Mini Gourd Lovin' Crafts

Basket of Mini Gourds Waxed

Autumn is most assuredly my favorite time of the year. Crisp air, changing leaves and mini gourds. Yeah; gourds. I know; right? Other people are thinking over-sized bright orange pumpkins, trick or treaters, mums and putting their flower beds to sleep for the winter and I am dreaming of little mini gourds.

My (over-zealousness) sheer delight of mini gourds happened quite by accident (as most of the wonderful things that happen in life do) when I was but knee high and decided to try to plant THE great pumpkin patch of all time in our family garden and somehow mixed in a packet of gourd seeds with my pumpkin seeds. When the pumpkins began to grow I noticed oddly shaped ~things~ twisting and growing among the vines. My Grams (father's mother) in her typical no nonsense way eyed them and proclaimed "Mini gourds. Completely worthless. Might as well pull them up and give your pumpkins a better chance to grow"

I could not. I would not! I felt so sorry for them. Colors of dull green, dull yellows and off whites, bent and twisted, so small in the shadow of the great pumpkins. Not big enough to make a birdhouse out of. Poor, precious little mini gourds. Thus began my life long love affair (and maybe a touch of over-protection) of the mini gourds.

Today these little mini gourds have completely ~ caught on ~ in Autumn designing and Fall tablescapes. Your imagination is the only limit on the possibilities of what you can do with them. Wreaths, snowmen, even nestled among the great orange pumpkins somehow makes the pumpkins look brighter by making the orange colors look that much oranger (is oranger a word? well; no matter. Today it will be)

I like to imagine that out there in the great wide world; bent over in the garden, are other people tenderly cultivating these simple, tiny, little odd shaped bits of completely fantastic and falling in love as I did so many years ago. If you simply do not have the space or the time to grow these little gourds then head to your nearest produce stand/farmer's market where you can buy them up by the bushel basket for a fraction of the cost that you'd pay at your local grocers. Then let you imagination run wild creating spots of indoor Autumn. Here are a few ideas to get you started.


Fall Tips!

Harvesting:
 
Leave the gourds on the vine until a light frost or the stems turn brown. If you need to pick a gourd before the frost, the gourd should be very firm to the touch. Cut the gourd with an inch or more of stem. Wash the gourds in soapy water. Dilute household bleach may be added to the water if desired, and may help delay mold formation. A light coat of non-glossy floor wax gives the gourds a natural glow.

Drying:
 
Dry the gourd fruits naturally by placing in an area with good air circulation. Bringing the gourds indoors may help them dry faster, but gourds can be dried outdoors even in cold areas. When the seeds rattle, the gourd is dry and ready for crafting. How long it takes a gourd to dry depends on the drying environment  -- the warmer and the better the circulation, the faster the water will evaporate from the gourd. Light may help to retard formation of mold, but the mold on the outside of gourds is a natural part of the drying process; as long as the gourd remain firm to the touch, do not discard it. Turning the gourds and wiping off the mold on a weekly basis may help the gourds dry sooner. If you don’t wash the gourd off with the bleach mixture, you’ll probably see some mold growing on it.  Don’t be alarmed if it does. Some people prefer it that way because mold gives it an unusual rustic look. While the natural method of drying in time-consuming, it is still the best recommendation for drying gourds.

Cleaning:
 
Once the gourd is completely dry it is ready to be cleaned. Rattling of seed is a good indication of dryness; however sometimes the seeds adhere to the inside of the gourd and in this case the gourd will be very light and sound hollow when tapped. Submerge the gourd in a bucket of warm soapy water and scrape off the outer skin with a plastic mesh bath or kitchen scrubby. Again; bleach may be added to the water, but it is not a necessity.

Using sandpaper or steel wool to clean dry gourds is OK if the gourd is going to be painted -- but there will be fine scratches from these abrasive materials which will show up if the gourd is stained with wood stains or a light coat of leather dye.

Mini Gourd and Faux Leaves Wreath.

Wreath Form (either wire, hay or Styrofoam)
Fake Leaves (any deep green or fall color will do)
Mini Gourds
Hot Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
Optional: Florist Wire (comes in green and brown- use the color that matches your leaves)

Tip! If you use a Styrofoam wreath spray painting it in a deep green (if using all green leaves) or dull brown (if using fall colored leaves) will hide any areas not completely covered by your leaves.

Tip! I have found that simply using a hot glue gun will hold your gourds to the wreath frame securely for one season of use BUT if you have created a masterpiece that you want to use year after year then the florist wire will hold each gourd in place when the glue begins to break down.

In this case I used a Styrofoam wreath, spray painted it a dark forest green and set it aside to dry. In the meanwhile I cut off all of the green leaves from a couple of old faux vines that had stashed away (for who knows what) until I had a nice pile. Once my wreath had dried I then began to hot glue my gourds around the center of my wreath BEFORE adding in the leaves. In the past I have glued the leaves first and then added the gourds but found that the gourds didn't hold very well and I ended up using twice the amount of florist wire than was necessary to hold them in place. Not a very visually appealing look.

Once I had the gourds glued to the Styrofoam wreath I then secured each gourd using green florist wire (so I could use this again next year) Simply wrap a piece of florist wire over the handle of each gourd and then loop it around the styrofoam wreath and twist it in a knot on the back side. (the wire sinks into the Styrofoam so you can't even see it) Then it was simply a matter of glue, glue, glue leaves all along the top and in between each gourd. Make a loop with a piece of florist wire or use a piece of ribbon as a hanger and that's it. Ready to hang.

So easy!

Mini Gourds Painted White/Black and Covered in Cheese Cloth

Pictures to Wood Tag/Plaque Tutorial

Mod Podge Pic on Wood Tag

Mod Podge Pictures to Wood Tags/Plaques

Needed:

Mod Podge
Printed Pictures
Wood Tags or Wood Plaques
*Optional Hair Spray


Instructions:

1.  Print the pictures you want to transfer from your computer to your printer (or copy them to a memory card and take them to a local retailer to be printed).

TIP!

Pictures printed on paper specifically designed for photos works the best (Kodac Picture paper un-glossed works great). If you print on plain white copy paper the Mod Podge will tend to smear the colors when applied.

However; If you're printing photos on white copy paper with an ink-jet printer, allow them to dry completely (at least 8 hours) and then spray your photos lightly with hairspray, after which you must again wait for them to dry completely; this will prevent smudging when using Mod Podge.


2. Cut the picture to fit the wood tag (or wood plaque)


3. Coat the wood tag (or plaque)  with Mod Podge glue.
* Also apply a very thin coat of Mod Podge to the back side of your picture


4. Place the picture on the wood.
* You'll have to work quickly as Mod Podge tends to begin drying pretty fast


5. Cover the entire surface with another coat of Mod Podge glue, painting right over the top of the pictures. Allow the glue to dry over night.


6. Check the corners of the pictures. If they're not securely adhered to the wood plaque, apply another coat of Mod Podge glue.


TIP!

If at any time you begin to notice that there are air bubbles coming up under your pictures; simply take an old credit card (or similar hard plastic object) and push from center of picture out towards the edges until you have a flat photo mounted on your wood. Bear down gently as you press the bubbles out. You don't want to tear your picture.

That's it. Pretty crafty; huh?

Easy Easter Baskets

Easter Baskets

Items Needed:

1/2 peck or 1 peck fruit basket(s)
Ribbon
Spray Paint
Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
Easter Grass

Optional:

Wood Tags (or heavy Card Stock)
Vintage Easter Pics
Mod Podge
String or Twine


Instructions:

I found some super cute fruit baskets while out making my rounds at the Hobby Lobby Store for $3.99 each, and I decided that they were just the right size for Easter baskets. I also picked up some grosgrain ribbon and some wooden tags while I was there. With a little bit of spray paint and hot glue, you too can make some SUPER cute Easter baskets!

TIP!

All of these things you can purchase online should you not be fortunate enough to have a Hobby Lobby store near you. Shipping is cheap and lightening fast in their delivery. Look for the 40% off your highest price item coupon on their website.

Un-Painted Fruit Basket

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/natural-1-peck-bushel-basket-667634/

I spray painted the baskets white and let them dry over night.

I used my hot glue gun to attach a strip of grosgrain ribbon around the basket. I followed the brace in the center of the basket, but you could really put the ribbon anywhere you want.

Grosgrain Ribbon

TIP!

Hobby Lobby currently has grosgrain ribbon on sale for 99 cents a roll (Score!) in more colors than you can stake a stick at.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/search/?keyword=grosgrain%20ribbon&match=AND&F_Sort=2&perpage=96

Then I tied a cute little bow on one side of the basket for a little more color.

I bought some wooden tags {4/$1 at Hobby Lobby} and with the use of some Mod Podge - covered the wood tag with a sweet little vintage Easter pic - which I then attached to each basket with a bit of string (you could use baker's twine, yarn or anything really that is in a color that coordinates with your basket)

Vintage Easter Pics on Wood Tag

Filled the basket up with green paper Easter grass. Add treats, eggs, toys etc..

All ready for Easter!

TIP!

In place of the wood tag (above) you might want to print out the pic (or pics) of your choice - on heavy card stock (to give it a little weight) punch a hole and tie it to your basket.

I'll be posting some sweet vintage Easter pics next so stay tuned!

Basic Crocheting - Double Crochet



How To Double Crochet

To begin to Double crochet - you will chain the O train - the same as you did with your Single crochet.

* See How to Single Crochet Here:
http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2014/03/basic-crocheting.html

About 145 stitches to make a 54" wide afghan

* Remember, you will never work in the first chain from the crochet hook when you double crochet.


Row 1 of Double Crochet

Step 1:  After you have chained the first row of 145 - Turn your work. Bring the yarn over the hook, Skip the first 3 chains from the hook and then insert the hook in the 4th chain.

 

Step 1

 

 

* Then in each of the remaining O chains you will do the following until you get to the end.

 

 

 

Step 2 - A:  Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw it through the chain stitch. You now have three loops on the hook  

 

 

Step 2 - A

 



Step 2 - B



Step 2B - 3:  Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw through the first two loops on the hook. You now have two loops left on the hook.

Step 3

Step 4:  Bring the yarn over the crochet hook and draw through both loops on the hook

Step 4

* You have now completed your first double crochet and are back to only one loop on the hook. Continue this same method until you come to the end of your train chain and are ready to begin Row 2 



1st Completed Double Crochet

Row 2 of Double Crochet

To work row 2, you need to bring the yarn to the correct height for the next row. To raise the yarn, chain 3 single crochet O's

Row 2

The three chains just made count as the first double crochet of the new row - so skip the first double crochet  you made in Row 1 and work a double crochet into the second stitch.

* Be sure to insert the crochet hook under top two loops of the stitch.

Continue until you get to the end. Turn and chain up 3 and repeat until your blanket is as long as you want it to be.

Example of Completed 2nd Row

Slow Motion Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgA9KSJrgAc

Basic Crocheting - Single Crochet

Basic Chain -
The Beginning of all crochet

Completed: Pink and Off White Single Crochet Afghans

First Row - Step 1 - The Train

Pulling out a piece of the yarn ... Wrap yarn around the hook to create an O that is only as big as your needle is around - and leave a little tail piece. Tie in a firm knot.

* You'll see a lot of videos on the internet that show a crocheter making this little fancy beginning stitch- which is fine as long as you tie that stitch into a firm knot so that all of your hard work doesn't become un-raveled the first time you wash it. I often double knot mine. Just to be sure.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 2-

Wrap yarn around needle one time and pull through the beginning O stitch. Continue to wrap the yarn one time around your needle and pull through - which creates a new O (stitch) every time you do this. Counting each time you create a new O until you have 145 of them. Now you have a long train of O stitches.

* A nice size afghan is about 54 inches wide = 145 O's stitches on a train.

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

 Second Row- Step 1

After you have made 145 O stitches- Turn your train around (flip it over) and start on the 2nd row going in the opposite direction.

Step 2- The Single Crochet

In the center of each of the O stitches in your train (beginning with the first one and going one at a time until you get to the end of your train) insert your hook through the hole and wrap the yarn over the needle and pull the yarn through the hole. You will see that you now have two loops on your hook. Wrap yarn around again and this time pull the yarn through the two loops on your hook. Move on to the next O stitch and repeat until you get to the end of your train. Then turn your train (flip it over) and start all over again going in the opposite direction.

* Continue until the blanket is as long as you want it to be. I like to cover my feet when I am watching TV as well as my shoulders- so every now and again when my blanket is starting to get big I will stand up and hold it to my shoulders. If it covers my feet on the floor then I know my blanket is long enough and it's time to quit. If it is a blanket that I just want to throw over my couch or at the foot of the bed then when the blanket is as long as it is wide then it's done (in other words- a square).

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 3- Finishing the blanket to make it even.

Remember that little tail I had you to leave when you first started your O train (Row 1 Step 1)?

Starting there - go all the way around your blanket using the SINGLE crochet stitch until you end up back at the tail. You can go around your blanket once, twice or three times - whatever you want. This just gives the blanket stability and helps to keep it nice and even. Once you have gone all the way around the blanket (ever how many times you wanted to) you can just snip off that tail and you're done. You can make big blankets, baby blankets or even a scarf using this same train and stitch. It's all up to you! Remember; a pretty blanket is more in the colors you use than it is in the stitches you use. Variegated yarn (yarn already made with different colors built in) takes the guess work out of what colors will match well together- but I like using my imagination when mixing colors- but honestly; a solid one color afghan that matches my couch or my bed or whatever is probably my favorite.


* If you want to change color yarn then at the side of the blanket - cut your yarn off so you have a tail about 1/2 inch long. Take your new color and tie a firm knot to the tail of the old color yarn (joining the two pieces together) Crochet a couple of stitches- then go back and tie another knot in the two tails (this is just for safety and because I am a double knot kind of girl) Then close to the knot- snip the two tails of yarn off. Don't worry about the knot you made. As your afghan gets bigger- the knot will naturally slip inside the surrounding yarn and disappear.

That's it. You now know how to start an O train, how to Single crochet and how to Finish off a blanket.  Happy Crocheting!



TIP!

Here is a couple of videos to show you how it's done. At the beginning they show you how to make that fancy O stitch at the beginning- just remember to tie it in a firm knot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGemgS1ldwg
(normal speed)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGMjqo8jAvs
(slow motion)

 

Carrot Spice Cake

CARROT SPICE CAKE

The Cake

1 1/4 Cups Vegetable Oil
2 Cups Sugar
4 Eggs
3 Carrots Grated Raw
1 cup Nuts *Optional
1 Can Crushed Pineapple 8oz
1 cup Coconut Grated (Sweetened or unsweetened are fine)
1/2 cup Raisins
2 Tsps. Vanilla Extract
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour Sifted
1 tsp. Salt
2 Tsps. Baking Soda
2 Tsps. Cinnamon



The Frosting

8 Oz. Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Butter (that’s one stick)
2 Tsps. Vanilla Extract
1 cup Nuts Chopped (Again Optional)


Directions

For the Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oil, sugar and eggs. Beat well. Stir in grated carrots, nuts, pineapple and vanilla. Add flour, salt, soda and cinnamon; beat well. Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch cake pans. Bake 35-45 minutes. Let cool before frosting.


For the Frosting:
Mix cream cheese and butter. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Stir in nuts.

Autumn Spice Cider Recipe

The Perfect Candy Apple

Red Cinnamon Candy Apples

Making candy apples isn't as difficult as one might imagine. The secret is in the use of a candy thermometer. If the candy doesn't reach the perfect temp then the result is candy that is either too soft or too hard to eat. Stirring the mixture brings the temp of the candy down slightly- so use your thermometer often to maintain the correct degree for perfect candy.

Ingredients:

8 apples (I like Granny Smith for their crispness)
8 wooden skewers (popcycle sticks work great)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup hot water
1/2 cup red cinnamon candies, like Red Hots
Candy Thermometer


Preparation:

1. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray or smear on butter.
* Parchment paper works equally well. In which case simply smear on a thin layer of butter

2. Wash and dry the apples carefully. Remove the stems, and stick the skewers firmly in the stem ends.

3. Combine the water, corn syrup and sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then continue to cook, without stirring, until mixture reaches 250 degrees with candy thermometer. Wash down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush occasionally to prevent crystallization.

4. Once the candy reaches 300, add the cinnamon candies and stir briefly to incorporate. Continue to cook, washing down the sides, until it reaches 285 degrees.

5. Remove from the heat and stir the candy so that it is smooth and even. Hold an apple by the skewer and dip it in the candy, tilting the pan at an angle and rotating the apple to cover it completely with a smooth, even layer. Bring it out of the candy and twirl it to remove excess, then set it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining apples.

6. Allow apples to cool at room temperature. Candy apples are best enjoyed within 24 hours but can last for quite some time if wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated.

Bath Soak - Tea Type Bags

Tea Bag Bath Soaks

Ingredients:

Empty Tea type bags (or muslin linen bags)- found at any craft or health food store
Epsom Salt
Dried Lavender
Lavender Oil
Oatmeal (NOT the quick cook kind)
Dry Powder Milk (I like to use dry powder goat's milk for this)


Directions:

To make your tea, you will also need a large mixing bowl.

First, measure out two cups of Epsom salt and add it into the bowl.

Next, add 4 tablespoons of lavender.

Then, add 25 drops of pure lavender oil into the bowl.

After that, add one cup of oatmeal. You can leave the oatmeal whole, or give it a few spins in the food processor. I chose to keep mine whole.

Last, add  1  1/2 cups of dry milk.

Stir your ingredients up until they are well combined.

Gather your tea bags, and fill 3/4 of the way full.

Sew the open tops of your tea bags closed. You can either do this by hand or by machine. I choose to do mine by hand to keep with the handcrafted feel. When you stitch to the end, string an identification tag onto the remaining thread and tie into place. I also left a loop of thread at the end so that the tea bag could be hung from a faucet head.


* To give as a gift of your tub tea, an oblong or rectangle box works best. I found a paper recipe holder at my local craft shop for $2 and it worked perfectly! I was able to fit in 8 tea bags.


Tie up your display box with a pretty piece of ribbon, or you can do as I did and use the same embroidery floss that I used to close the bag.


* I included the directions for using the tub tea on the back of a tag. (see below) 


"Drop two tea bags into a hot bath. Let steep. Ease yourself into your tub and relax. For a stronger scent, use three bags".


The best thing about making tub tea is it’s customizable! You can make any mix that you would like. Or even better, mix two scents and create something new! Simply change up the dried flower buds and the oil- everything else remains the same. For example: use dried rose buds and rose oil.


Tip!


As an alternative to using tea type bags- try using small muslin/linen type bags that have a cotton draw string. Simply add the above ingredient and tie closed. After use; empty contents and discard, rinse bags that were used and allow to dry completely. You can then refill each bag- and use again and again - using this same method.

Spiced Pine Cones

Spiced Pine Cone Potpourri Recipe

In a plastic garbage bag:

Small Pine cones- as many as you want
1 full container of ground cinnamon
1 small bottle of apple (or) cinnamon spice oil
(or)
1 of each for a stronger fragrance-
* These can be found in the candle section of your local chain store (like Walmart) or craft store (like Michael's)


Place your pine cones in the plastic bag and pour the ground cinnamon and the oil (or oils) over the pine cones. Tie the bag closed tightly. Shake for a few seconds to distribute the oil and cinnamon over each. Set aside in a closet or some other out of the way area. Each day for one week go and give the bag a mighty shake.

After one week you scented pine cones are ready to use. Place them in a basket or bowl and your room will smell fantastic for months. When the pine cones begin to lose their scent you can reuse them- using the same technique or go out in the yard and collect a new batch of pinecones.

Since you are using all natural ingredients you don't have to worry about the muck they put in the commercial scented pine cones (shudder) who knows what they use in those. Ohh and you might want to place the bowl or basket of scented cones in an area where the dogs and cats can't get at them and use them for paw batting practice or chew toys. It won't harm them but what a mess you will be cleaning up when they have had their fun. We are trying to create a cleaner environment; not trying to create more work for ourselves!

* If you love the smell of pine you can simply use the pine oil over the pine cones instead of apple or cinnamon oil. Replace the use of a container of ground cinnamon with a container of ground cloves. Everything else applies the same.

Sugar Plum Cake

Old Fashioned Sugar Plum Cake


2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 C Sugar
3 Eggs
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp allspice
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 Cup buttermilk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Cup dried plums, chopped
1/2 Cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)



Sauce


1 stick margarine (or butter)
1 1/2 C sugar
1/3 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 C Buttermilk


Grease and flour bundt or 9×13 cake pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Beat with electric mixer until well combined. Pour into prepared cake pan and bake for one hour.


Just before cake is done, place all sauce ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and continue boiling gently until sauce is thickened, about two minutes. Remove done cake from oven and poke holes all over top with a fork (or a tooth pick). Pour hot sauce over hot cake. Allow to sit in pan until sauce is absorbed.

Pretty Rubber Gove Tutorial

Step 1.
Cut two fabric pieces that are four inches by 20 inches.  Narrow hem one of the long edges as shown.

Step 2.
Measure two inches from edge and mark with a pencil (see the dot jus above the 18). Now measure one inch from that point and mark again (ring finger is pointed at this dot).  Again mark two inches from your last mark and then an inch from that point.  Repeat this all the way across.  (2 inches then dot- 1 inch then dot- 2 inches then dot- 1 inch then dot- Continue in this pattern until you come to the end)

Step 3.
To make pleats take the first mark you made and place it on top of next mark which should be one inch from your first mark.  Repeat this all the way across pinning each pleat as you make it.

* This is what it will look like when you have pinned all of your pleats

Step 4.
Stitch across top of pleats as shown.

Step 5.
Pin edges together as shown on each of the short ends and sew across.  Turn to outside and press. I like to add in a little spray starch before pressing- but then I starch everything!

* This is what your end pieces will look like after your quick stitch across.

Step 6.
Pin some wide ribbon to top of your fabric as shown below.  Sew acoss the ribbon (both at the top of your ribbon piece and at the bottom to secure tightly).

Step 7.
Pin the ribbon side to the bottom of the cuff of your rubber glove. I like to turn under (about an inch or so) the rubber glove as I am pinning- just to give the rubber a little more stability. But this is completely opinional. 

Step 8.
Stitch into place.

Tada! All finished and suitable for gift giving. You don't want to be the only one that looks smashing in a pair of rubber gloves. Right?


Ohhh! I almost completely forgot! Remember those pair of red gloves I was talking about earlier with the ghastly yellow cuff?

Not any more ... and it was just so ~sew~ easy!