Old Shoes Make Holiday Gifts

November 30, 2009
planted-boots

Every household has old shoes and those little ones that the kids grow out of are too cute to throw away! But you may also have a collection of adult shoes too that aren’t good enough for the thrift store. Why not turn your shoes into cute little planters to hold succulents, cacti and houseplants for the winter.  These are particularly great gifts for grandparents. Visit indoor plant sections of the garden center or try cacti and succulents because they’re cheap and require so little water the shoes will last forever.

Recycle Even More Holiday Bottles

November 25, 2009
bottle-tree

You don’t need a branching open canopy tree to create a “bottle tree” in your yard.  This old fir tree has bottles suck in its nooks and crannies.  The beauty of bottle trees is when they’re backlighted like this.  But maybe even more beautiful is the fact that they’re FREE! Below is a vintage photo of a bottle tree down South in the yard of an African American sharecropper’s front yard.  Bottle trees are believed to catch evil spirits before they can enter the home, and this tradition was brought to America with west African slaves.

Recycle Holiday Bottles in Your Garden

November 19, 2009
blue-bottls

With the holiday season upon us it’s time to keep an eye out for beautiful bottles to recycle into the garden. The beautiful cobalt blue of Skyy Vodka is one of the best for creating a color statement. The bottles in this picture were buried nose down in a perfectly spaced line that reflects the gentle sweep of the pavement edge. The best way to find lots of great colored bottles is to cruise your neighborhood on recycle days during the holiday season when people put out the byproducts of their parties.

Download Our Free Holiday Decorating eBook

November 16, 2009

Yesterday I found bundles of beautiful seed pods from the Brachychiton trees that grow close by. They’re sold in the craft store but I refuse to spend money on what I can get free from the bounty of Mother Nature. If you’re fighting hard times this holiday season, log on to our Free eBook section and get your free full color copy of Holiday Gifts and Decorations from the Crafter’s Garden. You’ll be amazed at what’s out there for Christmas decorating if you know where and how to look. And with some recycled bottles and herbs from the garden you can create gifts for the cook in your family.  Don’t miss the recipe for rose hip jelly too!!!