The Mint Needle

Hello friends!  I feel like it's been forever since my last post. I suppose some might even say I've been spending nearly all my time on the forefront of creative madness along with trying to continue healing. Holy smokes! Chemo and radiation will change a person forever. I'm continuing my healing journey, and staying hopeful that I'll remain in the 'clear' for a long time. It's odd, the way you feel, when everything you've gotten accustomed to: the running around, working day to day, rushing here and rushing there.... how quickly it changes when it's no longer a necessity. Yes, I am extremely thankful that my spouse supports and pushes for my healing time, omitting nurse life as it was, but like I told my girlfriend the other day, "how many craft projects can a girl possibly do?" ..... Well let me just tell you..... A LOT! Today's post will revisit some Instagram pics, (in case you don't follow along) with some of my most recent...

One of our favorite family soups: Stinging Nettle and Yellow Dock This deliciously simple and delicate soup is a wonderful way to grab so many important nutrients. Yellow Dock, a powerful, perennial herb, is known for clearing out bacterial and fungal infections in the body. It has great anti-inflammatory agents, that can help combat arthritis, dermatitis, rashes, and psoriasis.  It can be used in salads, soups, and teas. Stinging Nettle might sound a bit tougher. Packed in Vitamins A, B, C, and K, it also has many minerals important to sustaining good health. Inflammation, cancer, allergies, enlarged prostate, and elevated blood sugar are all fought when we consume Stinging Nettle.  Stinging Nettle has a very sharp burn if you touch it with your hands. Yes, you will feel it for hours. That's why I always snip mine using rubber gloves and little trimmers.  And.... while my rubber gloves are still on, my herbs will be w...

Happy fourth of July fellow crafters! It's hard to believe that half of the year has already gone by even though Summer has just arrived. In Ohio, we're battling humidity, lots of showers, and small gardens. No joke. But that's no reason to frown! I've been spending my good days sewing about and creating all those things I never had too much time for when I was a working gal. So.... take a look at my latest completion! Another Ogden Cami! Isn't that fabric the sweetest! It reminds me of summer nights as a child. Riding your bike till the sun set, catching fireflies in glass jars, and carnival cotton candy! It's no surprise that  Hawthorne Threads  named this collection Gumdrop! This rayon is so soft and drapey, perfect for summer wear! More Ogden Cami's are in the works. They're the perfect go to top whether you're wearing a skirt or jeans.  A beautiful rainbow after a storm. The front porch...

Who doesn't fall in love with the bath and body section of any store? I mean, even if you have no intention of making a purchase from that section, you will always find yourself sniffing about all those lovely fragrances.  And what's the most notorious smell for summer....the rose! I love roses so much and find myself continually picking and taking pics of all the roses we grow. I try breaking off the stems and restarting new plants. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  But the most hardy rose to grow, similarly comparable to 'weed' strength is the classic fuschia pink tea rose. In previous posts, like one here.. http://mintneedle.blogspot.com/2012/05/ .... you can even find a recipe on how to make rose tea jam & syrup! So... for today, we're heading the spa route and we're going to make the simplest rose  petal bath salts perfect for those late evening soaks! What you'll need: Rose petals....dried a coffee g...