Introduction: If you have tried to keep weeds down with a weed block mat in the past, you may have discovered its shortcomings. When the cheap, plastic stuff from the box stores fails, you may have tried the more expensive commercial-grade landscape fabric. It looks great for a while. Then, after a few years, you… Continue reading How to Keep Weeds Down for a Beautiful Border
From Bicycle to the Garden: Meet the artist
MIAG Artist Series For Cathe Grosshandler, an avid mountain biker, it was important to be able to take care of herself on the trail. Chain issues, cables, brakes or flat tires. Nuts and bolts that shake loose. Anything could happen. If her bike broke down, she wanted to be able to fix it. “There’s a… Continue reading From Bicycle to the Garden: Meet the artist
How to Create the Perfect Rustic Garden
The Rustic Garden Garden Design Series Ah, the rustic garden! It just feels so relaxed and down to earth. Kind of “homey”, yet charming in its own unassuming way. It’s actually one of the most budget friendly yard and garden designs and quite easy to accomplish with materials you probably already have laying around house… Continue reading How to Create the Perfect Rustic Garden
How to Make a Scarecrow Everyone Will Love
What comes to mind when you think of a scarecrow? Maybe’s it’s Dorothy’s friend from the Wizard of Oz. But in recent years, scarecrows have taken on some surprisingly human-like character
The Best Dish Flowers by Make It A Garden
A showcase of inspiration and design MIAG Artist Series Do they spin? That’s the No.1 question I’m asked at craft fairs where my best dish flowers are on display. Some people have never seen garden art like this before and are naturally curious. My sense of humor gets the best of me as I recall… Continue reading The Best Dish Flowers by Make It A Garden
Simple Ways to Beautify Fences in Your Landscape
Fences! Whether wood or chain link, they’re a cross between the good, the bad and the ugly. The good part is that they serve a useful purpose. They define property lines, keep pets and children in, and riff-raff out. But they’re not always the most attractive. Yet, there it is, right in your line of… Continue reading Simple Ways to Beautify Fences in Your Landscape
The Inspiration and Artistry behind “People of the Dish”
Making cute figurines out of dishware Artist’s Note: This is not a step by step tutorial, per se. While there is explanation of the process, it’s more about the inspiration and artistic qualities that go into creating figurines I like to call “The People of the Dish”. It includes some useful insights so reading this,… Continue reading The Inspiration and Artistry behind “People of the Dish”
Meet Alaska’s Wildflowers in Summer
Come see what’s blooming in my yard Meet Alaska’s wildflowers in Summer. Perhaps you expected forget-me-nots in the top photo. After all, they are Alaska’s state flower. But the wild rose (prickly rose, rosa acicularis) is much more prominent throughout the state as well as around my home. You won’t have to scroll very far… Continue reading Meet Alaska’s Wildflowers in Summer
From Kitchen to Garden: Trivets Make Pretty Decor
The artistry of finding and using little things GARDEN DECOR SERIES: Trivets Make Pretty Decor Little things can have a big impact in your garden and trivets make pretty decor. We usually think of trivets in conjunction with the kitchen. But cast iron or stainless steel trivets make wonderful garden art. The trick is learning… Continue reading From Kitchen to Garden: Trivets Make Pretty Decor
How to Make Easy Dish Flowers Out of Pie Tins
Garden Art that’s light and cheerful You can do this! Love those whimsical dish flowers but not the weight of multiple glass and ceramic plates? Well, then, why not make dish flowers out of pie tins? You probably already have most everything you need to make one. Best of all, no special tools or know… Continue reading How to Make Easy Dish Flowers Out of Pie Tins