Wednesday, January 8, 2014

pots and boxes

Planning and dreaming has begun for this years garden.   Given the fact that we have limited sun and a basic suburban lot, containers are calling me more then ever.  I've been diving into Kay Maguire's book, Grow Your Own In Pots whenever I have a free moment between diaper changes and laundry.  It has been a delightful read for the simple fact that it has given me some creative ideas for growing just about anything in a pot.  And when you have limits as a gardener you need alternatives!  
The fist thing I will be creating from the book is a designated "Italian Pot."  

sweet peppers...arugula...basil


And with all of my garden binders and art stuff tucked in little nooks all over the house, the new work room is also being planned.  A place to spread it all out and create in one space. To hang inspiration photos for projects and garden work. I look for free storage for this space wherever I can.  So when I saw this sturdy box from a Christmas present I knew that I could jazz it up to hold little trinkets.  





Some cool paper and twine did the job!  Just a little glue and some HGTV with the hubs and this box was done in one episode of House Hunters.  Free is good!  





Keep dreaming folks!  It's what makes life fun!  
Happy Making, Baking and Growing!!!

41 comments:

  1. Oh, your box is so cool! Nice job! I really love the paper. I've been thinking about doing some containers for herbs soon. I'm pretty hopeless with outdoor gardening, especially in pots, but maybe an indoor herb pot would work for me.

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  2. Gorgeous, I love it.
    And that book looks like a treasure trove too.
    Can't wait to see some piccies as the seasons unfold at your place x

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  3. love the paper . . . love the twine around the edges . . . love the idea of making a box.

    I have not even thought about spring planting until our patio is dug up and redone. I don't know if our garden footprint will change - I assume it will.

    I am glad you are thinking of spring during your winter storms.

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  4. I love arugula in the spring and fall but it is too peppery in the hot summer sun that peppers and basil love. Just sayin' so you know. Your box rocks. It is so pretty and you did a great job! Hope you are staying warm!

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  5. Clever girl!!!! love the boxes new look!!! Have fun in your new space.
    xx Shari

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  6. I love making plans for the garden! I've just spent the last two afternoons moving two of our chicken flocks into the vegie pens, which have now finished being productive. The chooks get to clean up the left over plants and vegies, and in return we get lovely turned over, fertilised composted soil to plant up again in a few weeks :-)

    Happy gardening!
    Sarah xox

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  7. Your box is so pretty Nicole! It would have been a shame to let such a lovely box go, but it is much nicer with your additions! Hope you are enjoying planning your pots for when the weather is better, you need to dream about warmer weather don't you. Looking forward to seeing your crafting/gardening space!! Very exciting! xx

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  8. A beautiful job on the box. The book looks really interesting, I grew everything in pots for a while before I had a garden. The Italian pot sounds lovely.

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  9. What a great box. You are obviously dreaming of gardening, cooking and crafting. I don't want to dream of veg too soon or I get itchy feet and plant everything too early - done that before when I got a bit to excited! but crafting will keep us going until the weather warms up. Great to catch up Jo x

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  10. I love your decorated box, it is so pretty. We have raised garden beds in our yard and this year we have to rebuild them due to the wood getting so bad. We also grow things in pots and this year taking an old compost bin and putting plants in it. Can't wait to see what you will grow in your pots.

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  11. I don't have much sun in my backyard either (well, where the gardens are anyway). I pick up large terra cotta pots every so often and put a few sun loving plants in those. It's nice to be able to pick them up & move them to a new spot if the plants aren't doing well. Your box is really nifty ;) Love the dark paper, it reminds of those dark hand-painted tea trays from Poland or Russia. Free IS good! Have fun with planning your creative space ... you don't know how jealous that makes me!
    Wendy x

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  12. Your book looks like a great inspiration for containers Nicole. I like the box project. What a pretty way to repurpose something that would have otherwise had to be recycled.

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  13. Cute box makeover Nicole!! I love how you added the twine, and free is the best! I like the idea of pot planting, seems less intimidating to me!

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  14. It snowed here again this morning. Your garden plans lifted my spirits! (I'm looking for that container book for myself now!) You did a fantastic job on the storage box. Great vision, girl!! Hope you and yours are staying warm!

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  15. We share the same "shady plot". I'm doing some planning myself. If I come across any good shade friendly varieties of veggies I will let you know.

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  16. Despite having five acres I think I will be using a lot of pots. The sunniest place on the property is on the deck. I will also be avoiding the high water table problem. Great box. I'm currently organising my own space too, I have some pretty boxes but there is always room for more.

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  17. Love your plans for your garden, box looks great too :)

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  18. Your box turned out beautifully, Nicole! A lovely little treasure chest! I, too, garden in pots, as my property sits in shade and the only place that has full sun is on the deck. (Plus, I have too many hungry wild critters) I am dreaming of a salad garden in big, galvanized tubs this year. Oh, I remember those days of diapers and laundry. Once, I had 3 in diapers at the same time (one, only at night). I changed diapers for 8 solid years....Glad you are getting your very own space for creativity soon. How exciting! Can't wait to see your potted plants this spring. Hugs xo Karen

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  19. free is always good in my book-lol love your box-I have been growing a few veggies for about 5 years only in big pots-til I got my little fenced in garden spot last spring-have fun

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  20. Cool box makeover!! I finally gave up on growing stuff....I will just buy my herbs dried and go from there! ugh! But I look forward to seeing your garden grown this spring, always makes me smile that someone has a green thumb or two!! Happy winter, stay warm my friend!!

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  21. You are just so darn creative! I can't wait to see how your Italian Pot turns out this summer!! Stay warm girl friend and keep dreaming those garden thoughts!
    Liz

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  22. I was looking into container gardening not too long ago. we have property, but I prefer pretty planters. lol...

    i'm excited to see the new work room. sometime soon, my husband needs to get far enough w/ the remodeling that I have a studio again. ;)

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  23. I think it's wonderful that you're planning your Spring garden now - I can visualise plump red peppers, rocket and basil - a ready made salad - well done Nicole!
    A gorgeous box - love the paper and the twine - I'm inspired, thank you!
    Hugs
    Shane

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  24. fabulous, utterly fabulous! You would never think it was the same box :) And I'll never stop dreaming, not until I get there! But you know that already! Hazel x

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  25. What an awesome way to transform a box for storage. Your "Italian Pot" sure sounds like it will be delicious :)

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  26. I like your pretty recovered box, Nicole. I've got a stash of little boxes that I've been saving for a (hopefully) soon-to-happen redecorating of my little office area, so I've been on the lookout for nice ways to redo plain old boxes--thank you.

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  27. I have a few shoeboxes laying around that I should do something with. Not overly creative but I think I can manage something. Just need to get some glue.

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  28. That box is so cute!! I have about 75 pots planted every summer. I said in front of an older lady at the garden center that I was a pot addict and just couldn't get enough. I was holding my newest acquisition, but she might not have caught the joke. She probably went home and told her husband the nursery was full of dope fiends. ;o)

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  29. Ooh, I love that box, so pretty!!!

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  30. I like the idea of an Italian pot ... I may try a Polish pot with cabbage, dill, and potatoes.

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  31. Hi Nicole,

    Love your plans for your Italian garden - will be great.
    Also how neat your storage box is - wonderful use off a discarded box.
    Happy week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  32. Your box makeover is stunning! That paper pattern is just gorgeous...I wish it were fabric; I'd make pillows out of it! Have a wonderful week, Nicole! xoxo

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  33. You are so organized, Nicole! Can wait to see how your pot plants turn out. Also love the box revamp - looks great!

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  34. O, boxes hold such promise don't they! I love making things with used boxes. What you've done here is gorgeous. And you're recycling too!

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  35. Love, love, love that box! Such a cute and simple idea. And I'm super jealous of your garden plans. I have tried, really tried to grow a garden with little luck (although I think the neighborhood wild animals have really enjoyed my veggies as much of it ended up stolen by them before I could harvest it). ;)

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  36. So hard to imagine planning a garden when it is still so cold, although it has been much warmer the last few days. The garden bug usually doesn't hit me until February and since the chickens are living in my greenhouse right now instead of their coop, I haven't figured out yet how I'm going to get things started early this year.
    Your box came out very nice. You are so creative and I'm sure you will put it to very good use. I haven't had much creative energy lately and still trying to get motivated to put my Christmas stuff away.
    Cindy

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  37. Awww hun! what a beautiful box! What are you going to put in it?!!! Well done. Love the paper!

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  38. That is really a gorgeous BOX!!!
    oh and I'm a big fan of growing stuff in pots, so neat and easily movable!

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  39. I love the box!!! How creative! I also like the idea of growing carrots in a tall pot! What with all the rocky soil here in New Hampshire maybe I will try gardening in pots this coming spring! :D Thanks for the inspiration...
    Hugs my sweet blogging sister,
    Beth P

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