Dishfunctional Designs

A Peek At A Custom Broken China Jewelry Order

2020-01-09T11:14:00.001-05:00

I had a lot on my to-do list today...I have soldering to do for an entire new batch of jewelry, and I'm getting ready to shoot a new thrift shop haul video this morning for my YouTube channel...and then of course preparing for that got me in the mood to run to the thrift store hehe...

But before I do that, I realized I had to delete some old photos and videos from my phone to make some room for my new video...you know, lots of photos from Christmas and New Years that I had to quickly organize just to get out of the way, and while I was doing that I came across a few photos of a custom order I did right before the holiday, and I knew I had to share the photos with you before I filed them away!

So you can see what kind of morning it's been - lots of small tasks to take care of here and there that keep leading me from one thing to the next! But who doesn't love looking at before and after photos, right?! So here they are, before I file them away!

This was a custom order for a person who found this single shard of china buried in the ground at the old farmhouse where they live (I think I got that right - I don't remember the exact details!) Anyway, she had this one small piece that was about four and a half inches long or so by about two inches deep and she sent me the top "before" image which you'll see below.

As soon as I saw the photo of the shard I knew right away that it would make a beautiful piece of jewelry! It was a very pretty soft pink color and had a beautiful textured dot pattern and as soon as I saw it I knew just what shape to transform it into! It was very thin porcelain so it was easy to work with, though the reverse side was badly stained with rusty iron stains from being in the earth for a very long time. I managed to scrub out the stains and the two pendants that later emerged from this single shard turned out to be one of the nicest custom orders I've done.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

What do you think?

Laura

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Article copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2020 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link corrections please leave correct info in comment area.

DIY Pine Cone Bonsai - How To Make A Pine Cone Bonsai

2020-01-06T13:41:00.000-05:00

Japanese Black Pine mini bonsai by Vertmoi

Once considered to be lucky, the pine was thought to be a talisman against evil, so displaying one in your home protected you from evil and gave you good luck! The symbol of perpetual youth and longevity, these pretty pine cone bonsai are the perfect way to begin your new year. Read on to learn how to make your very own pine cone bonsai!

Mini pine bonsai from Cobonsai

Before:

After:

Pine cone before and after images from Matome Naver

How to grow your own Pine Cone Bonsai

1. To grow your own pine cone bonsai, you will first need to find a pine cone that is young and fresh and that has not opened. This is because you need one that still has it's seeds. Once the pine cone opens up, the seeds will be gone and the pine cone will not sprout, so you want to make sure you find a closed pine cone that still has it's seeds. Also, pine cones from a Japanese Black Pine work great perfect for this project.

2. Try to find a pine cone that is on the larger size; this will help to assure that the seeds inside are of better quality. It's also best to collect a few pine cones and not just one!

3. Some folks recommend giving your pine cones a quick bath in a solution of very diluted lime-sulfur solution before starting this project. That is just an extra step that will help get rid of any pests or fungus that is living in the pine cone.

4. Next you will need to dry out your pine cones, so place them in a dry spot and watch as they begin to dry out and open up. You may see some of the seeds begin to come out. At this point, you can give the pine cones a few taps to help loosen seeds if you want to plant the seeds outside of the pine cone. The darker seeds will be of better quality.

5. If you want to grow the seeds directly from inside the pine cone you will next place your pine cone in your prepared soil. Loosely bury bottom of pine cone only, do not bury the entire pine cone! From this point you will water it sparingly and wait for it to sprout - do not over-water or it will rot. That's all there is to it!

A sprouting pine cone from Gisela Zimmerman

6. If you want to plant your collected seeds at a later date follow these directions: Place the seeds in a cool dark place until you are ready to sow them. Once you are ready, you first want to soak them in warm water for a day to help them get started and to separate the duds (those will float to the surface, the good ones will sink.) After the 24 hours, place the seeds in a baggie with a damp paper towel or a bit of moss to get them ready to plant. At this point you can place them in the fridge for a week or two.

6. Once you are ready to plant the seeds, simply sprinkle them on your soil and then cover them with a thin layer of soil. They will take between one and three weeks to sprout. You can strategically position your pine cone in the soil close to your seedlings, but not directly on top of the seedlings or you will kill the seedlings.

7. Give them plenty of sunshine but water them sparingly.

Japanese Black Pine cones, from Bonsai Tonight

Bonsai from Mikuni image from Bronwen Macdonald

What do you think?

Have a great week!
Laura

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New For The New Year! Join Our New Group: Creative Upcycle & Art!

2019-12-30T19:22:00.002-05:00

I'm so excited to invite you to our new Facebook Group, Creative Upcycle & Art! This is a brand new group for a brand new year and you can be a founding member! It's free of course and is simply a fun and friendly place for creative inspiration and to share ideas.

Do you have a cool upcycle project that you want to show off? Share your photos and ideas in our new group! We'd love to see your before and after photos!

Have a question or need advice about a project? Ask and expert and get some creative inspiration while sharing what you know! Make new friends and invite your old ones to grow our creative community! I hope to see you there.

Join Creative Upcycle & Art!

Hope to see you there!

Happy New Year!
Laura

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Have A Cozy Boho New Year

2019-12-29T13:50:00.001-05:00

(via)

Wow, I can hardly believe it's almost 2020! This year seemed to slip by so quickly, but I am excited for the new year to unfold. All we have to do now is get through this cold winter!

There are so many ways that you can add gorgeous Bohemian style to your home decor for the winter season. Rich jewel tones and exotic textures add a vibrant lush mystique to plain winter whites.

Why not brighten up your winter by adding a few elements of Bohemian flare and welcome the New Year in style.

Check out some of my top picks for some cool winter Bohemian home decor inspiration. By the way, what's your New Year's resolution?

What's your resolution?

Sew flower cushions like these from Marie Claire Idees

Above: Use nontraditional winter holiday colors such as plum, purple, and turquoise blue to add rich, bright color to your home.

(via Pinterest)

Create these hanging crystals yourself

Above & below: Natural elements such as plants, stones and crystals, pine cones, acorns, and branches (painted or not) give your home an organic vibe.

Indigo chair from Anthropologie

Above & below: Interesting shapes and exotic prints with influence from far away lands have a nomadic feel that is paramount in Bohemian style.

Above: Mixes of bold colors and brights, luxurious fabrics such as velvet paired with sheer cottons, and patterned tapestries and rugs.

(via)

Above & below: Decorate with the sparkle and shine of mirror and/or glass.

Above: Moody illumination of candlelight or garlands of small lights add a romantic twinkle to your surroundings.

Above & below: Folkloric charm in design and architecture hints of a fairy tale-like mood.

Above & below: Spots of rich, vibrant color, whether utilized as paint or as groupings of brightly colored candles or other colorful collections add bright splashes of life.

Emerald glass curtains

Happy New Year!
Laura

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Broken China Jewelry: There's Still Time For FREE Christmas Shipping!

2019-12-13T09:55:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick look at all that is new in my Etsy shop - I am still shipping on time for Christmas within the continental USA and am offering FREE SHIPPING starting today through the weekend! Here are the details:
Free standard first class domestic shipping via USPS within USA on all orders over $36.00! Upgrade to Priority Mail is available at an additional cost at checkout if desired. Merry Christmas!

...if you are running late with your holiday shopping the priority mail upgrade option is also a great idea this time of year.

Each of the pieces shown here are available for purchase in my Etsy shop at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Have a GREAT holiday!

Find them all at
https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Have a great week!
Laura

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DIY Christmas Decor Upcycled Window with Pine Cones & Greenery

2019-12-06T23:37:00.002-05:00

from Jennifer Decorates via pinterest

Here's another great idea for a DIY Christmas decor project that combines three of my favorite things: an old window, pine tree branches and pine cones.

You can quickly and easily make one just like this - whether you use an old window or not is up to you - by fanning out a few pine tree branches (longest ones in center and shorter ones on the sides,) connecting them at the top with some green or brown florist's wire, and then adding some pine cones with wire (or use hot glue if you prefer.)

Add a nice big bow in whatever color you choose and then add a wire for hanging and that's all there is to it. I love how the brown ribbon coordinates perfectly with the colors of the pine cones and accentuates the organic look and feel.

What do you think?

Have a great week!
Laura

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Vintage Armoire Turned Secret Hidden Doors

2019-11-21T09:07:00.001-05:00

A while back I did one of my upcycled and repurposed furniture blog posts entitled, The Upcycled Armoire, where I shared some very cool examples of vintage armoires that were not only refurbished, but they were also transformed to be used differently from their original purpose in the home. If you haven't seen the article, be sure to check it out (pinnable link below) for some instant inspiration!

I just came across this vintage repurposed armoire and I had to share it with you. If you're not exactly clear on what an armoire is, it is a piece of furniture similar to a closet, that is used to store clothing. Armoires, or wardrobes as they are also known, were popular in old timey days due to the lack of closets in homes. You can still buy armoires, but if you are a teaquer as I am, you already know that they are often found at thrift shops, antique malls, and in some of the nicer flea markets. So why buy new when you can buy a vintage one and transform it with your DIY skills, right? Right.

Obviously the one pictured above has been truly repurposed, gutted for whatever reason (hopefully due to damage and not just for fun), and turned into doors for a hidden room. The mirrors are an added bonus since they add depth to the room. This old armoire is certainly one of the old hulkingly giant ones, as it covers an entire doorway. Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, this armoire turned secret, hidden door transformation is one that is both charming and clever.

What do you think?

Remember The Car You Drew In Kindergarten?

2019-11-06T08:48:00.004-05:00

Have a great week!
Laura

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Boho Style Halloween Decor & Costumes

2019-10-24T10:10:00.002-04:00

Looking to change things up a bit for Halloween this year? Tired of the same old black and orange Halloween decor and traditional themes? Then why not go for a Boho style Halloween?

If you love the breezy and mystical look of Boho style with it's folk and tribal patterns and natural elements, then why not add these elements to your Halloween holiday decor for an entirely new look?

Impossible! you say? The looks are too different to combine! you say? Well it can be done. The trick is to find common elements from both styles - traditional Halloween and contemporary Boho Chic - even if those elements are not so common - and then run with it.

I've collected some great looks and inspiration for you below to jumpstart your Boho Halloween, and I've put them into three sections: Boho Halloween Pumpkins & Gourds, Boho Halloween Home Decor and Decorations, and Boho Halloween Costumes...but before you check those out, here are just a few quick tips and ideas for how to decorate your space and what general elements to use to bring Boho Halloween style to your home.

Decorate your space with:

Handmade Garlands (think feathers, herbs)
Use of Light (think reflection, candles & glass)
Pumpkins & Gourds
Leaves & Branches
Mystical themed items

Try using these elements & materials:

Herbs

Feathers

Jars or other glassware

Candles

Crystals

Leaves

Acorns, Pinecones, and other materials found in nature

Decorate your pumpkins with:

Paint & decoupage instead of carving
Try acrylic paint in white, pink, and pastel shades
Natural elements such as decoupaged leaves
To create glimmer, use a touch of sequins, glitter, faux gemstones, or metallic paint

Pumpkins & Gourds

You don't have to be an artist to paint up some pretty floral pumpkins

by Cara Rose on Insta

Use white paint and decoupage medium to adhere real leaves to your pumpkins for this beautiful look from Country Living Magazine

Use black and white paint and sticker stars to make this starry crescent moon pumpkin

Use white paint to paint mandala designs on your pumpkins

Painted pumpkins henna style

Use thin papers to decoupage pumpkins, or add paint and sequins

Boho Home Decor & Halloween Decorations

Bones & Blossoms DIY wreath with instructions from Wholesale Party Supplies

Create a twig chandelier like this one from Shades of Light. Imagine branches and twigs painted white, black, or with a touch of gold.

Autumn Boho Wreath with feathers by Place of My Taste

Create your own DIY skull string art (it's easier than it looks!) like this one from A Beautiful Mess

Use metallic acrylic paint to add glimmer to leaves and other natural materials

Add a mystical Boho dreamcatcher from wildlunacreations on Etsy

Feather garland via Pinterest/Simply Stylings

Create a haunting skull floral arrangement

Monochrome white and ivory lends a lighter look to autumn

Create a Boho crescent moon with a wire aperture and a string of lights like this one from Urban Outfitters

Hamsa Horus beverage coasters and wall tapestry (below) by Laura Beth Love on Society6

Learn how to make your own broomstick with this DIY tutorial

Boho Halloween Costumes & Makeup

Use makeup for a spooky Gothic witch costume

Transform yourself into a woodland nymph with this branch antler headress from Nalumidesign on Etsy

Gypsy makeup

Moth Dress by El Costurero Real

Sugar skull makeup

Day of the dead via SincerelyJules on Insta

What do you think?

Which is your favorite?

Best Halloween Cupcake Ideas & Inspiration

2019-10-22T11:37:00.001-04:00

Looking for some spooky Halloween party snacks & desserts that will impress and creep out your friends at the same time? I've collected the very best Halloween cupcake ideas - both cute and creepy - to help jumpstart your Halloween baking fun!

Check out these cool & creepy Halloween cupcake ideas and

be inspired!

Crescent moon Stroopwafel cupcakes from Sugar Alchemist

Black Cat cupcakes from The Cake Blog

I love the old-fashioned classic look of these Night Sky Halloween Cupcakes from Wilton

Witch cupcakes by Kristy from Candy Chic via Little Big Co

Living Dead Skeleton cupcakes from Know How She Does It

Spider web cupcakes from Cookie Named Desire

Cute pink ghost cupcakes from The Sugar Alchemist

Candy corn cupcakes instructions: You will need: chocolate cupcakes and prepared cake frosting in white, orange, and yellow. Carefully slice the top center area off of each cupcake and set aside and then carve out a cone shaped cavity in the center of the cupcake. Fill the cupcakes with a dollop each of frosting in this order: first white, then orange, and last yellow. Replace the top slice of the cupcake. Decorate as desired.

Jack 'O Lantern cupcakes from Castellon's Kitchen

Spicy Little Devils Food Cupcakes from Crumbly Kitchen

Broken Sugar Glass cupcakes from Story of a Kitchen

Halloween Ghost Cupcakes from Penny's Food Blog

Tombstone cupcakes and skeleton cupcake (below) by Your Cup Of Cake

Use white chocolate coated mini pretzels to create the cute skeleton. Add a marshmallow head.

Black Velvet Rose cupcakes from Diary of a Mad Haus Frau are perfectly Goth (above and below)

Monster Claw cupcakes with step by step instructions from Bakingdom

Spooky Autumn Tree cupcakes from Family Holiday

Spider cupcakes made with Oreo cookies from Texaerin

Jack Skellington cupcakes from Family Disney

Brainy cupcakes from Anna's eats Idea: Use green instead of pink icing to create zombie brains!

Black cat cupcakes from September's Cakes

Vampire cupcakes from Dream Little Bigger

What do you think?

Which is your favorite?

How To Hang A China Plate With A Paper Clip (Video)

2019-09-19T13:39:00.003-04:00

We crafty folks know that the most fun type of home decorating is the decorating that we do ourselves. And even better is when that decorating is thrifted, clever, and costs next to nothing.

Behold the humble paper clip.

Ok actually the bigger sized paper clip. But this handy little invention isn't just for keeping papers neatly organized. Did you know that you can use one to hang a plate on your wall?

Yes, gone are the days of those awkward plate-hanging contraptions that grandma used. They were difficult to manipulate and once you finally got one attached to your plate, you could see it clipped to the edge of a plate. Hanging plate displays look so much better when the plates are given the illusion of floating on the wall without any visible hanging hardware.

Now, if you are going to hang a precious heirloom or valuable plate, then I suggest going the old route with the old style plate hanger, since those do not attach permanently to the plate. But what if you want to create a fun plate wall with inexpensive plates that you might collect from a thrift store or flea market? Then paper clips are definitely the way to go.

Check out my latest video on my YouTube channel where I show you step by step how you can use a paper clip to hang a china plate.

Once you're finished watching, be sure to check out
Fun Ideas For China Plate Wall Displays
for some amazing plate wall inspiration to get your creative wheels turning!

Here's what's new!

If you like the video and want to see more, be sure to give it a thumbs up. I'm already working on another new video that I'm excited to share so be sure to check back and don't forget to subscribe! In the meantime, have a great weekend! Check out my YouTube channel

And here's last week's video in case you missed it!

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Have a great week!
Laura

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Article copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2019 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link corrections please leave correct info in comment area.

New On My YouTube Channel: How To Cut A Porcelain China Plate

2019-09-13T12:28:00.002-04:00

I just put up a new video on my YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out and see how I demonstrate how to cut a porcelain plate with a manual glass cutter tool.

It just takes a little bit of practice and trial and error, but overall it is easy to do with a little know-how. Watch my videos and learn as we go, and listen while here and there I share some extra little tips and techniques that I have learned over the course of my own trial and error over the years.

If you like the video and want to see more, be sure to give it a thumbs up on YouTube and that way I know whether or not to make more jewelry making videos!

If you're not a subscriber, be sure to check out my YouTube channel, and subscribe while you're there to get automatic updates when I release new videos.

I'm already working on another new video and I have some new things in the mix that I'm excited to share. I hope to have that up and running within the next few days as well. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

Here's what's new!

And here's last week's video in case you missed it!

Join me on YouTube and be sure to Subscribe!

Laura

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New On My YouTube Channel: On My Workbench

2019-08-29T18:56:00.001-04:00

I just put up a new video on my YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out and have a peek at what I've been working on today! Bluebird china—certainly one of the prettiest vintage china patterns ever made—and a look at how I created some new antique finish metal components for jewelry making too.

It's definitely been a while since I put up a new video—I think summer got in the way—but I have some new things in the mix that I'm excited to share.

If you're not a subscriber, be sure to check out my YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe while you're there to get automatic updates when I release new videos.

I have another new video in the making right now, and hope to have that up within the next few days as well. In the meantime, have a great holiday weekend!

Join me on YouTube!

Laura

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Where To Find Fossils In New Jersey

2019-08-07T16:47:00.000-04:00

Did you know that there is a place in New Jersey that is one of the best places in the entire United States to find fossils? Not only that, but it’s amazingly easy to find them. You don’t have to be any kind of expert. You only have to be able to adhere to a few simple rules. I’ll talk about those in a bit.

I first found out about this place through a geology association that I am a member of. My first experience here was on a field trip that was organized by my club. If you have a great interest in fossil collecting, rock hounding, rocks, minerals, and crystals, etc., you might enjoy being part of a geology club as well. Ask around and you will probably be surprised to find out that there are more than one in your area that you can join. Now getting back to my story, the first place that I went to for fossils is pretty well-known to those in fossil collecting circles, as well as here and there on the Internet, and that is Big Brook New Jersey.

Big Brooke is a creek located in Monmouth County, New Jersey (I'll put the address at the end of this post) that runs through a pretty area with lots of shady trees that overhang the cool water. On the day I was there it was very hot, about 96 degrees F (!) so it was the perfect spot to escape from the heat while having a little fun.

Once you get there, there are a few parking spots on the side of the road where you can park, and then you follow a trail into the woods that is short, but muddy in some places if there has been rain in the recent past. Did I say muddy? OK, you heard me right - be forewarned Lol.

Can you spot the animal tracks in the silty mud? Leave a comment below if you think you know what it was that left those tracks.

After following the trail you will soon land up at the creek. You will possibly have to walk down a moderately steep embankment to get down to the water to hunt for the fossils. This embankment - depending on how the weather has been - with all the rain etc., might be muddy and slippery or steep. Be prepared. This is not a place to bring babies or toddlers. Did you hear what I said? Not a place for very small children and babies!

This entrance to the creek wasn't too bad - it was definitely steeper than it looks in the photo but relatively easy to climb up and down

I was actually very surprised on one of my recent trips to Big Brook when while I was in the water looking up to the bank I saw a couple of young mothers with one-year-olds looking down the steep embankment and then turning away. If you have kids, they would probably love this place, but I would say the best ages are probably no younger than six. Once you are down in the water it is very silty and muddy in certain spots and your feet can sink in a little bit, and I could see that scaring a small child, so that’s my word of advice as a mom about that.

Second, you have to wear shoes in the water. Not flip-flops or sandals, you need sneakers or boots or water shoes with relatively thick soles. I heard that there was plenty of glass in the water and once I got down there, there sure was. I pulled out a few huge 6 to 8 inch sharp shards of glass which I tossed away so someone else would not step on them. This is another thing I was surprised about: The amount of people both kids and adults, who showed up at the bank in bare feet! They thought they were going to go in the water without anything on their feet, and a few of them did. We cautioned the ones we saw about the glass and sharp objects in the water.

It can be super dangerous so you definitely should wear at least an old pair of sneakers in the water. Years ago in college in my Field Biology class and I remember when we visited a muddy marsh - and had to walk in it - we were instructed to take an old pair of sneakers and drill holes in the bottom. That way when we walk in the marsh the mud would not suck our shoes right off of our feet. It worked, but I wouldn’t recommend that for this place due to the difference in the materials on the floor of the creek bed.

Yes, on my very first trip to Big Brook I climbed under and over those trees like Lara Croft but I would not recommend it, it was scary and I won't do it again

So now that you’re there, the first super important rule is that you are only allowed to look for fossils in the water. This means, you may only look for fossils in the water! You may not dig into the banks or walls of the creek, as that speeds the erosion and can be dangerous as well. I’m usually not a very squeamish person, but when I saw lots of exposed roots leading up to precariously angled tall trees, I made sure to say to my kids, let’s look for fossils away from that area! Some of the trees with exposed roots look very dangerous and you can see by just looking down the creek that there are lots of fallen trees due to erosion, exposed roots, and I’m sure that were helped fall by all of the recent storms. Just a word to the wise, be aware of your surroundings.

OK, so we’ve established getting there, finding and following the trail, getting down the bank, and into the water. Now let’s talk about collecting fossils. You will mostly find prehistoric oysters and seashells and probably a belemnite, but Big Book is most known for the varieties of sharks teeth that have been found in its waters. I will caution you here, finding them is no easy task!

Here's what one rocky river bank looked like. Recognize anything?

There are a few websites where it shows bounties of sharks teeth but they actually can be kind of hard to find. If you bring a screen that has too large a hole, the small teeth will slip right through back into the water. Most of the sharks teeth you will find here are small. We found a few that were 1 1/2” to close to 2 inches but those were rare. We found plenty of ones that were a quarter inch or so. It was still fun finding the small ones!

To find fossils, you need some type of sifter. An old kitchen colander works great, check for those at thrift stores! Scoop gravel from below the water and pour it into your sifter. A simple garden trowel works great for scooping, and is within the size limit of your digging tool which I believe has to be 6 inches or smaller. Your screen or sifter I believe has to be 18 inches or smaller. There is a sign with posted rules and regulations at the parking area which is at the beginning of the trail, so be sure to read all of the rules & regulations first, and hey - tell you kids the rules too.

My setup: colander, trowel, backpack, and plastic bucket to carry it all, sit on, and help keep everything dry

I loved using a metal kitchen colander because it has two wire handles on each side which made it super easy to hold onto. You do not need to go out and buy any kind of certain tools or anything like that. You can make your own sifter at home if you use chicken wire that is 1/4 inch or smaller and attaching it to some type of frame. I did see one or two folks with large clunky wooden frames and they did not look easy to work with! So get yourself a colander and a garden trowel and that’s all you need for digging. As a matter of fact, you aren’t allowed to dig with shovels and especially not into the banks as I noted before, so leave your shovels at home, even the small, kid-sized ones. A plastic utility bucket is handy for carrying your tools, sitting on, and keeping everything dry.

Bring foam garden kneeling pads for when you need to sit and take a break

Scoop up a trowel full of gravel, pour it into your sifter, and then swirl it around with the sifter in the surface of the water so that all the sand and tiny debris washes through the holes. Keep doing this until all the sand is gone, and you can remove the larger rocks by hand. Carefully examine what you have. Once you are done, pour the remaining gravel back into the water and start over again! That’s all there is to it.

We set up our tools on a gravel bar since as you can see there was nowhere else dry along the creek to set up

Another thing you probably want to bring is some kind of a hard container to put your delicate finds into such as an old pill bottle with a lid. I wore my fanny pack around my waist and had a plastic bag in there and that worked great because it was hands-free. You may also want to bring an extra bag to throw litter or glass into that you may find while you are looking for fossils. It’s a shame that people litter, but you might as well pick some of that up while you’re there, right? Take it with you and throw it away.

The next rule they have is that you are only allowed to take five fossils or artifacts per day. I’m sure I pulled out a lot more than that but I tossed the great majority of them back, especially if I found a sharks tooth that was broken etc.. That way you are taking just a couple of nice specimens home and leaving some for someone else to find. So keep only your favorites.

If it’s a sunny day it’s good to bring a hat and you should always have sunscreen as well. I had a big utility bucket with all of our supplies in, as well as my backpack for my truck keys and water bottle, and a few extra plastic bags to seal my cell phone in. I also threw a couple of my gardening kneeling pads into my supply bucket and they came in handy for anyone wanting to sit and take a rest, or to kneel on in shallow water to save your knees! Wear old clothes that can get dirty and wet, and since it was so hot when we were there, I told my kids to put their swimsuits on under their clothes and that was a good call.

I brought insect repellent as well but we were grateful that we did not need to use it on any of our trips there. Since I had to drive about an hour and a half to get there, I packed a cooler with ice and water bottles and sandwiches for us. We were glad for them when the time came! You may also want to bring some extra tap water in an old gallon milk jug to use to rinse your hands and feet before you get back in your car. That, along with a small hand towel were great to have along.

Some things you might want to bring along:
Sifting screen or colander
Small trowel for digging
Water shoes/old sneakers

Gardener's foam kneeling pad
Sunscreen
Hat
Bag or hard sided container for your finds
Bag for trash
First aid kit
Cooler, ice, water bottles, lunch
Hand towel
Gallon of tap water to rinse off before driving home

Here are some of the finds that we found on a few of our trips. All of the fossils found at Big Brook are from the Late Cretaceous period. The address is 95 Hillsdale Rd., Colts Neck, NJ 07722.

Image 1 & 2: Some type of fossilized bone, unknown (above and below)

Image 3: Can you identify anything?

Image 4: Can you identify anything?

Image 5: Can you identify anything?

Image 6: Can you identify anything?

Be sure to check back again to read about my next adventure...I'll be blogging about another fossil collecting spot, and also my recent trip to the Adirondacks to search for crystals!

What do you think? Have you ever collected fossils?

Have a great week!
Laura

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Pique Assiette Broken China Mosaic Cottage Hearts

2019-08-03T12:47:00.000-04:00

While going through some items in my Etsy shop I realized that a few of the photos weren't that great, so I decided to photograph them again, and I think the pictures turned out so pretty that I had to share them.

These are broken china mosaics that I created a while back - I first started making these in 1989 (!) when I traced out my first heart onto plywood and convinced my father to cut them out for me with his saw in his workshop. I would then sand them down, drill holes in them for the ribbon, then create a mosaic on each heart, grout them, paint the reverse sides, and then add the ribbons to hang them with. It is a time-consuming process but the end result is so pretty!

Here are the last of the ones I currently have, but I think I'll be making a new batch very soon. Let me know which is your favorite in the comments below! You can see them all in my Etsy shop.

Fairest of them all

Princess with mirror

There's no place like home

There's no place like hom

Faerie queen

English chintz mosaic

Art Diva

Hot stuff

Goddess

Love life

Which do you like best?

Have a great week!
Laura

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All designs and images copyright ©Laura Beth Love 1989-2019

Article copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2019 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link corrections please leave correct info in comment area.

The Upcycled Garden Volume 13: Using Recycled & Salvaged Materials In Your Garden

2019-07-30T12:43:00.001-04:00

In each of my Upcycled Garden blog posts I share great ideas for unique DIY garden art that will hopefully inspire you to be innovative and think about how you can create your own upcycled garden creation.

I'm back again with my 13th installment of The Upcycled Garden, where you will find my picks for the very best ideas for using repurposed, recycled, and salvaged materials in your garden and outdoor landscape.

So enough chat and let's get on to these beautiful ideas! Be sure to let me know which is your favorite. Leave me a comment below and share with us your own best garden upcycle project - we'd love to hear all about it!

Attach clay flowerpots to an old shutter with wire

Create some planters with fabric and cement like these from Kim, DIY instructions are here

Or for a smaller version, learn how to make a vase here

Vintage sink potting bench from sweet vintage of mine

These old wicker baskets have been spray painted from their original tan color to transform them for use in the garden from Mrs. Greenhouse

Learn how to make an upcycled can planter from Julie at GleefulThings

Ceramic and metal tub fountain with water plants

Here, a garden beehive is made from an upcycled wood pallet: DIY directions

Old washtub with antique treadle sewing machine makes a pretty planter

Here's another version using the treadle base only, with the wooden top and sewing machine removed

Artistic landscaping - braiding long grasses

Create a mini pond with an old tub DIY instructions from Mrs. Greenhouse

Frame a garden shed with a collection of painted & decorated birdhouses

Use heavy wire to create a garden sculpture that can be used as a trellis for flowers. This one has fairy lights added to it, which I bet looks beautiful at night!

A Cinder block succulent garden that you can build yourself to fit a corner

A garden totem is a beautiful way to add color, texture, and a touch of vintage to your garden.
from little vintage cottage

Vintage glass insulators + solar lights

Create a pretty succulent planter out of an old window, leaving some of the window glass in place

Alternating flower pots with recycled olive oil tins makes a unique visual

Vintage glass insulators + solar lights, the end of an old rake and some macrame plant hangers

Which do you like best?

Have a great week!
Laura

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Upcycled Metal Mesh Scouring Pad Turned Succulent Air Planter

2019-07-29T12:45:00.007-04:00

I love when I find a new upcycle idea that has been created with an everyday household object that I have not seen upcycled in any other form before. This is one such item: the metal mesh pan scouring pad!

Using a clean, new unused pad of course - these pliable pads can be unrolled and reformed into new shapes and designs, like the air planter shown below. Not only is it an easy and fun transformation, but the finished product has a unique, contemporary look that I think is really unique!

For this project you need clean, new metal mesh scouring pad, some wire, and craft scissors. You will also need some type of round object to use as a form to shape the mesh around. To make the planter, pull the pad apart, leaving one end closed.

Open the opposite end (which will eventually become the top of the planter) with scissors if needed, and then shape the mesh around your round object (such as around the bottom of a bowl) to create a basket shape with your metal mesh.

Roll the edge of the open end down a bit to create a nice rim to the open end of the planter. Then attach your wire to the open end to hang your planter. Fill with a small amount of moss and then add your succulent. Water it using a spray bottle.

Check it out!

Metal mesh turned air planter

What do you think?

Have a great week!
Laura

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Victorian Aesthetic Initial Pendants

2019-07-05T19:20:00.002-04:00

I'm down to the last of my vintage ephemera initial

pendants - these are all Art Nouveau or aesthetic Victorian

typeset initials.

Each is sandwiched between two pieces

of glass, soldered with silver jeweler's solder and comes

on a long chain. The reverse side of each features floral papers. These are available on my website at laurabethlove.com

Check them out!

Front (above) and reverse side (below)

Here are some of the ones I did years ago (below) these are all sold but I have some of the same initials in my new pendants.

Front (above) and reverse side (below)

You can see them all here...

Have a great week!
Laura

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The Upcycled Garden: Garden Totems

2019-06-25T15:14:00.002-04:00

Ceramic totem by Kathy Gregg

I am in love with totems. Ever since I was little I thought totems were so cool and unusual, and sort of mystical and magical as well. Anything that is so personal and that has a special, deeper meaning, something that is so distinctive—deserves a special place in your personal space—and isn't the garden the perfect spot?

Whether primitive and simple or artistic and expertly crafted, totems are each as unique as their owners. Crafted from all sorts of materials such as wood, glass, ceramic, and mixed media, totems offer an unexpected and very pleasant touch to your outdoor landscape and garden decor.

Think about all the different materials you could use to create your own totem. Repurposed salvaged glassware is probably the first thing that comes to mind. Readily available at thrift shops everywhere, old florist vases, bowls, decanters, lamps, and containers can have new life when repurposed and upcycled into a garden totem. Flower pots can be stacked to create totems. Use plates and vases between tiers to add visual interest and texture.

Spray paint or enamel outdoor paint allows you to customize your colors. Add bits of tessare, broken vintage china mosaic tiles, glass tiles, and small found objects such as bottle caps, old buttons and pretty stones to create a mosaic of your own on your own special garden totem. Use a strong adhesive suitable for outdoors (I love E6000 adhesive, it's my fave), and be sure to allow your components to completely dry before adding more tiers.

Take a look at some amazing garden totems that I've collected here to share for inspiration and to get those wheels turning. I'd love to know if you've ever made a garden totem before, so be sure to leave me a comment below and let me know what you think. Be inspired!

Rainbow ceramic totems by Russ Vogt (image by Russ Vogt)

Garden totems by Paula Barry Ceramics

Mosaic flowerpot garden totem

Garden totem made from old lamp bases on rebar with DIY by Little Vintage Cottage

Create a mosaic totem

Creative ceramic totem with faces

Paint a wood post like these from Lisa Frick

Ceramic totems are constructed by creating holes in the ceramics that are then threaded onto a pole or length of rebar

Colorful ceramic characters are in this totem by Christie Beniston

Peace poles are wildly personalizable!

Red Crow Studio in Washington offers Garden Totem workshops!

Kids craft idea: Create plastic milk jug totems. Spray paint the milk jugs yourself and then have the kids decorate them with acrylic paint. Image by Howard County Library

Inspired? Get your friends together, go thrifting and collect your supplies, then throw a totem making party complete with refreshments. Invite me!

What do you think?

Have a great week!
Laura

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Baguette French Toast

2019-06-25T11:00:00.001-04:00

If you are a fan of French Toast then you will absolutely love this version—especially if you are a bread lover like me. A good baguette is best when eaten fresh. Don't eat it fast enough and you will soon find that your tasty French loaf has started to turn stale and become hard. That is the perfect time to turn it into some amazing French toast. Golden, crispy, and buttery on the outside and soft and delicious on the inside, this French Toast is like no other.

This recipe is super-easy, even if you have never made French toast before. All you need is a day-old loaf of French baguette bread, and egg or two, milk, and some incidentals that you probably already have in your kitchen cabinet.

Here is what you will need:

Loaf of French Baguette bread
1-2 eggs
3/4 to 1 & 1/2 cups milk

Cinnamon

Salt

Sugar

Butter

Powdered confectioner's sugar for garnish

Maple syrup for serving

Use a sharp bread knife to cut the baguette into slices. I aim for slices that are about 1/2" wide and no larger than about 3/4" wide. Cut all the slices and set aside.

Prepare the batter by whisking an egg in a medium sized bowl. Add 3/4 cup of milk to the egg and whisk together until completely blended. This amount of egg and milk is enough for two people, or a half loaf of baguette.

If you are serving three or more, or if you are very hungry or making an entire loaf of baguette or more, then use two eggs instead of one and use 1 & 1/4 cup of milk plus a little more if needed.

If you add too little milk to your mixture it will become too eggy and when you cook it it will be like scrambled eggs cooked into your toast. If you add too much milk, your mixture will become too milky and your end result will be soggy, so you have to get the balance just right. Start with less milk and then add a bit more a little at a time as needed. In general it should be more of a milky consistency than an eggy consistency.

Once your eggs and milk are combined, add a pinch of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of sugar, and a generous teaspoon of cinnamon. Mix until completely combined.

Heat a medium to large sized fry pan on medium-low heat and then coat with about 1 teaspoon of butter. Right when the butter is about to brown, dunk a few slices of the baguette into the egg and milk mixture, turning them over to completely coat them on all sides and to allow them to soak up the liquid as shown in the above photo.

Hold each piece above the bowl for a moment to allow excess liquid to drip from the bread and then carefully place the slices onto the hot fry pan. Do this with a few more pieces until your fry pan is full, but leave enough room in the pan so that you can turn them.

Keep a close eye on the slices and turn down the heat just a tad so that they do not burn on the outside. Fry the slices for a few minutes, checking the bottoms every so often. You want the outsides to be golden brown and you want the insides to be completely cooked.

Once the bottoms start to brown, carefully flip each slice over and cook the other side for a few minutes until golden brown and cooked throughout.

Add more butter if needed. I usually add a bit more butter right at the time when I am flipping them over so that the pan stays coated.

These slices are perfectly done!

Once the slices turn golden, remove from pan onto plate and serve. Add a sprinkle of powered confectioner's sugar if you like, or serve with maple syrup.

French Toast is great served with fresh fruit and either bacon or sausage on the side. This is never just for breakfast at our house—we enjoy it for dinner too!

Have a great week!
Laura

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How To Make Homemade Bagels

2019-06-24T14:50:00.002-04:00

I think most people don't realize how fun and easy it is to make your own homemade bagels. It's not something I do all the time, since hello carbs, but when I do make a batch at home they disappear very quickly!

Nothing compares to a hot and fresh homemade bagel. The outsides are golden and crisp, and the insides are soft and chewy. Add whatever flavors you like by way of herbs and seasonings to personalize them to your own tastes and the end result is perfection! Follow along and make a batch yourself. I'd love to hear how yours turned out so be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite type is.

For this recipe I'll show you how to make Everything Bagels, which, like the title says, is basically a mix of all the classic bagel seasonings: salt, sesame seed, garlic, onion, and poppy seed. A lot of people don't realize that bagels are boiled - and you can't skip this step! After they are boiled, toppings are added and then they are baked. Let's get started!

Here are all of the things you will need to make this recipe:

Flour (bread flour if you have it)

Very warm water
Salt (regular and/or coarse/Kosher salt)
Active dry yeast
Brown sugar (light or dark)

Honey

One egg

Seasonings: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, onion powder

Cooking oil - any kind

Wire whisk

Large pot of boiling water

Large slotted serving spoon

Cookie sheet or baking pan covered with parchment paper
Pastry brush (if you have one)

Tea towel for draining bagels on, non-fuzzy kind is best

For the dough you will need:

1 & 1/2 cups very warm water

3 teaspoons active dry yeast (can use quick rise)

4 cups flour

1 & 1/2 Tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)

1 teaspoon salt

Directions for dough:

Combine the water, yeast and sugar in your mixing bowl, mix with a whisk or fork to combine, then cover and allow to sit for five minutes. (I use a heavy duty stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to make my dough but you can mix it by hand if you like.)

After allowing to rest for five minutes add the flour and mix well to completely combine the dry and wet ingredients.

Optional step: At this point you can add some of your toppings to the dough, or not. I added about a teaspoon of poppy seeds into my dough mixture at this point, but this was mostly just for looks.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface - be careful not to add too much extra flour to your dough because as with any baking, that will make your dough too hard and your finished result too tough. Knead for about five minutes.

Add about one tablespoon of cooking oil to a large bowl (again, I use a bowl from my mixer) and coat the inside of the bowl with the oil. I use my hand to do this. Place the dough in the bowl and then flip the dough over so that both sides are covered with oil. Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap (so that the dough does not dry out) and then cover with a tea towel (to keep it nice and dark so it can rise in privacy.) Allow the dough to rise for about an hour to one and a half hours, or until it looks like it has close to doubled in size. It doesn't have to be exact.

While the dough is rising:

Line a large cookie sheet or baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Ready your egg wash:
In a separate bowl whisk together one raw egg with two tablespoons water and set aside. You will coat each bagel with the egg wash before you dip the top of the bagel into the seasonings. Keep the tea towel nearby.

Ready your bagel toppings:

In the wide-mouth bowl combine:

4 Tablespoons sesame seeds

4 Tablespoons poppy seeds

1 Tablespoon garlic powder or dried minced garlic

1 Tablespoon onion powder or dried minced onion

1 to 2 teaspoons coarse salt

Ready the boiling water:

Bring a large soup pot full of water to boil. Add a few tablespoons of honey to the pot if you have it on hand. (4 tablespoons or so is fine. Traditionally barley malt syrup is used in place of honey so if you have that you can use 4 T of that instead of the honey.)

Here is my bagel dough, ready to shape into rings, along with my mixed topping of poppy seeds, salt, garlic and onion salt, and sesame seeds.

Once your dough has risen you will now punch it down and make it into a smooth ball that you will divide into about 8 separate pieces. I used a butcher knife to divide mine like a pizza so that my sections were relatively the same size. Each section will be one bagel. One or two of the sections I cut in half to turn it into two small bagels instead of one large one, but the large ones are better to make.

Roll each section of dough into a ball and then make a hole in the center with your finger, shaping into a ring or bagel shape. If you prefer, you can roll each section of dough into a snake shape and then connect the ends to form the bagel shape. Why not try both ways and see which you prefer?

Once you shape each dough section into a bagel shape, set them on the parchment covered cookie sheet while you get ready to boil them. The photos above and below show my raw, unboiled bagels waiting for the water to boil.

Once your water boils, carefully and gently place a bagel into the pot using your slotted spoon. Do not drop them into the pot or you might splash yourself with boiling water. I boiled only three bagels at a time so that they had enough room to move around a bit. Use the spoon to turn them over in the pot so that they cook on both sides. They will puff up! These big bagels make my big soup pot look small! Boil each bagel for about one to one and a half minutes on each side.

Have your tea towel ready on a counter close by to set them on when you take them out of the pot. Be careful! They will be slippery and boiling hot! Repeat this process until all of the bagels are boiled and on your towel and then turn off the burner.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F

Now your bagels will be sitting on your tea towel ready to get coated with egg wash and toppings. Allow the bagels to cool off for a few moments so that they are easier to handle. Be careful not to burn yourself, they will be hot!

If you have one, use a pastry brush to brush the egg wash on the top of each bagel.

Once you have brushed the top of a bagel with egg wash, carefully dip the top of the bagel into the bowl of seasonings, coating the tops of the bagels.

Then set the bagel onto the parchment covered cookie sheet. Repeat this process until all of your bagels are coated and on the cookie sheet.

These bagels are coated with egg wash and seasonings and ready to bake.

You can see in the photo above where I made four smaller bagels instead of making eight large bagels. I liked the large ones better and won't make the smaller ones again!

Once your oven is preheated, bake the bagels for about 20 to 25 minutes, watching them closely as they bake. Allow them to turn golden brown and then remove from oven to cool.

If you have one, a cooling rack is nice to have for cooling the bagels. Allow them to set for ten to fifteen minutes before devouring them.

These bagels turned out perfect! The first time I made them I added much too much salt to the tops and we had to scrape much of it off. I learned by doing, and now only use 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt in my topping.

Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container for up to two days, or freeze.

Slice lengthwise, toast them if you like, and serve with your favorite accompaniments: butter, cream cheese, or turn into a yummy sandwich with a fried egg, avocado, cheese, your favorite lunch meats or veggies or whatever you fancy. Save one for me!

Have a great week!
Laura

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Magical Fairy Ring Jeweled Circlet Bracelets

2019-06-23T11:49:00.002-04:00

With summer comes outdoors comes nature comes forest comes faeries comes fairy rings...

...comes rocks and crystals and gems and shiny silver...comes fairy ring bracelets...

These were a spontaneous happening, a handful of pretty gems, and beads, some crystals and a few handmade glazed ceramic beads as well (I SO love those!) And silver wire. Threads and threads of silver wire, turning and twisting and sometimes braiding...

Touched off with molten silver solder, magical within itself, so formable and shapeable, liquid to solid.

What is a fairy ring?

Jane from Mushroom Appreciation explains it best:

"The English believed that fairy rings were where fairies came to dance and celebrate, the mushrooms of the rings were used as stools for the fairies to recuperate during the evenings festivities. One European legend tells of the origin of these rings as being burned into the soil by a sleeping dragon's tail."

In place of mushrooms I used various gems to create my own version of a fairy ring. I gave this one an antique silver finish by applying a black patina to the shiny silver and then buffing it.

Some of the gems on this one include Amazonite, Mookiate, Pink Peruvian Opal, Carnelian, Quartz Crystal Points...

These are available while they last in my Etsy shop. I hope you like them!

Have a great week!
Laura

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The Upcycled Garden: Pink For Your Boho Cottage Garden

2019-06-17T19:54:00.001-04:00

Amazingly beautiful pink hanging glass flower jars from Roses and Patina

Ahh sweet summer is finally here (well almost—it will be on Friday) and what better time to talk more about the sweet summer garden than on the edge of summer.

There's an inter-twining of themes when we talk about vintage and upcycled and even the style of Bohemian (or Eclectic) or Cottage because they all have a few common elements. You guessed it, Vintage is the common element throughout. Whether we discuss it in terms of chippy paint, weathered, worn, salvaged, or with a touch of creativity and clever thinking—repurposed and even upcycled—it's still vintage. Or antique, depending on the age.

There's something about a natural, organic patina that has this certain special magic (if you know what I'm talking about leave a comment below!) that can only be achieved with the passage of time. Timeworn. It even has its own word.

Add a blush of sweet pink into the garden greenery and the cottage style begins to take the lead.

The garden of Peggy Kurtz from The Cottage Journal magazine (above & below)

Pink painted wicker chair

Pink birdhouse with rusty metal roof and doorknob accent

Pink dresser with drawers full of blooms from HGTV

Painted metal garden chair from Rubens Rabatter

Planter from DIY Show Off

Pink painted chair by Reese on Pinterest

Foot locker planter from Sweet Magnolia Farm

Perfect tea party setup complete with old sewing machine treadle turned table

Pink Dream catcher from Ali Express

A vintage watering can can add the perfect touch of color to your garden
(above and below)

An old ladder painted pink and used as an outdoors plant stand adds an unexpected pop of color

Bundt cake pan + spray paint + metal stand = flower birdbath

Garden art flowers made from old recycled plates, glassware, votives, and rebar (above and below)

Pink and white picket fence bench via pinterest

Pink bicycle, spray painted top to bottom, via Pinterest

Pink wheelbarrow, again, it's amazing what a can of spray paint can do!

Pink garden door

Amazingly beautiful pink hanging glass flower jars from Roses and Patina

Which do you like best?

Have a great week!
Laura

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Article copyright ©Laura Beth Love 2019 and may not be republished in print or other media without express written permission from the author. For any link or image credit corrections please leave correct info in comment area.

Homemade Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers - Easy Recipe!

2019-06-16T13:15:00.000-04:00

So delicious and easy to make!

If you love the flavors of cheese, bacon, and jalapenos, then you will LOVE this recipe! Stuffed jalapeno poppers are SO easy to make and not only are they easy, but they're fast to make too, so if you have a craving for these you can whip up a batch in no time at all.

These poppers bake in the oven, so there is no mess of frying oil or anything like that. The ingredients are minimal and won't cost you a bundle, and since they are so rich and delicious, a little bit of poppers goes a long way! I have to admit though, they disappear super-fast in my home. Because I eat them all. :)

Whether eaten hot out of the oven, room temperature, or reheated the next day, these bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeno poppers are one of the best recipes on the net! You can tweak the recipe to your liking: omit the bacon if you like (or use more!), or customize the filling with your favorite spices.

You will need:

Jalapenos: you will get two poppers for each jalapeno you use, so figure that when you are determining how many to make.

The basic recipe is as follows:

6-8 fresh jalapeno peppers, washed (depending on size)

1 8-oz block of cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (add more if you like them more on the cheddary side, or use just one cup if you like a good balance between the cream cheese and cheddar cheeses.)

Any type of bacon slices that you like

Also:

-Wooden tooth picks

-Aluminum foil

-Broiler pan or cookie sheet with a lip

-Optional: electric mixer
-Recommended: plastic/vinyl cooking gloves to wear while cutting the jalapenos.
-Recommended: Paper towel covered platter to drain them on after removing them from oven.

Put the softened cream cheese in a bowl, or use an electric mixer to soften the cream cheese.

Use a knife to slice each jalapeno in half lengthwise. Wear gloves or put your hands in plastic baggies to avoid getting your skin burned from the seeds while you are working with the jalapenos!

Because the hot spicy heat of the jalapeno comes from the seeds, you will want to scoop out the insides. Use your judgment for how spicy you would like your poppers. If you like them mild then remove all of the seeds and ribs inside.

Use a spoon to scoop out the insides.

I like mine spicy so I always try to leave a few seeds inside of my jalapenos!

Place your prepped peppers on a foil lined baking sheet. You can use any type of pan that has a lip on the edge. I like to use a big rectangular cookie sheet with a lip or the bottom part of my two-part broiler pan. Be sure to cover it well with foil to eliminate a messy clean up later! No need to spray with cooking spray.

Add the shredded cheddar cheese to the softened cream cheese and mix just until well blended.

It should look like this. Now is the time add any additional herbs or spices to your filling. I sometimes add a chopped teaspoon of fresh cilantro if I have some on hand. Some folks like to add some garlic. I find that the flavors of the cheeses, peppers, and bacon are enough for me so I usually do not add any additional flavors.

Sometimes its best to leave well enough alone!

But...if you like them super-spicy you can also add some of the seeds that you scooped out earlier in with the filling. Just toss in a teaspoon full of the jalapeno seeds (or however many you'd like,) and mix them in with the cheeses.

Prep your bacon:

Get out your favorite bacon (thin, regular, or thick sliced all work fine) and use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut the long slices in half. We only need half a slice of bacon for each popper. If you use too much bacon it won't cook properly. I have found that half a slice is perfect! Set the cut bacon aside.

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Now it is time to stuff the peppers

Use a tablespoon to scoop up a spoonful of the cheese filling and press it into each pepper. Do not put too much filling in the peppers or it will run out when you bake them - do not mound it up high on top with filling. Just smooth out the top and try to make it kind of level. They'll be great, I promise!

Wrap the poppers with bacon

Once all of your peppers are filled with the cheese filling it is now time to wrap them in bacon. (You can skip this step if you are not a bacon fan!)

Pick up one of the half-slices of bacon and starting at the top of the filling on the pepper, lay one end of the bacon on the filling and then wrap the rest of the strip of bacon gently around the bottom of the pepper, bringing up the other end of the strip of bacon to meet the first end. Kind of like putting a bacon scarf on your pepper!

Do NOT wrap the bacon tightly around the pepper! If you do, some of your filling will come out when they bake and expand. Instead, wrap the bacon gently but securely around the pepper. Use a wooden toothpick to secure the two ends of bacon to around the pepper, but do not pierce the pepper with the toothpick. See image above for a pretty much perfectly wrapped pepper if I must say so myself!

Assemble your stuffed and wrapped poppers on your foil lined baking sheet. Bake in a 325 degree F oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes until the bacon is cooked. Keep an eye on them while they are baking. I sometimes hike the oven temperature up to 350 degrees for the last 15 minutes or so of baking.

Note: If you bake these at too high a temperature you will cook them too fast and you will lose a lot of the filling because it will bubble right out of the peppers onto your baking sheet! It is best to cook these around 325 to 350 F max for the best finished result.

Once your poppers are nice and golden and your bacon is cooked the way you like it, use pot holders to carefully remove the tray from the oven.

Use a spatula to carefully lift each pepper from the tray and place it on a paper-towel covered platter to help drain some of the bacon fat and oils from the poppers. Remember to remove the toothpicks before eating. Serve and enjoy!

Refrigerate any leftovers. Reheat in oven or microwave (oven will make them crisper than the microwave will.) These poppers are PERFECT for parties and get-togethers, movie night, and you can even cook them on a grill.

Don't need them until tomorrow or even the next day? Prepare them ahead of time, and store in an airtight container in the fridge up to two days before baking them.

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If you try this recipe be sure and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!

Have a great week!
Laura

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The Upcycled Garden Volume 12: Using Recycled & Salvaged Materials In Your Garden

2019-06-15T12:11:00.002-04:00

An old bed headboard transformed into a grand garden gate

There's something really special about garden art. Maybe it's because a garden by itself is a work of art, a sacred place where the magic of nature happens, but when combined with human innovation and creativity, becomes something even more special.

Either way, I'm back again with my 12th (!!) installment of The Upcycled Garden, where you will find my picks for the very best ideas for using repurposed, recycled, and salvaged materials in your garden and outdoor landscape.

So enough chat and let's get on to these beautiful ideas! Be sure to let me know which is your favorite. Leave me a comment below and share with us your own best garden upcycle project - we'd love to hear all about it!

Milk jug bird bath - the added stones and bird statue complete the look

Hanging wreath birdbath from The Hippy Home

Suspended windows with brightly painted frames add interest to a garden area

Old sink turned birdbath or butterfly garden

Brightly painted recycled cans with pieces of rope make quick and virtually free plant pots

Louise Durham adds stained glass to wood to create garden sculptures

Add an old bowl to a hanging planter for an instant birdbath like this one from House to Home

Old birdbath pedestal with laundry tub as a planter from Organized Clutter. The landscape stones around the base are what really finishes off this project

Piano keyboard fence for the music lover

Look familiar? If you know what this is, leave a comment below!

Create a self-watering flowerpot with old plastic soda bottles...

...or craft a soda bottle terrarium: DIY instructions from AdriondacGirlatheart

Put old wine crates to good use as planters bu adding a lining and suspending from

a strong frame like these from Koti Ja Keittio

Teapots can be transformed into useful birdhouses...

Add copper wire to create a pedestal for the birds

An antique wooden tub transformed into a pretty planter

What to do about that old tree stump in the yard? Carve it into a throne! (above and below)

Old teapot as a shiny planter

Old garden tools: Here old shovels are repurposed as shelves to hold potted plants

Fence made from old bicycle frames

Add gold leaf - or metallic gold paint to terracotta pots for an entirely new look

Part of an old door repurposed into a shabby garden gate.

Which do you like best?

Have a great week!
Laura

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Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs!