Bluebird Gardens Blog

Do You Value Something Handmade?

2010-07-25T16:27:42Z

A friend who knows I use ladybugs in Bluebird Gardens found these charming crochet ladybugs at a yard sale in Arkansas.

Look at the details. In addition to the 1-inch crochet body, embroidery was added for the stripe down the back, then little beads were sewn on to give the ladybug eyes.

Can you guess how much she paid for 15 of them?

I've done some crocheting so I tried to figure out how much time it would take to make one crochet ladybug. Then stuff, add embroidery time, add beads - I'm thinking maybe an hour each ladybug?

Missouri's minimum wage rate is $7.25 - it's $6.25 in Arkansas, so the 15 crochet ladybugs, based on minimum wage, should have garnered $108.75, or $93.75 in Arkansas.

If you're really fast and can make 2 ladybugs an hour, that's $54 in MO, or $45 in Arkansas; 4 ladybugs $24, 8 ladybugs $12 an hr.

I understand we don't think to value handmade items that way but we've been spoiled by less expensive products. If we're going to pull out of this economy, and help talented friends and neighbors make a living with their talent, we need to start re-thinking how we value those people who can make wonderful quality handmade things, and are willing to do so.

And as far as those crochet ladybugs, my friend paid 25 cents, a quarter, for all of them, or about 1.3 cents per ladybug.

Charlotte

Bluebird Gardens: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
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Missouri Summer Sunset

2010-07-22T23:45:23Z

"Breathless, we flung us on a windy hill, laughed in the sun, and kissed the lovely grass." -- Rupert Brooke

How to Find New Home for a Camel Saddle Foot Stool

2010-07-18T14:07:43Z

"I received a camel saddle foot stool purchased in Afghanistan during the 1950's. I was wondering if you knew of anyone or links I could find sending me to someone or a group who may be interested in something like this. I enjoyed your post on bluebirdgardens. Thank you for your time."

Hi David,


Oh, my, those camel foot stools were quite the rage in the
1970s!

Since you have an original one, as opposed to a reproduction,
I'm guessing an interior designer in your area might be very 
interested in that piece since the 70s are part of the retro 
movement in home decor these days. Check your yellow pages and
offer to send them this photo with your asking price.

You might also consider Ebay or one of the other auction sites,
if nothing else to see if someone else has one listed and how
much they're asking for camel saddle foot stools.

I don't think it's a high value item, more of an interesting piece that could be a 
focal point in a room.

Thanks for sharing and good luck!

Use Broken Birdhouses as Table Decorations

2010-07-17T01:11:57Z

Do you have birdhouses with broken roofs or sides you can't part with?

Re-purpose them into a flower vase holder for a table decoration.

This little birdhouse was a gift so it had special memories.

Last year part of the roof rotted, so I removed the piece, sanded down the edges and treated the cleaned birdhouse with a couple coats of polyurethane.

I then found an old glass bottle that would fit through the opening.

Filled with flowers, the renovated birdhouse works well as an outdoor table decoration under a deck umbrella, or anywhere inside the house where you want some whimsy.

How To Easily Salvage Stained Shirts and Sweaters

2010-07-12T20:32:02Z

A friend of mine recently asked who was the designer of one of my favorite sweaters and pointed at flowers I had embroidered on it.

Not that I don't appreciate good sweaters, but I had to chuckle - the reason I had the flowers on the sweater was to cover a stain!

So if you do any kind of embroidery, don't throw that favorite shirt or sweater out. Add embroidered flowers over the stain, then scatter a few more so that it looks like a deliberate pattern.

My favorite flower is the daisy. It's also one of the easiest embroidery stitches.

You can embroider daisies plain, in the same color as the shirt, or make it more fancy by using different embroidery floss colors, adding french knot centers and green leaves out of the same simple daisy embroidery stitch.

As far as the "designer" sweater, I took a tip from a rose pin at the top of the sweater and added three small rosettes over the stain in a Brazilian embroidery style called "rococo."

To make the rosette, pull needle half way around the center spot; wrap floss around the needle like a french knot 10-15 times, then pull gently so the thread is not too tight but is forming one of the rose edges.

Secure with a stitch over the center of the long french knot.

Keep adding rose edges until you have the stain covered.

You can add a little green leaf, or group several rosettes in the same area.

Not only practical but apparently quite the fashion, too!

Do you salvage something creatively with your embroidery?

How to Make Quick Blackberry Turnovers

2010-07-08T00:12:00Z

Summer is, among other things, blackberry time and I couldn't resist not baking something with freshly-picked wild blackberries.

Now in Missouri, you can easily start a feud - a serious, long-lasting, family wrenching feud - asking someone for the location of their favorite blackberry patch.

You're on your own finding your blackberry supply but ensure they're fresh.

Taste test them on site, just to make sure.

After picking about a cup of wild blackberries, I washed them, sprinkled a tsp of sugar and let them sit in the refrigerator overnight.

When you're ready to make, put enough cold water in a glass so you can press the dough together.

Taking 4 pieces of pre-made, reduced fat crescent dough - had to save calories somewhere - wet fingers and press each of two dough pieces back together at the seam.

Spoon a tablespoon of blackberries in their sugar bath into each of the corners of the crescent dough.

There's no such thing as over-filling; the blackberries will reduce in size as they cook.

Check the back in case you do - crescent dough will leave holes on the back side of the turnover if you stretch it too much.

Fold the dough corner to the center into a triangle; cut at the fold line, then use a wet fork to crimp around the triangle turnover edges.

You can crimp the dough without water but after a few pats, the fork will stick to the dough.

Once each of the turnovers is sealed around the edges, you can brush with a beaten egg wash to give it a golden yellow look after it's baked.

Since I had every intention of eating these immediately after they were cooked, I skipped this step.

No point wasting a perfectly good egg wash.

Sprinkle with water.

Then sprinkle a little layer of sugar over the whole turnover.

Cook at 400F in a pre-heated oven for 8-10 minutes.

No need to coat the baking pan; the turnovers won't stick.

An average crescent roll makes one blackberry turnover.

I'll bet biscuit dough would work, too, either pre-mixed or made from pre-packaged biscuit dough, rolled out so that it's not too thick.

Other fillings would work, too, not just apple but peaches, raspberries, blueberries.

That's my grandmother's Blue Willow plate, she also used them as her every day dishes.

She used to shake her head when I told her they had become collectible.

Let cool for 10 minutes before biting in to them.

Even though the dough may seem cool, the blackberry filing will take longer to cool.
I didn't wait so I can attest to how hot the filing is only minutes out of the oven.

Would you like a bite?

Charlotte

Bluebird Gardens: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts Blog
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Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill

Why a Custom Quilt Takes More Than A Week To Make

2010-07-07T12:18:58Z

The site visitor was charming on the phone, calling before 6 am to ask if she paid us a "rush" fee, could we get a custom quilt started and finished for her in a week.

It wasn't that we didn't want to help but making a double wedding ring quilt, one of the hardest patchwork quilt designs, in a week is just not possible. It takes an average of 3 specialists to make one quilt, and at that we get them made in as little as 3 months - less if the quilt is simpler.

"So how come I read some people can make a quilt in a week" she persisted.

If the quilt is a simple enough pattern - large fabric blocks, for example, it's conceivable a quilt can be started and finished in a week but this was not the kind of quilt the caller was interested in.

Bluebird Gardens custom quilts, as most quilts do, go through at least 8 steps in the process of getting made:

1. Finalizing details including quilt size, design, fabric colors, getting photos to be used on photo memory quilts, and final price, including a deposit.

2. Quilt materials get laid out and photographed for a final look prior to starting.

3. Quilt pieces are cut and sewn together to make the quilt top.

4. Pieced quilt top gets embroidered.

5. Quilt top is quilted.

6. Quilt top is "bound" to finish edges.

7. Quilt label and any other embellishments are added.

8. Quilt is photographed and wrapped for shipping.

9. Finished quilt is shipped usually two-day priority mail with quilt care guide.

If you're planning on getting a custom quilt made, regardless of who's making it, plan on at least 3 months; in some cases, there's a year waiting list, sometimes longer, especially if you want the quilt hand quilted.

A good, detailed custom handmade quilt takes a little time to make, and from the comments we get, is well worth the wait.

Leather Gloves Hands Down Great Housewarming Gift

2010-07-05T15:41:52Z

I'm sure these leather gardening gloves were designed by an experienced gardener:

Cotton on top so gloves breathe.

Re-inforced palms and finger tips, and fingers that actually fit.

Long cuffs to protect arms.

I love mine but I was reassured when a dear friend and colleague recently moved from her big city house to a farm that needs major renovation.

I didn't think much about the pair of green leather gardening gloves I gave her as a housewarming gift until she greeted me the following week with the biggest smile and "I LOVE MY GLOVES!"

Teresa said she used her leather gardening glovesnot only for removing overgrown brambles in the old farm garden but also during the actual old farmhouse tear down. "I couldn't have done all the work without them," she said.

I started carrying these leather gardening gloves because they're my favorite - these leather gardening gloves are so flexible I can actually move my fingertips.

These leather gardening gloves also make great gardening gifts because they're wonderfully sturdy. I'm still using a pair I purchased 6 yrs ago.

If you want something more personal, we can personalize leather gardening gloves by embroidering a name or favorite saying on the back of the leather cuff and ship it to a different destination with a gift card.

Great gardening gift idea for that new Master Gardener. These are also very welcome holiday gifts, birthday gifts and stocking stuffers.

Good home remodeling and housewarming gifts, too!

Plant Peanuts for Fun Father's Day Gift

2010-06-08T03:30:12Z

"...was visiting your website...My Dad loves beer, he even says he wants to make his own beer. I was thinking about something with beer...What can I make Dad for Father's Day?"

Hi Karen,

I've noticed that people who love beer also like peanuts. Does your Dad like peanuts? How about giving your Dad his own pot of growing peanuts to go with his beer?

Start with a handful of un-roasted, unsalted peanuts.

You don't need a lot; 4 to 6 peanuts will do nicely.

Prepare a clean, garden pot by putting about an inch of packing peanuts in the bottom to help keep the pot light enough to move around.

Add a couple of inches of compost, then fill the pot up with good potting soil to about 2 inches from the top.

Don't use garden soil, it'll dry out after a couple of weeks and make it hard for the peanuts to grow. You need good potting soil, available at any garden center.

Now DON'T do what I did and plant peanuts in the shell.

It may work, but it will take a long time for the shells to break down and release peanut seeds. Those outer shells are hard and designed to protect delicious peanuts inside!

Not to mention peanuts attracting wildlife including Blue Jays, raccoons and possums, all who love peanuts. Have you watched a Blue Jay pecking a peanut shell? They look like woodpeckers!

Even covered up in soil, wildlife WILL find the pot of planted peanuts and throw their own party, as I found out the next day...(photo)

Remove peanuts from shells. Place shelled peanuts on soil a few inches apart; then cover with about an inch of soil.

Water. Place in full sun.

Unroasted, unsalted shelled peanuts will quickly sprout and, 3-4 months later, you'll be able to turn the pot over and harvest your very own peanuts, not to mention the weeks you'll spend talking to your Dad about how peanut plants are doing.

Add or make a Father's Day card that says "Dad, a little something to go with your favorite beer, from one of your very own peanuts" and "Happy Father's Day!"

How to Remove Waxy Streaks from a Coffee Table

2010-06-08T02:57:57Z

"I  need to know how I can get up streaks on a coffee table caused by
sliding a 3 legged container on a coffee table. It looks like you 
took a candle and drew streaks. It is waxy looking."



Hi Eugenia,

Hard to say what it is and how to fix it without seeing it first. Can you

send a photo?



Is the coffee table wood, and what kind of wood finish does it have?



What was the 3-legged container, does it have a wax base?



If there's a waxy build-up on the wood coffee table and it hasn't 
penetrated the wood finish, a good wood cleaner like Howard Wood Cleaner 
should work.



If there's damage to the coffee table finish, you'll need to first
determine what kind of finish the table has before deciding how to fix it.



If you have any other questions, please let me know!

Why Do You Show Other People's Quilts on Facebook?

2010-05-30T01:32:27Z

"...I follow you on Facebook and wondered why you show other people's quilts and not just your own? Aren't you helping your competition?....I don't quilt but I love quilts!"

Hi Amy,

Here's the magical thing about quilts. You change one color and the design can look completely different so I enjoy seeing what other quilters are doing.

Maybe it's because I'm a gardener but I always start thinking about colors to help give a quilt it's tone - elegant, country - and my favorite customer adjective - "squishy."

Quilts are a form of art because each quilter brings their point of view, taste in design and color, and in some cases, life experiences; each quilt is reflecting that quilter's talent, perspective and sense of drama, or humor.

Since I specialize in designing custom quilts, I not only appreciate what other quilters do but every little nuance inspires me. You're enjoying seeing the quilts, aren't you?

It's not competition at all, it's professional admiration!

Charlotte

Making life easier: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts Blog
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts on Facebook
Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
Bluebird Gardens Chirps!
Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill

5th Annual Ozark Hills Quilt Shop Hop June 3-5, 2010

2010-05-28T13:51:38Z

Start off your summer right with the 5th Annual Ozark Hills Quilt Shop Hop June 3-5, 2010 from Lebanon to Sullivan, MO.

Started by Faye Melear, Salem, owner and founder of Melear Fabrics, the shop hop features a number of the best quilt shops in mid-Missouri, including three Faye has started herself: one in Salem, one in Sullivan and the newest one in Rolla, which used to be at 1000 Holloway and now is next door to Sun Sensations Tanning. (photo)

So pack a picnic and plan your trip between 9 am - 6 m so you can pick up your "passport" at the first shop you visit. Have the passport stamped at successive shops and you'll be entered into a drawing for a number of prizes:


$350 Grand Prize: Gift Certificate in the amount of $50.00 from each shop.

2nd Prize: Choice of Prize Quilt Kit from any one of the seven participating shops.

3rd Prize: Gift Basket

This year youth ages 6-16 can participate in the drawing for a beginners Sewing Basket.

Quilt shops participating include:

Uniquely Yours, Rolla, MO 573-364-2070

Melear Fabrics, Rolla, MO 573-364-7134

Melear Fabrics, Sullivan, MO 573-468-5255

Melear Fabrics, Salem, MO, 573-729-8900

The Thread Peddler, Buckhorn, MO 573-774-2658

The Fabric Store, Lebanon, MO 573-588-2324

A Stitch in Time, Lebanon, MO 573-588-9900



Charlotte

Making life easier: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts Blog
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts on Facebook
Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
Bluebird Gardens Chirps!
Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill

Five Gift Ideas for Father's Day

2010-05-28T04:14:44Z

Father's Day is a great excuse to have fun with the male members of my family so Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts has a nice selection of - well, fun gifts!

Does your Dad carry around a wallet that's WAY past its prime, maybe taped with silver duct tape of black electrical tape on the corners?

Mine did, too so give your Dad a brand new Duct Tape wallet, which includes his very own duct tape patch kit, $19.95 each.
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=1106

Dad handy around the house? I developed a 10-foot tape measure with a level, notepad and pen included so he doesn't have to write on his hand, $14.95 each.
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=405

Rather take Dad fishing on Father's Day? Make sure he tucks one of our Floating Fish Hook Removers in his tackle box $14.95
http://www.bluebirdgardens.com/?realm=Home&page=Store+Item&product_id=225

Dad have a piece of wood furniture he's put off refinishing? Give him one of Bluebird Gardens Custom Furniture Refinishing Starter Kits $49.95.

Bird-loving Dad will get a kick out of our handmade birdhouses where you add a license plate roof out of his favorite license plate $24.95. Or make a birdhouse yourself and sneak one of the license plates he has stashed in his workshop as the roof!

Whatever you make for him, or do, have fun this Father's Day!

Charlotte

Bluebird Gardens: custom quilts, gifts, gardening
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts Blog
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts on Facebook
Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
Bluebird Gardens Chirps!
Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill

How to Use Murphy Oil Soap Without Using Water?

2010-05-28T03:57:26Z

"I am trying to refinish a 1950 solid walnut bedroom suite, and
pecan finished living room coffee table. I think your product may work,
because really only the finish is bad and sticky. My first question is
how to use Murphy soap without using water?"

Hi Phyllis,

What kind of finish is on the furniture - varnish, shellac or is it just
an unfinished wood?

First determine what wood finish you have so you will know how best to make repairs.

If it's varnish or shellac, Howard Furniture RestorAFinish won't work
unless you remove the finish, which is difficult to do and you loose all
the built-up patina, which gives wood furniture it's lovely character.

If the wood was treated with wax over the years and has wear and tear
marks, such as water rings, etc. then Howard Furniture RestorAFinish and the other
products will work well.

In terms of cleaning your wood, products like Murphy Oil Soap and Howard
Furniture Cleaner are especially designed to be mixed with water so 
the water doesn't penerate wood and cause damage. The oils protect wood fibers so water 
remove debris and not settle into wood cells, which is what causes the damage.

If you have any other questions, please let me know. Good luck!



Charlotte

Making life easier: custom quilts and gifts
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts Blog
Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts on Facebook
Bluebird Gardens Etsy Shop
Bluebird Gardens Chirps!
Gardening to Distraction on a MO Hill Blog

Beard's Tongue Flowers Father's Day Garden Gift Idea

2010-05-25T01:47:36Z

Have someone on your gift list who would like to attract bees into the garden?

I just started my adventure with bees by adding two bee hives to my garden and was very happy to have my bee mentor point to these and say it was good I have these plants around.

Why bees?

They're wonderful pollinators - 35% of all of our fruits and vegetables are pollinated by bees - and bees will help make your garden healthier by pollinating fruits, vegetables and other flowers.

This white Missouri wildflower, a cousin to foxgloves, is beard's tongue and is designed for bees!

Each flower head holds a cup so bees can easily reach pollen on the flower stamen; and they do. I watched several bumble bees last week meticulously making their way from one flower to the next.

I literally started growing these flowers from a little start I dug out of the ground with a pen. I didn't know what they were but they were in the middle of the driveway and I didn't want to run them down before I found out what they were. In other words, these almost 2-feet perennial plants transplant easily.

There are a number of hybrid varieties but this is the basic wildflower often found on roadsides. You can find starts at most Missouri native wildflower nurseries. Beard's tongue would make a nice Father's Day gift for that gardener on your gift list with a pair of good gardening gloves and bee guide.

Beard's tongue have a long blooming season and look best at the back of the flower bed, although mine are not very good listeners...