The Grand Finale - Crystal Garden

I'm giving this an A for a fun project to do. Click on the picture to see how awesome they look up close.... they blossomed even more over night without anything else being added.

Day Three - Crystal Garden

I added the concoction to the crystals this morning and they are getting richer in color, growing thicker and taller, and starting to creep up the sides of the pie tin. When I do this again I'm going to eleminate the step for day 2 and just add the concoction each day. All I need now is some water and a snorkel and we could explore our own coral reef....

Day Two - Crystal Garden

I was so excited when I ran out into the kitchen this morning to see if the crystals were growing and found that they were. I added the 2 more Tablespoons of salt.... to be continued....

Day One - Crystal Garden

I have been racking my brain for new projects for Canyon and I to do on our visit the end of March. I ran across this concoction for a crystal garden. I thought I would test it out before I tell him we're going to do this really cool thing.

On Day One: Over pieces of charcoal pour 2 Tablespoons each of bluing (I found it at Smith's in the laundry area.... it is used in the rinse cycle to make clothes brighter), non iodized salt, water, and ammonia. Add drops of food coloring.

On Day Two: Add 2 more Tablespoons salt

On Day Three: Add 2 Tablespoons each of bluing, salt, water, and ammonia. Avoid pouring on crystal growth. Repeat Day 3 as needed to keep crystals growing.

Anybody who has any ideas for more science experiments or crafts to do feel free to tell me about them. I know there are some amazing mom, dad's and grandparents out there with some great ideas.....

OK, I've been a little distracted...

Or better yet a little obsessed... once I get interested in something I no longer know or care if the sky is falling..... if anyone is hungry or feeling neglected..... (truth they are probably relieved that I am occupied....) until I finally wear out of it or Annie and Ken totally rebel against eating anymore tomato soup and cheese sandwiches.... so I have come up for air, however my interest isn't waning...

I have made 5 bug quilts (check out the frogs and ladybugs escaping from their jars), 2 for "the boys" and 3 for Kathy's newly acquired grandkids..... I made 3 levi crazy quilts from David's levi's for Kyle, Diane and David's girlfriend..... I hand embroidered the feather stitch with #5 pearl cotton on the seams. It was a soothing kind of thing to do and hopefully a comforting something to keep David close by as he continues to be missed. Then Kim got me going on a pattern called Burgoyne Surrounded (with over 6,000 pieces in it) and I made two of them for Ryan and Alissa for their wedding next month. I'll post a picture of the entire quilts once I have given them away. And I've started a third one.... the smallest of the squares are 1/2" finished. I think I'm going to enter it in a few shows this year just for fun. I also made Kenzie a cute crayon bag and an Asian wall hanging for the house. And there you have it.... and that's all there is folks....

I have been busy getting Christmas ready before I had surgery on my hand, which happened last Thurs. Everything went well. I had the new age version of valium instead of the anesthesia and didn't have any side effects.... and it is wonderful to have the full use of my hand back.

I have made 9 quilts to give for Christmas, none of which I can post yet. The little skirt was made by one of my quilting friends for Mackenzie. I found this cute t-shirt that looks like it was made for it. Thanks Kathy for your generousity.

Will the real boss please stand up...

We, (Ken surprised me at the airport and came with me... I was so excited and totally surprised I jumped up and down like a kid at Christmas who got the new bike they wanted.... with as little time as we get to spend with the grandkids it is nice to be able to share it together.) We had a marvelous week with Miss Mackenzie who is always entertaining. She is really into figuring out who has the power in life and campaining for it to lean in her favor as much as possible.

Every morning we walked to a little gas station for a diet coke and she got to pick out a tootsie pop. On the 3rd day she announced she was boss of the lollipops, which translated into we will buy her as many as she can fit into her fist and eat them in sucession if she so desires.

One day she helped Grandpa Ken with some clean up chores (Ken is the boss of the cleaning at our house... which translates into he does most of it) She announced she was boss of the glass table in the living room, which translated into.... you will let me spray as much windex on it as I want to. However, she did a very nice job of polishing and arranging the items on the table. I was very impressed.

We also had fun making cookies. Yes, she was the boss of the cookies and I am a less controlling grandma than I was a mother. I let her hold the beaters by herself... roll the dough out by herself and let her put the decorations on any way she wanted. (no kids, she didn't have to count out 5 chocolate chips to make the mouth)

She also enjoyed stitching with me and I was amazed at how good she was at it. Had I known it would interest her, I would have made her, her own stitching kit. That will be something fun for us to do when she visits next time.

She was also cute with her tea set. She immediately set up tea and treats. The 2 dolls became her sisters... one day I could hear her telling them.... "Do you want to be a part of this family? If you do you will not wake up your sister anymore in the middle of the night. That is just rude and I won't have it anymore." She is a very no nonsense mother. Too funny.