new plants – temporary recycled planter
I purchased a couple of new plants for spring. I figured that they could live in their plastic planters for another month or so before I transfer them to new pots… but those ugly green plastic things didn’t sit so pretty on my windowsill. So, for the next few weeks the plastic planters will sit nestled inside of empty tomato cans. Wallah, beautiful!!
the accidental doggie bed
So…. accidents happen!! For example, when your dog throws up on your comforter and it says “Dry Clean Only” but there’s vomit on it, and it’s gross, and you put it in the wash anyway, only to realize later why you should have followed the instructions.
See the picture above, well that is what my comforter now looks like. A bag of stuffing and some fabric. After a nice wash and dry in the machine, all the batting clumped to one end and the fancy patchwork comforter was no more. I cut open the fabric, put the batting in a bag and shoved it to the back of my closet.
Meanwhile, my dog had taken to lying in the pile of fabric as sort of a makeshift bed. After doing a little spring cleaning (and washing his dog-pile bed) I decided to whip out the sewing machine, put the batting to good use, and make my little guy a real bed.
dry goods jars
Around my home there’s always a use for an empty jar!
real home style
bottle fizzzz play fun
While fizzing up a bottle may seem elementary… to a little kid, it’s a blast!!
Simple household ingredients can turn recyclable bottles into fizzing fun for young and old alike. The mixture is simple, baking soda plus vinegar equals a bubbly reaction. Anyone who made it through grade school science probably learned how to make a ‘volcano’ explode in a similar manner.
We realized we were out of baking soda but guess what… baking powder also did the trick.
Just fill an empty plastic of glass bottle with a few spoonfuls of powder, add vinegar and watch the kids faces light up with excitement. Yes, bringing joy to a child really is THAT EASY.
PS.. let the kids scoop, let the kids pour, and let the kids help clean up! My four year old helper was just as capable as her big sister.
PPS..do I really have to say, DON’T DRINK.
beverage jars
It’s getting hot again, so I’m saving my leftover espresso for icy drinks. Instead of using a plastic pitcher, which not only has the danger of off-gassing, but also holds on to strong scents & colors, I used an old jar.
Pickle jars and tomato sauce jars are the perfect size for summer beverage containers. Store anything from iced coffee to margaritas or lemonade in an empty, sterilized glass jar.
Using a Sharpie, label your brew on small strip of masking tape and affix to the jar. Stay hydrated!!
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tomato can herb garden
Empty tomato cans make the perfect pot for a seasonal Italian herb garden. See my old post for easy instructions on growing green at home. Bon Appetit!
rooting and revisting
New home. New needs. New uses for old projects.
Since I’ve moved, the floating herb garden has been dangling succulents and rooting cuttings.
resisting temptation for inspiration
I was about to make an impulse buy and purchase a charming roll of recycled holiday paper (placed cleverly near the register so you drool over it while waiting in line)… then I remembered all the magazines in the recycling bin, and put it back.
There’s beauty in resourcefulness… plain and simple.
floating herb garden
Creating this beautiful floating herb garden is simple, all you need are a few empty jars and a quick trip to the hardware store. The steps to make your own are outlined in the gallery below… be sure to click on the pictures to see the detail.
(click on an image to enlarge)
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Gather:
empty jar
needle nose pliers
s-hooks
clear picture wire
galvanized wire
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- Using the cutting part of the pliers, snip a piece of wire large enough to wrap around the mouth of the jar twice.
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- Find the center, then twist a loop into the wire.
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- Placing the loop on one side, wrap the wire tightly around the mouth of the jar.
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- Twist the wire into place opposite the first loop. Twist a couple more times to make it tight!
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- Using the pliers, make another loop. Twist and tighten the wire & then snip off any extra.
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- Cut a 15-20 inch piece of picture wire. Using the knot tying instructions on the package, tie one end to each loop (creating a handle).
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- Attach s-hook to hanging wire. I squeezed mine onto the wire so it would not get lost.
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- Measure how low you want your jar to hang. Cut and attach a piece of picture wire going from the s-hook to a nail in the wall to hang it on.
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- A detail shot of the hardware.
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- Add water, herbs or even flowers. Have fun!!
