garden — pleasure in simple things

Tag: garden

may day surprises

April

I have done many different May Day surprises over the years. I love the element of surprise mixed with the beauty of fresh flowers – May Day combines these two elements perfectly!

This year, making my May Day arrangements, I decided I would only use the flowers I could harvest from my yard. This would have been an easy assignment in two more weeks or so, but when I went out into the yard today, I realized there are few flowers in bloom right now!

I stuck to my challenge and used the only two flowers varieties I found in bloom. I arranged them in some plastic-lined, birch bark hanging cones I discovered for $2.75 each in the Terrain clearance room.

To add a little interest, I added some variegated Hosta leaves; picking the few that were just starting to poke through the ground! Even my Lillies of the Valley have yet to bloom!

I hope I have inspired you to create some May Day surprises of your own…what can you create from your yard?

Thank you for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

1 comment » | diy, garden, inspiration

diy garden wrapping paper

August

I very often create my own wrapping paper; particularly when I have a vision of something specific in my mind. This was the case with the tomato wrapping paper I made recently for a thank you gift I was giving a friend.

The gift was a book on heirloom tomatoes and I had a vision of a graphic of a tomato on brown paper. I knew I needed to make it! I decided on a classic potato print and set to work. I cut a couple notches into one half of a potato – that would be the main part of the tomato. I used the other half of the potato to make some greens for the top. Simple!

I printed it in two parts. First, the red in a random pattern on brown paper large enough to accommodate the book I was wrapping. After that was dry, I printed the second part – the green. Great! Exactly what I had hoped for! And, I would add tie it up with some natural raffia for my final touch!

I hope I have inspired you to create some fun wrapping paper this summer! ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal.

2 comments » | diy, garden, gift ideas

diy nautical flag garden stones

August

I think we have all painted garden stones in our day. If not, you should have! They are so fun to make and look so cute in the garden or as a paperweight. Today, I am showing you how to create some stones for your garden that have more of a ‘beach’ vibe than the typically decorated stones – a batch of nautical plant markers boasting the shapes of signal flags!

They are so simple, yet so fun to make! The only thing you will need to make up some of these marine inspired cuties are some paint markers and some smooth stones! I used Sharpie brand medium point oil based paint markers. I love these markers because they totally eliminate the mess of paint and brushes but create the same result. And, the best part is that they come in a set that contains the exact colors needed for nautical flags! They should call it ‘signal flag set’ or ‘nautical color set.’ Thanks for that Sharpie!

These flags are used internationally as signals for ships at sea. Each flag represents a letter.

Stones painted with nautical flags also make great table markers at a beach wedding or a really nice addition to a gift of potted sea grass or beach roses. Make up the recipients initials in signal flags and add them to the potted plant!

I am sure you have said to yourself by now “This is a super activity for kids.” It sure is! Not only can children learn some basic seamanship with this craft, but it is pretty easy to incorporate a math lesson as well!

Another fun idea for the kids, is to have them make up some nautical ‘x’s’ and ‘o’s’ with some small rocks; using them for a game of tic-tac-toe in the sand! Fun!

I hope I have inspired you to make some nautical flag stones for your own garden or as a way to add some ‘beachyness’ to your décor…make up the name of your boat or the name of your favorite beach! Have fun with it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal and Coastal Charm.

Comments Off on diy nautical flag garden stones | diy, garden, sand & sea

antique chair in the garden

August

My furniture redos can usually be placed in the coastal decor category, don’t you think? I love anything beachy and my furniture creations usually reflect my taste. Well, today I am taking a little departure from the beach inspired look and going with more of an antique vibe.

The reason for this departure is that I found an old, antique child’s chair and I wanted to keep it true to form.Because the seat was in perfect shape, I started by cleaning it up and leaving it in tact. Next, I did a few repairs. Then, I began to paint the piece pink, thinking I would create something for a child’s room. After thinking about it for a while, I decided the chair was much better suited to be a garden ornament. Wouldn’t it look great holding some potted plants? So, I changed my direction and decided to paint it a dark neutral to play as a backdrop for some pretty garden flowers.

I chose Annie Sloan Graphite for the chair and painted it in two coats. I did some light distressing and then added a coat of Annie Sloan Dark Wax.

I happened to be visiting my friend Phyllis (you know Phyllis, the one with the ‘park’ yard?) and she ‘styled’ it using some of her plants so I could get some ‘after’ photos. (I plan on giving the chair to a friend who also has a gorgeous yard – maybe she will let me take a photo when it settles into its new home!)

Thanks for joining me on Friday field trip to check out my antique chair find. Have a marvelous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with French Country Cottage.

Comments Off on antique chair in the garden | diy, garden, inspiration

a visit to ben wolff pottery

May

Because I am so enamored with his handcrafted pots, I have wanted to make a visit to Ben Wolff’s studio for a long time. Even though it is located right here in Connecticut, the studio was one spot on my ‘to visit’ list that never seemed to get crossed off.

That changed this past weekend when my son asked what I wanted to do for Mother’s Day. I decided I could pass on a meal and, instead, we aimed to get Ben Wolff’s pottery studio crossed off my list of places to visit- yippee! It was a great day for a drive and the ride provided some great alone time with my son – catching up on what was going on with him.

If purchasing flower pots were my goal, it would have been easy enough to just order them online. I’m not saying I didn’t want any pots, but that was not my main reason for the visit. I wanted to see the studio and meet the artist. As luck would have it, I was able to do both.

Ben and his wife, Corinne, were both in the studio when we arrived. I knew Ben was a third generation artisan and he was happy to share his history and explain how he got started learning his craft at the age of two!

It was a great visit and it turned out my son’s gift also included a few of Ben’s pieces! As a lover of neutral color schemes, the pots Ben creates in white clay are my favorite! I carefully picked out a few; choosing ones with Tuscan rims.

They are just so gorgeous! It is hard to imagine using a terra-cotta pot after you have seen Ben’s work. (If you read this blog, you probably have already figured out that I don’t use terra-cotta pots because of my aversion to the color and that my passion in the garden is for all white flowers!)

With pieces starting as low as $8, they are affordable pieces of art – each signed by Ben.

I haven’t yet planted in my new pieces, but for Friday field trip today, I hope you enjoyed sharing some of Ben’s works of art – a few from the thousands of flower pots he creates each year on his potter’s wheel in Goshen, Connecticut. I photographed them with some of the early bloomers from my garden.

I hope you are enjoying some of your own garden flowers. If you follow my Instagram, you know I have been enjoying mine!

Ben Wolff Pottery Studio pleasure in simple things blog

The outside of Ben Wolff’s pottery studio in Connecticut.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush and French Country Cottage.

Comments Off on a visit to ben wolff pottery | field trips, garden, inspiration

a twist on may day

April

Hi friends. You know each year as May Day approaches and I post some type of hanging flowers? Well, this year I am posting something hanging….but, flowers? Not so much!

Have you seen the little hanging glass globe terrariums? I have seen them in some of my favorite garden stores, but, because of the price, could never justify actually purchasing one. Then, I saw some online at World Market. They had two sizes – the larger one was $6.99! For these prices, I could purchase a couple! So, I did! I thought they would be great to use for May Day planters.

But, as I started experimenting with them, I found my favorite items to showcase in these containers were not necessarily flowers!

The globes each came with a piece of twine, but it would be easy enough to change out the twine for ribbon. I actually ended up keeping it – I like the natural/rustic feel of the twine.

What to display? Because the containers are small, I found ‘the simpler, the better’ fit my taste.

Today I am sharing a couple of my favorites. May Day this year is less about flowers and more about hanging! So much fun!

I did do one with a few pansy blooms for the more traditionalists out there!

For some previous May Day ideas – click here for May Day with some coastal flair, and click here for some May Day flower globes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush, The Shabby Nest, Sand & Sisal and Coastal Charm.

Comments Off on a twist on may day | garden, gift ideas, inspiration

growing easter grass

March

I am a huge proponent of unconventional Easter baskets – I think an Easter basket can be any vessel that appeals to your sense of style. And, at Easter time, I feel the same way about the containers I chose to plant grass seeds. I love to plant grass in any and all containers (including Easter baskets) that currently hit my fancy! Today, I am sharing a couple of this year’s container picks for grass planting!

You don’t need to celebrate Easter to plant grass – think of it as a ‘celebration of spring’ activity! A grass filled mug makes a cute spring gift that can be reused long after the recipient tires of the grass.

Any type of grass seed will work. Here, I have used wheat grass seeds. It won’t take more than a week to have a nice patch of grass. Just put potting soil in the container you have chosen. I always use packaged soil, not soil from the outdoors. The reason for this is that I don’t need any unwanted insects, etc. from the outdoor soil to find their way into my home!

Liberally add grass seeds onto the soil, and then cover with a thin layer of additional soil. Water your new planting and keep in a sunny spot. Be careful not to water too much if you have a small container and/or no drainage. You will want to moisten the soil, but too much water (a puddle) will inhibit the seeds from growing.

Now you can just water daily and wait for the seeds to grow! They will sprout very quickly and grow rapidly. They are so much fun!

I always start planting containers in March and just trim the grass with scissors if needed. You may remember last year I shared planting grass in egg shells – click here to see the tutorial for planting grass in real egg shells.

Small, clear glass containers, like the Weck jars I have used here, provide an opportunity to see the roots of the plant. In this way, using one of these tiny jars at each Easter place setting at the ‘kids table’ is a great way to get the children excited about the growing process! Additional jars can be used to fill with treats.

Do you have a special container in mind to try your hand at growing grass? I would love to see what you choose!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Craftberry Bush, The Shabby Nest, Nancherrow, Thoughts from Alice, Sand & Sisal, and House of Hipsters.

7 comments » | diy, food & festivities, garden, holiday

a passion for purple

September

Before we start Friday field trip today, I will give you fair warning…if you have an aversion to the color purple – step away from the computer!

Why? Because the nursery we are visiting has adopted purple as their signature color and it is very obvious!

These are photos I took at Smith’s Acres; a small family owned and operated garden shop in Niantic, Connecticut.

I thought it would be fun to share a few photos of the purple on display on Smith’s before all the fall colors set in and we are seeing everything in yellow, orange, and red.

The purple definitely makes a statement! What do you think? I am not a purple fan, but you gotta love a theme!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to find pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on a passion for purple | field trips, garden

the best park in nyc

September

I can’t deny that Central Park is magnificent, but it is not my favorite park in New York City. For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a glimpse of my favorite park in the city. It not only provides an amazing display of shrubs, grasses, trees and perennials that rival any public garden, but also provides a unique view of the city from 30 feet above the ground!

Running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street, the High Line is a one mile New York City linear park built on a section of an old railroad spur. This unique park, 30 feet above street level, contains innovatively designed seating areas and beautiful plantings in addition to expansive views of New York City and the Hudson River.

The park provides a view of life in New York like no other.

office along the High Line NYC pleasure in simple things

A view of an office from the High Line in New York City.

Seasonal blooms (click here for September list), art on display, and scheduled activities are all part of the High Line culture. Dining is also an option during a visit and a fun way to take a rest and admire views of the Hudson River.

It is an exciting time to be a High Line fan, because on September 21st a new High Line section, from 30th Street and 10th Avenue to the curve near 12th Avenue, and up to 34th Street will be opened to the public. I can’t wait to check out the new design features and plantings in the new Rail Yards section!

original rail tracks on the High Line in NYC pleasure in simple things

Cleverly designed seating amid the original rails on the High Line in New York City.

If you should visit New York City, be sure to include the High Line in your schedule of activities.

Thanks so much for stopping by for Friday field trip. Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to find pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing at Finding Silver Pennies, and Crafts a la Mode.

1 comment » | field trips, garden, travel

diy bird nest garden stakes

June

Sometimes the easiest project can bring the most pleasure! I adore these bird nest garden stakes and they are so easy to make!

Garden stakes can definitely be an art form and I love collecting beautiful or unique designs to add some personality to my garden. Today, I am sharing a super easy one you can make yourself and it is sure to cheer up any garden or potted plant!

Inspired by one I saw at the Brimfield Fair this year, this DIY garden stake just requires a cast-off branch from your yard and a couple of mini bird nests attached to it with twine. You may decide to use more or less bird nests depending on the size/shape of the branch you choose. The tiny birds’ nests are easy to find in a dollar store or craft store – usually sold in multiples in a plastic bag.

After making some for your own garden, make up a bunch and use them in pots when you give plants for gifts. These cute bird nest stakes would also be wonderful in centerpieces for a garden party or outdoor bridal luncheon (a little slip of paper – like a fortune in a fortune cookie – in a single nest can be a table number…or, if the branch has two nests; one nest can hold the future bride’s name and the other nest can hold the future groom’s name)

I know, I know…they are missing some little eggs! They really need some! None of the real little eggs I have were small enough…I may need to make some!

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Tag: garden

may day surprises

diy garden wrapping paper

diy nautical flag garden stones

antique chair in the garden

a visit to ben wolff pottery

a twist on may day

growing easter grass

a passion for purple

the best park in nyc

diy bird nest garden stakes