Staghorn Fern Project Update

 

So I wanted to update you on my staghorn ferns. They are very healthy, but I have made some changes. You see they were doing great, but I had to water them almost daily...not great if we had to leave town for more than a day. So I undid all of my work. I added a bit more soil as I noticed there had been some root growth (yay) and I didn't want to do this again soon. Then I  cut a black bag and wrapped it around the root ball, leaving room at the top and some loose areas for drainage. Then I re-wrapped the outward facing part with sheet moss and re-secured the bundle. Voila. Hopefully I won't have to water these babies as much. 

Project: Hanging Plant Table

Summer is nearing and end, which means I am about to bring in a bunch of plants which have been living outside for a few months. Unfortunately Lucy is on a mission to destroy plants and I have had to become a wizard at keeping plants from her. Lucy is very athletic and determined. I decided to hunt for some different options online. I found a few DIYs that looked promising, but I was too lazy to read through it all. So this is a lazy version of something I spotted on Pinterest. I just saw a photo and figured I could do a simple and inexpensive version. The entire project took five minutes and it looks good. I spent $4 and had the rest at home.

You will need:

•yarn

•round wood

*optional paint or stain

1. I purchased a round piece of wood at Menard's, which is like Home Depot. The wood cost about $4.

2. Then I spray painted it lightly, still allowing the wood grain to show through. 

3. Then I eyeballed the height at which I wanted my table. I measured plain yarn double the length plus approximately another foot for the hanging element and the with of the wood. The way I did this was by looping it back and forth evenly. You just need an even number of strands. I think I did like 20 loops.

4. Next I folded the looped ends together to meet in the middle. I used extra yarn to tie it about five inches from the top to leave a hanger.

5. Then I popped my wood circle into the matrix of yarn and separated the yarn into pairs, evenly spacing around.

6. I took a moment to make sure that the wood was level, took a second of fiddling with it, but very simple. I liked the bottom a little insane and worked to make it interesting, but you could easily keep it organized into the pairs.

7. Then I put some plants on top and sat back to revel in my lazy crafting glory.

Project: Yard Art

We have had this table top in our yard for a couple of years. I had no idea why it was there. Why had it been there for so long? I am sure there had been a plan when it was placed there, but it had long been forgotten. So yesterday was the day of reckoning. I decided that it needed to be put to use or move out. I thought about it for a couple of hours as I worked in the yard and then I set to work. The whole project probably took two hours, but I spread it out over the afternoon and evening, finishing after the girls were in bed.

1) You can see that the legs were removed and I had a stained table top. Somewhere along the line it had been an art table, after its first life as a dining room table in our Denver apartment. First I sanded the table top. 

2) Next I used pink and white acrylic paint and a wet paper towel to make a messy background.

3) I used a pencil to loosely place my design. I wanted it pretty imperfect and planned for some of the pencil to be visible even after I painted.

4) My design was oranges and lemons in an imperfect pattern, no two identical. I painted the fruits in a flat color (orange or yellow). Then I slap dash painted in some white highlights. Then I added green leaves, added some high and low lights. Then I outlines it all in black. Finally a quick coat of polyurethane to protect it from the elements and done. Now I just have to find a home for it.

Projects with Kids: Coffee Filter Tie Dye

Do you remember coffee filter art? I think it is a standard in elementary school. This morning the girls and I were bored and life called us to create. I remembered the coffee filter days of yore and decided to give it a whirl.

You will need

• coffee filters 

•iron

•small containers, we used some containers in the recycling bin.

• watercolor paint, the liquid kind

•wax paper

1. Grab your coffee filters and iron them on the highest setting, no steam obviously. Don't worry about getting them perfectly ironed, just want them to lay flat. Also, this goes without saying, kids should not do this part.

2. Prep your area. Cover your workspace if you want. Lay out parchment paper or even tin foil and wax paper to lay the drying project on. Put paper towels at hand. Mix your paint and be ready. The paint should not have too much water or it will be too diluted.

3. Explain and show the process to the kids. I demonstrated and gave them a few folding tips. Cordelia was able to do some advanced folding and Elise did a more basic style, eventually just crumpling her filters. It was a fun expiramenting.

4. I limited the girls to a three color max per filter to keep the colors from mixing into a brown.

5. Then I let them have at it. They took turns. I unfolded the completed filters, as they are prone to tearing and dripping in little hands, and set them to dry.

6. After drying I hung them in the window for decoration. Cordelia saved her favorites to give to a few friends. You could also use them to write on, make paper flowers, or whatever you like.

Project: Vintage Wall paper Coasters

We recently got a new coffee table in an epic art trade. Artists love to make trades...or at least these artists love to make trades! Anyway our new coffee table reminded us that we were in need of coasters. We went looking online, but all of the coasters we liked were like $20-$1billion. Since we are penny pinchers I decided a DIY was in store. I made six coasters for about $4...just the cost of the boards as I had the other supplies on hand. I was happy that I was able to make something that exactly fit our tastes. You too can make your own customized coasters and I can tell you how. 

Supplies

• 4.5x4.5 inch pine board, .25 inch thick

• Adhesive that dries clear

• Sandpaper

• vintage wallpaper or really any paper of your choosing. Enough to cover the tops of your board.

• scissors

• clear coat

Directions

1) Start with a square of wood. I left mine raw, but you could paint these boards before you begin working. 

2) Grab your roll of vintage wallpaper and lay it face down on your work surface. I have a ton of vintage wallpaper so that is what I used, but you can use any heavy weight paper you like.

Trace each square onto the backside of the paper with a pencil and then cut out along pencil lines.

3) Paint one side with an adhesive of your choosing. I don't like to give a brand, just use what you've already got on hand, something with a strong bond.

4) Lay your square of wallpaper on top of the wet board and carefully, but firmly, make sure it is all smooth. Let dry.

5) Next use sandpaper to go around the edges smoothing and kind of wearing the edges of the wallpaper, make sure to use a downward motion so you don't tear the paper up and off. I also rubbed the board to ensure there were no rough edges to give splinters or scratch surfaces.

6) Finally you will seal the whole coaster with a clear coat to ensure that it is waterproof. Anything you have will work as long as it doesn't have a tacky finish when dry.

Done deal.

Project for Quote Junkies

A quotation is a handy thing to have about, saving one the trouble of thinking for oneself, always a laborious business.

~A.A. Milne

If you have been reading my blog for long then you know that I enjoy a good quote. I think I started my obsession with quotes when I was a teenager and I "borrowed" this book from my father...

Still borrowing it after 15-20 years...

I started reading through the book which was largely funny, but also had some wisdom in there too.

I was also really drawn to the strange illustrations with the text.

Overall I just liked to read about others, their thoughts. From that point until present I am always drawn to those bits of wisdom shared by others. Well, some quotes are absolute nonsense and then sometimes they hit me so directly. Occasionally they are right in line with my own thinking, other times it is where I am headed.

I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart."

~Vincent Van Gogh

I collect quotes. They speak to me at different points in my life. I use them as a meditation or a reflection on an idea that I am having. I search for wisdom that deals with something I am struggling through. For instance I found great comfort in this quote, repeating it to myself as I dealt with the devestation of miscarriage several years back.

There is in every true woman's heart, a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity, but which kindles up and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.

~ Washington Irving

I am open to all quotes, but I certainly am most drawn to words about art and growth. 

Eric has also developed his own love of quotes. Actually he has a folder of quotes from me---no wisdom in those quotes, just the nonsense that I say. 

Anyway, that gets me to a simple project that is absolutely perfect for the new year! I often pack Eric's lunch for work and I include a quote shoved in his lunch bag. The quotes I choose for him are usually art related or funny. He doesn't want to read deep soul searching words at lunch, but a light hearted quote is always well placed. I recently made a quote jar just to contain all of the quotes so they weren't free floating around the house. I say this is a great project for the new year because you can easily assemble 365 quotes, one per day.

You will need:

•a large container

•365 quotes. If you are not a collector of quotes you can go to a reputable quote source online and print them off.

 

1) Cut the quotes into strips, removing excess paper. The idea is that you want to make it into something like a long fortune from a fortune cookie, thin.

2) Carefully put them in you jar and take one out each day.

3) Think about the quote a few times throughout the day. Do you agree with the words or is it all nonsense? Why? Think your thoughts and be thankful that you are a sentient being.

Project: Picture Frames and Bath Salts

The girls and I have been making presents to give out this year (act surprised if you receive one). I found a few projects which were simple enough that we could complete them together. You still have time to make these if you are searching for a few homemade ideas.

First up 

Lavender Bath Salts

 Supplies

• 3/4 c Epsom Salt

• 1/2 c sea salt

• 2 Tbs safflower oil

•1/8 tsp vitamin E

•10 drops lavender essential oil

• 2 Tbs dried lavender, we used some that we had gathered from the garden this summer

•containers, I purchased special containers for a couple of dollars each, but any container will do. You will have 1 1/4c bath salts when done

*optional gift tags, explaining to add some to a hot bath.

Directions

1) Add salts to a large bowl. Mix

2) Add oils and mix.

3) Add lavender and mix.

4) Place in containers.

The girls enjoyed measuring, mixing, pouring and smelling. Since this isn't a precise recipe I didn't mind much if they over poured.

Our next project was soooo easy!

Decorated Frames

Supplies

• Cheap frame from store, just make sure it has a flat edge to adhere your bits and bobs. Our frames were $0.99

• Bits and bobs- we used these glass stone things, but anything goes.

•Strong adhesive that will maintain a bond.

•Cute photo

Directions

1) Remove the glass and backing from the frame and set aside.

2) Adhere bits and bobs to the exterior of the frame. Since we were using a strong adhesive I applied the adhesive one section at a time while the girls worked.

3) When adhesive is dry, check to make sure the whole deal is structurally sound. Return the glass and backing. Add a picture and you are all set.

Cordelia made a pattern while Elise was happy to attack it haphazardly.

I also had the girls sign the back of the frame. Elise can write her name now!!!

There you have it!

Project: Fairy House

Yesterday morning Cordelia asked me if I thought fairies were real. These kind of questions are tricky for me. On the one hand I do not want to lie to my children. I want them to know that I will always be honest with them. This is why we have never done the Santa gig. On the other hand I do not want to take away the fun of imaginative play and the wonder of possibilities. Also, it is tricky when asked if unicorns are real...I mean a narwhal is definitely a sea unicorn.

My response was vague enough that I didn't squelch imagination. I said something like,"Well I have never ever seen a fairy." She took that and thought for a moment. She then said,"I have decided to believe that fairies might be real." Then she asked if she could build a fairy house. I agreed to the project.

So after lunch we set up on the back porch with a box that had previously held soy milk. We had some glue and a few soy yogurt cups (emptied and cleaned). I also grabbed some burlap type fabric and a hunk of wood.

The girls gathered grasses and leaves and sticks. Cordelia wanted to make sure the fairy house was camouflaged. She guided the project while Elise and I followed her lead. Elise spent a lot of time playing her own thing when the making process became too dull.

Cordelia in the process of making.

I cut out a door and windows, removed the flaps of the box. Grass was glued to the sides of the box, leaves to the top. Sticks were made into a fence. The yogurt cups and burlap were made into beds. I used the wood chuck to fashion a porch. 

One of two beds.

The whole project took a couple of hours. Once the house was made each girl dug little underground shelters for fairies in case of winter or tornadoes. Fun was had, imagination and innovation happened. It was a good afternoon outside.

Ha ha, this was Elise when I asked her to smile.

Proud of her creation.

Betty Spinkles laid on top of the fence, but the girls decided she was the protector of the fairy house.

Project: Stepping stones

Some time ago we bought and used one of the kits to make stepping stones with kids. While it was a fun project the stones crumbled before summer was over. So when they asked to make new stepping stones I decided to try something different.

First I went to a home and garden store and bought two round 20lb pavers for a couple of dollars each.

Next I painted them white.

The white was just to give the girls a base to work on while they painted. While the layer of white acrylic paint was drying I prepped paint (acrylic), brushes, water cup and paper towels for the girls.

Then they painted. There was a bit of a learning curve for painting on top of the texture, but they had so much fun it didn't matter to them very much.

Next a quick coat of varnish for weatherproofing. I will leave them in the garden for the summer, but I will probably tuck them under the patio for shelter from the winter weather, which will probably start next week.

Cordelia's painting is a heart with a tree on either side, birds, flowers, a butterfly, the sun and the moon.

Elise opted for flowers, sun, and moon.

Project: Garden Tub

You may recall this post about Eric's installation which employed a faux blood filled claw footed tub. I am sure, like me, you were really interested in tub. Where was that tub to go after the show was taken down? That burning question haunted me for weeks, until that sweet little tub ended up in our back yard. Don't get me wrong, I really want a claw footed tub in my bathroom, but I have no budget for a bathroom makeover. So, the tub of my dreams now rests in my back yard.



First we set the tub on some broken pavers, but we left the drain unplugged and the whole tub is tilted at a slight angle which will allow for excess water to drain easily. I toyed with the idea of painting the sides of the tub, but I really like the aged beauty of the tub as is, so I left it alone.



Next I bought a lot of soil. I bought cheap soil for the bottom layers and the higher levels have good quality potting soil. It took a shocking amount of dirt, purchased over a month. I had read about layering any variety of materials underneath, but found a convincing article that helped me decide to just fill the whole thing. I did put an empty pot over the drain so the soil wouldn't pour out the drain, but the water could move freely.



Finally I added tons of flowers. I chose perennials that will hopefully return year after year. I also chose plants in the low, medium, and high range, with some that will trail over the edges.



It is still very early spring here in Wyoming so I will have to remember to update later this summer when it is really filling out.