Preliminary Garden Work

This year I decided to try and start my seeds indoors again.  Last year I direct sowed after the last frost outside, but I'm hoping to actually get a pumpkin this year, and maybe even a watermelon, so I've started early inside.  I tried a new method where I laid the seeds on labeled paper towels and kept them damp for about a week.

I waited a while, but only a couple of types of seeds started sprouting.  I think that part of the problem is that the paper towels would dry out overnight.  So, I planted them in the used pots I got free on Craigslist and they started to grow like crazy.  I am waiting for three pots that aren't showing any progress, but everything else at least has sprouts.

Also, my little apple tree (which I still need to espalier) has a few blooms on it!

So stinking cute!

Braided Rag Baskets

I wanted to give Sofia a bit more storage for all of her little things.  As usual, I wanted to do it for as little money as possible, and I think free fit the bill!  I used old t-shirts from my rag bin to make these cute little braided rag baskets!

First I cut the t-shirts into long strips.

I balled them up and braided them together.

I then used my sewing machine to sew the braid first into a disc shape using a zig-zag stitch.

Then I sewed the braid into walls for the basket.

After the basket was done I used some extra braid and some felt to make the basket into a little animal.

If you'd like a better explanation, check out these two tutorials that I mashed into one rag rug basket:

Moda Bake Shop Braided Rag Rug Tutorial

We All Sew Coiled Rope Basket Tutorial

My little baskets may be a bit lopsided, but I'm happy with the results!