Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

Recycling Cement Bricks into Flower Pots

Here’s a DIY project that anyone can do.  Give those cement bricks a new life by recycling them into flower pots.  It’s easy and inexpensive.  If you don’t have any laying around you can buy them for around $1.75-$2. each.  Every year I always use annuals because I like to experiment with different varieties.  This year is my favorite combination. Fibrous Begonia and Celosia.
This is my fourth year using these bricks.  For a step-by-step tutorial click here.  Feel free to check out the previous years here and here.
Here’s a few additional tips that I discovered along the way to save you some time.
Right before the snow arrives, pull out the dead plants from the bricks.  No need to cover them or change the dirt from season to season.  Just let them sit as is.
Use a tarp.  It saves on cleanup time.
If you have dogs, keep them away from the bricks.  My three loved to “mark” one brick in particular. So much that their urine was trapped in between the spaces of the bricks.  Gross right?  I ended up switching out that one.
Don’t worry about the excess dirt.  As it rains it’ll wash away.
Easy right?
I had four leftover plants from the flats I purchased for this project.  I’ll share another easy project tomorrow on what I did with those.

Friday’s Top 10 List: 4-12-13 (Spring Inspiration)

The weather in my part of the world has been crazy.  There is no other word than can explain it.  One day it’s beautiful and warm and then the next day it’s raining with a chance of snow.  Rest assured that warm sunny days are coming.  
Remember the image above?  It was from a simple DIY post that I shared last June.  I came across the box packed away in my garage last week.  That gave me the idea to dedicate this week’s list to Spring projects. I had a few from last year that I didn’t get a chance to do due to the extreme heat, so I’m excited to get things moving this year. 
Please excuse my absence from the blog this past week.  I caught a nasty flu bug that lingered on way to long.  Feeling much better now so let’s get to the fun stuff!

*****
Turn a wooden pallet into a photo prop for the kids.
Spring napkin rings.
A hanging shoe organizer makes a great place for your herb garden.
Crushed can planter.
After the milk/juice jug is empty use it as a watering can.  Great idea!
Turn a bike chain into a bracelet.
A few pieces from an old fence, four shelf legs, one wooden knob, and some stain will create this.
So many uses for a mason jar.
Give your flower pots a whole new look with some fabric and Mod Podge.
April showers bring may flowers.
*****
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Yoga 101 for Dogs: Play, Bark, Breathe

This is your instructor, House.
{Dog Narrating}  
First:  Lay on the floor with your front legs out in front of you.
Second:  Cross your legs.
Third:  Close your eyes.
And last:  Slowly put your head down, just a little bit.  Hold this position for about 30 seconds.  Repeat three times.  Then refresh yourself with a trip to the water bowl.  Feel better?
House’s recommendations:  Practice indoors.  Far too many birds and squirrels outside to distract you.  Stay focused.  Have your human friend put lots of ice in the water bowl.  Hydration is very important.  Provide treats made with whole grains (organic apple flavored are my favorite, not sure where my Mom gets them).  Fresh fruits are water-based and full of hydration.  Click here for additional information of what foods we can and can’t have.
Benefits of Yoga (for dogs):  Improves flexibility, reduces stress, and resolves behavioral issues.
{Human typing}
We can learn a lot from our four-legged friends.  As long as he doesn’t start expressing himself through karate, I’m okay with this activity.
P.S.  According to the weather channel, we have a hot and humid weekend coming up.  Since I won’t be outside much I’ll put together some more recycling garden projects I’ve completed.
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

DIY Instant Flower Pots Using Recycled Cement Bricks

Here’s an easy recycling project for you to do.  These are the bricks that I got from a friend last year.  I don’t have much knowledge in regards to flowers, so I just pick what looks good together and go with it.  This year I chose begonias and dusty miller plants.  I thought I was paying attention to the sun requirements, only to notice that one of them requires full sun.  The bricks rest on the sidewalk where there is part sun.  Oh well, hopefully they’ll survive.  (Update, yes they both did well)
After weeding out what was left in the bricks from last year I added some additional top soil and then the plants.  Going with an every other pattern placement gave them an interesting look.