Ivy Vines Turned Summery Wreath DIY Garden Art

I am always on the lookout for ways to recycle what I have into something I want. In this case, I wanted a summery vine wreath for my front porch so I put it on my mental clipboard.

And as I've found time and again, the solution presents itself IF I'm paying attention.

This pile of needlepoint ivy trimmings gave me the first spark.

Did you know you can still buy metal coat hangers?  Yup! These "new" ones are plastic coated and still perfect for wire projects, like forming the base of my wreath.

I wrapped and tucked and wrapped and tucked all the way around. I didn't have to use the wire at all. After a few days drying time I retucked the loose ends.

I am always on the lookout for real looking greenery so I had a stash of beautiful fake foliage to choose from. But if you wanted to buy the garland to make this wreath it cost about $7 using a coupon at Michael's. I also used a few Dollar Store bunches to fill it in.

Oooh aaaaah!

  Now comes the fun part; hanging it on the porch and taking photos! I LOVE the way it looks so real even compared to the ivy tower and other plants close by!

Well now, that was fun and easy and CHEAP. Okay, thrifty and money saving. Projects like this boost my mood immediately!

I'll be posting at these fun blog parties this week. Come visit and enjoy the neat projects!

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2014/07/185-upcycled-porches-and-patios.html

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/search/label/show%20and%20tell

http://www.flamingotoes.com/2014/07/think-pink-sunday-172/

Float Your Flowers for a Beautiful Arrangement

Here's a neat and pretty alternative to a full flower arrangement anywhere in your house, especially here in Oregon with our wet and changeable spring. Float your flowers in some pretty glassware for a beautiful accent!

The stormy weather has made the few flowers that are blooming a bit droopy and they aren't displaying well in the usual vases.  So I started floating them in my serving dishes and voila! Beautiful blooms anywhere I want them!

Here are full size and mini roses, marigolds, petunias, pansies, ivy, cosmos and dianthus floating in a glass compote and sundae glasses. Pretty!

Not only is this a pretty display, it is practical, too. The floating roses last alot longer in this glassware since they don't have to draw water up a long stem. Even when they are "blown" they still look good for a few days.

You can even display your petunias this way since the water supports the fragile

flowers.  I added a few tiny ivy leaves for a bit of green.

The marigolds and mini roses last a long time using this trick. In this pic they are almost 5 days old. I can hardly wait for all my gladiolii to bloom, they look gorgeous displayed this way!

You don't need a dozen of any flower to decorate this way. Just take a few pretty blooms and float them in some clean glassware. Easy and beautiful!!