Wild Over Lupines and Columbines

Although in 1895 the legislature adopted the Maine state flower as the White Pine Cone, if it came up for a vote my selection would have to be the Lupine. Since it grows wild here, there are fields and fields of this exquisite, colorful flower, even along the highways. It ranges in color from deep purple to white and stands up to 4 feet tall. There is no effort in growing these and no propagation needed. You can literally throw the seeds on the ground and soon you’ll see the seedlings appear. To get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to plant them IN the soil!


They bloom in late Spring, early summer and you can get 2 bloomings by cutting off the flower after the first has died. It likes full to partial sun and damp soil. Because they have long taproots, they are not suppose to transplant well but I have found that it is easily done when the plants are small.

That brings me to the Etsy shop for the day! Maine Simple is the name of the shop and they’ll send you the seeds and all the instructions you need to grow this fabulous plant. Before long you will be attracting butterflies and hummingbirds for your enjoyment. Think of how stunning these would look on either side of your driveway or along the front of your house. My suggestion would be to pick up some Columbine while you are shopping; they have those as well.

The Lupines and Columbines are self-seeding so you don’t have to do anything in the fall to bring them back fuller and thicker each year. One thing though, as with many Perennials don’t look for these long stalks of colors on your Lupines the first year. I promise you though, it will be worth the wait!

Stop by Maine Simple and enjoy a piece of the way life should be.

Dog Loving Bag Lady

My kids and husband call me the bag lady. I have bags in closets all over the house. I have leather bags, canvas bags, and wool bags; crochet bags, knit bags…You get the idea.
I also have 2 dogs; both rescue who are my constant companions.
I was on Etsy recently doing a search for yet another bag when I came across the Shop ‘Bee By The Sea, LTD’ Not only does she have bags, beautiful bags, she also has a line entitled ‘Pet Couture’. This includes charming fashions for your canine pal (just look at Charlie in his Sunday Coat!) she also creates high fashion collars, leashes and beds.

There’s more! For Charlie’s human friends Bee makes not only bags but also cozy blankets. These are wrap yourself in delight, and cozy up with your Hot Cocoa and good book blankets. Ah, what a great way to spend a cold Maine winter’s afternoon! For Charlie too, he has his own Bumble Bedzzz.

Now it is time to cozy down…

How to put a Bead Cap/Cone on your Bead Crochet

Every week I check my report page to see what keywords and phrases people are using to search. This week I came across one that was asking how to attach bead caps and bead cones to a crochet bracelet.
This is how I do it.
First I hide both my tails in my work with a large blunt needle. I use the blunts because they don’t catch the threads.
I then cut a 4" piece of wire…silver, cold, copper; whatever the color of the bead cap/cone is. Now, if I am using a cone I put the wire through the rope under the 2 row of beads until there is about 1 inch on the other side.
I bend the wire so the short and long ends of the wire are parallel. Then wrap you’re the short wire around the larger one. Slide on your cone and wrap.

Using a bead cap you would do it the same way except you would not put the wire through the rope. Instead you would pick of the center threads in the bead crochet.
I have lots more hints, tips, tricks and even tutorials on my website at Divella Delights

Cure for Dry Skin Woes

Peace through Pampering does it again!


For 3 months I have had this patch of skin on my leg that was so dry it actually bled and formed scars. Wearing jeans has been painful. I tried creams, lotions, and salves; medicated, non-medicated. You name it I probably tried it. And yes, I had upped my water intake as well.

I contacted Barbara at Peace through Pampering where I got that wonderful lip balm hoping she might have some suggestions. She sent me some lotion that she had whipped up for her husband as he has a skin condition with very dry skin.

I cannot believe that after only 3 days of using this creamy lotion, once in the morning after my shower, I am seeing massive improvement. The cracks and flakes are gone and the skin tone is even improving! It feels so much better I am stunned quite frankly. I can wear my jeans without them causing pain to my leg. It has the perfect consistency, more like a face cream density and a light fresh scent. I am hoping she comes out with a lemongrass scent, I’ll keep you posted!

At this point she uses no preservative but because of the nature of lotion if it is not used up it will turn so she is seeking a natural, healthy stabilizer. The containers are large, like her sugar scrubs and a little goes a long way but even so I don’t think it will last long around here!