Sisters and Terrariums

Shrooms in a Jar

My sister Kelsey has been really interested in making terrariums for the past year and we finally made this dream a reality. Full disclosure, we have no idea how to ensure succulents stay alive, but after watching videos of experienced gardeners ripping these plants apart and shoving them into the soil - we suspect they are hardy.

The process of creating these fun little worlds was actually really simple, but requires a few supplies;

• Glass container you like
• Charcoal
• Potting soil mixed with sand
• Plants
• Figurines ( not optional - without them your terrarium is just a plant steaming up a glass container)
• Moss (Optional)

Kelsey's Rhino and Rock Cacti Terrarium

After layering the sand charcoal and potting soil (mixed with sand) we were ready to plant these cacti. Finally we added the pièce de résistance these gorgeous litte mushrooms which we created with FIMO baked and then painted. If we make them again (and we will) we would make the mushroom stems a bit longer to ensure they sit above the soil.
 

Pysanky

All things worth celebrating deserve at least one craft. Spring is no exception. In fact it deserves more than one craft but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I recently had a lovely evening with Rebecca, Katherine and Paul. The event was titled "Pysanky and Polenta". After chowing down on dinner (polenta attempt number one was a success) we got out the Pysanky supplies and got to work. To be clear, this was nobody's maiden voyage. The group gathered were all experienced in the art of Pysanky. A tradition that we didnt fully understand the importance of until Katherine's 2012 Wikipedia search.

To repeat, "The Hutsuls––Ukrainians who live in the Carpathian Mountains of western Ukraine––believe that the fate of the world depends upon the pysanka. As long as the egg decorating custom continues, the world will exist. If, for any reason, this custom is abandoned, evil––in the shape of a horrible serpent who is forever chained to a cliff–– will overrun the world. Each year the serpent sends out his minions to see how many pysanky have been created. If the number is low the serpent's chains are loosened and he is free to wander the earth causing havoc and destruction. If, on the other hand, the number of pysanky has increased, the chains are tightened and good triumphs over evil for yet another year."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pysanka

Needless to say, this craft is serious business. To begin a Pysanky adventure of your own we recommend Baba's Beeswax - great dyes and kits to get you started.  
http://www.babasbeeswax.com/