DIY Hummingbird Feeder

This isn't a typical almost Christmas project, but it does involve the Christmas variety of the Zip Lock storage containers.

One of the many things that delights me about our new apartment is the "birds eye view" of this tree which is brimming with hummingbirds. On Sunday I think I counted 5 or 6 zooming about around one single remaining red blossom. Not wanting the birds to disappear I looked up "DIY Humming Bird Feeders" and found this video which uses a red solo cup.  I didn't have red solo cups but, I did have a leftover red Christmas Zip Lock storage container. I also used some wire from the dollar store.

 
The pictures are pretty much tutorial enough.





The formula is 1 part sugar dissolved in 3 parts warm water. That's it. No food coloring. Apparently the feeder will need freshening up about once a week or so. So far, I haven't had any visitors. It's been terribly windy and cold. I was over to my neighbor's apartment (I actually have a long time friend within walking distance! Yay!) and we saw several hummingbirds swarming in her bottle brush bush.

I'll be sure to add pictures once I catch one feeding!

Sunday Is Here

Hello Old Friends,

I think I am finally back. 

During lent my pastor gave a sermon during which she said, "Today is Friday, but Sunday is coming!" This summer was one long Friday. Personally, professionally, amongst my dearest friends, and in my family there was a lot of pain. Usually I roll with the punches pretty well, but this was different. So much so, it killed my creativity- and my favorite source of stress relief. Thus no blogging.

But...today is Sunday!

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.    - Jeremiah 29:11

^{For the past few years I have been working *very* hard to be completely honest with myself about "wants" and "needs."  I really, really, really wanted a house with a garage so that I could peruse my interest in woodworking more. The balcony workshop was great and all, but a bit limiting. I really, really wanted my own house so I could have a washing machine that didn't need half a dozen quarters!And, more than anything I wanted a change. I just felt stuck.}



On the very darkest of all days, the Lord set in motion a move for us. And move we did!

Friends of ours from church where also in need of a change and long story short, they moved to Texas and we moved into their *AWESOME* apartment! 

No, it's not the house I wanted, perhaps it's better.  God's plan was better than mine.

I am taking nearly a month of furlough days this year. That ends up being nearly a ten percent pay cut. I am super thankful not to have a mortgage that's a stretch right now.

We have only been in the apartment for 1 week, but here is my list of things I love already:

10. High ceilings! 
9. Lots of windows! I had no idea I had spent the last seven years living in the dark.
8. Laundry hook up! (We don't have a washer yet- any front loader, stack-able recommendations?)
7. A tree full of humming birds right outside my window.
6. A courtyard full of plants.
5. Quiet, adult neighbors.
    (No late night parties on the roof top pool deck also known as my former bedroom ceiling.)
4. I can paint the walls! More on that to come. I haven't wasted a second.
3. Storage! We have a garage storage unit- and side by side garage parking.
2. It's close to my school! A world away, but only 2.5 miles. My commute is only 7 minutes.

And the number 1 favorite thing:

A craft closet! We have seven closets! ( I know! Unbelievable! ) Seriously, Cliff and I walk around all day saying things like, "This is a miracle. I just can't believe WE actually get to live Here!!"

It feels so great to have a place for everything. It's truly a fresh start. The one I really did need.

Needless to say my creative juices are flowing! See you again real soon!

Happy Birthday Will McCotter!

Happy Birthday from Hollywood, California!

And, thank you for your service to our country!

Any friend of Tricia's is a friend of mine. You can read Will's story here and participate in his World Wide (web) Birthday Celebration here.

Owls

It was a beautiful day for painting. I wanted to add a dash of fall in preparation for back to school night. That Artisit Woman's oil pastel and water color owl project was just the ticket. (Especially since many of the kids are excited about the new Legends of the Guardians movie that opens this weekend.)

I got the idea to make these work boards from her too. They have made painting with thirty kids so much easier. The boards keep the desks clean, they hold the paper flat, they keep it from blowing away....

and they make for quite a nice hallway gallery too.

Hope you have a sunny weekend!

Two Films: Objectified & Between the Folds

While I haven't been creative, I have been inspired by the creativity of others. Two films caught my attention on Netflixs. In fact, my new subscription to Netflix may have been the start of my creative hiatus.

The first film, called Objectified is about design and how designers impact our lives. It features my beloved Target and also the amazing Ikea. I loved seeing the design process in progress and hearing designers think aloud.  Here is the trailer.


I watched this while doing some mundane school prep the other day and it was delightful.

The second film is called Between the Folds. This one is harder to watch while multitasking. The origami in this film is truly mind bending. In fact, it is so rich, I am watching this film a little at a time to absorb the images.
I bought two origami books and a "fold a day" calendar at our church book sale. I am hoping to do a little origami with the art club this year. I have also been thinking about making a thousand cranes. Anyway, here is the trailer for Between the Folds:


Both films are instant downloads on Netflix. Have a great day!

A Dress A Day Blog & My Own Jet Rag Projects

I recently learned about this blog New Dress A Day where by Marissa is making a dress a day from thrifted dresses and other clothes she finds. She is also only budgeting about a $1 a day to do this. She gets most of her raw material dresses from among other places Jet Rag on LaBrea. Jet Rag is this vintage clothing store that piles up mountains of old clothes and sells them all for a dollar on Sundays. You can read about it in this wonderful "e-how" article entitled "How to shop at Jet Rag's Dollar Vintage Sale."

I wish I had more confidence in my sewing skills to sew clothes. Of course at this point, I wish my sewing mojo would come back at all. This summer my personal life has abducted my creative energy. Sigh.

Nonetheless, Marissa's blog has me reminiscing of Jet Rag Days gone by. Here are just a few of my Jet Rag transformations.

This ratty cashmere sweater became this...

sweet baby sweater.

These ugly old man pants became...

my favorite monkeys.

All formerly housecoats.

This ratty tablecloth...

Ahh! Much better.

Shopping at Jet Rag was not only an affordable way to build my sewing stash, it got the creative juices flowing.

My silence around these parts this summer has been a big surprise to me. I really thought I would attack crafting with great gusto in my time off. Instead I woke up without a single crafty urge. Other things have filled my time including the possibility of a move to a new apartment. Nothing is definite, but I am itching for some new digs. So, I have been thinking about downsizing some of my craft materials and may well have some giveaways in the coming days.

Hope you have a great week!

Look! I am a finalist!

You can go here to see the other finalists and cast your vote. (Hint, hint...)