Random Updates

20 days in and only four prairie coneflower seeds germinated, but they are doing well.  3 of the 4 now have their first set of true leaves, and one is about a week behind the rest. Only one of the Gerber Daisy seeds has germinated, and none of the Rudbeckia or Blue Mist Spirea.  

 

 

 

I suspect if I had a heat mat it might make a difference; for now I've lifted the seed tray using books to get it as close to the grow lamps as possible.  I'm going to dig out another seed tray and repeat the plantings on Feb. 1st, investing in a heat mat for this round, and see if I get better germination.  I'm happy enough with three healthy prairie coneflowers; I paid $15 for the three plants I collected the seeds from that I planted in my new garden last fall, so I've doubled my investment in less than a year...if I can get these seedlings to survive until June, when they can be planted out.

 

In early autumn I had spied a Virgin's Bower vine in seed near a telephone pole, and I stopped to grab some of those seeds a few weeks ago.  I'll try germinating them, and if they take they'll be planted in my woodland garden.  There's another giant project on my plate - I really need to get in there and start cleaning up that area.

 

I've been working on my needle felting project a little at a time.  It no longer looks like some kind of Island of Dr. Moreau cast-off and is more bunny-ish.  

 I was at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed at this point.  My intention was to make a realistic looking rabbit, but it became more and more toy rabbit looking.  I decided to go with the more whimsical toy look and gave him exaggerated back feet.  Then I couldn't figure out what to do with his front feet.  I had planned to do a standing rabbit, and in that case they hold their front paws to their chest, hanging down in front.  No matter how I positioned him, he just didn't look right.  In the end I needle felted a carrot for him to clutch.

I'm waiting for some new specialty needles to arrive from the UK.  I'm hoping to make him look a bit more finished before I declare him officially completed.  He'll be part of the Easter display I'm making for my mother, along with the felted eggs I've done.  I have to say, it's an addictive hobby and I'm really enjoying it.