Cheap and Easy Planters and Plant Stand

As seedlings emerge and their roots outgrow their starter pots, I find myself in massive need of containers.  I've always gardened on apartment balconies and so while decorative for some, a good pot becomes the only ground I can sow and an absolute necessity to ensure I always have home grown herbs and veggies.  A couple of summers ago, I had great luck with my seeds and had 50 basil plants alone!

So earlier this week I found myself down to my last pot with 7 plants still to go.  I visited a local high school plant sale on their last day and so everything was 50% off

Herb Medley $2.50, aw yeah.

And after going up, down, and all around twice- I settled on this recent find.  It's a woven basket discovered at a long abandoned fruit stand.  I'm sure it was once filled to overflowing with wonderful, seasonal treats but it now had a spider living in it.

Lonesome Basket

 I didn't want all the dirt I just bought (less than $4 or FOR FREE outside.  Use a spoon like i do if you no have shovel) to fall through the holes of the open weave so I grabbed some cotton shirts from my box of yucko and lined the bottom of the basket.  I tried to get the sleeves (both long) to lay up the sides which you can also place there as you add the dirt.

Old cotton shirts from the Goodwill Box

First layer- will hold in dirt but allow rainwater to drain.  

Then you just start adding dirt.  Do this over a box top so you can catch the dirt that misses the basket.  It also makes the clean up quicker.

Going up to just above sleeve level.

Then you put your plants in!

I've read that people use chicken wire and moss to make planters but i dont have those items.  i had shirts and a basket already so this cost me the $2.50 for plants and used a small portion of my $3.something bag of dirt.

You know what?  While I'm at it...

Did I tell you about this most amazing planter I rigged out of a chair I found at the dumpster??
It had nasty rotting wicker so I pulled it all off while I was by the trash (and inspecting other goods) to reveal a VERY decent frame.  I had intended on redoing it but as it sat on the balcony, plant season came before refurbishing season.

Chair from Dumpster

I had gone by the drugstore and there were a couple planters I really wanted.  One was shaped like an urn vase with a detachable pedestal and I thought, man I hope I'm here when they're half off.  And a week later I was!

So it turns out it the lip part is wide enough to suspend on the seat frame.
I filled it with dirt and planted little "volunteers" that grow long tendrils to drape over the edge and framework of this wonderful, simple chair.

The volunteers I found growing out of the ground below my mom's plant.  I've seen those cascade down a few feet.

 This is when they were pretty small.  Hopefully I have a picture of them in late summer to compare it!

This would be at about one week's growth.  

 Chair was free, dirt was from a yard, plants were free, and the pot was $3.50

Also, dont be afraid to buy beautiful tea pots because their lids are missing.  This one I used for cilantro:
 I got it for free

37 plants so far, and way more after this weekend's Herb Fest.  

Time to start converting some more planters for the bounty.

Sunday Hike in the Tea Garden Tank

A gorgeous day, becoming of Daylight Savings and a great preview of Spring which is just one week away!  Had an amazing time visiting the local Farmer's Market and having some fried fish which came with the best Hush Puppies I've ever had.  There were so many vendors with herbs that I later planted my basil seeds, seeing how they're all so far ahead of me!   Then we went for a great walk through the woods, along a creek, and around a pond.

A true lady,  I was sure to have matching wedge heels for our journey.  And though a sign suggested we turn back and not trudge the uncertain terrain ahead, we went for it!  Every time we came to a spot where we needed to cross the creek, we joked about who would be the one to fall in and, of course, the last one we come across (where there was a family of four hanging out to witness) I totally take the plunge. Lucky I only screamed out, "Oh, Shhhh-(glance toward parents watching the scene)-oooot!  See!  I don't cuss!" With squishy shoes and bits of leaves floating around my toes we trekked back to the car.

A super day indeed and I got to test run my new top made from vintage fabric and trim with the sleeves of an upcycled shirt.

I have a lot of these shirts and dresses to sew but unfortunately I  also have a lot dishes that need attending to.  I might compromise and just do enough so I can cook dinner then paint my nails.

New Necklaces and my fave Vintage Dress

When I went to bed last night and when I woke this morning I knew I would have made multiple sales.  And this morning when I checked online, I'd sold three things within a few hours.  How bout that?  

This is one of my newest pieces and it just sold though I think I have enough to do one more:

Descent into Morocco 

My mother doesn't know it, but I'm stealing her planter because I am in love with how it looks in pictures.

Gorgeous weather is on its way and I've already started stocking up on sun dresses. For the moment I've been wearing my vintage gear since the polyester keeps me warmer and it ain't that nice yet (though it's comparable to a Northern Spring/Summer).

This is one of my favorites and you can totally see my tiny Beer Belly poking out in front (and my beer in my hand).  Guess it's time to get more serious about exercise, too!

Vintage Dress and Beer Belly

Heaven is a Flea Market

I should have set up to sell but it was a crazy day with a lot tentatively going on so I went for a look.  I recently got some beautiful tea pots from my mother in law that are like 50 years old but none of my 70's brown and orange mugs looked good next to them.  I needed a saucer for carrying my tea up to the studio loft (spills) and a place to rest my sugar spoon and of course this all had to be done with the most feminine design.  So I came across a guy selling all his grandmother's dishes and I'm lucky (though I feel UNlucky) that I only brought limited cash.   

I got two from him for $2 (one for me, one for a friend): 

This one has a wonderful floral design-  Reminds me of what you'd see sketched to illustrate a children's book in the Victorian era

Ladylike Tea Cup and Saucer

 This one is my fave color:

Fuchsia and Gold Tea Cup

 And this I did not buy but it got wrapped up into the box anyway.  I'll use this small platter for cookies.

On the way home I passed a locally owned thrift store that was in danger of being closed down so everything was half off to try and catch up on bills.  I've always hated Goodwill's pricing system and that they don't have 1/2 off days so I thought I'd go in and show some support.

Now my husband can have tea with me! Maybe it's for expresso, and maybe I'll let him drink coffee out of it, but I'm calling it his Tea Party Set.  It's blue though it looks purple here.

For a Manly cup of tea

 I also scored this wonderful tea set that came with: pot, cream pitcher, sugar dish, butter dish, storage container, and salt and pepper shakers.  I really don't need it and will sell it or gift it.  I just couldn't let it go to someone who may not have appreciated it.

Shroom Tea Pot

 And to add to my collection of religious imagery, I found Moses himself with the tablets of the Ten Commandments.  I love it because it's my first statue that isnt the traditional Holy Family or a saint.  Also, it's not just Christian but Jewish.

Moses

 And then I saw this!  I kinda looked around to make sure no one else had seen it as I quickly made my way to it.  Oh, sweet Jesus, thank you for such pleasures in small treasures.  It matches TWO of my favorite dishes that I got from my mother in law AND it's my only dish that's divided into two sections.  Half Off??  I quickly put down the leather and fringed fur moccasins that were to be my big purchase of the day and ran this up to the cashier for safe keeping.

Freaking Awesome Pyrex

And so now, it's time to UnSpendingSpree by selling stuff!!

Recycled Hardware Crosses

A few weeks ago I finally made a cross that had been in my mind for a while.  It was made using only items from loved ones that have passed away recently.  A hammer handle from our friend Joel, an engraved wrench and tiny tacks from my father-in-law's tools, and wire from my artist friend, Stella.  It came out looking great though I hadn't taken photos yet and it inspired today's craft session:

This is my new fave craft.

A day of procrastination

When I cleaned and organized the studio I took my yoga mats up there to the loft envisioning practices at 6:30 am lit by candles followed by awesome productivity.  It more turned into going a few weeks not exercising, whoops.  I lay in bed from 6:30a til I dosed off again around 7 trying to will myself out of bed but the warm, comfy down comforter won.  So for the last couple of weeks I've been plagued by back and hip pain, a scary week long bout of iritis (inflammation of the iris), and stomach cramps whenever I eat or even take a drink.  Getting back into routines can be so daunting but it only takes one day to turn it all around.  Today is not that day.  Rather, I slept in much later than is forgivable and spent much of the morning googling tattoo designs.

I have a couple behind my neck and the Mexican Coat of Arms is tattooed on my lower back but I know I could do better.  Id love to turn my left arm into a sleeve (after getting my Virgen de Guadalupe shaded) and add some more to my back.

Mexican Coat of Arms

 I spent some of the morning researching what happens to belly tats when pregnant, not because I have any plans, but because millions of people were born despite the pill, an IUD, and condoms and taking these early precautions will ensure not having f'ed up tats that get stretched and run through with stretch marks.  Anyway, I'll be sticking to my arm, sides, and back for now.  Never for the face and I don't know how I feel about leg tattoos for myself yet.

At least I've been keeping up with listing new items on my Etsy!

I am loving my new batch of evil eyes.  Maybe I'll make something today...

Just a quick update

I've hit a plateau in progress- Hello, dirty dishes.  I've been skipping doing yoga but now that I'm not even cleaning that's not cool.  Just sitting here with a small glass of Port.

I paid the bills this morning and did the grocery shopping so I'm not too worried.  Productivity of any kind deserves reward.

The last couple of days were spent finally uploading pics and listing new items on Etsy

This one's just for fun.  Modeling at a show for Faith from Rockstar Rehab