diy moss ball succulent :: diy :: spring decor

{soon-to-be} vertical garden :: diy

i have been wanting to try a vertical garden for over a year now. last week, i finally found myself with the right supplies to give it a try. something to note is that the first picture above is NOT mine. i found it online, so that you can get an idea of where i'm going with this...

here's what i've done so far:

1. i filled a shallow wood box with spanish moss. this box was actually an unfinished tray in the wood section at the hobby store
2. i then layered soil on top of the moss and smashed down
3. using a painted wood frame, with the same "free space" as my tray, i flipped it over and stapled chicken wire along the back. what i mean by "free space" is if you have a 12x12 frame, you will need a 12x12 box.
4. then i used wood glue to adhere the two together
5. finally, it was time to plant my succulents!
6. lastly, i layered moss around the plants to keep the dirt from falling out once the planter is vertical
7. now, i wait. i think for a couple weeks, hopefully no longer. i have to wait for the roots to establish a grip so that when i hang my planters on the wall the succulents don't fall out.

what do you think? have you tried vertical gardens yet? i've seen them done in pallets, but i can't even imagine how heavy that would be. i'm not sure i have a wall that could hold one. 

i have a few other ideas for some, so we'll see where that takes me. xo

spring in my yard :: nature photography :: macro photography

golden eggs :: inspiration :: home decor

nests make the perfect spring decor, don't you think? i tend to make one each year for our family table and this year, i painted my wooden eggs gold. i mean... why not?! they look so pretty with the black & white feathers nestled in an antique bowl.

my boys keep trying to trick us though... occasionally they will sneak one in their pocket in the mornings before going out to our chicken coop to collect the eggs. then one of them runs in yelling about how we have a chicken that is laying golden eggs! you should see their faces as we play along, pretending to be amazed.

it's all fun and games until one brother throws a lovely golden egg at the other. when it doesn't break, their jig is up.

mommy gets her decoration back.

let's go fly a kite (frame) :: diy

crayons to candles

if you have kids (or even if you don't) chances are you have some broken, old crayons lying around. well, today i'm sharing with you how to make those into candles! here's the diy:

1. you'll need glass votives, dixie paper cups, candle wax, old crayons, a small sharp blade, scented oil (optional), wicks & wooden sticks for stirring and support
2. first, choose your colors. keep in mind that the color you choose as a crayon will be much more muted after it is melted with the candle wax.
3. using a utility knife or blade, cut the paper off your crayons
4. before adding your crayons to the wax, melt a small amount in a dixie cup and poor into the bottom of your votive. you can melt the wax in the microwave for about one minute. 
5. place your wick in the wax and let dry for placement. support with two wooden sticks at top like pictured.
6. now poor a larger amount of candles wax into a dixie cup, then add your crayons (one color / dixie cup). add any scented oil now as well. microwave for 2 minutes and stir
7. poor into your votive and let dry for 30 minutes.
8. for the layered look like i did, repeat steps 6 & 7 until you are full!

these are so cute for spring i can hardly take it! xoxo

my mother's backyard :: nature photography

growing up, i somehow completely missed how lovely our backyard was in the spring.  i'm sure i was too busy working on my tan, talking on our cordless phone, or well... just wasn't home.

now, when i visit my mother, and i play with my boys in her yard, i am astonished at how colorful it is.  she has chosen carefully over the years and picked the most beautiful trees and bushes.  when i push my boys on the swings, their little feet fly high up and brush against the blooms causing a shower of color.  i inhale deep to enjoy the sweet scent.  i point out this moment to my sons and they notice...

"thank you grandma".

paint your pots gold :: diy

i love liquid leaf.  did you know it comes in silver too?  and copper?  and probably more colors than those.

anyway, today, i want to share with you a little project that adds rustic glam to your garden...

supplies:

• terra cotta pots
• liquid leaf
• paint brush
• strong tape (i used packaging tape)

the steps:

1. paint on the liquid leaf in any sort of fashion you desire
2. it dries quickly, so i found if i covered the pot with tape as soon as i finished painting, it peeled off best
3. after a couple minutes, peel off tape for a 'chippy' look
4. plant your favorite little greenery