Garden stools glow in the dark

by Debra Anchors

Image by True Art

This exceptional and clever idea was curated from Red Lotus Gardening.  Construct outdoor stools from tree trunks and then paint them with glow paint - instant party lights in your garden or around your fire pit!















Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely!  Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials?  Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.  AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today.  Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Upcycle horseshoes to create cowboy art

by Debra Anchors

Image: Art by Mike

Worn out horseshoes are welded or otherwise fused together to create a chair. Crafting a piece such as this may present its own set of challenges, but just look at this remarkable and functional piece of western art!















Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.  AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!


Until next time -
Debra

Upcycle an ordinary stepping-stone

by Debra Anchors

Image: Found Design Atlanta

Extraordinary and EASY!  

Transform an ordinary garden stepping-stone by converting it from dull to interesting with this DIY project spotted at Found Design Atlanta.  

Here is a list of supplies you will need to create this unique project -

• A common, cement stepping-stone
• Paper doilies
• Spray adhesive
• Two cans of spray-paint in either analogous or complimentary colors.  Or, why not use a glow-in the dark paint to ease use of your path at night?

Visit Paige and Susan to read their tutorial.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -

Debra

Recycle and upcycle denim jeans into planters

by Debra Anchors

This set of planters, created by Tom Ballinger, was the star of the show at BBB Seed during one of their seasonal open houses.  I wrote a feature about this inspirational display last year on my website, Gardens Inspired.


Suggestions for creating one of these displays were offered by my readers;  I have highlighted the possibilities below.

• Place a kitchen size garbage bag inside each leg and then fill each with something that could follow the line of the jeans, but also be heavy enough to hold the planters in place. Use another kitchen garbage bag for the seat of the jeans, filled with a quality garden soil.

• Thread some rope through the belt loops of the jeans and then attach them to something sturdy, such as a fence.  Bubble wrap or crumpled plastic grocery bags could then be used to shape the legs.

• Consider constructing a PVC & wood block armature for rigidity then fill with a substance along the lines of shipping peanuts.  Then, either use the PVC pipe as the planter or secure plastic pots to the armature.

Will you create an inspirational planter of your own this year?

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely!  Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials?  Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life.  AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today.  Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Recycle and upcycle an old chair

by Debra Anchors

Photo: Bella's Rose Cottage

I will be on the lookout for an old chair to re-invent. I found this image online, with no credit given to the creator of this beautiful garden focal point.

To create this, I would either insert a chalkboard into the frame of the chair, or replace the chair back with wood and then use chalkboard paint to create a writing surface. It would be very easy to change the message with the season, or highlight a special event such as a birthday or garden party.

Oh, and that seat! How beautiful would it be to either replace the seat with a planter filled with herbs, or leave it for it’s intended purpose? A chair such as this would be a beautiful respite to relax in and enjoy the garden.

Although I do love the chippy, shabby look of this chair, I would extend it's life as long as possible by brushing on a clear wood sealer.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Recycle and upcycle cinder blocks to create a garden bench

by Debra Anchors

Photo (and instructions): Kayla's Basement

Look at what I discovered over at Kayla’s Basement.  Ingenious, Kayla.

Using 12 cinder blocks, paired with 4 (4 inch x 4 inch x 10 foot) pieces of lumber and some concrete adhesive, you too can build this outdoor bench - in less than an hour!







Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Hens and chicks create whimsy in the garden

by Debra Anchors

Surrounded by succulent hens and chicks, a simple wall plaque will add charm to a little corner of your garden.  Why not make one yourself? Bury the edges of the plaque in the dirt and then wait for the plants to do the rest!









Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra  

* This project was originally curated from the American Horticultural Society.

Create glowing path lights

by Debra Anchors

Image: Plow Hearth

Add some interest to your garden on a winter’s night with glowing orbs. If desired, these may also be created for use during warmer temperatures, but won’t last as long. The glowing balls are very easy to craft and display.

Using a large balloon, fill it with water, and tie it closed.  Place a tennis ball under the water balloon and either place the filled balloon outside during freezing temperatures, or use your freezer to turn the water into ice. Once the water inside the balloon has frozen, cut-away the balloon and remove the tennis ball. If desired, you can rinse your new ice ball with water to give it a more clear effect.



Instead of using battery-charged candles, as demonstrated in this photograph, or place a child’s glow-stick or glow-bracelet to add some color to the glow.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do-it-yourself? Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Recycle and upcycle a dresser

by Debra Anchors

Perfect for a deck or patio, an old dresser can be artfully transformed into a planter. This example of a creative use for a curbside dresser goes to Sue Lindsay over at Sue Loves Junk.

There weren't directions specific to this project, but if this was mine to reinvent, I would line the drawers with either window boxes or eavestrough to prolong the life of the drawers. Depending on the condition of the dresser, it may be a good idea to paint or brush on a coat or two of a waterproofing wood protector, too.



Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely!  Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials?  Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND,don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time,
Debra

Recycle and upcycle vintage glass

by Debra Anchors

Vintage pieces of glass call out to me whenever I yield to my passion for thrifting.  This is a project I put together a few years ago, and it remains standing in my Midwest garden, even through snow, rain, heat, and gloom of night.

To create this vintage glass totem, I weighted the base piece with kitty litter and then made certain to use glass pieces which fit together perfectly.  I chose soft colors, which complimented each other beautifully. It was also important to me that none of the pieces, once glued together, could catch water. Mosquitoes are a nuisance during a Midwest summer, and the temperature drops during the winter would freeze puddling water, ultimately breaking the glass.

Patience is necessary. Only one set of pieces can be connected at a time.  Because I needed a bonding agent which would be waterproof and also sustain below-zero temperatures, I chose an industrial strength, flexible adhesive.  Drying time for the adhesive is an hour, so the work is slow.  I think the result is beautiful and well worth the effort.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself? Absolutely!  Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life  AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time - 
Debra

Recycle and upcycle silver serving pieces

by Debra Anchors

Like me, I am guessing you see many pieces of discarded faux silver or stainless steel trays and bowls stacked in antique malls and yard sales. Jeanne, over at Pink Picket Cottage, found a whimsical use for the silver pieces she found and then sold the finished product on Etsy.

In the piece shown here, it appears there are four trays and bowls used to create this flower. Before you drill through the serving pieces, be certain to use a drill bit meant for use on metal.

Jeanne also put a piece of chipped china to good use by breaking it further and then artfully arranging it in the form of a mosaic at the center; a clever way to cover the hole (created by using a metal drill bit) as well as the nuts, bolts and washers holding everything together.

To "bring the bling", a woman's  rhinestone brooch was added to the center of the flower to catch the sun. A piece of rebar, cut to the desired height, finishes this project and serves as the flower's stem.

If it were me making one of these, I would reinforce the position of the silver pieces with glue. The very best adhesive I have found, and the only one I use in my outdoor projects, is an industrial strength, flexible adhesive.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely!  Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.

If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don’t miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra

Recycle and upcycle a bowling ball

Brought to my attention by Flea Market Gardening is this inexpensive and creative gazing globe for the garden.

I see bowling balls and flat glass stones available at yard sales every spring. Who knows? You may even find a gently used planter to use as a stand. Pick up an industrial strength, flexible adhesive, and you're all set!

If a tag sale isn't your thing, check with the staff at your local bowling alley to find bowling balls ready for the dumpster.

Note:  For convenience, I have embedded links into the text that will take you to the products used in this project.

Recycle, upcycle and do it yourself?  Absolutely! Have you upcycled something unique for your garden from recycled materials? Please share it with me so I can feature your creation here.


If you enjoy this website, you might like my magazine, Gardening Life. AND, don't miss my more traditional gardening website, Gardens Inspired.

I hope you found inspiration today. Remember to subscribe, so you won't miss a thing!

Until next time -
Debra