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Glo's avatar

All your plant painting are lovely!

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Anne Butera's avatar

Thanks so much!

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Karen Houlding's avatar

Macrame brings back a lot of memories from high school Home Ec. class! I would love to try it again. I love how you found several resources and created a beautiful hanger as an embracing winter craft!

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Anne Butera's avatar

Thanks, Karen. I brought another book home from the library yesterday with some very intricate patterns, fueling me with even more ideas. Soon, though, I'll be outside and not have time for these sorts of projects!

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Ginny T's avatar

Love the philodendron painting, Anne! Aren't those color contrasts gorgeous? No two leaves the same.

I'm thinking you might need to produce two calendars next year - one of Houseplants and one of Garden plants.

I just love Garden Answer. A day without Laura is like a day without sunshine.

My dad was big into macrame back in the day. He did wall hangings, large and intricate. I'm glad you're getting the hang of it. Have fun.

Temps are climbing this week (thank goodness because I'm weary of below freezing and winds). Today I found blooming snowdrops and a few snow crocuses, much to my delight. And bitter cress and chickweed, too, but not in bloom, so I weeded them right out! Hope you'll be able to see things poking up soon!

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Anne Butera's avatar

Thanks, Ginny!

Oh, spring is definitely in the air! Here, too. Our snow is melting and I'm starting to get excited at the idea of being out in the garden. Kind of funny because it was only just over a week ago that I was enjoying our snowstorms. Haha! No bulbs yet, but I know they'll be coming.

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diane's avatar

I have been talking to my houseplants and they have let me know they appreciate all the care I give them by showing me new growth. I am thoroughly enjoying my calendar. I just love how you catch each plant. Thanks

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Anne Butera's avatar

So glad you're enjoying the calendar, Diane. That makes me very happy! As does the idea of you talking to your plants. I do it, too.😊

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Lea's avatar

Love this. I love the obsessive thing as I do that, too. I have a nice little metal watering can someone gifted me during the pandemic when I got a few plants.

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Anne Butera's avatar

Thank you, Lea! Glad to know you get obsessed, too. It's fun to be completely absorbed in something -- especially something joyful and nourishing! Your watering can sounds lovely. I know I'll find some more and imagine having a little collection.

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Colette's avatar

My 3 Thanksgiving cactus has been blooming since November and show no signs of stopping…till it warms up. They are out in the unheated enclosed entryway with east and a south facing windows…they are so happy!

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Anne Butera's avatar

They like it chilly, don't they? Mine is in a cold dormer window in our bedroom and always blooms multiple times each winter. Such a joy to have a happy plant!

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Kath Soulsby's avatar

I might just have to pay the postage to Canada next year and buy your beautiful calendar..such lovely flower paintings. I want to also thank you for the YouTube recommendations you provide…I just subscribed to Benji and Chris and was very sad to hear they lost their house in the LA fires. I used to take care of a lot of house plants and then I got 2 cats..one of which eats anything and everything and she polished off half of one of my African violets so now I have only a few that I keep in semi closed in glass containers..the rest I gave to my aunt.

Thanks for all your content it is very inspiring.

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Anne Butera's avatar

Thank you, Kath. I wish postage to Canada wasn't so expensive!

I am glad you're enjoying the links! It's easy to get sucked in. Now YT is suggesting all sorts of houseplant videos to me and it's hard to resist.

We don't have any cats at the moment, but it can be so hard when you have one that loves to eat your plants. And dangerous, too. So many plants are harmful if pets munch on them. Luckily my dogs ignore them.

Lovely to have you here!

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Kim Koehler's avatar

I have been taking clippings from my favorite plants and growing plant babies. 🤗 I’ve always wanted to try to macrame plant hangers. I have Creative Bug - I gotta check that out!

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Anne Butera's avatar

Yay! Plant babies make me so happy. I hope you make some macrame hangers! They're surprisingly simple to make. I need to make some more!

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Kim Koehler's avatar

I like “simple.” I try to knit with my daughter and I get frustrated because mine looks messy. 😊

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Roseanna Dwyer's avatar

I love reading your posts about your garden and houseplants! And I’m very impressed by the number and variety of your indoor plants. Thanks so much, Anne

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Anne Butera's avatar

Thank you, Roseanna! Thanks for being here.

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Lauren Muller's avatar

You did a great job on the macrame plant hanger! I just (re)ordered the macrame book you mentioned from our local library. I borrowed it a while back but didn’t get any farther than ordering supplies. You’ve inspired me to give it another shot! Also, wondering if you’ve ever tried any houseplant apps? I’m considering it, if only to help me remember to water my plants timely.

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Anne Butera's avatar

Oh, yay!! I hope you make some macrame hangers. It's really much easier than I thought it would be. And it's so much fun. I have reserves on a few other macrame books from our library, but they haven't come in yet. Apparently macrame is popular again!

I have never used a houseplant app. I'm not really into apps at the moment and am trying to unplug as much as I can, but whatever works. Remembering to water plants can be tricky. Let me know how you like it!

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Lauren Muller's avatar

I hear you on the apps! I'm trying to figure out how to shape my tech life these days. Not always easy to figure out what to keep and what to get rid of. So far, social media is out, but that hasn't stopped me from getting lost on too many internet rabbit trails, so I know I need to gift myself with some more boundaries to preserve my peace of mind.

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Anne Butera's avatar

It's a work in progress! I try to choose what feels good and let go of what doesn't. You'll figure it out.😊

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Dana's avatar

I love your macrame hangers! It's great that you figured it out.

Laura on Garden Answer shared that she fills a giant watering can and then uses that to fill a smaller one because the large one is too heavy to lug around.

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Anne Butera's avatar

Thank you, Dana! Have you ever thought of making them?

I do that in the summer when I'm using the water from my rain barrel. I fill up my two, big outdoor watering cans and use them to fill up my indoor can. Might be worth trying during the winter, too... Thanks for the idea!

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Dana's avatar

I've never tried making them but a few years back I purchased some some from a maker on Etsy. I love them.

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Mar 10
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Anne Butera's avatar

Your fabric sling sounds interesting! In Hilton Carter's plant book he shows how to make a big sling to hang a plant on the wall. I'd like to make some macrame plant hangers to hang on the wall.

I've found that scented geraniums can sometimes take a long time to root in water. I cut a bunch at the end of the summer and some haven't rooted yet. The ones that did I potted up once there were enough roots. You could also try rooting them directly in soil (or in something like vermiculite), but in the past when I've tried I've found it tricky to keep the right amount of humidity and moisture.

I just harvested the two big lemons from my Meyer lemon and hope that not having to support the fruit will allow the plant to bounce back. It's down to 6 leaves, but there's a tiny sprout of new growth. I hope yours recovers. I'm envious of your fig!! We're also enjoying sprouts. Matthias says they "taste like spring."

Enjoy all your growing and scritches for Wilma and Cora.

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Glo's avatar

I find that rooting hormone works wonderfully on scented geranium cuttings, much better than water. I winter over my two potted fruiting figs in the garage. Memories from my Italian Grandfather. Usually my citrus recover just fine outside.

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Anne Butera's avatar

I'm always too lazy to go out and get some rooting hormone, but maybe I should add it to my shopping list. Thanks for the tip!

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Feb 22
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Anne Butera's avatar

Thank you so much! Yes, it's very relaxing and calming to spend time with plants!

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