Succulents in a Shell

Photo: Succulents in a Shell

My friend gave me this beautiful succulent arrangement that she made herself!  I love how she arranged the succulent cuttings in this large shell.

Personalized Address Planters

Personalized Address Planter ($59.95 + Free Shipping)

These personalized crocks would make a wonderful housewarming gift and a nice addition to your own home.  Personalize these crocks with your family name and/or street address and then set them on the porch or walkway.  Black, blue and green colored fonts are available.  They are currently $59.95 at Plow & Hearth, and you can get free shipping by using coupon code: PHFSN.  Other Plow & Hearth Coupon Codes Available Here: http://aptgarden.blogspot.com/p/savings.html.

Better Homes and Garden Holiday Store

One of my favorite magazines, Better Homes and Garden (BHG) has a Holiday Store! Currently, you can get $3.95 shipping on any order, any size.  You can shop by issue or by topic.  They also have holiday exclusives! For example, you can get 40% off holiday fruit boxes and get free shipping as well.

Today's Finds: Grass Animals

Alpaca ($4.29 + Free Shipping)

Puppy ($4.38 + Free Shipping)

Bunny Rabbit ($4.42 + Free Shipping)

Squirrel ($4.43 + Free Shipping)

These are so adorable, and a fun way to dress up your desk this winter.  

They are crafted out of artificial grass so there is no need to water or maintain it.    

They are under $5 each and shipping is free at Tmart.com.

Send Postcards to Our Troops for Free

You can create and send a postcard to our troops by visiting: http://www.cosmopolitan.com/cosmo-kisses-postcard.  Cosmopolitan and Maybelline New York will donate $1 to USO for each postcard sent.*

Many of my family members and friends are in the military.  They do so much for us, and I know that they will appreciate the fact that we took the time to write them a kind message.  So please take a few minutes to show them your appreciation!  

*Up to $20,000.

Homemade Vanilla Extract (Part II)

Photo 1: Starting a new jar of homemade vanilla extract

The homemade vanilla extract I started earlier this year is finally ready for use!  It smells absolutely wonderful, and tastes great too!  I love the fact that we can get high quality stuff for a fraction of the price, and it also does not contain corn syrup like some vanilla extract products in the store do.

Encouraged by the success of my first batch, I started a new batch with a different blend.  Previously I had used all Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans to get that rich, traditional vanilla extract taste.  Now I am using primarily Tahitian Vanilla Beans.  I only had 10 of them, and you need 6 beans per cup so I just added a few more Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Beans to the mix.  

Photo 2: Tahitian Vanilla beans from www.vanillaproductsUSA.com 

To Learn How to Make Vanilla Extract Click Here: http://aptgarden.blogspot.com/2011/05/homemade-vanilla-extract.html

Seed Favors

Photo Credit: Recycled Ideas

Photo Credit: Recycled Ideas

If you are planning a wedding, baby shower or birthday party soon consider giving your guests eco-friendly plantable seed favors.  I love the seed favors created by recycledideas.  Their handmade seed favors are available in the shapes of cowboy boots, hearts, stars, puppies, birds, trees, bunnies, giraffes and more.  They also have plantable confetti, seed bombs, plantable seed cards, tags and more.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Photo 1: 12 Madagascar vanilla beans split lengthwise steeping in a jar of vodka.

Photo 2: The vanilla bean on the top was split lengthwise with a knife.  

The vanilla bean on the bottom is a whole vanilla bean.

I started making homemade vanilla extract about a month ago.  It is a lot easier than I imagined.  All you have to do is place several vanilla beans (split lengthwise).  See Photo 2.  Then steep the vanilla beans in vodka for a minimum of three weeks.  See Photo 1.  The longer the vanilla beans steep in the vodka, the better the flavor.  I can still detect a slight smell of alcohol so I am going to allow it to sit longer.  [Update: 3 months later I can no longer detect the smell of alcohol.  Now it smells absolutely heavenly!  I have a smile on my face every time I open this jar.  It fills the room with the smell of vanilla.]  For instructions and more information about making vanilla extract, click here.

Quick Tips: 

• Consider purchasing vanilla beans online.  Grocery stores charge a lot of money for only a couple of vanilla beans.  I purchased mine from www.vanillaproductsUSA.com, but you can also try places like Amazon or eBay.   
• If you want to make a "classic" vanilla extract, use Madagascar Vanilla Beans.  Otherwise try experimenting with other kinds of vanilla beans and liquor.  
• Make sure you use enough vanilla beans or you will just end up with vanilla flavored alcohol.  According to Instructables.com, you need 6 whole vanilla beans to make 1 cup of single fold vanilla extract. 

Source: http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Vanilla-Extraction/

Last updated: July 25, 2011

DIY Mother's Day Blooming Planter for Under $25

Photo: Blooming Planter full of Daffodils Created for Under $25

Mother's Day is on Sunday, May 8th, 2011.  Instead of getting your mom a cut bouquet of flowers this year, give her a planter filled with blooming plants.  It is more personal, will last longer and provide her years of future enjoyment.  It is easy to do, and it can also be cheaper than purchasing them from a florist.  For example, a blooming planter of calla lillies costs about $50 to $90 at FTD.com.  You can recreate this gift and add some personal touches (e.g. bows, planters, etc.) for less than $25.  Just check your local gardening center to see what is blooming.  Freesias have a wonderful fragrance and were only $3.33 per potted plant at Home Depot.  Other great plant choices are calla lillies, lavender, gardenia, and miniature roses.  You can make the gift even more personal by planting them in one-of-the kind planters that speak to your mom's personality.  For example, if she loves tea, plant some miniature roses in a pretty ceramic teapot.  If she loves shopping, plant some flowers in a sturdy, fashionable purse.

Recycled Paper Baskets

Photo: Recycled Paper Basket.  Normally $39.95, but on Sale for $29.99!

I saw these beautiful handmade paper baskets at Plow & Hearth.  These handmade recycled paper baskets are made by skilled paper weavers in the Philippines, providing needed income to families while reducing the impact on the earth.  This tote is sturdy enough for a full load of magazines or newspapers.  This particular tote measures 12"L x 6"D x 13"H, but there are other shapes and sizes.  The regular price of the baskets cost about $35 to $40, but the recycled paper basket featured above is on sale for $29.99.  You can also save an additional 15% off your purchase of $75 or more at Plow & Hearth by using coupon code LNKPH15. 

Photo: Recycled Waste Bin.  

Photo: Round Recycled Paper Basket

I lack the skills to make the totes featured above, but I liked the idea of recycling or upcycling old magazines and newspapers into beautiful, eco-friendly new products.  I found this neat YouTube video on how to make a recycled magazine holder out of a shoe box and coiled magazines.  The instructions look simple enough.  I may attempt to make one in the future.        

Update 12/28/2011:

[YouTube Video was removed by Owner  :(  ]

I did end up creating a makeup brush holder out of a tin can and sheets of magazines rolled into tubes.  Click here to see how I did it.

EcoSphere Pods

Photo: A couple of my live shrimp resting on coral

I recently received a really unique and wonderful gift and I had to share it with you.  This clear glass container holds a self-sustaining, mini-ecosystem with live miniature shrimp.  Only light is needed to keep their world in a perfect plant-and-animal balance: algae and bacteria are eaten by the shrimp whose waste supports their regeneration.  It is the perfect addition to my desk and a nice stress reliever!

Photo: Round EcoSphere (left); Pod EcoSphere (right)

If you would like an EcoSphere Pod, you can find them on Amazon or at Wind and Weather.  They have them available in different shapes and sizes with prices that range from $59.95 to $149.95.  Wind and Weather's site says to allow 1-2 weeks for delivery, and that a delivery signature is required.

DIY Blooming Gifts Under $25

I have seen potted bulbs in flower catalogs sell from $60 to $90.  Even inexpensive, hardy bulbs like daffodils have been sold for hefty prices.  You can easily create such a gift by potting some bulbs in a planter of your choice.

I chose to plant some daffodils in a light weight and inexpensive 10" golden yellow fiberglass pot.  The blooming daffodils were about $3 per pack at Home Depot.  I planted a bunch closely together to get a more dramatic, rich effect.     

Grow Your Own Beer Garden

White Box Gardens - Beer Garden

Are you looking for a fun, unique Father's Day gift?  Does your dad love beer?  If so, consider getting him his own beer garden.*  The White Box Gardens Beer Garden growing kit includes a sprouting and growing dome, three (3) seed packs (wheat, barley, and hops), growing medium, 3 color plant stakes, natural gravel, 3 color decals, and an instructions/info booklet.

The beer garden costs only $21.55 at Amazon.com.  This product is also eligible for Amazon's FREE Super Saving Shipping on orders over $25.  

Companion Gift Ideas:

• How To Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time book by John J. Palmer ($10.99)*  
• Mr. Beer Deluxe Edition Home Microbrewery System ($29.99) --- Free Shipping
• Mr. Beer Premium Edition Home Microbrewery System ($39.98) --- Free Shipping
• Mr. Beer Premium Gold Edition Home Brew Kit ($47.78) --- Free Shipping
• Coopers Brewery Micro Brewery Kit ($99.99) --- Free Shipping

*Item counts towards Amazon's Free Super Saving Shipping on orders over $25.  

Disney Tree Planting Kit

Disney Toy Story Space Alien Tree Planting Kit

This Disney Toy Story Space Alien Tree Planting Kit is a cute, inexpensive gift for kids and other garden enthusiasts.  For $9.99, you will get maple seeds, terra cotta pot, peat pellet and planting instructions, all in an adorable gift box.

Get FREE SHIPPING on your entire purchase when you use coupon code KIDATHEART and buy one qualifying adult clothing or accessories purchase.  May I suggest purchasing the earth-friendly Disney Reusable Tote for $2.95 to fulfill that requirement.  It can double as a gift bag and re-useable grocery shopping bag.

Birdie Planter

I came across this pretty, bird shaped bowl at Ross, and I thought it would make an interesting planter.  Ross was selling it 1/2 off for $9.99.  The bowl was somewhat shallow so I planted a drought-tolerant succulent.  I just have to figure out the perfect place to put this.  

Here is a photo of the bird bowl sans plant: