Faux Heirloom Pumpkins with Chalk Paint

With the holidays right around the corner I'm doing my best to whip things into shape for autumn. I have a mostly all-white pumpkin/natural theme going on in my dining room but in the family room/breakfast nook I've mixed it up a bit.

I know this is a gardening blog, but I don't think ya'll mind when I share some of my crafting fun with you like I have for past holidays.

This weekend our Florida weather was so wonderful it actually felt like fall. Along with some very enjoyable gardening time, I also decided to paint some pumpkins. I usually purchase several heirloom pumpkins for decorating the front entry and the inside of my home. They have not been available in abundance this year and besides that, they are a bit pricey.

I used some Annie Sloan 'Olive' Chalk Paint that I already had on hand from a previous project. One coat covered the pumpkins well enough for my purposes. I let that dry for about 20 minutes.

Then I rubbed off the olive paint with a damp towel (a piece of sandpaper would also work) distressing the pumpkins (much like we do with furniture) in random patterns. I was happy with the way they turned out.

But then I decided to take it a step further and finish them with Annie Sloan Soft Wax.

I rubbed on a thin coat of 'clear' wax with a clean rag. Before each one dried I also rubbed each pumpkin with a small amount of 'dark' wax. The dark wax gave me the exact look I was striving for. It added a patina that gives them a unique appearance. The entire project took me about 30 minutes.

I realize these pumpkins don't exactly look like heirlooms but the coloration does resemble an heirloom, don't you think?

***Just so you know, I didn't come up with this idea. I saw it somewhere using white paint and kept the idea in the back of my mind. I wish I could remember where it was so I could give credit.

*** Please click over to Hoe and Shovel on Facebook to view the daily photos and discussions about plants there. Click on the LIKE button to be part of the conversation. We'd love to hear what you have to add.
Meems

Make Your Own Christmas Gift Bags::Simple DIY

Creating a whimsical gift bag (for any occasion really) is another fun way to spend time with your best boys and girls. My grandkids and I have been painting our own wrapping paper and making our own gift bags as one of our Christmas traditions for many years now.

It's as easy as one, two, three. The end result is a personalized, hand-made, one-of-a-kind gift bag to pass along or treasure as a keepsake.

Here's what you will need:

Fabric of your choice. Look for patterns that will cut out easily and items within the fabric that can stand alone.
Spray adhesive. Any glue that holds fabric to paper is fine but I've found spray adhesive to work the best.
Puffy paint. This will be to outline the fabric edges.
Ribbon. (Optional)
Stencils. (Optional~~ can be used to make designs in addition or in lieu of fabric)
Handle bags. Sold in groups of 12 (usually) or individually at any craft store.
Raffia, ribbon, and tissue paper to finish once there is a gift inside.

Once your fabric pieces are cut out, spray the back side with adhesive and lay them on your bag in the design of your choice. The fabric should be completely wet with spray. Wear disposable gloves to protect fingers.

Let each bay dry completely before adding outline paint.

Use the puffy paint to outline along the cut edges of the fabric and within the cut out. Just have fun with it and make it your own.

These newly glued artist renditions :-) don't have paint on them yet but as you can see the designs can be geared for child gifts or adult gifts. Any size bag will work.

There you have it. Go have some fun and make some memories with your kiddos.

Meems

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You might also be interested in my latest Lowe's Garden Grow Along blog entry which you can click on the title to read:: Gardening-Inspired Gift Ideas.

How to Create a Succulent Bird Bath

Last year I saw a pretty succulent garden planted in a birdbath while on a tour of a local garden. Ever since then I've wanted one of them for my garden. It was one of those projects that kept getting bumped to the bottom of the "want" list. That's simply because there were SO many plant projects ahead of it this past spring.

When Lowe's Creative Ideas handed out the challenge to create something in my garden using Lowe's products it was the spark I needed to get this idea in full swing.


My motivation was spurred on by the fact that they gave us $100 to spend. Fun stuff, right!



I gathered my materials (2-piece concrete birdbath, assorted succulents, perlite, soil, and pea gravel) from Lowe’s. I chose a mix of succulents that appealed to me with varying heights, textures, and forms. The total miraculously equaled $101.30; so off we go.

Here are the steps for how to make a birdbath into a succulent dish garden.
1. Create some very good drainage in the dish. With a concrete drill bit I pre-drilled 1/4” holes and then 5/8” final holes making sure to site them just outside the diameter of the pedestal.

2. Line the dish with paper towels to keep the soil from falling through drainage holes. (Screen would work well here, too. I didn't have any on hand.) I filled the dish with a mix of potting soil and Perlite (50/50). Because the finished garden will be visible from every side I planted the tallest plants first~ just off-center.

3. Plant. I found it helpful (because of the shallow dish) to knock off most of the existing soil before planting. With the succulents in place I watered lightly.

4. Sprinkle pea gravel into the open spaces and gently press them down. The pea gravel not only looks nice as a finishing touch, but it also helps secure the plant roots into the shallow medium.

This is a simple and lasting DIY project I think you could have just as much fun creating as I did!
It's simple. It's easy.

And if all goes according to plan ~~~ durable and long-lasting.

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Disclosure: My Lowe's blog entries are always written by me in my own thoughts and words. I am being compensated by Lowe's for representing the Gulf Coast Blog for them.

Day 1: Twelve Days of Christmas in a Florida Garden

Just for fun and also because we just keep right on gardening through December here in Florida, I'm going to challenge myself and post something from my garden everyday for the next twelve days. Think of it as excerpts from Hoe & Shovel.

It may just be a flower (or two) or it may be an informative post or it may involve a give-away. It may include lots of thoughts or none at all.

If you'd like to join me and post your own 12 days ... feel free. Just drop me a comment and let me know you're doing it also and I'll come check out your 12 days too.

Day 1: Resting Place

The newest addition to my garden. An old wrought iron chair (it is heavy) I have had my eye on for a very long time. My mom gifted it to me this weekend. Its new home is on the pathway in the side yard leading to the veggie garden.

Hark, how the welkin rings,

‘Glory to the King of kings’;

Peace on Earth,

and mercy mild,

God and sinners reconciled.–Charles Wesley (1707–88)

DIY Mosaic Birdbath Project

Wildlife in the garden is an important and vital feature for any serious gardener. One of the ways to attract more wildlife is to keep fresh water readily available in several places for our feathery friends. We've complied with this by serving up several different styles of birdbaths throughout the garden. It is so satisfying to watch the birds enjoy a refreshing splash at familiar spots.

Photo from summer of 2007- before the huge expansion of this planting bed.

Can you see the birdbath standing among the caladiums? The basin of it is a flat structure that balances on the pedestal as they are not attached to one another.

Unfortunately, last summer (or was it the summer before?) it fell off the pedestal onto the flagstone pathway and broke in two places. Undoubtedly a rascally squirrel poking his nose where it shouldn't be caused this problem.

Regardless of how it happened, I was just not willing to give up on it. My mom's husband attempted to use some sort of caulking to seal it back together. It probably would have worked except (if I remember correctly) I got a little impatient to get it back in service and didn't let the sealant 'set up' long enough. My impatience has caused me worse problems in the past... so it is the likely scenario. :-)

On my 2009 list of projects was to mend the birdbath with a mosaic treatment. After trying several kinds of sealants and glues that didn't hold the heavy weight of water this idea came to me as the last possible alternative before giving up.

With very few tools and little time this project is easier than one might think.
For this cement, flat surface the tools needed:
Tile nippers
Tile and plates to crack (official mosaic term for breaking up the medium)
Hammer for cracking
Liquid Nails
Grout
Sponge for wiping grout
Soft Cloth for wiping grout

I decided to stick with just blue and white for this project as my 'must use piece' was a blue and white plate I had bought at an antique store in Franklin, TN several years ago when visiting Marmee.

After placement and gluing each piece down it's important to wait 24 hours before grouting.

After the grout is secure another wait time of 72 hours is necessary.

This time I was patient.

Not only that but it was really cold when I was working on it. For extra precaution I added a couple of days to the wait just to be sure it didn't contract and expand unnecessarily.

Now for the real test. Will it hold water?

It is in the garden and some landing rocks for the critters have been placed in the water. It's been 'holding its own' for about 3 weeks with no leaking!

I admit I was so glad I didn't have to give up this favorite birdbath.

That little one just can't help himself. He absolutely must pick up those rocks when he gets near that birdbath. I don't mind at all his curious, wonderful character.

The newly mended birdbath is placed away from the flagstones now. If it does fall it will just crush some flowers ... but I don't think they will break the basin.

Update note: Bird bath continues to hold water 2012.

DIY Christmas Centerpiece

Here's an eye-catching yet simple centerpiece you can make yourself. It will only take a few items pulled together to create. You can place it on your dining table or maybe a sofa table or just about anywhere you might like to include a lively arrangement.

This photo is an arrangement I made last year for my dining room table.

What you'll need:

• Clear vase


• Fresh cranberries


• Fresh cut poinsettias (I buy the plants and cut them as I need them)


• Fresh cut Christmas tree branches- the big box stores give these away where they sell trees.

The vase I used here is 15" tall and 4.5" in diameter. It is up to you how tall your vase is and even the shape can vary. I've done a variation of this arrangement in years past with 3 varied sized vases that aren't as tall as this one. The 3 vases created a whole different appeal as a grouping.

One more note. The cranberries can be substituted with small Christmas ornaments or even varying sizes of Christmas ornaments. If you choose to use ornaments instead of cranberries be sure to fill each ornament with water which will cause them to sink. I've done it this way in the past and it works nicely, too.

Let's get it all put together:

• Fill your container(s) with the cranberries (I used 2 bags)


• Cover over with water


• Cut poinsettia stems and burn the ends (with a lighter) until they are sealed (about 10 seconds). Your flowers will last for up to 2 weeks in water when the fresh cut is burned.


• Place the stems around the perimeter of opening.


• Cut several Christmas trees branches to place in the center of vase - however many your container requires. You'll want to cut them so they are taller and stand quite a bit taller than the poinsettias you've already placed around the rim.


• Note: if it works better for you to place the tree branches first and then the poinsettias - do whatever is comfortable for you. It usually depends on the container size and opening.

Total cost: Around $10.00 if you already have the container and the tree branches.

Total time: Approximately 10 minutes.

What could be easier? The creative things we do for Christmas are the most fun part of decorating don't you think? I'm having lots of fun now that I've finally gotten some inspiration.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Blessings, Meems

the making of autumn

It has officially been autumn for almost a month now and i dare say only the calendar is aware of it. Someone forgot to alert the weather. other than a brief (i mean really brief) couple of days last week, we are continuing to experience very humid and hot days ... today 89 degrees and super muggy. tomorrow is predicted to be 90 degrees. whew!

Truth be told, even if it were mild and cool, in this area of the country we are hard-pressed to see any fall colors. sure there are some trees that bloom with bright yellows and pinks this time of year but we don't enjoy any leaves changing colors or plants going dormant that would offer nifty dried berries for indoor decorations.

In sunny, tropical central florida we have to be creative and make our own autumn.

Today I worked on a couple of small projects to add some colorful autumn decorations outdoors.


After making a trip to my local craft store for a few additional supplies, I was ready to begin.


This looks much better than the (at least) 4 year old fall wreath I did have hanging.

Now on to some living plants...
What better way to accomplish the look of a tropical, Florida autumn than with the colorful croton plant? All the essential hues displayed in one plant.

All my supplies are gathered. the croton i purchased has three stems. Gently removing the croton from the container it came in and using a small trowel, I separated it into three plants by tenderly cutting through the roots.


Once my pumpkin was hulled out i made some drainage holes in the bottom and it became my container and ready for some potting soil. I made use of one of the bird baths from the backyard and brought it around to the front walkway.


I wish I could say this was my original idea but I borrowed it from a picture I saw in a recent BH&G magazine. In my version i've used a croton, yellow bush daisy, pink dianthus, purple potatoe vine and some cuttings from a crepe myrtle tree. Around the bottom i planted a couple of white petunias and another dianthus.

It makes for a vibrant autumn combination. By utilizing a full potato vine which filled in all the gaps between plants, it gives the illusion of being a mature grouping. I hope it holds up in a rain shower. Of course we've had so few of those lately, I'm not too concerned about it.
a closer look


Finishing up with two more container gardens, I used all three of the croton stems, two of the bush daisies- again from one pot but separated them, and also an English ivy I split into two.


I bought more plants that i can hopefully get planted by the end of this week. stay tuned for that project.

Oh... i mentioned last week i would be getting to a 'big idea' project this week or next but I have put that one on hold. I thought for certain we would enjoy some great weather by now but since we haven't, I will wait until the humidity is low and then it will be a 'fun project'. I'll be patient. in the meantime, I am designing and gathering my supplies... which is part of the fun!