How Tu...esday. Get Creative with Containers

Over the weekend, we had a family cookout at the lake where my brother-in-law and his wife live. Everywhere we looked they had the most beautiful pots of plants and flowers which lead to a conversation about the expense of not the flowers...but the containers.

It's true. Containers bought at the garden shop or even one of the big box stores will set you back a pretty penny.  I have a hard time personally, justifying the cost, although I have splurged a time or two for a beautiful pot. For the most part though I have usually looked around behind our out buildings or through my husband's junk stash for anything hollow to stuff my plants and flowers in...
I am a cheap-o.

Old cast iron pot with it's lid propped up at it's side

Late one Sunday evening I got a whim to add a couple of planters on each side of the shop walkway...but I didn't have two matching containers except the ones on my front porch. Not many people come to our front door when they visit so I seriously considered swiping those. Then, from no where to now here (I love that expression) I saw in my mind's eye the trailer park planter from a past life I suppose. I went out behind Rick's shop and found his scrapped block from the same building and wha-la...matching planters. Being the junque dealer that I am it is only fitting that I use said junque in my own decorating. Right?

Half of a concrete block set up on it's end...bottomless so it's great for something with long roots or perennials 

The little granite blocks around the concrete block are from the Blue Ridge Mountains and were at one time part of a parkway wall that was removed for new construction.  All of the  granite used in the parkway was actually mined from the mountains by the way. The horseshoe is one of many that I've used in my gardens. I love the rusty brown with the plain gray backdrop of the concrete block.

It appears that I really have an appreciation for rust...another rusty piece that I love!

Old fireplace grate works as a pot holder for my geraniums this summer.

I don't do just rust....This old enamel milk bucket has always been one of my favorites. Everything I put in it looks great...white seems just make everything pop.

In the shop, I've taken lots of things that might have gone to the dump and am using them as plant containers. To

me they still have a few more years of service in them lending their character and beauty in new ways. 

Old galvanized bucket with a nice, pretty wooden handle and decorative  hardware

Sweet, rusty enamel coffee pot 

Bromwell sifter...a little bent and rusty, a lot cute! ...and the Sweet Annie  pictured here is looking much better. I think she was still in shock from the transplant.

What is your favorite alternative to a pricey planter? I'd love to see your photos too...leave a link with your comment.  I  hope you can get out and enjoy your garden today! I plan to do the same.

How Tu...esday. Make a Bird Feeder

For the last sale I made lots of tiered jewelry dishes that you may remember seeing here in my teaser photos. While I had out all the dishes and epoxy I made a few pieces that I call bird feeders and bird feeder/baths. 

Bird feeder/bath

Such poise...I think this one may be a prince.

I'm convinced he can balance that cup when he hops away.

                                                                                

They are really very simple to make and you can go whimsical like the frog or simple like the one below.

Two plates and a candle holder. Simple but elegant bird feeder...plant stand...etc. 

All you need:  plates that appeal to you, something to use for height, maybe a cup or small bowl for the bird bath and a little epoxy glue. You probably already have things you can use or at least a good start.

The next one is my favorite and evolved from pieces that I collected over time. I keep experimenting with layers until I have something that clicks. Next I go back and epoxy glue the pieces together. 

Tips...glue one  piece to the other and let it set completely before adding the next layer. Do this in a well ventilated area or better yet, outside.

An old finial, dinner plate, candle holder and an ashtray...all come together as a bird feeder/ bath combo

They can be whatever you want them to be...feeders, plant stands...

The perfect height

Cheyenne thought it was a great water dish. 

Would anyone be interested in a workshop? We would love to have you make one with us. Leave me a comment and we will plan a workshop soon.

...and FYI...We have several in the shop if you don't want to make one of your own.

Killing Mildew Without Killing Yourself

We live where it's horribly humid during hot weather. When I was growing up we didn't have air conditioning in our house and our leather shoes would mildew in the closet.

We've come a long way since then, but I still have a mildew problem on my porches. I finally figured out that anything painted in latex fared much better than those painted or stained in oil-based products.

Our house trim is stained with oil and instead of gray it starts looking grimy after a rainy Spring. I also have an old cupboard out on the porch that too is painted with an oil based paint. It's gorgeous and I'm not wanting to repaint it.

I used to use bleach to clean the porch furniture but the last several years it has bothered me physically and consciously to use it so I looked for a greener, safer solution. It was right in my kitchen cabinet. White vinegar.  I've used it full strength without any harm to the paint, but I've been warned not to go this route in the shower...acetic acid kills mildew and even inhibits new growth but  it eats grout.

You can see here the mildew spots on the corner of the cupboard door

I sprayed it directly on the spots and wiped it right off...no waiting, no fumes, no carcinogens 

I've heard that Tea Tree Oil will produce the same results but I haven't tried it so I can't recommend it. Anyone gone that route?

White vinegar is also a natural disinfectant so I keep a bottle at the barn for spraying feed pans and water buckets after washing them. It's handy to have around and cheap to boot.

Just my two cents!

Mary's Spring Checklist

 

Had enough pollen yet? This is the most beautiful Spring that I can remember in a long time. Everything here is already green and blooming. Late last week the dogwoods and redbuds were at their peak complimenting their lush green background. Usually they are in bloom way before the leaves are on the trees. It's gorgeous...but the tree pollen is killing us all.

 Redbud Tree

I have to clean my indoor cat before she can come back in. Her white belly gets covered in the yellow dust that has clung to the picknic table she lays on. As much as I love to have the windows open I have vacuumed and dusted every surface and closed up the house until this mess is gone.

Doesn't look like somewhere I'd like to have my lunch today!

I posted a similar article last year on the other version of this blog with my spring cleaning list. It comes from my hero, Mary Emmerling, and her book, Mary Emmerling's American Country Collages. 

Mary is my icon you know. She's my Julia as Julia Child is to Julie Powell, from the recent book and movie Julie and Julia. But, who doesn't love Mary's timeless and innovative style. I've loved her work for two decades and can still find inspiration in even the oldest of her books. Our house is very cottage-y by default from my husband's love of the beach and fly fishing in the mountains....and from my love of hand-me-down furniture and western art and accessories. I used to laugh with joy when someone would tell me they felt like they were in a vacation home here. I knew then I had been a good student of Mary.

Okay...here we go....

Mary's Spring Checklist
Pick a sunny day to throw open windows.(this will have to be in a week or two here) Take down curtains and strip the bed linens, then wash them and hang them outside to dry in the fresh air. When they're damp but not wet, bring them inside to iron...(.I remember my mom and grandmother doing bed linens like this weekly when I was very young.)

Wash down the cottage (wood paneled) walls with a liquid cleanser, such as Murphy Oil Soap.

Sweep out the house from one end to the other. Rent a commercial waxer to polish the wooden floors. (Thank goodness for polyurethane and we don't have to wax our floors!)...I will use my artistic license and change this part to...Vacuum out the house from one end to the other, wet mop and touch up any scuffs on your wooden floor with a new coat of poly.

Clean out closets, installing cedar liners to store your woolens.

Clean out kitchen cupboards and shelves and reline them with fresh paper.

Take down all your books from their shelves and dust them. Replace them systematically. (I have books everywhere in the house, studio and barn so I a do well to vacuum the tops.

Hose down your porch and garden furniture, baskets, window boxes, and bikes.

Strighten out the garden shed, cleaning and reorganizing tools and equipment, and make up a shopping list for the garden center.

Plan your early plantings in the garden for your window boxes and other containers.

Make up a list of the fix-its and the chores that have accumulated over the winter...paint touch ups, screen and window repairs, mending loose steps and wobbly chairs etc.

...to be continued....in June with the summer checklist.

I'm hosing off the porches today...what are you doing?