Splendor in the Grass: DIY My Spring Blog Hop Outdoor Ottoman

Though the month of March may come roaring in like a lion, it's arrival is still a welcome promise of the sunny Spring days soon ahead. Many a frosty March morning, I find my mind wandering to sunny green fields and pastoral picnics, or perhaps planning my imaginary topiary garden (yes, I have one) 

So when I learned that Donna of Funky Junk interiors was hosting a Hometalk DIY MY Spring Hop for bloggers to share ideas celebrating all things Spring, I was delighted to take part. 

Nothing speaks to the season like the freshness of new green grass, and recently I noticed a trend incorporating it into whimsical outdoor furniture and decor. It seems all sorts of natural elements, grasses and moss (real and faux) are being reinvented as unique upholsteries and quirky furniture finishes. Think chic chia pet.

Inspiration, clockwise from top left

   Floral and moss chair, Hative.com

Grass Wall, architectural digest

Mossy sofa set, lushhome.com

Grass Chairs, Paris, Decorpad

Grass sofas, (for rent) AFR events

I thought adding one of these fun pieces to our humble outdoor space would be lots of fun and add a little greenery until the real stuff grows in. Sadly without the budget for a custom live creation or a surprisingly pricey faux version, this was going to have to be a DIY. 

Not being blessed with the greenest of thumbs, (for me, growing mint on my windowsill is a major horticultural coup), the idea of taming live grass into perfectly manicured decor didn't seem likely. 
To the rescue, inexpensive artificial grass sold inexpensively by the foot at your home improvement store, craft store plastic grass, an old crate and spray paint.

Faux Foliage Ottoman 
I figured a simple ottoman shape would be simple and small enough to give a more subtle nod to this unique trend.

I used:

A sturdy plastic crate 

faux grass carpet to cover crate
(Lowes or most home improvement stores)

plastic friendly spray paint 

2 plastic grass matts (from Craft store)
These were a bit pricey (even with coupon) so I used these only to accent and add dimension to the top of the ottoman

I roughly traced the height of crate and marked the grass carpet on the reverse, cutting one long piece sufficient to wrap around crate
Note: this is a bit messy to cut so is best done over drop cloth or outside
Since this will be a temporary occasional piece, I simply attached the grass carpet with large wads of rolled of Gorilla tape spaced evenly around crate. This allowed the flexible grass to sit evenly over the ridges and spacers of the crate.
An appropriate strong glue could be used if intended for tougher wear.

I then trimmed the two grass matts to fit the top not attaching until after painted.

I lightly spritzed everything with spray paint to make the green colors of sides and top more cohesive and to camouflage any areas where the crate might peek through. 
I used a few varieties of green for a more realistic finish- luckily having some paint from leftover projects. Layering the different greens while still wet lets them blend more naturally.
Then simply let dry, tape on top matts and accessorize.

Whimsically elegant accessories and "Think Spring" accents make a fun contrast to the down to earth texture.

While longer faux grasses are available, the shorter greens on these matts gives the grassy effect yet is level enough to allow you to perch items more easily.

Many Thanks for Visiting
and please pop over to the other fun blogs for DIY's, house tours, garden tips and more
and look for #DIYMySpring on your favorite social media

An InLinkz Link-up

Fairy Doors: welcoming the wee folk

It seems some of us never outgrow our childhood fascination with the world of miniatures. (I admit, even being of a certain age, to having three dollhouses in varying states of remodeling) 

So naturally I was delighted to find that all things small are making a big comeback. It seems that especially pint sized, or "fairy" gardens, are continuing to grow in popularity with every manner of mini accessories now available for wee folk's home and landscape needs. Of course many of these mini treasures come at not-so-tiny price points, prompting lots of DIY ideas and thriftier alternatives.

 In one of my very first blog posts, I featured a Christmas elf door, a super simple idea that was surprisingly popular, so at the risk of being a one trick pony, I thought I'd revisit it with some new tweaks and variations for the Spring season as well as for an upcoming craft workshop. 
This month I'm thrilled to be included in a group of bloggers who will be sharing their crafts and ideas at the Philly Home Show's Make and Take Station, and thought this would be a fun project. 

Easy to make, with supplies you may have on hand already, fairy or elf doors can be imagined in countless colors and designs to suit your taste and can be tailored to most any season or holiday.

Craft Stick Fairy or Elf Doors
You'll Need

popsicle or craft sticks

paper

white glue

acrylic paints or stains

crafty odds and ends

 (buttons, faux moss, mini accents etc.)

please note these little creations are cute but can be fragile and shouldn't be used as toy 

         

To start, simply glue desired number of sticks to wide band of paper. This will provide support and allow door to bend slightly if desired. For a garden gate look, (right) simply arrange the sticks in a step pattern. Rounded ends can be carefully trimmed with strong scissors or simply camouflaged later with greens. Excess paper on sides make for easy handling and can be snipped off once dry.

While glue is drying, paint or stain the front and allow to dry.
Try a favorite solid color....

or

You can create a fun crackled or weathered look simply with white craft glue and acrylic paints

For crackle technique, paint base color - this will be the shade that appears as cracks

once dry, "paint" with a coat of white glue and while glue is still tacky apply your top coat of acrylic (contrasting colors work best). 
Might want to use a "throwaway" paintbrush for this step.

A thicker glue layer will yield larger cracks but longer drying time

let it dry and voila, instant antiquity

If you are going to use your door to adorn a round flower pot, gently snap between each stick, This gives the door some flexibility but it will still be attached to paper backing for support. 

 

Once dry have fun painting on accents or decorating with foliage or accessories. 

Try button doorknobs and barrette hinges 

for a freestanding door you can glue or tape (a block of floral foam for support

(I used athletic tape from the dollar store) 

or attach a craft stick "stake" to be inserted in planter- 

a fun way to accent a plant for a unique gift

If attaching to wall, make sure to find something appropriate (and removable) at your home store.

We were delighted to share this project at the Philly Home Show!

Looking for a more formal look?

visit our Formal Fairy Garden post
An easy DIY using a spray painted plastic doll and more craft sticks
or
 for our bookish friends 
a garden in a book from A Secret Garden Tea

I'm delighted to have this project featured on the lovely....

Thanks so much for Visiting!

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing our wonderful readers the

Happiest of Valentine's Days

When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew

                                               William Shakespeare

from the PennyWise Crew

Breakfast on Bourbon Street: Mardis Gras DIY's

While raucously celebrating Mardis Gras in New Orleans is still on my "someday" wish list (sigh), I thought for the time being I would give a nod to the city's most famous party with an easy project and a couple of quick southern inspired sweet treats. 

Admittedly this year's Fat Tuesday will probably find me catching up on Downton Abbey reruns rather than frantically catching beads or gleefully downing goblets of hurricanes, but I can at least enjoy a little festive Big Easy flare, with a quiet coffee at home.

Bourbon Street Lamp Post

A fun way to celebrate this iconic street.

You will Need

mini solar lamps
(I borrowed two from my yard)

planter with soil deep enough to support lamp firmly
or any tall faux floral arrangement with sturdy base

Bourbon St. printout

faux ivy flowers or greens

Mardis Gras accents:masks beads, crowns etc

 (available from Dollar or party stores)
******
   

from wherewhodatsshop

Simply print out street sign image and glue onto sturdy paper or card stock. Then cut out and attach to light with strong tape

Then firmly insert lamp base into planter and adorn with greens and accessories

A crown from Christmas decor, gold rim glass and beads add sparkle

The taller post was made from a grapevine prop I found among my dusty "treasures" and the solar light just happened to fit perfectly in the center tube holding the vines! (and to think it almost ended up at Goodwill)

Make sure the lights get some sun exposure during the day if they are to be displayed at night- I simply popped the top part off and set outside or in a sunny window

"Not Quite" Beignets

While the beignets of New Orleans are the stuff of legend, a quick recipe search had me looking for an alternative more within my skill set (rising yeast and deep frying make me skittish) To the rescue a beignet-like cake recipe from the talented and very funny 

domestic rebel.

Starting with a butter cake mix and simply making a few tweaks, these golden cakes with a hint of nutmeg and sprinkled with powdered sugar, while not technically beignets, are delightful with a morning coffee.

Orange Spiced Coffee

I recently learned of a famous coffee, orange and brandy flambe concoction called Cafe' Brulot, popular in New Orlean's finest old restaurants. While brandy and open flames might not be appropriate for breakfast, the orange flavor sounded wonderful.
For a cafe worthy drink, I made a simple orange syrup that can be added to give coffee a bright but subtle orange flavor, or added to tea or smoothies as well.

Orange Syrup 1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
peel of one orange (white pith removed)
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp orange extract 
         
Place sugars, water and orange peel in small saucepan. Heat over low-medium until dissolved and almost to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer on low, stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes. Add orange extract and let cool. Strain into a bottle and store in the fridge.

add to coffee to taste and top whipped cream dusted with cinnamon and orange rind if desired

Image graphics fairy circa 1907 sheet music

Laissez les Bon temps Rouler