DIY Friday : Bird Bath

What You Need:

• Large Decorative Rounded Plate (this one is actually the top of a bird bath)
• Strawberry Pot or Large Terracotta Pot
• Spray Paint – Exterior with sealant in it (Krylon)
• News Papers
• Exterior garden light (optional)

I can by no means take credit for this awesome. It was all JC’s brainstorming and creativity. I supplied some inner know how on color choices and creative direction but this was all him. He fell in love with this glass bird bath at The Garden Enthusiast on a recent visit. The stand and plate are sold separately and while lovely, just not the “right” thing he was imagining for a space. Thus came the idea to place the plate on another stand.

• Ceramic pot is placed on newspaper or old rags. If you want to do two colors as above make sure to use “Frog” or Painters tape and mark off the separate areas.
• Spray generously about 6 inches out. Yes you will need to do a few coats for even coverage and to prevent those nasty drips.
• Usually it is best to spray a cover but since this particular brand has a sealant in it – no need !
• Let dry a complete 8-12 hours for good measure.
• Place plate on top, then put it in garden and voila ! Bird Bath.

Optional:

This strawberry pot offers the perfect holes to let light out. JC thus installed a low volt ground light in the bottom pointed up to the glass bowl. The cord instead of running out the drain hole is simply slid out one of the smaller potting holes (in the back) and then run into the ground to join other lighting elements. You could also place this next to a wall and directly plug it in.

Other pots were planted to match the colors and are going to contain peppers and other edible plantings. The stump you see is a massive tree that was cut down but is too timely and expensive to remove. JC instead layered and leveled some cement over to create the perfect flat solid stand for the bath.

Want to see a before of the area?

Yep. Former HomeOwners had the right thought but never finished. Bricks, rocks, poison ivy and all sorts of crazy weeds. Now one more after:

New Rocks. Callas. Some ground moss and cover more weeds removed and mulch placed in.

Ruching – A french tutorial

I found this beautiful tutorial from Pinterest. I have so many ideas for this, but unfortunately it’s all in French. I decided to translate it so I could work on trying this on a skirt or skirt.

Draw a grid of three columns min, you can do as many as you want.
Draw squares  1 X 1 cm

Score by drawing alternating directional stitches (see photo below)

Take a strong needle and thread stitching at ends of the marker

Establish tight now with patience you will see is your fabric weave

So did that make sense to any of you either? Yep nope. In theory I get that you take the thread and essentially make little ties one way then the other. In the photo however the needle and thread are not going the same way as the hash marks. Then completely skips over other marks. I am going to have to Google this more and see if I can come up with a way to make it happen. I love the texture on it.

Secret Bean – Organic Baby Bag

Secret Bean

This is a carry all bag for my dear friend Kelly.  What I found to be especially fantastic that while in “theory” intended to be a baby bag – its opening up to be much more.

Needles:  Size 10 US circular (cord should be 24″ or larger)
Yarn:  Wool – that is not super-washed – you want this bag to FELT

• You need 2 Skeins of each color
• 220 yds of each color
• I used four colors of a hand spun Hemp and Wool blend made by my dear friend. If and when she ever sells I will link you.
• Cascade – KnitPicks – many other vendors have eco wool yarns responsibly harvested and “green” for you and the planet.

Embellishments : Handles. Cotton Lining. Key lock for mama to attach her keys to. I am adding a lining simply because I do not want her to ever have something slip out of a little hole. Technically we should get rid of all of these in the felting process, but to be on the safe side and add a pop of color I’ve opted to create pockets. I will have tutorials on all these aspects up very soon but for now at least you can start knitting your bean!

Instructions:

Holding two yarns of color 1 – cast on 19 stitches.

Work in garter (knitting both sides as you turn) until piece measures 21 inches.

At corner on last knit stitch turn work 90* and begin picking up stitches.

To pick up without holes – Insert your left free needle into two yarn stitch and lift. Insert Right working needle in behind, Yarn Over (with two yarns still held together), Make stitch and keep on Right needle. Pick up stitch is now complete. Move to next. Follow this all the way around placing stitch markers at all four corners.

With a full circle on your needles now all picked up and ready, join and begin knitting in the round.Remember you will be knitting with double stranded yarn through out this piece.

On Row 5, 10, 15, 20, 25  you will increase in the stitch before and after the corner stitchmarker. Knit one front – knit one back – slip stitch (increase made).

Color 1 – Work 4 inches

Color 1/2 – At join marker stitch one into next row (never join a color on a start). Snip one strand of color 1 leaving a 3″inch tail. Pick up strand of color 2 and tie together. Beginning at next stitch use the two colors together in your double knitting.  Work only 2 inches of this combo.

Color 2 – At join – knit one into next row again. Drop color 1 by sniping 3 inch – tie off – add other strand of color 2. Knit 4″inches.

Color 2/3 – repeat from above. 2″inches

Color 3 – repeat from above 4″inches

Color 3/4 – same 2″inches

Color 4 – same 4 “inches

Finish with a cast off stitch.
This is where you would felt your bag in hot soapy water in a top loading washing machine. Boil Bag does work but not as well. When felted to the size you like – dry – add handles – lining – give to your mommy to be!
Please feel free to ask any questions in my comments, while I create picture and video tutorials for this bag. I wanted to get it out today so those on the Craft2Cool page could learn more.