Veggies of the Week

Hierloom Brandywine tomatoes. Started from seeds in our basement back in March and transplanted. Still waiting for them to turn red.

Zuccini, so much zuccini I can't take it anymore! And delicious carrots. The carrots we planted seeds right in the ground -and to our surprise they actually grew.

Cooking beets last night. So strange looking on the stove top. These were from seeds planted directly in the ground. So many beets this year, SO pretty.

Maple Seeds

Since my Baltimore Magazine feature, I have had a few comissions and sales from the press. Total strangers have seeked out my etsy shop and have requested custom made items. SO COOL!

I finished these today copper and some sterling. Trying to keep the public happy. LOL

Before and After

Finished a chair today!

It feels SO good to get a piece done and ready to return to a customer. This one is going to the ladies at Shine.

Many of you may or may not know, but I have been reupholstering furniture for a living since 1998. I apprenticed with a woman for about 2 years and just went with it. I have done everything from outdoor cushions to museum quality restoration. Glad I picked up this skill because it has carried me through grad school and beyond. It compliments my sculpture background and diversifies my income.

So, if anyone out there ever needs something redone, and you are in the Baltimore area, you know who to call.;)

Exotics to Grow

One day when I was tool shopping at Harbor Freight in Parkville, I happened upon a gem of an aquarium store that happens to be located right next door to them. I found Exotic Aquatics , a supplier of really amazing specimen for the aquarium enthusiast.

Now, I must admit, I have always frequented pet stores just to check out the cool stuff in the tanks. I grew up with a variety of pets such as minnows, frogs, turtles, fish... I am a sucker for aquarium stores. But this one is amazing! Carrying marine and freshwater plants and animals, this place is truly unique. They have tanks and tanks of live corals that are propagated in house from imported specimens.

They even have a variety of crustaceans. Shrimp, hermit crabs, and my own fave (one of which came home w/ me on that first visit) the Rainbow Land Crab.

Meet Fruity the One Eyed Crab:

Part of the B.E.S.T!

"Our hearts swell with B'more pride whenever we log onto The Baltimore Etsy Street Team's site, baltimore-etsy.blogspot.com. This is a compilation of all the local designers and crafters who have pages on Etsy, the popular online marketplace. The talent is awe-inspiring. Some of our faves: TheBrokenPlate takes vintage and contemporary dinnerware and gives it new life as a necklace or a ring. And vwstudios, where images on clay are created using a process that includes photography, painting and printmaking."

Congrats to the founders of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team:

http://sweetpepitaclothing.blogspot.com/

http://www.littlestbean.com/

http://jennyjen42.blogspot.com/

http://www.curiouszoo.com/

And congrats to all the other motivated women involved on the team helping making it successful!

Fellow City Farmers

Had an awesome time visiting the many gardens of the Cylburn Arboretum. We attended the 21st Annual City Farms Dinner today. There were friendly competitions for the Best Veggies, Best Recipe, and Best Crazy Hat Contest. Awards were given out to deserving gardeners from City Farms and Community Gardens across Baltimore.

I'll definately be back to see the seasons change at this arboretum, so beautiful. A good place to explore for an afternoon, and a great selection of Japanese maple trees, too.

Biting the Bullet

This double lily is blooming in my backyard city garden this week. It has inspired me.

Ok, this is a new endevor, starting this blog. I know that this is a long time comming, but I am biting the bullet this morning. I'm taking the plunge into the blogsphere...

So here I go, headfirst into the Tigerlilly Patch, WEEEEeeeeeeeee!!!!