New green hobby: Rug Hooking!

Sometime last winter my sister picked up rug hooking as a hobby. What is rug hooking? Basically, it's an old way of reusing scraps of cloth by making something useful like a rug. Now it's mainly a traditional craft/art that people do as a hobby, though some people seem to be able to make some money by selling their creations. Sadly most rug hookers seem to use new materials made for rug hooking. Myself I still prefer the reusing aspect of it.

So after my sister showed me the basics....that are very easy to pick up, I also became a hooker!
Here my introduction to it http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-aJSb2AK2_I . The second part. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SNhpp1tWPjQ
And of course the more you hook the easier it gets ;). It would be hard to explain the basics so the videos should help you learn this. Put simply, you weave strips of cloth through burlap or monk's cloth using a hook...hence hooking.

For me it's the perfect winter craft, inbetween snow storms ;). And even after a good closet Spring cleaning I haven't trown away a single piece of clothing. I even find myself eyeing clothes in stores or on people's clotheslines with envy. The colors or the different textiles always seem like they would be good for hooking.

As far as creativity goes well it seems to satisfy my needs. I usually freehand my drawing on the burlap and think up the colors I'll use in my inventory. Then depending on the size, I have a few hours of hooking fun ;). Once the rug is done you get to keep your masterpiece where ever you like it! I have yet to sell one. So far they make great gifts but I'd like to sell one just for fun ;).

So! This is my latest green hobby!
Make sure, if you're intrested to check up on the subject. If you're a bit crafty ( even kids can do this easily!) I'm sure you might like this hobby too ;).

Thanks for reading. -PainChaud

Customize your greenhouse !

So tonight I did was I said I would and built my mini greenhouses around my zucchinis. I did have some trouble building the frames since I was alone but I managed. Now I have no idea if it will do anything. But I did leave two zucchinis outside to see differences. I've read that some gardeners extend their gardening season by having raised beds and putting a small hoop greenhouse when the temperature starts dropping. I will of course try this eventually. but I need more time to get more dirt and planks for the raising of the earth. But hey I'm in my first year! So plenty of time left. Here's a link to the video I made of it on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQe94J-MRRs --UPDATE-- When I took the pictures for this entry I noticed that the inside of the greenhouses were singnifically hotter than the exterior. So I supposed they will help after all =)

Harvesting

I've been having trouble continuing my blog these past few days....for reasons unknown. But what the heck I'll just write what comes to mind about this crazy adventure! For a while now I've been havesting....on a small scale.But as Fall approaches I'm starting to harvest my usual crop (courgettes, onions, beans) and new ones. Like tomatoes, carrots, radishes, spinach, lettuces....and soon I'll have a pumpkin! I only wish I had planted more tomatoes so I could've canned some for the winter. Well I have something to get exited for next year I guess. I mean...just have another look at the picture to the right. =) How can someone not get excited about all those beautiful, organically grown vegetables! here's a link to my video harvest http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tpsP5qzvrU