I’m so excited to pass on the knowledge of wire tree making to my eldest. She used a cut agate geode as the base, floral wire for the tree, and labradorite chip beads for the leaves. No glue was used on this piece at all; the wires wrap the stone.
Wire tree (photo credit to my eldest)
I haven’t made any of my own wire trees in awhile, mostly because they are a serious investment in time and space (totally worth it, but still). I have several ideas saved in my sketch book for the time I do delve back in. It was good to see my eldest engaged in the process, though. Making wire trees can be meditative, and is similar to bonsai training, but with no worry about forgetting to water.
Someone had a really great idea using a suet holder as a cage for fiber for birds to use in their nests. I bought two suet cages and filled one with scraps of wool fiber, and the other with washed alpaca.
Suet feeders used as fiber cages
The birds may utilize it, but I’m really putting it out for our squirrels. I have been strewing alpaca fiber across the branches and bark of the trees. This seems a much neater option.
Fiber filled suet cage near the squirrel feederAlpaca fiber filled suet cage
I’m hoping that by providing fiber the squirrels stop trying to shred my ropes. I think the natural fiber has been warmer and better for raising kits, as we have seen two young squirrels at the feeder this year.
After collecting the leaves I needed for my recipe (Thai Chicken Basil uses at least three cups of fresh basil), I took the branches that still had leaves out to the chickens. My chickens really like basil.
Hens tucking in to hanging basil
I shove the thick stems into a hole in their chicken swing, which holds it secure so the hens can rip off leaves.
Basil branches stripped bare
It doesn’t take long for the flock to strip off all the leaves!
The melon vines have produced a continuous harvest of ripe fruit, and the basil is growing nicely. I collected a ripe melon, and a large amount of basil! Since those are the only things I seem to be able to grow, that is all I planted this year. The new stock tank garden is doing better than the small multiple container garden from last year. The addition of the frog army (attracted by adding a standing water dish), has helped yields as well.
Melon and basil harvestSoldier of the Garden Brigade
It is done. My Grandma (according to her notes on her laminated pattern) started this project on 4/22/2006, then restarted it on 4/18/2013 (I’m not sure on the reason for the restart). I picked it up in January 2022 and finished it August 10, 2022. My Mom remembers the project sitting in Grandma’s room in the nursing home, so it was one of the last things she was working on before she passed in November of 2013. If I am reading her notes correctly, she made this particular pattern 10 times. She would write down the start date, the color, and sometimes for whom it was intended and the finish date. She finished one of the afghans in three months. She was a true knitter.
The pattern is by Mary Maxim, no. 8048 Cable Afghan. The yarn Grandma picked out was Mary Maxim Starlette 100% Acrylic 4 ply Knitting Worsted Weight Yarn. She used size 11US circular needles. I did change out needles to Prym circular needles, and I made a copy of the pattern rather than write on her pattern, but I used the same pencil she used, with a new eraser.
The blanket came out well, soft and stretchy. The finished measurements, without tassels, is 45 by 70 inches. The left over yarn is less than a quarter skein.
I should probably have some emotional comment here, something profound and inspiring. I don’t usually roll that way. I’m glad I was able to complete this project, and tie up loose ends.
Critters and Craft 