Fishes & Chips

Grabbed these palettes that someone was throwing away with a project in mind.

It took quite a bit of work to figure out the best way to take them apart, but once that was done I was ready to go.

These smaller pieces, that I cut down with my chop saw, were the only material that I had to buy for this project. Total cost: $2.00

A bunch of screws later and …Tada! Palette wood flower box, now just time to put them out front and load them up with beautiful plants.

*A special thanks to Becky and Scott for dropping the palettes off for me ^_^.

*Last week I spent my sunday at the Philadelphia International Flower Show, collecting beautiful images of floral displays, rare orchids, and (my favorites) terrariums and succulents. I also took home a few air plants for myself and found a very unique way to use them in my house.

But first enjoy all the beautiful plants…

There were so many orchids it was a bit overwhelming, each one was so unique and beautiful!

That’s an entire wall of lettuce!

I loved this itty bitty flower, I think I felt that I could relate to it ^_^

Terrariums… love em

There was a bonsai tree there that was over 80 years old…

*Now onto the project. So I brought these beautiful air plants home from the flower show and after being inspired by all of the amazing displays, I felt they deserved a unique home. 

Once again I set off to the Philadelphia Indoor Flea Market (it never fails me) and I found these two antique wooden wire stretchers. Originally used by furniture makers to get the right tension on their springs and wires, I thought they would make perfect little floating frames to have my air plants grow out of, while staying true to our rustic, industrial aesthetic.

I also purchased these white ceramic hanging pods, from Ikea, to house the rest of my plants and finish out the vinyet. I think they look great and help to bounce around the white elements in our room more evenly. The glass orb was purchased at the flower show, which I highly recommend everyone check out next year.

*This weekend Nick and I enjoyed a few extra days off and tried to use the time to our advantage. So the time had come and Nick got inside the warm hoop house and got down and dirty planting seeds and replanting some of our potted plants.

Our giant rosemary bush lasted the winter in a pot outside, I was so happy. She is now proudly planted in the raised garden bed inside the hoop house.

So…while Nick was outside planting this years crops, I was inside doing some planting of my own. Adding a little green to the inside of our apartment really makes it feel like home.

This pretty green printed can was actually a candle that I had purchased at Target. The Mint Basil and Pink Magnolia are my favorite scents. After the candles are all used up I put the cans into the freezer, it shrinks the little bit of wax in the bottom that remains, and it will pop right out. And then you have this adorable pot for your indoor plants. ^_^

*I have always loved terrariums, like little, tiny, worlds trapped in a jar. But they all seem to be pretty expensive, so I thought I’d attempt to make some for myself. I had a few large, antique, ball jars that I had collected and I thought they just might work. Below is how I did it…

Start with some oversized ball jars and fill the bottom with an inch or two of small rock rocks.

After adding your plants to the jar, take the lid and drill a large hole in the center slightly larger then the width of the rope you will use to hang the jars with. Then drill three smaller holes around the larger one for air flow.

After your holes are drilled, slip your rope through the larger hole from the top and tie a tight knot on the bottom side. Then close the lid on your jar and we are almost done…

Finally take some screw hooks and securely screw them into the ceiling. Tie a noose knot with the end of your rope and hang your finished hanging terrariums at different heights for all to see and enjoy. To water your plants simply unscrew your lid and pour in some water.