Showing posts with label #hometalkeveryday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #hometalkeveryday. Show all posts

Thursday, February 26, 2015

34 Pond Ideas and Inspirations



When Liz contacted me from Hometalk and asked if I would curate a board based on my backyard pond, I jumped at the opportunity. 

It's been such a long, cold winter and I can't wait to get outdoors in the Spring to work on my pond. Right now is a great time to look through Hometalk ideas to prepare for the fun summer months. 

I created this water feature and have changed it a few times since I originally built it. It's 10 feet wide at the front and narrows to the falls in the back. It's one foot deep around the edges and deepens to 2 feet in the center. I like the triangular shape of it and made it to join the patio. 



Here is the first year I completed it... or so I thought it was finished.

Most will tell you after constructing a water feature, they will change it until they are satisfied. Guilty of that, I am! 

(I am having trouble finding photos for a full view. I lost many on a broken laptop so you must look behind me here.) I had some super nice ones, even a blue heron visiting and eating my fish!


After redoing it, I decided to remove the plastic waterfalls... 


and make concrete and stone falls instead.


It's a very enjoyable back yard feature. Adding fish and watching nature surround it always captivates me. 

I'm currently considering a splash water pond in another area of the back yard. While doing so, I'm searching for ideas and compiled some on Hometalk. There is so much inspiration, that I'm tempted to do a few of them. The reality is I'll do only one more. So I'll choose my favorite parts and combine them to make my own.


Love this swimming pond! So reading through the post will aid my plans. 


The falls from this feature is beautifully done. A must do! 


Imagine combining both of those? Yes; that's what I'm thinking! 



My new pond ideas are coming from those posted at Hometalk. It's the largest social network geared specifically to home and garden topics - a great resource when you're searching for inspiration or seeking answers on how to tackle a project around your home. I have learned SO MUCH while searching the site for tips and tricks. 

If you're considering a water feature project, take a peek at my compiled board of inspiration (here). It's quite enticing with 34 wonderful projects! 

Hope you enjoy the views and let me know if you are doing one... or two! 








Thursday, January 1, 2015

January Creative Craft Challenge: Recycled Soda Bottle


Welcome to our first Creative Craft Challenge!  Not only do your hosts create a challenge craft, but you do too!

We create the challenge; present ours to you; and then you link up yours! Look for the link up coming up next!

Each host will choose our own favorites to feature during the next month's NEW challenge. Sound like fun?? Well it is! It's a great way to recycle and create.

This month is soda bottle or milk jug.  I chose two liter soda/seltzer bottles. I drink a lot of plain seltzer (good for you soda) I wanted to make a greenhouse, but I didn't have enough bottles. I'll work on that over the new year.



I cut a 2 liter bottle into three parts.
The top, middle and bottom.


Then I swiped a Christmas napkin and separated it to use the printed part.



Cutting the printed part to fit the middle section of the bottle, enough to fold over the top and the bottom of the plastic, I used Gloss Mod Podge to attach it.


I didn't fret over the wrinkles as much as the ones on my face. I wanted it to have character, like me.


Then painted on the Mod Podge over the entire napkin (on the fold overs and on the outside). Then walked around with it on my arm to dry all morning....


Just KIDDING! I placed it on a freezer bag to dry. The printed section of the napkin is very delicate and tears easy. I actually failed my first attempt trying to flatten the napkin. Trying carefully to mod podge and setting down was a success the second time. 


Now the soda bottle part is a candle sleeve!  When it dried, I placed it over my candle.


As with any candle, never leave it unattended! I had this burning for about an hour without issues and watched it closely. This is a glass contained candle. I would not recommend using just a candle and a sleeve because the plastic would obviously melt. 


I can see this candle sleeve decoupaged on with any pretty printed napkin, or vintage newspapers, copies of photos, gift wrap paper, stamps, lace, tissue papers, or however you desire. Can you also see this technique used for wedding reception tables? I can. Great table centerpiece idea without a huge cost.

Have fun with it!




Wait! What about the other two parts of the bottle? 

The top makes a handy funnel! 



I transferred my paint into a cleaned laundry bottle; painted the front of it with the color; labeled it with date and room where I used it and now it's ready to pour into the roller pan for the next time!

And that paint can? It's plastic. So I washed it out and now have a nail bucket for those big nailing jobs like a roof, shed framing, deck building, etc.

I just recycled a soda bottle, a laundry bottle and a paint can. What a cheap thrill!!!!


Oh, almost forgot, the bottom section of the soda bottle is a nice little cup. I put my jewelry in it at the sink while I washed the paint can.


Don't go yet, I have another!  The girls are going to laugh at me over this. They always try to get me to one thing all the time but I get carried away. Must be a hyper disorder.

I like the color of this 2 liter soda bottle and decided to make a hanging toy box for my parrot.


She is an active bird, as those of you who have one know, keeping her happy and entertained can be high maintenance. She has lots of toys. I wanted to put some of them in a clean spot that she has access to  and this was a perfect idea.



First I drilled holes in the bottom of the bottle. (For easy cleaning and drain drying. She can't have any chance of mold or she'll get respiratory issues. Just like us, but she is more fragile.) 


Then I cut a large hole on the side for easy access to toys.


 I sanded the cut edges smooth and gathered parts to hang the bottle.


I used one of her daily coconut shell halves (I drill a hole to drain the coconut water, then use a hammer to break the shell in half to create a bowl for her to eat out of every other day. So that work was done for me.) I recycled a chewed up toy by inserting it through the bottle top and adding the shell over it.


Then stuffed some of her toys and a few nuts inside and hung it on her tree.


And the first thing she reached for is her bracelet. Well, it used to be my bracelet that she picked off my wrist. (She is so girly!)




Like a baby, she will have everything tossed about when she is done playing with them. But I do like the toy box bottle a lot! 




Okay, there is my 2 liters worth. What would you do with a 2 liter soda bottle?  Or a milk jug?  I can't wait to see you at our first link up on January 2nd!









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Monday, December 22, 2014

Marilyn Monroe Jewelry Chest


Marilyn Monroe Jewelry Box Makeover



I finally got my hands on a curvy chest of drawers! 


Vintage jewelry box makeover



Vintage jewelry chest of drawers, that is.




I immediately knew I was going to make it my first Marilyn Monroe piece. I don't have that whole "download and print and transfer photos" thing down yet. So I scoured thrift shops and local stores for Marilyn magazines, posters, photos and books to use the pics for decoupaging onto the chest. Found none. But I scored a few Marilyn books loaded with her on Amazon for less than $5 each with shipping! 


To begin, I removed the little handles, then cleaned and painted the chest. 

I used semi gloss black enamel.


Then, I went through the books to choose the right photos. I was careful to take out the pages that were photos on the front and the back of the page so I can still read the books without missing any of the stories.   :)


After deciding which three to use, I glued and sliced the largest facial photo onto the drawer fronts. And used mod podge to coat the photo and edges.



While the drawers were drying I cut the remaining photos to size and glued onto the sides of the chest.

I was loving how the curved sides were unique frames for the pictures.


When the drawers dried...


I put the handles back on.

I hated to, because they were on Marilyn's face. But had to because they are needed to open the drawers. Then end result is not as distracting when you look at the whole chest as a photo display.






To balance out the gold color of the handles, I used a metal paint to accent the chest around the edges in slight brush strokes just for highlighting.





Then I was done.  








This photo from a movie set fit perfectly for a curvy chest side. 






This photo of Marilyn with roses was perfect for the left side. 









The whole time I was doing this project, I wanted it for myself. But it was intended as a gift for my sister, who loves glam... lashes, nails, jewelry... I usually get her jewelry but this time, something to put it all into. 




When I think of Marilyn, I think glamor. Just like jewelry being so glamorous... paired up as a classy way to sport a jewelry!.


I just might have to find another jewelry chest...after all,  I do have plenty more photos!  ;)




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