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That’s Simple

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I am thinking about changing the furniture around here at chez Pepper Paints. So, if you wonder over one day and think I got rid of your favorite post, it probably just got moved to a new spot. I am fickle like that. With the change of seasons I change the furniture around in most rooms of my house. It drives my husband batty.

I had a revelation the other morning while out walking. I am NOT a simple person. And that is OK! I often ponder becoming a more simple person. I am sure it is an easier life, but it just isn’t in me.

I can usually spot a person that lives a simple life. You know those at the grocery that have a cart with only the items they will use in the next week. They don’t belong to food co-ops which buy in bulk, shop at several different grocery stores, or stock up in case of the bird flu or killer bees. They shop at the thrift store, but again buy only what they need, not every cute thing they find because it’s only a buck. There kids have a few precious toys that they actually play with, not toys in every room of the house. That’s just not me.

I love my stuff, my hand mirror collection, various rocks, shells and sea glass from all over the place. I love my marble collection, our stamps and coins. I love art supplies and other materials that most people consider junk. I see the possibilities in almost everything. I love other peoples cast offs. I rarely shop new and I love a good bargain. Flea markets and thrift stores make me coo! As does a pile on someones tree lawn.

I know those that live a more simple life, only bite off what they can chew. That concept right there would make my life more manageable. They don’t increase the size of their garden every year if they can’t tend to what they already have. They actually leave the library with only a book or two. They don’t try to jam pack every day to the fullest. They pace themselves and have a Zen way about them. And they don’t move all their furniture around every few months because they are bored. But again, that’s just not me.

Tomorrow, I will be going thrifting with some friends and I will find a few treasures that I want more than need and I will purchase them . And I will make more work for myself-more laundry, finding a place to keep these treasures. But that’s OK. Because it will make me happy. And I may just find the perfect thing to add to my kitchen I plan on rearranging on Saturday.

Shhh, don’t tell my husband.

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Extreme Makeovers

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Today when I walked down to the prairie there were at least 20 of these Goldfinches hanging off of the dead cone flower plants, picking the seeds off the tops of the flower heads.  They were so incredibly yellow, and shy.  Hence, the blurry photo.  I just couldn’t get a good shot. But thought I would share the best of the worst.

Molly cleaned out her stuffed animals.  She was parting with many but I took a few photos-could only get 1 to load- of a stuffed animal project our old homeschool co-op did last year.  This is fun with a group of kids or just 1 or 2.

We went to the thrift store and bought several stuffed animals.  Together we dismembered them and added the pieces to the pot in the middle.  Kids took turns choosing different parts and pieces and proceeded to give their stuffed animal body a new look!  They sewed different heads on or tails or arms and legs.

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More evidence of Spring.  I’m afraid if I blink I might miss it!

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Felting

Today as Molly pulled out the bag of felting goodies, I heaved a heavy sigh as my plan was to do some cleaning and not pulling more stuff out or making more of a mess. But of course I begrudgingly consented, sure that I was going to have to be involved in the project.

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As far as supplies you will need some roving (wool), a comb-preferably small toothed, 2 bowls, both with HOT water and one with soap, towel,a piece of foam, felting needle

First you need to comb out a small bit of the wool into a fluffy ball, Dip ball into hot soapy water and roll-think meatballs or earth balls.

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Dunk the ball in the clean water or rinse under running water squeezing out the suds and water squeeze in towel and let dry. Ginger made about 3 balls and was done. As I was putting her down for her nap Molly continued to work on her needle felted project. She didn’t want me to look until she was finished so I don’t have pictures of her process and actually I have not had the pleasure of needle felting so Molly is the expert here. According to her she wet felted some green wool into a pile not a ball.

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And then poked the needle in to it quickly, over and over again on the piece of foam. She took several more pieces of combed wool and needle felted that on to the green.

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When she was finished she had a purse for her American Girl Doll!

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This is a picture of necklaces Molly and I made at a class we took. After we made several wet felted balls we strung them on some ribbon and made these. The loose balls are Gingers that she made today.

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All in all there was very little mess and clean up was quick. There are tons of books on felting at the library and book stores and many great projects. Warning-rolling the balls and poking the wool is very therapeutic and relaxing!!

We have a very busy weekend ahead with soccer games and food co-op pick up, a few parties and a concert. Here is a nice start to the weekend:

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Holiday cards made by kids: all of the merriment, none of the mess.

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