Sunday, May 17, 2009

Small weekend projects

This weekend I made a little time for some tinkering inside and outside.

~~ Inside ~~


I finally found some good, strong magnets to add to the backs of my clothespins. I had used magnets before that were so weak that they just slowly slid down the fridge. These new magnets are just right.



From now on I'll probably always back clothespins with magnets. These items will soon be available at my Etsy shop.

~~ Outside ~~


I know barely anything (okay, make that nothing) about gardening but bought some pretty annuals to plant in the plate garden today.


Click to enlarge

My eight year-old son and I planted bright yellow marigolds, pale pink double impatiens and some cute purpley things. I hope our little garden survives and thrives! I also planted some shasta daisy seeds.
{Advice welcome}



xo

23 comments:

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Love it , Love it! I hav a planter that sports an old cup & saucer. It is such a charming look. Love the clothespins

Sonia said...

Clothespins are pretty. Good luck with your garden!!
Sonia

debi said...

Love your plate garden...cute, cute!!

Elyse said...

Can I tell you how precious your blog header is, big sis?? Sorry that I’ve been an absent commenter; I just finished up my law school exams and am finally getting around to my google reader. It's so good to finally be back and reading over your blog. I love that you found the perfect magnets for your perfect clothes pins. And your flowers are going to thrive; I know it! Hope all is well with you :) xo, Lysie

Lisa said...

COOL! Now I'll need MORE clothes pins so mine will stick on magnets too!
HUgs,Lisa
ps can't wait fr my shabnets to arrive!

Unknown said...

I like your clothespin and penholder sets! So cute. A magnet on the back sounds like just the right touch.

That little shelf on the side of the shed is adorable! I hope your garden thrives, too! :)

LiLi M. said...

I love your new clothespins. Did your 8 year old make that beautiful colored drawing? It's a piece of art, it cheers me up! I love it!
Just love and caring and your garden will do anything you want! Just look, hanging leaves--> water. Little animals--> remove them. Slugs--> kill them. You'll learn from exerience! Good luck (says some one who made her husband believe that the garden is his task in the household ;-) Have a great day!

Beki said...

Great idea for the pegs, they're very pretty and I love the little tins too. Did you paint them yourself?
((hugs))
Beki xxx

Lisa said...

That's a great idea about putting magnets on the clothespins! Your little garden is quite quaint (O:

LaurieStar said...

Hooray! I need some fridge magnets that are pretty and don't slide... slowly... down... - like all mine do. :)

Unknown said...

YAY!!!! I wanted some of your cottage clips in magnets :):) I want to replace all my fridge magnets with them :)

LOVE the planters and fklowers and plates and everything! Elyse, Your cottage is so beautiful!!

Love ya,
Amy

Angie said...

I tell ya, Elyse..I think I pull out flowers thinking they are weeds! I have resisted the urge to pull anything until I can see if it blooms or not! Make sure with the seeds, they get plenty of water until you see them sprout up. Oh...and I read the best time to water flowers is in the morning before the hot sun hits them and it evaporates. Love the plate border...so creative!

Hugs ~Angie

Stephenie said...

Your clothes pins look amazing as always...I just love what you did with the plates...What a clever idea..Love the little drawing on your fridge..
STephenie

cupcake studio said...

Lovin' your awesome plate border! Oh-so pretty!

Unknown said...

Your garden will be lovely. That little shelf with the bird houses is soooo cute!
Loved it! :)

~Liz

Orchardviewcottage said...

Wishing you luck with your flower garden... so far it looks great!!!

Jeanne Oliver said...

You had a very productive weekend! Love your sweet garden!!!

Jen Kershner said...

Wow! I think every cottage loving girl should have a plate garden. Love yours!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Thats the best thing about planting plates, LOL, we cant kill them! I used to have the plates in my garden but my kids eventually broke them, well I guess you can kill them too, anyways your garden looks so cute and good luck with your new flowers(;
Hugs~Kelly

Vintagesquirrel said...

Hi Elyse!
Everything looks beautiful. I love the plates in your garden, what a great edging material.
As far as gardening goes, it's definately one of those things that you just have to learn as you go. One thing I've (recently) learned is that the amount of sun your plants get is pretty important. Most flowering plants require a lot of sunshine, although, impatiens actually do better with more shade. Every year I try new plants: some make it, others do not. I try not to expect much...then when something really thrives, I'm thrilled.
Oh, and I love, love your clothespin magnets. They're so much prettier than my ugly magnets with assorted ads written on them.
Keep up the great work; your blog is lovely.
-Michelle

Bethany said...

Wow, your little garden with the plates is the cutest thing. I esp love the little shelf with birdhouses. I'm sure your plants will thrive. In terms of seeds, keeping them consistantly moist until they sprout is the key. Perrennials are harder to grow from seeds than annuals. If you want to try some easy seeds I suggest sunflowers, zinnia, and oh I think you would love Nigella: blue and light pink, funky, great dried, and very cottagey.

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

What a sweet planting day you had with your littlest! Love the plate border and sweet shelf! What a great idea ro add a magnic to the bakc of the clips! Clever girl!

Hugs,
Maryjane
xox

Smart Living Today said...

I just LOVE planting flowers and watching them grow. The clothespins are adorable!

This is a great blog. :-)

Peggy