Nowhere To Go But Up!

Trying to design your craft booth at a show and have lots of product to offer has its challenges, especially when the space is limited and tiny.   Where else are you going to go with your display but UP!

I've had this cute little nightstand for a couple of years now, always intending on putting it on the porch with cute flowers spilling out of the drawers but my daughter snagged it for her room for awhile and then it went to the basement when she tired of it.

I attached a really long wooden shutter to the back of it with some 1x4's (because the back of the nightstand is really thin and probably wouldn't hold a screw) and the last thing I need is for it to tumble down on someone!

I added some cup hooks to it and it's perfect for displaying my garden memo boards!

These will all be for sale this weekend at the first craft show of the season near London, Ohio!    See my sidebar for details and there is a website for the Choctaw Lake Lodge where the show is being held.

Here's a sneak peek of other items I've got piled up and ready to go in the van!

Hope to see you there!   The weather's been terrific, so no excuses!  :)

2nd Flea Market Gardens Mag!

Boy was I excited when I heard there was a 2nd Flea Market Gardens magazine out this year!   (Good thing my initial excitement won-out over the ho-hum cover picture.)

It is chalk-full of colorful pictures and some not-so-original ideas.   I was a little disappointed to see a lot of the same ole' ideas but then again, I suppose if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Edging ideas that we've all seen before but still look great. 

I was really drawn to these pictures and cute little article;  I love the combination of garden-junk and more-of-a country look; a cottage charmer for sure!

and I'm in love with all this chippy white stuff!!

Super-cute old chicken coop!   I've always wanted to move an old dilapidated little building to my property and make it all cute!   (did you hear that brother-in-law?  Keep the flat-bed handy!!)

Did anyone else notice the broken tree limb in the background?   I would have hoped editing would have caught that!

Also came across this not-so-original idea:   a planted chair.

The same night, I also bought the new Birds & Blooms magazine.   Imagine my surprise when I noticed a familiar site!

The exact same planted chair!!   Makes you wonder where they get their material!  

That was definitely a disappointment! 

But then all was well in the world again when I came across the potting potential article.   Again, not very original ideas but fun to look at just the same!



So overall I was a little disappointed that there weren't more new and unique ideas but I suppose it's hard to keep up with us creative people!  ha!  

Fun Bird Treats

Feeding the birds during winter is not only essential for the birds but entertaining for you!   What else are you going to do on a cold, snowy day?   OK, I suppose you could watch a movie or too but why not enjoy watching all the hungry birds at your feeders? 

Today was a beautiful day; sunny and close to 50 degrees!   We have really had a mild winter so far!  It was a great day to fill-up the bird feeders.  (and maybe take down some Christmas lights that were still on the bushes??? shh!)  

A couple weeks ago, I did a small presentation on birdfeeder crafts for the Gardenwood Garden Club in Circleville, Ohio.   Below are some of the crafts I displayed:

A heart-shaped birdseed wreath; perfect for Valentine's Day!



A small wreath of dried cranberries and pineapple; packaged in a pretty floral tin with moss.

Super-cute mini heart-shaped birdseed wreaths!



Look how cute they can be in a pretty floral heart-shape box!



Or packaged up in cellophane bags with raffia!  So Cute!



Look how cute they look, all hanging on my little 'Filbert' tree by the front porch!   And I can see these from the kitchen window too!



Here's the recipe; it's super-easy!!   (And I found some egg-shaped molds for Easter!)

Bird Seed Wreath

Dissolve 1 pkg. unflavored gelatin with 1/2 cup warm water; whisk in 3 tablespoons light corn syrup and 3/4 cup flour and stir well. (will get thick and sticky). Mix in 4 cups birdseed; mix well until all seeds are coated.
Spray pan with nonstick cooking spray and firmly press-in seed mixture until well packed and even. Let set overnight. Remove when hardened. Tie with ribbon and hang for birds to enjoy!   (Note:  If your mold doesn't have an open center, be sure to use a straw to make a hole about 15 minutes after you've pressed into the mold.)

Enjoy!


PS:   Breaker Breaker 1 9 for the M-Jo in Michigan.....  what's your 20?   Over.