14 April, 2009

It's finally Spring and vintage bottle ideas

Yes, my Grape Hyacinths are finally up, and my Alyssum is in full bloom! One of my clients gave me several starts off of what she had in her garden, and the Alyssum was one of them. If you have a spot where you want low growing flowers that will spread like crazy, then this is the plant for you! I've had to dig quite a bit of it up this year and last, because it will spread through your beds, creating a messy look.
Can you see the honey bee on the last flower on the right, at the bottom? He seems quite happy!








I'm also digging up a very stubborn Russian Sage, because I have new plans for the area it's in now. I gave up after awhile, saving the last bit of digging for my husband when he gets home. (He doesn't know it, yet!)


Here's my little helper in her Home Depot apron.

I can't wait to really get digging inn my beds when I have more time.

I also have some pictures to inspire you on ways to dress up a vintage bottle. I scored a couple of old bottles last year, at the antique market, and one at a yard sale. You also remember the large green glass bottle I bought at the thrift store last week. Well, here are the little darlings all gussied up!


I took a beaded bracelet, and threaded the antique brass butterfly pendant through it, then hung an old gold locket from it's chain, to add some length. Then I clipped on a square earring onto the bracelet, and finished off the top with a gold button.





A close up of the gold locket.

This one below is a blue bottle, rather heavy, and I dressed it with a vintage paper luggage advertisement, a snippet from a french manual, an old button, and then hung an inspirational verse on an old card, strung with an old pearl button. I topped it off with some french ribbon in a yummy purple.


Tag with button


This last one was a small bottle I got for $1 at the antique market. I decoupaged on a torn page from a french book, then stuck on an old Victorian label, then tied on a vintage metal button with red ribbon. Beautiful!


A close up of the cool button

Hope this inspires you to create! Stay tuned for more fun projects in the works, including a custom name banner you can make for your kids room!

Have a Happy Spring!

4 comments:

Nana said...

Don't you just love Spring? My tulips are up and I love them.

You have some pretty cool vintage bottles there.

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Spring is my very favorite time of year. It's not to hot, not to cold and everything is "refreshed". So that yellow plant is alyssum? I'd love some of that in my front flower beds. I think I'll have to invest in some.
Thanks for coming by and for your suggestion on adding a knob to the top of my laundry jar. I may have to do that :0). I see you are re-doing your laundry room too. I'm almost done with mine. I've got the artwork up but still need to do something with the "pantry" which sits right across from my machines. My laundry room is actually a service porch with a utility closet & pantry on the west wall and the machines and window on the east wall. It's right off my kitchen (galley) so I've got red shuttered bifolds to close off the space when it's a bit messy :0).
Your daughter is a cutie! Love that she has her little apron on :0)
Have a great day
P.S. Great job with the bottles. I think I like the blue one the best :0)

Anonymous said...

Hi Susan! Your flowers are lovely, I can't wait for all of this rain to stop and begin gardening! I love it so much :) Your bottles are gorgeous, very beautiful! I'll have to pick a few up when we get our guestbath complete. Thanks for visiting me :) xo

Jeanne Oliver said...

The bottles turned out beautifully and I love the pendant.

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