Transforming my garden

My husband decided that he wanted to try a little garden this year. I have a bit of a purple thumb and so was hesitant.

 Under my constant love and care, I can kill nearly any plant! Poor garden, never stood a chance!

Don't get excited about the little red tomatoes. They've been hanging there for over a month, never changing. No, these aren't cherry tomatoes.

Something tells me that a jalapeno plant isn't supossed to look like this...

The squash plant didn't last long enough to be photographed a second time. So, when it comes to plants, I tend to lean towards things that can't die. That's why I decided to make my own garden.

Once I got started, I was having so much fun, I couldn't stop!

This sturdy plant will last year round. It requires no water or food, but will enjoy some attention nonetheless!

Upon closer inspection, you may be able to see that the body of the flower is a soda can and the center is the bottom of a water bottle. The stems are painted barbecue skewers and the bow is part of a soda can. You can't see it here, but the flowers hang by the existing tab on the top of soda cans.

I made these flowers over a month ago and they are still as vibrant as the day they were made. This is my kind of garden!

On the wings of transformation

One thing we didn't love about our townhouse was this fabulous brick wall. It isn't exactly pretty and it really shows the age of the place. However, I decided to use it to my advantage. 

Because we are just renting, I am always hesitant to put holes in walls. Brick, though, is already full of holes. Perfect for my next transformation.

I love butterflies. To me, they have always signified freedom and beauty.

 Can you guess what these are made of?

Who knew that soda cans could be so pretty? I cut these butterflies out free hand, glued thumb tacks to the back and used the holes in the brick to dress up this blah wall. This is truly just the beginning! I can't wait to try out other shapes and designs!

Transforming Father's Day

I' m a little behind on posting, but I still wanted to share this with you. I know, I know, yet another card. Really, though, what's Father's Day without a Father's Day card? And what a card this is!

After the clever birthday card my dad made for me a few months ago, I was inspired to do something different. I think I accomplished just that. I can assure you, this card is not going to fit in an envelope!

I never actually intended for this to be part of my transformation series, but it fits the bill. This "card" was made primarily of an empty gelatin box and a soda can. As much as I hate to toot my own horn... TOOT TOOT!!! I love this card!!

At first glance, it just looks like a box.

If you look a little closer, you'll see a metal pull tab in the bottom corner. Wonder  what that does?

Sort of looks like a measuring tape!

The fun part is that not only does the "tape" pull out, it also slides back inside like a real measuring tape! Ok, maybe not as smoothly, but it really works!! No one could be more surprised than me. It wasn't until I had glued the last piece into place that I realized that it was going to work!! So fun! 

I didn't get a picture of it, but I added a pocket on to the back of the measuring tape where I could slide in a gift card. So, this Father's Day card serves as a gift, in and of itself. Considering its' nature, it deserved more than just your typical bow.

My dad loved his card from start to finish. There was a hitch with the end of the measuring tape getting pushed inside the box, but a pair of tweezers remedied that problem quickly. Now I know and can be more careful when I attempt this card again!

From gelatin box to card, Transformation complete!

Hot Sauce bottle transformation

When I started this project, I was just playing around, experimenting with an idea, but having no idea how it would turn out or what I would do with it if it did. It was just something I wanted to try.

I have always liked empty glass bottles and jars. I avoid throwing them away if I can possibly find a good use for them. Well, this next project gave me the perfect excuse to hold onto all of those glass bottles with interesting shapes and sizes. This particular bottle began its life holding hot sauce. I wonder if it ever dreamed it would hold cheap fake flowers some day?

The transformation itself was pretty easy. Using a hot glue gun, I simply created a swirl pattern directly on the bottle with the glue.  As soon as the glue was dry, which took no time at all, I painted the bottle with acrylic paint.  I believe that it took at least two coats.  Outside in the sunshine and fresh air, I sprayed the bottle with a coat of polyurethane and left it in the sun to dry for several hours.  As soon as I was certain it was dry, I glued a scrap of matching ribbon  around the top of the bottle, and viola! A pretty new vase, too pretty for these fake flowers!

The possibilities are completely unlimited here. This is a perfect project for any room in any home, as it can be personalized in so many ways! Flowers, dots, birds, swirls, monograms, names, words.... on and on the list could go! What would you do?

Transforming boxes into peace of mind

This next project was extremely simple and has proven to be extremely useful. The master bathroom in our townhouse has a wall of storage shelves. Nice for storage, not nice too look at. As I tried, again and again to unpack all the little things like cotton balls, Q-tips, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc, I was frustrated that I couldn't make the shelves look nice. Granted, only my husband and I would be seeing them, but I still wanted them to look organized.

I found the solution  in all those little empty boxes I had just unpacked! I gathered all of the boxes I could find of similar shape and size and cut the top panels off. A quick trip to Dollar Tree led me to the discovery that they sell some really cute wrapping paper.

 Empty boxes + $1 roll of wrapping paper= cheap and easy storage solution.

Even better, peace of mind in an organized room!

Everything in its own place, easy to find, easy to put away! 

This was a seriously simple transformation!  You could easily add ribbon, buttons, bows, flowers, etc. At the time, I was just in a hurry to get the bathroom organized. These transformed boxes may still receive another transformation... someday.

Transformation: Sandals

Next up on my transformation project list is shoes.  I bought these sandals on sale a few years ago.

 They're cute, but I was never totally in love with the design. I can't belive how long it took for  me to realize what an easy fix this is!!!

 Once again turning to my trusty crochet hook and thread, I made these pretty roses. Shoes, flowers... hmmmm....

Perfect match! I love the results! I can't wait to wear these out an about! Do you have any shoes in your closet that you just aren't in love with anymore?

Transformation Beginnings

My mind has been racing with all these little projects that I want to do, and because there are so many of them, I have been having trouble sticking to just one at a time. I find myself hopping from one to the next, thinking up three more ideas while working on another, all the while not actually finishing anything.

Most of these projects fall under a similar category, that of transformation. Okay, okay, fine, the real word should probably be "up cycle", but that word makes me think of the recycling basket in my kitchen. No, really, "transformation" is so much nicer. Makes me think of butterflies, not empty milk jugs.

Step by baby step, these little projects are finally starting to come together. So, it hit me, I better start blogging!!!  For the next several posts, I'm going to be talking about "transformations", taking something and altering its' appearance or nature in some way or another, some in big ways, some in little.  I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me!

I thought I'd start our journey with something pretty and soft. Can't go wrong with pretty and soft, right? I have been totally inspired by all of the sweet throw pillows I see in all the stores. There are so many options, there's something out there for everyone!! Where does one begin? I don't know about everyone else, but I begin with what I know and what I like, and I know I like crocheted stuff!  So, we begin with a blue pillow that I love! It's so soft, pretty, and, well, plain.  

Then, there was a doily. How I absolutely love this beautiful gray doily!

 Pillow, meet doily!

 Viola!! Simple touch, beautiful transformation.

And so, our  journey has begun! I can't wait to see where it goes!!