Success!

After a few false starts I finally got the hang of amigurumi. Amigurumi is a Japanese craft that utilizes yarn to either crochet or knit animals or other objects in miniature size. It's really a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. Here's the little mouse I made and I already have several other amigurumi projects underway. I really like that I can take the project with me wherever I go and the cuteness factor is over the top!

If you want to learn how to make one of these cuties yourself check out http://www.lionbrand.com/ for some free patterns.

I used small pink beads for her eyes...


Her little nose and whiskers are embroidered...


Ahh... yes, did I mention the garden gnome was smitten with her?

Bountiful Gardens

Things have been rather hectic here at The Nest the last few weeks. The kids are getting ready to finish out another year of school and the gardens are in full swing. I am trying to learn amigurumi (a Japanese art form), and the softies are still are still inventing themselves. I should have the duck finished soon, so I'll post him shortly. I am also working on some more of the most excellent kitchen towels with a different vintage design. In the meantime I thought I would show you some of the bounty from the gardens of late.

The Hydrangeas have finally bloomed this year. We moved them last fall to a more advantageous location.

Baby Tomatoes! The vegetable patch is really looking good this year.

I caught a shot of this beautiful butterfly on the Verbena. I'm not sure what kind it is...

The water lettuce is multiplying quickly in the pond. Unfortunately, so is the algae. We cut back some branches and the surface of the pond has more sunlight this year. Hopefully it will clear up soon.

Ahh... the Lilies. The Lilies are beautiful this year and different varieties have been blooming since early spring.