Category: garden

DIY Bloom Planters

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“bloom where you are planted”

A little Inspiration for my Summer Flowers…

I’m not sure if it’s a subliminal message or a direct request.  (to my plants that is)

BLOOM!

I picked up these beautiful purple flowers over the week-end and decided to spruce up a couple

of plain pots into something special.

FYI…the name of the plant with Campanula, a partial shade loving perennial.

How to make a DIY Bloom planter…              (*affiliate link)

  1.  Paint terra cotta pot with 2 coats of white paint.
  2. Brush a thin layer of purple paint along top band.  (no need to be perfect)
  3. Lightly sand pot for a distressed look.
  4. Using a cut file and the Silhouette Cameo*, cut the saying out of the purple glitter vinyl.
  5. Apply the saying onto the pot using transfer paper.  Smooth into place and remove transfer paper.

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*Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

The blue ceramic planter was plain and simple until I added stripes using the glitter vinyl,

and applied the light blue glittered vinyl words using a Vinyl Transfer Tape*.

Perfect decorative accent for my summer front porch.  (or a great gift idea)

      

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Ask for Self Adhesive Glitter Vinyl Sheets- by Styletech from Tape Technologies* at your local Scrapbook Store.

“This is a sponsored post.  As a member of the StyleTechCraft Design Team I have been provided product and compensation in exchange for my creative ideas.  The views and opinions are my own.

 

Sprucing Up with Holiday Greens

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It doesn’t have to cost a lot to spruce up your home for the Holidays.

I took advantage of the beautiful warm December Day we had yesterday to spend time outside

sprucing up the front porch with some Holiday greenery.

This year…October and November was an extremely busy and stressful time for me.

And, even though I winterized and cleaned up most of the flowers in the flower beds.

The big pots on the front porch were ignored.

A little Holiday Love was needed.

I used my Fiskars Pruning Shears* and went around the yard and cutting sprigs of pine

branches from the large pine trees in my yard.  (lucky for me I have several)

I have a friend who buys an extra Christmas tree to chop up the branches to use for greenery.

After finishing cleaning out the pot…

I stuck the ends of the branches into the dirt filling up the pot making it look like a little tree.

I added a few pinecones for fun.

I tied a simple bow around the neck of a Solar Lamp* and added that to the pot.

So simple and easy.  But, what a difference it makes.

One for the other side of the stairs as well.

A little Holiday swag for the sled.

I love this vintage sled I picked up at a flea market last year for only $15… skates included.

I’m keeping it fairly simple again this year.

I’ll be honest, with losing my Dad last month, I’ve had a hard time decorating this year.

I’m giving myself grace to keep it simple.  Family is really all that matters.

Happy Holidays…from my house to yours

 

Holiday Gift Guide!

*Disclaimer:  This post uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

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How to Create an Easy Pickled Finish with Vintage Effect Wash

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How to create an Easy Pickled Finish with Vintage Effect Wash from Deco Arts.

I had this unfinished wood tote that I wanted to use the new Vintage Effect Wash on.

My first thought was to just give the tote a cool white wash using the paint.

But after further thought and a little experimentation, I decided to warm up the look by

staining it with a Walnut Gel Stain first.  I love the way it turned out.

This would make a great garden tool holder, picnic caddy, or my favorite…a Craft Tote.

DIY Pickled Crate

Supplies Used:                (*affiliate link)

 Directions:

  1. Lightly sand the wood crate if necessary.
  2. Paint or brush crate with DecoArt Americana Walnut Gel Stains Paint*.
  3. Rub off excess stain with soft clean rag.  Allow stain to dry.
  4. Apply Decoart Vintage Effect Wash Grey* onto crate with brush allowing the stain to show through.   Wipe with clean soft rag if necessary.  (It’s that easy!)
  5. If desired, add stenciling onto the crate.
  6. Apply a sealer to protect the finish.

The Love Beyond Words Pickled Crate was sponsored by DecoArts.

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Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Painting Basics

Mini Gardening with the Boys

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Several years back when Nicholas was a little bit older than Warren we started our annual

tradition of creating a mini garden.  Now that Warren is 3, I decided that this year,

he needed to make one of his own.  I found this cute Woodland Garden Kit* (affiliate link)

from LeisureArts.com.  It was a great start for Warren’s garden.

(LeisureArts.com was generous and sent me a Woodland Garden Kit to use in this post.)

The kit retails for $12.99 and comes with so many cute accessories to add to your mini garden.

A great value, cheaper than buying everything separately.

I had all the supplies and plants ready to go and the boys quickly got started on their gardens.

They loved digging in the dirt, putting in the flowers and decorating their gardens.

We added a hedgehog, garden gate, bridge, mushrooms, wood slices, rocks and cute little

garden signs.  (All included in the Woodland Garden kit.)

We were having so much fun, even Grandpa joined in on the fun.

Mini gardens make such a fun family project.

I do believe Warren’s favorite part was the water bottle. 

He loved spraying everything, including himself.

Nicholas was more serious about his mini garden.  (this is his 4th year making one)

You can read about and see Nick’s first garden here.

Warren and Nick’s Mini Gardens

I love doing special these projects with the boys.   After the mini gardens were finished, they

ran around the yard spraying each other (and occasionally me) with the water bottles.

They keep life fun!

FYI…  LeisureArts.com also has a Fairy Garden Kit in addition to the Woodland Garden Kit.

and for more Summer fun from Leisure Arts…  (click on picture below)

Friendship Bracelets

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Adult Coloring Book - BIG

DIY a Colorful Garden Chair for your Gnome

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diy-a-colorful-garden-chair-for-your-gnome-2

A Colorful Chair for Colorful Little Gnome…

Every year around this time, my Grandson and I start making our mini gardens.

It’s our special annual tradition.

Last year, we added a Gnome named Mr. Elfsnail.

This year, I decided to create a chair for him to sit on while working in the garden.

We take our gardening seriously.   Read about Mr. Elfsnail’s garden.

For Mr. Elfsnails chair…

I found this cute little wooden chair in the toy area of Dollar Tree and knew it’d be a cute

mini garden chair for my gnome.

How to make a Colorful Gnome Chair

Supplies Used:
  • Miniature Wood Doll Chair
  • DecoArt Americana Paint:  Watermelon Slice, Marigold, Olive Green
  • DecoArt Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Paint:  Night Sky, Cotton Ball
  • Paint Brush
  • Sand Paper
  1. Lightly sand any rough spots off the chair.
  2. Paint the chair in a variety of colors.
  3. Create small flowers on the top of the chair by dipping the end of the paintbrush in paint and adding small dots as the petals.

Chair measures 3″ tall.

I might have even left it here (glued to the tree) if I didn’t think it’d drive the boys crazy.

A little fun and whimsy. 

For a dollar and some paint, it might be fun to let the boys paint a chair of their own.

For more summer fun… click on ad below ↓

Slimer

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DIY…Bloom Garden Stepping Stone

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Create a little fun and whimsy in your Garden with a Bloom Garden Stepping Stone.

(The links and instructions to make the Garden stone are included down below.)

I just got the Garden Issue of Craft Ideas Magazine and I’m so excited that I can finally share

with you my “Bloom Garden Stone”.   (you can find it on page #24)

Make sure to check out the entire Garden issue of Craft Ideas,

the issue is full of great garden themed ideas and inspiration.

Materials and Supplies:                                                                                    (*affiliate links)

Directions:

  1. Cover the sides and bottom of an old cake pan with Petroleum Jelly for easy removal.
  2. Mix Rapid Set Concrete Mix according to manufacturer’s instructions.  Fill pan with cement approx. 1″ thick. Shake pan a little to fill in the gaps and smooth.  Allow a couple hours for cement to set before removing from the pan.  Let the cement stone dry for a day or two before painting.

3.  To create a better surface for painting and stenciling, paint cement stone first with DecoArt DS17-9 Americana Multi-Purpose Sealer*

4.  Mix together Night Sky and Cotton Ball acrylic paint and basecoat entire stone.

5.  Tear a piece of white cardstock with an irregular edge as shown to create a mask stencil for  cloud background.

6.  Place cloud mask stencil onto stone and paint with an upward motion. Move mask stencil around stone to paint additional clouds and let dry.

7.  Stencil bloom flower using a mixture of Watermelon Slice and Marigold and stencil “bloom” with Night Sky as shown.  Paint leaves Woodland Green and let dry.

8.  Apply DecoArt Americana DuraClear Varnishes* using paintbrush over stone to help protect the stone from the outdoor elements.

You also might like this stepping stone project I created with my grandson Nick.

The Bloom Garden Stone was created for and sponsored by Craft Ideas Magazine.  Craft Ideas for Every Occasion, Every Skill Level.

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*Disclaimer:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!

Sue’s Favorite Projects of 2016

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best-of-2016

Do you ever wonder which of my projects are my favorite?

Like most DIY people, I try really hard with all (or most all) of my projects…

some of my projects are a hit and some are a miss.

And some are just my favorite…

So… I decided to share them again with you.  (just in case you might have missed one)

Enjoy!

Click on post titles for project instructions

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My Front Porch…all decked out and ready for fall

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front-porch-inspiration-1295

I thought I’d share with you today my Fall Front Porch that I did a few weeks ago.

In past years my Fall Decorating usually included sweeping off the porch, adding a pumpkin or two,

a mum and a wreath on the door.  That was it.  I was done.

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This year, thanks to my new “Instagram Obsession”, I was inspired to go all out.

Mind you…

going all out for me does not include 27 pumpkins, 15 mums, a $100 wreath and the most beautiful

looking dog you’d ever see.   Like a few of the amazing front porches I saw.  (trust me I counted)

I kept mine a little more simple, a little more doable, with out breaking the bank.

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I stared with things I had on hand.

A combination of things picked up at Garage Sales, Thrift Stores, Auctions, Estate Sales and a few items

I’ve had for over 20 years.

Sometimes I wonder, am I a collector or hoarder?

But…I always say “it’s not hoarding if you use them”.  (Right?)

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Since some of my summer flowers are still doing good, I had to add them to the mix.

I’ve had this poinsettia since last winter.  I hope I can make it turn red again.

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I love this old black chair.

I purchased it over 20 years ago at a antique store and hated to admit to my husband I paid $20 for it.

I’ve only repainted it once in all those years.

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Mums are a fairly cheap addition to the mix.  I purchased 7 mums at $4 dollars each.

The price of a really good pizza dinner.

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I replaced the scraggily summer plants with mums in pots I already had.

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I kept it simple with only one pumpkin which will be carved by next week-end.

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The Wood Crate was a new garage sale treasure this year for $1.50.

The lantern I believe I picked up for $1 and the little red chair was a Thrift Store find at $3.00.

You got to keep you eyes open to all the possibilities of these treasures offer.

My daughter-in-law told me “I never find these kind of things”.

The trick to good finds is you have to go and go often.  I love the hunt.

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When it comes to my front porch, the only complaint I have is the size.

I wish it was wider and didn’t have an aggregate floor.  (really hard on bare feet)

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I really enjoy how it turned out.

Who knows, maybe next year I’ll have 27 pumpkins and 15 mums.

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You can read about the post on how to make the Autumn Wreath and Boo Door Hanger here.

Mr. Elfsnail’s Garden

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Mr. Elfsnail's Garden 8202

This marks the third summer since Nicholas and I started the tradition of creating our

Mini Garden.  And…as we exclaim every year…  “this one’s our favorite”.  (it really is!)

Each year we like to add something new and different for our garden.

It has been noted, that at some point, we may have to get a bigger wagon.

Mr. Elfsnail 8140

Our Garden has never had an official occupant.

So, this year we added Mr. Elfsnail.  (named by Nicholas for obvious reasons)

We picked him up along with a wishing well and a pair frogs at our local Hobby Lobby.

Nick and I (mostly Nick) spent the evening before laying out the garden on the kitchen counter.

We like having a plan and being prepared.

Nick had me outside working on the garden by 7:45 a.m. the next morning.

Have I ever mentioned I’m not a morning person?

adding the water feature

For those of you that may not know about our garden, you can read about

the original garden here.

For our garden…we start with an old broken rusty wagon.

After arranging the fence and arbor, Nick quickly set off to work adding a new water feature

using a small, round, black dish (from a microwave desert) into the dirt.

this is how my other grandma told me to get them out

Now that he’s five and a very confident gardener….he didn’t need any help placing the plants.

the path

The “plan” was to add a small path to the new wishing well using crushed shells.

the path now a beach

And because more is always better… MORE CRUSHED SHELLS.

It’s starting to look a little more like a beach.

We added cocoa bean shells around the plants to make it looks nice.  (love the smell)

the frogs

N ♥ S

That just warms my heart.

Even though it should be Nick loves Grandma instead of Nick loves Sue.

(Maybe he named the frogs after us?)

Wishing Well

Nick loved adding water to the wishing well and making sure it worked.

admiring the garden

Our Finished Garden.

Nick and Mr. Elfsnail's Garden with insert

This really is such a fun project to do with kids.

You don’t need anything fancy to use for a container.

And you know what?  I enjoy making it as much as him and maybe even more.

It’s important to take time and do something together.  (Planting the gardening seed.)

Making memories… My buddy and me.

For more summer fun… click on ad below ↓

Slimer

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No. 14 How to age a Terra Cotta Pot with Chalky Finish Paint

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It’s front porch sitting time…

Time for sitting on the porch swing, sipping a glass of iced tea and relaxing the evening away.

But before I can relax, I need to finish putting flowers in containers and I need to give a couple

of old boring terra cotta pots a little sprucing up with a little paint and stencils.

I decided to give this plain terra cotta pot an aged looked with

Americana Décor Chalky Finish Paint from DecoArt.

Terra Cotta Pot Close Up 7478

How to age a Terra Cotta Pot with Chalky Finish Paint

Supplies Used:                                                                (*affiliate link)

Terra Cotta Pot Collage

Directions:

  1. Paint the terra cotta pot with “yesteryear” (gray) chalky finish paint.  I gave the pot some white highlights with “everlasting” chalky finish paint.
  2. Wipe the pot with a clean soft damp cloth (or white paper towel) to remove some of the paint.
  3. To give the pot a mossy look… Dry brush “new life” (green) chalky finish paint around the base of the pot, under the ridge and on the top edge.  Soften the green paint by wiping with a damp cloth if needed.
  4. Apply reusable stick on stencils to painted pot.  Mask around the stencil with removable painter’s tape.  Use a stipple brush to apply “relic” Chalky Finish paint inside open stencil area.
  5. Remove stencil.
  6. Lightly sand pot with extra fine sand paper.
  7. Apply Americana® Décor “golden brown” crème wax over pot using a clean lint free cloth.  Wipe with cloth to create an aged look.

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Front Porch 2

This post was sponsored by the good folks at DecoArt.

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Disclosure:  This blog uses ads and affiliate links.  If you choose to make a purchase using one of the links, I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) that helps offset the costs of maintaining this blog.  Thanks for your support!