Pornography for Gardeners

In the dead of winter when the seed catalogs begin to arrive; my faith that spring will come is renewed. I often get a twinkle in my eye and tell people my porn magazines have begun to arrive! After the alarm has subsided from their faces I let them know I am talking about seed catalogs. Let me tell you, pouring over the content of at least half a dozen of these gems daily is a much needed crutch for the long days of winter! Circling, crossing out, mapping, calculating, and comparing can fill many obsessive hours!

So, run don't walk to the mailbox every day and cuddle up with your catalogs nightly. After all you will need to place your order in about 2-3 weeks especially if you plan an early start for things like cabbage or brussel sprouts!

Resolutions

Maybe this year I will organize my scraps in some creative way. Or not.

Maybe I will finally find a way to keep all these miscellaneous ribbons and notions in their place.

Maybe I will just learn to be neater.

Naw. I think I would rather teach myself how to use this first:

What do you resolve to do or not to do this year?

Holidays

I am planning on saying even less over the course of the next week as I launch into the holidays but I wanted to wish you all a very pleasant holiday how ever it is that you choose to spend it!

Top 10 Gifts for Gardeners

Sorry for the unannounced hiatus! I have been diligently studying grading, drainage and storm water management for one of my LA licensing exams! I am happy to say that is over and I am moving on to Holiday cheer! Here's my top 10 well actually top 13 gardener gifts!

Sloggers garden boots
Diggers garden trowel
Seed gift certificates: Seeds of Change
Mandarins: S&J Mandarin Farms
Heat mats for starting seeds
Special items you have preserved and are willing to share
Share some of your own seed stores
Nursery gift certificates
Watering can...vintage is nice!
Garden Journal
Bypass Pruners
Herb trees
Book: Four Season Gardening

Top Make it Gift List

I am a lister by nature. I have whole sketchbooks of lists. They are like documentaries of my life in list form! Since it is the gifting season, I am going to share with you my list of favorite gifts to make. Maybe you will be inspired for the gift giving season! The majority of these you can find patterns or ideas for from many of the talented crafters on the internet. As I love to say "Google It!"

Grocery Bags
Scarf: knitted, sewn, crocheted
Pillowcases(kids love em)
Quilted wall hanging
Purse/bags Amy Butler has some of my favs but the possibilities are endless
Lap Quilts
Place mats/napkins
Covered/decorated journals
Monogrammed card set/thank you notes etc.
Kitchen Aprons
Digital Device Cover(haven't made one yet but love the idea)
Pajama Pants

Just One More Please

I don't know if you are like me or not; but when you see a box like this on the porch the little kid takes over and you are suddenly giddy with anticipation! Once I picked it up, I knew what was inside. This particular box has gleefully landed on my porch three years in a row now! My cousin sends them out from SandJ Mandarin Grove. They are truly a treat!

It is like an entire box of mandarin sweetness delivered to the door! Every one is just as sweet as the last and never disappoints. Sure, they may not come in fancy wrap or bows.....trust me, that stuff will just get in the way! You will be eating them straight out of the box! If you are looking for a thoughtful gift this season, don't forget the fruits of others hard labor!

Holiday Sewing Ideas

For lots of cool holday gift ideas visit Sewmamasew. There are a bunch of ideas for gifts to sew so if working on that handmade holiday don't miss it!