Sizzling Summer Stuff

Whew!  It has been HOT here in CT!  Here's what I've been up to this week.

I have had so much fun making these fast string flip and sew tray liners.  It makes eating on the couch to play Jeopardy so much easier!
 Here is mine:
Mr. Fun's tray:
 Hanna's:
They are also great to take to the beach for lap picnics.

Gardening Project:
We have been adding to the front garden since moving here 3 years ago.  It is one of the only spots we can get a shovel into the ground.

See that low black planter in the back of the border?
Surprise!  It is an up-cycled doggie pool.  Here is Rich drilling drainage holes after spray painting it.  (do it the other way around by the way to avoid scuffing the paint).  Also, if you  make one to sit on the ground, drill the holes around the bottom sides.
Find a nice spot and fill first with rocks and stones then garden soil and a top dressing of potting soil.  Here it is from INSIDE the house where I can see it best.
It is in this back shady area of the the front border outside of our laundry area in the back hall.  Brilliant?  I think so.
 Here is a view from the walkway.  You can see another planter that has been spray painted.  I love how the black matches the shutters.
Another view with my purple cone flower and purple butterfly bush.  This was all very sparse.  Now it has the messy, easy look I like.
We've had some real rascals around the deck garden.  I often wake up to a spilled hummingbird feeder.
 some little devil decided he didn't care which herbs were which.  Luckily I know.  I'm always surprised that chipmunks and squirrels don't eat these herbs.
Finally here is the Alice Payne block I'm quilting.  After this block I will have only 1 more then on to the borders.
I hope your summer days are long and easy in the US and that my friends in AUS are having a cozy peaceful winter.

xo