Morning to all!
Well today’s post is a bit late and that is something I never am…I mean I was 5 minutes early to the church when I got married…the priest made me wait in the back till it chimed 1:05…I was even early for the birth of both my children…really…by an entire month (both times). So you can imagine how horrific I felt when I was not on time for my Outdoors Project on Friday! You know how I have been telling you it has been doing nothing but raining here in NJ…it was the absolute truth so my blame goes to those dark and gloomy clouds and continuous drops of rain : ) My apologies to my girls from the Mission Possible Gang (check out the little update below). I guess as they say…better late than never?
Remember…Tomorrow is the Big Link Great Outdoors Party
Hope to see you here!!!!
This project comes with a little story but here is a sneak peek…
Well as most of my friends know…I am not an outdoor girl…even
though it looks like I live in the wilderness…there is a highway right outside that line of greenery where the sirens ring…the buses stop for the continuous rides into NYC and the traffic buzzes all day! Not exactly Home on the Range!
though it looks like I live in the wilderness…there is a highway right outside that line of greenery where the sirens ring…the buses stop for the continuous rides into NYC and the traffic buzzes all day! Not exactly Home on the Range!
When the subject of outdoors came up in our little group…I was quiet and went along with the girls…I wouldn’t want to deprive them of something that they love and something that they ROCK AT!!! I had NO idea what to do and if it entailed dirt and growing things…well it is not my forte…alas my thumb is black (not brown…black!) oh and did I mention I consider anything over 50 degrees HOT and that is since I was 2 years old! Oh yes…the sun…even though it is wonderful for pictures…my skin…not too thrilled because I can literally step outside in the sun for 5 minutes and have an official sunburn and about a dozen more freckles : )
Also…it called for a budget…I could have gone with something that is kind of second nature…cooking but I wanted to challenge myself a bit…so I thought to myself…Let’s see if Junkin Joe could help me out and so he did…this is what he came home with…
an old vegetable tiered basket that was broken…$.49…a rusty vintage gingerbread style bracket $.79…and a very distressed…very ancient weather vane that has seen its share of WIND…$.99 !!!!
It was kind of turning into one of those connect the dot games…here’s the stuff…what are you going to make?
one this is for sure…it was going to have a Shabby character to it!
It was time to come up with a plan! So…
we went into the garage and took out a plank of wood we had from our shelving craft room project…fastened that to the deck railing
(no cost — scrap)…
screwed the bracket into the post…
then we added the weather vane to the top with a deep drill hole (it spins!)
JJ wanted it to be secure so he took out a piece of left over molding and attached that to the bracket along with an eyelet for hanging…
then it was time to hit the whole piece with some low aerosol paint in a creamy color that blended with the weathered deck…kind of brought all the odd mis-matched pieces together so they were sort of in harmony in a very shabby kind of way…
it was now time to line the baskets with some canvas I had in my crafting supplies (I use it to make banners : ) so I cut out circles and placed them in to the baskets. I purchased a little herb collection of sage rosemary and thyme for the middle tier…a pretty blooming plant for the top all for $4.59 at Trader Joe’s and then the large basket was filled with Pachysandra and Myrtle from the backyard along with collecting some extra rich soil (no cost)…
had to sift out the branches and snip off the not so wonderful leaves but in the end…it was perfect for the bottom tier…
the herbs were planted and Mr. Frog joined the gang…
he’s a little cutie (an orphaned pepper shaker!)
the pretty flowers adorned the top…
tier by tier it was coming together…
and in the end…for less that $10.00 we had a little hanging garden all shabby and sweet!
This is not a grand project by any means but it does show that if you think out of the box a bit…you can come up with something…even on a restricted budget and with no talent for the medium 🙂 Now you are all probably saying…see Andrea…Happy ending…you now love the outdoors and planting well not everything has a storybook ending lol!!!! I have to admit to one and all…I still do not like to garden…I needed to take 2 showers afterwards…the air conditioning was a delight when I got back inside…but I will enjoy using the herbs in cooking! Mother Nature — I admire your to the highest level…I really do…your beauty is just splendid but for now…it’s the electric grill and some of your gorgeous marinaded vegetables…just too hot for me : )
On the flip side…all of my Mission Possible Girls
ROCKED this project to the 10th degree!!!! I mean WOW…you need to check them out…just click on the pics and you will be transported to AMAZING projects!!!!
Linda, from it all started with paint shows you here infinite talents with her gorgeous project…details details details and did I mention…DETAILS!!!!
Karah from the space between gives us the step by step to a fabulous rooftop bedroom…created in her very special BOHO style…she is just amazing at creating that relaxed…fun and exotic setting!
Kari from Thistlewood Farm with her warm and inviting Southern Hospitality opens up the many possibilities are creating that perfect patio…as always her project is glorious!
Then there is my fellow Jersey girl Kelly from Eclectically Vintage! All I can tell you my friends is that she ROCKED this blue dress beauty in Bon Jovi and Springsteen style…in other words…JERSEY style!!!
These amazing ladies rose to the challenge!!!! They all get the WOW AWARD!!!!! check them out…just click on their pic!!!
Ok everyone…TOMORROW…Tuesday the 29th is our
BIG LINKY party…
We want to see all of those fabulous OUTDOOR Projects!!!
You can show us a party that you have had outside…flowers that you are growing…planters that you are building or painting…picnics you are preparing…being kind to the creatures of the land…front porches and oh yes…show us what is on your grill too…
Hope to see you here tomorrow!!! SOOOOOO looking forward to seeing what you have been up to!!!!
Oh yes…I did want to share with you that I do do my part for the Great Outdoors…each and every day…believe it or not…before the house awakes…I make and entire loaf of bread into peanutbutter sandwiches which I send out to my squirrel community! I will be photographing that event and showing it to you soon! : )
Happy Memorial Day
THANK YOU!
(((((HUGS)))))
Melanie says
Well Andrea I am very proud of you ! I think you have made something beautiful from your VERY creative mind. It shows just what you can do on a shoe string.
Enjoy using those fresh herbs in your cooking xo
Holly- Cutie Pie Cottage says
Well I’d never know you weren’t an outdoor girl! Great job, Andrea! I look forward to seeing all the projects the other girls came up with, too!
It’s been another cold spring here so I haven’t done a whole lot outside yet. I did poke some flowers down in an old wash tub, though and I think it’s going to look really cute… I’m waiting for them to fill out a bit and then I’ll take pics for my blog. ♥
Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says
Andrea!! This came out so, so great, and for under $10, that’s my kind of price. lol I love that the weather vane spins, so awesome. 🙂
Vintage Novella says
Your project is darling! I need to find some brackets like that!
Eclectically Vintage says
Love that you used canvas as the basket liners – genius!! So glad you endured the burning rays of the sun so you could make this beauty!
Now, get back inside and slather on some aloe vera!!
All I can picture in my mind when you step outside is “the girl in the plastic bubble”! That would be perfect for you – it could be temperature controlled so you could enjoy nature while staying calm, cool and collected!
Kelly
koralee says
You are soooo clever! Love your beautiful creation. Sending you oodles of love today. xoxo
Linda @ it all started with paint says
Andrea, this is so amazingly awesome! Love the shabby chic twist … and little Mr. Frog … and your frugal selections. Oh, and the edible planter is just perfect for some outdoor grilling!
🙂
Linda
vintage grey says
Love the weather vane!! You are so creative Andrea!! Happy Memorial Day! xo Heather
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
For not being an “outdoor girl” you sure hit that project out of the park!….Crazy creative!!!…..Looks fantastic!
lynn says
i think you do the outside fabulously, andrea:) this is such an awesome project! i love the canvas liners in the baskets–clever!
Misti says
I LOVE this!! I love everything about it! 🙂
DTTD imagine.design.create says
I love how you put all the pieces together to create a pretty & unique planter. And you’ll enjoy being able to pick your own fresh herbs all summer long 🙂
Mr. Frog is the perfect little addition, and such a great way to give an old pepper shaker a new life 🙂
Kelly
AngelaECS at Number Fifty-Three says
I love that you collected all these little pieces to create an awesome & unique garden. Great idea for the canvas, too.
Stacey @flickerwhips says
Andrea it’s wonderful! I love it!! and you know how much i like a project on a budget!!
Laurel Stephens says
I am truly inspired by this wonderful project. I don’t have a creative bone in my body and thank my lucky stars everyday for Pinterest. So when a really creative project like this one comes along, I’m just in-awe. I could never have come up with this cohesive idea from those separate objects in a million years. I happen to have a basket like this from my kitchen (years ago) out in my husband’s shed, and now, inspired by you, I’m going to use it as a planter. You’re a genius! Thank you for your great ideas.
karen@somewhatquirky says
I think you did a FINE job in spite of your considerable limitations. You just stay indoors with your ac and feel very proud of yourself! I love the weather vane…if it disappears somehow don’t even consider that it might have rowed on over to my house!
Sandy says
Andrea you did a beautiful job! What a great idea and inexpensive to boot (my kind of project) So glad I stopped to visit. I’ll be back for the next great outdoor adventure!
Terry says
Andrea – I love to read your blog and learn most about your personality! Your project turned out so fun and colorful, I really like it! Thanks for linking this up at Sunday Blog Love! Wishing you a wonderful air conditioned weekend! XOXO