Ebay and Blackberry

Sold on Ebay. $.99 - that's what I listed it at and that's what it sold for. 99 cents.

I was cleaning out the spare room and thought I would list a few things on Ebay. This was a paper mache Santa I made years ago. Just a dust collector but someone bought it out of Georgia. Thank you for that.

On Monday after Christmas, I went to the garden for a few hours and cut down the blackberry bushes that have overgrown. Now, that was a job. I enjoyed it but it wasn't as easy as I thought. Each one of the long long branches had a million thorns. They would whip around each time I snipped or tried to move them. The area had never been pruned so the blackberry bushes were all one huge mass. I created two paths and pruned down all of the green shoots. Once I was finished, I had tiny scratches all over my legs and hands. I wore gloves and heavy jeans but those were some sharp thorns.

I'm smiling thinking about it. I would rather spend the day pruning then commuting.

Happy New Year

Winter Garden

Winter - Garlic under Straw

Merry Christmas! I walked over to the garden this morning and took a few pictures. No snow so a lot of green still left. Weeds and chamomile sprouted up all over.

Enjoy your Holiday.

Indoor Garden

Cabbage, Red Chard and a close up of the broccoli.



Indoor Gardening. I started my own micro greens this fall and they are delicious. I snip off the leaves when I need them and toss them into a salad or on a sandwich. They take only days to sprout and in a couple of weeks, you eat them! Very Easy. Get a small container, some organic soil, sprinkle of seeds, water and a piece of plastic wrap for germination. Sunny location and ta da. Greens!



Sage and Basil


Herbs in a large pot. I thought I'd make a mixture. Sage, basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and I had some caraway seeds I tossed in. These two were the first to pop out. So Fresh and green. Incredible colors.

On another note, I meant to comment on my cookie donation to Garfield Farm. I drove out and dropped off some butter cookies and Carmel corn. They were setting up for their two day event of cooking and grilling the 1874 way. I only met a few folks but I think I was an outsider and while they appreciated the goodies, they weren't too sure about me. I wanted to learn about farming but they are into teaching how folks lived at that time. Reenacted events - not farming they way I think. Anyway. I got chased by the numerous geese walking around then went home. Beautiful place but not a farm.

Christmas is in a few days. Happy Holidays to everyone.

Etsy Sales

YEA! I made another sale. I really liked these two. They are on their way to Atlanta. Happy travels.

I got up this morning dreading work detail - I've been off for the past 4 days - the last of 2011 vacation days - and received a nice email notification that something sold. It's like a present and makes for a wonderful day. I've been buying from Etsy members for a few years now. Started with soap which then inspired me to make my own. I've bought ceramics and gifts for difficult people. It's a nice way to shop. It also supports people that are trying to make it on there own. You're not supporting a multi corporation. You are supporting the one person (or family)that made it. Just makes sense to me.

Etsy Additions

Added to my Etsy page. The little Chinese inspired pin cushion is the cutest. I started it sometime early this year and thought I'd finish it and put it up for sale. I've always liked the little pin cushions you see in China town.
The strawberries are 6 in a basket.
Check out the site. Some cute little things for sale. www.etsy.com and type in dykes4000 in the "Shop Search"

Since it's almost winter here in Chicago Land - farm tours are on hold so I'm in my sewing room trying to create cute things.

Thanks for stopping by.

Etsy Sales December

I made another sale! Yes - Etsy is on a roll.

This is a felted tree picture that I made. My sister bought it and didn't know it was from me until she purchased it. Isn't that cool? Something she liked and then yo and behold, her sister was the seller. Cool.

Off to Garfield Farm to donate some baked goods for there year end get together. I'll post more about the farm later.