A simple yet delightful play area can be created using materials provided by nature. Expensive play equipment is unnecessary and may actually inhibit creativity. To design a play area that will grow with the children, use the natural features in the garden and add minimal age-appropriate enhancements.
Open Areas
Children need to run and play. Allow plenty of open space for active games and quiet lounging. Invest in inexpensive, portable play equipment like a croquet or badminton set. Even the smallest of children can participate with age appropriate modification of the rules.
Greeting a newborn child in the big world is a fantastic oportunity to make a unique gift for the young mum and baby. Of course we can get anything out of the box, but we can also step up and give an awesome, handmade present. We have a lot of possibilities to work with because a little baby needs a lot of special items.
Most popular presents for a new born child are: necessary diapers and towels, baby bottle, baby powder, teat, clothes, baby socks, baby blanket, pram toys. Sometimes people give something else but these are the most frequent gifts, ones that one doesn’t have to put much thought into. Present wrapping is another dilemma, in a broader perspective it is a way of eventual presentation that will make the gift look special and is often underestimated. The giver should definetely put some thought into it. We suggest an original solution: diaper cake or baby bunch.
For begginers a quick review of most amazimg projects of this kind of activity:
April is a month of unpredictability and change. Although the days may be sunny and warm, the threat of hail or frost is ever present. During the month of April, the gardener must be vigilant in protecting any delicate seedlings from damage.
Use this time to finish tidying the garden and prepare for the busy growing season ahead. Ensure that all pruning has been completed and prepare the strawberry beds. Finish planting fruit trees, canes and bushes and renew the grease band around fruit trees, if necessary.
Due to the warmer weather and increasing amount of light, rapid growth can be expected in the garden during April. Take advantage of dry days to finish digging and preparing the garden for sowing and to hoe between crops that have wintered over. Early crops may be safely planted if protected by cloches. (more…)
To create cool home decor on a budget, look no farther than the closet. Cast-off clothing and linens can be transformed into a multitude of home decor items such as decorative pillows for the sofa, large floor pillows or rugs, framed or unframed art, and placemats, napkins or coasters. Old luggage or a briefcase that is no longer used can be combined with legs or set atop a base to serve as functional furniture with built-in storage. Use your imagination and reuse potential trash to make home decor treasures.
Simple throw pillows can be made from any shirt, blouse or cardigan sweater. Cut the garment straight across just under the sleeves and sew closed at the top and bottom. Use the buttons as the opening to insert a pillow or to cleverly store linens or out of season clothing.
Frame decorative motifs or interesting fabrics and hang as art. For larger pieces, mount on stretcher bars and hang without framing. Use the ample fabric from a full skirt or dress to sew a matching set of placemats, napkins and coasters for everyday dining or a special occasion. Cut stained or torn garments into strips and weave a rug. (more…)
Beautiful, edible decorations can be made for a variety of occasions such as garden parties or weddings. All that is needed are organically grown edible flowers and two simple ingredients.
To sugar preserve flowers, start with edible flowers that have been organically grown without the use of pesticides. Pansies, violets and nasturtiums are all good choices. To be completely safe, grow the flowers yourself.
Prior to picking the blossoms, assemble all needed equipment and supplies. For this project you will need scissors, a paper towel, a small bowl of egg white, a small bowl of super-fine sugar, a small paintbrush, a large plate and a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
Pick the flowers in the morning while it is cool outside. Cut the stems as short as possible and lay the blossoms on a paper towel to dry. Keep the batches of picked flowers small as the sugaring process is time consuming and must be completed in one sitting.
Gently hold each flower by the back and coat thoroughly with egg white, using the paintbrush. Ensure that no part of the front, back or sides is missed. Hold the flower over the plate and sprinkle with sugar until completely coated both front and back. Lay the blossom on the plate if necessary to complete this step. Gently bump or blow on the flower to remove excess sugar. (more…)
Composting at home is good for the environment. Not only does it provide a nutrient-rich amendment for the soil in the garden or flower beds, composting also reduces the amount of waste that must be hauled to a landfill. Most everyone, even folks with a tiny garden, can find a place to compost.
Composting is not difficult. Basically, a compost pile is comprised of carbon and nitrogen. The carbon component breaks down slowly and is supplied by dry materials such as fallen leaves and dead plants. The nitrogen comes from green materials that break down quickly such as grass clippings or weeds. For the best compost, a mix of the two is needed. Items that should never be added to a compost pile include meat and dairy products or human and animal waste.
There are a variety of inexpensive and easy ways to begin composting. The easiest option may be to simply heap yard waste and plant-based kitchen scraps and egg shells in a corner. Simply add to the pile as more material becomes available and turn it over once each summer. Each spring, dig the finished compost from the bottom and add to the garden. (more…)
A variety of insects are drawn to the garden environment. Unfortunately, some of these visitors can be quite damaging to the plants that are growing there. While pest problems are a common garden occurrence, there are many environmentally friendly ways to combat and control unwanted pests.
Preventive Measures
One of the easiest ways to deal with pest problems is avoidance. Prevent certain pests through the strategic placement of companion plants known to repel various unwanted visitors. For instance, marigolds interspersed with tomatoes or peppers effectively repel nematodes in the soil while garlic may be used to control aphids on roses. Based on garden composition and typical pests, determine which companion plants are appropriate.
Personal Action
Many small infestations can be thwarted through hand-picking. Examine plants regularly for signs of pests and remove any that are found. Carry a jar half filled with soapy water through the garden to hold the insects that are removed. Small insects, such as aphids, can be smashed right on the plant.
Natural Enemies
Garden pests often have specific natural enemies. For instance, aphids can be controlled with lady bugs while the praying mantis has a especial fondness for caterpillars but will happily devour many species of harmful insects. (more…)
A water fountain adds charm to most any setting. Whether used as the focal point in a formal garden or as a whimsical addition to a casual gathering space, an outdoor water fountain is sure to please visitors of all ages. Although there is a wide variety of ready-made outdoor water fountains available for purchase, a much more meaningful and enjoyable feature can be made from an item with sentimental value such as a hand water pump from the family farm or Grandpa’s old whiskey barrel.
To make an outdoor water fountain, the following items are needed:
Piece that will form the basis of the water feature;
Water source, which can be as simple as a garden hose;
Reservoir of adequate size;
Re-circulating pump with ample tubing and a power source; and,
Desired supplemental decor such as plants and rocks.
Create the water fountain by positioning the main feature so that water will flow over or through it and into the reservoir. Place the pump within the reservoir and arrange the tubing to circulate the water. Once all adjustments have been made so that the water is flowing as desired, add plants, rocks and other decor in and around the fountain as the finishing touches. (more…)
A beautiful yet uncomplicated flower house can be made from just a few materials. All that is needed are four poles or thin boards and some bird netting. Perfect as yard décor or a playhouse for the kids, a flower house adds style and fun to any landscape.
To build a simple flower house, construct a four-sided tipi-type structure from poles or thin boards cut to the length needed for the desired height of the flower house. Either cut top end of the poles or boards at an angle to fit together snugly and fasten with screws or lash them together with twine.
Once the frame is secure, wrap it in bird netting on three sides and plant vines or annual climbing flowers around the base. Morning glories, nasturtium and sweet peas are all good choices. For additional visual appeal, plant non-climbing flowers around the base, as well. To add fullness and year-round greenery, consider adding ivy. Be aware that the frame will need extra stability to support the additional weight if ivy is included. (more…)
Spring is here and with the season comes the traditional spring-cleaning. In addition to the long-standing practice of deep cleaning each spring, the brighter days and warmer weather often inspire the desire for a clean, fresh indoor environment. But with so much to do, where is the best place to start?
Start at the Top
Ceilings and high shelves or corners are easily overlooked during the dim days of winter and are often the most neglected areas in the home. Cleaning these places makes an immediate and highly visible impact. To get the most out of your spring cleaning, use a duster attached to a long handle to clean the area where the walls meet the ceiling in each room. Also dust around light fixtures or anything attached to, or suspended from, the ceiling. Pay special attention to cobwebs and shake the duster outside often during this process. Remove and clean all items from high shelves and replace after the shelves have been thoroughly cleaned. (more…)
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