Crayola Cages: A Weekend Garden Project

Ok - so did you ever see something in the store and want to hit yourself in the head and say "Why didn't I think of that!!"  Well, I had one of those moments recently.  Luckily - I didn't hit myself so hard as to see stars - but I hate it when that happens.  And - I'm sure you realize by now that when that happens, I immediately have to figure out how to do it for myself, preferably without spending any money.

My story begins......Since spring has finally settled into the midwest and planting season has started, I hit the garden center. Oh the humanity!  People everywhere - getting in the way of my selecting that perfect annual or perennial to add to the garden space, or seeds to plant in the veggie spot.  As I wended my way through the crowds, my attention was captured by a colorful display.  As I moved closer to see what it was (because I'm ALL about the color - doncha know), I had my "aha" moment.  Painted tomato cages!  WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!  In bright colors of yellow, orange, red, blue and green they would make an instant statement in my garden.  Then I checked out the price tag and practically passed out.

Once I recovered and moved away, with longing glances over my shoulder at this wondrous garden accessory, I thought about my tomato cages.  Rusty brown and bent, they are all stacked together laying on an old chair out in the yard, just waiting to be stuck in the ground once more.  Oh to give them new life!  Then it occurred to me - why not paint them myself.  It's not like I don't have numerous cans of colorful Rustoleum just sitting in my paint cabinet.   With a light heart - I bought my plants and headed home to start my weekend project!

For this project - you need some old tomato cages, a rag, some colorful Rustoleum spray paint and well ventilated spot for painting.   I placed my cages in an old pot, so that they would stand up straight as I painted them... but you could also plant the stakes in the ground to keep them upright while drying.

With your rag - wipe off any loose dirt and rust until the cage is reasonably clean.  Shake the paint can well, then begin to paint.  I found that painting the inside of the cage opposite where you are standing is a great way to start.  By giving the inside a nice coat of paint first, you eliminate the chance of getting lines of paint on your arms when you go back later (my arms are streaked right now).

Let your cages dry in the sun.  If needed, apply a second coat.  I found that placing them in the sun allows the paint to almost bake on... making it stronger and longer lasting. 

So - now I have painted cages to brighten my garden and it didn't cost me anything but time.  Guess I have to go and finish the planting now.     

Have a great weekend!!    ~ Dani

Frame Up Your Weekend

No weekend should pass by without completing some kind of project.  No... don't laugh at me... I mean it.  While I acknowledge that weekends are packed with sports activities, kids, cleaning, errands and various other tasks that don't get accomplished during the week, those of us with "artsy" blood running through our veins can not let the chance to allow our creative juices flow all over the place.  It is how we decompress, relieve stress and re-energize our souls.  That being said -the question becomes what to do with all that creative energy.   So - every Friday I'm going to give you all some instructions and ideas for cool things you can make that won't take a lot of time.  This week - let's think Bedrooms!

Spring is the best time for refreshing any old room - and nowhere needs it more than the bedroom.  That space which is meant to be a haven of rest most often becomes the room where all the junk collects.  Take a weekend and do a quick and easy bedroom re-do that will give you the space you've always wanted.

Use wicker baskets to put away items that would normally lay out on a dresser. Make use of the space under the bed by placing some plastic containers with covers on the floor.  Change the bed linens from the warm flannel to cooling cotton sheets.  Keep it simple. Once you've eliminated the clutter, and it starts to look like a room again, that's when you can get creative.

Create your own wall art and eliminate the miscellaneous pictures standing on the dressers easily with just a few materials.  Empty out your old wood frames of all the photos and glass.  Cover a table with paper and paint the frames any color you'd like.  For example, try different colors if you want a "funky 60's" type look or paint them all black or white if you want something more formal. You can even mix and match the black and white for an "art deco" look.  Your choice, be creative.

Once all the frames are painted and dried, lay them out on a table so that you create a 3D effect. Put some on top of others.  The trick is that they should touch on at least 2 sides.

Get out some short nails or screws and your hot glue gun.  Wherever the frames touch, you should put a small amount of glue, then nail or screw the frames together, making sure that the heads of the nails or screws rest flush to the frame.  Continue until all the frames are connected together.  Now comes the fun part!

Flip the unit upside down.  In random sections, replace the glass and add photos back into the frames, fastening them normally. In some others, add mirrors or just plain solid backs.  Place nails or hangers into the wall at various intervals to hold the unit in place.  Carefully flip the unit up and hang on the wall.  Add additional fasteners to the wall where needed to secure it.  Once hanging solidly, fill the solid and mirrored sections with extra photos or mementos.

This is a great way to use up those extra frames and get some extra space on the tables, dressers or nightstands.

Another great idea for some instant art is using scrapbook paper.  Pick up some inexpensive frames and insert your favorite patterned paper.  Keep the tonal values all the same, but mix them up.  If you eliminate the glass, you have mini shadow boxes that are easily hung together in sets of 3,6 or 9 and can hold small items while still giving a classy look.
~ Dani

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Themed Shadow Box: Fill Er Up

Ok -- I freely admit I'm on a homemade decoration role lately - but this one I "borrowed" from a show on PBS and upgraded.  I wanted something different - and when I saw this project demonstrated - I thought to myself  "Self - I can do better!"  So here goes.....

I took a deep black-framed shadowbox in a standard size and removed the back. I measured the back dimensions and found a mirror that would fit inside perfectly.

I made a mark on the inside of the frame where the mirror would rest and screwed a couple of "stops" on each side of the mirror to hold it in place.

I wanted to be able to put flowers in front of the mirror, so I found a plastic tube that would hold a single stem of a flower and held it up so that it would reflect in the side of the mirror.  I made a mark at the appropriate height, then screwed a large hook into the inside of the frame so that the tube would be held by the hook. 

Since I didn't like the look of this green plastic thing... I, of course, broke out the beads and covered the entire tube with multiple shapes and sizes of beads, all in the same tonal family.  I had some shiny thin ribbon that I glued on the top to finish it.

Knowing me by now - you KNOW that I couldn't leave it at that!  I pulled out some different wood die cuts and colored beads and went to work again, completely beading the cut-out (I did the triple heart first - shown here).  I found some heavy duty magnets and attached them to the frame where the new beaded decoration touched the sides as well as to the back of the decoration itself.  Since I have a bunch of different shapes, I can change the outside decoration to match the season or my mood!

To finish it, I installed the mirror, replacing the back of the frame and fastening it in place.  While I could hang this on the wall, I kind of like having it sit on a shelf or table.   What do you think?
~ Dani