a life just ordinary


Let the Decorating Begin!
November 18, 2010, 3:49 pm
Filed under: Crafts | Tags: ,
When the first little chill hits the air I have the tendency to retreat inside and bake. I scent the house with the smell of sugary treats, chock full of chocolate and calories. I use these cookies, cakes and bread to bribe my neighbors. These are apology offerings for the ugly state of my porch; empty baskets and pots patiently waiting for spring flowers.
Well now I think I have found the solution, thanks to a very helpful mother-in-law. (Yes, we totally get along. Crazy, right?!)  For the past couple of days I have been feeling pretty crafty.  I have a new way to add some green to my yard (which at this point can only be described as brown and yucky.)
The best part about these baskets is that they are easy and inexpensive to make. Most of the materials can be scavenged around the yard or the neighborhood. Just look for evergreens that are in good shape and could use a little fall pruning. For this project I used magnolia branches (from my neighbor’s tree, they only cost a plate of cookies). I also used pine branches, variegated boxwood and cedar.
The only pieces I had to purchase were the fake berries and the glittery sticks; because lets face it, I am a sucker for glitter. I also bought the big shiny balls, again I am a pushover for the shiny things.
Start with a pot filled with potting soil.

You don’t need a fresh pot of soil, the leftovers from the summer will totally work.

Wedge a couple of sticks in the dirt.

I am told that the cardinal rule for these baskets are: 1. Thriller 2. Spiller 3. Filler.

The glittery sticks are the thriller. At least it is for me, have you not noticed that I love tiny pieces of light reflecting material? You don’t have to use sticks, but it is nice to add a tall element to the arrangement.

Along the edge of the pot wedge magnolia branches into the soil.

If you clip these yourself make sure to leave a long enough branch to really dig into the dirt. I slid the branches in at an angle to make sure they spilled over the sides of the pot. Surprise, surprise , this is the spiller step. If you don’t have easy access to magnolias, junipers would also look nice spilling over the sides. Make a frame around the edge of the pot with the spiller.

These are some of the evergreens you can use for filler.

From left to right these are variegated boxwood, pine and cedar branches. After you cut them from the tree you can trim off little sprigs to add to the arrangement.

Now take these branches and fill in the gaps.

There is no wrong way to do this. Just fill in the empty spaces with the various types of fillers. Make sure you really push the sprigs deep into the dirt so they can get nutrients and water.

Boxwood and pine sprigs scattered through the pot.

I like to vary the textures and colors. You can wear gloves for this process, that is unless you like the prickly texture of pine needles in your fingers. I happen to like the exfoliating properties of pine sap; the way it sticks to everything you touch. Gorgeous! I tend to forget to put on gloves until I have little needles stuck into my fingers. Oh, well.

Now, just add some bling.

I added fake berries and decorative ornaments on sticks. You can find these in any hobby shop. If you live in an area that gets really cold you make want to buy berries that are “freeze -proof”. Otherwise the cold weather may cause them to explode and all you will be left with is the little white Styrofoam part. (I didn’t realize that these little things were that dangerous or exciting. I wanted to buy the non “freeze-proof” berries and stick them outside to see what would happen, but the lady at the nursery said the explosions weren’t that big.  Bummer.)

Here is another basket that I put together.

Note, more glittery and shiny balls. Ooohhhhh, pretty.You can also add a little Spanish Moss to finish the arrangement off, just stuff it into the empty spaces.

Last but not least, a hanging basket on the deck.

Is that a shiny, glittery bow that I see? Why yes it is. Subtlety, thy name is Liz.

All in all, this is a really easy project to add some color during the winter months. Keep the soil moist and the arrangement should last for months. Each basket only took about 15 minutes to put together, minus the time you spend with a flashlight foraging in your neighbors yard for evergreen clippings.  By the way, if you decide to “borrow” clippings from your neighbors yard you may want to ask first. Sneaking about with clippers and a flashlight does increase your odds of meeting the police. As far as I know having a Martha Stewart moment is not a valid defense in a court of law.

 

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