Infused sugar smells divine, tastes decadent, and makes a beautiful gift. I made up three recipes to share over at the My Own Ideas blog:
Vanilla Spice,
Fairy Garden Round Up
March 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Last week the we shared these adorable Easter Basket Fairy Gardens from Beverly Turner one of the co-authors of Fairy Gardening: Creating Your Own Magical Miniature Garden and I learned that people just love these little gardens! PS: if you want to win a copy of Fairy Gardening, we are giving a second one away here.
From this post on Hometalk, I’ve seen that there are a lot of fairy garden fans out there. So I did a little snooping around and created this round up of the different fairy gardens that have been shared on Hometalk. (PPS: If you haven’t been to Hometalk yet, you will be delighted to find professionals, bloggers, homeowners and renters who share information, questions, and more in an online community. It’s like having an army of advice right there at your fingertips, and it’s a fun place to show off your hard work around the home and garden.) [Read more...]
Seed Packet Favours
February 25, 2013 by 1 Comment
Looking for a garden friendly favour for a spring wedding or a bridal or baby shower? These colourful seed packets a fun way for guests to take away a lasting memory.
These seed packets are even cuter when displayed on wire curlicues like butterflies fluttering around. Perfect considering they are filled with a blend of seeds for attracting butterflies! For the complete instructions on making these delightful favours, check out the full post at the My Own Ideas Blog.
Chalkboard Painted Orchid Pot
February 19, 2013 by 3 Comments
This DIY project would make a great gift, complete with a handwritten sentiment. Will the handy uses for chalkboard paint ever come to an end? I hope not. Read on for instructions on how to make the pot, as well as some advice from Martha Stewart that took the fear out of repotting orchids for me!
Terrarium Wedding Favors
February 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
I love making up little terrariums with Air Plants and sand as gifts and would love even more to get one as a wedding favor. These little guys are really simple to put together and can also be used as table decor.
Check out the full DIY instructions at the My Own Ideas blog.
Seed Paper Valentines
February 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Looking for a cute handmade V-day card without the sweets? These plantable cards will grow healthy red veggies like radicchio, rhubarb chard, and radishes!
full tutorial here: DIY Plantable Seed Paper = Valentine’s Day Cards
A Modern Way to Display Pressed Botanicals
January 31, 2013 by 2 Comments
This striking craft to showcase pressed flowers or leaves is found in the February 2013 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine.
The project couldn’t be easier even though it looks like a million bucks. This is to be expected as the project comes from crafter, designer, and stylist Shane Powers. Shane has showcased his talents for Vogue Living, West Elm, and Martha Stewart Living, showcasing nature-inspired crafts (love!). His new book Bring the Outdoors In is available now in hardcover and Kindle edition.
To make these beautiful art pieces [Read more...]
Winter Flower Arrangements
January 15, 2013 by 1 Comment
The garden may not be producing a large number of fresh flowers right now but if you took some time in the fall to preserve the ornamental garden by drying flowers and seed heads, you can still make gorgeous arrangements. This photo was sent by a reader who gives dried flower arrangements as hostess gifts.
Here is what she had to say:
“Here is a photo of the winter arrangements I’m making to bring to dinner hostesses and friends instead of fresh flowers. I get the pots at the economy shop in town. They seem to be well received.”
Thanks for sharing!
Lavender Dryer Bags
November 14, 2012 by 6 Comments
Lavender dryer bags are a natural way to freshen laundry. They are made simply from lavender scooped into small drawstring muslin bags like these. These bags are typically sold as bouquet garni bags, for adding herbs to soups, stocks, or stews.
When you have filled the bag with lavender, tie it tightly in a few knots and then wrap the string around the top and tie again. This will ensure that it will not come apart in the dryer. Toss a bag in with the laundry to add a light fragrance. Each dryer bag will last for ten loads in the dryer.
Lavender dryer bags will also make a great Handmade Holiday Gift! Present a set of 6 bags in a vintage jar wrapped with ribbon. The sealed jar will help keep the bags fresh.
Flower Rearranging
November 7, 2012 by 6 Comments
I’m always grateful when some kind soul brings me a bouquet of flowers. Not simply because of the gesture, but also because I can take apart the bouquet and make many flower RE-arrangements to brighten up my house.
Many florist creations are works of art that require nothing but a vase of water and a prominent location in the house. However some, frankly, are just plain bad. There are good plants in there but without any artistry tying them together it’s a shame to let those beautiful blooms end their life in such a sad way.
Take this bouquet for instance.
