Terrarium- Part Deux

So I really wanted to re-create the terrarium in Making It Lovely DIY Terrarium post. I knew that I wasn't going to be able to be exact with it, as I didn't know exactly what plants were used, but I wanted to get close. Fortunately Nicole Balch, the lovely lady behind Making It Lovely blog, included a link to the tall glass jar that she used. Unfortunately that tall glass jar is now no longer available, so I can not provide that link, but I can provide you with a link to their other terrarium containers: HERE

Lucky for me, I was able to get that glass container before it was sold out. It arrived in a HUGE box!! The box was so big that when I broke it down to bring to a co-worker who was moving it wouldn't fit anywhere in my car- not the trunk, not the backseat, not even with the sunroof open!

So here's what I've been basically calling the Terrarium Of My Dreams! For a tutorial on terrariums see:  HERE and HERE

Irish Moss, a pink geode, some yellow gemstones, river rock and my secret  surprise: fake flowers. I didn't want to use real ones because I couldn't find any that would work at my local nursery. We'll see how the fake ones work- see if they mold or mildew. fingers crossed!

it gets it's own table!

Because this is a lidded terrarium, it's a little different from the ones I've already done. I'm really hoping that the plants I used do well in the humid environment inside the jar. It's been fascinating watching the condensation form and then clear as the day goes on. I periodically take the lid off and let it air out, per instructions. So far so good! I just love this little mini world!

Update:   Good news my friends!!!!! The tall glass jar from west elm  is back in stock and on sale!!!

D.I.Y. Your Heart's Desire

Need an easy weekend project? Simple wall art? Temporary garland for a special event?
Look no further!

I found a tutorial for this through Pinterest back in February and I just fell in love! After some trial and error, mumbled curses and bloodied fingertips I got mine just right!!

First you need to start with the free paint chips/cards that you can get at any home improvement store. What I love about this is that you can't go wrong- every color in the world exists in these chips AND they are all color coordinated like a rainbow of fabulousness- so it's basically mistake proof!

1.Your first purchase will be a craft punch. I chose hearts (which let me tell you, was insanely difficult to find one week before Valentine's Day!) but of course you can do any shape you want!
2. You will also need thread (I chose red) and a thick needle (but not as thick as an embroidery needle), double up the thread, so you have two strands and not one going through your paint chip shape.
3. Clear push pins for mounting on the wall.
4. Tape (double sided is best).

paint chips punched into hearts, ready to be strung

I was a stringing queen! Can't tell you how many times I stabbed myself, but it as worth it. A word to the wise when doing this: I put the needle through the heart twice, so the hearts would lay flat. A little note here- these suckers will spin!!

To mount on wall, use a clear push pin on each end as well as in the middle- to create your swag.  Then I used double sided tape every 5th heart or so to keep them flush against my wall. 

The finished product!!

Let's Coast! D.I.Y. Tile Coasters

Years ago when I thought money grew on trees, I purchased  over a dozen hand painted, hand cut tiles from Mexico. I had the intention of using them for the backsplash of the granny unit my parents were building. I had grand plans- shoot for the stars kind of plans! And then reality set in, one: if I moved then my precious tiles would permanently be in someone else's kitchen :( and two: the economy started to tank and I knew I needed to spend my money more wisely. So, fast forward 4+ years and I've got a box of hand painted tiles all dressed up with nowhere to go.

A little while ago I decided I was going to turn them into coasters or trivets or very possibly a table top (until I thought about how much work that would be- meh!) I sat on that idea for awhile until Saturday. I knew I wanted a Sunday craft project and that box of tiles was just staring at me, I mean- staring! So  off to trusty ol' Miners Hardware I went. First, can I just say how insanely friendly and helpful their staff ALWAYS is! Anyway, I got all of the supplies I needed and boom- Sunday craft day was ready!

What you'll need:

decorative tiles

A roll of grip liner- found with the contact paper

glue- I started off using super glue for ceramics which worked great but ran out. You can also use craft glue made for porous surfaces.

scissors

some sort of cover for your work area so you can be messy with glue if that's your thing

Um, my first casualty- whoops! Super glue to the rescue!! I literally dropped this and broke it as the project was starting

take a precut square of the grip liner, that you have cut to just slightly smaller than the tile itself.

apply glue

apply liner to glue and press firmly- I used a small piece of cardboard to smooth it down so I wouldn't get glue all over my fingers. I still managed to glue a few fingers though!

what I call the drying station. Depending on the glue they may dry instantly or take a few hours. 

the finished product!! my pretend inlaid table.

as a coaster for under my plant mister (gotta protect that wood from moisture!)

as a decorative coaster under an egyptian glass vase. I'm also using them for coasters for glasses stacked on my coffee table and ready to go!

 A side project inspired by these tiles all those years ago:

I hand painted this terra-cotta container when I first got the tiles. I had a vision of painting these and selling them as a side business- then the place I wanted to sell them to burnt down- so if that isn't a sign, I don't know what is (oh and this was super time consuming, so that was a factor too!)

close up of my painted pot. :) It's a favorite!

Hopefully you're feeling inspired to make some craftiness happen in your life!!