Friday, June 8, 2012

upcycled tire planters

UPDATED VERSIONS:



 Sparkly Pink- cuz we all need a little glitter,even in the garden
 The Ladybug, this planter is so big, it dwarfs most of my little plants

 Purple Pansy




I just love the shape of this copper one!
 





A couple of weeks ago, someone dumped a lot of tires in the empty lot across from our home.

My wonderful hubby asked if there wasn't something I could do with them, because they were such an eye sore and he thought maybe I could use them as a planter and a ladder (because our children and the kids next door love to scale the brick wall and talk to each other.


Of course, once an idea is in my head I can't let it go and I never go simple. So I decided they needed to be cut and turned inside out. Just that easy right. When I looked on line there are not that many people who post about projects with tires. (if You do and I didn't see it I am sorry! I only have the patience of a 2 year old for researching something!) But the one post I found to be helpful is found here

http://www.wuvie.net/tireplanter.htm from Karen Manasco of Wuv'n Acres Gardens



I decided to use an old steak knife that we have had for years, drew a pattern with a red dixie cup for the petaled ones and just a straight cut for the others. I have not as of yet made a stepping planter for the kids to climb and us to plant in, but am having fun with these. Apparently they are the best thing to grow potatoes and tomatoes in this area. Lots of people have used tire planters before and a few people had grandparents who even cut there's like flowers, but no one here has seen them painted.


As for turning them inside out, Steve (wonderful hubby who groans when I get in project mode, but often is the reason I have a project - l this one is a perfect example) and I played twister for 20-30 minutes for each of these plus one more. I have now found out that most tire shops have a machine that will do this for you- you just have to ask! So when I decide to build my staircase planter, that is what I will do!

maxi dress

I am on a maxi dress kick right now. My girls have tons of t shirts that have stains on the belly or side, but the tops in great condition. I just can't bear to part with things that can be used- Take the red polkadot material above, probably from the late 70"s. I used it to make this maxi dress and have 2 more almost complete. I made cute little rosettes to pin on. The dresses are super light weight and have been a hit for church, since we have had blistering high 90s an 100s for the last few weeks and church is in the afternoon.! Maybe if I actually get the hang of this blogging thing I will put up a tutorial. As it is just getting a pic of the finished product and writing a blip seems to take so much time and I feel like I am using project time to post. Why can't I be superwoman and do it all??? Oh well, time to play with my kiddos.

Headboard from a bed

Here's our latest project- I saw an bed frame that had been abandoned and had been in my friends garage for the last 5 or 6 years and I just knew I could make a seat for our large flagstone patio. I brought it home and my poor husband just groaned and complained as it sat on our back porch for the last month. I really wanted his help- I can come up with ideas all day long and I can always picture the finished product, but he is the fundamental designer. He can see my construction flaws and can make anything work, if I tell him what I want, so my big projects are always a 2 man team.
He could not see my vision and was really dragging his feet, but I finally just dragged him out on Tuesday and put it together like a puzzle, so he coud see what I wanted. Between the two of us, we designed a system of interlocking wood using dowels, screws and brackets. So far this project has cost us.... Ready.... nothing. The bed was free and the 2 x6 were on a sidewalk covered in concrete from laying a foundation. I have 2 different sanders and have brought it all together- Even my 5 year old has been helping as she loves to feel the holes with wood putty and smooth them out. I will finish sanding, primer and some distressed paint and I am gonna have a winner! My hubby is so much happier with this project that I think he is willing to make some more with me! Yippeeeeee me!