Well… it’s a little bit of vintage, a whole lot of whimsey, a dash of re-pop and a smattering of ultra modern. Here’s what I found trending at the Independent Garden Center Show in Chicago on Aug. 19th – Aug. 22nd.
The location for this massive convention was held at the famous Navy Pier located on the shores of Lake Michigan. The smell of fresh waffle cones, the sound of carnival rides and the site of hundreds of sail boats is what this amazing historic site is known for.
When you walk the 3000 ft pier and look back you can see Chicago’s skyline, so incredible even the seagulls love to admire it!
Now the show itself is something else with over 600 exhibitors! Thousands of garden geek attendee’s swarm the show room, retail nursery experts hold valuable conference sessions, keynote speakers ignite inspiration, HGTV celebrities signing autographs and 38 Special performing classic hits at this years evening of entertainment!
There was also a Garden tour on the 19th which I was very fortunate to be able to go on and all the cool stuff I found is in my post:
In fact this whole experience was courtesy of my boss and the incredible company I have the pleasure of working for:
My duty while on this adventure was to absorb, learn, discover and consume everything I could and bring it back to the rest of my team. I was leaving my hotel every morning at 6:00 am and checking back in every evening by 9:00 pm, I didn’t want to miss anything.
There was plenty of cool garden celebrities there like:
….who inspired me with the term Farmhouse Glam during her talk in the Grand Ballroom ( which she re-tweeted by the way, squee! )
and last but not least, the very charismatic Jamie Durie from
HGTV’s Outdoor Room
Between note taking through seminars and schmoozing with the stars… I picked up a ton of inspiration perusing through the many vendors and their booths of garden goodies.
SO… lets discuss what garden trends we can look for this fall.
Pot Heads
As we move into colder temps, these heavily blooming pot heads will be easily swapped out with winter friendly greens, but stuff growing out of heads… is well… ultra cool!
Gargoyles seem to be making a come back as well but as pot heads….
But the best Pot Head by far is the one in the park right across from Navy Pier
Water gurgles and Water bubbles
Water features seem to be on the rise again. We’re not talking about big ponds and waterfalls, but the kind that fit well onto a small patio or townhouse courtyard. Even the smallest gurgler makes enough sound to create ambiance….
Barn wood is HOT!
This recycled material is not new to home decor but more and more it’s appearing as planters or simply making a statement in the garden.
Bravo to the designer of the Monrovia booth at the show!
Blue is the new Orange
Heirloom vegetables continue to be in vogue as we move into the colorful months of fall. The old standby orange pumpkin is being joined by blue, pink and green warted varieties adding so much more dimension to fall decor inside and out!
Photo by Dayna of Food + Photography
There were several booths at the show that offered heirloom seeds and showcasing some of their incredible edibles for all the plant geeks to admire.
Photo by the200acres.com in Heirloom Magazine
A stand out for me was definitely Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. The gentlemen there were dressed in overalls and big smiles. Clyde demonstrated his garden planner while Jere Gettle showed off their beautiful bounty.
I absolutely LOVE this company, check them out at www.rareseeds.com and you will too!
Go big or go SMALL
Mini is BIG!
Home gardens are getting smaller and smaller but these mini gardens are by far are one of the hottest garden trends going right now.
I could see these coming our way about 2 years ago…. and voila, booth after booth had some sort of mini, fairy, terrarium something going on in their displays.
Au Naturale
I’ve always watched car colors to pick out the upcoming decor color trends… and the same goes in apparel. Handmade jewelry is where its at, especially weaves.
So it’s no surprise that macrame is making a come back… and not the cheap wimpy poly ones you find in big box stores, but the artsy hemp ones with serious muscle like these ones. Spotted at the trendy Gethsemane Garden Centre in Chicago.
Funky Clunky
I love the exaggerated shapes of these funky pots. Plants get dressed up in style with the latest designs on the market today.
Sassy Succulents
No doubt about it, people are still loving succulents and air plants. Expect these to be accompanied with indoor mini gardens where they can be enjoyed year round.
Tropically Kissed
The BIGGEST fall garden trend next to fairy gardens… is how tropical plants typically used as houseplants ( especially in colder climes like mine ) are being treated like annuals year round for outdoor planters.
Seen at the Chicago Botanic Gardens
We plant up our containers in May and expect them to last at least until Aug. where we swap out the spent spring annuals for fall ones to carry us through the next two to three months.
This is just they way us northerners have been doing this forever!
So, why not add tropical’s for crazy texture, amazing bounce and colorful foliage? They are no more expensive than annuals and they add so much dimension to a planters design.
Ha, I feel like I’ve had paradigm shift!
Gorgeous planter at Gethsemane Garden Centre
Don’t miss my next post… Fall Planter Designs to see more of how to use tropical’s in this seasons planters.
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Original article and pictures take www.sowanddipity.com site
Cut large branches and tree trunks using a chainsaw, aiming to get the cuts as smooth and even as possible to reduce the sanding time. Use a table saw or miter saw for branches with a diameter of maximum four inches. Use a hand saw if you only have a few cuts to make (and no access to power tools) or is you are cutting thinner branches.
The raw materials are easy to come by, but in the event that you don’t have the time or inclination to cut your own, there are hundreds of people who sell them in a variety of sizes, shapes, and type of wood. See a bunch in this Natural Wood Slices collection.
Wood slices can be decorated in many different ways but here are a few of my favorites.
Wood burning – use a wood burning pen set or letter stamp kit and permanently etch your designs into the wood. The effect is beautiful and it is endlessly fun to do!
Paint or stain—as with any wood, you can paint or stain it. From color-blocking to chalk paint the possibilities are endless.
Varnish—use a clear varnish to protect the wood and give it a long lasting finish. Using a varnish will give the wood a slightly darker color, like it is wet. You can choose a glossy, satin, or matte finish depending on the look you want.
Raw edge—leave the bark on the edge of the wood slice, along with any knots, tunnels, or imperfections in the wood to give it that truly natural look.
Original article and pictures take www.ebay.com site
7 Natural Ways to Keep Mosquitoes from Ruining the Party
1. Plant a Garden
There are some plants that mosquitoes don't like, such as citronella, lemon balm, basil, mint, rosemary, catnip, marigolds, and lavender. Plant these liberally in your garden, especially around entertaining spaces. When you pass by the plants, be sure to brush them or rub the leaves. This releases the oils into the air and onto your skin.
2. Protect Your Skin, Naturally
Make up a batch of all-natural bug repellent made with a combination of essential oils that won't drive your friends and family away but will keep mosquitoes from feasting. Get the recipe on Garden Therapy.
3. Ditch the Water
Mosquitoes breed in standing water and don't like to travel far for food. If you have a prevalent mosquito problem, look around your outdoor space for the breeding ground. Birdbaths, ponds, and even a little pocket of rainwater can be the culprits. Flush water regularly and you should outsmart them.
4. Keep It Clean
Neglected plant pots, shrubs, and debris around the garden make up the perfect habitat for mosquitoes. A few water drops is all it takes for them to breed and create a small army of party poopers. Keep your yard regularly maintained and you will be ruining the mosquitoes' party instead.
6. Start a Breeze
On very warm evenings, bring a fan outdoors and face it toward the party. The warm breeze will do double duty by cooling guests down while blowing uninvited pests away.
7. Get Over Your Arachnophobia
Spiders might be a nightmare for some people, but no one fears them more than mosquitoes. Let spiders weave their webs around your garden, and they just might end up doing all the bug-catching for you. If spiders aren't your thing, invite some other mosquito-loving friends to your garden like birds, frogs, turtles, fish, and dragonflies.
Containers for Pollinators
Original article and pictures take images.meredith.com site
7 Easy and Quick DIY Hairstyles With Helpful Tutorials
For girls who want to have wonderful hairstyles but don’t have enough time in the morning, today I’ll provide you with 7 quick DIY hairstyles to help you deal with your hair in a minute.
There’s no need to go to hairdresser every time when we have special events to attend. Some easy and simple hairstyles can look very fabulous and they will only take you a few minutes before going out. You can make a super awesome twisted bun, the big braided bun, semi collected waves or loop knot hair style. To Lady Gaga fans, you can learn how to make her lovely hair bow there.
All of our hairstyles would look amazing on you in almost any occasion. Check out our step-by-step tutorials below the pictures and you’ll find them very helpful for your daily hairstyles!
The Big Braided Bun via Semi Collected Waves via Quick and Easy Way to Do a Lady Gaga Hair Bow via Loop Knot Hair Style via Gibson Tuck Hair via French Twist Hair Style Into Rope Braid via A Super Awesome Twisted Bun Original article and pictures take www.prettydesigns.com site
7 Creative DIY Plant Tag and Marker Ideas for your garden using household items including wooden spoons, fly swatters, metal washers, and stones at empressofdirt.net
I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned in a link on this post for sites including Amazon.com. Other links may go to websites where I have been paid to write a blog or article. See the entire disclosure here.
Here’s some creative ideas for DIY plant tags and markers
Please visit the links for further details and DIY instructions.
I purchased these chalkboard plant tags but you could also make them using tiny picture frames spray-painted with chalkboard paint.
Get a wood burning tool and make some plant tags and garden art! Stephanie of Garden Therapy created these fun plant markers. You could make some sweet, wood-burned garden signs as well.
This one made me laugh when I first saw it: fun idea! Barb of Our Fairfield Home and Garden created these plant markers with fly swatters and canning jar lids as part of a challenge to come up with garden art made from kitchen utensils. I’m sure the flies will agree that this is a fine project.
Rock painting is contagious! Once you get into it, there’s so many things to create including these charming plant markers from Garden Therapy.
Lynne at Sensible Gardening has a daylily farm/business so tagging plants is essential. She recommends these copper tags for a good-looking, long-lasting plant markers.
Once you get a metal stamp kit, you’ll want to be stamping everything! Stephanie of Garden Therapy made these cute and functional tags from washers. It’s a great way to mark things like grafted fruit tree branches.
A super simple way to mark plants is to simply write the names on wooden spoons. You could also paint and decorate them if you’re a crafter.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Original article and pictures take empressofdirt.net site
Have you got a creative itch to scratch? These seven projects are the perfect remedy when you have a few hours on a weekend afternoon.
To see the entire treasure trove of maker ideas, dive in here.
Have you got a creative itch to scratch? These seven projects are the perfect remedy when you have a few hours on a weekend afternoon.
I may receive a commission if you purchase something mentioned in a link on this post for sites including Amazon.com. Other links may go to websites where I have been paid to write a blog or article. See the entire disclosure here.
7 Crafty Projects for a Weekend Afternoon
There is only one cure for creative urges: make something! Have a look at these project ideas and use them as a launching point for your own crafty projects. Whether you want to paint, design, or build, the ideas here should get you started.
Paint rocks and stone to create animated garden art
2 Turn Terracotta Pots into Art & Decor
Clay pots are inexpensive and suitable for endless crafts and DIY projects. Whether you want garden art, a fairy garden, or decor, there are lots of ideas.
Creative clay pot project ideas
3 Print Your Photos and Turn Them Into Art
Learn how to print your favourite photos and turn them into art by transferring them to artist’s canvas. Great idea for unique gifts.
How to transfer photos and images to wood or canvas
One of the best things you can do for a garden is provide fresh water. Life depends on it! This simple water feeder is a favourite feeding spot for butterflies, bees, birds, small mammals, and all those nameless insect pollinators.
Birds, bees, and butterflies need fresh water every day. Make this DIY water feeder from household items. It takes just minutes to make and it's easy to wash!
6 Give Your Plants Pretty Protection
A quick trip to the thrift shop or Re-Store is all you need for these pretty hose guards. I rely on them to keep my garden hose from crushing plants, plus, they just look sweet.
How to make garden art hose guards
7 Plant a Flower Arch
If you love nature-inspired garden art, the book Gardening on a Shoestring by Alex Mitchell is an essential resource. I love this book. This sweet pea garden arch tutorial was provided with permission from the publisher. The book is filled with gorgeous outdoor projects for the garden and patio.
Create a sweet pea garden arch
Ok. That should get your creative juices flowing. Go grab your supplies, get messy, and have fun.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
Have you got a creative itch to scratch? These seven projects are the perfect remedy when you have a few hours on a weekend afternoon. Original article and pictures take empressofdirt.net site
