Search results (tags) for: "plants"

The Everlasting Garden: Easy Tips for Drying Flowers

2008-09-12T11:21:00Z

Leaves are already turning red and gold, reminding us fall is quickly approaching. This year, why not save some of your garden's splendor to liven up those dark winter months?

Beautiful and natural dried flowers are a lovely and inexpensive alternative to fresh bouquets: Lavender and roses especially give off a natural perfume and last a surprisingly long time. Dried flowers also make wonderful gift toppers for your holiday packages. If you don't garden, visit your local farmer's market or even a pretty nearby field for a bounty of beautiful fresh flowers and grasses. Try these three easy techniques to dry a variety of common garden flowers and then have fun with easy arrangement ideas to display your treasures.

Firstly, remember to harvest flowers when they're at their peak. Plants past their prime do not make good candidates for drying or preserving and could rot or infect the rest of your supply. Harvest flowers in the early morning or a cool evening when they're nice and perky and haven't been tired out by the sun.

Technique 1: Air Drying
This is the simplest method and produces lovely bouquets suitable for arrangements. Simply gather cut flowers, strip most of the bottom foliage, and bind small to medium sized bunches together with a rubber band. The band will contract as the flowers begin to dry and shrink. Hang upside down in a well ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Be sure to leave room between drying bunches for air to freely circulate. You can hang the flowers from wire coat hangers, clothes lines, ropes: just about anything will work. The drying process will take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, depending on humidity levels in your region. When flowers are completely dry you should store them flat, wrapped in tissue paper in cardboard boxes or ventilated plastic storage containers. Expect flowers to shrink by 50% or more and to fade and darken in color. It's fun to see the lovely vintage hues you can create by drying lighter colors. Choose a dark, fairly cool location for long term storage. The best flowers for this method include: roses, larkspur, strawflowers, grasses, herbs, lavender, tansy and yarrow.

Technique 2: Drying Flowers with Silica Gel
If you want a more accurate rendition of your prize flowers you might want to experiment with silica gel. A sandy-like substance, it's a preserving medium appropriate for sturdier plants such as roses, zinnias and some dahlias: Fragile blooms with thin petals probably won't survive this method. You can find silica gel at any larger craft store that carries floral products. The trick is to prepare a large container with enough granules to completely bury your flower. After a few days — up to week in some cases — you should gently remove the bloom and carefully dust off any powdery residue to reveal a lovely dried flower. Like the air dry method above, colors will tend to change with this technique as well — count on at least a few shades darker than the original hue. Also, silica may be "recycled" and used over and over. The best flowers for this method include: roses, zinnias, dahlias, daisies and peonies.

Technique 3: From Fresh to Dried in a Vase
Some flowers are great candidates for the simplest drying method of all. Hydrangea is a great example for this method. Harvest fully developed hydrangea heads in late summer or early fall — you'll know they're ready when they feel papery to the touch. Arrange the stalks in a vase with water and simply let the water evaporate. In most cases, your flowers will remain upright and look perky even though they're starting to dry. After a few weeks you can work with them or simply leave as a beautiful decoration. The best choices for this method include baby's breath, pearly everlasting, bachelor's button, and hydrangea.

Keep these simple tips in mind to prolong the life of your dried flowers. Make sure to display away from direct sunlight and high humidity — both elements will fade and/or break down flowers quickly. Of course, always display your arrangement well away from any flame source. Most dried flowers are best suited for indoor use — wind and sun can ruin a pretty display quickly.

Here are a few more tips for different flower arrangements!

To make a simple swag: Lay out your favorite dried grasses and flowers vertically. Working in roughly a diamond shape, begin to gather them until you have a pleasing amount. Use raffia or ribbon to tie them off. Display and enjoy.

To make a simple gift topper: Create tiny bouquets of sturdy botanicals. Gather a few sticks and/or cones. Wrap gift and glue flower "arrangement" to top.

To create an easy arrangement: Allow hydrangea, baby's breath and or grasses to dry naturally in a vase.

Get busy with your garden and see what path nature takes!

Looking for more natural How-Tos? Check out How-To Make Natural Dye with the Etsy Labs!

News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: June 26, 2008

2008-06-26T14:23:00Z

Summer vacation: mine approaches! This week's installment of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere is full of excitement. I got to see the new Buckminster Fuller and Paul McCarthy exhibits at the Whitney, which I'm so pumped to share with you! There are also some great new artists and blogs on the scene ripe for the pickin', delicate summer fashion, mid-century home decor and some of the usual blogosphere fare.

Read on!

Design Milk clued me into the amazing work of Ernesto Burgos. So cool! Check it out.

Looking to define your summer aesthetic? Abby Try Again has some great inspirations! It's all lace and slips and feminine delicacy. I can most definitely get down with this.

I had an opportunity to get a sneak peak at the Buckminster Fuller exhibition, "Starting With the Universe," opening today at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. If you're in the area, it's a definite must see. That man's brain is truly something to marvel at. Read more about the exhibition in The New Yorker.

This apartment "before and after" was really not looking so terrible in the first place. However, the owner totally took this place to the next level, simplified the excess knick knacks and made all the elements work. I want to live there! [Via Apartment Therapy LA]

Wonting has such good taste! This scarf by Little Factory is laser cut uppercase letters. Tres chic! Keep your eye on Wonting's blog: it's definitely worth a look.

A Print A Day has been totally into terrariums recently. I can't say that the Storque disagrees! We're pretty plant addicted over here.

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Etsy Finds: Mini Moss Terrarium

2008-06-25T12:00:00Z

Let me preface this by saying that I am a terrible gardener. Even "easy to grow" plants die under my care. I once had a cactus jump out the window: apparently my black thumb was so bad, it decided defenestration was a preferable fate. (Although I secretly think the cat had something to do with it.) And we won't talk about the time I fed my Venus fly trap steak...

Madebymavis clearly sympathizes with me: her moss jars look so robust even I couldn't mess one up. And the self-contained terrarium is perfect for bringing some greenery to a small apartment. The description says:

"requires very little care, just leave it in a room with bright indirect sunlight. Water every 2-3 weeks and whatever you do, don't over water! This little jar will take care of itself."

That is the sort of plant care I can get behind.

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Plants Subcategory on Etsy | Outdoor Subcategory on Etsy | EtsyPHAT Team | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Finds: Vintage Planters

2008-06-13T09:28:00Z

I've recently become totally obsessed with plants. (Despite my persistent black thumb.) If I had my way, I'd fill my apartment to the brim with every type of plant possible. (As I always say, who doesn't want to live in the jungle?) Until that day comes, I'm happy to tend my little window gardens with all the succulents I can conceivably keep alive. Now I'm looking for homes for all my little plant babies, and Etsy Vintage delivers the goods. Vintage planters, ho!

Pink Planter. Vintage Cottage Style Planter.

What a classy lookin' planter! Pink is where it's at. At funkeyfinds, $9.

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Cute Owl Planter

This is the most realistic looking owl I've ever seen. So good! Find it in wlove, $40.

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vintage turtle planter

This little turtle is willing to take on the brunt of your wildlife. Let him babysit your plant babies! He's responsible! At vintagegoodies, $16.50.

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Scalloped green vintage planter

Abbey of hownowdesign has the most discerning eye. This planter is by far my favorite. Mint green is my new fave! $20.

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Italian Ceramic Footed Planter

How about some bold coral? This planter could easily become my new favorite piece of decor. Plant some bright flowers and you're set. At deadbirdfinds, $28.

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Modern pebble planter

This is a great contemporary piece. Very nice! At bluebellbazaar, $24.

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Vintage Kitchy Pipe

If you're going to get serious about plants, you're going to have to get unserious about planters. This one would look great with a succulent tucked inside. Precious pipe! At FunkydevazVintage, $10.

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Vintage Kitty Planter

If you're not the vivacious tiger type, this demure kitten should suit you. So earnest! At Ortolan, $20.

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Vintage Gold TIGER by American Bisque Pottery FIGURAL PLANTER

Roar! This sassy tiger is just waiting to be your next conversation piece. Get it while it's hot! Over in lovenestdesign, $17.

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News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere: June 12, 2008

2008-06-12T13:56:00Z

It's hot like fire in Brooklyn, so I'm seeking solace in air conditioning and the internets. Looking at photos of well coiffed people gives me hope that I won't always look like a hot mess. Only three more months of this crazy summer!

This week, I have many posts for your consideration: plants, Swedish interiors, jazz age styling, needlepoint, and perhaps an adorable animal?

Read on!

Refinery29's Pipeline put together a great piece on the return of needlepoint. ("Don't call it a comeback!") I just love these style and inspiration collages, don't you?

I am currently very obsessed with succulents. I've started a small collection at my house, and I've managed to keep most of them alive! (Not that that's hard or anything...I just have a bit of a "black thumb.") Apartment Therapy put together a great list of the ten best succulents. Informative and visually stimulating!

This past weekend, revelers gathered for a 1920's, jazz age lawn party on New York's Governor's Island. Styles were off the charts! [Via The Sartorialist]

As Desire to Inspire put it, "Those Swedes!" When it comes to design and style, they put the rest of the world to shame. Check out these Swedish interiors.

There's a new issue of N.E.E.T. magazine, hot off the virtual press! Read it here.

Boing Boing TV's Xeni Jardin recently sat down with David Byrne to discuss his latest project, which transforms an empty New York City building into a giant musical instrument. So amazing! View the video for more details.

And finally, Dumpling the tennis playing pup. Adorbs! [Via Cute Overload]

Wanna give me some more artsy, style or design blogs to peruse? Leave them in the comments! And check out past installments of News From the Craft + Style Blogosphere!

Earth Tones Tip: Self-Watering Garden Planters care of Instructables

2008-05-30T11:00:00Z

This week's Earth Tones Tip comes care of aperkins01096 on Instructables, which is a very useful site full of user-generated photo how-tos. This how-to covers how to convert milk jugs into self-watering garden planters. Super easy, and a great way to recycle! Click on the image below to get the full tutorial!

For more Earth friendly content, check out our continued coverage of the Earth Tones series.

EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Earth Tones: Terrariums

2008-05-15T13:16:00Z

Terrariums are a fun rainy day activity. Bring a little of the outdoors in! If you have little ones, think of it an at-home science project to teach kids about the environment, as well as a welcome decor change from the usual cut flowers. And if you don't have a backyard (or don't have the nerve to guerrilla garden), you can still have greenery.

Etsy vintage sellers offer some nice glass jars too (you can now search just for vintage items in the drop-down search bar). See below for some options.

Etsian and blogger CityDirt wrote about how terrariums transport you to a mini world —

That's part of the terrarium's appeal. It's a mysterious little microclimate that makes you think of jungles or deserts. Another appeal is that they are very self-sustaining. The moisture creates its own "rain cycle," so they rarely need to be watered and many do well in low light.

Here's a how-to from her blog citydirt...Or rather, how not to make a terrarium. Learn from her mistakes!

First, I purchased glass containers. The small globe is from Sprout Home, the square bowl is from Jamali Garden Supplies and the darker glass is hand blown by artisans in San Miguel de Allende.

I purchased some of the smallest plants I could find, including Oxalis, Maiden Hair Fern, Evergemiensis Fern, a Red Vein Fittonia, and some moss. (At this point you might be noting that my plants are a little big for my glass containers. I wasn't yet aware of this.)

Here, I've added way too many pebbles. I then added too much charcoal, and by the time I added the soil mixed with a little sphagnum moss, it was too deep. So I had to go back and take out the soil, remove some charcoal, and some pebbles.

Almost all the plants I bought were too big to fit into the globe, so I ended up filling it with moss and a few oxalis.

The ferns, moss, Fittonia, and Oxalis are essentially crammed into these. They aren't the tropical landscapes I was hoping for. Though, I kind of like them; I felt a Victorian Era-type fetish of wanting to cram all of my plants into glass jars...

But next time I make a terrarium, it will be with little plants and big containers.

Plants Subcategory on Etsy | Outdoor Subcategory on Etsy | EtsyPHAT Team | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Finds: Green Green Grass

2008-05-12T10:06:00Z

I spent my first Mother's Day wandering around with my small family in the city and going to parks. And by parks I mean concrete enclaves with colorful metal junglegyms and swingsets and basketballs. Which are, in a way, the total definition of fun. But when I sat down to look for items for today's Etsy Find, these upcycled handmade envelopes (see below) caught my eye and I couldn't stop reminiscing about the grassy suburban lawns of my childhood. The suburbs may be boring or creepy or removed from reality but I miss coming home at night all warm and itchy from hours of perfecting cartwheels in my best friend's backyard. If you live in a place where you can walk barefoot outside without catching a disease, I jealously dedicate this to you.

Side-opening Recycled Envelopes - upcycled from eco-junkmail/catalogues - set of 10

Recycled junkmail becomes grassy picture envelopes. By Sanguinaria, $12.

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Green garden Pillow-cover, vintage fabric

The first pillow I ever bought on Etsy (the first of the eleventyhundred pillows I've bought, because I have an addiction to them) for the Etsy Labs was this bright flowery number. By absoluut, $25.

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Yellow - 8x8 photo

Everything in this shop is so secretly magical. By ErinTyner, $24.

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Kelly

Necklace by luxedeluxe, $38.

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Yellow Lawn Chair

Print of an original painting by groundwork, $20.

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Apples Come in All Sorts of Colors

Ahh, how I love multi-strand jewelry lately. Bracelet by aPeace4you, $55.

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Floral Design - Antique Block Printed Ladies Sheer Jersey 3/4 Sleeve Boat Neck (Select Size)

By BuntaBlock, $30.

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garden ring

It's amazing that this is polymer clay; it looks almost like painted wood. Ring by saltandpaper, $26.

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hamster in wonderland

Words cannot describe how much I love this. Imagine if this were hanging next to your desk right now. Even time you felt bummed or sick of work or irritated with your clients you could just take five and stare at it. By niandra, $14.

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okay, here ya go:

Earth Tones: Growin' Guerrilla Style

2008-05-09T13:02:00Z

We've all seen that corner lot that's nothing but baked dirt and the occasional mound of trash surrounded by a guardrail. Some people pass by without a glance. Some people wonder why the city doesn't pick up the trash. Some people wish that someone would build something there. Some people think it'd be nice if they turned it into a park. Then there are the misfits...the gardening guerrillas. They see that empty plot that belongs to no one and start planning. Mission: cultivate!

Guerrilla gardening has been around for ages and has recently started making a comeback. People are turning abandoned, ugly plots of land into productive spaces, on the sly, all across the globe. Be it fruit trees or flowers, these plots are being reclaimed to benefit the environment and the local culture.

Studies have shown that things like litter and empty lots all negatively impact a community and that places like parks and public gardens are a positive change that can be made. A growing (pun intended) form of urban renewal happens to be planned community gardens on abandoned lots, but many areas haven't adopted the practice quite yet. A lot of times, plots stand unused and unmaintained because of red tape, ordinances, and general disbelief, but guerrilla gardening bypasses those factors. A handful of sunflower seeds scattered across a muddy back corner of an abandoned parking lot creates a bit of brightness in an otherwise bleak landscape.

Possible future community garden by technicolorcavalry on flickr.

Now just think what could happen when the trash was picked up and a can of wildflower mix was sown. Imagine casually throwing a handful of watermelon seeds into that drainage ditch you walk on the way to the bus and watching someone pull out a fat melon weeks later. Fast and easy and, oh, so satisfying.

But that satisfaction can be ended in one fatal swoop of a county mower. There's nothing so heartbreaking as finding out that your plantings have been removed or destroyed, for whatever reason, but take heart! They probably didn't go unnoticed. It's the price one pays for investing their time and energy into clandestine activities, but there are ways to help ensure the survival of your plantings.

Carefully observe an area for activity. It's a good hint that, if the area hasn't been mowed and garbage isn't picked up, you've got a place that someone probably won't mind being decorated a bit.
Use plants that are native or easily naturalized so that your plantings will last without constant care. Remember that "easily naturalized" doesn't mean invasive — avoid exotic invasives.
Start little and see what you can get away with. If that plot that hasn't been mown in two years suddenly gets cut when your wildflowers start blooming, it's a pretty good bet that more involved plantings won't survive.

greenthing, a big proponent of guerrilla gardening, has this terrific sign to leave as a calling card.

Mix seeds with peat moss or potting soil to give them something to germinate in. This is best if you don't have luck with random scatterings of seeds.
Avoid areas that are carefully maintained by landscapers. (Unless there's an area that they consistently miss.)
Make others aware. If there's a person who lives across the street from an abandoned lot, either make a concerted effort to work around their time schedule to avoid confrontation or let them know that you're across from their house planting stuff. This will help you avoid neighborhood watches and possible police encounters.

Do it and own it. Guerrilla gardening serves different purposes for different people, including protest against urbanization, a starvation of good ol' garden therapy or the simple desire to have fresh veggies in the summer. Whatever your purpose, make sure to own it. If someone asks what you're doing sneaking out of the apartment every night, tell them and see if they want to tag along. Build a force in your area to promote the beauty of the natural world.

To promote this subversive activity, the EtsyPHAT (Etsy Plants and Horticultural Arts Team) are going to begin a campaign to distribute seed packs randomly across the country. These seeds will be a special blend made up of seeds from our members. You might find them on park benches, outdoor eating areas, schools, and common areas by the end of May.

Stacy, aka fluffnflowers, gardens for therapy and shares her surplus and seed-grown goodies through Etsy. She lives outside Atlanta, Georgia in high suburbia with her significant other, cat, dog, and two guinea pigs. She strives to drive the neighbors insane with her lack of hedgerows. She spends most of her time outside, except in the summer where it just gets too hot! She blogs about her gardening exploits at fluffnflowers.blogspot.com.

Plants Subcategory on Etsy | Outdoor Subcategory on Etsy | EtsyPHAT Team | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Finds: Moms Love Plants!

2008-05-06T10:15:00Z

One of the traits I hope to inherit from my mother, since I missed out on the "cooking" gene, is her green thumb. I've tried my hand at growing vegetables, in which I mostly utilized a plant-and-pray technique; somehow I had some luck with the tomatoes. But my mom, Flo, sure does know how to keep the foliage happy. Some of the plants at my parent's house are older than I am!

Even with so many great things on Etsy, I still have a hard time shopping for Mommy. But practicality is always something I look for. Something like a beautiful hand thrown planter is a perfect Mother's Day; it's simple, useful and elegant. So here's to all you mommies who like to get your paws dirty!

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Plants Subcategory on Etsy | Outdoor Subcategory on Etsy | EtsyPHAT Team

Etsy Finds: Greetings That Grow

2008-04-17T11:02:00Z

I've become a bit obsessed with indoor gardening lately, so I was so excited when I came across these very eco-friendly cards made by retrowhale. They are all made from biodegradable materials, and the paper itself contains seeds which your friends and family can plant in a pot indoors or add to their outdoor garden. They come in a variety of greetings and seedlings: choose from basil, chive or wildflower seeds. It's a great way to celebrate Earth Day, and send a message that keeps on giving. Your friends and family will think of you everytime they add a little chive to a baked potato or smell the flowers in their garden. Now that's love!

Retrowhale is also a member of the Etsy for Animals team, and 10% of the proceeds go to charities that help save animals. Check out her profile for more info.

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EGCG | Trashion | EcoEtsy | Environmentally Friendly Gift Guides | Earth Tones Series

Etsy Finds: Spring in a Can

2008-04-13T13:39:00Z

For a computer programmer, spring is the worst time of the year. The increasing warmth, colorful buds, and bright green growing things are all signs that the season is changing quickly. No longer can I sit comfortably inside, gazing out the window at the cold, feeling lucky I have a job that keeps me indoors. No, spring is a time of great guilt.

Fortunately, with help from a few great Etsy sellers, this year I can bring a little spring indoors with me. Dandeedesigns makes it easy and beautiful with her 'Spring in a Can' grass growing project. This small kit contains everything needed to have a lovely living, breathing bushel of grass in just a few weeks. Just open the lid, pop in the seeds, water appropriately, and in no time at all I'll be welcoming the new buds (oh, and don't forget sunlight, programmers).

There are many sellers offering high quality, hand picked heirloom seeds from their gardens.

Herbs possess magical properties, from cleaning the air around you, to invigorating your senses with their complex organics. Stuck on a bug? Try a pinch of mint. Having a hard time with the forums? Break off a small stem of rosemary. Looking for some creative new idea? Sprinkle some lavender on your head.

I'm looking forward to watching the progress of my own private garden. Having herbs within reach of the keyboard will also be a great reminder that not all things begin after one presses the power button.

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Handmade Weddings: Eco-friendly Flower Ideas with Maria Finn

2008-04-07T14:51:00Z

We invited Maria Finn aka citydirt to share some insights into incorporating plants and flowers into your Handmade Weddings. Maria has written about nature for the New York Times and Audobon, and has also published travel books and taught writing to college students. In addition to being an award-winning author, Maria runs a hands-on, eco-friendly gardening company called Prospect & Refuge, and blogs about the experience at CityDirt.net.

Nobody wants to think of herself as a Bridezilla, but all the details can be daunting — especially if you’re someone who considers her or himself eco-sensitive. Are your wedding flowers filled with pesticides that are polluting the rivers and exploiting workers in Colombia? Does rice thrown for good luck really explode in the stomachs of songbirds? Ahhh, the horror of unintended consequences. Etsy has asked me to make these details a little easier. And since you’re here, reading this, I’m assuming you like things creative and a little funky, so let’s make this wedding planning fun.

Carry an elegant bouquet of white calla lilies wrapped in your grandmother’s handkerchief, or mix together chartreuse and romantic sunset roses, both available from Organic Bouquet. (Remember, you’ll need a few days to let them open, so timing is everything here. And there aren't really any organic fillers, so just go outside and pick some ornamental grass or ivy vines and bind them all together with floral tape and then cover that with ribbon.) To find other Fair Trade flowers vendors click transfairusa.org/content/flowers/index.php.

Centerpieces at the reception don’t even need to be flowers. If you’re Buddhists, you can find statues and incense burners; for bird lovers, place botanicraft's bird houses on the table and scatter dried flowers or petals around them.

Terrariums are glass containers filled with tropical or desert eco-systems, and tres chic these days. Here's a good size: vintage Crushed Fruit Jar.

You can create a natural look by adding pieces of driftwood, shells, or pebbles, or you can add a kitschy bride and groom figurine and mulch with turquoise marbles or red lentils if you’d like. These can really keep a conversation flowing at the in-law table. Go to my blog at www.citydirt.net/city_dirt/how_not_to_make_a_terrarium.html on how to make a terrarium—and what to avoid.

You can also use live plants that can be given away to guests or can be replanted in your yard. Small bonsai trees make elegant centerpieces and will live for years — decades even. Scour your local China Town for ones already in ceramic dishes. Add a few of gamiworks's Japanese Candle Votives for a touch of color.
Also, OrganicBouquet.com sells California grapevine bonsai’s — so post nuptials, the Newlyweds can start their own vineyard.

If you must have cut flowers — and often we must — go seasonal or go native. WhatsInBloom sells a planning kit to help you know which flowers are available the month of your wedding. For natives, check out the Local Harvest Site to find wildflower venues near you and support growers of native wildflowers. Native plants are heartier, use less water, require fewer pesticides, and they provide food and shelter for our birds, bees, and butterflies. Although, I must admit, I love lavender.

It’s not a native to my Brooklyn area, but lavender is certainly hard to resist. In the Middle Ages, lavender was considered “the herb of love” and lavender bouquets were given to newly-married couples to bring good luck; as well, sprinkling dried lavender flowers in the home was said to bring peacefulness. So plant some live lavender in reclaimed redwood flowerpots, or ipe boxes — such as the ones I sell in my citydirt shop.

For larger bouquets, mix miniature cascading red roses with lavender. Later, turn these into planted pots on your front porch or replant them into window boxes.

As for what to toss at the bride and groom, I’ve got you covered. At my Etsy store here, I sell native wildflower seeds in hand stamped small envelopes. By tossing these, you’re doing all sorts of great stuff for the environment, and seeds are symbolic; there’s something, well, fertile, so to speak.

For more eco-friendly and DIY wedding tips, see Portovert's post, ecochicwedding's post, Craftmagazine's DIY post, plus many others.

Wedding Gift Guide | Wedding Category | Wedding Showcase | Handmade Wedding Series

Etsy Finds: Sprouts

2008-03-21T11:23:00Z

Sprouts for the first day of spring here in Brooklyn!

Even though it's freezing outside and my house has no heat today, after writing this, I'm going to pull on heavy socks and put sweaters on the baby and read her Miranda July's Learning to Love You More until the warm weather actually arrives.

Happy Equinox!

Bottle Cap Pin - Sprout

By SuzyCat, $5.

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Sprouts

Print by Kaikes12, $35.

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Lilac Sprouts on Brown

By missficklemedia, $8.

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Sprout Earrings

By RalstonDesigns, $30.

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Sprout Handpainted Yarn

By hlmiller, $20.

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Hand Felted Brooch- Sprouts

By KeriRounding, $22.

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Mini Sprout Vase

By whitneysmith, $64.

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Buds

By loopsdesigns, $20.

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Spunky Sprout Note Cards

By supastarr, $8

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Leap into Spring!

2008-02-13T16:30:00Z

These spring inspired items are just the right mixture of bright and cheerful to bring you out of your winter doldrums. (If you're in the northern hemisphere, that is!) Let this green selection reinvigorate your sensibilities and bring some new growth into your life. Time to start thinking about the garden and rain showers! (P.S. It's been pouring all day in Brooklyn!)

What are you planting this spring? What kinds of plants are your favorite? Leave it in the comments!