The Gardener's Rake » garden crafting

How to make a Decorative Cornhusk Wreath

Denise — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:46:38 +0000

An Indian corn wreath will add color to your porch or home. And in the fall it adds to the feel of fall harvest and thanksgiving. An Indian corn wreath is very easy to make and with proper care will last for years to come.
photo credit: versageek

When my brother raised pumpkins he also raised Indian corn for fall decorations. We had a corn husking party; bent the husks back and tied in bunches to dry. The barn was full of Indian corn hanging from the barn rafters to dry. It took about four days.

I made a few Indian corn husk wreaths and was hooked on the easy and beautiful fall wreaths. Below are directions for making your own wreath

How to Make an Indian corn decorative wreath.

Start with a metal or grapevine wreath form. I usually use a grapevine wreath because it is a fuller base to work on. Lay the base wreath on a table along with the dried Indian corn, dried flowers and any ribbon or other decorations you have.

Look at the colors of the corn and flowers, and place them around the wreath to see how they would look. This may be randomly placed or even. Remember when placing the corn that you want the wreath to appear balanced and centered when placed on a wall.

Use the same method for the dried flowers, spacing them so that they create a balanced composition. I also like to add cornhusk that I have fluffed to add more fill to the wreath. Sometimes I will lightly dye the husks in light pastel colors.

photo credit: zimpenfish

Wrap the dried corn and flowers with florist wire. (Florist wire is a thin wire that is coated in a green plastic, commonly used to wrap floral arrangements.) Place the Indian corn and flowers where you want them on the wreath base ands bind them in place with the florist wire.

Hook the end of the florist wire into the back of the wreath and wrap it around the wreath. This method will securely attach the flowers and Indian corn to the wreath. Continue this process until all your items are securely in place on the wreath.

Step back and take a look at the wreath. Are there bare spots or corn or flowers that need a slight adjustment? Would a ribbon bow add to the wreath? When you feel the wreath is finished its time to spray the wreath.

To make the wreath last longer, spray it with an acrylic clear varnish. This step should be done in a well-ventilated area, like outdoors and away from plants and the house. Hold the spray can at least 12 inches from your body and from the wreath.

Spray the wreath quickly not lingering on one area too long. Allow the spray to dry completely in a warm area, at least 55 degrees. I ignore the wreath for about 24 hours.

Once dry, hang indoors or out. These wreaths make great gifts and will last for years.

Technorati Tags: cornhusks, died flowers, garden crafting, how to make an indian wreath, indian corn, indian corn wreath

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Create a Hypertufa Garden Container

Denise — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:35:46 +0000

Garden Art is one of the “in” trends for this summers garden and yard. And with the interest in gardening, particularly container gardening, on the increase you may want to consider making you own hypertufa planters. It’s a fun project and also makes a great family project.
photo credit: jdn

I made my first hypertufa pot in a local art society. We were encouraged to bring items to press into our pots such as rocks beads, marbles or any other found objects. I used wash glass pieces and old keys in my creation.

The you tube video below will give you a fast idea on how to make a hypertufa pot. It’s really very easy and once you start making them you will find the ideas get more creative. The look of the container also blends in to the backyard and looks wonderful near ponds or pools.

The nice thing about the hypertufa pot is that it is really an economical project. They last for a long time and can withstand harsh winters. They can be made in all sized and using peat moss instead of cement they are not as heavy as you would think so can be moved about.

Technorati Tags: container gardening, creative gardening, garden art, garden crafting

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The Gardener’s Rake: Ice Cream in a Bag

Denise — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:18:00 +0000

We often refer to this area as NW PA’s Garden of Eden but with the snow piling up and wondering if we will loose power I find I have cabin fever. This is the time in life when I get in trouble.

So to take the edge off it’s time for a little fun. I’d like to share a project I have done in the past with my niece and nephews. Its called Ice Cream in a Bag.

Really, who could even turn down Ice Cream in the winter? Particularly if it’s homemade Ice Cream!
photo credit: joyosity

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup half and half
1/2-teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup salt (Bigger granules work better. Kosher or rock salt works best, but table salt works fine.)
Ice cubes (enough to fill each gallon-size bag about half full)
1 pint-size ziplock bag
1 gallon-size ziplock bag

1. Combine the sugar, half and half, and vanilla extract in a pint-size bag and seal it tightly.

2. Place the salt and ice in the gallon-size bag, then place the sealed smaller bag inside as well. Seal the larger bag. Now shake the bags until the mixture hardens (about 5 minutes). Feel the small bag to determine when it’s done.

3. Take the smaller bag out of the larger one and add flavorings. Pureed fruit, nuts, chocolate syrup and fruit juices are just a few ideas that make great ice cream. If you want you can eat the ice cream right out of the bag. Kids love using the bag as a bowl and clean up is a breeze. Each bag makes one serving.

If your adventurous use snow instead of ice cubes, just watch out for the yellow snow.

My niece and nephews loved making ice cream like this. We would add frozen raspberries or blackberries that had been put away in the summer from the berry bushes out back. It brought back memories of hot summer days and the kids working (really playing) in the gardens.

Give this recipe a try. It’s easy and a fun project for kids of all ages. If you are one of those lucky few living in warm weather make two bags!

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Creative Organic Gardening – Make a Natural Pine Wreath

Denise — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:36:06 +0000

The smell of fresh pine seems to bring back memories of past Christmases and holiday cheer but there is a lot of concern over growing pines for seasonal use. Unfortunately artificial trees are also easier to use, particularly in town. But Fresh pine seems to add to a holiday and by making a natural pine wreath you can enjoy the season and go green by saving a tree.
photo credit: G & A Sattler

How to make a natural Pine Wreath

I decided to make a pine wreath this year and just went out and trimmed off some branches from my pine trees that probably needed pruned anyways. I chose, Norway pine, Blue Spruce, White pine and another pine I am not sure of the name. By selecting several different kinds of pine I add texture and color changes to the wreath.

If you do not have your own trees, a neighbor may need his trees pruned (ask first!) or go to a place that is selling trees. They trim them and have piles of pine branches they will toss away.

I have saved some old wire clothes hangers and just bent one into a circle and left the top hook so that it could be hung on the wall or a door.

I gather the different pine into small groups, about 8 pieces in each group and secure with wire. Then this group is wired onto the wire frame. It took me about 32 groups to cover the wire frame. I packed them in closely so the wreath is full. This took me about 25 minutes to do.

For final touches I have pine cones in the back yard, which I will dry in the oven (to dry and make sure there are no bugs in the cones) then tie onto the wreath. I will also add a red bow and possible a few Christmas ornaments and its done!

After the holiday season is done I plan on cleaning the wreath off of any ornaments and bows and tying the wreath outdoors. I will add homemade seed feeders to the wreath and let the birds enjoy a new place to rest and eat.

In the spring the pine needles will be added to my ground cover pile and my wreath will have served several purposes without hurting the environment.

Happy Holidays to all! Denise

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The Amazing Gourd and its many uses.

Denise — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:00:24 +0000

Gourds are one of my favorite crops to grow. I grow them for the surprise, color and for crafting. They also have an amazing history that spans many countries and civilizations.

The smaller ornamental gourds I have already harvested. They have been cleaned, rinsed with a thinned down bleach to help with any diseases that cause the gourd to spoil and dried. I varnished a few for table decoration and Halloween. The rest will dry later in the winter and turned into crafting items or instruments.

The larger gourds are being harvested now. It takes about a week to collect and clean them all. This year my crop totaled over 200 larger gourds and 10 bushels or the decorative gourds. I will leave them outdoors on tables on a sunny day to take stock of the crop and sort them according to how they will be used. These gourds will take anywhere from four to nine months to dry and need to be stored properly to dry well.

How to dry a gourd.

Clean the dirt and soil off the gourd.
Check for damage to the gourd.
Clean with a watered down bleach solution to prevent mold and gourd rot.
Place the gourd in an area that get air ventilation and make sure the gourds do not touch.
In my area I have to make sure mice cannot get to the gourds.
Gourds should be turned while drying to make sure air is getting to all the surfaces of the gourds.
When dry they need to be cleaned a stored until they can be used.

I usually let my gourds dry until spring then start to create with them. I have made jewelry boxes, musical instruments, plant hangers, wall décor and much more.

Tags: drying gourds, harvesting gourds,

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Pumpkin Carving as an Art

Denise — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 00:52:32 +0000

Fall is my favorite time of year. The colors amaze me and there is a sense of adventure waiting to see what new color and change will be coming. Its also a time where the gardens are coming to an end in NW PA., but fall has the last word with its vibrant colors.

Pumpkins play a big part in my gardens and fall decorating.

The following You Tube shows how some people really turn pumpkin carving into an art.

Enjoy the fall and all it has to offer!

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Growing Yarrow: Herb, dried flower and useful weed.

Denise — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:14:20 +0000

Yarrow is one of my favorite plants. It is considered a weed by many but has many herbal, crafting and flower uses.

I plant yarrow in my wildflower and perennial beds. Yarrow is a perennial hardy up to zone 3. Once established it will return year after year with little care needed. It has soft, frilly green foliage and groups of delicate white flowers make it similar to baby’s breath.

I dry yarrow and use it in artwork and in dried arrangements. What is particularly useful with yarrow is that once it is dried you can spray the flower heads different colors, which makes it very useful in flower arrangements or glued to wreaths. Yarrow comes in other pastel colors if you buy plants or seeds from a nursery. I myself just use that I have foraged and moved from the property.

Yarrow also attracts needed insects to your garden. Lady beetles and predatory wasps swarm to yarrow. These insects are not harmful to garden plants and eat other insects, which can be harmful to your garden. Yarrow also attracts butterflies to your garden.

Medicinal uses

Make a medicinal herbal infusion with yarrow to treat a variety of ailments. Yarrow contains many oils and alkaloids including linalool, camphor, salicylic acid, azulene and tannins useful for both internal and external medicinal application. Make the infusion by placing a handful of fresh yarrow flowers or foliage in a pint of boiling water. Boil for 30 minutes.
Drink a cup of the infusion to help reduce fevers and relieve pain. The salicylic acids in yarrow are similar to the active ingredients in aspirin and work as natural pain relievers and fever reducers.

Let the infusion cool and soak a rag in the liquid for external use. Apply the rag to wounds to prevent inflammation or to already inflamed areas to reduce swelling. The azuliene in yarrow is an anti-inflammatory.

NOTE: Always use care when using any herb. You may have an allergy to the plant or it may affect medicine that you take. Do research and ask questions.

Yarrow has been grown in my gardens for over 10 years and will continue to be an important “must have” plant.

Tags: yarrow, uses for yarrow, one mighty useful weed, yarrow for crafting, dried flowers

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Create a Moss Covered Garden Art Chair using Moss Milkshake

Denise — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:45:53 +0000

Interesting pieces of garden art add to a garden and yard. It’s easy to find chairs that need a little work at sales or along roadsides. These chairs make perfect additions to any garden and great accents for flowers .

They are also very cheap or free. By adding flowers and moss you will have a one of a kind garden decoration that will get many compliments.

Lets get started:

Find a chair that has a nice solid seat.
Wet newspaper strips and let sit while you clean the chair.
Once the chair is clean cover it with the moist newspaper strips.

Cover the chair in newspaper and put a little spray adhesive down. Then cover the chair with chicken wire. This gives the moss has something to grab on to. You can cover the chair with moss that you harvest in the woods or make moss using the recipe below. I myself recommend the moss mix. You get a more flowing look and you are not disturbing moss in the woods. Water the chair regularly in order to keep it healthy and growing. You can use a spray bottle or a hose with a spray attachment in order to keep it damp.

Tips:

the chair will prefer a partially shady area.
Add flowers on the chair set to give the piece more color.
I chose a metal chair that will last longer. Wood can be used but it will fall apart after a few years.

Moss milkshake

1 can of beer
1/2-teaspoon sugar
Several clumps garden moss
Blender
Paintbrush

Gather together several clumps of moss (moss can usually be found in moist, shady places) and crumble them into a blender. Then add the beer and sugar and blend just long enough to create a smooth, creamy consistency. Pour the mixture into a plastic container and you are ready to paint and create.

Tags: making moss, moss milkshake, garden chair, make a garden art chair, garden art

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Wildflowers have many uses: Dry flowers for crafting

Denise — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 03:28:26 +0000

I have that lull in the garden where everything is pretty much planted but the crops haven’t taken off. It’s a great time to enjoy the garden and notice the other activity on the property. This lull lasts about two weeks and then it’s chaos in the gardens.

Picking wild berries on the land has made me realize that many of the wildflowers are in full bloom. Now is the best time to press any flowers for crafting uses or dry herbs and flowers.

I dry yarrow to use later in dried arrangements. They dry well and can be sprayed different colors. I also use Queens Anne’s Lace but the stems aren’t as sturdy as the Yarrow.

I am lucky to have a large barn. This is where I hang the flower to dry. It’s warm and quite dark so the flowers dry well. Once dry they are stored in boxes until they are needed.

Many of the delicate wildflowers I press for using on handmade paper or for use in two and three dimensional art pieces. I made my own small press from old boards. I used to use old books but the flowers sometimes stain the books so it was time to try something different.

You can also use sand and a drying solution to dry flowers. This works best for the full flowers that you want to look three dimensional and natural. And by using wire in the stems you can make a sturdy stem. Strawflowers are probably my favorite dried flower using this method. They have so many uses.

One last way you can enjoy the flowers from this season is the dry the flower heads to use in potpourri or baskets. It’s a way of catching a little of the color and beauty of summer.

Tags: drying flowers, drying herbs, using dried flowers in crafts, using dried flowers in floral arrangements

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Creating with Gourds: The possibilities are endless.

Denise — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:24:42 +0000

As my gourd crops continue to grow my mind goes to what I can create from my gourd crops, once they dry.

I am hoping for the bushel gourds to grow large enough for gourd end tables and for the canteen and dipper gourds to work for gourd instruments. That is what attracts me to growing gourds; you just never know what will happen and how the gourds will dry.

Below is a gourd video with some wonderful ideas and designs. I Woodburn paint or dye my gourds and add gourd pieces wood or other found objects to gourds, so this video gives me some wonderful ideas.

When working with gourds you are only limited by your imagination

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