Positively Splendid {Crafts, Sewing, Recipes and Home Decor}

Raised Garden Update

21 May 2012 11:10:00

Remember the lineup of 12 DIY Goals I set for myself for 2012? By all accounts, I am proud to say I am doing pretty well so far keeping up!
In February, I shared about my Board and Batten Hallway Command Center (March's goal), and last week, I gave y'all a tour of my summer front porch, including the front porch swing that was my May DIY goal.
Today I thought I'd give you an update on the progress of our raised-bed garden, the goal I completed for March. I shared about the construction process for the beds way back in February, and then at long last, a couple of weekends ago we were finally confident enough of the risk of frost being past to go ahead and fill our beds with a plethora of goodies!
Overall, we used a square-foot approach when it came to planting our garden, although I wasn't absolutely meticulous about ensuring that each crop occupied precisely 12 square inches. I have to say that it is amazing how much we were able to plant in just two 4x8-foot beds! Here's what you'll find in our little garden:
Tomatoes (Roma and Cherry)
Peppers (Red, Green, and Serrano)
Green Beans Beets Carrots Japanese Eggplant
Crook-Neck Squash
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Okra
Leeks
Zucchini
The beds look so nice and tidy at the very beginning!

The photos above were taken just after the garden was planted, and I have to say that everything is already coming along quite nicely! Most of the crops have doubled in size, as you can see below with our tomatoes (which I have got to get in cages this week!)...

...and our zucchini.

I am starting to see blooms on our squash and tomato plants already, and there are tiny little bell peppers on our red bell pepper plant!

One issue I have, though, that I thought I would throw out there for your advice: see these little holes on our green bean plants?

It appears this little guy is the culprit: a brown type of beetle that is apparently very much enjoying make a salad bar out of these plants right now, and I am too selfish of the thought of fresh green beans this summer to be generous enough to share.

Any insight into some organic, kid- and pet-safe ways to get rid of these? I called a local nursery this morning, and they recommended Sevin spray, but I would really like to use something natural if at all possible.
I also saw this critter on our zucchini this morning, with a few little holes starting to emerge in those leaves as well. I suppose it's time to figure out what to do about him, too!

I hope y'all had a great weekend! Thanks so much for stopping in.

6 Upcycled Projects to Make!

20 May 2012 07:30:00

Is spring cleaning in full swing around your place? If so, keep an eye out for materials with upcycling potential as you go: bottles, crates, and just about anything under the sun! If you're needing a bit of inspiration to get you started, check out these fabulous ideas that were linked up in this week's Saturday 7 Party!
one.T-Shirt to Cardigan @ Keeping it Simple

two. Upcycled Cutlery Caddy @ A Little Something in the Meantime

three. Jute-Wrapped Wine Jugs @ Creatively Living

four. DIY Spool Necklace @ A Creative Cookie

five. Tie Dye Accessories @ A Little Tipsy

six. Washi Tape Upcycled Cans @ Homespun with Love

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Have you added your latest ideas to this week's Saturday 7 Linkup? If not, hurry over! The party is still in full swing!

Saturday Seven Party {No. 26}

19 May 2012 17:49:00

Welcome to the party, everyone! I am so glad you're here!

New to Positively Splendid? Each Saturday marks my Saturday Seven Party, a time when I open up the PS stage for YOU to share your projects!
Last week's most-viewed link:Perfectly Personalized Bridal Shower Gift Ideas @ The Hand Crafted Cottage

A few party guidelines:
Please link back to Positively Splendid, either using a text link (Positively Splendid) or by using the button below:
<a href="http://www.positivelysplendid.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Positively Splendid" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v301/alb413/saturday7button150.png" /></a>
In order to be featured on PS, you must have a link-back of some sort to this blog, so please be kind and do so!
Feel free to link to any project, recipe, tip or idea. Basically, if you created it, I would love to see it! Please do not link to giveaways, Etsy shops or anything you are selling. Be sure to link up to a specific post on your blog and not your home page. Please link up a new project each week to keep things exciting! If you are reading via email, head over to the blog so you can join in the fun! By linking up your projects, you are giving me permission to share your ideas in future spotlight posts here at PS and/or on Facebook and Twitter.
After you link up, visit at least two other party-goers and leave them some comment love. Because after all, who doesn't love comments? :)
Sound good? Alright - let's get this party started!!

Saturday Seven Spotlight

19 May 2012 08:12:00

Happy Saturday, everyone!
Last week's Saturday 7 Party was brimming with fabulous ideas! Here are seven of the ideas that caught my eye.
one.Thrift Store Table Makeover @ In My Own Style

two. Anthropologie Knock-Off Fori Bracelet @ Flamingo Toes

three. Fabric Scraps Lampshade @ The 36th Avenue

four. Dog Silhouette Art @ Crazy Wonderful

five.Ribbon Flowers @ Hoosier Homemade

six. Strawberry Lemonade Mix @ Echoes of Laughter

seven.Front Entry Makeover @ Creatively Living

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I hope to see all of you back here tonight at 7 for this week's Saturday 7 party!

Homes.com Spring into the Dream Contest

18 May 2012 04:00:00

So how does kicking off the weekend with a chance to win $500 sound? I thought that might captivate your interest!

Recently, I was contacted by the lovely folks at Homes.com to take part in a fun contest they're hosting right now called Spring into the Dream.
Along with a group of other amazing bloggers, Homes.com asked each of us to create a board on Pinterest depicting what spring means to each of us. At the end of the month, one lucky blogger whose board has the greatest wow-factor will receive $500! And the icing on the cake? The blogger who wins will then have the opportunity to choose one of her lucky readers who have created a Spring into the Dream board to win $500, too!
There are few times of year more exciting, more rejuvenating, than spring, and in coming up with my board, I wanted the items I pinned to reflect the certain themes that give me the most joy each time it's time to replace the heavy winter coats and boots with sundresses and swimsuits.
What are those themes? I am so glad you asked! ;)

Using those themes as a springboard, my board is brimming with springtime goodness that truly makes my heart skip a beat: bold, bright colors, wearable items and crafts, gardening tips and edible treats.

With the advent of spring, my wardrobe clamors to be restyled and refreshed. Kicky sandals, skirts and sundresses become my go-to attire just about every day of the week.

Source: anthropologie.com via Amy on Pinterest

Spring is nature's invitation to playfully embrace the beauty that surrounds us! A backyard becomes a wonderland of entertainment potential.

Source: sfgate.com via Amy on Pinterest

A glass of lemonade, a magazine and an outdoor oasis. In spring, warm days and cool nights beckon me to treat myself to some R&R in the great outdoors!

Source: bhg.com via Amy on Pinterest

Spring means guilt-free indulging in the tantalizing tastes of the season, with locally grown produce prepared in mouth-watering ways.

Source: smittenkitchen.com via Amy on Pinterest

Like the birds in the trees, spring prompts me to fluff my nest. New paint, new accessories, and a new outlook all help me maximize this house and make it into a home.

Source: sweetpickinsfurniture.com via Amy on Pinterest

Trowel in hand, there is nothing I can't conquer in the spring, filling my outdoor spaces with an abundance of intoxicating color and texture!

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com via Amy on Pinterest

So now that I've shared a bit of what you can find on my board, let's talk about how you can get started creating one of your own to boost your chances to win $500!
The concept is simple: create a board on Pinterest showcasing things that epitomize spring to you. Through May 25, all you have to do is pin the ideas, recipes and other items that make your spring-fever afflicted hearts skip a beat, and you just might find yourself $500 richer!
The full scoop on how to enter:Follow Homes.com on Pinterest. Create your own Homes.com Spring into the Dream pinboard, using the hashtag #springintothedream on each of your pins. (If you need a Pinterest invite to get started, just let me know!) Repin at least two items from the Homes.com Spring into the Dream Pinterest board onto your board. Pin at least two items from Homes.com or the Homes.com blog. Have a ball pinning your little heart out to show everyone what you love about spring. Leave a comment here with a link to your pinboard.
So simple!
I'll be adding even more to my board over the course of the next week, so be sure to stop back by to see more of what I love about spring!
Thanks so much for making me a part of your day!

Disclosure: I have received no compensation for this post.