Squirreled away with my prized collection of family treasures is a small, 80-year-old, poesie (poetry) album.  The album was given to a little girl named Cornelia van Dieren to mark her tenth birthday.
80-Year-Old Poesie Album Amongst Family Treasures   @FanningSparks
The good-natured, 10-year-old girl, affectionately called Corrie, carefully shepherded her album through the hands of all the people that were important to her—including her father, her mother, her 8 sisters, her 4 brothers, her nieces, nephews, classmates and friends.  Each one of those people took the time to write a thoughtful verse and record their best wishes.  It is like a multi-faceted snapshot of her life.
Here’s a rare photo of the van Dieren family taken on the occasion of the parents’ 25th wedding anniversary.  Corrie, standing on the far right, had just turned 10.
Corrie in van Dieren Family Photo   @FanningSparks
The first page of Corrie’s album serves to introduce the owner.  It is dated 19 Maart 1941 in Moordrecht.  Moordrecht is a small town in South Holland, the Netherlands.  Corrie was born and raised on the family farm which looked like this about 70 years later.
van Dieren Homestead in Moordrecht circa 2010   @FanningSparks
Here’s Corrie’s introduction.
Introductory Page in Corrie van Dieren’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
The word-for-word translation is:
“This album belongs to me
As long as I have life.
Cornelia is my name,
By elders given.
van Dieren is mine because
That is my father’s tribe.
Moordrecht is the place
Where I came into the world.”
The next entry was by Corrie’s father.  He followed the custom of emphasizing family ties and religious piety.  It is followed by this message from Corrie’s mother.
Mother van Dieren’s Entry in Corrie’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
The word-for-word translation of her Mother’s entry is:
“Dear Corrie
It’s not always in this life
warm sunshine.
No, there can be dark days
in our lives.
But whatever your share may be
joy or sorrow,
think of me and our love
and forget me not.
In memory of your loving Mother.”
The next entries are written by Corrie’s sisters—all in birth order.  Most entries are embellished with colorful stickers of flowers, birds and kittens.  These stickers, I’ve learned, were called scrap pictures or die cuts and sold in sheets.  Here are a couple of examples.
Green Car Filled with Red Roses Die Cut from Corrie van Dieren’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
Full Basket of Flowers Die Cut from Corrie van Dieren’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
The entry with the most lavish embellishment was crafted by Corrie’s sister, Stien.  It features a blue silk ribbon woven through the page into a charming wreath.
Woven Ribbon Wreath Embellishment and Message from Stien   @FanningSparks
It’s obvious the authors took time and care with their entries.  In addition to meaningful messages and pretty embellishments, their penmanship is outstanding.  Here’s an example.
Outstanding Penmanship from Corrie van Dieren’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
Even young authors, such as Corrie’s youngest sister, Paulien, entered beautifully crafted messages.
Entry from Sister Paulien in Corrie van Dieren’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
Translated word-for-word, the verse reads:
“Roses wilt
Flowers perish
The love of us
Will last forever.”
This author, Marry de Jong (Corrie’s niece I believe), took the time to create a particularly lovely entry.
Entry from Marry de Jong in Corrie van Dieren’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
Corrie collected entries, a total of 49 messages, until 1953.  That’s really quite a feat considering the circumstances.  The poetry album was presented to Corrie in 1941 which was two years after World War II started and during the German occupation of the Netherlands.  She collected entries throughout the War and beyond.
Poetry albums, like Corrie’s, have an interesting history.  It is believed they originated from the German and Dutch speaking areas of Europe where they were known as an album amicorum (book of friends) or stammbuch (friendship book).  The first known stammbuch dates back to 1545.  Originally, it was “fashionable among graduating university students to have one’s personal bible signed by classmates and instructors. Soon inscriptions went beyond simple signatures to include reminiscences of common experiences, good wishes for the future, or a favorite passage from literature or poetry. Publishers foreseeing a lucrative market printed bibles with empty pages and soon also turned out small decorated books with only empty pages.” reports Antje Petty from the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies.  She goes on to explain that over time, the practice shifted to young girls using what is now commonly known as an autograph book.  Petty notes that although these albums were once dismissed as trivial, they have been re-discovered as a great source of historical insight providing unique perspective of life at the time.
Collage of Salutations from Corrie van Dieren’s Poesie Album   @FanningSparks
Back to the heroine of our story.  In 1955, shortly after marrying the boy next door, Corrie sailed across the ocean with her new husband and immigrated to Canada.  They settled on a dairy farm in Nova Scotia and had a family.  As you may have guessed by now, Corrie was my mother.  Sadly, she passed away this week.  My Mom wouldn’t have appreciated a public tribute nor would she have approved of a showy display of affection so I’ll simply say… she is loved and she will be missed.

More Info

I credit my Mother for instilling my love of “making things”.  You can read more about it on the FanningSparks About page.  Her specialty was hand knit socks which the family affectionately called “Oma Socks”.  I shared this story in the post Socks by Mom.
You can learn more about the history of autograph books in the article From Album Amicorum to Autograph Book by Antje Petty, Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Cheers,
Peg - FanningSparks Author

If you like home renovation shows, this post is for you!  It has all the key ingredients… an outdated house, a complete gut job, extensive renovations, structural challenges and a total transformation!
It all started with this neglected bird feeder which I’d stuffed in amongst the old flower pots.
Broken Bird Feeder Amongst Plant Pots   @FanningSparks
Upon closer inspection, I determined it wasn’t a complete teardown—this old bird feeder could be converted into a modern, triplex birdhouse.  The overall structure was sound and it had good bones.  Plus that weathered copper roof was an architectural feature worth saving.
Old Copper-Roofed Birdfeeder   @FanningSparks
It was, however, a real fixer-upper!  The existing interior had to be demolished.  It needed some major structural work including new exterior walls, new doors (well… round openings), new flooring, and a new ceiling.  It also needed a new interior design to convert it from one large, open floor plan into 3 individual units. The exterior needed some attention to give it curb appeal.  This was a major renovation!  (Yes, I may be watching too much HGTV!  I am, in fact, hooked on Home Town with Ben and Erin Napier.)
Let’s get started.  I eliminated the interior seed tube and holder, the outside pillars and the exterior copper band.  With all these elements out of the way, it was time to start rebuilding.  Here’s a look at the beautiful, new wood floor.  In true Home Town fashion, I used lumber left over from another project.  The new floor is made out of cedar fence picket scraps from the Strawberry Tower Planter I made earlier this year.
Old and New Floor – For Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
This next photo, taken from underneath the house, shows the new walls.  The outside has 6 sides—3 with round openings.  The inside has new interior walls as well as a new ceiling.  One of the exterior wall pillars was repurposed as a center column to anchor the interior walls.
Bottom View – From Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
The plan was to cover the exterior in trencadis mosaic.  I’ve wanted to try this technique ever since visiting Park Güell in Barcelona.  Regular readers may recall, this mosaicist’s dream of a Park and the trencadis technique from a previous post Gaudí’s Trencadis Mosaics.  Trencadis, which is also called pique assiette (or picassiette), crazy paving, or simply “broken china mosaic”, is a style of mosaic made with broken china and tiles.
The biggest question was how to construct the exterior walls so they could be covered with a broken china mosaic and survive out-of-doors.  It was tempting to simply make the walls from plywood but I knew the mosaic would be short-lived if I did.  The extremes of water and temperature cause wood to expand and contract but mosaics, which are set in mortar and sealed with grout, have no give.  The resulting tension would likely cause the structure to crack or the mosaic pieces to pop off.
After some online research, I decided to construct the exterior walls from wedi® building board.  This product is actually designed for building bathrooms (see More Info below for the details).  Working with wedi board isn’t difficult.  It can easily be cut with a jigsaw or box cutters although it will quickly blunt the blades.  Proper safety precautions, including wearing a respirator and safety glasses, are necessary due to the harmful particles in the wedi coating.
After cutting the wedi board to size, the cut edges need to be sealed.  It’s a two-step process.  Start by wrapping the cut edges with an alkaline resistant mesh tape such as Fibatape which is typically used for dry wall repair.
Wrap Wedi Board Edges with Fibatape – For Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
Next apply a thin layer of thinset mortar over the tape to seal the edges.
Coat Wedi Board Edges with Thinset Mortar Coat – For Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
After the exterior wall sections dried, I donned my respirator again and gave them a light sanding.  I used construction adhesive (exterior grade Liquid Nails) along the top edge to secure the wall sections to the outside frame.  Then I taped the edges between the sections and covered the seams with thinset mortar.  Finally all the new structural elements were in place.  It was almost time to “bring in the pretty” as my hero Erin Napier would say.  But first, a little more demolition was required.
There was china to break!  After trying a few different methods, I settled on the technique described below.  Here are my top tips for breaking china for mosaics:
Take Safety Precautions  Wear gloves and safety glasses.
Use China Dinner Plates  Collect inexpensive, colorful plates from thrift stores and flea markets.  Dinner plates, as opposed to saucers, mugs or other vessels, provide the most flat pieces.  It isn’t an exact science but, as a rule of thumb, a 10” dinner plate yields about 12” x 11” coverage.  China plates were easier to break than stoneware.  Select different colors and patterns to provide some design options.
Collect Various China Dinner Plates – For Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
Work in a Box  Use a flat cardboard box about twice the size of a dinner plate.  Tape up the box flaps on 3 sides to create a small, 3-sided booth.  Place the plate inside the box working over the unbound box flap.  The cardboard walls prevent shards from flying around and the bottom of the box collects the bits and pieces.
Use Tile Nippers  The ideal tool for this task is a pair of two-wheeled tile nippers.  To use them, place the nippers at the very edge of the plate where the break should start.  Then squeeze the nippers—hard.  The nippers will nick the plate’s surface and cause it to crack across the entire surface.  With any luck, it will break as planned.  But be prepared—cuts don’t always go as planned—there are many unpredictable factors that impact the break such as the thickness of the plate, the pottery material, and the structure of the plate’s foot ring.
Break China Plate with Two-Wheeled Tile Nippers – For Broken China Birdhouse @FanningSparks
Tape Designs  China plates may have designs or motifs that would look nice reassembled on the finished piece.  To keep these pieces intact, cover the section with clear packing tape before breaking that section.
Cover Plate Design with Clear Tape – For Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
Cut Down  To date, most of my mosaics have been made with 3/4” or 5/16” square glass tiles or custom-cut stained glass (See Pair of Mosaic Mirrors CompletedDIY Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder Tutorial, My Mandala-Inspired Oval Design, and Serving Up My OOAK Mosaic Tray).  But it’s simply not possible to break china plates into nice, neat ¾” squares.  The china pieces will vary in size and shape.  Continue to break down the china plate with the two-wheeled tile nippers until they’re about 1½ – 2” in size.  I found it best to do my final cutting when I laid out the design.
Spread Out Tesserae  It’s most efficient to spread out all the tesserae (ie the small pieces used in mosaic work) on a flat surface.  This is the same idea as laying out all the pieces for a jigsaw puzzle—it’s easier to fit everything together when all the pieces are visible.  The flat lids from plastic storage tubs worked well for this setup.
Spread Out Tesserae – From Broken China Birdhouse  @FanningSparks
Create Design  Draw a paper template of the surfaces to be covered and place on the working surface.  Then just like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, select tesserae to fill the spaces.  Unlike a jigsaw puzzle, though, the pieces can be adjusted to fit with the two-wheeled tile nippers.
Plan Tesserae Placement – From Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
Embrace Irregularity  This is probably a good time to point out that the tesserae won’t, and shouldn’t, fit together perfectly.  The irregularity ensures a good grout gap and makes the overall piece visually interesting.  The imperfect perfection of broken china mosaic is what makes it beautiful.  I readily admit that it’s a challenge for me to deliberately make something imperfect!
The next steps are the same as for most mosaic projects.  Thinset mortar is used to attach the mosaic pieces to the surface.  Then grout is used to fill in the gaps.
Use Thinset Mortar to Attach Tesserae – From Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
There was one more architectural detail to address before the new birdhouse was finished.  This curtain rod finial, painted white, was the perfect topper for the copper roof.
White Finial on Copper Roof of New Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
And now for the big reveal!  Here’s the new, modern triplex birdhouse in all its glory!
Blue Door on New Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
Three colorful doors and windows, in red, green and blue broken china, enhance the exterior.
Red, Green and Blue Doors in New Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
Here’s a closer look at a few of the details.
Green Window in New Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks

Red Window in New Broken China Birdhouse   @FanningSparks
This new birdhouse will be installed in our front yard.  I had the mounting post ready but then, at the last minute, decided to enhance the post with a few bands of broken china.  So the new homeowners will have to wait a little longer!
Planning Tesserae Placement for Broken China Birdhouse Mounting Post   @FanningSparks

More Info

Please share this image or pin for future reference.
From Broken Old Bird Feeder to Posh New Birdhouse pin   @FanningSparks
Making mosaics is one of my favorite crafts.  Check out these FanningSparks’ posts for other mosaic projects Pair of Mosaic Mirrors CompletedDIY Turkish Mosaic Candle Holder Tutorial, My Mandala-Inspired Oval Design, and Serving Up My OOAK Mosaic Tray.  You may also like the post  Learning from the Ancient Masters and Gaudí’s Trencadis Mosaics.
Check out my Pinterest board, Mosaic Artwork – FanningSparks Favs, for over 235 inspiring pins.
If you’re not yet a Ben and Erin fan, check out HGTV Home Town on their website.
The wedi® building board I used in this project is made by a German company of the same name.  You can learn more on the wedi® website.  As mentioned above this product is designed for bathrooms. It was a bit of a challenge to actually find wedi® building board—it’s sold in large sheets so it’s not a simple, online purchase.  I found it at The Tile Shop in Buford, Georgia.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Find beauty in existing structures and objects.
2. Consider re-purposing or re-using materials for your next project.
3. Add personality and fun with broken china mosaics.
Peg - FanningSparks Author

Peach season is just coming to a close here in the Peach State.  Peaches, along with pecans, peanuts, paper and poultry are sometimes referred to as the 5 “P”s of Georgia agriculture.  Peaches are a big deal in Georgia!
Peach orchards are a common sight along the country roads of southern Georgia.  I recently had the opportunity to visit one of these orchards.  Southern Belle Farm is a family-owned, working farm.  At its peak, the Farm included 375 acres of land and 350 Holstein dairy cows.  Then the owners decided to switch from dairy to beef and focus on agritourism.
Southern Belle Farm Entrance Sign   @FanningSparks
Southern Belle Farm has evolved into a multi-faceted attraction.  The U-pick/fresh produce operation offers strawberries in the spring; peaches, blueberries, blackberries and flowers in the summer; pumpkins and corn in the fall; and Christmas trees in the winter.  There are special event facilities and fun activities including an animal barn with chickens, rabbits, donkeys and goats.
White Adult Goat  @FanningSparks
The goats were highly entertaining but the peach orchards were the main draw.  The rich green peach trees were loaded with beautiful ripe fruit.  The peaches were in various stages of ripeness and the colors ranged from soft yellow to deep orange-red.  They were literally “ripe for the picking”.
Abundance of Peaches on Trees   @FanningSparks
Quite a few peaches had fallen to the ground resulting in a noticeably sweet aroma in the air.
Fallen Peaches in Orchard  @FanningSparks
The peach orchards at Southern Belle Farm are a feast for the senses.  Beautiful country views and sunset-colored fruit; delicious, juicy sweetness; pervasive sugary aroma; soft fuzzy surfaces; and…
Two Peaches on Tree Branch   @FanningSparks
… insistent bird song.  Well… it may have been more of an alarm than a song!  A pair of Brown Thrashers (Toxostoma rufum) were making lots of noise in their efforts to protect a nearby nest.  Interestingly, the Brown Thrasher is known for its ability to mimic the sounds of other birds and is reported to have the largest song repertoire (ie over 1,000) of any North American bird.
Brown Thrasher in Peach Tree   @FanningSparks
It was a pleasure to wander amongst the trees selecting one perfect peach after another.
Partial Basket of Peaches   @FanningSparks
In no time, my basket was full and I’d picked a half-peck.
Full Basket of Peaches   @FanningSparks
I didn’t take much notice of the peach varieties as I picked.  But I’ve since learned there are 3 types of peaches: clingstone, freestone and semifreestone.  Clingstone peaches have pits that cling to the flesh of the peach.  They are typically smaller, sweeter and earlier in the season.  Freestone peaches have pits that separate easily from the flesh.  They are typically larger, juicier and later in the season.  Semifreestone peaches are somewhere in between with pits that start out clinging but separate easily once ripe.  The sweet, delicious peaches I picked were freestone.
Freestone Peach Cut in Two   @FanningSparks
Within those categories, there are a number of different cultivars such as Gala, Majestic, Red Globe and Loring.  Peach varieties were identified throughout the orchard as were the pre-picked baskets in the Farm’s Country Market.
Scarlet Prince Peaches in Country Store   @FanningSparks
Despite Georgia’s obsession with peaches, this stone fruit isn’t native to the region or even to North America.  The peach tree (Prunus persica) originated in Northwest China and was introduced to Georgia’s coast by Franciscan monks in 1571.  Surprisingly, the peach rose from this humble beginning to sponsor an economic boom.  A number of enterprising individuals played important roles in this fascinating transformation but Samuel Henry Rumph may just be the most famous.  According to the Georgia Peach Council, “Rumph, a middle Georgia peach grower during the late 1800’s, is credited with being the “Father of the Georgia Peach industry” as he revolutionized the industry with a new variety which he named after his wife Elberta. This yellow-fleshed peach was of superior quality and shipped better than previous varieties. Not only did he breed this superior variety but he also invented a way to ice train cars loaded with peaches, thus getting this “Queen of Fruits” into the populous Northeast.  Rumph never patented his Elberta peach or the refrigerated train car. Instead he opted to share this windfall with his neighbors and the “Georgia Peach Boom” began.”
The heyday of the Georgia Peach Boom was between 1870–1930.  I recently came across a vintage label at a local antique shop which coincides with that timeline.  It is a vibrantly-colored crate label for Dixiana Georgia Peaches circa 1930.
Dixiana Georgia Peaches Crate Label   @FanningSparks
These days, California and South Carolina produce far more peaches than Georgia but peaches remain a big part of the state’s identity.  The Georgia Peach Council proudly boasts “After all, you can’t feed your children VOLUME of peaches. You feed your children sweet, flavorful Georgia peaches. Quality and sweet flavor is all that matters. Sweet Georgia peaches give you both… every day, every peach.”  The Council attributes this unique flavor to “our searing hot nights and intense high humidity [which] allow our peaches to produce sweet Georgia sugar all day AND night. Most other growing regions cool down at night and the peaches take a break from producing sugar.”
The Farm’s Country Market is packed with fresh picked produce, baked goods and local food items.
Baskets of Peaches in Country Store   @FanningSparks
There are a number of peach products including a few surprises like the Mayhaw Peach Jelly pictured below.  Mayhaw berries, as a nearby sign explained, “look very much like cranberries or small crabapples [in the wild].  They vary in taste, but the berries are usually fruity and tart.  Most would say they’re far too tart to eat straight from the tree—and that’s where the jelly comes in.”
Jars of Mayhaw Peach Jelly   @FanningSparks
There was also fresh peach ice cream!  Yum!  Unfortunately, I wasn’t nearly fast enough to style and shoot my ice cream before the Georgia sun turned it into a sticky, albeit delicious, hot mess!
Dish of Melted Peach Ice Cream   @FanningSparks

More Info

Southern Belle Farm is located in McDonough, Georgia.  You can learn more about this fun destination on their website or Facebook page.
Georgia Grown provides a convenient list of peach orchards, farms and farmers markets on their website.
The Georgia Peach Council says “They don’t call us the “Peach” state for nothing!”.  Check out what else they have to say on their website.
You may also enjoy the post, Blueberry Zaniness, about a visit to a local blueberry U-pick operation.

Today’s Takeaways

1. U-Pick orchards and farms are a fun, summertime destination.
2. The history behind a crop or product, unique to your region, can be fascinating.
3. Consider learning about and supporting your local agritourism businesses.
Peg - FanningSparks Author

It’s astonishing how something as unremarkable as a spider’s web can be transformed by morning dew.  Suddenly, the ordinary becomes extraordinary!
Scalloped Spider Web with Dew on Green   @FanningSparks

Dew on Spider Web on Grey to Left   @FanningSparks
Dew on Spider Web on Grey at Center   @FanningSparks
I’m not the only one intrigued by spider webs.  Spiders and their webs have been the subject of considerable scientific research.  “One of the biology’s best ‘manufacturing engineers’ with an incredibly effective material-fabrication capability is the spider. It fabricates its web to make a very strong, insoluble, continuous lightweight fiber, and the produced web is resistant to rain, wind and sunlight. It is made of very fine fibers that are barely visible, allowing it to serve its function as an insect trap. The web can carry a significant amount of water droplets from fog, dew or rain. Just in time the spider generates its fiber while hanging on to it as it emerges cured and flawless from its body… The spider has sufficient supply of raw materials for its silk to span the web over great distances relative to its body.” states the Institute of Physics (IOP) Science article Biomimetics – Using Nature to Inspire Human Innovation.  The article goes on to describe specific breakthroughs in nanotechnology inspired by the spider.
Pictured below is a Golden Silk Spider (Trichonephila clavipes) which I spotted in our garden.  These spiders are known for the golden color of their silk.  They construct large, asymmetrical circular webs and are considered excellent web-builders.  According to Wikipedia “T. clavipes is a well-studied species with a high recognized value to humans because of their usefulness in spider silk research. …  the silk of T. clavipes has the potential to aid in surgeries involving the nervous system.

Of course, spiders build webs to trap and catch insects to eat.  It looks like this dragonfly is about to be someone’s dinner!
Dragonfly Caught in Spider Web   @FanningSparks
The IOPScience article also notes: “The fishing net can be viewed as another imitation of nature that most likely resulted from humans observing the spider using its web to catch flies… Both the spider web and the fishing net have structural similarities and the same function of trapping passing-by creatures.”
The similarity to a spider’s web is most apparent when examining what-appears-to-be a handmade fishing net.
Fishing Nets at Angeiras Sea House   @FanningSparks
This fishing net was spotted at the Casas de Mar de Angeiras (Angeiras Sea Houses) in Matosinhos, Portugal.  This historic site showcases the structures and equipment used in agricultural-maritime activities in this region until the beginning of the 20th century.
Angeiras Sea House in Matosinhos Portugal   @FanningSparks
It stands to reason that the making of nets, or netting fabric, would be a valued skill passed down through the generations.  According to the 1884 Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont, “Netting is a handicraft, so ancient that it would be difficult to trace it to its origin… There is evidence to show that the making of nets for fishing and game catching was as familiar to the earlier races of mankind as it is to us.”  Fiber strands were hand-knotted at each point of intersection to create secure, independent loops in a diamond pattern.  The resulting mesh didn’t slip, spread or distort making it ideal for fishing nets.
Eventually, and this is the part that intrigues me, craftspeople started to enhance and embellish the netting.  The author tells us: “Practised in the first instance for the wants of life, it by degrees developed into an art”.   I assume craftspeople improved their techniques and refined their tools.  These diagrams illustrate the positioning of the hands and tools for netting.
Diagrams of Holding Netting Tools   @FanningSparks
Sources of the above diagrams: #1 Fig 303 Netting from Beeton’s Book of Needlework; #2 Fig 614 First Position of the Hands Encyclopedia of Needlework
Craftspeople also developed variations on the basic diamond stitch by introducing round and square shaped stitches; skipping, increasing and decreasing the number of stitches to develop patterns; varying the size of the stitches, and so on.  These sketches illustrate the progression from a section of simple round netting to a complex pattern of diagonal netting with crossed loops.
Diagrams of Netting Stitches   @FanningSparks
Sources of the above diagrams: #1 Fig 305 Round Netting Beeton’s Book of Needlework; #2 Fig 620 Netting Composed of Plain, Double and Oblong Loops Encyclopedia of Needlework; #3 Fig 308 English Netting Beeton’s Book of Needlework; #4 Fig 617 Patterns Produced in Netting by Increasing and Decreasing Encyclopedia of Needlework; #5 Fig 621 Circular Netting Composed of Long and Short Loops Encyclopedia of Needlework; #6 Fig 633 Netted Fringe Encyclopedia of Needlework; #7 Fig 632 Working Detail of Diagonal Netting with Crossed Loops Encyclopedia of Needlework; #8 Fig 631 Diagonal Netting with Crossed Loops Encyclopedia of Needlework.
It’s a fascinating transformation—from humble fishing net to fine art netting needlework!  There’s no way of knowing for sure, but it’s not hard to imagine, that netting also evolved into other fine needlework skills.  For instance, there’s a noticeable similarity to macramé, crochet and bobbin lace.  The below photo shows a piece of bobbin lace being made; multiple strands of thread are being knotted into an intricate pattern.  You can learn more about the splendid art of bobbin lace in my blog post Tied In Knots in Portugal.
Bobbin Lace In Progress at Museu das Rendas de Bilros in Vila do Conde, Portugal. @FanningSparks
In summary, the spider and its web, have inspired many innovations in both science and art.

More Info

The article, Biomimetics-Using Nature to Inspire Human Innovation,  by Yoseph Bar-Cohen and published 27 April 2006 by IOP (Institute of Physics) Publishing, is accessible via this IOPScience link.
I wasn’t able to find much information online regarding the Angeiras Sea Houses but there is a brief mention on the Turismo do Porto and Norte de Portugal website.
The Encyclopedia of Needlework by Thérèse de Dillmont (1846-1890), published in 1884, is a classic reference book one can turn to for time-tested information.  The Encyclopedia of Needlework is available online in its entirety.  The book has 16 chapters including Sewing, Mending, Single and Cut Open Work, Net and Damask Stitches, White Embroidery, Flat and Gold Stitch Embroidery, Tapestry and Line Embroidery, Knitting, Crochet, Tatting, Netting, Irish Lace, Laces of Different Kinds, Miscellaneous Fancy Work, and Practical Directions.
Beeton’s Book of Needlework, by Mrs. Isabella Mary Beeton (1836 – 1865), published in 1870, is a classic reference book for all crafters, beginners and experienced alike. Beeton’s Book of Needlework is available online in its entirety.  The book includes instructions in Tatting, Embroider, Crochet, Knitting and Netting, Berlin Wool Work, Point Lace and Guipure d’Art.
I learned about bobbin lace while visiting Vila do Conde in northern Portugal.  Learn about my visit to the Museu das Rendas de Bilros (Museum of Bobbin Lace) in my blog post Tied In Knots in Portugal.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Consider how Mother Nature turns the ordinary into the extraordinary.
2. Biology stimulates research in non-biological science and technology in the same way nature often inspires the world of art,
3. Netting is an ancient handicraft which originates from the making of fishing nets.
Peg - FanningSparks Author

Ah… the lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer!  The sights and sounds of summer always bring back fond memories of sunny days spent on the family farm.  But, to be honest, summer on a working dairy farm is anything but lazy!  Nowadays, I have more time to relax and I’m grateful for lazy-hazy-crazy days.  While thinking about the possibilities for this summer, I took a look back at some of the summertime stories and projects I’ve shared previously.  Today’s blog post features a roundup of 12 outdoor activities for the season—a dozen ideas for summertime fun!
1. Float a Boat  One of the joys of summer is spending time on or near the water.  Floating a toy boat on water—whether it’s an ocean, lake, pond, river, stream or swimming pool—is the perfect way to bring back some childhood fun.  I’ve shared a couple of posts, Simple Folded Boat – DIY Tutorial  and  A Landlubber’s Toy Sailboat – DIY Tutorial, which provide detailed instructions to make simple toy boats.  This simple folded boat is suited to shallow waters…
Yellow Folded Boat Racing in Stream @FanningSparks
…while this toy sailboat is better suited to water that is at least 1½ feet deep.
Red, Orange and Yellow Striped Sailboat in Lake Oconee   @FanningSparks2. Have a Picnic  What makes a good picnic great?  A pleasant natural setting, agreeable weather, tasty food, cool drinks, a leisurely pace, a few key items for comfort, enjoyable company and amusing ways to relax.  I’ve shared a few ideas for picnics in the posts: Picnic Under the WisteriaA Colorful Backyard Picnic and Sunrise Breakfast Picnic.
Sunrise Breakfast Picnic on Dock with 3 Sailboats @FanningSparks
There’s also a tutorial to make, what I’ve dubbed, “the ultimate picnic blanket”.  This picnic blanket provides a protected place to sit while keeping moisture, bugs and pokey things at bay.  Plus it’s durable, easy care and machine washable.  The design of red-and-white gingham check with white daisies is bright and cheery.  Check out The Ultimate Picnic Blanket – DIY Tutorial.
Ultimate Picnic Blanket with Open Hamper and Kayak @FanningSparks (full kayak to left)
3. Watch Birds  According to All About Birds, birdwatching is more challenging in the summertime.  Many baby birds have fledged by July and the adult birds are keeping a low profile while they molt.  Ironically, although the birds are more difficult to find, there are actually more of them because of the influx of young birds.  I’ve shared a few blog posts about birds including From Feeders to Quilts15 Bird Photography Tips Starring the OspreyCatfish for Dinner?Stately Swans and their Surprising Stories.
Chick Osprey Learning to Fly @FanningSparks
4. Enjoy the Forest  Whether it’s called Shinrin-yoku, Forest Therapy or Deliberate Dawdling, a slow stroll along a quiet forest trail is a great way to get immersed in the healing powers of the forest.
Split Rail Fence Along River Trail @FanningSparks
5. Stack Stones   Try building a stone tower by balancing rocks one on top of another.  Experiment with size and form.  Try piling stones into the shape of human figures (called an inuksuk).  See the post Heaps and Stacks of Stone for some ideas.
Cairn at Peggy's Cove during golden hour. @FanningSparks6. Hunt for Sea Glass   Stroll a shoreline and look for sea glass gems.  Check out the tips for a successful search in the post In Pursuit of Sea Glass.
Liquor Glasses of Seafoam Sea Glass @FanningSparks
7. Indulge in Shutter Therapy  Seek out an interesting destination and focus on taking photos.  Find the diversity and beauty of the surroundings.  The blog post Shutter Therapy in North Rustico shares examples from a day of shooting photos in a fishing village.  Strive for the perfect shot while experimenting with subjects, angles, focus, composition and light.
Stack of Lobster Traps in North Rustico Harbour @FanningSparksSeek out the beautiful natural light of early morning or late evening.   See the blog post, First Light at Peggy’s Cove, for more information about magic and golden hours.
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse at First Light, Nova Scotia @FanningSparks8. Learn about Sea Turtles  In the post Turtles Racing to the Sea, I shared my experiences attending a Sea Turtle Conservancy Tour de Turtles event and a sea turtle nest excavation.  Consider learning about sea turtles, or other wild creature of interest, to help preserve and protect wildlife.
Female Loggerhead Turtle Known as Lulu Enters the Water at Tour de Turtles. @FanningSparks9. Chase Butterflies  Seek out habitats and gardens dedicated to butterflies for the best chance of seeing these winged beauties.  The habitat at Butterflies and Blooms in the Briar Patch in Eatonton, Georgia is a great destination.  Check out my post Chasing Butterflies for lots of pretty photos from my visit.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Coneflower @FanningSparks
10. Admire a Lighthouse  In the post, Beacons of Light, I share stories and photos of lighthouses I’ve had the opportunity to visit.  Most of the lighthouses were located in Prince Edward Island, Canada but the neighboring provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick also make an appearance.  Lighthouses, which are associated with strength, guidance, hope and safe harbor, always have a story to tell.
Red Roof of Panmure Head Lighthouse, PEI Panmure@FanningSparks
11. Visit a Local Attraction  Thanks to the miracle of COVID-19 vaccines, local travel is possible once again.  I’ve shared several of my visits to nearby attractions including:
. A Bridge of Oconee County shares a visit to the Elder Mill Covered Bridge in Oconee County, Georgia.
Looking Through Elder Mill Covered Bridge @FanningSparks. Crowing and Clucking in the Barnyard documents a visit to the free-range chicken yard at Hundred Acre Farm in Madison, Georgia.
Hens at Work @FanningSparks
. Counting Buttons Instead of Sheep shares the quirky story of the Button King from Bishopville, South Carolina.
Button King’s Button-Covered Guitar @FanningSparks12. Learn a New Skill  Summer is a good time to learn a new skill.  How about learning to juggle?  Check out the blog post Felt Juggling Balls with Pouch – DIY Tutorial for instructions to make a set of juggling balls.
Sew Small Felt Circle at End of Ball for Juggling Balls @FanningSparks
Or how about making a lucet and learning to make cord?  Check out the post Lucet Cordmaking – DIY Tutorial for detailed instructions.
Finished Corded Rope Wrapped Around DIY Lucet @FanningSparks
Or check out the post Weaving Lavender to learn how to weave lavender wands.
Steps to Make a Lavender Wand @FanningSparksThat makes 12!  I hope today’s post provided some new ideas for summertime fun.

More Info

The Cornell Lab’s All About Birds website is a great resource for birding.
You can learn more about Sea Turtle Conservancy events on the Tour de Turtles website.  The Amelia Island Sea Turtle Watch website provides information on sea turtle nest excavations.
You can learn more about Butterflies and Blooms in the Briar Patch in Eatonton, Georgia on their Facebook page.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Make the most of the summer season with outdoor activities.
2. Consider trying a summertime activity from today’s post.
3. Happy Summer!
Peg - FanningSparks Author

Moss, those small, puffy cushions of rich greenery at your feet, are easy to overlook.  Moss can be as short as 1/16 of an inch and is often hidden away in shaded areas.  Moss doesn’t have true roots, it doesn’t have stems, it doesn’t have leaves and it doesn’t have flowers.  Yet, in the right circumstances, moss can be quite impressive.
Japanese gardeners have known this for centuries.  Moss is included in the Japanese garden as a symbol of harmony, age and tradition.  Here are a few examples from some of the fabulous Japanese gardens I’ve had the privilege to visit.
In this beautiful scene, at an ancient garden in Kyoto Japan, moss serves as a ground cover.  Its velvety surface is the perfect complement to the aged, grey stone.
Japanese Stone Lantern in Kyoto Garden   @FanningSparks
This pretty stone path is surrounded by a rich, green moss carpet in the gorgeous Kyoto Gyoen National Garden.
Stone Path in Kyoto Gyoen National Garden   @FanningSparks
Moss isn’t limited to the ground.  Over time, moss can attach to stones, walls and structures.  It is able to attach with its anchoring systems (called rhizoids) and is able to survive by absorbing water and nutrients directly into its plant body.  In contrast, other plants move these elements through a vascular system of roots, stems and leaves.
This breathtaking scene at the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden features an ancient stone bridge.  Notice how the sides of the bridge are cloaked in a coat of moss.
Moss-Lined Bridge in Kyoto Gyoen National Garden   @FanningSparks
In the below photo, moss caps the beautiful stone lanterns at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples in Nikkō, Japan.  It was early March when I visited and there was snow on the ground but the moss was still green.  Moss photosynthesizes year-round and is evergreen.
Moss-Covered Stone Lanterns in Nikko   @FanningSparks
Here’s another example from the Nikkō site.  This is a tsukubai which is a traditional washbasin located at the entrance to a holy place for ritual cleansing.  Notice how the bronzy-green moss coat enhances the harmony of the setting.
Moss-Covered Tsukubai at Nikko   @FanningSparks
Japanese gardeners are not the only ones to enjoy moss gardening.  The use of moss in public and private gardens has been gaining popularity. Recently, while enjoying a local tour of private gardens in Georgia, I noticed the gardeners had incorporated carpets and coats of green moss in their gardens.  In one garden, this beautiful stone path was nestled in a bed of moss.
Stone Path in Bed of Moss   @FanningSparks
In another garden, several carefully-selected planters were topped with cushion mounds of rich green moss.
Moss-Filled Metal Urn   @FanningSparks
Moss in Half-Face Planter   @FanningSparks
Moss in Wire Planter   @FanningSparks
Intrigued… I decided to do a little research on moss gardening.
How to Create a Moss Carpet
Turns out, it’s not difficult to add a patch of moss to a garden.  The biggest challenges seem to be growing conditions and patience.  Here are the primary steps I gleaned from my research:
Prepare Planting Area
. Select an area away from direct sunlight such as under a shade tree.
. Prepare the area for the new moss patch.  Clear the area removing all weeds.  Create a shallow layer of soil and pack it down.  Use a rake to gently scratch the surface.
. Ensure the soil’s acidity is appropriate for the selected moss. The easiest way to do this is to use soil from the area where the moss is currently growing.  If that’s not an option, test the soil for acidity and amend as needed.  Most moss prefers acidic soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0.
. Soak the new area with water for about a ½ hour—the soil should be visibly moist without any puddles.
Collect Moss
. Most experts recommend transplanting moss from an existing patch.  However, beware, it is illegal to remove moss from protected areas such as state and national parks and public lands.
Moss Along the Path in Spring Sunlight   @FanningSparks
. It is possible to collect and plant moss at any time of the year but fall and spring are recommended.  The ideal time is during the early spring immediately after a rain.
. To avoid overharvesting, take only small amounts of moss from the source patch—ideally no more than 3” squares from each square foot of moss.
. Lightly loosen the moss squares and keep them flat.  A wide putty knife or an old kitchen spatula can be used.
. Keep the collected moss damp.
Plant Moss
. Transfer the collected moss to the new planting area.  Place the moss on the soil and press firmly to remove any air pockets.  The objective is to establish close contact with the surface of the soil.  Some experts recommend pinning the moss in place with landscaping pins or small rocks.
. Mist the moss to keep it moist.  One expert recommends using a spray bottle to mist the moss twice a day for the first 3 weeks.  Other experts are a little less rigorous and simply recommend keeping the moss moist for the first few weeks.
Maintain Moss
. Water consistently to keep the moss slightly damp.  Moss should not remain soggy.
. Remove fallen leaves and other debris preferably with a leaf blower.
. Pull out weeds and unwanted plants.
. One expert recommends always walking on the moss after watering it to help set the rhizoids.  Another one recommends limiting foot traffic to stepping stones or paths.  I assume the right answer is somewhere in the middle—walk on the moss sparingly.
. Wait.  Experts predict growth should be visible within a few months and the patch should double in size within a year or so.  An expansive carpet can be achieved within a couple of years.
Stone Path in Bed of Moss   @FanningSparks
This same technique could be used to transplant moss from an existing patch into a large container such as this lovely blue vessel which I spotted at the Chelsea Flower Show a few years ago.
Blue Dish Garden with Moss Cover   @FanningSparks
How to Create a Moss Coat
A different technique is used to grow a coat of moss on a rock or brick structure.  Here’s a great example of moss-covered garden stools spotted at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Moss-Covered Stone Garden Stools in Singapore Botanic Gardens   @FanningSparks
Prepare Surface
. Select a rock, brick or concrete surface away from direct sunlight.
Make Moss Slurry
. Collect moss in the same way described above.
. Make a moss slurry with moss and buttermilk.  Experts differ on the specifics of making this mixture.  One recommends making the slurry in a blender with approximately 1 handful of moss and 1 cup of buttermilk.  Another recommends combining about 2 cups of buttermilk or yogurt with 1½ cups chopped moss in a bucket.  The mixture should be spreadable; add more moss to thicken or water to thin.
Apply Moss Slurry
. Paint the moss slurry onto the targeted surface.  A paintbrush can be used.
. Mist twice daily until new growth appears.
Maintain Moss
. Water consistently to keep the moss slightly damp.  Moss should not remain soggy.
. Wait.  The moss should begin to grow vigorously within 6 weeks.
I don’t know how long it took to establish the moss and ferns on the below garden jar but I think the wait would be worth it.  This beautiful scene was spotted at Fern Paradise in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Moss and Fern-Covered Jar at Fern Paradise   @FanningSparks
Although, moss is typically grown on stone, brick or concrete, I have seen it planted on some unusual surfaces.  The below upholstered easy chair, which I spotted at a private home in Madison Georgia, is a case in point.  I don’t know how the gardener accomplished this but I think this chair is amazing!
Moss-Covered Chair on Garden Tour in Madison GA   @FanningSparks

More Info

Moss is classified as Bryophyta.  Some moss grows vertically and resembles strands of hair while others grow horizontally in a close-cropped manner.  In total, there are approximately 12,000 species worldwide.  The iNaturalist website and their Seek app are very helpful tools for identifying moss.
The following two reference books about moss gardening were mentioned frequently in my research:
. Moss Gardening by George Schenk
. The Magical World of Moss Gardening by Annie Martin.  See her Mountain Moss website for lots of great information.
To learn more about the gardens mentioned in this post, check out the following links:
. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden in Kyoto, Japan
. UNESCO World Heritage Site Shrines and Temples of Nikkō in Nikkō, Japan
. The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Chelsea Flower Show in London, England
. Singapore Botanic Gardens  in Singapore
. Fern Paradise in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Garden tours are a great way to view private gardens.  Check out these FanningSparks’ blog posts for more garden photos and ideas.
. Spring Into a Garden Tour
. Madison in May – 15 Favorite Fotos
. A Virtual Stroll in Ticehurst
. Sculpture for the Home Garden.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Moss is included in the Japanese garden as a symbol of harmony, age and tradition.
2. Consider adding moss to your garden by growing a moss carpet in a shady area…
3. …or creating a moss coat on a stone or brick structure.
Peg - FanningSparks Author