morning time

every available surface in this small place accumulates a lot of stuff every day.  that kitchen counter?   i don't care too much except when i need to actually use the surface and i have to juggle where to relocate things.  sometimes i clear a small space to work and inevitably jars tip, things fall on the floor.   and then i clean up each day and have to do it all over again the next.

the frame stripping update: i may recommend using washing soda for this job if you have an easy strip job (haha, strip job) .  but it didn't work out with these.  the frames are old, not really worth the effort, honestly.  but i got them for free and figured why not.  the first layer of color is a reddish stain that is not going anywhere without heavy sanding which is of course not going to happen.  also, the white paint on top was certainly lead-based so it wasn't a very health or enviro-friendly undertaking.

i've been in the indigo dye vat this morning.  i do wear gloves but they have developed cracks and holes.  i need to get some new ones.

PS- I PROMISE ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF THE CRESCENT ST GHOST STORY THIS WEEK!  I JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET TO IT.  PATIENCE, GHOST LOVERS.  PATIENCE.
;)

this day

liv's room

 ...

 what i've been doing today:

sewing- there are new fisherman cushions in the shop.

hoping to strip paint with a paste of washing soda and water from a couple old wood frames i got at the swap shop.  i'm not sure it's working...

soaking hemp canvas in the iron vat.  it's the last of several dips to reach black.

DIY shelves + seedlings

yesterday i got myself an old wooden door and took it apart. it was real weathered with rusty nails throughout so it took some doing to dismantle it.   then this morning i cleaned the boards up and hung them with some L-brackets.  

a carpenter i am not and i had some trouble finding the studs.  wall studs, that is.  so the brackets are kind of uneven and wonky.  but still  the project didn't turn out half bad, eh?

i have one more long board i think i'll use in my studio area and several shorter ones i'm going to hang in an as yet unknown location.  total cost for the project so far is less than $30.

i also wanted to show you some of the plants i have this year.  i grew some basil and tomato plants from seed and bought calendula, holy basil, chamomile, hyssop, lady's mantle, skullcap and stevia for my herb tea garden.  now i just have to get it all in the ground somewhere.

organizing maniac/diy fool

hiiiiiii!!  i missed you.  i know it's only been a day since i last posted. i'm weird.  but anyways...

i've been super domestic and productive lately.  an organizing maniac.  a diy fool.

here's the list:

• sorted through all my books (a lot).  sold a bunch to a used bookstore friend. 
• making so much bread i have to give it away.  see this post.  try this recipe.
• making homemade granola and yogurt weekly.
• making hats with stash yarn.  see above.
• making kombucha.
• making fire cider.  see here.
• planning tea garden.
• repotted houseplants.

plus more but i've been doing so much i can't even remember it all.  crazy, right?

and i bought myself the above sweet little cyclamen.

and eli made a eggs for sale sign because my fridge is full overflowing with eggs.

lastly, i want to giveaway this book above called modern country.  i was ruthless about purging my books.  this one has some nice pictures.  it's textile project-oriented.  i want one of you to have it.  leave a comment here telling me your latest diy project to enter the giveaway.  ok? ok.

xx
liane marie

winter light

Winter light can be really beautiful, no? The snow gives a blue cast. Here is a sage and garlic wreath I made in the fall. It was super easy and cost nothing. I used my own garlic and sage and found some old heavy gauge wire in the shed. When I first made it I hung it indoors and it smelled really good. When it dried I hung it by my front door. Also, a picture of some paper whites I planted a month ago. Pretty little things.

make your place

I saw this book on a blog recently. For the life of me I can't figure out where. Do you know? (revision- ah! erin, i thought it was you but couldn't find the post. thanks!)
Even though I have a handful of similar books already, this one looked good and it's inexpensive ($5) and it's hand-lettered! So I bought 3 thinking I'd give a couple away as gifts.

I spent last night looking through it and it's really very sweet. Mostly recipes and tips and such for home health and first aid, cleaning, body care and gardening. It's really accessible and I like the author's attitude and voice. Here's a little excerpt from the introduction:

"...to me, DIY is not a show of prowess, or even a hobby; rather, it is a necessary step towards living our lives on our own terms."

AMEN!

You can buy this book here if you are interested.

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But, chillens, on a negative note, what happened in Massachusetts last night with the Senate race makes me want to poke my own eyes out. Alls I can say is there is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding out there about the health care insurance system. There are an awful lot of people who make decisions based on bad information and sound bytes and fear. I do, however, agree with Senator Kerry that it would be a mistake and counter-productive for the Democratic party to turn on itself right now. Focus, people, focus.

I am so behind President Obama and the work he is trying to do. And these two opposing political parties of ours....what to do?

I hope you don't mind my ramblings here, but this stuff is important. We should be talking about it.

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Oh, and that top picture...that's my new place (tease). It's just awesome, is all. From here.