11 Don't "Strain" Yourself Planter Tutorial

You may have noticed my plant display from this post and as I promised, I have a little tute for you to make your very own! This is one of my favorite crafts I've made so far. It's quick, easy and cheap. Who doesn't like cheap?!

I was perusing the aisles of one of our favorite Japanese markets and I saw these cute strainers in various sizes and it hit me...

why not use these babies as a planter for my air plants?

And as I walked over to the next aisle, I found these cool plastic trays...

Oh yeah.

So enough small talk and let's get craftin'!

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SUPPLIES:

OTHER ITEMS NEEDED:

-White glue

-Double sided tape

-Black Sharpie

-Wire cutter

-1/2" hook screw

-Epoxy

-Sawtooth picture hanger

If your *tray is made of a thicker material, you may need to drill a small hole first and then hand screw the hook in.

(*How about a cutting board instead of a tray? Anything's possible!)

You can use the 3M command strips instead. That would be my first choice, but for some odd reason they don't want to hang around (HA! pardon the pun).

You can use small rocks, moss or even colored beads. And it doesn't have to be air plants. I placed rocks from previous vacation spots in some of them. Whatever tickles your fancy... I'm not one to judge...

You want to cut as close as possible to base of the paper fastener, add glue and stick it!

I think using the scientific name gives it that cool factor, no?

Now how freakin' cool is this?!

I made four of them to create an impact on our otherwise naked wall. I just love it.
Now remember I mentioned cheap? The tray and Strainer were $1.50 each so with the air plants along with a few other items, the total cost was about $40.00. That's $10.00 per display!
Not too shabby.

If you plan to make one, make sure to show off your creation at our Flickr group. I'd love to see what you create!
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1 Dear Target... you're cool!

I saw it here on Apartment Therapy and you can check it out here too.

Target...

you

are

cool.

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2 coming back

Hey you!

First of all I wanna say, sorry. It has been a looooong while, practically the entire summer since we blogged. With good reason (i think). Hmmm... let's see... well, we finally sold our home and moved twice (God... what a nightmare), my external hard drive went kaput (can we say $$$), and between settling in to our new place and wanting to spend some quality time with the girls, I found finding time for myself next to impossible. Sewing or crafting of any sort was out of the question. It was a very trying period for me both  physically and emotionally.

Earlier in the summer I was reading Kim's post about her personal struggles and thoughts on being a SAHM. It hit home. I have been struggling with this for years...YEARS.  I wanted to just to hug her. I was taught early on that success was based on being financially and professionally set. Get a degree, have a career first and then get married and have a family. Well life didn't quite happened like that for me. I met the man of my dreams right out of high school, tried college and nursing school and it didn't work out, so we got married. He pursued the military, finished school and has a successful career, while I decided to keep the home fire burning and taking care of our beautiful girls. I should be happy. SHOULD... but I'm not. I think I failed myself. Everyone I had talked to thinks I'm crazy. Perhaps. I mean I know I'm a great mom and an amazing wife, but for myself, I want more. 

*sigh*

I want my cake and eat it, but sometimes I feel like I'm settling for a cookie. 

So as I continue on my quest for personal happiness, I will continue to do what I do best...a mother... a wife... sew... create. 

It's good to talk to you again.

I have new things to share with you!

Please come back as I always enjoy your company.

***hugs***