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.

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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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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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© Denise for The Gardener's Rake, 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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photo credit: theresa_knott

One day I was walking on the hill and the farmer that lives beside me had been cleaning his field and old shed. His solution to the problem was to dump it on my property. I had two six foot stacks of old fencing posts that he had removed, rolled up barbwire and some old pails and wooden boxes. At first I was livid. Then I looked at the pile.

I had recently saw barbwire fence wreaths selling for $20 to $50 dollars apiece and the old fence posts would make great garden art. I could turn them into totem poles, birdhouse poles, or even decorative birdhouses. There were endless possibilities for the posts.

Of course I can always find uses for old metal buckets and particularly wooden boxes. I make small bentwood end tables using old boxes, small tables and funky bookshelves. I just recently made a few mini wagons, mosaic keepsake boxes and curio shelves.

photo credit: Timm Suess

I took a wagon up onto the hill and loaded up one of the piles. I had an art show I was entering with a craft section and I made barbwire wreathes for that. They sold as fast as I made them but they were rather tricky to make.

The barbwire was old and very rusty. It had a lot of the old barbs on it and I had to wear two pairs of gloves to wrap the wire and safety glasses for the flying rust coming off the strands. I had seen wreaths made that just wrapped the barbwire then wired it together. I started out with a wrapped base but wove the last several layers around the wreath. This gave it a rich thick look and was great for adding natural objects.

I still have a nice stash of old barbwire for projects and a few fence posts left.

I saw my neighbor just after he dumped the piles on the property and asked why he did so. His response was, “We have always done that on this hill. It’s the farmers way.”

So I nicely asked if I could dump my stuff on his land and his response was, “Well you don’t farm the land so it doesn’t count.”

I just smiled and said, I may not farm the land but I do have two sheep and six rabbits so if you dump items on my land without asking first I will return the favor. I haven’t found any piles on my land since.

Technorati Tags: barbwire wreaths, country living, garden crafting, old fencepost craft, rustic crafts

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I love junking, dumpster diving or heading to the auction looking for pieces I can turn into art and garden items. It adds fun to the backyard and what you create ofter turns into a focal point for the entire backyard. 
photo credit: Valerie Everett

Last Friday I went to the auction. I picked up a vintage window, which I removed the old glass from. It’s the type of windows with the small panes. I will keep the old bubbled glass for fused glass projects or stained glass creations.

I put screen on the back of the window frame and added half of an old wooden bowl to the bottom. I can line this with plastic and plant in it or fill it with old antiques for that funky look. This will look good hanging on the back patio.

The item that I will have the most fun with is an old heater. It’s one of those small upright kerosene heaters. This one is very old but in good shape. Someone painted it a barn red and it has faded from age. What I like to do with these is buy the white Christmas lights that flicker. You place them inside the stove and the flickering looks like a fire burning. It’s a great look for a porch or outdoor garden in the summer. In the winter it adds to a family room.

I also picked up an old metal bed head frame. It was in rough shape but it will make a great back to grow small vines on. I can leave it plain or if I decide to get creative cover the bed frame with chicken wire then coat with a cement mix to get a stone look. If I mixed that with hypertyfu pots that would have a fun look

I paid one dollar for these items. I also picked up two baskets and some pots for the garden for another dollar.
photo credit: bestfor

With spring on its way, it’s time to think Garden Art and what I can create over in the barn.

I have an area I have named creation corner and it’s where I store all my auction finding and items to turn into fun garden art.

Technorati Tags: Creative Organic Gardening, dumpster diving, garden crafting, making garden art, old items, old windows, recycling windows, the gardeners rake

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photo credit: net_efekt

You can keep a record of your garden planting layouts to practice crop rotation, evaluate how you use your space and write down your successes and areas where you would like to see improvement. If you found a short cut or valuable growing tip make sure you write it down.

I use a garden planner called veg-grow to help me with my garden design. By keeping a record of each garden plan, its easier the rotate my crops and control insects and diseases.

By keeping track of your rain and temperatures you can begin to gauge when crops can be started and best times to harvest. My Uncle has recorded 20 years of rain, temperatures, and frost dates in his area. This is an invaluable tool he uses each season. Neighbors come over to take a peek at the journal and ask garden and growing questions.

Including photographs of your garden and yard marks history for you and your family. How your garden changes and new shrubs and trees in your yard can be recorded.

I usually keep the care instructions that come with perennials, shrubs and trees and add to the garden journal. That way if I have a problem I know where to look for the solution.

One year I let my nephew David have the lower corner of my garden to plant in. He played with trucks and bulldozer more than gardening but he had a small crop of tomatoes, lettuce and beans. He also struck water with his one excavation! (Yes, this was a low laying corner where I had a water problem.)

Together we layed in a water canal and it just ended up draining my soil and creating a wonderful play area for him. He still to this day enjoys gardening and I have wonderful photos of a 4-year-old child covered with mud.

The key to a successful garden journal is to keep it simple. Make it an enjoyable event not a task.

You can purchase a garden journal, use a scrapbook or make you own.

Technorati Tags: crop rotation, garden crafting, garden planning, garden tips

© Denise for The Gardener's Rake, 2007. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
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