Log Planter

-

With spring around the corner and needing to come up with a house warming idea, I thought it was time for some chainsaw carpentry. I had to enlist the help of my other half for this project as it was a 2 person job!
First we wandered around the field searching for the right log. Sadly we have a number of dead elms and ash trees in our hedgerow thanks to Dutch Elm Disease and Ash Die Back, so we had several to choose from.
Next we had to cut into the log to mark the cavity, ensuring we didn’t go right through to the bottom.
We found it easier to cut additional slots into the cavity, which would make it easier to chisel out later.
Then start chiselling a block at a time.
Continue until you have a good size cavity for the plants and soil.
Finally fill with good soil and plant up.
Ta da!








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Upcycled Violin Lamp

-
Image
  Today we thought we’d make the most use of a teachers’ strike day, so my granddaughter decided we needed to upcycle an old, broken violin into a bedside lamp and produced her design ideas. First we gathered the main components we needed together: 1. Wood for base 2. Dowel 3. Light fitting  4. Old violin As we had chosen a random log slice, we needed to sand it smooth. Next we drilled 2 holes in the base, one for the bottom of the violin and one for the support dowel. Then followed up with some teak oil to help it match the colour of the violin.  We then assembled the dowel and added a coat of teak oil to this too! Next we added the violin… …and fixed it securely in place. Then we added the electrical wiring. …and then we were done!
Read more

DIY Inkle Loom

-
Image
DIY Inkle Loom Well, it’s been a long time since my last post. I have done some ‘making’ over the past few months, but during this awful pandemic, my heart has not been in it. Very little opportunities to spend time with grandchildren or family, which is where my inspiration usually flows from.  However, I thought the time had come to learn a new skill, so here it is - Inkle weaving. I found instructions on making a diy loom here:  http://heartsonfibre.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-cardboard-box-inkle-loom-tutorial.html I decided to make a ‘mini’ version, so I halved all the measurements and it seems to work perfectly. I have made a few mistakes as I learn the method of actually weaving, but am improving as I go and am completely hooked now. The next step was to make the ‘heddles’ using this link:  http://heartsonfibre.blogspot.com/2013/02/inkle-tutorial-2-making-heddles.html Then onto the ‘warping’ and actual weaving using these really helpful videos and instructions here:...
Read more

Mincemeat Oat Slices

-
Image
As it was raining today, I thought some hearty baking was in order! I had small amount of mincemeat left in the ‘fridge and thought it was time I used it up.  I used an easy recipe I found on Pinterest at www.yummly.co.uk ( https://pin.it/5DOOubX ). Mix the dry ingredients together: 1.5 cups plain flour 1.75 cups of porridge oats 2 teaspoons of baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt In a separate bowl, mix 1/2 cup (110g) of butter with 1 cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence, Then combine both mixes together. Spoon half the mixture into a greased 13”x9” tin and press down firmly (I use a potato masher). Spread one cup of mincemeat over the top and cover with the rest of the mixture, firming down again. Bake at 170°C for about 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Leave to cool slightly before cutting. Delicious!
Read more