Alabama Rain Barrel Project

this morning mr. b and i went to the master gardener's & wedowee garden club plant sale.

the upper tallapoosa river clean water partnership was also there selling rain barrels.

i had to go check it out since i have been wanting to make one myself. (BUT since these are being sold for $30 {WOW!} and the proceeds are going to benefit a good cause {by promoting cleanliness of lake wedowee's water} i am going to be purchasing one of these instead of making it)

now after i purchase my own rain barrel i will be dressing it up just like mrs. valerie morris has.

she did an amazing job on this barrel (with a little help from her husband...who i might add is going to be helping me out with one of my next articles for lake wedowee life magazine)

after speaking with mrs. morris she informed me that they have been talking about doing a workshop for the barrels which i think would be a great idea! especially to do at the schools.

this project steams from the alabama rain barrel project. this site has full details on how to build one yourself...OR you can just contact tom garland (lake wedowee property owners association chairperson) to purchase one locally.

Things to consider before buying/making a rain barrel:

•Will you place the barrel under an eave, downspout or roof valley?
•How will you use the water? Via hose, soaker or watering can?
•If you are using a hose, where are you transferring the water to? A garden, shrubbery area or lawn area? Nearby or at a greater distance?
•Remember that transferring water greater distances will require more pressure.
•Areas downhill of the barrel are easier to water than areas level with the barrel to water.
•Will you place your barrel on concrete blocks to provide better pressure? The higher the barrel stands and/or the fuller the barrel, the better the pressure.
•If you are placing the barrel on a deck, is the deck strong enough to hold a full barrel? A full barrel weighs more than 450 pounds.
•Where do you want the overflow (after the barrel is filled) from the barrel to go?



sources:
www.alabamarainbarrelproject.com
www.cleanwaterpartnership.org

it's been a while...

it has been so long since i have posted anything new. i have recently purchased a new home and have been trying to get organized...it is such a chore!

new things coming soon i promise! i am dying to get some crafting done.

i will post photos of my new house soon as some of my new craft projects will be about fixing up and decorating my new house!

until then here is a photo of mr. b, daisy mae and i in front of our new home!

also hope you all had a wonderful earth day!

i received this photo in an email. if anyone knows its original source please let me know!

Published : Lake Wedowee Life Magazine : Spring Crafts

here is my craft article for this issue of lake wedowee life magazine

to see the spring wreath alternative click here.

for the spring matel decor click here.

click here to see the paper butterfly specimens.

2012 Guide to Lake Wedowee

Spring Mantel Décor : Framed Burlap Rosettes

Spring Mantel Décor Framed Burlap Rosettes

I love springtime. The grass is so green and all the flowers start to bloom. This mantel has a rustic look for early spring. The materials I used to make this mantel focal piece were a thrift store frame painted ( this one is a 16 x 20), burlap, faux robin eggs, brown craft paper, and a hot glue gun. I removed the glass and spray painted the frame. While the paint dried I lined the frame back with the craft paper. The length of your burlap will depend on the size of the rosettes you’d like to make. For this particular size I cut my strips close to 2 inches wide and 6 inches in length. Measurements do not have to be exact. To create the rosettes simply twist the burlap into a loose coil, start rolling at one end into a circular shape. Hot glue the loose end and secure underneath to hold the rosette into place. After the glue is set hot glue it onto the frame back. I measured and marked each spot to ensure symmetry. TO give this a little color to go with my other décor items I simply added the robin eggs to make the rosettes look more like a nest. Put the frame back together and viola! A beautiful and inexpensive mantel focal piece!

Spring Wreath Alternative : DIY Upcycled Umbrella Wreath

Spring Wreath Alternative

This spring wreath alternative is an easy and creative way to dress up your door or entryway. Tie off your umbrella 2/3 of the way down. Stuff plastic grocery bags into the folds to create the “full” look. Fill with leftover floral stems or with real flowers.

Paper Butterfly Sepcimens { easy spring craft }

Paper Butterfly Specimens

This work of art is a great craft for children to have fun with. Materials for this particular project are 8 x 17 canvas, colored cardstock, butterfly paper punch, and hot glue. Simply punch the butterflies, measure and match up before you glue. Score the cardstock down the center and hot glue along the seam. I lined mine up lightly with a pencil and erased the marks after the glue had set. This would also be cute with other insect designs!