Okay, it happened. We got bit by the terrarium bug (metaphorically speaking, of course – a real life terrarium bug would be frowned upon.) The idea of a self-contained plant environment that needed little maintenance admittedly intrigued us and our broken, brown thumbs. They’re trendy, they’re everywhere, and we wanted one, too. Perhaps the trickiest part was finding that perfect vessel, but I think we nailed it:
We were hoping to stumble upon a perfectly mid-sized terrarium by chance – with looming warm weather yard sales, upcoming flea markets and the like – but Kim’s impatience and failed online searches forced a retail move, and off to Sprout Home we went (love that place). Although paying retail is generally not something we’re excited about, Etsy and Ebay scouring left us realizing that the big beauty we’ve found is actually not so bad a deal, and the heavy, sturdy glass looks pretty pricey (without being terribly so).
Now that the glass is home, clean and ready for planting, we’ve simply got to pick up the necessary substrates, plants, and (if I can convince Kim) a few green army men to liven up the scene inside the glass bubble-world. We’re definitely taking our time to research the process, and you know we’re loving the whole DIY make-it-our-own thing. But plants have died at our incapable hands in the past, so we’ll try to make it right with this handy guide.
Have any of you beaten us to the so-called terrarium punch? We know they’re making quite the comeback, so somebody’s gotta have cool, unique ideas growing. Please, send us your pictures and links!
As if we needed further proof that a can of paint can inject a whole lotta fun into the norm, we received this email from Eve. It made us very happy. And not just because we’re totally flattered that she gained inspiration from us (crazy), but because it works both ways. Her grey on yellow combo is a favorite of ours, and we’re totally enamored by that city mural, too. Here’s what she had to say:
My husband and I are both graduate students living on a string budget and I’m always showing him your DIY projects that are creative and accessible. In fact, your bathroom mirror redo inspired me to redo a crafty rendition of a full length mirror in Martha Stewart’s yolk color! The long mirror was the first one I attempted and did not feel brave enough about my craftsman abilities so I didn’t do the studs on the mirror (even though I loved the look of it).
Before reading your blog, I had never before entertained the idea of a yellow mirror and now I have three. I love that they were once all drab in color but a fresh coat of Martha’s Yolk brought them right back to life. Unfortunately, I don’t have before pictures but the [grouping of] two mirrors are thrift store / estate sale finds for $5 and the full length mirror was a discontinued IKEA as-is find for $15! Thank you so much for showing us how to look beyond the blah and continue to inspire us to bring some sunshine into our little humble student abode. Seriously, who needs the fancy stuff right? -Eve
Eve, we couldn’t agree more. Fancy shmancy; who cares? We love your mirrors – all three! – and I’m now reminded that we must go to the flea markets, and soon. On the list: Mirrors. And frames. Oh, and a can of paint for the drive home.
Thank you, Eve!
My inbox is constantly overwhelmed with Daily Candy Swirl deals, and generally – being the penny pincher I am – I delete the emails with not so much as a glance to what’s in store. So who knows why one day, fate maybe, I read one of them. It was well over a month ago, and I saw this guy on my monitor (from Edie Rose by Rachel Bilson, Macy’s):
I had a $9 store credit burning a hole in my pocket, and with the sale price (even when you add the ridonk shipping), it seemed worth it. I was in love. During the whole euphoric check out process (I was getting a peacock, after all! With a lid and everything!), I must have completely ignored every warning sign that pointed to back order.
By then I had sealed the deal, and I was sad. Waiting a month took away every bit of joy out of that moment. Scott consoled me with promises of unexpected packages in my future, you know, all “you’ll forget you even ordered it by then. It’ll be just like Christmas all over!” Pfft.
But, um, he knows me well. It came, and I really had forgotten. The perfect, heavenly box was waiting for me last week, and the angels sang, too. It was so worth every twelve dollars and every last forty-four pennies.
Of course I’m totally thinking how darn cute it’ll be alongside our pet portraits (among other things) – rather than for any practical uses such as sugar or tea. Although, the kitchen is just steps away, so that could kind of work, too.
Also, maybe I’m behind the times or what have you, but was this designed by the same Rachel Bilson of The O.C. notoriety? Who knows the answer; for real? I miss Summer and Sandy, and don’t even get me started on Seth. For having admitted all of that, I’m sure hoping it is the R.B., and not a well-known-by-all-but-me designer by the same name. Because that would be embarrassing.
Btw, if you’re as smitten as us, you’ll want to know the Edie Rose sale ends soon – most items are back to full price by March 27th.
After Jack ate his Molly Mutt (a sad, untimely puppy lunch before he really knew any better), we made do with an on-hand Ikea floor cushion as a makeshift doggie bed. Jack mostly didn’t mind, and after a few weeks, he learned to accept his new bed, especially after realizing we weren’t about to shell out more cash for another large, pit bull-sized body pillow. And we loved the double duty action of bed-slash-extra-seat for friendly pop-ins.
But over the course of the last year, our little man slowly nibbled away at the corners of his doggie cover. The faded fabric was beginning to show it’s age anyway, and after misting his favorite hot spots with Grannick’s Bitter Apple spray and band-aiding the corners with a small stitch when necessary, we knew it was time to update Jack’s digs. Soon enough, I found myself on a mission to make him a new cover (with the help of a friend’s sewing machine and patience). Luckily, the pillow form was still in perfect shape.
The original plan was to purchase 2 yards of cheap-ish fabric, so if Jack’s nibble urges get the best of him again (and only time will tell), we wouldn’t be out mucho dinero. But when shopping for said fabric at Ikea, I stumbled upon this orange, velvety cover for all of 15 bones. With my selection of fabrics averaging at $8.99/yard, it only made sense to save my time and energy – not to mention I have an extreme lack of sewing skills and inability to add a working zipper.
And when it comes to Jack’s bed, no one ever said it had to be so doggone (oh, look at that) literal. No cheeky, dancing chew bones on baby blue fabric for us. Not that we have problems with spritely chew bones. But with a living space as small as ours, we’re able to incorporate the vibrant pillow as part of our already… well, vibrant decor. Because to sum it up, our pets and furnishings don’t always mix, but we sure do try.
Our little man tends to use his bed as just that – a bed – and typically for nighttime sleeping only. Because it doesn’t scream, ooh, I’m a dog bed!, we love that it has more than one use. During lazy weekends and early evening dinner gatherings, it still works double time as extra seating for pals, and the fun burst of color makes us happy. When not in use, we layer it under our coffee table, adding texture and depth to the room. It’s a win-win for us and the pup.
PS – Just a friendly reminder that all purchases through our Etsy Shop will receive 10% off using code SORTANEW10 through the end of today. Thank you all for your continued support!
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by Scott
I made a terrarium last summer, complete with polymer clay birds, hedgehogs and a gnome. Moss is a really easy plant in the terrarium.
http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2010/08/18/terrific-terrarium/
Amanda, cute! Maybe we’ll attempt to make our own little figurines – great idea!
I haven’t been bitten by the terrarium bug yet, but I may be if you add army men to yours! Haha
i love the idea! i’ve been trying to get some air plants into our house (even more low maintenance), but they don’t have room for army men :-)
Scott – You ARE experienced at this. Don’t you remember the terrarium you made in Cub Scouts? It lasted several years.
Ha! I was just telling Kim about that the other day… didn’t you eventually transplant some of the mini ivy to another pot?
I just hope we can keep things alive this time!
Army men and a small tank! Yes!