31 Days to Branch Out: Day 19

Boy we are just truckin along here! It's already day 19! Yay!

Today is Learn to Crochet day here at Branch Out Craft Club! YAY! I honestly think Crocheting is much easier than knitting and it only uses one needle! So, to start, go HERE! It has a video plus step by step illustrated instructions that are pretty darn easy to follow! Don't try them all in one day- Just remember: Crafts are for relaxation and fun! Not frustration!

 I want to touch on one of the major problems with gardening: critters. Bugs mostly is what we're covering today. I wanted to have a garden so I could have my own somewhat organic veggies but I can't seem to grow squash without buggies gettin in the vines. So, luckily there is this!

Homemade Pest and Disease Remedies

Insecticidal soap, rotenone/pyrethrum liquid spray, and diatomaceous earth for horticultural use (silica particles from the skeletal remains of sea creatures that penetrate the bodies of insects on contact-sold as a dust) are good store-bought natural pest remedies. Follow the directions on the labels.

Alcohol spray for Aphids
Mix ½ to 1 cup alcohol with a quart of water. Do not spray the entire plant until you have done a test leaf. Spray one leaf. Wait a day. If it shows signs of burning, do not use alcohol on the plant. Never use in the heat of the day in the sun.

Beer Traps for Slugs
Put some cheap beer in saucers. Place the saucers every 3 to 4 feet around the plants that are being eaten. The slugs will crawl into the beer and drown.

Chamomile Tea for Damping Off
Spray seedlings with a hot water infusion of chamomile tea to prevent the disease.

Citrus Spray for Aphids
This is a good spray for aphids or any other soft-bodied bugs. Boil 2 cups of water in a glass or stainless steel pot. Remove from the burner and add the peel of one lemon or one grapefruit. Cover the pot and let steep overnight. Mix ½ water and ½ citrus liquid. The spray must come in contact with the insects' body to be effective. Spray as needed.

Eucalyptus Liquid Soap (found in health food stores)
Add ½ teaspoon to a quart of water and spray for insects

Horticultural oil
These sprays have a petroleum distillate carrier for natural botanical insecticides. Never use them on a sunny day, and be sure plants are watered well before spraying.

Insecticidal soap
Sold under the Safer brand name. You will find it in any garden store. The concentrate is a better buy than any others.

Liquid rotenone/pyrethrins spray
Bonide is the brand. Follow directions on the label. This spray is very effective, especially if not overused.

Molasses Spray for Rusts
1 cup sulfured molasses
1 cup powdered milk (optional)
1 gallon water
1 cup seaweed powder (optional)
1 cup rock powder (optional)

If you are using only molasses, stir into water and use. If using all ingredients, mix molasses and powders and make into a paste. Wrap 1 cup of the paste in a panty hose. Put in the water, and let sit for 2 to 4 hours. Strain and spray.

So good luck with your gardening!
Branch out and be creative!'

31 Days to Branch Out: Day 8

Hooray! We've made it through the first week! This week we'll be talking about fabric crafting! My favorite thing about fabric is that it doesn't have to just be used for making clothes (or pillow cases in my case). You can do just about anything with fabric that you can do with paper!

So, in honor of the first day of the second week, we'll discuss tools first.

I believe the first thing you need is one of these!
This little machine will cover all your basics and is less than 40.00!! You can also use these for paper crafting which adds unique texture to your pages and cards. It has 8 different stitches on it which may not be important to you while you're starting out but they sure will come in handy later once you get better at it!

Also, check out resale websites like Craigslist to get some really awesome deals. I got my machine plus a HUGE box of notions and fabric PLUS a plastic organizer drawer set with a bunch of patterns for only 60.00. I use my machine at least once a week and it's fantastic. So keep your eyes open for a deal if you're interested in getting started.

Next, you'll need a good pair of scissors. For me, I use the cheapy red handled Crayola scissors that I got from working at the day care because of all the pairs I have they are the only ones that will cut fabric. Lame I know. If you're serious about starting to sew, invest in some good scissors.

A Rotary Cutter has become a staple in my sewing box. You use it on a self-healing mat with with a cutting guide and it cuts perfectly straight lines. Also, if you're going to use this, PLEASE BE CAREFUL!! Cut the fabric not your fingers: invest in a metal mesh glove or finger protection because these blades are extremely sharp and will take off fingers if you're not careful!










A set of sewing needles (to sew by hand) will also be handy. Also, it may not hurt to get some black and white thread! Also, if your machine doesn't come with bobbins, you will need some in order for your sewing machine to work.

All of these little things that are part of sewing are called Sewing Notions. If you go to the store and need help finding any of this, the people there will know what you're talking about!

Tomorrow: How to thread and use your sewing machine!

Branch out and be creative!

31 Days to Branch Out! Day 1

So, you all should know by now that my mind changes faster than south Texas weather. My original 31 days was already taken and I was inspired to do something else anyway- more of what I want this blog to be about anyway so it's October 1st: TAAADAAA!!!

For the next few weeks we'll be covering the basics of crafting! We'll cover Paper Crafts, Fabric Crafts, Knitting and Crochet, Holiday Crafts, and UpCycling!

I really hope everyone will check in every day to see what you can learn! So, basics in paper crafts!

TOOLS!!

So, first things first:

 

These are scissors! :-) Just kidding, I know you know what scissors are...but if you're not familiar with the paper crafting world, these are not just scissors: these are Cutter Bee scissors. You'll pay a smidgen more for these babies but they are sharp all the way down to the tippy point and can cut very small details out of your paper. Really handy when you're cutting out something you've traced. 

 Next is this baby! The Fiskars paper trimmer. I love this one because the ruler that pops out there on the side is extremely sturdy and the numbers wont rub off when you use it a lot (you'd be surprised how many trimmers I've had to toss because I couldn't read the numbers any more). Also, it has this great little wire thing where the slidy cutter goes so you can line up where the blade will go. Perfect if you're cutting pictures or something that's not an exact measurement.

The crop a dile! This little beauty sets eyelets (or grommets if you're more familiar with that term) which are these and really makes it a lot easier than trying to work a hammer.

 

Adhesives are important too. I like these value packs because you get a bunch of different ones that will adapt well to your different projects! Always make sure your adhesive is ACID FREE. 

 CLICK THE PIC for free printable scrapbooking paper!

And of course you have paper!!! Any kind of paper will do for just about anything. ACID FREE is a term you'll find a lot in paper crafting due to the nostalgic nature of scrapbooking. It means the things you create won't yellow from age like all those old photographs and papers from your grandmothers house. If you find something that you want to use that is not ACID FREE there are sprays you can get from your local hobby stores.

BIT OF ADVICE: Do not use original old photos. Make a copy of it and store the original in a safe place. You don't want to possibly ruin the only picture of your Great Aunt Maude because you used the wrong glue.

Feel free to ask any questions that come up as we go along in the days and weeks. I'm not an expert but I know some things and I will certainly do my best to find the answers for you.

#3 Pinterest Challenge!

Hello friends!

Man, this has been a crazy day! Drove up to Austin today to go to the Whole Foods so Joe could meet the managers up there. They weren't there but it was fun to spend the day with him. M&M didn't like being in her seat that long but she did pretty good.
Anyway, it's Monday and you know what that means!!!

#3 Pinterest Challenge!!!

Without further ado: 

 Lotion Bars

 

While waiting for Craig Ferguson to come on watching the local news, I saw that there is a cold front heading this way! Which means we'll drop to a bone chilling high of 88 by Friday (pssh yeah I'll believe that when it happens!) But it got me thinking...Fall was on Friday. The cooler weather is on its way even if it's not as cold as you hearty women up north. So here are a couple of really great and EASY recipes for homemade lotion bars. Just click the picture or the title for a link to the recipes! I really cannot wait for this especially after my trip to Whole Foods. 

Let me know how they work out if you're able to do them! Have fun!

Greener Fabric Softener

I found this idea to extend the life of your fabric softener and lessen waste on Apartment Therapy and I figured I would try it out! So far it's pretty darn simple!

Step one: Find your favorite fabric softener (liquid kind)
Step two: Find a bowl and put a small hand towel into it
Step three: soak the hand towel (I did for about 20 minutes mostly because I got distracted)
Step Four: Ring out completely and put the fabric softener back into the bottle (it really doesn't take much to thoroughly soak the towl)
Step Five: Let dry completely!! (I left mine overnight) BONUS:::Where ever you leave it to dry...the whole room will smell delicious)
Step Six: Through the dry towel into your dryer like one of those flimsy sheets and enjoy!

The best bit is that the towel like it will be once its completely dry is supposed to last about about 40 loads of laundry!!! I have almost a whole bottle of softener left. I am extending my fabric softener for like the whole year! I do about three loads of laundry a week! I'm so excited to save money and eliminate those annoying little dryer sheets from my trash! Such an easy way to go green!