Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

One of my tips for bringing nature into your home was to "steal shamelessly".

Here's a pic of the tree on our campus at work that bares the beautiful acorns I steal pick up (and a bag of the loot). click to enlarge

I took them home. Let them dry (picked up on a rainy day...I have no shame) .

Spray painted silver and...Tah Dah. I think they are gorgeous!

Tips for prepping natural materials:
1. Dry - Make sure they are dry before your use to prevent rotting.
2. Clean - If they are dirty, brush lightly with an old toothbrush.
3. Let them breathe - Don't seal in air tight bag...they may rot.
4. Reinforce - If they have a top on them like these lovely nuts, use hot glue to reinforce if they break off (and they do).

Will use as filler in my Pottery Barn knock-off of this - scheduled for Tuesday.

Bare Limbs

Remember the Demon Tree from next door I pulled down?

I noticed some really nice looking limbs and saved some.

Check out some fruits of my labor.

Candle holder turned Nature holder (may spray paint limbs, too.)

Tall twisty limbs in glass candles holders on mantle. Still not sure about this mantle.

About the candle holder - I loved this little branch top, but wasn't sure what to do w/ since it's so short.

I broke off three more from the top of longer branches.

Then pulled some of the mossy stuff out of a ratty old ficus tree (yes, I did...I still have fake trees in my house) and put on top of this candle holders, which is left over from Annette's box of stuff that didn't sell in our yard sale.

Original candle holder...

Nature holder:

Tips For Selecting Limbs:

1. Look for similar shapes - straight, twisted, buddy, etc.
2. Don't limit yourself to long limbs...break away the pieces you like and find way to use smaller pieces.
3. Consider spray painting limbs for year round or seasonal use.
4. Steal shamelessly...pick up stuff off the ground (limbs, acorns, pine cones, etc. ) any where you go. *I pick up huge acorns from work every week!

Happy nature hunting!

Let There Be Light

Remember this pic that used to be my banner (all 8 of you who follow me LOL)?

Well, that was September '08 when I moved in! Before today, the whole window was covered. Meaning, no light getting into dining room area.

Background:

That country mess of a plant/tree outside the window was growing OVER the fence from my neighbor's back yard. Neighbor is cool, but had the nerve to tell me it grew pretty flowers and there was a bird's nest on her side at top so be careful. *blank stare*

I was like, "Do you see this demon growing all in the gutter and into the siding of my house!"

Here's what I did:

1. Pulled it down (Her fence is the nice tall one, mine...the crummy little one)

2. Took my chain saw to whatever I could reach. (no pic)

3. Pulled away to alley.

I still couldn't pull the pieces out of the gutter and siding!

We have same yard guy...Wednesday, I'm telling Juan to keep that shyt trimmed on HER side...I'm getting a little indignant, if you can't tell.

LET THERE BE LIGHT

Now...think I'll be more inclined to finish my dining table and chairs? Hmmph, read my sub-title again.