Book Shelves

When I moved to my new apartment, I started looking for book shelves for my tons of craft books. I have so many knitting, crochet, spinning, and sewing books I needed bookshelves that would not buckle under the weight.  Every thing I found was too expensive or just was not strong enough to hold everything. I loved the utilitarian look of the Kenzo Shelf at One King's Lane for $1300 but I wanted a whole wall of bookshelves and I couldn't buy one shelf at that price.

 

So how do I get the look without giving up an arm or a leg?  In one word -- Lowe's.  Lowe's has the same look of the more expensive shelves for a fraction of the price ($70).  I know I could have painted the metal and shelves but I like this look just fine.  The best part is, besides the price, each shelf can hold 800 lbs.

NEWS -- I have moved

Most already know, but I have moved back to Asheville, NC.  I love that I moved to same apartment complex that I lived in before too.  Asheville is such a cool city and I can't wait to show you my Asheville as well as bring you more fiber art that I create, and decorating my apartment with budget friendly finds. 

No this is not my new home, but couldn't resist posting this picture of Biltmore.

My Hens

Hello everyone -- I now have 20 hens, all Gold Comets.  Ten of the hens are only 20 weeks old so they are not all laying yet.  I love them and have so much fun taking care of them and watching them through out the day.

Since my last blog post, winter has passed and it is spring here in the "High Country" of North Carolina.  I have planted some salad greens, onions, strawberries, and early peas.  I can't wait to get the rest of my garden in. 

I have a lot going on this spring and summer too -- the local farmer's market, selling my knitting and crochet, and of course selling my eggs.

I also hope lots of my family will be here to see me too. 




Don't forget to live every breath

Eggs

Holy Cow or I should say Holy Chicken -- I am now getting two eggs a day from the first 6 gold comets I purchased. The first girls are now 22 weeks old.  I decided to get 6 additional gold comets that are 19 weeks old. When they all get to laying I should get about 10 eggs a day.  Gold comets are prolific layers and can lay up to 300 eggs a year.  I was so excited when I got the first egg but today I was excited at the size of this egg. 

This picture is of the first egg I got and and the next picture is the one I got today.

The Girls

I've had my Golden Comet chickens for 3 weeks now and they are about 20 weeks old.  They haven't started laying eggs yet but I expect them to any day now.  Each day they get out of the chicken house while I do some clean up.  This pic shows them eating under this pine tree -- one of their favorite spots.

The chickens are here

Lordy, I had no idea they would be so big.  They are amazing and I am learning so much.  Of course I caught a cold so I feel like doggie doo but the chicks still get attention.  They aren't laying yet -- maybe another month

Chickens

Again it has been a long time since I have posted.  I have ordered 6 Gold Comet pullets from Shook Poultry.  I also hope to get 6 more chicks when I go on September 3 to pick them up.  That will be 12 chickens 16 - 18 weeks old.  I want to show the progress and my journey with chickens since I have never had chickens before.  My neighbor Walter Ford is helping me build the chicken house and I so appreciate his help.  If you are interested in purchasing fresh eggs at $3 per dozen, please let me know.  Picture to come soon!

It has been a long time

Wow -- with facebook, I hardly ever post on my blog -- but here goes.  My yard is green and looking for it's first mowing.  The garden is plowed but needs tilled.  I hope to have lots of fresh vegetables this year.  I am starting on my scare crow.  I have cleaned up the area for the chicken coop and hope to have lots of chickens and eggs too.  Oh -- I adopted a 14 year old cat -- Woody.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

They crossed the road to get to my house -- Well these are wild turkeys but you get the picture.  The first pic of them crossing blackberry road and the second pic is them in my yard. There are a bunch of them around.

New scarfs new yarn

I fell in love with this yarn but couldn't crochet it even though I did try.  When I learned how to knit though, I found knitting was perfect for this yarn.  I just love the organic look of this scarf.

I bought this yarn and I think it is making a very pretty crochet scarf.  I love the shimmer.

Scarf for Christmas

I love bamboo yarn -- it works up so nice and comes in such rich colors.  This scarf is a gift for one of my grandchildren and the green yarn is bamboo angora and the multicolor is a wool.  I can't wait to see the finished scarf.

Pictures of the Fog

I love black and white fog pictures --

This is another view off my front porch with saturated color of fog --

Remember

I have so many members of my family in the military, that I would be hard pressed to be able to remember them all.  But the closest to my heart right now is my grandson in Afghanistan and my daughter Teresa who is in the Army National Guard.  I am so proud of them all and so very proud of our military men and women.  Thank You!

Knitting Socks

Oh my goodness -- I think I am unteachable when it comes to knitting.  I have a great teacher but my brain just does not want to knit.  But I am determined to learn it by-golly.  I am making a pair of socks -- I hardly ever wear socks my self but these will be a Christmas present if I get them done.  The other knit project is a scarf in this wonderful crazy yarn I fell in love with.  The red and white yarn just has to hats.  I even have a commission to make 2 crochet hats from this yarn.

New Hat and Scarf

I love the simplicity of this hat and scarf that I made as a gift for Christmas.  One of the things I love to do when I know I am making a gift for someone is to pray for them while I am making their gift.  It gives me peace and I hope it does them as well.

New Fall Shawl and the Last of the Summer Blooms

I crocheted this shawl using wool, mohair, and soy yarn.  It is just light enough to wear when I walk outside with out a jacket.  I'm really excited about all the new kinds of yarn now.  Who knew you could add soy fiber to yarn?

This geranium is probably the last of my summer flowers.  So sad till next Spring.  I may go by the garden center to check out something else out though.

Another Fabric for Sale

These 2 fabrics will be for sale in the coming week. I took this picture of the Rhododendrons a couple of years ago and used a photo edit program to design this look.  It is truly a beautiful fabric. You can purchase it at http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/309893

JanetChristian design fabric for sale on Spoonflower

I finally have some fabric for sale on Spoonflower.  This is just beautiful -- it is a cropped image of a butterfly's wing.

The grass is always greener

This is my neighbor's horse.  He decided to come across the creek and feast on fallen apples, peaches, and some yummy munchie grass.  Isn't he cute! Hmmmmmm

Swarm of Butterflys

Butterflys love this flower -- I thought the flower was a weed but then it is pretty.  The butterflys would let me get within inches of them to take pictures.  This is the best one.  I so love it here.

If you love fabric and  have never been to http://spoonflower.com/ it is worth your time.  Soon you will also be able to purchase fabric that I have designed.  Stay tuned and I will let you know when it is available.