My seed saver Urban garden kit....

Project Seed Domino"

"Neighborly help and friendly advice."
the motto of Homesteading Today....

I have been inspired by so many requests for my seeds on freecycle, that I have come up with a new project. And a new challenge for those of you who have seed saving worthy gardens- or will will have one this gardening year. I will be saving extra seed from our garden to make up "urban garden kits". Enough of each variety to supply a garden of 10X10 size. With the seeds, I will make up a blue print suggestion of how the garden should be laid out with companion panting as a guide along with proper location due to tall plants and sun direction. I will include tips for organic methods of pest control, crop rotation, how to start and tend to a compost pile and resourceful websites for any trouble shooting. There will also be a how to on saving seed from each variety of plant grown with a firm save and share message.

What is my reason for such madness? Think of the domino effect this would have in a community. If I provide at least 10 families with an urban garden kit under the promise they are to duplicate what I have given them and each share with 5 other families who must promise to do the same...Think of all those gardens! Think of all those families eating home grown produce! All the new appreciation and understanding that goes into the work of food.
So now I CHALLENGE all of you readers to participate in doing the same. Later in the year I will share copies of my kit directions, promise pledge, blueprints, and what seeds I am including in my kits. For now, all you have to do is make a firm mental note to SAVE extra seed from all the heirloom/open pollinated garden plants you have and put enough aside for an urban 10X10 garden. Look on some seed saving websites and make some trades to get a good variety. Make some orders to the seed catalogs like Bakers creek heirloom, Fedco, Bountiful gardens, or Victory seeds. It's not much work when you already save seed for yourself. Now think of your domino effect. It really is amazing to think about the goodness from such a small amount work.
You are not only spreading the wonderful word of seed saving, you may be giving a gift to a family (if not directly, maybe down the line) that needs the food and no idea where to begin.
So who is up to the challenge? Do not be shy, Leave a comment and let us know you would like to participate or at least try to.
I will be contacting my local freecycle moderator about what I plan and ask his cooperation to allow my giving these kits- which come with a promise stated above, and hopefully they will not object. After all, I'm not the seed police who will be checking in on these people. Just asking for a simple promise to be a part in the gardening domino effect.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie

Baby brother "Army" and Panda sledding December 2006

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Giving the gift of seed saver gardens & another statue....

I have an abundance of food gardening seed that if not used this year would have gone in the compost pile. Then I had one of those strange dreams. You know the type. They never make sense and you wonder what you ate the night before to set that series off....
I was in our hilltop garden, surrounded by tomato plants. At first all was well. I could feel the sun warming my back (most likely Frog snuggling up or grizzle nuzzled into my neck- hey we are co sleepers after all..). I could hear birds singing and dogs barking-( most likely the yappy neighbors dog at 4 am). Suddenly I noticed my tomatoes had cracks in them and the seeds were spilling out onto the ground. I grabbed a mason jar ( no idea where it came from) and tried to catch as much as I could. I kept thinking of how all that seed was being wasted and how many plants could come from them.
The dream went crazy from there and spiraled into a whole new "trip". But the seed catching stayed with me when I woke up. As I sat on the front porch sipping my first coffee of the morning, I thought of all the seed I already have in my seed saver box. How if I were to plant every single extra seed I had in that box how it could possibly feed 8 families. So instead of letting that seed continue to sit in the box and do nothing, I listed my seed on the local freecycle. I specified what and how many . Voicing I would prefer to spread as much of the seed as possible around, so only ask what you will grow and use.I had a nice variety of seed to offer- all heirloom or open pollinated. Which comes with my strong- "be sure to save seed for next year!"
Instead of a compost pile, these seeds will grow to their full potential, Providing 7 families with real food, created by the care of their hands.
On the subject of creating with ones hands...I made my second statue! I like this one so much better but it is promised to my cousin "Tuesday". She requested one with her legs crossed. So this is what I came up with:
I best be careful... This is becoming addictive. I wonder if they will be o.k not going in a kiln. I guess I could try to locate someone who would share a little space of one firing...
1 week till Chia comes home!! 1 week and 2 days till the chicks arrive! 1 month and 3 weeks till the tree order arrives! 26 days until Spring begins !
Spring dreams,
~Tammie

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In honor of the Lunar Eclipse: Goddess project

Panda has been so excited to see the Lunar eclipse- and I have thought the 20th was for 3 days now... But TODAY is the 20th and the Eclipse is tonight. We decided to honor the evening with a tribute to Mother Goddess. I acquired some "raw" stoneware pottery clay recently which Panda has been begging to get her hands on. So we made statues of Mother Goddess to put on our personal Nature shelf. She has a great shelf window above her bed which she uses as hers and I have one in my room which will be adorned with mine. This is our first time playing with real clay and it was so much fun to play with. I had-you guessed it- Jack Johnson's CD "In between dreams" playing in the background and we worked our earth.
Panda's Goddess statue:
She placed a shimmery white stone with a small clay band for a forehead crown. A bowl is for placing her nature treasures, such as special stones, feathers, leaves, etc. she finds. She was so cute and asked "Can I put breasts on mine too ,Mommy?" I said whats a Mother Goddess statue without them? That seemed to make her happy.
I started mine while she was at school, and did not finish until well after she was done with hers.
i wanted something nice like what I have admired online. Something that I can place a candle in or herbs & found treasures from nature. Although this is my first turn with clay, I like the results. Click on the picture and it will enlarge for you to see all the extra details I put into it.
Enjoy the Eclipse!
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie

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Finished berry tote, Panda's guitar, A shared path

It is finally done. I learned from a few mistakes on this one. First, when using cheaper softer wood~ PRE-DRILL holes! Second lesson was- easy on the sand paper.

here it is in naked Glory. See the wood glue spots? yep...Pre drill....
And third was easy on the color mixing of paint... I went a bit too grey and a bit hard with the sandpaper after having it all built. I was going for the roughed up vintage look... May have to go play hard in the dirt with this one though.I used an exacto knife to cut out the Luna Gardens name on card stock. Then used black craft paint and a paper towel to blot over it. Giving it more hand lettering style with simpleness. I put it on the front and back side:
Front and back sides- both with our special name.

It is not the best, and being my first did teach me a few better ways for the future. I have 2 more to build and ready up for the Spring Gifts. Plenty of time before then.
Look what I spotted this afternoon?
One of those moments that make you stop in your tracks and soak it in. I was able to grab the camera next to me and forever have the moment to look back on.
Onto another subject, I have a few books on their way via Amazon.com. I fell in love with the book "Cottage Witchery" by Ellen Dugan, during one of my inter-library borrowing sessions. Of course i had to get "Garden Witchery" (same author) to go along with it. And then to get the "super savings", I needed $3 spent to get the free shipping. Sooo.... I got Natural & Herbal Family Remedies: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin
for $3.95... I am not the type to buy books, but found so much useful information in the few I have had the pleasure of getting my hands by the author Ellen Dugan- **here is a link to her home page**.
These are such great books that i can utilize in teaching Panda and I-together- the path I feel drawn to. It embraces me, fills me with calm and happiness. Nothing I have ever felt with any other "beliefs".
I brought Cottage Witchery over to my cousin, "Tuesday", and she immediately felt drawn to it. She has asked me to include her and her (oldest) daughter in some of our outdoor activities and explore the path we have been drawn to. I love that I have someone else to share in the newness and is as excited like a school girl the way I am.
There is a Lunar Eclipse starting the 20th. Keep your eyes to the night sky starting around 8:30 pm. The eclipse will last just over 3 hours. Check this site for more viewing information*

Happy watching and
sweet dreams,
~Tammie

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History of cheese class, more goat updates, and dreamy chicken moats!

I found out about an event in our area concerning the History of Cheese. Coming up April 4,2008 at the Kelso House .

"The History of Cheesemaking, presented by Abbe Turner of the Lucky Penny Farm in Hiram, Ohio. Abbe is a cheesemaker herself and crafts fresh goat�s milk to create an artisan cheese, which she has sold to Northeast Ohio specialty stores and restaurants. She has studied her craft in Pennsylvania, Vermont and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a member of the Ohio Farmstead Artisan Cheese Guild. Join us as we learn how it is done, then taste the results."

How wonderful would it be to have something like this at the library too? I may actually attend this event. Not sure yet, will have to see if The Captain will be available to sit with the Kiddies that night.
I spoke with Roseanna today. (Poor girl is sick with something awful. I truly wish her a speedy recovery.) Chia has been down at her farm long enough for 2 heat cycles. She has been penned up with William the whole time. She was bred the first heat cycle and gave me a scare that she may go into heat on the second cycle "due date". It was a false alarm to the best of our knowledge and am pretty sure Chia completed her mission.I am leaving her for one more cycle day length just to be sure. So we are looking at the 1st of march that our Chi Chi gets to come home.
Poor frog has been asking about her everyday. "Wheres Chi CHI?". Then I get "ChiChi poop". This is because Frog was with me when we traveled down to Roseanna's the day we dropped Chia off. Frog thought is was hilarious and proudly announced to all that "Chi chi pooped" in the back of my car. No accidents/intentional's until 3 minutes before we arrived at Roseanna's.
And it looks like Fernie is pregnant too! Seems she got all excited by the boys down there and came into heat suddenly. So the deal is if Fernie gives birth to a doe, Fernie will come back to our 'stead. In Milk! Now you see why i am considering the above "lecture". I have questions to ask! A hungry mind for knowledge and to be in the company of like minds.
Thought I would share (again) where you can get some great deals on mirror finish, stainless steel seamless buckets -anywhere from $5.99 for the 2 quart size to $19.99 for the 9 quart size!They also have my favorite one- the same above bucket but with a flat side to fit up on a wall or as in my case with Fernie, a bucket under her belly... A flat 1 side bucket that is 6 quarts will cost $15.99. Now compare the SS buckets to that of Hoeggers pricing! That is of course if it is the same thing. Anyone know the difference between the 2 and if one is better then other or equal?
Now onto another subject: Chicken Moats! I am trying to come up with a plan to incorporate one into our place. Kinda give the ladies a "maze" of sorts to keep the scenery different and grass, well,... alive. It's hard to do when you have such odd shaped property and even odder zoning laws- that would cost $250 to just submit a request for the "board" to consider giving me a variance on the law.
The above picture makes me smile. I aim for something similar for our ladies...someday. i like the chicken size tunnels under the outside gateways. So cute and interesting to have.
The first berry tote is on its last coat of paint and will be finished for your viewing pleasure soon. stay tuned folks.
Sunny dreams,
Tammie

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Homemade valentines, chick delivery date, and seeds still available

I spotted on another site a great idea for homemade Valentines for the kiddies to exchange. For the life of me, I can not rememebr or find that post! So if anyone can chime in here with the source, please let me know so they can get the credit due to them.
Paper CD sleeves (envelopes) that have the plastic circle window, decorated with the heart day theme we decided upon.
We took it a step further and made heart shaped chocolate chip cookies (homemade recipe of course) to go inside.
On the back we we wrote the to and froms.
I LOVE the way they turned out and the kids had a great time making them up.

I have the order for chicks to come on March 3rd. We went with a different bunch then I mentioned. The official and confirmed order is:
2 Partridge rock females
3 delaware females
1 Delaware roo
3 Americauna females
2 silver polish (black and white speckled feathers with the puffy top hat feather head)
15 Jumbo cornish X rock straight runs for meat raising in the chicken tractor.
Can you tell I am excited?
And I wanted to remind all of you about the Seed swap/ giveaway at this *thread*.
If you have any seeds that someone else may be interested in, just list them in the comments. Trade amongst yourselves if I do not have anything peeking your interest. If we have enough interest, I can start a blog site just for seed trading posts. I still have seed I would love to get my hands on, along with plants. I have lemon balm which has been growing great in my living room. i made a division from my garden plant in case it did not winter over. i also have peppermint and Spearmint divisions I can part with.

**OHIO READERS!**
I have spoken to the Kent Free library about possible meet ups/ featured speakers and they ARE interested. I volunteered to seek out possible speakers on my previuos mentioned subjects to help get it going. I will be making some calls today in hopes of spurring this on. My goal is to find people who can answer questions without being an "advertisement", encourage beginners and interested parties on succeeding with the subject at hand with other like minds.
It would be great to start a "group meet up" from these events. A group that can find others who may want to split orders on seeds, larger animal feed amounts (buy a truck load at a lower cost and everyone bring their own containers to split it up in), split chick orders and or share the responsibility of raising meat birds or other livestock that some may not have the space for (splitting all costs equally plus helping out with duties such as pen/cage clean up, fill in milking help or "animal sitting" while the host is away). That would be up to the individuals and not responsibility of the library, of course.
I believe doing this through the library will give a safer environment to introduce people to each other and encourage more use of what the library has to offer. Build a COMMUNITY in a community.
*************************************
Sweetest dreams,
~Tammie

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Second half of seeds, and a seed swap / trade?

Look what came in the mail today!That would be the second half of my seed orders. I now have all the seeds for this years garden extravaganza. Big and lots of work of course. Having it fenced in as soon as possible will make it easier to handle with the children. Nix the picket fence. I think we will have to go with cattle panels since they are less expensive (about $20 per 16 ft section being 4 ft high versus the 8 ft section of $20 picket fence). This way we can include the Magic tree in the garden space- keeping the kiddies close by, with just one gate as a way in or out.
I am charting out the seeds- categorizing & planning with what we have, while eliminating varieties we no longer want or need. I found that I have 12 tomato varieties... Thats not good. So I wanted to offer up some seed to those of you who read my blog. If there is anything in this list you would like, just leave a comment with what you want and I will email you for further information.
WHAT I HAVE EXTRA IN THE SEED BOX:
1 unopened packet bibb lettuce ~ 10 seeds Cloud 9 eggplant ~
70 seeds Striped Cavern Tomato~20 seeds Black cherry tomato~100 seeds Italian Fryer sweet (banana style) pepper~10 seeds Paste tomato ~(all 5 Purple Russian tomato are now claimed for)~a questionable packet of Patty pan squash seed I saved last year( looks like 4 viable seed in there)

I also have extra seed in my orders and would like to trade out for something real good ( and heirloom or open pollinated) like Cannelinni bean seed, Heirloom smooth leaf spinach, Any pole beans other then the ordinary green color, maybe some white or yellow carrots.
Some plants I would LOVE to get my hands are- and willing to TRY an equal trade out for:
Hop Rhizomes, Artichoke starts, Asparagus starts,Blueberry plants (viable LOL),Rosemary rooting.

Out of my orders, I have the following to offer up for trades~:
15 seeds of Garden peach (yellow and long keeper) tomato, 10 seeds Grandma Mary's Paste Tomato, 20 seeds National Pickling Cucumber, 15 Rattlesnake Pole bean, 1 whole packet (can be split) "seeds for kids" *Bountiful Gardens order*,20 seed Strawberry Spinach aka Beetberry,
10 seeds Rosa Bianca Eggplant.
I also found at our local market, a Delicata squash of yellow and orange color. I researched it through the company and it is reported to be an heirloom seed but with a corn like taste. I saved about 30 seeds from the squash and am offering them as well. ( I ordered Delicata squash with my Bountiful gardens order so do not need them).

I am willing to put in a few dollars with seeds for a trade of any plants I mentioned above- in case it is not of an equal value swap. If you only want 5 seeds and i have say 20 listed, then feel free to ask for just 5. This will leave seed for others who also may be interested in trying that kind, too.
So, LET"S START SWAPPIN' !
Seedling Dreams,
Tammie

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Winter day = woodworking Spring gifts

The snowy wind and cold may be keeping us inside, but there is fun to be had in the workshop! I have found so many great books through the the local library and their Ohio inter-library exchange program. This current one titled "Woodworking projects for the Garden" by Richard Fruedenberger, has been a great winter dream escape. The projects are so easy for the semi-beginner/almost intermediate wood shop enthusiast.
Today's favorite project pick is the Berry box wooden tote. I too can understand the disdain for berries smooshed in the bottom of a bucket, as the author shared with it's description. This would make for a great gift to give to those who enjoy picking their own berries and to encourage those who have never been. So many uses for such a simple design, which for now, I just see brimming with berries.
Today I will be playing downstairs, building a few of these to give away for the Spring holiday. WE will (try) to purchase or find the thin wooden berry pints (like these) to be enclosed. Possibly include a local U-Pick gift certificate to encourage it's use.
The pints could be handed out to the children from which they bring back to the tote, before grabbing a new one. This would also be the time you look over their filled box for any bad berries, instead of digging through a pail- mashing up any bruised, soft fruit.
My totes may not be exact to the picture, which is not surprising. I use what I have on hand and what I can purchase inexpensively. We may paint them white, robin egg blue, or some other Spring Farm color. Cheery,fun, and stirring visions of Vintage flats. (I even considered stenciling the receiver's last name on the side).
Stay tuned. There may be a Tutorial coming your way....Maybe. Lets just get the project built first.

Sunny dreams,
Tammie

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Half seeds , a chick cancel, and possible homesteader library group

I received my seed order from Bountiful gardens, the other day. It is killing me to just let them sit in that manila envelope. I can hear them calling out "plant us now Tammie!". I dare not this early and then have plants over crowding each other, fighting for sun in the big east window. I must wait. Fight the urge and give it one more week. Thats all. Just one more week. Then I can bury these little gems, waiting for the first sign of sprouts to help ease my need for Spring.
Now that half of my seed order has arrived, i knew it was time to find out what is going on at the Meyer's hatchery- with my order. A long pathetic story put short- Due to bad customer service and other bad methods, I have canceled our order with them. Last year should have been my lesson after having to return TWICE to have their mess up corrected. I wanted silkies due to the broodiness. The turkeys had birth defects.And they had a big wait on meat birds. Well, both silkies turned out to be roosters,both turkeys died, and the meat birds were so small at 12 weeks of age, they were the same size as the other regular chicks bought the same day. ARGH!
So my recommendation, take it or leave, DO NOT BUY FROM MEYERS HATCHERY!
We are going with Murray Mcmurray instead and will stick with them in the future. I am leaning towards Delawares, Americaunas, Speckled sussex(1 hen for broodiness) Light brahma (1 hen for broodiness), 2 silver polish hens and 14 meat cornish cross birds.
This way, by 12 weeks of age, we will have the meat birds to get processed by the end of May and all will be outside by mid april- weather will not be so cold then. Unfortunately, the eggs will not come for another 2 1/2 months- being August!
Thanks again freaking Meyers hatchery. I should have just went with Mcmurray in the beginning. I could be posting baby chick pics here instead of whining about it....
Oh! I almost forgot to share- I have contacted 2 local libraries about possibly hosting a community group night-speakers- etc.. for self sustainability i.e backyard chickens, all areas of food gardening, winter storing of its bounty, composting & worm bins, Eco methods that can be incorporated on a low budget, swapping seeds, bartering amongst like minded others, plus so much more. Basically meeting other people who are "into" this stuff. Maybe help take away this loneliness I have. Would be nice to meet some other people around here who would not think of me as the strange lady who spends the day knee deep in the garden plus keeps goats and chickens on our plot....
Theres wood to be chopped and stacked. Tomorrow will be in the teens so gotta get rest of it done.
Sweet dreams,
Tammie

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Fake UPS guy!

While i was on the phone with my friend, the neighbor called in and she clicked over. The neighbor wanted her opinion on an incident that happened 2 days ago.
Her 12 year old boy had just got home from school (latch key kid for 1 hour till parents got home) and heard a knock on the door. It was a man wearing the brown UPS shirt and regular pants- (not the mandatory uniform pants and not the normal UPS guy who comes through with their deliveries). He had a small cardboard box in his hands. He asked if the kids parents were home. Then asked if anyone over 16 was there to sign for it. No theres not. So the guy left.
When his parents got home and he told them the ups guy was there, they said there was nothing that should be there yet and what was coming (a kids trumpet which would be in a much bigger box) should be arriving for another 5 days. So the mom called their local UPS department to find out what company the package is from. The UPS office said there was nothing from UPS that was being delivered to them or in their neighborhood that day. The package they had scheduled for delivery would not be until Monday.
Hmmm. Mom asked her son, while still on the phone with UPS, was the guy in a UPS truck? The kid said the guy was driving an old beat up brown pick up truck. UPS said they had no delivery guys driving that or even anything other then their own big brown UPS marked vehicles.
I am rather freaked out by this myself. This is not a friend of friend of a friend heard. No. You are getting this first hand from me.I may have been on hold while she chatted with her neighbor, But know it first hand this happened when she clicked back over to me.
I advised they contact their local police department and we both agree this may be a pedophile "patrolling" or feeling out an angle for future attempts.
I wanted to share this with all of you since there is bound to be a lesson here. Teach the kids to never open the door even to the mailman, UPS delivery guy or anyone else for that matter. They will leave a note on the door or in the mailbox if there is a package waiting for them. I fear now that this man may be staking out their neighborhood to see about what times the kids are home alone or getting home from school. Very scary. Obviously if the UPS office said there were no deliveries out there scheduled to them or on their street, this guy was a FAKE!
Just an FYI, they live in south western Missouri. This could happen anywhere.
Sorry to share such downer news, but hope that if it helps keep at least 1 child safe, then it is worth the time.
Sweeter dreams,
~Tammie

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Super Bowl XLII is Over! So Who Won a Leather Recliner?

Many contestants entered our Super Bowl XLII Leather Recliner Contest to have a chance to win a leather recliner by Stanley Chair. If someone wanted to enter the contest, they would have to write a blog post including a link to our website, describe which recliner they want, and predict the final score of Super Bowl XLII.

The final score of Super Bowl XLII was New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14. No one in our contest correctly predicted the final score, so we randomly drew one of our contestant's names to have a winner. We chose Kim Rowley, the owner of SportTheStyle.com.

Congratulations Kim! You may choose from any of the available leather recliners by Stanley Chair.

Look forward to more unique and exciting new contests from Wholesale Furniture Brokers!

You have another chance to win a recliner. GoRecliners.com is hosting a Super Bowl XLV Recliner Giveaway and giving away a black leather recliner by Mac Motion Chairs. Deadline for entries is February 5, 2011.

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Thought I would share...

My dog bed recycling craft has been shared /referred to on a few sites. May not seem like a big deal to some, but I still think it is super cool to have been mentioned by these guys.
Here
http://www.thebudgetcasa.com/archive/diy-ways-to-reuse-old-clothes/
and here
http://whipup.net/2008/01/22/post-holiday-recycling-refashion/

Cool, Ay?
I hope to have the recycled chicken feed project up soon to share for those who may have some of your own and would like a way to reuse them- other then as for rubbage.
Sunny days,
Tammie

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Hatchery order, Chia update, and Recycle feed bag dilemma

I have our chicks ordered from The Meyer Hatchery. We have 11 total, with 1 being a rooster. What are we getting this time around?

3 Salmon Faverolle hens
1 Salmon Faverolle Rooster
3 Dominique hens
2 Cuckoo Maran hens
2 Americauna hens
They should be in with the first hatching later this month. Their computers are being switched over and had to take my order by hand... Hope it does not get lost in the pile.
This will give a nice rainbow of egg colors and beauty to our backyard barnyard. All of the turkens have gone to a new home along with the 3 left over muscovy ducklings and the white silkie rooster. All that is left out there is Bonnie and Clyde- our Muscovy mating pair, Fletcher and Dr. Suess- our 5 yr old "lifers", the 2 bantam cochin hens- one being the frizzle, and of course our old silkie mix roo- Captain feather sword.
So that's 18 poultry in the pen with a HOPEFULLY pregnant Chia.
I got word from Roseanna that Chia was bred over a week ago. We decided to let her stay through to another cycle just to make sure she took to the breeding. She should be back home by the end of the month. Her due date would be June 23, 2008. Dare I hope for fresh goats milk in the Fall?
I am in a dilemma on how to recycle a very cool woven plastic feed bag. Our locally owned feed store changed bags to this:I love the hen picture on the front and would like to make it into a tote grocery bag. I am trying to figure out the right way to do the handles for big strength. I would hate for it to rip. Any suggestions how to sew this up with seam/handle strength in mind? Any sites you can recommend that are not for recycling the thin plastic grocery store bags?
How cool would it be to have a set of those to do the shopping with?
Sunny dreams,
Tammie

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How to build a garden hod basket * tutorial *

Winter giving you the Garden blues? Why not use the down time to build accessories you will need once the weather warms up? A jig saw ($20), hammer & nails, staple gun ($10 -don't forget the wood staples), waterproof wood glue, measuring tape, and wire cutter are all the tools you will need.

I frequent Home depot for my lumber needs which seems to be often. We do not have "locally owned" lumber yards around to patron. This week, I picked up some soft wood (12 inches wide X 1 inch thick X 8 feet long) off the cull lumber cart for $1! I get most of my wood off that cart and never fail to find a great piece at every visit. (I've been rather lucky with the cull cart- be aware- there is a reason it is a cull. Be sure to check it over). I also picked up some 1X2 trim (8 ft long) for less then $2 -normal price- for this project. The rabbit cage wire I had on hand and recycled it off a very ugly chicken tractor from last year.

If you participate in this project, be sure to leave a comment here with your link. Please share it in a blog post and of course be sure to give a peek at your finished basket- via- pictures!

So lets get started, shall we?

Step 1. Cutting the wood pieces~ you will need to cut 2 pieces of 8 inch by 12 inch wood from the board I mentioned above. You will also need to cut 2 pieces of the 1x2 at 18 inch lengths. You may also cut 2 - 4 inch ( bigger if desired) pieces if you would like feet on your basket bottom. Be sure to wear those safety goggles. Saw dust in the eyes do not tickle.

Step 2. You will want to cut the bottom corners off and cut/notch the top corners to fit the side rail wood (1x2's). ***Observe the method of holding the 1x2 and tracing the correct notch for the top side rails in picture A. ****Observe picture B for the correct way to trace rounded corners for the bottom. I used a regualr size spray paint can for my template. These will be the lines you need to follow with your jigsaw.

Observe pictures when in doubt!

Step 3. Now that your pieces are cut out, it's time to get your cage wire cut to size. Measure from the top notch, down to curved corner- to other curved corner, up to other side top notch. Your measuring tape will be bent in a U. On my board, it measured 23 inches- so I added 1/2 an inch to give 1/4 inch extra wire to go under each of the side rails -at the notches.

Now you know how wide to cut it and will need to cut the length at 18 inches. You now should have cage wire cut out that measures 23 1/2 inches X 18 inches.

Step 4. Now attach your 1x2x18 inch side rails to the cage wire ends (the 18 inch end lengths of course) with staples like this:

Do not be shy with the staples. You want to make it secure so it will hold to a good amount of abuse and weight.

Step 5. Time to nail the wood sides to the boards. Place a small amount of wood glue into the wood notches and place the 1x2 (cage wire side "inside" the notch) onto the board and hammer in the nail. Be sure to keep the edges flush- not overlapping or hanging over the edge.

Step 6. Repeat the above until all side rails are nailed in place. Time to get out that stapler again!

Step 7. Staple the cage wire to the board ends. Once again- do not be shy about the staples. I will suggest you do them in a straight line for a cleaner appearance. unlike mine... I used a tack hammer to pound over the staples- giving a flat and flush look. My wood was soft enough that the tack hammer had pound the cage wire into the wood for a smoother finish.

Step 8. If you are adding the feet to the bottom, here is a close up shot to give you the "how to" on placing them. Be sure to measure it out- both ends are same distance from the edges.

Step 9. Sit back and relax. You just accomplished a great task. You now have a basket to either collect the bounty of your garden, store bulbs in for spring, throw the mail, or use as a handy dandy emergency chicken cage for escaping chicks....turned upside down of course....

Stay tuned for the next project!

Sweet dreams,

Tammie

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