The Mint Needle

Here's to Spring ~ A time for cleaning and organizing. Everyone has it... The kitchen corner where mail, school papers, and receipts find a home. In this place, things magically appear & disappear amongst books and 'tidbits'. And somedays, it's 11 o'clock at night and you're searching for that school form that's due tomorrow. Well..... not anymore! I've  finally created a family binder thanks to Pinterest and some awesome bloggers:) Something that's has been on my 'to-do' list for a loooooong time. And the best part ~ all the space that is now open. By creating a 'home book', you really see what's worth keeping and pitching.   Now, everyone in the house is kept up to date with important documents and those loose pieces of paper finally have a home! But I can't take credit for any of it. Check out the great bloggers that deserve an applause. First up  Marvelous Mommy  gets five stars for listing multiple ...

"Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun &  winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens~  Though the winter winds are still lingering, Spring is in the air:) The fruit trees have been pruned, garden plans are getting underway & seed starting is all a go! Everything is slowly brightening up, especially with orchids. To celebrate this new season, I decided to make some warm weather apparel. Here's a sneak peak at the fabric and pattern. This rayon challis is so soft & feminine with little flowers in gorgeous colors. I'm planning the waist in a contrasting fabric. Maybe....polka dots? I can't wait to finish this! On another note ~ I hope everyone's St. Patrick Day was great! We finally enjoyed some tasty Irish soda bread. And yes, it was really tasty! You can see the pics and recipes at  Clementine & Clove :) Until next time friends:)

The sewing room has been getting some lovely attention. For instance, take a look at this new little number, which boasts comfy knit fabric and loose lines. The shape easily dresses up with a black belt, (thank you closet), and some heels. Even better, it was quite simple to make! Except for one little section.... I had a difficult time understanding it. And that would be picture #8 below. The pattern's method leaves a little bump where the back piece meets the shoulder seam. I did a make shift fix, I admit, wrongly, by just snipping away the excess and folding it under. In the end, I still ended up with a cute simple dress and something I've added to my warm weather wardrobe, (if the warm weather ever comes), and with less of a bump. Some things I'm looking forward too.... A new passion, thrift store scarves. My oh my, I could feel myself going overboard. The projects one could do with these dollar finds! I can't wait to start some scarf ...

Hello sunshine! Well that cute little runner I started has been completed and it came out delightful! It is smaller than I had anticipated but I guess it's okay considering I've never done blocks on a diagonal. Just take a look! I lined the back with pastel, pink satin. As I began folding it, I realized it would make a really cute bag! But for now, I kept it a mini runner:) And..... this other piece was screaming "finish me!" all the way from last year. So that's just what I did. Pretty cute, huh? It seems to brighten the kitchen table even though the views still consist of snow and cold, cold skies. I apologize for my lack of St. Patrick's day projects. I just haven't been feeling very 'green'. I am planning, however, to take a try at some Irish Soda Bread and will upload it to clementine & clove:) Until then, enjoy the changes Spring is to bring. Daylight savings time is Sunday, March 9th! Here'...

And the snow shall continue..... March 1st seemed to be a little tease from Mother Nature. Weather in the 40's and spurts of sunshine gave us a slight break, one that even made the buds on our peach tree look a tiny bit bigger. And from what I'm gathering from the blogs I follow, all you are going through quite the same thing. The truth, I really don't mind the snow. It's the cold polar vortex that's slowly doing me in. And according to the Farmers Almanac, it's not going away anytime soon. Do you know how they predict the weather patterns? By solar outbursts in the sun & the way that it reflects back to our earth, along with current weather movements. Pretty neat, huh? Maybe, just maybe, that statistical 20% of being wrong will kick in this Spring. Let's keep our fingers crossed! Until then, the living room window shall serve a delightful purpose for house plants on sunny mornings. So if it's still freeeeeezzing outside, what have we been do...