June 25, 2013 by Born To Organize

Craft it Forward: Three’s a Charm

I dubbed this month’s Craft it Forward: Three’s a Charm. I incorporated three loves (photo manipulation, paper and cats) to create my third craft it forward: a series of greeting cards. If you’re new to the concept of Craft it Forward, you can read about it here. Links to the first and second project are at the end of this post.

I’m trying a little something different with each craft, stretching the old comfort zone if you will. It’s good challenging myself.

This set of cards is for Sheila. She’s an animal lover, photographer and all-around nice person. She fosters cats and nurtures children and is always quick with support or a compliment. She’s guiding and supporting a young woman through a difficult time now. I hope these cards serve as a little pick-me-up.

At my request, Sheila sent a digital photo of one of her cats, a stunner named Rodent. I altered the photo using Picasa software, creating three different images. Sheila loves purple and robin’s egg blue, so I applied colored filters to the photo to achieve the effect you see below. The third photo is in its original form. After manipulating the image, I printed the photo on heavy-duty watercolor paper. The paper absorbs some of the color, creating a mat finish. Let me know what you think.

Included with Three’s a Charm:

Twelve, 5 x 7 greeting cards, 4 of each design
Twelve ‘Secret Garden’ envelope seals
A small, faux birdcage.

The small faux cage currently houses the cards. Once empty, she can reuse it to hold a small house plant or fill it with laundry lint and other soft materials for nesting birds.

Birdhouse of Cards

Lovely Lavender

Kitty in the Garden

Shades of Blue

Cards in a cage

Craft it Forward:

craft it forward button Here’s how it works. The first five people to comment on the original post receive a handmade item with the gardening nirvana touch. In return, they agree to pay it forward, crafting their own unique item for the first five people on their list. Craft it Forward encourages community, creative spirit and camaraderie. It also encourages flexibility, so I expanded my list from five to seven based on interest in the project. Isn’t it fun making your own rules?

Further, in the era of the internet, who doesn’t like ‘real’ mail? If you haven’t started your own Craft it Forward, today is a good day to get one going.

Craft it Forward #1: Living Journal
Craft it Forward #2: Flowers and Oscar Wilde
What is Craft it Forward?

May 28, 2013 by Born To Organize

SummerWinds Revitalized

Garden Mouse Whimsy

Our local SummerWinds Nursery is back in full-swing after a fire last fall. Though firefighters arrived quickly, they made the unusual decision to let the fire burn, rather than risk toxic run-off in the nearby creek. As a result, the buildings burned to the ground. One of the bright spots, at least in my eyes, was to see the beautiful Acer still standing after the fire. Though damaged by heat and flames, the tree survived…and thrived. It’s there to greet you (see photo, below).

My camera-shy friend C. joined me at the nursery last week. We prowled through the gift shop and then the nursery out back. We’re still kicking ourselves for not buying this lovely Oregano plant.

Camera Shy

Isn’t it gorgeous? (So is my friend, by the way). I went back a day later to buy it for her birthday, but they were already sold out.

If you live in the area, you owe yourself a visit. There is much to see and a courteous staff to help you out. Yesterday I bonded with Tracy over our mutual desire to humanely keep garden snails and slugs at bay.

I brought home a car full of flowering plants and herbs for my newly-minted planting bed, along with a few gifts. I found replacement Campanula plants for Betsy’s Craft-it-forward then weighed the car down with aromatic redwood chips. Mmmmm, what a pleasant ride home. My car smelled like the forest floor.

Our new planting bed debuts later this week. In the meantime, checkout some of the treasures SummerWinds has in store.

Revitalized SummerWinds entrance

Dark Red Fuchsia

Flowering bedding plants and lots of happy bees

Ergonomic garden trowels in stunning jewel tones

There’s more in store at SummerWinds Nursery – San Jose’s Facebook Page:

May 14, 2013 by Born To Organize

Craft it Foward: Flowers and Oscar Wilde

I’m really enjoying my Craft it Forward projects. You can read about my first project here. The second project took on a life of its own. You could even say its been a bit of a drama.

The effervescent Betsy receives the second Craft it Forward. Betsy lives life in two worlds: a life in the theater and as a wonderful homemaker for two active girls. I wanted this craft to reflect both worlds. Bets and I have a number of mutual friends from our years in the theater, but didn’t actually meet until a few years ago through our children.

The white picket fence pays homage to domestic life, a quiet home in the suburbs. Look a little closer, however and you’ll see theater come to life. Theatre folks…

paint scenery (white picket fence)
decorate props (gold leaf)
‘distress’ the new to look old (sanded gold leaf along the fence posts)
memorize lines (an Oscar Wilde quote lines the picket fence)
dress in costumes (those flowers are pretty darn theatrical. They also happen to be her favorite color); and
gather on stage (or in the garden) for opening night.

The quote on the fence, printed on vellum in purple ink, says:

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.” – Oscar Wilde

Metal ‘gold’ leaf, adhesive, acrylic paint and Mod Podge

Unfinished planter box from Michael’s

White picket fence planter

Potted Campanula

B is for Betsy with a bit of bling

The oldest form of theater is the dinner table. It’s got five or six people, new show every night, same players. Good ensemble; the people have worked together a lot. Michael J. Fox

Craft it Forward:

craft it forward button Here’s how it works. The first five people to comment on the original post receive a handmade item with the gardening nirvana touch. In return, they agree to pay it forward, crafting their own unique item for the first five people on their list. Craft it Forward encourages community, creative spirit and camaraderie. It also encourages flexibility, so I expanded my list from five to seven based on interest in the project. Isn’t it fun making your own rules?

Further, in the era of the internet, who doesn’t like ‘real’ mail? If you haven’t started your own Craft it Forward, today is a good day to get one going.

April 28, 2013 by Born To Organize

Craft it Forward: Living Journal

Craft it Forward Button: Grab it for your own blog

In early February, I launched my first Craft it Forward. Here’s how it works. The first five people to comment on the original post receive something handmade with the gardening nirvana touch. In return, they agree to pay it forward, crafting their own unique item for the first five people on their list. Craft it Forward encourages community, creative spirit and camaraderie. It also encourages flexibility, so I expanded my list from five to seven based on interest in the project. Isn’t it fun making your own rules?

Further, in the era of the internet, who doesn’t like ‘real’ mail? If you haven’t started your own Craft it Forward, today is a good day to get one going.

First up: A Living Journal

This manilla-covered journal has heavy-duty art paper, appropriate for ink, paint and pencil. You can see the original, unadorned journal here. Recipient #1 is a talented artist in her own right. She paints, sketches, sculpts fabric ‘dolls,’ along with myriad other projects. I’ve been on the receiving end of her own talents, including a set of tie-dye tea towels and a hand-felted, one-of-a kind, purse.

I crafted the cover, using as assortment of ribbon in rainbow order, with some peace signs thrown in (her favorite) for additional interest.

Peace and a rainbow of ribbons

Closeup

An attached, expandable envelope lines the inside cover, great for collecting bits of inspiration. For now, I’ve tucked in a few seeds she can plant in her garden.

A Peak Inside…

The journal came wrapped in a sleeve of silky-strong paper too nice to toss, so I fashioned it into a simple bookmark, using other scraps on the face of the envelope.

Creative Journal by Dyan Reaveien of dylusions

I trimmed the wrapper and used it as a bookmark

Personalization, gardeningnirvana style

Finishing touches include her first initial made from a balsa wood letter, then covered in paper and inked along the edges. It’s embellished with flowers (of course)!

I hope she enjoys filling it as much as I enjoyed crafting it. Perhaps a year from now she’ll let us take a peak into a few pages and I can feature her work on gardeningnirvana.

Life is art, live yours in colour!

What’s inside?

Are you Crafting it Forward?

For additional Craft it Forward inspiration:

Boomdeeadda: Boom Box Number Three
Geometry: Where it all started
Just Something I Made: Celebrating Random Acts of Kindness

February 6, 2013 by Born To Organize

Craft it Forward: Did I Say Five?

I never was good at math. What I meant was, ~~five~~ seven of my fellow readers can take part in Craft it Forward. Since Catja was nice enough to let me in on her pay it forward, even though I was number six, I decided to pay forward her generosity as well. Without further ado, the following readers win the Gardening Nirvana craft-it-forward prize.

You can read more about the Pay it Forward (Craft it Forward) concept in my February 1, 2013 post. In return, please pay it forward by offering the same deal to five other people, via your blog, Facebook or Google +. I created a ‘Craft it Forward’ button, below. Feel free to use it on your own post.

I’ll be in touch privately if I don’t already have your snail-mail address. Thank you for your wonderful comments. I’m already having so much fun.

Craft it Forward button

February 1, 2013 by Born To Organize

Craft it Forward: Do You Want to Play?

Lavender Bath Salts

What a fun day! I discovered a great new blog and at the same time squeaked in on her pay-it-forward 2013 offer.

What is ‘pay-it-forward’ you ask? I took part in something similar several years ago on Facebook. Here is how it works:

The first five people to comment on this post will receive something I’ve handmade. You’ll receive your handmade gift via snail mail sometime during 2013. Who doesn’t like ‘real’ mail?

I can’t say what exactly it will be but it will follow a gardening theme. It might be a set of cards, a decorative piece, who knows. Surprises are part of the fun.

In return, please pay it forward by offering the same deal to five other people, via your blog, Facebook or Google +.

If you want to play, please comment below. Remember, the first five to comment receive a Gardening Nirvana craft-it-forward creation.

Kitty-cat chipboard album

Purse-shaped tag board album

Fold-out greeting card

Here’s a peak at a few of the crafts I put together back in 2009’s pay-it-forward.

In the meantime, check out Gjeometry. Sewing, an adorable cat and her sidekick pooch figure prominently in her blog. Catja says:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning from the blogs and websites of other sewers, DIY enthusiasts, crafters, designers and fashion entrepreneurs around the globe and wanted to set up shop in a little corner of that community. Let’s be friends.”

December 23, 2012 by Born To Organize

Harvesting the Gourds: I Grew a Pair

It’s pouring today. (I love it). Good thing I cleaned the garden box when I did. After a midweek frost, the birdhouse gourd vines shriveled up. I cut down the last of them and brought the pair of gourds indoors for drying.

Tidied Garden

I have a good giggle whenever I pass them. They look exactly like a pair of bowling pins.

Lindy keeps an eye on the “bowling pins.”

Earlier in the year, one of the vines grew up and over the telephone line. Eventually one of the two large gourds took hold, putting weight on the lines. I came up with a quick fix using garden twine and a mesh bag, pictured below.

birdhouse gourd in the bag

It worked really well, allowing the gourd to grow unhampered and at the same time it kept my internet up and running. I have my priorities.

What I didn’t expect was the honeycomb pattern the bag left on the gourd. It’s not imprinted but rather faded from the lack of sun. Isn’t that interesting?

Honeycomb Patterned Gourd

Now we wait. While the gourds are drying, I’ll be dreaming of a way to decorate each one. Here are a few ideas:

Debbie Almond: Birdsmiths

Linseed Oil finish from Fun In The Making

Natural Finish (from my ever changing garden)

November 21, 2012 by Born To Organize

Decorating the Table: It’s the Little Things

I love decking out the table for the holidays. It’s also fun challenging myself to use bits of this and a little of that from around the house. Add in some fall color from the garden and you have the makings of a centerpiece. In the past I’ve used leftover crafting paper, fallen leaves, candles and ribbon. It’s a fun way to get crafty.

Three Velvet Pumpkins

This year I made one small splurge: three tiny velvet pumpkins. I found them at a local craft fair last month and instantly fell in love. The plush and weighted pumpkins are about the size of an apple. What makes them so special is the stem: the artist used real ones! Aren’t they clever?

Velvet Pumpkins, Natural Stems

Velvet pumpkin’s stem

I wish I had her name but I tossed my receipt and now can’t give her proper credit. Hopefully she’ll read this one day and will know how delighted I am to have them.

Ringing The Napkins

This year’s napkins get a little dress up via raffia and tulle. The tulle is leftover from an earlier project. The raffia used to be a bow. Instead of place cards, I’ll attach tags to each napkin, using my all-time favorite tag maker. I even hauled out the old iron to press those napkins into smooth squares. I’m not sure what came over me?

Standing Tall

The New Zealand Flax is several shades of lovely, but I’ve never used it in a bouquet. I’m going to challenge myself to use the tall leaves, along with the Japanese Silver Grass and the Japanese Forest Grass, both standing tall in the garden. The grasses made cute little trees in last month’s fairy garden. I can see them from my window as I write this, blowing in the breeze. If the arrangement turns out, I’ll post a few pictures tomorrow.

Do you enjoy decorating for your holidays? If so, what do you have in store?

November 3, 2012 by Born To Organize

Crafting Gifts: A Plan for the Holidays

Making cards and gifts for the holidays takes some planning. Since I’m organized at heart, I start thinking about it early in the year. When I was young and broke, I made all my holiday gifts. Life got busier and I fell out of the habit. When my boys were young, I didn’t have the time or the energy. I’ve come full circle this year (for the most part). I’m trying to make my cards and a few small gifts. Alternatively, it’s fun to buy from craft fairs. I enjoy supporting artisans in my community.

Mini Photo Fold-Out Album

Last spring I attended a mini-workshop lead by designer Karen Phillips. Karen is a paper crafter and Creative Memories consultant. She designed a charming, pocket-sized photo album which she sells in kits. She lead us through the process of creating our own.

I’ve made two so far, one in pink with pearl accents, and the purple mini album pictured below (with a floral theme, of course!)

We like to show our appreciation for the boy’s teachers at the holidays with a small gift. I plan to make a few of these to include with a monetary gift card.

Cosmo Seed Cards

Late summer, when the Cosmos were in full bloom, I collected seeds from the prolific flowers. Cosmos are easy to grow under many conditions. They brought me such pleasure. I wanted to share their beauty with others. I made seed packets using glassine envelopes from The Paper Source. I designed a card using digital software, a cute little five-sided fold out. It’s the perfect size. I’m waiting for the 20% off sale before placing my order. Stay tuned for the completed project.

So many of you are crafty souls. Are you planning on making gifts for the upcoming holidays?

Resources:

September 26, 2012 by Born To Organize

Birdhouse Gourd: Numbered Days?

The watched pot never boils, and the watched gourd never grows. Or so it seems…

Christmas lights in September?

Now that I’ve filled one of the planting beds with an assortment of winter vegetables, I’ve turned my attention to the runaway birdhouse vines (Lagenaria siceraria). I have just two, 4 x 4 planting beds, so space is at a premium. The vines are occupying one of them.

Still growing…

I read the fine print inside the seed packet today, and learned that some gardeners let the gourds harden on the vine all winter. I just assumed the plant would die off and we would harvest them much like the pumpkins. So…it’s decision time. Do I leave well enough alone and sacrifice the extra winter planting space? Will I face my disappointment gracefully if the vines die off a month from now, too late to use the beds till spring? Do I need to get a grip?

Shriveled flower and otherworldly baby gourd

Mini hard-shelled gourds are forming along the vine, but before today, none of them seemed viable. I finally spotted one, twice the size of the others. I got excited all over again.

How slow can you grow?

Nature’s twine: super-strong vine tendrils

Should they stay or should they go? What do you think?

Resources:

Birdhouse gourd plant care.
How to make a birdhouse from your gourd. Aren’t these gorgeous?
Where to hang your birdhouse for safety and appeal. Includes hole dimensions based on bird species.
Botanical Interests® Non-GMO hard-shelled gourd birdhouse seeds.