DIY Farmhouse Vase Topper...❥

Do you have vases that you place the flowers in to and they instantly fall to the side.

Flower or foliage placement is a disaster as the stems just don't stay put?

Then your flower arrangement looks hickley pickley,

 and is not the fabulously arranged vision of beauty you had in your mind.

Do you enjoy Farmhouse styling?

Well here is an easy DIY solution to that flower arranging frustration!

Make a Farmhouse wire net vase topper.

Here's how...

You'll need a vase...

 This large decorative bowl leaks so I placed an internal vase inside it.

 You will need some chicken wire netting, and some wire cutters.

Also some gloves to protect your hands.

 Place the netting on top of the vase.

Cut the netting into a circle with a 3 centimetre excess.

 With gloved hands turn under the wire netting to make a finished edge.

 You can twist and blend all those loose wire ends or trim off.

 If you are using an internal vase in a larger vessel, fill with water.

Place your Farmhouse vase topper in place.

And prepare your chosen flowers.

Poke your trimmed flower and foliage stems into place through the holes in the wire netting.

The netting holds each stem in perfect position! 

Such a simple solution to holding the flowers and foliage stems in place.

The Farmhouse Vase topper makes for easy arrangements.

I truly wish I had made one DIY style before now.

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You might like to also visit:
My store at Fine Art America

#farmhouse #DIY #Flowerarranging #vasetopper

Microwave Russian Pecan Fudge ❥

Russian Fudge is my favourite kind of fudge.

But I have always found it to be the most tedious to make.

And the caramel will always catch on the bottom of the pot no matter how low the heat.

That is why I am sharing the easiest Russian Fudge recipe with y'all today.

It's so simple.

AND there is no burning on the bottom of the pot, 

because it's completely microwave made!

I have added toasted pecans to my recipe - but if nuts are not for you leave them out.

To make the fudge...

you will need a can of condensed milk, brown sugar, butter, pecans and white chocolate.

You can find the printable recipe HERE.

Melt the butter -

Add the sugar and condensed milk and cook for five 2 minute increments stirring each time.

This is what it look like after 6 minutes...

Golden beautiful - and NO burny bits!

After the last 2 minutes - remove from microwave and add the pecans and white chocolate.

Quickly mix with a wooden spoon and spread into a baking paper lined slice pan.

It's so delicious.

I always 'snapchat' the family, and they all appear for a share.

Once you have made Russian fudge in the microwave, 

I doubt you'll return to the pot-cooked version...

it is that GOOD!

You might like to also visit:
My store at Fine Art America 

Get updates about the latest blog posts,

by joining for free HERE.

#sweets #fudge #Russianfudge #microwavecooking #homemade #pecans

Succulent Hanging Planter...❥

I have decided to start a succulent collection.

Many years ago (and I'm talking about 25!), succulents and cacti were popular garden plants in rock gardens.

And all those many years ago, I had one.

But as time and trends changed, it went...I gave them all away.

And the cacti garden was removed when a puppy I was babysitting ended up with a face of prickles.  I remember the hours spent removing them, and I think my children remember many a time meeting up with a cactus, too.

But I met a cute little sedum...

And my succulent love was rekindled.

That was a year ago....

It was a tiny little plant then, but look at it now!

This is Sedum morganianum.

It's commonly called a donkey's or burro's tail.  

It is a native plant of Mexico and Honduras.

Here in New Zealand, we call it the jellybean plant.

Because one little jellybean-like piece will grow...
Just like this!  And then you have a brand new plant!

Where I live it grows on my covered and sheltered deck year-round.

It is also commonly grown as an indoor houseplant.

This plant does require sun or bright light.

Keep out of the wind and handle with care as the little nodule leaves will fall off if knocked.

It has clusters of star-shaped rose-pink flowers in the summer.

And the trails will grow up to 60cm in length.

Finally - do not overwater it.

And it will look fabulous all year!

And if you would like step-by-step instructions on how to make the rope hanger, you'll find it HERE.

If you are curious about the mosaic?

That is an old mirror that I upcycled into a mosaic artwork.

Just another idea for your covered patio or deck!

If you'd like to read more about the different varieties of succulent plants, then pop over to:
 https://plantedwell.com/succulent-plants/

You might like to also visit:
My art store at Fine Art America 

  

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#Sedum morganianum #donkeytail #succulent #hangingplants