucket of water a few times and rained upon, but it is clear, next year I can make these at least a month in advance. I may even make some for friends next year because I can do them early and I have lots and lots of boxwood.
I used foam balls (4.5" ones) from AFloral.com at $1.99 apiece combined with other things, they could make very nice gifts. They look great just sitting on top of a terra cotta pot and can be used in a number of ways. I will continue my experiment to see exactly how long they will keep looking satisfactorily fresh for holiday planning (and other events as well), maybe I can even incorporate them into a design for Valentine's day?
Meanwhile in the garden lots of things are blooming for this time of year, Camellias which I would expect, but my azaleas are blooming, but not fully as they do in the spring (March/April), so I am not sure what they will do then, then the primroses are up and blooming and of course, those tazetta narcissus are still going strong. I spent the day (actually it has taken me almost three days) pruning up my crepe myrtles, but that garden chore is done and last week I cut back all the loriope, and the Miscanthus grasses, another winter chore, but it is fun working out there in our nice 40--50 degree temperatures.

Weird, Who Me?

I have been tagged by Donna of the Decorated House who was tagged by Kim of Daisy Cottage: Before I launch into my weirdness, here are the rules for those I reach out and tag:
The Tag Game:
Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about you. Each person who gets tagged needs to write a blog post of their own 6 weird things as well as clearly state this rule. After you state your 6 weird things, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you're tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog for information as to what it means.

Here's my list of wierdness:
Does this photo of me make me look weird? (if so, that's Number one), I don't know why people stare at me everywhere I go!
Well exactly how weird am I? I found a test (not obviously for 64 year old women like me), but I took it anyway and it is official (weird thing #2):
8% are more weird,
3% are just as weird, and
89% are more normal than you!
I guess it is true and poor Donna didn't think I could come up with 6 weird things! Ha!
Weird thing #3: I think it is a high compliment to be weird!
Weird thing #4: I handpainted a perfectly good cement patio to look like bricks, some thought that was weird, especially since it was done in 90+ degree weather.
Weird thing #5: I hate to do things the same way all the time. When I did grocery shopping which was a very long time ago (DH does it all now), I would enter the store and go down the middle aisle just to keep the boredom down and to see things differently.
Weird thing # 6: I had my palm read during a break at a business lecture once. The person who read palms as a hobby was a chemical engineer (that's weird isn't it?) And I believe everything he said he saw in my palm.
OK that's about all the wierdness I have time for today. I hate to do this to dear friend bloggers, but I will tag Nature Girl in Ontario who I am sure could not even think of anything weird about herself (unless we define weird as "extraordinary"). I really hate to do this to her when she invited me to such a "special" tea party yesterday. Is it weird to be able to almost taste that lovely scone and white rose tea? Also, Maria in Finland will be tagged to reveal her weirdness too. And since I never follow directions, I will only tag two, not six others as set forth in the "rules." Then we can all celebrate these special and wonderful traits that make us unique and interesting people. (or just plain weird).

From the Pretty to the Practical

After Jen at the Cottage Nest inspired us with her plans and progress to date on her studio, I thought I would share a neat idea for those of you who have purchased those wooden shelves at the craft stores that have wooden brackets underneath. I had stored my raffia and ribbons in a plastic box, always scrambling to find them when I need them. My DH, Gary, came up with the idea to use "white" bottle caps (I drink a lot of water, so these are perfect, only the case of water I have now has blue caps, so I keep trading them with others who have the white ones), anyway, he cuts out part of the rim, nails them onto the wooden bracket and a dowel slides and rolls perfectly and gives me access to ribbon, raffia and twine when I need it. Love this! I, of course am thrilled that my daughter Kristina, gave me almost three days of her week off between Christmas and New Years to get me organized. You couldn't even walk through the room for the debris everywhere. We did buy tons of plastic containers too. She is an excellent organizer. My space to "hobby" in won't be as pretty as you see in decorating magazines (and how I do admire those), but at least it is practical. Now the challenge is to keep it somewhat organized. I told Kristina that she needs to come over monthly and give me inspections to keep me whipped into shape, a really huge challenge though. Thankfully she knows me and forgives me my faults!

One of my favorite vignettes

Took this picture then manipulated it in Photoshop adding paint daubs. Here is the altered picture:

And everything that didn't move got a bow:

My lambs and my statue

and the birdhouse got decorated too,
A simple wreath at the front door,

Some of the many things I enjoyed doing for Christmas

I used tons of fresh greenery from the garden to decorate. This was fun. I had had the "plungers in claypots painted up gold from two Thanksgivings ago", and I had Oasis 4.5" balls in my stash. Sooo, I decided to make boxwood topiaries. Loved them for the buffet we had for our book club on the Friday before Christmas.


Then I took the boxwood balls off the plunger/pots, then stuck them on top of small crystal salt cellars for a lower arrangement for the Dining Room Table for Xmas eve. Gary makes his lasagna dinner and has done so every Christmas Eve for the last 9 years we have lived here. We usually invite friends and people we know who may not have family in the area. This year we had 11 for dinner and we set up six at the Dining Room Table and five at a table I set up in the Library.








Another fun thing was my rosemary on lime halfs dipped in egg white then crystallized sugar

Christmas in the Garden

The weather here today is divine, in the upper 60's. I cut a whole lot of greenery so I could make a garland for my front door. Started it, but did not get it finished since I got sidelined making some Christmas finery for my little "Louisa." (she is the statue) I have been wanting to do this for a few years. I think I may even change it for different seasons, making her a flower garland for each season. I did get a start on the garland for the door, but will have to finish it tomorrow.

I shouldn't be doing this---

I shouldn't be playing around like this, I have way too much still to do for the holidays, but when I find a new toy to use in Photoshop, I can't resist. Took the photo of the wrapped present and created two kaleidoscope images (not quite right, however, since they are supposed to be round, I am not sure what I did wrong, but I like them anyway). When I get more time, I will try to figure out what I did wrong. Yet another addictive hobby!

Shhhh, don't peek

One of my favorite things to do is to make gifts. I painted a small picture of a friend's garden and she wanted me to paint a bunny picture. I have procrastinated until now. We meet tomorrow for lunch and I will give her this present. I don't think she checks blogs as frequently as I do, so I am hoping she will not see this before I give it to her tomorrow. Had fun painting this --I have been saving bunny paintings/pictures for a year now to get a good reference. A gift I make has lots more goodness in it, first, I hope the recipient is pleased "and" of course, I get all the enjoyment from making it. However, not everyone thinks this way, so I especially like to make things for those who do!

Flaky Cat

Couldn't resist, was making a few more snowflakes when Beau walked by:

Snowflakes in Wilmington, NC!

Synchronicity---
that's what it is! My dear sister who is undergoing chemo (for a whole year), sent me a beautiful snowflake lace ornament she had made. It got to me too late last year to put on tree, so I had it pinned up on my bulletin board near my computer so I could admire it every day. Then, I saw a posting on my Great Impressions forum posted by Tracy, which led me to this wonderful site showcasing paper snowflakes and I thought, why not use my sister's ornament as the theme for my tree this year and have fun making all those snowflakes, sooooo, my daughter and I put up our tree on Friday and the snowflake madness began. You all know I am not content to just show one picture when a whole slideshow would be better, so, yes, yet another slideshow. I apologize for some of the not-so-clear photos as I am still not adept at using closeup lens in low lighting, but you all get the idea.

Pink and White, must be Fall!

The painters finished last week and we have been busy putting everything back. As most of you know from looking at my photobucket albums, I have a lot of "stuff" DH says junk surrounding the house on porch and patio. Although this is a problem during hurricane season, most of the time, I enjoy these homey outdoor spaces and am willing to put up with the extra work. I put my hayrack back up and like it even better than against the green siding. Haven't added any color in there yet though. You all know how much I love making slideshows, never content to show just "one" picture. As usual, Fall in Wilmington, NC is mostly pinks and whites with a little purple sage thrown in the mix. I do have one maple with fall colors but didn't include it since pink and white is the theme here. I have azaleas blooming and my most favorite one, the bright pink with white edges, that I bought years ago as a florist azalea (told they can't be put outdoors, but this baby has produced lovely blooms every spring "and" fall for me.) I have had no luck propagating it, and would love to have more.
Well the slideshow will reveal the new White House and what is going on around it.

Trip to Williamsburg

Just returned from a delightful trip to Williamsburg. I know you all can't make the trip, but my dear friend Lynette just sent me the website with lots of slideshows that will make you feel like you have been there. For all you crafty, decorating mavens, check out the slideshows for the Wreaths, Garlands, Ropes and Fruit, and the Holiday Decorations Slideshows, you will get some fabulous ideas for decorating your beautiful homes and gardens for the upcoming holiday season. Click HERE to start your trip to Williamsburg.

Beautiful Day for Garden Tour

Thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful gardens on the Fall tour here in Wilmington, here are just a few quick images,:


The rest can be seen at this site.

New "Old" Hobby, working with Polymer Clay

I have recently gone back to an old hobby, working with Polymer Clay which I love to do. Here is a necklace that I made yesterday. I have had these earrings (not Polymer Clay) for quite a while but had no necklace that went with them and have been looking for a long time, things I have seen have just been too bright silvery, or wrong in other ways, so I decided to make something and here is the result. I used magnetic snaps (that I use when I make handbags out of placemats (yet another hobby), and encased them in polymer clay for the back of the neck clasp. Here is a picture of that:


and a closeup of the magnetic snap inside:

My Fall SlideShow

I just saw the September 16th challenge on Nature Trail Blog (one of my daily check-ins)--and she led me to Maria in Finland and several others and thought I would add mine too. Here in Wilmington, our leaves have not yet turned in fact there is so much pink still around in the garden, but I am in a Fall mood and this vignette suits me, plus I get to practice my blogging skills. Need to figure out how to do the links.

I think also I will create another slideshow with fall decor, just for fun. I should be in the garden weeding, etc., but here I am.

Here's a collage of old photos of me and daughter and husband, new photos also of family and friends

I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

New to this Blogging

I love the computer and have so many hobbies and take so many pictures, I am experimenting here to see if I can find value in all of this.