DIY Mini Herb Garden with Fun Chalkboard Plant Markers

Summer is officially here and one of the things I love about it is being able to cook with fresh herbs.  Sooo….. I decided that this year I would have my own little garden again with all of my favorites! That way I don't have to make a run to the grocery store when I need herbs...and you know that now just going out has become an ordeal! So while I was at it, I thought I would make it cute and fun and use some more of my favorites…galvanized goodies and chalkboard touches! Here's how I did it....

8 Easy Projects for the Garden

My favorite time of year has arrived and so has my favorite occupation...getting my yard in order followed by loooong spells of what I call patio sitting! It's time to hit the gardening center and fill my favorite containers with fresh flowers and herbs! So I am sharing eight ways to display flowers and plants...including a little bit of the unusual plus a few unexpected ways to dress up the ordinary.

An Early Bloom...That Lasts One Day

I first shared this good news several years ago and now I can't believe that it took so long for this to happen since I can now count on it every year! In fact, they are blooming right now...a month earlier than usual! :-) 

My neighbor Joyce kindly shared with me some babies from one of her mother’s cherished plants with the instructions to let them get pot bound and they would bloom. She didn’t know the plant’s name at the time, but I later found out that it is a Walking Iris.

They're Back...Ginger Lilies and Hummingbird Moths

I am sooo excited! My favorite time of year has arrived! How do I know? My ginger lilies are blooming! That heavenly scent is filling my garden once again and will continue until the first frost. Aren’t they beautiful? I have shown them to you before, I think, but they are so lovely that I want to share them again! I only wish I had a scratch and sniff blog so you could smell them, too! Ahhhh!

DIY Mini Herb Garden with Chalkboard Plant Markers

Summer is officially here and one of the things I love about it is being able to cook with fresh herbs.  Sooo….. I decided that this year I would have my own little garden with all of my favorites! That way I don't have to make a run to the grocery store when I need herbs...and you know that now just going out has become an ordeal! So while I was at it, I thought I would make it cute and fun and use some more of my favorites…galvanized goodies and chalkboard touches!

A Little Virtual Visit to Monet's Garden

I have been faithfully self-quarantining for several weeks now with my trips limited to my back yard only. I don't know about you, but I need a little virtual vacation! The beautiful country home and gardens of the French artist Claude Monet have been on my mind this week. How does that sound to you? Pack your virtual bags and join me for a tour! We are heading for the little village of Giverny, France!

It Only Took Eight Years...Update

I first shared this good news several years ago and now I can't believe that it took so long for this to happen since I can now count on it every year! In fact, they are blooming right now! :-) 

My neighbor Joyce kindly shared with me some babies from one of her mother’s cherished plants with the instructions to let them get pot bound and they would bloom. She didn’t know the plant’s name at the time, but I found out recently that it is a Walking Iris.

12 Fun Planters for Your Spring Flowers

I am beginning to believe that spring may really be here and we may not get that last cold snap that we usually get! Sooo…I am starting to think of ways to display my spring flowers…both inside and out! I love to use interesting and unusual items as planters and vases and, since I thought that you might be ready for flowers, too, I decided that I would share them with you today! Here are twelve different ways that you can spotlight spring flowers in your home! 

8 Ways to Get Farmhouse Summer Style

Summer is definitely here in Georgia and it's time to add those seasonal accents to my home. I love the simplicity of farmhouse style because it just seems to lend itself to the ease and slower pace of our summer lifestyle. And the good news is that you don't have to spend a fortune to do it! I am sharing eight ways to create that look and still go easy on your budget!

Farmhouse Patio Tour

Hi everyone! Can you believe that July is coming to a close? School will be starting back in a couple of weeks here (Do I hear cheers and/or groans?) and summer is winding down…well, except for the temperatures and the humidity! My patio is in full summer splendor so I thought I would share it with you before August’s heat sets in.

How to Make a Living Wreath

Here's something I have been wanting to try for a while...making a wreath from growing plants! I have even been eyeing several versions online. Some used succulents but I wanted something with more blooms. And a few used impatiens...lovely, but my yard is not shady enough. Then I was wandering around the nursery and had an epiphany!

DIY Mini Herb Garden with Chalkboard Plant Markers

Summer will be here before you know it and one of the things I love about it is being able to cook with fresh herbs! Sooo….. I decided that this year I would have my own little garden with all of my favorites! That way I don't have to make a run to the grocery store every time I need herbs. (I know…please don’t judge! ) And while I was at it, I thought I would make it cute and fun and use some more of my favorites…galvanized goodies and chalkboard touches!

Easy Fabric Découpage Flower Pots

I am so excited because my favorite season has finally arrived and that means it’s time to start gardening!  And nothing says spring to me more than a pretty pot full of colorful flowers! It’s also time for the monthly share from Celebrations of Home with our focus this month on Mother’s Day. Sooo…I have decided to create some unique flower pots that will make wonderful gifts for Mom!

A Little Patio Fluffing

I've been doing a little fluffing on my patio and I would love to show you! I always enjoy sharing my favorite spot in the yard when it’s at its peak…at the end of June. It’s so very green and lush and all the plants are happy campers right now...before the July and August heat have kicked in. And I have a few new additions I would love for you to see, too.

Some Christmas-y Spring Surprises!

Is it still April?…because I am having some strange occurrences in the plant world at my house that are making me think it’s December! Instead of tulips and daffodils in pretty springy pastels, my house is filled with lots of holly, jolly…RED!

Ten Fun Planters for Your Spring Flowers

I am beginning to believe that spring may really be here and we may not get that last cold snap that we usually get! Sooo…I am starting to think of ways to display my spring flowers…both inside and out! I love to use interesting and unusual items as planters and vases and, since I thought that you might be ready for flowers, too, I decided that I would share them with you today! Here are ten different ways that you can spotlight spring flowers in your home! 

It Only Took Eight Years...

Eight years ago my neighbor Joyce kindly shared with me some babies from one of her mother’s cherished plants with the instructions to let them get pot bound and they would bloom. She didn’t know the plant’s name at the time, but I found out recently that it is a Walking Iris.

The plant itself looks something like a spider plant, but the babies grow from an elongated, thickened leaf, not from a stem. And…as you can see, I did indeed let it get pot bound. For eight long years I have faithfully brought it in every winter and put it back out on the patio every spring…and waited…

Then finally, just this week, my patience was rewarded at last! It finally bloomed! You can indeed see that it is related to the Iris.

Isn’t it beautiful? I quickly snapped some photos to memorialize the event…

…because this beautiful flower literally only lasts a few hours! By late afternoon, it was beginning to wither. I had to laugh, thinking of the movie Dennis the Menace and poor Mr. Wilson who had waited 40 years to see his rare orchid bloom. With Dennis around, you can already imagine the result! (It’s still one of my favorite movies, by the way!)

Another surprise on my patio…one of the three frogs who lived in my little water feature last year is back, which might not be so surprising…

…until you see how small it is! Miss Kitty finds it highly disturbing that critters are living in her personal drinking fountain!

Soon the water hyacinths will be blooming, too…another flower that only lasts a short time!

However, I can always count on the begonias in my shabby picnic basket planter to last all summer and into the fall! You can find out how to make a planter of your own here.

Another favorite of mine is also back …my little rustic  flower pot man…sporting golden creeping Jenny hair this year!

I am heartbroken to say, however, that the single digit temperatures this winter have almost entirely done in my favorite plants…my mom’s ginger lilies. My three beds of thriving plants have been reduced to five or six little sprouts. I am hopeful, however, that with lots of fertilizer and TLC I can still have some blooms this fall and see the hummingbird moths return to my garden.

And, of course, back again…the staff’s favorite…a big pot of catnip!

Although Naughty Neighbor (as pictured here last year) has now found a new, loving home, a few other kitties include our patio in their rounds, so the catnip remains caged to keep it safe and sound until the staff wants to play with it. It’s so nice to see signs of not only spring, but oncoming summer as well!
I hope you are having beautiful weather, too, and beginning to recover from that long winter we all suffered this year!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing my spring patio progress! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants. 
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party , Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Tuesday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays ,  French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday 
See you next time! À la prochaine!

Also find me at…

 

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Easy Handmade Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

With Mother's Day just around the corner, I thought I would share a few of my projects that would make great gifts…and they are easy to make while being easy on the budget as well! There’s a little bit of everything here…from no-sew to light sewing, some painting and some iron-on transfers! I have to say that there’s nothing like getting a gift that was handmade…it really makes it extra special!

Aren't these hydrangea tea towels pretty....and they are super easy and inexpensive, too! The free graphics are included in the post.

These chalkboard flower pots are another fun and easy gift idea...and you can add your own message, too!


Or how about a pretty grey willow French basket with a chalk tag to personalize...and you can fill it with special gifts for her!

I love this Country Living inspired ruler table runner...a fun addition to the everyday table!

Isn't this a fun and different way to present Mom with flowers...and they will last until fall, too! This shabby picnic basket planter is easy and inexpensive to make but looks like a million!

This vintage French script bird pillow is easier than it looks. It’s just an iron-on transfer applied to a frenchy fabric! The free graphic is included in the post.

A package of inexpensive cloth napkins is transformed into French farmhouse numbered napkins with just an iron-on transfer…also provided for you!

The same graphic that was used in the napkins above is used to create these frenchy aged paper candle wraps…super easy and fun to make!

Super-inexpensive Ikea tea towels are used for these DIY “vintage” French linens. They are not as hard to make as they look…that’s an iron-on transfer, not embroidery! All of the letters of the alphabet are there in the graphic so you can create your own monogram!

And speaking of tea towels, don’t you love this vintage French tea towel pillow…made from a pretty tea towel and backed with burlap!

Here’s another easy one… a chippy chalkboard with a pretty ribbon and a wreath! And you can dress it up for Mom with a little messsage!

Finally, no more confusion about which glass is whose with these chalkboard wine glasses! A little chalkboard paint on the stem base and …voilà!

My co-host and CEO, the lovely Miss Ozzie, would like to remind you that using a fun and different wrapping paper helps to make your gift special, too!  
This is just a sampling of the projects that you will find in my Project Gallery…where I have collected over 150 ideas for you to try! I hope you will head over and check it out!

 And for even more inspiration, check out MORE HANDMADE GIFT IDEAS FOR MOTHER'S DAY!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing my handmade gift ideas! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants. 
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party , Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Tuesday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays ,  French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday 
See you next time! À la prochaine!

Also find me at…

 

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