Monday, November 3, 2014

My last bouquet..was Oct 25th~and some ornaments~








I could have picked roses..The Fairy:)
And some red Parklands..
Or some white miniature roses...

Some nasturtiums for certain..and pansies too..with their pretty little faces..

But the Feverfew spoke to me..as we blew leaves into huge piles..

I gather..:) I picked ap. 1/2 cup..of Feverfew..not leaves..

But..in leaf time ..I guess I blow 10% and Jacques 90%:)
Truly.

The wind  was blowing them into the air at one point..and quite frankly ..me at the helm of a blower often blows mid air..
it started to pour..later in the day..
so I finished some ..shh..Christmas ornaments..
I used air dried clay..so you simly roll out.. and stamp..
I use ..a kit ..very similar to these..
I have had mine for a couple of years now..and this is not where I bought them..but I wanted to give you an idea..

I used a child's rolling pin..a star cookie cutter..stamped and added either words..or our grandchildren's names..with a swarovski crystal imbedded..w/ jute cording to hang.
You can either adorn a tree..or gifts with these.
No baking!
Instant gratification..and so easy!
A lot easier than yard maintenance.:)

I also finished up some of the :"She loves Christmas " ornaments..
I saw it on Pinterest and Pinned it..then..this Sept. I went looking for tiny boxes..the trees were easy..Ebay..all sizes..all kinds..
So reasonable..and free shipping..
But the boxes!???
Finally I went into a store I knew had some.. she said ..:"Nous ne vendons pas ces boîtes..Attendez..laissez-moi communiquer avec mon gérant..."(we do not sell these boxes..wait..let me call my manager..)

Tap..tap..tap..

Bon d'accord..si vous versez une somme ..comme vous voulez..pour une bonne cause  ..et voiçi ma petite boîte..pour les dons..oui je peux vous en donner quelques unes..(Ok..if you donate a sum of money..as much as you want..and here is my little box  for donations..yes I can give you a few..)
So I left with un don and quelques unes..

(

Way too many trees for the boxes!
Anyways..I made a few special ones..and unfortunately..my sparkles do not show up here..

But they are sparkley:)  And simple....and I am fond of them..

So much so..that I made one..  with:"  Elle aime Noël"..on one of them.. went back to the big store..asked for her..she was on lunch..I left it w/ the dressing room attendant.
Hope she liked it.♥
Funny how my camera at ISO 800 picked up all the fuzzies..but no glitter..
There is glitter:)
My Christmas Cacti..(I have a few..  different colors..white..peach..pink..red etc..)..flower inNovember..the white one...always late October..and she loves the sunroom.

Christmas Cactus?
Early..like the ornaments..

Just in case you would like to start crafting for Christmas.

43 comments:

  1. The stars are wonderful. This week I will try my luck with some of the clay to make stars. A pine cone ornament would be nice too. Any idea of a source? Maybe I will try the dove (that you made shortbread cookies with). They would look nice on a tree too, no? You have my head spinning with ideas. And now I want a Christmas cactus. I had a tip from someone who worked at her father's nursery. Hold water for all of October and then resume in November with fertilizer. I think mine flowered before Christmas. If you summer them outdoors, I think they form flowers sooner. On the topic of flowers, when do you start your hyacinth bulbs in water? I bought some because of your photos of them last winter.

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    1. I think the doves would be so pretty:)
      Pine cones too..A whole tree could be made w/ clay ornaments..a small tree..what a great idea the dove:)
      I have had my cacti for yrs on end..no special timing ..I just water when they are dry..you can tell..and fertilize sometimes when I am happy juicing my other plants:)
      That one did summer outside in the porch..but so did the brilliant pink one..and it's just budding..who knows?:)
      I usually start my hyacinths after January..when the holidays are over and I feel like watching something grow.
      I did not find any yet this year so I am too late I am certain!

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    2. Maybe the big box stores still have the hyacinth bulbs. Yes I was thinking of a little tree all done up with the clay ornaments would be pretty. I ordered a stamping set from Amazon because it came with numbers too. Should come tomorrow.

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  2. Oh and I love the pitcher, especially the word "about" 1/2 cup.

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    1. I like it too..I bet that's why I bought it..words..:)

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  3. I picked my last bouquet this past week too - and photoed of course :) I think I could still get a few more snapdragons unless the weather turns frigid, which it may. It seems they love the colder temps! You are so creative! Love all the ornaments you've made and your Christmas cactus looks beautiful!

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    1. Another reason to love gardening:) Taking their photos:)
      I think Christmas Cactus are the easiest plants to keep..
      They tell you when they are not happy..:)

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  4. Tried earlier to leave a few comments on your posts.. Trying again.
    Everything is so perfectly ready for your Christmas. I love those little tags and the box is lovely too!
    Thank you for sharing so much talent!
    Shel x

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    1. I wonder what could be wrong?
      Anyways..it worked..:)
      You can make tags for your newlyweds!

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  5. Oh Monique, you almost make me want to start with the season's work (fun for you), but just almost. I have to drag all food, dishes, knives, presents and all but the kitchen sink to have Christmas with the grandkids. Seems Santa can't find them at the farm. So for me, Christmas is overwhelming. I'll just think of all your cute decorations and you making them.

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    1. It is a lot of preparation..but the month of December is unlike any other..
      While we can still do it..let's:)
      Deal?

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  6. All your special touches for the holidays....I'm sure your family looks forward to your creations.
    I have a little bouquet on my kitchen counter that I picked at the veggie farm today. I'm sure going to miss Mondays at the farm.
    She Loves Christmas makes me smile. Love that!

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  7. Bonjour ma chère Nana,

    J'avais manqué ton dernier petit billet avec ce joli épouvantail ! J'adore +++

    Aujourd'hui Noël est à notre porte... déjà !...
    Tes petites étoiles nous enchantent... et j'aime beaucoup ces nichoirs... Ils sont absolument magnifiques et mon ami Léo ne me contredira pas !

    Gros bisous ☂

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    1. "Nichoirs"..J'aime tellement cette expression pour ces objets:)

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  8. I just love all your preparation for Christmas,especially the stars... for the tree or as a gift tag, or even a table place name .
    I'm off to Denmark for the Christmas holiday where their decorations are so beautiful, so I'll see if I can find that clay to make some stars and I'll attach one to every ones gift then it can be used for their name place at the table. 16 stars to make, I better start now searching for the clay. Keep your ideas coming Monique, they are always lovely to see.

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    1. For France..I have no idea..But you do have Amazon.fr I think?
      Maybe there.. Very little is needed..I think you would enjoy making these..
      I hope you take lots of pics in Denmark and share!
      You are so crafty these will be so easy for you.

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  9. November has put me in the holiday mood and I love all of your ideas. So fun and so clever you are Monique!

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    1. I am really not that much fun:)
      But I love doing things with my hands..crafts etc..Just like you!

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  10. Hi Monique, love the whimsy stars, so beautiful and the white pitcher with flowers!

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  11. Love all of your holiday preparations and the pretty stars. I can hardly believe Christmas is around the corner. How time flies. It feels as if it were summer only yesterday.
    Sam

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  12. I love the sweet stars, simple yet pretty…you are so clever and artistic. I think the "she loves Christmas" suits you perfectly. :)

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    1. I could really have a He Loves Christmas..Jacques adores it!:)
      Thanks Karen.

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  13. 'I could have pickled roses' I read and I bet you could and it would be Delicious!

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    1. The way I type..I could have very well typed that..You made me laugh..Thanks for that:)

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  14. It is the end of gardens for the year, isn't it. I have my herb pots still outside but not for long. I watch the weather reports for freezing like a hawk... just want to let the plants have a bit more of the outside sun! I pop round the back after the morning dog walk and pick a few sprigs for cooking every day or so...

    I'd love to make ornaments. Such fun and you do such a perfect job with them.

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    1. You would make precious ornaments with your talents Deana.

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  15. How I would love to sit a bit in that beautiful sun filled room. Your Christmas cactus in full bloom ~ gorgeous! Mine is still dormant, not a bud in sight.
    Your little "almost" 1/2 cup makes me smile. The feverfew are new to me. Delightful little blooms, Monique.
    Happy Day to you!

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    1. You have such a green thumb Sarah..Feverfew is a doll in the garden..I wonder if next year..I sent you some dried heads..you could sprinkle the seeds and see? If they would love your beautiful warm state?

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    2. Monique, I'd love to try them. Our summers are so hot that most things can't survive. That's not to say they wouldn't pop out for spring or fall though. It would be a good experiment. ;-)
      Thanks for the offer.

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  16. I love the pitcher with the flowers Monique!

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  17. Pretty flowers and beautiful ornaments! Tu as bon goût. ;-)

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  18. You inspire me to get out my craft supplies, Monique. I enjoy crafting so much but haven't made time for it the past several years. Working on little projects I love is so therapeutic. Your Christmas cactus must love its spot in the room. So pretty.

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    1. Totally therapeutic;)
      I am going to make your chutney and cookies:)

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  19. Monique your sweet little bouquet made me smile. Summer's last hurrah! Just Beautiful! I love the star ornaments. So pretty and as for the tree ones, well, I am so blessed to have one of these that you made. I feel even more honored know knowing how difficult it was for you to get the boxes. Have you thought about using the inserts of small match boxes? Just an idea! It's gotten a lot colder here now and my mind is moving much towards Christmas. I just love Christmas! Bisous! xx

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    1. What a grand idea the matchboxes!
      I will look for some..GREAT idea..You are so clever!

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  20. Good morning dear Monique-) Every photograph of your tells the story, pure and beautiful heart. I am also start thinking about Christmas and some ornaments this year. I love every star you have and your flower is blooming (the cactus) I don't know the name, but in Russia we call it December flower because it blooms always in winter time.

    Hugs and kisses my dear friend and have a lovely weekend!

    Yelena

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  21. I'm not a Christmas crafter anymore, Monique, but it's fun to see what you're doing. Clever idea from your reader re matchboxes.
    LOVE Christmas cactus...and as I look out to my patio, I have three amaryllis in the sun. The green is peeking above the soil right now. They should be blooming in three weeks or so...right on time.

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  22. I love those..I have not been Lucy in having them rebloom.
    Fun to photo too:-)

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  23. I love your Christmas projects. It is so hard to imagine that it is so close...good to have a head start!

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