Orchids!

Pink Phalaenopsis currently blooming. I purchased it with one blooming stem.

This time it has 2 stems.

While I enjoy my African Violets and find Bromeliads interesting, Orchids are my true houseplant weakness. I currently have 9 orchids; 3 Cattleyas, 1 Dendrobium, 2 Vandas and 3 Phalaenopsis.

 I will occasionally buy plants in full bloom from a store, especially if they are priced under $15.00, though I would make an exception for something which doesn’t come along very often, such as a Cymbidium or Oncidium. My favorite way to purchase orchids is to find the juveniles that are packaged in mesh bags. My cattleyas, vandas and dendrobium were all bought that way. They may take a couple of years to bloom, but for someone who has a bit of patience it’s the most economical way to buy orchids. Plus, you can choose your own pots instead of being limited to what the growers select.

Here are a few tips if you decide to try orchid culture. General Care: Most orchids prefer bright, indirect light. Mine are positioned before an East-facing window. They shouldn’t stand in water. Usually water once a week is fine. However, it’s always a good idea to wiggle a finger into the pot. If the soil still feels damp, wait on the water and check again in a few days. Orchids usually appreciate a bit of humidity. There are different ways to provide it. My plants are in close proximity to each other on a table. The volume of moisture evaporating seems to keep them happy. These plants are likely to send roots out over the top of their pots. It’s natural so leave some out when repotting (For those who find the roots unsightly, there are perforated orchid pots available, but I prefer not to spend the extra money on them). Commercial soils often come with time release fertilizer. When the fertilizer is gone the plants could be repotted again. However, it’s more economical to add fertilizer a couple of times a month when watering. Most orchids are happy in their pots for 2-3 years. For commercially potted, blooming orchids: As soon as the flowers are spent, plan to re-pot the plant with fresh orchid soil mix. Sphagnum moss is often used for potted orchids, and it’s usually packed very tightly around the roots. Many orchids are Epiphytes, and are sometimes referred to as air plants. If a potting medium is too tight around the roots they will rot, and the plant will eventually die.

How often an orchid blooms depends on species. When healthy and happy many of them can bloom 1-3 times a year. It may not seem like very much. Just bear in mind that the flowers can last at least a couple of months. Some species, like Phalaenopsis or Cymbidium, have long, blooming stems covered with several flowers. Cattleyas might have 1 or more depending on plant size. All are worth the wait.

Before making an orchid purchase, it’s definitely a good idea to research their care so you don’t find yourself disappointed. Some species can require very specialized care and are best left to experts or very dedicated hobbyists. The plants most commonly found in stores are usually good entry level plants. Phalaenopsis in particular are very easy to find, which is why I prefer not to spend a lot of money on them.

Go, embark on an Orchid adventure. May your plants give you many years of pleasure.

The Project Queen



Déjà Vu All Over Again

The 1970s are not necessarily a decade I remember with a lot of nostalgia. I don’t recall being enamored of the fashions, décor or popular crafts of that decade. That might have something to do with my turning 12 in 1980. Kids under that age tend to have a rather narrow focus, and short attentions span. My one and only love was horses. If the activity didn’t involve horses I wasn’t interested.

From personal observation I wouldn’t be able to tell you what the hot crafts of the 70s were. There was a project person in our household; my dad. But his projects are largely mechanical. I don’t remember everything he made during the first decade of my life, but his hot-rod tractor (for tractor pulls) made an impression, probably because it was loud and spit flames out of the smoke stacks. My mom’s one project obsession was macramé. It seems like we had a lot of hanging plants. She did try teaching me on a couple of occasions. I just didn’t see the appeal of tying lots of knots.

Time does have a way of changing things. The book you see pictured with this post, copyright 1979, is a purchase I made this summer. It was partly due to belated regret and an ever-increasing interest in crafts that seem on the verge of becoming lost art. One of my grandmothers gave me a 1970s copy of R.D. Complete Guide to Needlework when I was in high school. During one of her many forays into second hand stores, she found it and thought I would enjoy it. I don’t think there was sufficient distance between me and the 70s to really appreciate the gift. It did stay on my bookshelves for several years, but I never really used it. It ended up in a donation box when my husband and I made a long distance move from Iowa to Texas.

Over the past decade I got a serious bug for vintage sewing and craft patterns, especially from the 1930s – early 60s. I started wishing I kept the needlework guide. It was actually a really good reference book even if most of the projects weren’t my cuppa tea. Having several different disciplines in one volume is rather handy. In the 70s versions, there are several types of embroidery, needlepoint, and lacework. The lacework section includes tatting and bobbin lace. And let’s not forget the macramé. My current copy contains a pattern for a window hanging that would be groovy in my kitchen.

The Project Queen



Beautiful Butterflies

It’s beginning to look like I’m obsessed with projects I can add lights to. I never pictured myself as a lighting designer, but I now have 2 battery operated light fixtures to my credit. Is it possible for such a thing to become an addiction?

This is another of those projects whose original concept began simply, if you call hand-painted, shrinky-dink butterflies simple. I had ink-jet friendly shrink film sitting on my shelf for a little over a year. About a month ago I decided to try making butterflies with it. The initial creatures turned out nicely, but needed a bit of pizzazz to enhance the realism. It’s for occasions such as this that I really appreciate well-stocked art supplies. Some metallic water color paints and tiny brushes from an art supply store were just what I needed. (Got the paints last year, too. I found them with rubber stamps and other paper crafting supplies.)

Once I had a few completed butterflies, figuring out what to do with them became a challenge. After shrinking they were translucent, so letting them lie around on flat surfaces wasn’t appealing. A mobile, perhaps? No, maybe not. Those require hanging, and I had decided the butterflies were going to be used for a gift. So making them easy to enjoy without extra work for the recipient was best. I wanted something with a sculptural quality that would enhance, not compete with the butterflies. I decided I needed some more acrylic flower sprays, like the ones I used on my gazebo chandelier. I knew where I would get those, along with a glass bottle to support everything.

How, you may ask, did lights enter the picture? I was wondering around a store again. I tell you, it’s amazing what can be done with LEDs these days. I found some small, submersible light strands made for flower arrangements. Suddenly, I just couldn’t picture my butterfly project without lights. Four sets went into the cart. Oops! Where did those come from?

After the butterflies were given bodies, it didn’t take too long to assemble the project. (I don’t know what to call it – Nightlight? Lamp? Candelabra? Wait, no candles…) I gave it to a friend yesterday and am very pleased she likes it. Now, I think it might be nice to make one for myself, with lights of course. Are there support groups for this sort of thing?

The Project Queen

Misty of the Magic White Feet

Another view from my chair

Today’s featured adoptee is Misty. She will be 2 years old, probably in January.

We adopted her February 13, 2011. She was barely a handful and weighed just a little over 2 lbs. when we brought her home. She was also sick.

Though we happened to find her the same day she came to the shelter, I had some reservations about adopting her. Two months previously I had lost another adopted puppy, Tippi, within a week of bringing her home. Turned out she had distemper.

Before you go thinking that shelter was a terrible place, both Tippi and Misty were sick before they came there. They were each there a day or less before I found them. For Misty’s adoption, we were able to get an exam from the vet on duty that weekend. It appeared she had an upper respiratory infection. After a few days of meds, it seemed like she was going to make a nice, quick recovery, then she started relapsing. We had at least a 3 month fight on our hands, with several visits to the shelter veterinarian and a couple of visits to our family vet. That May she finally started getting better.

That August she traveled with my daughter and me, and was my companion for the solitary drive back. During that trip, she started coming into her own. Now she is our naughty dog, Miss Slick (or just Slicky), and Misty of the Magic White Feet. She acquired the last moniker because of her tendency to dig, and the lucky fact that dirt just doesn’t seem to stick to her. We knew one of the other dogs was digging, but didn’t realize Misty was participating until she was caught in the act.

Now, I know this seems like a cautionary tale, and it is. But don’t decide not to adopt an animal from a shelter because it might be sick. As a matter of fact, there is a very good possibility that shelters will have a lot of sick animals. Remember, they rarely get pampered, healthy pets from loving homes. It’s usually the exact opposite, and these facilities are doing the best they can with limited funds and lots of volunteers. There will be occasions when heartbreak can’t be avoided. And then there will that glorious moment when you realize you got the four-legged companion you needed. Despite the months of struggle to get Misty to the dog she is today, I wouldn’t trade them. I discovered depths of strength and perseverance I didn’t know I had.

The Project Queen



Silver Vase Bromeliad

My houseplant collection has been growing steadily for a few years now, and is in danger of outgrowing the tabletop in front of my dining room window.

The plant featured today is a Silver Vase Bromeliad. I actually didn’t know the variety name until I did some research for this blog. This plant was purchased in April, and I finally cut the flower off about a week ago. According to my research bromeliads only bloom once, so I will never see the mother plant bloom again. However, it’s been growing “pups” quite rapidly, so having another generation to bloom in the future shouldn’t be a problem. (I already have one in a pot of its own. It’s a gift for my sister-in-law.)

The research I did also gave me information on other plants I might want to add to my collection. Pineapples are part of the Bromeliad family, too. I do enjoy fresh pineapple. Looks like I’ll have to get the plant shelf I’ve been wanting so I can expand my plant collection.

The Project Queen

Bromeliad "pup" in a painted terracotta pot.

Want to know more about embelishing pots? See the "Haute Pot" post.



???!

Ok. I have a confession. I don’t have any cutesy names for this project. In case you’re wondering what it is, it’s a battery operated chandelier I made for my backyard gazebo.

I had looked at various non-electric light fixtures for my fairly new backyard hangout (found it on Craigslist a couple of years ago. It took more than a year before we got around to putting it up.) I found some nice chandeliers in home improvement stores and online, but I was picturing an opportunity for another project. It just required the right inspiration.

While roaming one of my favorite hobby and craft stores, I found some “branches” with LED lights covered by plastic flowers. Hanging upside down, they looked like a chandelier to me. I bought 2 sets.

At first, it was just going to be simple. A couple of LED branches and some left-over chain from the small chandelier that hangs over my studio desk. The plan was to secure the brown branches to the antique bronze chain with brown duct tape. Out of all the crazy colors they now make, brown doesn’t seem to be one of them. I couldn’t find any, so I bought good old silver tape. All of a sudden the plan started becoming more complicated. Concealing my “mechanics” became the mission.

An upside down vase seemed like a cool idea. I just didn’t relish the idea of trying to create an opening in the bottom of one. My morbid mind was picturing broken glass and bloody fingers. Another trip to a craft store yielded a cylinder candle hurricane and some plastic bead flower sprays (to fill out the branches); a clearance chandelier lamp shade was robbed of its wire frame; the stash was raided for a stained glass coloring book and Gallery Glass paint.

I bought the LED branches early this summer, and I finished this project last night. With a little tinkering here and some painting there, it took me a little over 4 months to complete my garden chandelier. Now that my desk is clear, I have no excuses for not getting out a sewing machine and finishing some pants I started last year.

The Project Queen



Peace Puppy

The view from my chair

For those who aren’t aware, October is not only Breast Cancer Awareness month, it’s also Adopt a Shelter Pet month.

Pet adoption is an issue very close to my heart. My husband and I currently have four dogs in our household. Three of them are adopted. Today, I’m introducing you to Alexa. She is now the oldest of our dogs at the age of 4 ½ years. It wasn’t so long ago that she was the puppy, keeping our 2 older dogs (both adopted) on their toes. Now that they are no longer with us, Alexa is Queen Bee.

I think one of my favorite things about adopting a dog is the surprises they give you throughout their lifetimes. When we brought Alexa home we were pretty certain the shelter was correct in identifying her as an Australian Cattle Dog. But as she grew it became clear there was something else mixed in. She has the full face mask of a tri-colored collie and is taller, with the deep chest of a dog bred to cover lots of ground. Whether the collie is flat or rough coat, we don’t know. She has the short, slick, spectacled coat of a cattle dog. Her appearance has earned the nickname Pretty Girl.

But Alexa is a lot more that just her appearance. She has one of the most unique personalities of any dog I’ve ever owned. (10 dogs passed though my life before she joined us.) I believe it’s her collie showing through, and anyone who has ever owned one has probably experienced some of these traits. Alexa has several nicknames – Peace Puppy, Nurse Flo (Florence Nightingale), Bossy Boots, Miss Barky Barkington. She doesn’t like raised voices and feels the need to calm upset family members. Not feeling well? She lies on the patient and administers magic dog saliva. She makes sure the other dogs are kept in their places, and she’s very protective of her home turf. Her upright ears guarantee she hears almost everything. She is usually the first one to bark. She’s a great walking companion, especially when it’s just the two of us. She prefers to stay close, and she comes very quickly when called.

I’m sure I will never be blessed with another dog like her. However, that’s true of every dog I’ve known, and will be true of the ones I know in the future. If you have never adopted or owned a pet, give it a try. They make our lives so much richer.

The Project Queen

Psyche

Despite what Greek Mythology says, it’s my belief that Aphrodite was jealous of Psyche’s wardrobe, not her beauty. I’m sure it’s obvious I’m probably not as young as the Psyche of legend. No matter. It’s my belief that every woman should have interesting, and killer, pieces in their wardrobe regardless of age.

You never know where inspiration for a project will come from. Crafty and artistic people learn early on to keep their eyes and imaginations open. You may be starting to notice a trend here, but the halter top I’m naming Psyche is a stash busting project. The main body of the project is knit in Artyarns Regal Silk. A few years ago I took myself to the LYS for a birthday outing (something I tend to do annually) and fell in love with the silk yarn. Since it was my birthday I had no problem treating myself to a few precious skeins, certain I would find the perfect project for it.

Early last summer, a nascent idea started forming after I had made a fabric purchase for some sewing projects. All of the fabrics I bought were for specific patterns, except one. I’m very attracted to rich, saturated colors so this one really caught my eye. It is a stunning ultramarine blue with multi-hue butterflies embroidered on it. The butterflies are embellished with sequins and small, iridescent beads. There were only a couple of yards left on the bolt, so of course I snatched it up. If I had passed on it, I probably never would have seen it again.

As pretty as it was, the embellished butterflies did present a bit of a problem in deciding what to make with the fabric. It would need a project of simple construction because it would have been criminal to hide the butterflies in ruffles or pleats. Plus, I didn’t have enough yardage. Cue the yarn stash. After repeatedly gazing at my amazing new find it occurred to me that the butterflies’ colors were almost an exact match to my silk yarn. Those colors were burned on my brain anyway. Every time I encountered that yarn in my stash I had to pick it up, stroke it and rub it on my cheek. (I stopped short of licking it.)

The butterflies on the fabric started the stirring of a design direction for the silk yarn. Of course, now that I’m thinking of it, the fabric would have made a darling sleeveless sheath and the yarn a dainty, lacy shawl or shrug. For some reason, though, the myth of Psyche and the butterfly that represents her was percolating in my mind. I figured I probably had enough of the yarn to make a halter top, and I’m still young enough to be bit daring. And since I was going to be daring anyway let’s just go ahead and make it a statement piece. Enter the addition of some crochet elements.

This is where my doily making past came into play. I looked through some of my vintage crochet booklets, but the butterflies I found in them weren’t quite what I wanted. The search went to the internet. I found the “Fancy Crochet Thread Butterfly” on Cheri’s Crochet site. If you’re interested in the pattern you will need to go to that site (https://sites.google.com/site/cheriscrochet/fancy-crocheted-thread-butterfly). It’s protected by copyright and can’t be posted elsewhere. I can tell you that I did my butterfly a little differently. I left off the antennas for an obvious reason. I thought they would be awkward considering the placement of the butterfly. Instead of crochet thread, I used Berroco Seduce in Aqua. I wanted yarn with a sheen to equal the silk and desired an end product that would be a bit larger. What would say statement piece better than a big butterfly on the neckline of a halter top?

The butterfly turned out just the way I hoped, and knitting the halter top helped me keep my sanity during the summer last year, while my husband underwent speech, physical and occupational therapy at the VA hospital. He was recovering from a stroke he had the previous April, and driving himself wasn’t an option. After you make a visit or two to the VA, you quickly learn to always have something to do. While I also enjoy reading, it just felt like I was making better use of my time by creating something. And not just “something”.  But a top that would be a pleasure to wear and guaranteed to make goddesses jealous.

The Project Queen

P.S.-In case you’re wondering where to find the halter pattern, it doesn’t exist yet (other than my notes for certain parts of it.) It was one of my seat-of-the pants projects. The finished product was a vision in my head that eventually became reality through experimentation and the occasional adjustment (rip it out, make fewer increases or decreases). I knew before I started that I wanted short-row shaping for the bust. No matter how blessed you are, shaped cups are far more flattering than flat triangles. It’s also a top down project, which I highly recommend for this style of garment. If anyone is interested in making Psyche, please don’t be bashful. Let me know, and I will put the pattern in writing.