easy-squeezy whimsical planters

today I wanted to share a super simple planting project that is very inexpensive but super-cute

find a bunch of used shoes - I especially like to use baby shoes

my mom has used old boots on either side of her steps and they look great

you can even plant up high heels

one of my baby shoes freshly planted with baby succulents

fill your shoes with a good quality potting soil

and then have fun filling them with annuals and succulents!

You kind find used shoes at yard sales, Goodwill, Salvation Army, thrift shops, or sometimes even at the dump (if you have a "sharing" shed like we do).  The key is to find shoes that have a nice shape, pleasing color, etc - don't worry if they are worn & grubby

Photo: Courtesy Gary Bachman on msucares.com

you can plant up a single shoe or a pair of shoes - you can even hang your shoe planter!

I saw someone plant up a 2 rows of shoes and boots and then lined them up on a plant stand - it was adorable

Photo: Courtesy Josh Mccullough on PortlandMonthlyMag.com

on a roll

I have been obsessed with upcycling papertowel and toiletpaper rolls for a couple years now...
it all started with a little post on one of my fave blogs mayamade - check it out here

ever since I have made all sorts of artsy goodies with them but this spring I decided to explore another idea I've seen floating around - as seedling pots!

so simple to do:
you can get 2 pots from a TP roll and approx 4 pots from a paper towel roll...if you start quite a bit of seedlings you will need alot of rolls but enlist your friends & family to save them for you!  It feels good to recycle and everyone gets a kick out of handing us our rolls when we see them.

1.  Cut your rolls with a hefty pair of scissors.  This does not need to be perfect but if you want every roll to be exactly the same size then you could always measure & mark before cutting.

2.  Once they are cut down to size, make 4 evenly spaced slits on one end.  The slits need to be approx the same length around 1-1.5" but again no need to be perfect.

3.  Fold each slitted piece down and ensure it will be a good solid bottom.

4.  Once happy with the fold, make a box bottom and then take a small piece of masking tape to secure.  I have seen these done without tape with just a overlapping box bottom but it was too fussy for me.

5.  Make a BUNCH - perfect for unwinding at night in front of the tv.

6.  Once all your seedling pots are gathered, place in a seedling tray and pot them up w/ your fave seedling mix.   Water from below by pouring room-temp water into your seedling tray.  The pots wick up the water perfectly.  Germinate & grow your seeds according to their needs.

7.  Watch grow, tend to them & enjoy!

THE WINNER!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO...

Cindy said...

Taryn, these houses are just as enchanting as your own farmhouse. Can't wait until this year's Art in the Rough!


March 22, 2011 4:45 PM

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR GOODIES

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR PLAYING :)

what makes a home

last project from the holiday season catch-up...

this was a homemade gift for my mom - she had requested a piece of art from her children for her newly renovated snuggery (a den of sorts with a much more poetic name :)

this was a collaboration between my hubbie and I
it was very difficult to capture the subtle paint colors and textures with photos - unfortunately it looks much darker/grungier than it is in person...but you get the idea

textures and glazes in paint, simple found objects and collage

combined to represent the simple pleasures that reminded us of home

simple compositions and groupings of common objects sometimes make the most impact

it is very large - the substrate is an old barn board - hubbie and I had a really nice time creating this together

I don't get a chance to work large very often so this was a wonderful treat - working in different scales is a great way to challenge your artistic self

and mom was tickled with the result - which is the best part of all

super simple project

I had a mission over the holiday season to give A LOT of handmade gifts - my studio was bustling with all sorts of fun things...stitched felt goodies, jewelry, folk yarn balls, mixed media ornaments, pet toys & beds, a huge mixed media painting and more
It was so busy that I didn't find time to blog about 'em...but I also didn't want to spoil the surprises

So now that the cats are out of the bags, I am going to play some catchup.  Most were not holiday themed and are projects that are great anytime of year.  My faves are using simple everyday items and/or upcycled items

Super Simple Dog Pull Toy

simple project - you will need a pair of scissors and a few clean tshirts or jersey knit shirts ready to be recycled

great for toy, small and medium dogs

SAFETY FIRST - ALWAYS WATCH YOUR PET WHEN GIVEN A TOY

STEP 1 - cut out the main fabric areas of your recycled shirts (remove seams, button/zipper areas, etc)

cut into strips approx 1.5" wide and 10-15" in length - these do NOT need to be perfect

great relaxing, mindless thing to do in front of the TV

STEP 2 - choose 3 strips - varying colors

STEP 3 - knot one end - again it doesn't have to be perfect

pull the knot very tightly

STEP 4 - you will need 3 knotted bundles - repeat Steps 2 and 3

STEP 5 - secure the knotted end of one bundle and braid tightly

you can secure the knot by taping to a flat surface or clamping

I prefer clamping between my knees

STEP 6 - when you reach approx 1.5-2" from the end,

stop braiding and tie a knot - pull it very tightly

STEP 7 - repeat step 6 two more times

you can trim the ends if you'd like

STEP 8 - take two of the braids and knot the end together - pull it very tightly

STEP 9 - take the third braid and knot its end to the other two - pull it very tightly

STEP 10 - secure the large end knot and then braid the 3 braids together, pulling tightly

when you reach approx 2" from the end, repeat steps 8 and 9

STEP 11 - PLAY! with your favorite Pup

*my doggie LOVES these - pull, jump, run, chew

there will be some fraying and tearing if your doggie loves to gnaw on the knots as much as mine does but they are so easy to make that I simply replace any that are too forlorn...make a bunch!

get inspired

felt like sharing one of my favorite blogs today...
head over to maya*made

she is uber-talented and very prolific
I really enjoy her blog because we seem like kindred spirits in the sense of creating beauty out of simple, often forgotten, everyday materials...many of which would end up in a landfill.

she is very generous and creates all sorts of fun tutorials
check out her MAKE button

Maya's SIMPLE GIFTS are perfect for quick handmade whip-ups for special folks in your life - last year I created some altered mixed media jewelry for my mom, sis and niece...I tweaked her upcycled toilet paper roll idea to create little altered/stitched gift boxes.  I enjoyed working with them so much that I will probably explore more toilet paper/paper towel roll projects this year as well

ooooh - also check out her mom's barn pictures - great eye candy
HAVE FUN!

I Wanna Play!

I am excited to participate in Flea Market Friday
hosted by Kecia Deveney of Lemoncholy's

Some of our finds go into our antiques shoppe
Some are added to our website and
Some are just mine o' mine :)

here are some of our recent treasures...

awesome old typewriter

adorable mother goose book - the illustrations are amazing

I just love this jug - especially the aqua paint!

vintage metal childs kitchen

old adding machine

I LOVE old luggage and picnic baskets

a cutie little shoe

chippy watering can and a tiny broken doll foot

I collect chalkware - this little lass was a recent gift

I also collect little dogs - look at that face

another new dog and a cool old Coffee container

I know, I know...how many dogs does one girl need?

I couldn't resist - this guy is chalkware

gorgeous antique song book

now this little one isn't very new but I had to share her new attire

This is my fave find of the year - read the original post here

I was lucky enough to get a beautiful rosette gift from my friend Kecia when she taught at Art in the Rough in August.  I adore it.  When I wasn't looking she added it to my dollie - I LOVED IT!

then a few days ago I was sorting through some new junk we hauled in and I found this shabby wire lampshade.  It was tattered, faded and perfect for her little head

baubles, broken jewelry, buttons - lots of sorting to do!

sweetie pie