Hi I swear I didn't die *sheepish grin*

heeeellllooo everyone, this will be the first post of a two part. The 2nd post will be about my Badger partial which I finished & wore today @ the local Badger Mt. Challenge race this morning!! More later, when I get some decent pics!!

  As for today, a couple of things. First, it's been rainy here in my hometown for most of this week & that means I'm constantly looking for mood music to fit the atmosphere. I happen to like rain quite a lot & so consequently...have a lot of music that fits that atmosphere...to me anyway. So without further ado, here is what I've been listening to most, it's a song by Bon Iver called Michicant. To me...this video looks exactly like it sounds...beautiful, of course it helps that it feautres, the woods, some awesome trees & rain...my favorite things. :) Enjoy. & be happy.

  And now for another favorite of mine, werewolves! I found out via a very good friend, that a wonderful independent film is being made...a wonderful film about, you guessed it, werewolves!! From what I understand, the project has been in the works for some time (roughly 2004-2005) & has ran into funding troubles because they decided to take their project outside the gates of Hollywood. Not only is this a non-traditional film, but the makers themselves are rather non-traditional. Attempting to please their intended audience, the director of the film has been gathering information & opinions to base his movie on, rather than just guessing @ what people should want to see. I find this not only refreshing, but inspiring & cannot wait to see this idea come to life! Here is the teaser Trailer & please check out The freeborn movie channel on youtube for more & progress on the film!! This monster movie is going to be beautiful! I even see (in some of the other videos) clips of a possibly fully lit transformation scene, which I have not seen (well done anyway) since American Werewolf in London. It looks amazing!! Please check it out & be sure to show your support in whatever way you can! Until the next post, stay wonderful. :) ~Anna

Springtime Fun - Microterrariums

Spring finally made an appearance here, today! It was literally snowing every weekday this past week, but today is sunny and lower fifties! It's gorgeous and full of happiness. Every spring, I always get hit with the gardening bug. Granted I don't have the best gardening track record, I have been better at it these past few years. Last summer, I grew a big sunflower, a bunch of morning glories, and snapdragons. They all thrived and were so much fun!

On Friday this week, I was browsing through Michael's on a trip for mortarboard decorating supplies (hooray graduation!) and I stumbled upon these cute microterrariums:

There were all sorts of plants in the bin (in the kids' stuff section). I had to stop myself from buying these two and the pine tree, the cactus assortment, the herbs assortment, and the mint plant. That would be too many, I think. But aren't they awesome!? 

So on this sunny day in Pullman, I spent my early afternoon applying the second and final coat of poly on that box that I've shown you and getting these little terrariums on their way to having little sprouts! :) 

Soil disk + ~2 Tbs of water

The soil disk grows!

The seeds! Left: butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii) seeds. Right: Brain plant (Celosia amigo) seeds.

Left: The brain plant seeds in the soil. Right: My microterrariums (complete with labels)!

Hope the sun is shining where you are! 

Have some fun in the sun and get your spring projects rolling. 

Have a great week. 

- Jenny - 

04.26.2013: 

Hey all! I have finally written an update on these plants. If you're interested in seeing how they turned out, check out the Update: Microterrariums post. :)

DIY: Succulents Lantern Terrarium

There are many exciting new developments going on in my creative life & it's really exciting! I'm finishing up the woodburning project, and I have just made myself a succulents arrangement!

I don't know if you've seen it around the web lately, but there has been a boom in the interest in succulents and terrariums. I personally am glad for it; I love these cute plants and adore having plants in my life. They add a little life to your everyday decor - They make me smile! That's a good enough reason to have 'em around, right??

Anyway! Inspired by these little plants, I made myself a succulents lantern! Here's how I did it - It's quick, easy, and awesome. Enjoy!
- Jenny -

01.16.2013:
Hello, friends!
My succulents have changed quite a bit since this post about the lantern terrarium! I have moved them from the lantern and they're doing great! Check them out in the Update: Succulents post!
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First, what you'll need:

• A container for your plants. I used a small glass cylinder that I found at Walmart (affordable!)
• A lantern in which the container can fit (only needed if you want to keep them in a lantern, haha). I got mine at Hobby Lobby with Anna!
• A few small succulents. I used three 2" plants. 
• Rocks/pebbles
• Cactus mix potting soil
• Floral moss

For more information regarding succulent soil and all other matters on succulents, this is a great resource.

Here are pictures of my supplies:

Steps:
1. Put some rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the container. I made a layer about an inch thick. This will allow the water in the soil to drain, which is important for your plants' health.

2. Add a layer of potting soil on top of the rocks, pressing on the soil to pack it a bit - not too firmly, just so it's not really loose.

3. Next, arrange your plants in the container like you would any other plant into a pot. Be sure to supplement more soil where needed to secure them in the container. 

4. Water the plants and be sure to watch an see if the soil moves when it is watered. Be sure not to over-water as well. Remember, succulents are water-retaining plants and are adapted to living with less water than most plants. 

Here's what my arrangement looked like at this point: 

5. Next, cover exposed soil with pieces of the floral moss. This is optional, really. I just think it gives it a nice finished look. 

6. And finally, to make this a "Succulent Lantern," insert your arrangement into your lantern! Of course, the arrangement would look great on its own, especially if you have a particularly beautiful container/planter. I have seen gorgeous arrangements in milk glass (the milky white looks stunning with the greens of the plants). But, I was smitten with this lantern and the idea of having a little lantern terrarium! 

Here it is all finished!