We stuck with the original idea but instead of using PVC we decided to go with galvanized steel pipe considering how the brutal sun really wreaks PVC in short order here in Texas.

The threaded ends were easy to assemble which is another plus! Inserting the emitters into the tubing was the most time consuming part. I put them 16 inches apart.

So exciting how well it works and how much hand watering it will save me now that there’s not much rain falling. Thinking another couple lines are in order for the melons, squash, and cucumbers!

E’s quilt is slow-going but enjoyable. While quilting, I’ve started watching various kid shows and movies on Netflix previewing things to check appropriateness. Cute show that I came across the other day was Shaun the Sheep. Not great for helping learn English with no dialogue but funny.

Anyway, just two blocks finished and some sashing. I am concerned about the blue water soluble markers but only use them on the ultra light spots where the white chalk doesn’t show. Never heard of anyone having trouble with the blue reappearing but still.

It’s hard to see the quilting in the photograph but below are my templates I resized from various sources. Nice contrast to the star blocks, you agree?

When you search for information about vellum on the internet it is a little hard to find much about how to frame animal skin vellum (aka parchment). I learned from Harvest last year that the last family owned parchment preparer left in the US is Pergamena. They offer many types and so far I’ve only tried their calfskin vellum which is amazing.

Anyway, I did some calling and emailing for information about framing a couple months ago because I wanted to make a piece for the San Antonio Calligraphers’ Guild show on vellum. I found out that Kurt Youngblood Framing in SA was a good place to go and asked them lots of questions before I started the piece. They told me that essentially it’s best to make a pocket for the vellum anchoring the corner with corners that look like photo corners. They told me I should have at least half and inch margin all the way around. The vellum would be sandwiched between two layers of matboard without using an adhesive just the corners to keep it in place. The pocket would allow the vellum to move a little as temperature and humidity changed. Also having two matboard layers between the piece and the vellum makes sure that any raised gold doesn’t touch the glass and adhere.
This is my finished piece framed by Kurt Youngblood and ready to hang at the exhibit. They did such a nice job and quickly too (a week!).

The live oaks have dropped their leaves and are blooming now. Soon the lovely green pollen that covers everything will come. A good reason to wash all the windows, porch, and outdoor furniture each spring though!

First is the various parts taped on some grid paper, usually with color…

…then traced the outline for transfering to the vellum with Seral paper…

…next vellum preparation with XXF dental pumice rubbed all over, about 15 minutes for this 5″x7″ piece, then dusted off…

…and lettering the words with black gouache…

…then applying Instacoll before the gold application…

… and laying the 23K gold leaf and shining it up…

…finally the painting with gouache and shell gold!

See the difference between the raised gold leaf (center of the flower) and the painted shell gold (stripe down each leaf)? And see the veins in the vellum?

Last year I planted the onions in mounds like experts (in Texas) suggest but I had a hard time keeping them watered through the drought. This year I decided to put them in my usual trenches but in a spiral shape for space efficiency and something different.

The Yellow Globe turnips were amazing producers this winter. You can see I have a few left in the ground that are looking a little warm. I’m thinking we can eat them up in the next couple of weeks as well as the few radishes.

The beets on the other hand are so slow growing! Still no bulbing but they appear to be growing faster (and leafier) in the warmer days.

Can you see the lone broccoli behind the sage? Found him amongst the hay (put down as a weed deterrent that breaks down and then can be tilled in to hopefully lighten up the soil someday) so moved him over to the edge and gave him some seaweed. All the rest of the broccoli and kohl rabi were ravaged by cut worms in the fall.

Beyond the rosemary against the fence is my strawberry experiment. I have 6 more in a couple pots by the house. Here in Texas strawberries are treated as annuals because of the extreme heat. We’ll see which do better, potted or in ground. Hoping for more strawberries than last year’s grand total of three. I don’t care for them myself but it would be nice to make some jam for J. This year’s variety are called Everbearing.

Planning on getting the potatoes in the ground early next week. It’s been so wet that we can’t till yet (clay soil) so I’ve been doing lots of shovel tilling (dry enough for that). Got white Kennebecs again this year. They did the best last year and were quite tasty.

Colors aren’t quite right in this photo but close enough. The orange envelope was a little deeper orange and the purple was not so blue. This is the last exchange I’ve signed up for for a bit.