Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Thought I'd share this for Throwback Thursday AND St. Patrick's Day!  These photos are some of my favorites.  I think it's because I love spring when everything begins to wake up from it's winter slumber :)  Enjoy and Happy St. Patty's Day!!

I don't know if it's because I'm so o-v-e-r winter or what but I'm just loving these colors right now.  I began my spring decorating with some of my blue and white dishes as you remember from this post.  Yesterday, we went for a walk to the old farm next door and collected these beautiful, bright yellow daffodils.  Add those to the blue and white and it's gorgeous.  Now, with St. Patrick's Day approaching, I picked up a pot of shamrocks at Kroger.  The vibrant green just makes the whole thing over the top WOW!  

The Latin name for shamrock is oxalis acetosella.  

This plant family also includes sorrel.  If you're a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers fan, you'll know that sorrel makes "real nourishing soup."  :)

Look at that yellow and green!  

I always thought a shamrock had 4 leaves...you know, a four leaf clover, luck o' the Irish kinda thing. Nope.  Shamrocks have 3 leaves.  Clover can have 4 or more.  Yeah, I googled that.

Vibrant yellow daffodils against the shamrock green.  

Did you know you can dry daffodils?  You can!  Just like hydrangeas, they will slowly over time become paper like but will retain some of their yellow color.  And like hydrangeas, they will be somewhat fragile.  Once mine are dried, I remove their stems and just used the blooms as a bowl filler or even carefully added to potpourri.  (Does anyone still use potpourri?)

Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I pulled out my old Atlas "Good Luck" jar for the daffodils.  

It's a little hard to see but this jar has a four leaf clover and the words good luck on it.  I can't remember where I found this jar but it was more than likely a thrift store or yard sale years ago.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

Gardening Tips from Southern Gardeners

Last week I, along with a group of other area bloggers, got to attend a wonderful preview tour of the Nashville Symphony Show House.  It's a beautiful home to say the least.

You can take the tour with me here, if you missed it.

As a part of the preview, our group was treated to a session with Carmen Johnston to make our own container gardens.  Yes, that's the Carmen Johnston of Southern Living Plants and Carmen Johnston Gardens.

photo via CarmenJohnstonGardens.com

Repurpose Steel Drum Rings into Garden Orbs

Months ago I was visiting one of my favorite picking places, the metal scrap yard.  They had a whole bin full of metal rings from steel drums.

I grabbed four of the rings with an idea in mind.  At the metal scrap yard, you pay by the pound.   Like $.25 a pound!  I purchased a couple of other small items that same day and I paid about $3 for everything.  

Once I got them home, I didn't have to do a thing to them except assemble them into my vision, a metal garden orb.

Begin by inserting one ring into another ring. You want them to be snug.

Take a third ring and squeeze around the first two.  Once it's on, you can position the rings so that they are symmetric.  

Now, if there's anything hard to this project, it's this step.  Take the four ring and squeeze it down around the sides of the three.  This one will be horizontal to the three vertical ones.  

The rings come with a clasp that's adjustable by a bolt, similar to an embroidery hoop.  You may want to enlarge this ring slightly to be able to maneuver it into place.  Tighten it once you have it in position.  

That's it!!

If you haven't visited a metal scrap yard, you're in for a treat.  Most are used to "artists" that are looking for pieces for projects so don't be afraid to go look around.  You never know what goodies you'll find!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:

RAIN ON A TIN ROOF    THE STYLE SISTERS    JENNIFER RIZZO    HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS    COMMON GROUND    HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY    FRIDAYS UNFOLDED   FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS    TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW    SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE    STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING    A DELIGHTSOME LIFE      DIY SHOWOFF      ART IS BEAUTY
CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP   IT'S OVERFLOWING   THREE MANGO SEEDS    ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS    PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY    THOUGHTS FROM ALICE   HYMNS AND VERSES

MISS MUSTARD SEED   CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Tool Box Becomes a Flower Box

Are you getting your hands in the dirt and planting flowers this spring?  I picked up a few annuals this week at the nursery and have begun adding them around the yard.

I've had this old metal tool box for many years.  I picked it up at a yard sale for $1.  I'm sure the man wondered what in the world I wanted with that old metal box.  Ha!  Silly man, I thought it would make the perfect planter for some beautiful flowers.  And, it does!

This year I planted two asparagus ferns and a bright pink geranium.  I forgot to mention that the tool box already had two holes in the bottom...perfect for drainage.  Geraniums hate "wet feet."  

Well, one container down...several to go!  What are you planting this spring?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:

RAIN ON A TIN ROOF    THE STYLE SISTERS    JENNIFER RIZZO    HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS    COMMON GROUND    HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY    FRIDAYS UNFOLDED   FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS    TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW    SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE    STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING    A DELIGHTSOME LIFE      DIY SHOWOFF      ART IS BEAUTY
CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP   IT'S OVERFLOWING   THREE MANGO SEEDS    ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS    PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY    THOUGHTS FROM ALICE   HYMNS AND VERSES

MISS MUSTARD SEED   CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Beautiful Coffee Filter Flowers

I love fresh cut peonies for the home.  Problem is...I can't grow peonies!  Having 8 acres, you would think I could find a spot that they would love and thrive in.  So far, I haven't found it.

However, I came up with this easy to make "peony" using coffee filters and washable markers.  They are a quick DIY project.  The hardest part is waiting for them to dry!

Here's what you'll need:

1 package of white coffee filters
washable markers in the color of your flower choice
craft glue
natural peat pots
burlap ribbon
scissors
a paper plate
a shallow bowl

To begin, grab about 10 filters (doesn't have to be the exact amount) and cut the ridges off of the filters.  You don't even have to be exact in cutting the same amount off of each.  Cut some short and some long.  This will make the petals of the flower.

Next, take the washable marker that you've chosen for your flower color.  Color (like a 2 year old) around the top of the filters.  You don't have to separate the stack.  Just color the tops of the inside filter and the outside filter.  The color will bleed through to the others.

I used a dark pink and a purple for this color.  They will bleed into one beautiful color as we go along.  No worries ;)

Fill the bowl with about an inch of water.  (Ignore the orange color in the photo...took the pic after making the orange flower.)

Now take the stack of filters with the colored edges and dip the tips into the water.  Hold it there for about 5 seconds so it will absorb water.

 Look at those colors beginning to bleed...beautiful!

Now for the hard part.  Waiting.  Place the stack of wet filters upside down on a plate and allow to dry.  It may take a few hours.

Once they are dry, pull the filters apart and pinch each filter together at the bottom.  Do this to each filter EXCEPT ONE in the stack.  You will keep the last one to glue the others into.

After you've pinched each of the filters, take the last one and begin gluing the others into the center.  I basically just put a glob of glue into the center of the last one and added the pinched filters one by one.  Pinch them together once they're all in and you should have your "peony" bloom!

Now, I decided I wanted to use these cute peat pots that I picked up at the DG (less than $2 for 8) to hold my flowers.

Before adding the bloom, let's dress the peat pot up with some burlap ribbon and a bow.

Wrap a length of the ribbon around and glue.  Since the pot is tapered, it won't lie flat unless you angle the ends up.  Tie a burlap bow and glue to the peat pot.  To secure the bloom in the pot, run a bead of glue around the top edge of the peat pot and carefully mash the bloom in.

That's it!  Let's see how they look.

Click on any picture to PIN IT for later!

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the Something To Talk About Link Party!!  Incredible projects being shared each week!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie


I'm linking here:

RAIN ON A TIN ROOF    THE STYLE SISTERS    JENNIFER RIZZO    HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS    COMMON GROUND    HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY    FRIDAYS UNFOLDED   FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS    TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW    SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE    STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING    A DELIGHTSOME LIFE      DIY SHOWOFF      ART IS BEAUTY
CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP   IT'S OVERFLOWING   THREE MANGO SEEDS    ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS    PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY    THOUGHTS FROM ALICE   HYMNS AND VERSES

MISS MUSTARD SEED   CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Easy Burlap Flower Wall Decor

Like most of us, I was seriously having spring fever last week.  Changing up decor, packing away the winter items.  That's when I came up with the idea of making a large burlap flower to hang on my mirror in the family room.

This is like crazy-easy and you may have the supplies on hand.  Here's what you'll need:

11 feet of burlap ribbon in the petal color of your choice (mine's white)
3 feet of burlap ribbon in the center color of your choice (mine's yellow)
   (can be found here in various colors on Amazon) Jute Ribbon 4"X 10 Yards-Red
glue gun
glue sticks
9 inch cardboard circle or 9 inch disposable plate for the backing
paperclip for a hanger
scissors

For the petals, cut the ribbon into 6 inch strips.  You should have a total of 22 strips.  Next, fold a strip in half so that the finished edges of the ribbon are together.  Beginning at the bottom, cut a curved shape to form a petal (much like cutting a heart from a folded piece of paper).

Once you have the petal shape cut out, use the glue gun to make a gather at the bottom of each.  Pinch the bottom (straight edge) of the petal and put a dot of glue into the fold to make it hold.

Once you have all 22 petals finished, you can begin gluing them to the paper plate or cardboard.  Make 2 rows of petals, 13 petals on the outer row and 9 on the inner row.  

For the center of the flower, begin by gluing down one end of the 3-ft. ribbon.  Then, every 4-6 inches glue down the ribbon again.  Seriously, you're just sort of wadding it up and gluing it down where it touches the plate.  It's easy and pretty forgiving so don't worry about mistakes.  

Here's the finished flower before I hung it on the mirror.

I used a small Command Strip hanger on the mirror and glued a paperclip to the back of the plate to hang the flower with.  (Sorry the photo is grainy.  It was late when I finished!)

The burlap flower is very easy and very quick to make.  I think these would be great for a party, shower, or even a rustic themed wedding.  Imagine the color combinations...yellow petals with brown center for a sunflower, bright colors with yellow center for a zinnia.

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!
Angie

*Amazon link is an affiliate link to help bring The Altered Past to you :) Thanks!

I'm linking here:
RAIN ON A TIN ROOF    THE STYLE SISTERS    JENNIFER RIZZO    HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS    COMMON GROUND    HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY    FRIDAYS UNFOLDED   FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS    TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW    SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE    STONEGABLE

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING    A DELIGHTSOME LIFE      DIY SHOWOFF      ART IS BEAUTY
CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP   IT'S OVERFLOWING   THREE MANGO SEEDS    ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS    PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY    THOUGHTS FROM ALICE   HYMNS AND VERSES

MISS MUSTARD SEED   CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT

Vintage Bike Thrift Store Find

A couple of weeks ago I made a stop by my favorite thrift store...just my normal visit to see if they've put anything new out.  Lo and behold, as I walked to the front door, I noticed a sign stating "Moving Sale!"  What?  How did I not know about this and what kinda sale are we talking about here?

Um, an awesome sale, that's what kinda sale!!

I had been eyeing a vintage bike that the store had for a while.  It started at $79.99!  Even on half-off day, that was too much.  Then, a little later, they lowered it to $59.99.  Nope, even on half-off day again, it wasn't going to happen.  Well, this day...Moving Sale day, the final markdown price was 75% off.

Now we're talking!  The final markdown price was $19.99, and 75% off made it $5!

Oh yeah! (Doing the Vector happy dance from Despicable Me!)

Ever found such a great find that you immediately booked it to the checkout, hauled it to the car, and then IG'ed, pinned, tweeted, and hooted so that you could share it with e.v.e.r.y.b.o.d.y?!  

(Ok, hooting isn't an online thing but I'm sure I really hooted.)

So, what did I do with my vintage bike?

That's easy...put a basket and a banner on it and stuck it in my herb garden near the shed.

Isn't it cute?  Yeah, I'm loving it.  It's now spurred a whole-front-of-the-shed makeover.  Pitiful flower pot under window...now gone.  Um..."herb garden" that looks more like a bunch of weeds...yep, getting tilled under.  That's mainly lemon balm which spreads like crazy.  Time to get it under control along with the, uh um, weeds that are in there too.  I'm thinking morning glories would look great climbing up the bike frame next summer.

What incredible find have you found at the thrift store?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie

I'm linking here:
THE STYLE SISTERS
JENNIFER RIZZO
HOME STORIES A TO Z
FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON
COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW 
SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE
UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

A DELIGHTSOME LIFE
ART IS BEAUTY

CLEVER CHICKS BLOG HOP DIY SHOWOFF IT'S OVERFLOWING

THREE MANGO SEEDS

ELIZABETH JOAN DESIGNS

WEEKEND CRAFTS

PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY
THOUGHTS FROM ALICE
HYMNS AND VERSES
MISS MUSTARD SEED
CONFESSIONS OF A PLATE ADDICT