Holiday Container Planning

Just a few ideas for your outdoor holiday containers. 

All Images Courtesy of

Your Space by Design

It's probably time to start planning...I'm always late. Did you see the

OKL sale on greenery

? Last year, the items that I wanted, sold out before I got around to placing my order. I really

love this wreath

! Tis the season, let the clicking begin :).

My Summer Window Boxes

I was so excited when the people at 3M contacted me to see if I was working on any outdoor painting projects. It felt like the equivalent of Bruce Springsteen saying "Hey, want to sit in with the band?"....

.

slight exaggeration?...

.

I don't know....

.

Bruce, call me!

First, they sent me all these goodies.

This would probably not be the time to tell them that I am already addicted to many of these products. 

I used

this duct tape

when I created a

custom size rug

.

This is the only tape

I would use for

painting a rug

or transforming

an ugly threshold

.

I am always telling you that you need this mask when you spray paint.

But, I had no idea that

this existed

!

Noise reduction hearing protection....

.

with...

.

wait for it...

.

radio/MP3/iPod capabilities! Put this on your holiday shopping list for the

diy

-

er

in your life. In case you are not a

diy

-

er

, no you don't

need

this for an outdoor painting project...

.

but I am totally wearing them and singing out loud while I paint. Sorry, neighbors.

I couldn't find a supermodel to show you how I looked or the products I used

...

so I found the next best thing.

Project time...

.

my window boxes were in desperate need of a fresh coat of paint!

They look fine from the curb, right? Take a closer look.

Since these window boxes are a composite material...

.

the prep and paint is super easy. 

1. Protect the stone or wall using

this tape

.

2. Lightly sand any rough spots. I am in love with

this no slip sandpaper

.

3. Wipe down after sanding.

4. Prime & paint.

Here are my freshly painted and newly planted window boxes. 

I like to layer color and texture in my containers & window boxes. The dark colors are a nice contrast to the white boxes. Stay cool...

.

it's hot!

This has been a sponsored post from my friends at 

You can find them on

Twitter

&

Facebook

!

Updating My Window Boxes....Part 2

Thanks for coming back and checking in on the progress with my window boxes. This is the second part of my Lowe's Sponsored Challenge.  You know I hate waiting, so here is the finished window box

And here is the "Before"

Yesterday, I told you which parts are old and which ones are new.

This is a case of more is better. If it wasn't nailed down....it went in

Here, you can see the duct tape closing the top of the cans and holding the holiday lights inside

Since this had lights on it, I really wanted to catch it at different times of the early evening

At some point, you would think I would stop and go inside.....it was really getting cold

I really liked how it started to glow...it's those LED lights.

I am so thankful to Lowe's. Not only did they sponsor this challenge, they wanted to make a donation to my favorite charity. Since it is almost Thanksgiving, and we are fortunate enough to have food on our table, I chose The Center For Food Action. 

Do you want to know exactly how much Lowe's cares? Check out their Social Responsibility Page. 

And, it would not be very responsible of me to leave you without some great tip. I took this from the Lowe's Creative Ideas Page.
Healthy Home Room-By-Room

I'm going to show this to my husband because he doesn't even know how to turn on the vacuum.

What are you doing this weekend?

Lowe's Recycling Challenge

This month I am getting a free late pass from everyone. It took a Hurricane to prevent me from getting this project up on time. This Lowe's Sponsored Challenge is a recycling challenge:
Pick some old objects from around your home or garden and add some new items to create a welcoming project for your home.
Since I am window box obsessed around here....and my current end of the year, after the hurricane window boxes look like this

I thought this might be just the place to add a bit of welcome charm. 
Last winter, I was inspired by the peacock, 

I decided to add a bit of whimsy to my window boxes.

I would say that some of this would be a good place to start with recycling...wouldn't you?
This year, my inspiration is this...gold, black & white

Via

When I updated the recessed lights in my bedroom with smaller LED lights, these cans were leftover

I was sure I could make something out of them....I just wasn't sure what....until now.

A quick trip to Lowe's for some additional supplies like my favorite black spray paint

gold spray paint

Super industrial outdoor black duct tape

Some outdoor LED lights.....like these

and a fancy extension cord like this one

I spread out everything all over the driveway and began to recycle

Please come back tomorrow to see how all of this gets assembled. I am working in real time on this one, and need to wait for dusk to show off the lights.

In the mean time, I don't know if you realized that the Lowe's Creative Ideas page has projects under $50?

This Paper Tube Decorated Flowerpot idea really fits the recycling theme. 

I will definitely be making one of these!

How do you give your home a welcoming approach?

**Here is part 2 of my Window Boxes**

Hydrangeas....Etsy Style

Well, sadly.....depending on where you live...the hydrangeas are starting to fade. It wasn't a stellar summer for hydrangea blooms around my yard. Excessive heat, water restrictions and little energy for dead-heading when it felt like Africa....slowly morphed into the "Next Year" chant.

What they should have looked like....last year.

Well, because I am always obsessing considering changes in some of the rooms in my home (ok, the whole house)...I wanted to check out hydrangea art on Etsy. 

This is what I am loving

Seller

Seller

Seller

Seller

Do you have a special way of remembering Summer?

Lowe's Gift Card Giveaway....my challenge!

Update - Gift Card Winner

Congratulations Michelle!! 

Hello Friends! It is time for another Lowe's Garden Challenge! Yes, I am taking a quick break from the One Room Challenge to venture outside in this oppressive, humid, yucky weather....AND I am going to motivate you into tackling a project of your own...but for now, just watch me do it. As promised, at the end of my song and dance, there will be a chance for you to win this 

First, my Lowe's sponsored challenge: To tackle a tough spot in my yard, and solve a problem. So many to choose from, but this one has been bothering me for quite some time

My sweet little garden shed has lost its curb appeal. Since this is the view from my kitchen window it's time to improve my view or invest in blinds.
Here is the plan

First up, the window boxes. Now, if by some unexplained chance this is your first time visiting my blog, I will let you in on a small fact about me....I am obsessed with window boxes!! Here are my Spring window boxes.
I don't know about you, but I need my window boxes to last a long time. That is why I like to use this stuff.

PVC boards. They are rot free, and will stand up to all weather conditions. Further more...no painting! I used the 7 1/2" widths for the front and back. I used the 5 1/2" for the bottom and sides. 
Simple box construction (don't forget to drill drainage holes in the bottom) and now I have this I like how the faux woodgrain matches the grain of my shed. However, you can get this product in a smooth finish, too.
For the stepping stones, I like these

It looks like thisBy adding mulch in-between the joints it gives the look of individual stones.
A few new plants, two bags of mulch and a whole lot of water breaks...and I went from this 

to this

Now, the moment you have all been waiting for....how you can enter the Lowe's $50 Gift Card Giveaway!
There are four, count them...ways to enter;
1. You must be a GFC Follower of this blog (up on the right). Yes, Mom & Dad, this includes you, too. Get one of your tech savvy Bunko friends to help you do this. Old or new....leave one comment!
2. Tell me what outdoor project or problem you are willing to tackle in this crazy heat, or when it gets cooler...leave one comment!
3. Pin the First image on this post (yes, the giveaway)....leave one comment!
4. Follow me on Pinterest...leave one comment!
Good Luck!
This contest will end on Wednesday, July 25th at Midnight. The gift card will be mailed to the winner directly from a Lowe's representative.