Gardening, rug hooking in Albuquerque – what’s old is new again for us here in Albuquerque. At least for Tom and me.
First the gardening. In Massachusetts, planting didn’t happen till mid-May, even early June some years. Not here. Pansies started in late February, and this week we were at Lowes buying herbs and flowers. Today we started planting. Forget the garden bed in the middle of the yard or digging into the soil, though. Instead of dirt, our yard is basically hard-packed sand. So Tom did some – pardon the pun – digging online and came up with these contraptions on the left.
Given how dry it is here in the high desert, they’re supposed to help with watering too. Next week, we’ll pick up a large horse trough and tomato plants. Back east we used to do yard work on automatic pilot. Here it’s gardening 101 all over again.
Then there’s my newest rug, one I previewed a few weeks ago in the Experimenting post. I’m just finishing it up now – whip stitching, of course. (From last week’s post, you know how much I love doing that.) The fun thing about this mat is that it’s hooked completely out of bed sheets on a latch hook background. It came out nice and fluffy. Perfect, perhaps, for a bathroom. Already, I’ve been out collecting more sheets at my local Savers so I can start a new one.
I’m so excited to be giving new lives to old linens and clothes. Recycling, upcycling, whatever you choose to call it, keeps stuff out of landfills and looks pretty fine as well.
Many hookers have branched out to alternative fibers these days, if only to add texture and other layers of interest to their rugs. Please post pics of your experiments on High on Hooking’s Facebook page.
What a clever idea. We all have old linens. Would you use the latch hook backing again? Rug is pretty. Love the Guild rug, colors are striking.
I’m using the latch hook backing right now, Syl. I still have some left, so why not? Someone suggested using my monk’s cloth in order to pack it tighter, that then I might be able to wash them in the washer. I’ll try that eventually. BUt that kind of thing always scares me with any hooked rug. And we do have all kinds of used linens around, yes! I hit the jackpot at Savers Tuesday. This next rug will be a bit brighter, more colorful.
Friends have used the self watering planters and they worked wonderfully well. Tomatoes and basil galore. Last year I found smart bags. Worked very well here but you’d be watering every day.
Haven’t heard of the smart bags. We’re hoping that self-watering works, but assume that we’ll still have to water every day especially when it gets hot this summer. Faithful slaves to the tomatoes and basil…
Your rasied bed planters look interesting. Hope they work out! We just made a new raised bed in the back for (this year) primarily tomatoes. I haven’t planted them yet – the Master Gardeners say May 1 and we’re going away tomorrow! English peas are blooming and I have to thin the carrots. The romaine lettuce went crazy and we have been eating it and giving it away. It’s a fun time of year, isn’t it?
Ooh, we would’ve taken your romaine here, Deb. I can plant here now, though I did notice some snow up on the mountains just this afternoon. Only some rain here, which is very GOOD! Have a nice time away this weekend.