Bugs

My friend Jennifer asked me to help her decorate her son's new room. She had moved him into the former guest room, and the floral curtains had to go.

I used denim and drill cloth and a green striped cotton for the piping. My kids drew all the bug pictures which are embroidered on the curtains and pillows.

Here is the caterpillar pillow. Rose originally drew it as a woolly bear. Orange and black were not in the color scheme, so, with Rose's blessing, he became a yellow and blue caterpillar. I love his happy little face. He just looks so friendly and caterpillar-y to me.

Canning

Summer just isn't summer without preserving some of the bountiful harvest. And, even though every expert and every book will tell you not to do it, I highly recommend canning raspberries. They are so yummy over ice cream! Experts advise against it because raspberries are a soft berry that could disintegrate with over handling and overcooking.

Here are the keys to canned raspberries:
1. Choose ripe, firm berries.
2. Don't over handle.
3. Pack into pints if you've never canned raspberries before. You'll be less likely to overcook them in the smaller jars.
4. Don't over pack. You can give them a little squeeze to fit a few more in, but don't try to squash too many into the jar.

Follow the directions appropriate to your Boiling Water canner for the size jar you are using. Ta-da! Canned Raspberries!

The Dreaded First Post

I think that First Posts are the most difficult. Once started, a blog takes on a life of its own, but how to introduce a new blog? Well, this is a craft blog, so instead of an introductory post I am going to start with a craft. My Rose made this sweet little fairy for my birthday.















That is an empty tape dispenser she is using for a coach and she is driving a handsome black pipe cleaner steed. Giddy-up!