Make it & Grow it!

Farmers Market Episode of Creative Juice

Picket Fence Planter Made From Paint Stir Sticks

You don’t need a backyard to grow fresh herbs. This picket fence planter box turns windows and balconies into personal farmers’ markets.

Materials:
planter box (we used a 24" x 6" x 7" box)
30 paint stir sticks
cream craft paint - Folkart
DecoArt Antiquing Stain medium
paint brushes
3⁄4" finishing nails
hammer
pencil
ruler
potting soil
mint plants

1. Measure the box to determine how many paint stir sticks will be needed, assuming they are placed approximately 1" apart. Mark the placement of each stick on the box using a ruler and pencil.

2. Paint the planter and the sticks with a mixture of equal parts DecoArt Antiquing Stain medium and cream craft paint.

3. Place a stick flush against the work surface and against the planter. Mark the points on each stick where they will be nailed to the planter. We marked each stick at the 1-1/2" and the 5" mark.

4. Use a hammer to tap a finishing nail into each stick at the designated points.

5. Line up each stick with the marks on the planter and finish pounding the nail through, attaching the sticks to the planter. To line the ends up easily, place the end and center piece sticks first and fill in with the remaining sticks.

6. Fill the planter with potting soil and plant the mint. Water and enjoy watching your mint garden grow.

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Organic Garden Markers

These aren’t your ordinary garden-variety markers. Using copper wires and a wood-burning tool, we add a creative touch to any garden.
Materials:
twigs or branches, purchased at a home décor store or found
coping saw
utility knife
pencil
wood burning tool
wood burning tip – fine point
decorative wood branding tips
22 gauge cooper wire
beads
jewelry wire cutters

1. Use a coping saw to cut branches in 1' lengths.

2. Approximately 7" from the end of each branch, using a utility knife, whittle layers from the branches. Continue whittling until there is a flat slant of planed wood exposed along 7" of each branch wide enough to fit lettering.

3. Write the name of the plant vertically on the exposed wood, leaving some space at the top and bottom for decorative branding. Use the wood burning tool and a fine tip to burn the letters into the wood.

4. Let the wood burning tool cool completely. Change the tip to a decorative branding tip and re-heat the tool. Brand the wood above and below the lettering.

5. Wrap copper wire three times around the top of the branches, above the lettering. Add a small loop at the end of the wire to prevent sharp ends. Add beads. Continue wrapping, being careful to place the wire between the letters, to keep the letters legible. Add more beads and wrap the wire three times at the bottom of the twig. Snip off excess wire. Add a small loop to prevent sharp ends.

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Funky Garden Gloves and Apron

Spice up your garden attire with a little fabric paint and flowers.

Materials:
plain canvas apron
green fabric dye
Folkart Fabric Paint - Green
paint brushes
vinyl in three colors
small cup (or something else to use to trace a circle)
pen or pencil
scallop shears
sequins
small glass beads
embroidery floss
needle
scissors
pink ruffle lace trim
sewing machine
green garden gloves
Folkart Fabric Paint - pink
Folkart Fabric Paint - yellow
pearlizing medium
pencil with intact eraser
large rhinestone
jewel glue

1. Apron -- dye the apron green according to package instructions and let dry. Fabric dyes work best on natural fibers such as cotton and linen, as well as rayon. Blends such as cotton/polyester will also work, but, the resulting color will be lighter than indicated on the dye package. Most types of fabric dye will not work on 100% polyester fabrics.

2. Using a straight stitch on a sewing machine, attach lace trim along the top edge of the apron and fold under the ends. Use a needle that is appropriate for the type of fabric being sewn – we used a needle that can handle heavier fabrics.

3. Use a circular object to trace a circle on the back of the vinyl. Cut the circle out using scallop shears – the circle will become a flower. Thread a needle with embroidery floss and holding the flower in position, sew it down in the center, adding a sequin and a bead. If the apron has pockets, be sure to sew through just the top layer of the pocket. Repeat these steps to make two more flowers.

4. Paint stems for each flower with green fabric paint.

5. Gloves -- using a straight stitch on a sewing machine, attach lace to the cuff of each glove. Be sure to use the appropriate needle in your sewing machine – these gloves are suede; we used a leather needle.

6. Mix one part pearlizing medium to one part yellow fabric paint and paint a ring band across one of the glove fingers. Let the paint dry before gluing a large rhinestone to the center of the band.

7. Mix one part pearlizing medium to one part pink fabric paint. Use the tip of a pencil eraser to paint dots (a "pearl bracelet") across the wrist of the glove. Decorate the second glove to compliment the first glove. Let the paint dry completely before wearing the gloves.

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Raspberry and Orange Smoothies

Reap the fruits of your labor with these delicious smoothies made with farm-fresh ingredients.

Ingredients:
2 medium oranges, peeled, cut into bite-size pieces (1 cup)
1 c. plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt
1 c. fresh or frozen raspberries
1 tbsp. honey
1 c. crushed ice

1. Place all ingredients, except ice, in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.

2. Add ice, blend briefly and serve.

This recipe makes 4 cups.