It's Alive!

 ~It's Alive!~

Let me just start by saying, that I love spring! I look forward to Easter, when we'll celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus, getting to watch as everything in nature comes to life again, Payton's birthday in April as she turns 16, and glorious, colorful, fresh fabric decorating! Spring makes my heart happy! 

So, as the season and Easter approach, I want to share with you the idea of planting real, live grass to have ready just in time. I've always wanted to plant rye grass for my girls' Easter baskets instead of using the shredded, plastic kind. You know, the kind that usually blows out of their baskets as soon as they begin to run?

The only problem is, I never think about doing it in time. That is, until this year. And I'm inspiring you along with me!

 I bought a small bag of rye grass at Dollar General for $3.50, that will supply a multitude of children desiring real grass in their baskets. Not only can it be used for Easter, but also in containers for decoration throughout the house. How's that for dirt cheap decorating?

Here are some simple directions for getting your stand of grass started. Get your little ones involved too, and they're sure to watch with pride as the seeds begin to sprout.  Dirty, little hands are happy hands, I've always said :) 

Here's what you'll need:

basket
winter rye grass seed
aluminum foil
plastic wrap
potting soil

1. Two or three weeks before you need the basket, line it with aluminum foil or a plastic bag, and fill with potting soil. Sprinkle with a layer of seeds, then cover with 1/4 inch of soil, and moisten.
2. Cover the basket with plastic wrap to help keep it moist; place in a warm area (on top of the refrigerator is good, if you don't forget to check it!)
3. After the grass has sprouted, remove the plastic wrap and keep a close eye on it. Add more water if the soil begins to get dry.

After a few weeks, you'll have a basketful of beautiful, green grass! 

From there, the possibilities are endless!

You've Come a Long Way, Alice

Photos, courtesy of Disney

Since I was a little girl, I have been fascinated with Alice's adventures and antics while in wonderland. So, it's no surprise that I'm looking forward to Disney's 3-D version from director, Tim Burton, coming to theaters March 5th.

 

 

 Here's a clip of what movie-goers donning their 3-D glasses, will have in store.

 Alice in Wonderland Trailer  

 From big screen technology, to these simple, line drawing depictions of Alice and her crew. I find them perfectly timeless.

All photos, courtesy of Lenny's

Lenny's Alice in Wonderland site 

 Guess what else I found while snooping out Alice footage, and pictures that blur when you click on them? 
Disney's link on how to create your very own Alice Charm Bracelet

I'll have to say, my girls are going to love making these for themselves.

 Photo, courtesy of Disney
Well, now that you've seen the other takes on Alice, have a look at these great photos courtesy of Vogue. Alice has never been quite so couture as she is here. You go, Alice.
 

Photos, courtesy of Vogue

 

 

Photos, courtesy of Vogue

Remember, Alice makes her 3-D big screen debut in theaters, March 5th.

You don't want to be late, for this very important date! 

Petite Pickers

There's something amazing that happens, when little junk pickers and older ones come together. The generation gap between them seems to just disappear. I wish I could say the same about the dust, but we all know that any treasure worth finding, is one worth a sinus infection.

During our dusty treasure hunt, we found far more than we anticipated ~ friendship. Here is Mr. Paul, as he shares a bird feeder with each of our petite pickers.

One of our very first finds, was a treasure that couldn't be stored for any length of time. Although it was temporary, we valued having stumbled upon it just the same.

It was an icicle, that despite what all developing, little icicles are taught to do, had grown from the ground UP! Talk about being an overachiever!

 

Now this...

 

this...

 and this......make up our seasoned, senior, junk picker, Paul's, office. He claims he knows where everything is, and his worst day would probably be coming in to find that the whole area had been cleaned up. Then, he'd have to start all over again getting it back to this.

 

Vintage sewing machines, like this Singer pedal model that we found, could sure share some history if they could talk. They'd tell us stories of how they fashioned items and clothing that defined an era gone by.

 

Mr. Paul explaining how his mother used to sew on a machine just like this one. What? You didn't insist on wearing American Eagle, Mr. Paul? Certainly not.

Fast forward to my sewing machine, an inexpensive Brother model from Wal-Mart, and you have to wonder, where'd the charm go?

 

No, this machine hasn't fashioned dresses out of feed sacks (if I could find some, it sure would make pillows though), or made  anything our girls will walk down the aisle in someday, or even made elaborate draperies, but it serves our needs just the same. For from it, countless costumes have come to life, sentimental things rescued, and one day soon, it will guide our little girls' hands, as they begin to sew themselves. Now, if this faithful machine would just quit breaking my thread every time I start to sew, I could check more projects off my sewing to-do list. Are you hearing me, you thread breaker you?

Anyway, on with our tour. I couldn't help capturing this junk collage as it hung here together. 

 Juliana found a wrench fit for a giant.

 

 Mr. Paul cleared a path to the piano so that Kathryn and Emma could play a tune.

We found a clawfoot tub that will one day, actually offer a welcomed bath.

 Its claw feet.

Look at this vintage radio that we found plugged in. I bet it still works.

 Cute, retro chair.

 

I was glad that my girls got to see this. The very tractor on which Mr. Paul learned to plow. Notice the crank on the very front. Farm equipment has come a long way since this simple, sturdy tractor's prime.

  

My very own souvenirs from Mr. Paul. Three weathered, water skis. They'll be coming to a wall near me, very soon :)

 

Thank you, Mr. Paul for taking time to share your treasures with us. You helped three, little girls get a glimpse of how things used to be. Until next time...

Come back and visit Cottage Appeal. I'm working now on a few "before and afters" that I can't wait to share. And making you aware of my progress, will further prompt me to GET THEM DONE. I think I'm going to like this virtual friendship accountability thing we have going :)

Upcoming post, "Nearly Free Finds"