Garden Penny Post

A cute little garden accent that might just keep slugs away from those tender new shoots.

Similar to penny balls except I didn't have a ball, so I used a post and spike from an old solar lamp instead.

An old solar lamp post, clear marine silicone and some pennies (dated before 1983 for best copper content) are all you need.

Stick one penny on top of the post then, using the waterproof marine silicone, glue a column of pennies up one side of the post. Lay flat on that side and let them set a few minutes before starting the next row. My post fit exactly 4 columns of pennies.

Let it set completely for at least 12 hours before exposure to water, then stick it in anywhere that you might want to keep slugs away. I don't know if copper really does repel slugs but I like this quirky little garden art.

If you have marine silicone left over how about another garden craft?

Beaded Mason Jar Solar Light

https://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.com/2020/07/beaded-mason-jar-solar-light.html

Follow hotandcoldrunningmom on Pinterest. You can scan the pincode seen here with your phone if you're on a desktop. If you're on a phone just screenshot it, go to the Pinterest app, click camera. Then instead of taking a pic use the option to use one of your photos. Click on the screenshot you just took and go right to my Pinterest profile where you can follow me 🙂

Garden Directional Sign DIY

After a few years of contemplating (procrastinating) we finally made our garden directional sign.

Using leftover pine or spruce from something or other (probably fence boards) we set to work. Pallet wood would work as well. (Try saying that 5 times fast!)

I googled the mileage from home to some of the different places we have been to over the years. Then I printed out the info in large font. Using carbon paper and a stylus I traced everything onto the wood. If you don't have carbon paper you can blacken one side of any paper with a lead pencil, then use an old ballpoint pen as a stylus for tracing. A little time consuming but it works.

Once the transfers were done my husband cut the boards and tapered the ends. 

I watered down different coloured acrylic craft paints and gave each sign a wash, making sure the lettering showed through the wash.

Once they were dry I painted little things that were memories of those places (like bears in Algonquin Park) and finally painted the lettering in black.

Hubby gave them all a coating of this outdoor varathane to hopefully protect them from the elements.

 

Then he used his pneumatic nailer to attach all the signs to an existing post we have in the garden. Good thing he did it because I would have just nailed them on and would probably have split the wood.

So there you have it, our garden directional sign... yes people have pointed out that the arrows are not all pointing in accurate directions. That doesn't matter to me. I just love it!

Denim and Fleece Dog Coat

Still belly deep in snow here! But Karma is toasty warm in her new handmade, recycled denim coat!

Following the directions given at compulsive craftiness I was able to make this cozy denim and fleece coat for Karma. Check out the pattern through this link for detailed instructions.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140924211940/http:/compulsivecraftiness.com/2012/cozy-fleece-dog-coat-tutorial/

But here's what I did.

I patchworked some recycled denim for the outer layer. 

Then lined it with plush baby blue fleece and cut off the excess

and sewed on some velcro closures.

It was the first time I'd ever sewn a collar to a garment...not bad! The instructions made it easy!

I made a strap across the front using the waistband from a pair of jeans including the brass button closure.

Perfect for walks around the block! 

Saving Butter Wrappers

Re-use, repurpose ... every little bit helps! Unfortunately butter wrappers are not recyclable but at least they can have another use before being tossed!

I just read somewhere to save your butter wrappers in the freezer, then take one out of the freezer when you need to butter a bowl or baking dish.

Handy! 

DIY Garden Markers

Planning my summer garden while self quarantining against covid19 is helping me keep my sanity. Hopefully things will get back to normal by summertime.

So I used some unloved CDs and DVDs (does anyone even use these anymore?)
I plan on sticking them halfway in the ground so I sketched my images for the top half.

First primed with gesso, then using acrylic paint I brushed on a background on the shiny side of the discs.

I then traced my sketches onto the background colour using tracing paper and a stylus. You could also darken the back of the paper with a lead pencil then trace over the front with a pen nib.

Next, again using acrylic paint, each of the plants I expect to have in my garden are painted onto the discs.

Finally a coat of Rustoleum clear coat that adheres to plastic and these babies are ready for springtime planting season!

Are you ready?

Recycled Denim Wrap Bracelets

Deconstruct a couple of old jeans and turn the seams into these funky bracelets...

All you need, besides the old jeans, is some memory wire. That is a wire that will hold it's shape. It can be found at craft stores, but I found mine on my husband's workbench ; )

So you need:

old jeans
memory wire
beads (to fit the wire)
needle nose pliers
wire snips
lace (optional)

On this particular one I sewed lace on one edge before feeding the wire through the seam. Remember, if you are sewing anything onto the jeans leave the path for the wire opened.

Once the wire is through snip it off leaving about 1  1/2" of wire sticking out on both ends for the curl, more if you want more beads on the ends.

Feed beads onto the end then with the needle nose pliers curl the end up, making sure to turn the end in so it doesn't catch on anything when wearing the bracelet.

As you can see in the above pic, sometimes you can use shorter lengths of seam. Just add some beads along the wire and keep feeding another piece of seam on.

Once the ends are secured take something cylindrical, like a glass, and wrap the bracelet around it. Then place it on your arm and adjust to the size you like.

So easy to make, these were done in about 1 hour. The hardest part is cutting up the jeans!

Here's another denim creative reuse...

http://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.ca/2018/05/upcycled-denim-placemats-with-matching.html

Recycled Dog Food Bag to Homemade Grocery Bag

When coming through checkout with our big bag of dog food for Karma the cashier said to me "if you are handy with a sewing machine these make great grocery bags."
Well, I thought, I'm handy enough!

So I took an empty bag and turned it inside out. You could leave it right side out but I didn't want my bag to be so flashy ; )

Cut 2 strips from the top that will be the straps. Tuck both edges in and sew together.

Sew down the top edge of the bag all around.

Pin the straps onto the top. You figure out how long your straps are and at what angle you feel will be comfortable for carrying. Sew them on and reinforce it well.

I also reinforced the bottom of the bag.

And there you have it...

Next time I think I'll try making one with shoulder straps.
Oh and this is Karma our beautiful rescue dog.