Saddlery work

A couple of Mondays ago Ariel broke the headpiece (piece that goes behind the ears) of her bridle. Unfortunately you can't buy the individual pieces of a bridle, fortunately I know how to make them! 
Luckily the headpiece is the easiest part of the bridle to make. As Ariel's bridle is a show bridle the throatlash is a separate piece, this meant I didn't even need to sew on a buckle :) I also lucked out on having a piece of black bridle leather that was long enough & the right width.

 

( More... picture rich. )

 

More Seeding...

March 6th
Winter Sown
1 - Fennel Flower
2 - Foam Flower
3 - Wild Lupin
4 - Kiss-Me-Over-The-Garden-Gate
5 - Scarlet Pimpernel
6 - Blue Pimpernel
7 - Wood Betony
8 - Grandmother's Garden Columbine
9 - Texas Blue Bonnet
10 - Primrose
11 - Delphinium, Pacific Giant
12 - Moonflower
13 - Cardinal Climber
14 - Morning Glory, Grandpa Ott
15 - English Daisy
16 - Alyssum
1 - 15 planted in milk jugs, 16 planted in a small clear tote (see next post for winter sowing details.)

March 11th
Indoor Sown
Germander Speedwell
Coral Bells
Straw Foxglove
Foxglove
Hollyhocks, cream & mixed
Yarrow
Summer Savory
Parsley
Coriander
Bergamot
Bee Balm
Lemon Bee Balm
Lemon Balm
Hyssop
Jalapeno
Chili Pepper
Onion
Leeks
Okra
Thyme, orange scented

March 25th
Indoor sown
Celery
Cape Gooseberry (Lantern Fruit)
Winter Sown
17 - Purple Rain Viola
18 - Misc. Viola
19 - Sweet Violet
20 - Labrador Violet
21 - Corsican Violet
22 - Gold Currant
23 - Wild Rose
All planted in milk jugs.

 

Winter Sowing

Definition:
Winter sowing is a method of starting seeds outdoors in winter. This is generally done with seeds that require a period of cold stratification. The method takes advantage of natural temperatures, rather than artificially refrigerating seeds.

The Method (taken from suite101.com as it is closely matched what I did):
Winter Sowing is almost as much a philosophy as it is a method. It's not about going to the garden center and plunking down your hard-earned cash for a bunch of supplies that cost more than the seeds you are trying to grow. In Winter Sowing, the containers you use are recycled from things you've already purchased. Milk jugs, two-liter soda bottles, salad take-out containers, and big plastic jars (the kind pretzels come in at warehouse clubs) are all popular winter sowing containers. The only requirements are that it must be able to hold at least three inches of soil and it must have head room for the growing plants. Drainage holes should be cut into the bottom, and air transpiration holes or slits should be cut into the top of the container. Fill the bottom of the container with at least three inches of whatever soil you like best, and moisten it well. The water should drain through the holes you've made in the bottom. Once your soil is wet, sow your seeds according to the package directions. Cover your container, and set it in a spot outdoors. The only place containers shouldn't be placed is under awnings or overhangs, since the seeds will be watered in large part by melting snow, and then spring rains, and you want to make sure they get enough water. Keep your eye on your containers. Condensation is a good thing. If there is no condensation, it either means that you have too many transpiration holes (tape over some of them if this is the case) or your soil is drying out. As spring arrives, and the air warms up, your transpiration holes should be made bigger and bigger, until you remove the top of your container entirely. This is the winter sowing way to “harden off” your plants. After they are hardened off, simply plant your transplants out in the garden.

( Pictures )