Moss Place Card Holders With Felted Wool

Natural moss is often my inspiration when creating floral arrangements and crafts. It is so incredibly soft and magical in its natural setting. Honestly, a feeling of guilt comes over me when I harvest this green gold. Yes, you can buy it in bags from various sources but it’s never quite the same as a freshly picked batch.

In an effort to recreate nature’s wonder and to tread lightly on Mother Nature, I whipped up these felted wool moss-inspired place card holders.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Felted wool – I used Dimensions Brand Felt Works found at Michaels craft store
• River rocks
• Dish-washing detergent or soap
• Craft glue
• Razor blade
• Card stock paper

With the exception of the dish-washing detergent, you can find all of the craft ingredients at any craft store.

Here’s how you do it:

1. Select the approximate size of the moss cap you want to create by pulling the felt apart.
2. Form it into a ball or oval and add one drop of dish washing liquid onto the felt. Then, while running it under warm water, roll the felt into the shape desired. The dish washing liquid helps form the shape when it dries. Be careful not to add too much soap.
3. Form the wet felt over a rock and let dry overnight.
4. When the felt is dry, remove it from the rock, place glue under the felt and glue it to the rock. Let dry completely.
5. Using a razor blade, create an incision on the top of the felt moss and insert a place card.
6. You’re done!

Here’s to adding magic to your next event or wedding…happy crafting!

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Tiny Twig Trees

 

We’re on the holiday home stretch right now and if you’re looking for ideas for a super cute gift or party favor, you’ve come to the right place. These tiny twig trees are fun, easy, and sure to please.

You’ll need:

• Twigs
• Hot glue gun
• Tiny containers to compliment your tiny trees
• Moss
• Dry floral foam

Here’s how to do it:

1. Create the tree by laying out five pieces of twigs on a flat surface; one is the trunk, second is the base of the tree, the third and fourth are the sides and the fifth is the center.
2. After you have the shape desired, place a dab of hot glue where the twigs touch each other.
3. When the glue is dry insert dry floral foam into the container then insert the tree into the foam (trunk first).
4. Glue some moss to cover the foam and you are done!

Happy Holidays and Happy Crafting!

Hurricane Sandy Crafts

As most of you know, the northeast was attacked by Hurricane Sandy this past week.  She wreaked havoc on countless families in numerous states (especially New Jersey & New York) and according to the latest reports, the economic damages will be in the billions.  Thankfully Andrew and I escaped with minor damages compared to our neighboring states.

During the storm, my giant backyard tree was relieved of countless branches and most all of its leaves. You may recall we experienced a similar weather situation last year, at the same time, and I created these Twig Christmas Trees.

While waiting out this year’s storm, I decided to keep busy and created a stick wreath. It’s a super easy project and please don’t wait for a natural disaster to create one just like this.

You’ll need:

• Twigs
• Pruner
• Cardboard
• Twine (optional)
• Hot glue gun
• Ribbon or twine (to hang the wreath)
• Moss (optional)

Here’s how ya do it:

1. Using a sharp utility knife, cut a cardboard disc approximately 6 inches in diameter then cut a hole in the middle.
2. This is optional but I wrapped the disc in twine (see photo below).
3. Then start hot gluing various lengths of twigs to the disc until you have the desired shape.
4. Add twine or ribbon to hang and your done!  I stuck a clump of moss in the center of the wreath but that’s not necessary….I just really like moss.

We are still having high winds in these parts so I decided to keep my wreath indoors for now.

Fortunately, our families at the New Jersey Shore are safe and our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to those still struggling with Sandy’s devastation.

Happy crafting!

Orchids

Lately I’ve had this urge to experiment with Orchids. Not anything involving lab beakers, chemistry equations or anything dangerous mind you. More like something creative and classy. Speaking of chemistry, did you hear about the chemist who was reading a book about helium? He just couldn’t put it down. One of my dad’s goofy jokes…sorry.

For this experiment you will find all of the ingredients at your local nursery, craft store, or back yard. You’ll need:

• Orchids
• Large glass container
• Potting soil for orchids
• River rock
• Sheet moss
• Sticks
• Twine

Now for the ‘how to’:

1. Place a layer of river rocks on the bottom of the container then line the sides with sheet moss. Using clothes pins, clip the moss in place at the top rim of the container to keep it in place.
2. Fill the vase with orchid potting soil.
3. Insert the orchids into the soil mixture.
4. Remove the clothes pins and finish off the creation with more moss to hide the soil.
5. Stake the orchid flower stems with sticks (I used curly willow branches) and tie them off with some moss secured with twine. PS: the moss/twine suggestion looks much better than the standard orchid clips usually sold with the plant.

Most orchids come with care instructions but my best bit of advice to keep them gorgeous for weeks on end is to keep them out of direct sunlight but in a well-lit area.  Water them once a week by placing three ice cubes (that’s 3 cubes per plant) on the soil.

Serene Green Garden Container

Photo by Christa Neu

As consistent warm weather approaches, it’s time to start planning our gardens. And if you have a small back yard like me, I like to get a little creative with some of my containers. I created this simple moss urn for an Organic Gardening Magazine story. It is super easy to assemble and it requires low-maintenance. Follow these simple steps to create your own serene green garden container:

Step One
Gather the materials: a container with a drainage hole, growing medium, and moss. Pots made of porous terra-cotta or concrete will help keep the soil cool, although those made of other materials also work. Harvest moss from your backyard, or call friends until you find someone who has a patch of moss you can harvest from. Or, you can order live moss on-line at mossacres.com.

Step Two
Fill the container with the growing medium. I used compost and commercial potting mix. Press firmly to compact it, and mound it into a dome.

Step Three
Press small patches of moss onto the medium and arranging them to completely cover the surface of the potting mix.

Follow-up Care
Water as needed. Even if the moss dries out, it will quickly revive once you resume watering.

Repurposed Vase Terrariums

Who doesn’t have a generous supply of florist vases tucked away? Some of my collection have been given to me, others I’ve rescued from the trash. My collection was the inspiration for these perfect woodland folly centerpieces.

Armed with only the bounty of my back yard (which by the way is the size of a postage stamp) I created these centerpieces. They also make a unique and creative way to number tables at a wedding or special event.

They are super easy to make. Simply place a one inch layer of stones in the bottom or your container then add about another inch of soil. Now the fun part! Using your imagination, start placing your special back yard finds into the vases like pines, moss, twigs, ferns, tiny clumps of grass. Don’t be afraid to add extra little surprises like eggs or this little deer like I did. If you don’t have access to these items, visit your local nursery of craft store.

Water with a moderate amount of water and don’t place it in direct sunlight. Enjoy, have fun and happy crafting!

Vintage Teacup Table Number Displays

The perfect table number displays. I love this idea because it is simple and fast to construct. Short and sweet, just like this post.

Happy Sunday and happy crafting!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Since I like to collect stuff, each month I’m going to do a blog titled, you guessed it, ‘A Few Of My Favorite Things.’ And, within these posts, I’ll share a little project or two (or three) you can do to repurpose your ‘Favorite Things’.

Starting with my globe — yes I LOVE globes and anything map related. My friend Kate is convinced I need to seek help with this particular obsession. This one caught my eye because of its unique zodiac base. I have a collection and some are in good shape and some…not so much.  To see a project for those not in good shape, check out my video, A World Of Thanks.

Now let’s move on to the green metal flower frog. What can I say, it’s just perfect. It’s green, my favorite color, and I could use if for its original intent or it can hold photos. As you can see, mine is holding a picture of my mom and dad on their wedding day, June 29th, 1940. Even though she has her eyes closed, it’s one of my favorite photos.

And last but not least, a green vintage metal toy car and an arts and crafts era ceramic planter. My friend Shaina gave me this lovely Norfolk Pine which I repotted into one of my favorite old ceramic pots. I added some moss, small rocks and my little green car.  Doesn’t it look like like it’s driving through a redwood forest? Alright, maybe not but I think it looks cool.

Happy Sunday and happy crafting!

Tea and Tea Roses

Busy weeks call for some downtime. A good book, my sketchbook, and a cup of tea or coffee brings me back to earth. At the grocery store, I picked up these tea roses but instead of plunking them into a vase, I placed them in a small terracotta flower pot. A while back a local greenhouse was throwing out these tiny pots which I rescued and painted with acrylic paint. They look great with any flower and they look great on my desk.

Line the pot with a grocery store plastic bag (we all have loads of those), insert floral foam (wet of course), then cut away the excess plastic with a scissors. Now cut and insert the flowers until the entire opening is filled. I tucked moss around the edges to hide any hint of plastic.

You can find the supplies needed for this project at your local craft or floral shop. And, note to reader, most craft stores have a great selection of small terracotta pots.

These would make great place card holders, get-well and birthday gifts, or gifts for other occasions like Valentine’s Day!  Hint, hint — THAT day is right around the corner.

Relax, take time to smell the roses, and happy crafting!

Daffodil Gift Baskets

This past weekend we packed up the car and off we went to visit my family. Since I hadn’t seen them over the holidays, I wanted to take them a little creation that was easy to make and something they would enjoy for a long time. I found potted Daffodils at a local nursery and knew that was just the ticket but they needed some editing.  Did you know that the Daffodil symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings?

Here’s what you’ll need for this easy project and how ya do it:

• Daffodils or other early spring bulbs.
• Baskets. Come on folks admit it, we all have a secret stash of baskets lying around somewhere.
• Plastic basket liners.  Okay, you probably don’t have those but any florist can help you out. Or you could use plain old trash bin liners.
• Moss – florist or craft supply store.
• One bag of potting soil which you can find at any florist or nursery.

Now for the how-to:

1. Place a basket liner inside the basket.  If you’re using plastic trash bin liners, cut the bin liners to size and place inside the basket.
2. Carefully remove the Daffodils (or bulbs of choice) and the soil from their nursery pots by turning the pot upside down.  Be careful that you keep as much soil with the bulbs as possible.
3. Insert the bulbs into a basket. Use potting soil to fill in the space around the bulbs and the basket.
4. Insert some moss over the bulbs to cover the exposed soil.

Your done! Seriously, the whole project for three baskets took me about 30 minutes.  I attached some homemade gift tags to some twigs and out the door we went.

The care instructions are easy too.  Water when you feel the soil is dry, but don’t over water. Keep them out of direct sunlight and they’ll burst open before you know it. After the flowers have wilted and the greens have browned, simply place the bulbs in the soil outside and next Spring they’ll start their little cycle all over again.

Enjoy!