Hubby-proof Chrysanthemums

Hubby has nearly finished our new deck (just need to stain & seal it still and I hear that's the not-so-fun part). One of these days we will have time, hands, and a dry day to get it done. I was so excited when he was finishing the planter boxes (instead of a railing on the low side) that I went out and bought some yellow and red mums. Well, back to the staining & sealing bit.... Guess my shopping was a little too early and they've been sitting in their pots in the garden until I can plant them in their boxes. Long story short, left Hubby home for a week while I took the kids to see grandparents.... and now I don't have to worry about planting the mums. It will be Hubby's job once he has the planters ready and buys some new ones.

An autumn flower, mums have many meanings and uses. Some people say that the Chrysanthemum symbolizes honesty and they are a traditional gift for Mother's Day in Australia. In Japan a Chrysanthemum sweet tea is made and used for many uses, including the flu. Other medicinal uses that have been found include being antibacterial and possibly an anti-HIV drug. On a gardening related note, pulverized flowers are used as insecticides. Will have to look into if it's safe to use in vegetable gardens - the earwigs haven't been too bad this year, but they still creep me out.

HUBBY-PROOF CHRYSANTHEMUM

Golden yellow and orange mum hair clips, 4" in diameter. Are you ready for fall?

On the Sunny Side of Helianthus Annuus (the Sunflower).

I planted sunflowers for the first time this year, a dozen of them made it from seedlings inside to transplanting outside in a corner of the yard. Now I have 3 sad looking sunflowers. In Colorado lavender and sunflower seem to be the easy-to-grow outdoor plants, much like the hosta is to Minnesota. Maybe next year I should just throw some seed out and cross my fingers - may have better luck.

So the home-roasted sunflower seeds won't be happening this year, but there are sunflowers for your hair! My MIL brought some of her NIP Home Interiors sunflowers for me to use in my creations - part of her major decluttering project. (Am going home to visit next week and can't wait to see the progress she's made on her house!) These SUNFLOWER HAIR CLIPS measure approximately 4" in diameter and will surely brighten your day. I've sewn all the petal layers together and replaced the fuzzy (and somewhat messy) brown center with a big crystal rhinestone. The entire sunflower is attached to a partially lines alligator clip. Just let me know if you'd like it on a headband instead. I'm thinking I'll make Baby Girl one on a chocolate brown headband.

On our roadtrip to North Dakota this summer, I enjoyed fields and fields of sunflowers. It's always good to be on the sunny side of a sunflower field, with all their golden heads turned up in sun worship. Did you know that it's native to North America, but was first commercialized in Russia? Researchers believe that Native Americans were growing sunflowers back in 3000 B.C. Today it's cultivated for sunflower oil (a healthy cooking oil) and the seeds. Other uses include a purple dye, decoration, and treating snakebites.

Quick & Courageous Dragonflies

I've been making so many flower hair clips (just did a pastel yellow peonie, sunflower & yellow/orange mum today) that I've been missing the dragonflies. I took a few out last week, took some new pictures, and made them into hair clips.

Decided to look up some information about dragonflies. Did you know that they can't walk well, but are one of the fastest insects in the world (with average max speeds of 22-34mph)? In Native American tribes they represent swiftness and pure water. Probably because of their speed and because they're usually found around water - where they lay their eggs. In Japan they're associated with late summer and early fall. They symbolize strength, courage and happiness.

Baby Girl's 1 Year Pics!

We got our pictures from Greg McBoat Photography and they turned out pretty darn cute! Here are a couple of my favorites - though it's hard to choose.

Busy Tutus

Baby Girl's been busy walking - ran for the first time today - and I've been busy making tutus (and a sundress, no pics yet though). Check out Ellie Grace Etsy for custom tutu listings. Currently I have 2 premade and available:  Rainbow extra-fluffy 18m ($19.99) and red / hot pink extra-fluffy 3T ($24.99).

Both have ribbon-encased waist bands, bows and are extra fluffy.

The flower hair clips make great accessories on these!



Peonie Sun Hat

Picked up a sun hat to embellish, since we're spending lots of time outside this summer and getting plenty of sun. We're all sporting a good tan already. Baby Girl reminds me of the girl figures on an embroidered quilt that my mom is currently working on.

It's working wonders for keeping the sun out of her eyes - the scrunched face is because she knows I'm keeping her away from the pool by giving her veggie fries. (Big Brother was doing swim lessons....and she's such a fish.)

Clips Are Coming!

Not everyone is a headband girl... So it's about time I made some clips. This was another one of those late night photo sessions with a newly created clip: periwinkle carnation on a ribboned alligator clip. Tried these in Baby Girl's hair and they actually stay, though I think they'll work much better when she has a little more hair to work with. I wore a pink daisy in my hair today - matched my pink highlights.

We were at my alma mater this morning for Baby Girl's 1st Year photoshoot. Our long-time friend, Greg does Big Brother's pictures every year and now he's begun to do hers as well. He definitely had a challenge today - she's my serious child and Big Brother's "listening ears" were broken. I love seeing the progression in his photography as the years progress. Baby Girl's 4th of July outfit: tank & bloomers from Kohl's, red gerber daisy on white headband, red/white/blue extra fluffy and long tutu.