Eightymillion

A DIY craft and photography blog. Dogs included.

Recycling a pair of Crocs (Clogs) into flower pots

Pull out that old pair of Crocs, from the closet, that you don’t wear anymore because I’m going to show you how to recycle them into flower pots.  An easy DIY that takes less than ten minutes from start to finish.
I scored this pair at a second hand store for $1.  Last week I planted some annuals into cement bricks and had four leftover plants.  This project will use up those four so that there’s no waste.
Supplies needed:
*tarp (easy clean-up)
*annuals
*pair of Crocs
*top soil
*twine or fishing line
Pack a nice amount of top soil in the toe portion of the shoe.  Place the annual inside the shoe and add some additional top soil around the top and sides to hold them in place.  Attach a piece of twine to the strap and tie it into a knot at the end.  Once you hang it up give the plants a good drink of water. Some dirt will seep through the holes of the shoes, but don’t worry about it.
Use the fishing line, in place of the twine, to create a floating effect.
Find a location in your flower garden to hang the new planters.  That’s it!
Mine have had a nice little home on these doors.  I adopted this vintage door display from my Mom and they already had the hooks, so I just needed something unique to hang there.
As you can see from the photo below the doors are definitely due for a fresh coat of paint.  Next year is what I tell myself.  It’s been five years and I keep saying that.  Although I kinda like the distressed look.

DIY Landscaping Tips & Ideas: Hosta Plants

Over the next couple of months I’ll be sharing some tips and ideas with you that I use in my own flower garden(s).  I can show you that with a little imagination and a few bucks your flower beds will look awesome.  Who doesn’t love a fun DIY project?  Especially when it involves being outside in the fresh air.

First up, hosta plants.  I love hostas!  The simple fact that they’re low maintenance is all I need to hear.  Plus, when they outgrow their space you can just chop them in half (or fourths) and plant elsewhere.

I had this little area of grass in front of my garage.  It was a nuisance to mow so it was given a new look.  My neighbor was selling hostas at her garage sale for $1.  Score!  My parents decided to update their landscaping and no longer needed the lava rocks they were using.  Another score!

I wait until the end of Winter (when all of the snow melts) before trimming the dead leaves off of the plants.  And that’s it.  Mother Nature takes care of the rest.

UPDATE:  5-30-15

As you can see in the image below the hostas are doing well.  Exceptionally well!  There are four plants total in this space, but one of them is hidden so I should relocate that one.  Come Fall, the other three will be divided up and placed in other areas around the house.

DIY Refrigerator Pickles

Here’s a recipe just in time for Spring.  It’s easy and inexpensive.  Have you ever made refrigerator pickles? I’ve come across different versions but this one is by far my favorite.  Pretty soon our local farmer’s markets will be offering all the fresh produce from the garden.  These pickles will make a great addition to your summer picnics and barbecues.  New neighbors?  Gift them a jar.
Supplies:

Quart mason jars with lids (3)
Large mixing bowl
Batter bowl
Pinch bowl
Colander
Cutting board
Knife
Whisk
Egg Timer
Ingredients:

5 cucumbers
1 large white onion
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup white vinegar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 tsp. mustard seed
Salt
Instructions:

Wash the cucumbers and slice.  Don’t peel them.  Slice up your onion.  In your large mixing bowl soak the cucumbers and onions in salt water for one hour. 
In your pinch bowl, mix together the garlic powder, celery seed, and mustard seed.  Set aside.  Whisk together the sugar and vinegar in the batter bowl.  Add the dry seasonings and mix together.
Drain the cucumbers and onions from the salt water and start packing them into your mason jars.  I left a little room at the top because you’ll be shaking them once everything is in the jar.  Pour the liquid mixture over the top until all is covered. Tighten the lid and shake until the sugar is well dissolved.  Do the same with the other jars until the cucumber mixture is gone.  I only used three mason jars for this batch, but depending on the size of your cucumbers you may use more/less. 
Store in refrigerator.  I was told to wait 24 hours before consuming, but that didn’t work.  I was snacking within the first hour. Vinegar based foods are my favorite.  My boyfriend has used them on hamburgers and hot dogs. They’re tasty on subs.  And you can chop a few up and toss with your salad.  Or just grab a fork and dig in!
This recipe was given to me from a friend.  I asked him for their shelf life and he laughed at me.  He said don’t worry, you’ll eat up them rather fast.  He was right. 
Enjoy! 

A Simple (DIY) Gardening Tip

I found another great use for an IKEA shopping bag.  It’s works great when your collecting rubbish around the yard.
I’ve been busy cleaning out the flower beds and random leaves that were left over from last Fall.  The handles make it easy to carry around the yard and then to the burn pile.
I will definitely be getting another bag on my next visit.

Friday’s Top 10 List: 4-1-13 (Spring Garden Inspiration)

This week I’ve been trying to focus on things that make me happy.  There is just too much evil in the world.  If your reading from the Boston/Texas area my thoughts and prayers are with you.
What makes you happy in times of tragedy?  I think of my garden.  I’m looking forward to spending some time outside getting my projects in order.
Last week I shared a list of Spring themed ideas for photo props, napkin rings, and watering cans.  If you missed it click here.  This week I decided to keep the Spring Inspiration coming.  This time focusing on the garden (food and flowers).  So many projects with so little time.  It always amazes me on how creative people are.  More thankful that they share their ideas.
Enjoy!
*****
Recycle an old pair of work boots, a birdcage, or a stove in your garden.
Herb garden inspiration.
Recycle those old tires into container gardens.  LOVE this idea and I have an extra tire laying around.
So pretty.
I use these blocks for flower pots, but here’s another great idea.
Organized and tidy.
Do you have an extra bird cage sitting around?  Try this.
Fairy garden?
Recycle those egg shells and toilet paper rolls.  I love the title of this post.
My dream garden.
*****
Until the next word…
~Jennifer

Harvesting Fresh Garden Vegetables: Green Peppers

This is the best part about having a garden.  Harvesting the fresh vegetables to have on hand throughout the winter months.  I use a LOT of these in several dishes that I make.  My garden always has two green pepper plants so I’ll have a lot to freeze.
Today I went to the store to purchase a box of snack size freezer bags.  Guess what?  They don’t exist.  The smallest size of freezer bags were quarts.  Never knew that.  I was attempting to avoid using a quart size bag for a handful of peppers.  I like to freeze smaller portions because I don’t need a lot for each recipe.
Solution:  Regular double zipper snack size bags. 
I portioned out ten servings, rolled up the bag, and placed five each in a quart size freezer bag.  This way they are still in a freezer bag and I’m not wasting space.  People tell me to date the bags as well.  I never have a problem using them up.  Usually, I run out before the next garden season starts up again.
The best part of my day was counting the number of peppers that will be ready to harvest this week.  I’m quite the garden geek.
*This post isn’t a promotion for the use of Target’s brand of storage bags.  They are my store of choice because they have cool stuff!
Until the next word…
~Jennifer