tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35443006883947792042011-11-27T09:32:04.414-08:00American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.comBlogger741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-29891490480606058672011-11-11T18:41:00.000-08:002011-11-11T18:41:01.654-08:00

Completed! . . . That took a long time! I've never tried stippling before. While laborious, I liked the outcome.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-1137361707357845182011-07-06T10:59:00.000-07:002011-07-06T10:59:18.074-07:00

It has been a busy summer, and it's not over yet! For one thing, we have finally painted the ugly behemoth of a fireplace in the corner of our living room. We have a long room, with the dark brick fireplace in a corner. This fact has made the long room feel terribly off-balanced. Painting it white brought so much peace to my vision. :) I LOVE this room now! (Does anyone need inspiration

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-83557351228439804622011-06-11T14:57:00.000-07:002011-06-11T14:57:35.083-07:00

I've enjoyed working on this butterfly over the past 6 months. I pull it out when I am stuck at home with a sick child or two. This is my first ink drawing, and I'm having a lot of fun watching it progress. I used dots for the shading, and I really like the effect. It's put away again for another one of those days the kids are under the weather.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-30618722447927793712011-05-18T11:39:00.000-07:002011-05-18T11:41:18.782-07:00

I cannot take full credit for this one. My neighbor should seriously be a paid interior designer! She came over to my house to see a frame I'd bought several years ago for the express purpose of using it as a headboard. From there, the ideas flew, and this was the final result:

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-63241327768763183312011-03-25T09:05:00.000-07:002011-03-25T09:05:24.758-07:00

I've made and given some of these letters for baby showers in the past, but it's been awhile since I've shown you any. This is my favorite yet, I think.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-82739210564144314622011-01-28T13:19:00.000-08:002011-01-28T13:19:22.713-08:00

I've a growing love for linen fabric. I used to despise it because it wrinkled as soon as I finished ironing it. But now I've decided comfort trumps a few wrinkles. In the past year, I've bought several pairs of linen slacks from my local thrift store, and have reveled in their comfortableness whenever I've worn them. After perusing several Scandanavian blogs (you can find them in my list of

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-25452528810401981652010-02-19T16:57:00.000-08:002010-02-19T17:12:01.573-08:00

I bought this fabric about a year ago from JoAnn's (a light cotton). Just recently I got motivated enough to sew it. But while making it, it just didn't seem to be what I'd anticipated it being. I hate it when this happens! I didn't have enough of the main fabric for the bindings, which was just fine with me, as I wanted to spice it up a bit. Yet again the local quilt store came in handy,

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-42338904292145275792010-02-19T16:34:00.000-08:002010-02-19T16:56:43.702-08:00

I love cotton and other natural fabrics. I also love the pillowcase dresses. -- I've wanted to make one forever! Several months ago, while at my local quilt shop, I saw this funky, "alive" fabric. It was swirly-flowery and super colorful. Colorful enough that if spaghetti was dropped on it, it would be difficult to be noticed. (We eat a LOT of spaghetti. We also wear it. -- EVERY

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-34908746781863604702010-02-19T16:26:00.000-08:002010-02-19T16:34:29.342-08:00

It has been AGES (nearly 15 months, actually) since I've posted a . . . POST, and I am shamed by this whenever someone comes by and leaves me a kind comment. So very sorry! Thank you for your interest. It has been a boost that I've needed.Life has just been busy! What can I say? I have had some things that have seriously preoccupied my time, and I realized that all my crafting needed to take

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-44610437479140574352008-11-25T10:48:00.000-08:002008-11-25T11:01:07.210-08:00

Ta-daaaaa!! The picture uploading thingy is working! Or, rather, I should say, we finally unplugged everything out of exasperation, plugged it all back in, and NOW the picture thingy works. Technology is just the cheekiest thing around, isn't it?!Anyway, here's a scarf in progress from a month ago. It's done now, and quite delicate-looking. It's already been gifted.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-54626277458316452052008-11-10T21:55:00.000-08:002008-11-11T04:13:17.585-08:00

And you thought I've been doing nothing while sitting on my duff for the past six months. Humph! Well, while not having much proof otherwise for you, I have been productive. Here's a small taste of what's been happening here.This cupcake pattern came from Julie through Little Cotton Rabbits. (See link under my favorites.) When I saw these, I fell in love! Julie kindly printed a pattern

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-52562014733597554592008-05-14T18:21:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:55.345-08:00

I've been whining about my church clothes for some time. Shopping with two small children has not been a whole lot of fun, nor has it often been successful. When I have found something, I don't usually try it on in the store; I just buy it and bring it home to try it on, and then invariably return it, discouraged again. Recently, however, I netted a gain of two dresses! One, though, had only

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-65987153136187547902008-05-14T14:01:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:56.423-08:00

A few days ago, Husband brought home a number of books for me from the library. Since I have several project areas going, and much to learn, perusing the books has been a wonderful education, as well as very inspiring. The following pictures are all ideas I found in these books that I think will work well in our projects. (I wish I could tell you this is MY garden.)One of the projects I'll be

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-43219523398662673902008-05-14T05:52:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:57.193-08:00

My garden and plants are keeping me peeking at them. :) Here are a few images of what's happening around here:The Clematis is in full bloom, reaching to the gutters of our house! (I bought it mail-order last spring.) Last year, I don't recall it blooming this early, so I am quite suprised. I wonder how long it will last. Plans for the future include more of these guys. I absolutely love

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-82681235770689233832008-05-04T20:00:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:57.336-08:00

For privacy's sake, I don't like to share pictures of people's faces on this blog; however, I wanted to share how the graduation photo shoot went that I did. Since all you can see of this guy's face is one eyeball, I decided it was safe to share. :) It also happens to be one of my favorite shots for artistry's sake. Shooting for the graduation was a lot of fun, although nerve-racking in the

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-91237880563042178182008-04-23T20:00:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:58.145-08:00

Since Sunday, I've been busy working down the bank of our front yard. Probably logged close to 20 hours, but who's counting since I'm doing it for myself? Here is what it looked like right after the trees were pulled out by our kind neighbors:And now, after hauling out the household trash left by previous owners, and rearranging the rocks I could move on my own and attempting the beginnings of

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-77709786468416875772008-04-21T19:03:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:58.302-08:00

A few weeks ago, I posted a picture of a mystery tree in our front yard. Now that tree has fruit -- be it actual edible fruit -- or nuts. I've gotten on a botanical blog site and asked for help in identifying it. Prior to showing this picture, the thing that sounds closest are peach or almond, or a cultivar/cross between the two. Want to put in your guess? When I find out for sure what

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-18482807438882232302008-04-18T20:27:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:58.818-08:00

Since I am going for English Cottage Garden look, I filled in all the empty spaces of my garden planting (from yesterday) with seeds, and LOTS of them. Cosmos Hollyhocks Lavender Batchelor's Buttons Shasta Daisies Violets Candytuft Ageratum and at least one other one that I've forgottenA few mornings ago, Daughter and I planted 50 peat pots with two seeds

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-26989508558238645952008-04-17T18:57:00.001-07:002008-04-17T19:07:21.810-07:00

Wow, I even surprised myself today.Yesterday I borrowed my neighbor's nifty tool that I can't even describe to you, and fairly quickly cleared out and enlarged most of one of my flowerbeds. Talk about a HUGE pile of weeds and grass! Oh, my!Then, today, after it warmed up and we had lunch, the kids and I went back outside till I started teaching piano lessons, and then went back outside again

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-67273201813323627922008-04-10T20:00:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:59.408-08:00

When I was a little girl, my dad was big into photography. Aside from taking pictures of my sister and myself, the things I remember him photographing most were flowers. At the time (and even up until today), I never understood the fascination with taking pictures of flowers. I mean, picture books of flowers are a dime a dozen, and, it's not like every dogwood flower has its own name (like

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-11549996028408502332008-04-07T20:00:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:13:59.722-08:00

I finally succeeded with my backdrop! This one is all grey, as you can see. I wish it had been larger, but it worked nonetheless. Here was the set-up:Mr. Comedian* slid into my viewfinder between the graduates. I figured he wouldn't mind too much being on my blog. :)*Not his real name, in case you wondered.(Post script: I have recieved the pictures and they have been delivered to most of

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-8035993962850051262008-04-02T20:00:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:14:00.385-08:00

Of course I had to show you a picture of it. :)

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-66206316477687998432008-04-01T20:00:00.000-07:002008-04-15T08:59:58.652-07:00

It's mine!I am too exhausted to tell you anymore right now. And there's too much happening between now and Sunday or Monday or Tuesday for me to tell you before then.So you'll just have to WAIT.:)

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-39687070354984657992008-03-31T18:13:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:14:00.683-08:00

I'm getting prepared for my first paid photography shoot, happening this Sunday. I needed a backdrop, but didn't have a spare $200+ sitting around, so went to Lowe's and bought a painter's dropcloth. And bought dye. . . . And went back to town and bought more dye. . . . And went back to town and bought more dye. . . . And more dye. . . . Over the past few days I've dyed and bleached

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-86555472093776375922008-03-27T16:06:00.000-07:002008-03-27T18:18:58.186-07:00

Since the last post, I have been hanging' out at the hospital with Husband, who was diagnosed with pneumonia to both sides of his lungs. Was it the tree he cut down with the hand saw that did it???Also, since my last post, our neighbors totally bowled us over with their kindness. -- As we headed off to the ER, they snuck back to our yard with a few more people, and, armed with chainsaws, tore

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-37611357996890774462008-03-22T11:38:00.001-07:002008-12-09T17:14:00.896-08:00

This is the happiest item we unearthed yesterday, in all our thrashing of underbrush. Minus a few blossoms that got knocked off, it looks pretty good, but the question remains: What is it? The thin tree bears delicate flowers of light pink color, with a dark pink cluster of stamens (??? -- Forgive me! I don't remember my floral anatomy from college A&P) in the center. Leaves are bright

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-37163908602932404312008-03-21T15:45:00.000-07:002008-03-21T15:55:30.021-07:00

Husband and I spent most of the day working along the bank of our front yard. The yard abruptly ends at the top of a fairly steep bank where nothing has succeeded to grow save scrubby undergrowth -- largely wicked honeysuckle vines and some even more wicked thorn bushes that have grown from the ground up to the heights of the trees. Many of the trees at the edge of the lawn are dead, with parts

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-72697552395649643802008-03-18T18:17:00.000-07:002008-03-18T18:25:35.954-07:00

This morning I went to my local nursery and took Mr. Jim's advice and bought Loropetalum and Abelia and Camellia. (Seven plants total.)This afternoon, I planted: 2 Loropetalum 4 Abelia 1 CamelliaAnd transplanted to pots (for now): 2 Echinops Ritro 1 Echinacea 1 HydrangeaAnd tonight I am sore and tired! Nothing like digging in clay!!!I still have to plant: 3 Nandina

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-10442556746918548262008-03-16T12:19:00.000-07:002008-03-16T12:30:34.601-07:00

I do not like to cook. Period. But a couple days ago I stumbled upon a recipe I'd torn out of a magazine ages ago. It was for Empanadas. A salad was pictured with the empanadas, but I didn't have the recipe for that. So I did what I thought would taste good, and wow! -- Lunch was a hit!Here is how to make the empanadas:1 pound refrigerator pizza dough (Next time I'll make my own)1 can

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-32988586219922400372008-03-15T19:36:00.001-07:002008-12-09T17:14:02.159-08:00

We are having the wettest spring! As opposed to last summer when there were huge fissures around our yard from the severe drought, we are now getting rain, rain, and more rain. When I walk in the lawn, squishy sounds greet my ears, and water pours into the holes of my crocs as my feet sink into the swampy turf. (If you could call our lawn 'turf'. -- It's more like 'healthy weeds' than

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-32250039866932934892008-03-13T18:21:00.000-07:002008-03-13T18:30:48.709-07:00

I recently put in an order through Spring Hill Nursery for some more plants. (I ordered from them last year, and was pleased with the results, so decided to try it again.) Soon after ordering, three hydrangeas (one red and two purple), a butterfly bush, 3 rudbekia, and 1 monarda arrived in the mail looking small but healthy. Now, about a week later, they have leafed out an incredible amount,

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-12513942388641222752008-03-03T15:48:00.001-08:002008-03-03T16:00:37.838-08:00

I don't think much could thrill my soul more than the little bits of green that I see poking out of tree and shrub, and pushing aside the dark earth. Equally exciting is the weather being warm enough to enjoy a close-up look, and tearing out the weeds that have filled in a lot of that dark earth. I spent the morning at a local nursery getting some much-needed help. I am too embarrassed to show

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-52369779037038623152008-02-18T14:40:00.001-08:002008-12-09T17:14:02.657-08:00

Today I made curtains for Daughter's room. I am so pleased with the results! Every time I go in her room, I feel completely restful and calm, yet energized. -- I absolutely love green and white together! Maybe because green is a sign of life, which I am so ready to receive in the form of Springtime. Anyway, here they are:Not sure if I'm going to leave the tie-backs just like this, or if

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-67469966204305363212008-02-14T15:58:00.001-08:002008-12-09T17:14:05.258-08:00

Daughter's bedroom has bothered me for awhile, namely the unpainted trim. Inspiration struck, and I am now in the middle of completing a slew of details (finally painting the trim and doors, making a headboard, sewing curtains, making shelves above the windows, to name a few). Here are some treasures I've collected/made/received over the years that have inspired me in the evolution of

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-89141574916620300952008-02-14T14:59:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:06.252-08:00

I'm working on finishing decorating my daughter's bedroom, and happened upon a picture in a magazine that inspired these dragonflies. After painting and glueing and taping and, and, and . . . they are now jauntily "flying" about Daughter's room, hung from the ceiling.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-76944617799594674362008-02-04T10:29:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:06.688-08:00

Another little girl's name:

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-67521020950167800132008-01-20T06:18:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:07.034-08:00

Over Christmas, I knitted these up for myself:I love the accent yarn around the top. -- Quite different.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-81046148757053479092008-01-20T05:15:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:08.367-08:00

For some time now I have wanted to make something for Husband, but, save a very time-consuming HUGE project of a Norwegian sweater (my eventual goal), I could come up with nothing. Until I found a pattern for a Peruvian hat.Armed with all my scraps of leftover wool, the project began. It knitted up quickly, largely due to the fact that I couldn't wait to see the addition of the next color, and

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-6926301307296333702008-01-19T18:46:00.003-08:002008-12-09T17:14:08.680-08:00

This one's for me!! I've been eyeing Noni patterns for quite some time. -- Over a year, at least. I love the details and the surprise "different-ness" of these fulled bags. They just nail a punch, in my opinion. So, a few weeks ago when Sister and I went exploring (and found) a local yarn shop, and I found this pattern, I knew it was coming home with me! The bag itself was quick and easy

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-18488979602776037122008-01-19T08:21:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:09.494-08:00

Ages ago, while looking at Noni patterns online, actually, I stumbled upon these sassy pom-poms. Being purely a knitter, I thought (for now) they were beyond me. I love working with wool, though, so decided that one day I would figure these little things out. "Imagine what one could do with them!" I thought.Over Christmas, while visiting in the town of Hastings, Michigan, I was overjoyed to

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-11941194228172008272008-01-18T18:38:00.000-08:002008-01-18T18:47:45.431-08:00

I'm after a new look! What do you think of the new layout/background for my blog? I like the cleaner, less cluttered look of this layout, and I think it goes better with my blog title.What do you think?P.S. -- Pictures coming soon! I've been way too busy making, and doing no recording. Sorry!Some hints to upcoming photos:completed fulled slippers for Daughter (I've already posted the

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-55999877983998327302007-12-13T06:35:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:10.321-08:00

I bought this pattern over a year ago. Again, it's a fulled (felted) project, and I just thought it was really cute, and would be really warm, too. So a week or two ago, in the non-occupied evenings, I started working on it. Last night I finished it, and this morning I shrank it. I think it looks Medieval-ish, no??Right now it is stretched, drying over a balloon. Hopefully the balloon's

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-31118653461217119102007-12-05T19:59:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:11.117-08:00

I've been working on more Christmas gifts, these for some girls whose names are obvious. Last time I did this, it took me HOURS to complete, as I wrapped each letter with wrapping paper and glue. This time, I got smart. My neighbor and I both like to use Stampin' Up! stamps, so I called on her to see what she has. She loaned me several sets, plus gave me more ideas, and this is what I came up

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-80562000658680619582007-11-26T11:13:00.001-08:002008-12-09T17:14:11.376-08:00

While perusing another's blog one day, I happened to learn about shared meals. Basically, it's where you get several households to join you in creating one large meal each and then each household gives their meal to all other households in the group. It majorly cuts down on cooking, and is supposed to help with the budget. (So far I've had too many other things happening to know if it really

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-87756742281490003952007-11-26T07:58:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:11.697-08:00

We are soon hosting Dear Husband's office staff Christmas party at our house. This has been great impetus for completing a few more "renovations" around the house, one of which is the main bathroom. The bathroom was gross. Purple in color, and a VERY bad paint job at that; caulking around the sink that looked like it was carelessly smeared in place -- if you can call down on the counter 'in

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-72315615151761632252007-11-26T07:39:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:11.848-08:00

A few weeks ago, as the weather was turning cooler, I told Dear Daughter to get her slippers on. (I had knitted and fulled her a pair a couple years ago.) She put them on, and came to me saying, "Mommy, they're too little. Will you make me a new pair? A pink pair, exactly like these?" So a trip to our local craft store produced the yarn (although not the exact yarn) for the new slippers.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-12053906604190179862007-11-26T07:16:00.001-08:002008-12-09T17:14:11.965-08:00

I now have 4 bushels of applesauce in my freezer, less what Dear Husband has heartily consumed. One bushel is for an unnamed person, the rest will be gone within a few months by Dear Husband, no doubt.This photo is from the last saucing time with Dear Sister. The apples were worse than seconds, and we paid the full price for them. That was maddening! So, as you can imagine, we did a lot of

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-52296624551221008932007-11-26T07:02:00.001-08:002008-12-09T17:14:12.061-08:00

Dear Daughter shows her creative side with these guys she cut out of play-dough and arranged herself. She then insisted that I take pictures of it. So of course I had to blog about it, too!

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-24206037565711567222007-11-26T06:35:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:12.213-08:00

Niece recently had a birthday. Of course I needed to come up with a present for the event, and Niece gave me the idea when she mentioned she really wanted a sleeping bag for her doll. When I checked out the price of the one she wanted, I about had a cow! I told her I'd make her one. So this is it:Dear Sister made Niece the night-gown, after Niece picked out the fabric.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-37263982300381771772007-11-11T04:58:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:13.248-08:00

Another Christmas project, these slippers were knitted from a Fiber Trends pattern. Knitted and fulled projects are by far my preferred knitted projects. (How's that for redundancy?) I am not one to sit, nightly, knitting the same project for a year. -- I am all about instant gratification, with an element of surprise added. Fulling provides both, since I knit double-strand with large

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-4749005370320508882007-11-08T13:02:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:14:13.996-08:00

Years ago, David and I bought a bunch of unfinished furniture. Of course, we fully intended to paint or stain it, but that didn't happen and didn't happen. We've moved location multiple times since buying it, and always vow we WILL finish the furniture. However, it still gets put into the house and loaded up with goods in its unfinished state.This time, though, we decided it wouldn't even find

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-35341414777620789212007-11-01T18:13:00.000-07:002007-11-01T18:22:52.044-07:00

On Monday, I got together with Sister to make applesauce. We did two bushels in about four hours. -- Froze it, which is so much faster (AND neater) than canning! Now, here's hoping my freezer doesn't break down or lose electricity!When we tallied up how many bags of sauce we had, we stupidly got to thinking how much each bag cost us, and compared it to the price at our local grocery store.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-71155943302033265772007-10-27T20:02:00.001-07:002008-12-09T17:14:14.301-08:00

A friend had her baby boy recently, and along came a shower invitation. I am the kind of person who likes to give original gifts, but I have a hard time coming up with the ideas for these gifts. Recently, though, I found my inspiration while at my local craft store: plain white letters to hang on the wall!But they were too plain for something as special as a shower gift. (Although the first

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-16266783078295654292007-10-27T19:28:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:14:14.640-08:00

We've had too much going on at our house, thus the lengthy pause in blogging.My husband and I had a fabulous 10-year anniversary celebration at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. (We backpacked in, and spent three nights in the canyon.) Awesome experience, and a 10-year dream fulfilled for both of us.The weather has been dry, dry, dry. My poor garden! I've hardly touched it in over a month, as

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-58298813362015105792007-09-25T19:59:00.001-07:002007-09-25T20:04:23.779-07:00

I should have known better when I pulled out all those weedy things along the edge of our lawn. -- I saw the poison ivy! I don't know why I thought I'd be exempt from getting it this time.It is in little patches all over my body. Tonight I can't sleep on account of the intense itching. So I got up and scratched the blebs open, then bathed them in alcohol. (I much prefer pain to itching.)

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-29686463169178993242007-09-21T10:48:00.001-07:002008-12-09T17:14:15.228-08:00

We finally completed the sandbox, dug up the clay ground for the box to sit down in, and filled it with sand (with "help" from the kiddos). The kiddos, of course, are thrilled with it. We've spent a lot of energy collecting rocks to go around our flowerbeds, and I am not so pleased with the results of this fieldstone:as I am with these rocks. We've hauled these rocks, a few at a time, out of a

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-90553015515013024552007-09-12T17:54:00.000-07:002007-09-12T18:02:19.561-07:00

Today was gorgeous! It felt today like the first day of real autumn, and it was wonderful! I never knew I felt so fondly of autumn till after this sweltering, dry summer we've just been through. And hopefully it is "been through", and not just a tease.I worked at enlarging the garden some more. (And I actually enjoyed it, rather than becoming ornery because I was so hot.) I also pulled out a

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-81350483068379811262007-09-02T10:25:00.000-07:002007-09-02T10:52:20.798-07:00

The weather is finally giving us a break! When I came in at noon today from working in the garden, it was only 86 degrees! I think that would be a record low for us of late.So, today I worked in the bed on the right of the house. Pulled out all the tomatoes, some of the zinnias that were just flopping all over the place, and a lot of weeds. I hacked out more grass to grow the bed some more,

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-78355235540259183452007-08-30T11:00:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:14:15.449-08:00

Ugh.That's the only word to describe the gardening experience at present, as well as the weather. We are in an extreme drought, first of all. And secondly, we've had at least one month of weather straight with temperature highs well over 90 degrees (daily), plus a week in there somewhere where we topped 100 degrees daily. It's just been too, too hot to do anything outside. Thus, the garden

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-439925592160504122007-08-11T04:17:00.000-07:002007-08-11T04:19:53.690-07:00

Sorry so long since I posted a blog. Life has been busy, and then I've had trouble with my password so I could even get on my site to blog. Maybe it's figured out now? Anyway, I'm going to try this, and if it works, I'll blog in a couple days, pictures included.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-14768785789404591042007-07-22T09:15:00.001-07:002008-12-09T17:14:16.332-08:00

I just spent a little bit of time in my garden, inspecting the plants for bugs, and I was greatly rewarded. Found a few other things, as well, as noted in the pictures:My first dahlia in bloom.The hydrangea that was supposed to be blue that ended up pink and has now faded to green. Hmmm . . . Happily, I still like it.Ripening Romas.More tomatoes. I think these are beefsteaks??? They are huge

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-14246954088302732882007-07-22T05:02:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:14:18.485-08:00

It's been too long since I've posted anything, as life has been too busy. I now have the china cupboard almost done, and already have some of the china in. It looks so nice! I'll take a picture when it's done, and post that. By the way, the bottom portion of the cupboard makes an excellent place to take pictures of the kids. We had a lot of fun with that. On to the gardens, though:Ageratum

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-34134040674084491872007-07-05T17:00:00.000-07:002007-07-05T17:22:38.549-07:00

Well, the gardening has hit a low spot, in my estimation. It just looks UGLY. The tomatoes are now officially taller than me, and they've outgrown their cages or stakes, and are taking them down. This morning I found one plant twisted over and lying on its side, with the cage ripped right out of the ground and all twisted up as well. The cage is useless, but so are the stakes, as another plant is

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-14044939116646000122007-06-27T17:57:00.001-07:002008-12-09T17:14:18.755-08:00

Just finished the second pair of shoes, for a boy. This pair I lined, as I didn't like the seam showing in the back of the shoe. I'm much happier with the results, although it did take longer to do.

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-34281401509338592412007-06-26T12:58:00.001-07:002008-12-09T17:14:18.995-08:00

I just finished my first pair of baby shoes. They are quite small, newborn size, I'd say, and would be just a little bit big for an American Girl-sized doll.The ribbons are held in place by flower-shaped eyelets, and are easily interchangeable with other color ribbons, making the shoes more versatile.What do you think?

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-76450190941946325092007-06-25T19:40:00.000-07:002007-06-27T08:45:18.602-07:00

Well, I think I'm on to a new venture: making things with the intent to sell. I have admired baby shoes for a long time (even though I appreciated my own children's feet best in their natural/naked state), and recently found a style that I really like: felt or felted (knitted) baby shoes. Considering that knitting will take considerably more time, I am currently opting for the felt baby shoes

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-61190050160641935102007-06-25T19:31:00.000-07:002007-06-25T19:40:27.083-07:00

I'm actually doing it! -- Painting our china cabinet. We bought it approximately 4 years ago, and it's spent that whole time in its unfinished state. Initially I'd planned on staining it, but after sitting in the sun (partially) and getting the wood "tanned" in some spots, but not others (i.e. the back of the inside of the cabinet has six rings of white in it: where my six plates have sat

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-71120251412870680842007-06-24T08:31:00.000-07:002008-12-09T17:14:21.520-08:00

I can't exacly say I'm proud of how my garden looks, as it's half tomatoe bed and half baby perennials, but I'm going to post what it looks like now so I can see the changes as they develop. I have a vision in my head for what I want it to look like, so that's what matters, right? (And if I can make it happen, I guess.) These are some of the perennials and annuals that are brightening a corner

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-14899438911540592572007-06-21T19:57:00.000-07:002007-06-24T13:50:24.045-07:00

I went to Lowe's this afternoon to get the paint for my china cabinet, and of course had to look at the plants. Actually, I headed to the plants first, because something outside Lawn and Garden caught my eye as I parked my car: Russian Sage!Since the beginning thoughts of my garden, I have admired pictures of Russian Sage, but I've never seen any healthy-looking sage for sale anywhere, until

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-23789201479486138372007-06-20T13:14:00.002-07:002007-06-24T13:49:43.916-07:00

Yesterday we got some rain! This is very big news, as it has been so dry for so long here. We have huge fissures running around our front yard from the drought. Awhile back it was even affecting our foundation, as we had cracks running around the ceiling and along the corners of rooms. Two doors in our house wouldn't even close as the foundation had shifted enough to affect this even. So the

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-27882109828360966762007-06-18T19:04:00.000-07:002007-06-19T02:38:48.949-07:00

Bummer! I just went back to Bluestone to order the plants, and their website says they're closing June 18th till August. Today is June 18! In hopeful desparation, I called their number, but I was truly too late. How sad for me!

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-77998941484374769362007-06-18T18:53:00.000-07:002007-06-19T02:38:24.930-07:00

My mother has an apparatus for cutting her own matting for pictures. She and I have assembled a lot of our own pictures by using this. We find frames at various flea markets and tag sales for 50 cents to a couple dollars, and then cut our own mats to complete the picture. Recently, David's mother snapped a photo of our family that I had blown up to poster size through Winkflash. (See my links

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-77333075420980391692007-06-18T18:06:00.001-07:002007-06-19T02:37:41.167-07:00

I've been doing more research about plants for my flowerbed. Today I checked out English Cottage Gardening for American Gardeners by Margaret Hensel from a local library. Beautiful photography covers every page. It is very inspiring to learn from. I will have fun with that over the next few weeks.Aside from the book, I discovered Bluestone Perennials. (See my links.) I previously bought two

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544300688394779204.post-81198702607612114792007-06-17T09:53:00.000-07:002008-01-18T19:03:30.619-08:00

This blog was created after much encouragement by my husband, David. By profession, I am a registered nurse who works as little as possible. (I currently am supposed to be looking for a job, but am so completely uninspired, thus no job as of yet.) Since having our first child, I have worked only one day a week, and have spent the rest of my time caring for my family and devoting spare moments to

American Swede Photographynoreply@blogger.com5