Monday, May 21, 2012

Pretty Plant Tags for my Feeble Brain.


I have a problem.
You see, when it came to inheriting certain traits and qualities,
somehow, I missed the organizational ones that both my parents seem to have.


I have piles of these:



which I can't always match to these:


When I want to dig something up,
I can't remember what is what.


Wanting more substantial markers,
I saw the idea to use silverware as markers.

I picked up the supplies
and found that stainless steel is just too hard to take the lettering.



I found these mismatched pieces for inexpensive prices at a local antique store...


and they worked well.




although it does take some trial and error.
I found that 5 very quick even taps worked better 
than trying to take big swings, 
risking needed thumbnails.


 




 

This cat makes me laugh the way she manages to get into my pictures.


 I also found these for super cheap at a second hand store.


 I painted the spoons in some cheerful colors 
and added some images that I found at the Graphics Fairy.

Permanent ink using calligraphy applied the plant names.

 

I sealed them thickly with Modge Podge
but may do a final coat of polyerthane before I release them to the wild.



 Hopefully, no little hands will steal them away.




Now while wandering around and asked what a certain plant is...



I'll be able to answer.



See now, there is hope for my organizational problems...

at least in my gardens.


Linking up to:


Homespun Happenings

17 comments:

  1. What a great way to go! And it adds to the beauty of the plant, too.

    =)

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    1. Thank you, Sue! Now if I could just remember what everything is...:)

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  2. Great idea and very frugal....LOVE IT!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! Yes, I wish I could claim having thought of it myself...but I have Pinterest to credit for it. :)

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  3. Oh, those painted spoons are darlings! That's what I call creativity!

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  4. lol I feel like that too sometimes. scatterbrained! Pretty spoons! Love, Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations

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  5. Great idea! Mod Podge is great for so many things :) I love your silver pulmonaria it really like the spot its in.

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    Replies
    1. Ooooh, pulmonaria is a favorite! And Mod Podge is, too! :)

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  6. Thanks so much for linking up to my party! :) I really need to make markers for my plants too!

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    1. I love your parties! :) I hope your garden is doing great!!!

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  7. Very clever and very pretty. You may have given me an idea for my herbs.

    I like the silver spoon idea for the trees and plants.


    Kelly

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    Replies
    1. Yes, if I could find enough silver spoons, I think I would have used just those; but they are harder to find for so many different plants. I hope you get a change to make some! :)

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  8. These are so very clever! Love it. I'm dying to stamp something soon ... Just need to get me a kit. And thanks for the 5 medium taps. I, too, worry about my thumbs ...

    :)

    Linda

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    Replies
    1. Your welcome. And thank you for your fun comment! :)

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  9. So beautiful! I saw something similar to these in a store in town--I think she puts some sort of "stain" or ink on them after she does the metal punching, so it seeps into the lettering and makes it stand out some more. I really really want to do this. Where did you find your metal letter punches?? I'm so excited to find someone else who has done this!

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    Replies
    1. I found the punches (and the little hammer) at Harbor Freight Tools. They have a website, but we have a store in town. They often have coupons, too. The stamp set was around $7. Yes, I have seen it with ink also. I have some permanent calligraphy ink I thought about using, but I make such a mess of my fingers when I use that for stuff like this. I'm hoping they'll tarnish some in the markings...maybe? :) If not, perhaps someday I can don some gloves and go get 'em done.

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