Wow! Endless Summer Hydrangeas

Here is why I focus on flowers more that veggies in my garden. This year my faithful hydreangeas by my front door are getting more faithful care and nourishment.   I trotted out to the garden center and bought 8  two pound bags of aluminum sulphate, the silver bullet for achieving maximum blue blossoms.  I think it worked beautifully.  I apply the granules very liberally around the roots and water it in.   Caution, though. I did put too much on a miniature variety of Endless Summer and killed it.  That's a first for me. 
In the alkaline soil of Dallas, aluminum sulphate has to be applied several times throughout the growing season but it's worth.
What are your experiences with hydrangeas? 

PS Elements 8: Tutorial for Me by Me

Photos:  I am determined to become much, much better.  Last week I sprang for a special offer on Amazon for Photoshop Elements 8 for my Mac.  Well, it's here, the rebate is off in the mail, and I need help!  For me Photoshop is remarkable unintuitive, but I hear it's better, so I trotted off to Border's last evening after a noisy hour by the pool with kids and grandkids ( note to self, don't ever go again to pool on afternoon of last day of school.  Total zoo.) and one margarita-rocks, found this hefty volume, Photoshop Elements 8 for Windows: The Missing Manual (Paperback), plopped down my 40% off coupon and purchased it.
I am prepared to read, study and practice.   Note all the study tools.
I'm a big fan of markers, highlight tape and all kinds of post-its.
Oh, and, People, I am open to any and all tips, suggestions, shortcuts, etc.

Coffee Break, Treasury screen shot practice

Ok, Main Etsy Treasuries are a little easier to snag these days with the opening of Treasury East where the treasuries can stay up indefinitely.  I seem to be stumbling on the Main "T's"easily recently.
I love exploring Etsy this way.  Type in a key word, say "coffee," or an Etsy team name, say "Etsy Knitters," and see what you get.
I think my screen shots are improving too.  This a keyboard feat for me try to hit command, shift, 4 and then move the mouse down far enough to get the desired area in the shot.  This time it took eight tries to get it right.  Practice, practice, practice.  Thanks for indulging me.

Accessory Indulgence

Yes, that is a custom beverage holder on my Kromski Sonata Spinning wheel, and I love it.  I can see my spinning sisters turn a little green with envy when they spy it.  I found it on Etsy at FBN Plastics.  They make them to fit many wheels but still don't have one for my Symphony wheel.  That's ok.  I never take her away from her spot in the studio.  I am busy spinning up more yarns for the shop here.  Cordova Studios needs more handspuns!

Chickens and Dolls

Yep!  I loved the gorgeous hens at Jacob's Reward Farm.  These ladies were peacefully pecking about their pen yesterday.  Isn't this gal regal?

Something happened to this girl's crest, but I don't think she minds.

This hen is a picture of serenity as she sets on her eggs maybe?

And then their were Gail's wacky, crazy, amazingly detailed dolls. This is Land Shark.

This pirate looks only medium friendly.

She's my favorite.  Look at all the tiny detail:  her facial details, boots, and green hair.  I bet she has on a fancy petticoat, too.

Amazing!

Thanks to follower Paradise Purls,
 LOOK!  A screen shot:

Here is the tip she left in the comments:
 "Ok, I have a mac, too, and this is how I get my screen shots. First, hit command, shift, F for a full screen. Then position the treasury pic on the screen so you see the whole thing. Then, hit command, shift, 4 which brings up the crosshairs. Click and drag to highlight the treasury. Let go and voila, screen shot perfection!"
Works like a charm.   I am so excited.  Even the guys at the Apple store couldn't tell me how to do this.

Sunny Day Treasury trials

I am failing miserably at getting screen shots off my Mac, but here is a portion of the Etsy Treasury I created today.

I love composing the treasuries but hate the part about sharing them, as I am such a klutz with the screen shot tools.  And, no, I don't have the GRAB tool on my Mac.  I want the whole treasury but can't get it to scroll down and get the bottom part.  Ugh.  Help out there, people, people???