Garden Plant Labels Made From Aluminum Pull Off Tops

Posted May 29, 11 -Filed Under garden (gardening info and eco-friendly project ideas) | 1 Comment

I can’t believe I didn’t think of this sooner. Plant labels for the garden made from the round aluminum pull off tops of nut and other cans. I think I saved this one from a can of cashew nuts. You can simply write on these tops with a permanent marker or you can scratch the name into the aluminum with a nail. If you scratch the name it will be permanent of course, which is great for identifying a tree. You can also label the location of the vegetables you just planted or the flower seeds you dispersed. The aluminum circle makes a nice plant label that doesn’t rust or rot. Plus the pull tab part makes hanging easy.

Green Frog In Maryland

Posted May 21, 11 -Filed Under Nature: plant and animal identification, children's activities (recycled materials), seasonal: spring, seasonal: summer | Leave a Comment

Green Frog (Rana clamitans)

I’m participating in a program called Maryland Amphibian and Reptile Atlas (MARA). MARA is a project run by the Natural History Society of Maryland (NHSM) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR); it is a five-year (January 2010 -2014) atlas of the amphibians and reptiles of Maryland. Amphibians and reptiles are collectively known as “herpetofauna” or “herps.”

I’ve been learning my local herps in the last few years and I’ll share some pictures of herps that I find on my property or in my neighborhood.

Green frogs are sometimes confused with bull frogs. You can’t go by color because their color varies. Look for the prominent dorsolateral ridges that go down the back but not all the way.

Note the large external eardrum called a tympanum (the circle behind the eye).

This picture illustrates relative size.

I love its eyes!

P.S. I believe this is a female because she lacks a yellow throat and her tympanum is not larger than her eye.

Avoid Using Disposable Cups: Personalized mugs

Posted May 17, 11 -Filed Under Eco-friendly living ideas, children's activities (recycled materials) | Leave a Comment

Having a party but don’t want to use disposable cups? At Kid parties at our house, we sometimes let guests write directly on the mug or cup with a Sharpie. Because they can identify their cup throughout the party, this eliminates the need to dirty another cup. Believe it or not, the ink scrubs off without much effort: use a scouring pad.

Coffee Pot Make-over: Stunning Purple Painted Pot

Posted May 10, 11 -Filed Under home décor (recycle and upcycle), party: Mad Hatters Tea, reuse pot, coffee | 1 Comment

Make a thrift store coffee pot into something much more fun and interesting. You can use it as a vase with flowers or use it to serve a beverage.

This coffee pot was silver plated but it didn’t look good anymore because the silver was worn away in places and couldn’t be properly polished.

I used very fine sandpaper: the kind for metal work. I sanded the exterior of the coffeepot. Sanding helps the paint to adhere to the metal. Also, I recommend using a metal primer before applying a top coat of the color spray paint that you desire. I say, why not go bold?!

I painted mine purple because it looks good in my daughter’s room with the collection of thrift store tea cups she has.

I also used this coffee pot as part of the décor during a Mad Hatter’s Dinner Tea Party. Most of the feathers were collected over the years from my chickens when they molted. A few peacock feathers etc. came from local farms. The feathers are bunched together in small bouquets and tied to the top of chopsticks and then arranged in the pot.

Fabulous Chocolate Stuffed Strawberries

Posted May 8, 11 -Filed Under children's activities (recycled materials), recipes | Leave a Comment

One of my Mother’s day treats was a combination that I love: chocolate and fresh strawberries. My older daughter invented these chocolate filled strawberries. We all agreed that they were just as good as chocolate dipped strawberries but were easier to make. We also liked the fact that the lard was left out of the chocolate dipping sauce. Presumably the lard helps the chocolate form a firm layer on the outside of the strawberries. Why bother with all that when you could just stuff the center. Clever girl!

Works best with large strawberries.

These are the chocolate filled strawberries that my daughter made for me- minus all the ones we already eat.

Absolutely delicious!

Don’t forget the fresh whipped cream.

Cool Thumb-controlled Watering Pot Made With Recycled Materials

Posted May 1, 11 -Filed Under children's crafts (recycled materials), crafts (recycled materials), garden (gardening info and eco-friendly project ideas), gifts from recycled materials, reuse bottles, plastic, seasonal: spring, seasonal: summer | 20 Comments

I got the idea to make these thumb controlled pots from the pottery ones I’ve seen at Historic Williamsburg. The original earthenware “thumb pots” were used in 17th and 18th century English gardens. I reproduced this clever watering device using salvaged plastic bottles and jugs. It is ideal for watering delicate seedlings. I use this watering pot all the time now.

To Make:

Find a suitable “pot.” I love using maple syrup containers but I was successful making other smaller pots with smaller plastic milk bottles. The smaller bottles are easier for children.

Drill a hole in the center of the cap of your container. I used a 7/32nd drill bit. Next, drill small holes in the bottom. I used a 1/16th drill bit. When using softer plastic containers, it is possible to poke holes instead of using a drill. Make sure the cap is on tight; otherwise the water will not stay inside.

How it works:

It works similar to holding your thumb over the top of a drinking straw.

1. To fill your thumb pot, place into a bucket of water. Do not cover the hole in the top.

2. Hold your finger over the hole in the cap to prevent water from escaping the bottom as you lift.

3. Continue to hold your thumb over the hole as you lift.

4. Take your thumb off the hole when you are ready to water your plants. Removing your thumb allows the water to gently stream out the holes on the bottom.

How to hold a thumb pot.

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    Are you having any trouble understanding some of the instructions? Feel free to send me a quick e-mail at HesterJane@FunInTheMaking.net. I’ll do my best to answer your questions. Do you have any suggestions regarding a specific post? Maybe you have a better way and would like to share it with the other creative people visiting this site? -Hester Jane