Whimsy In Your Yard & Garden, Part Two

mosquito net, backyard hideaway, outdoor shady nook, sleeping in backyard

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Anyone remember when you were a child? Did you ever find a shady place in the yard to build a tree fort or playhouse? We used old sheets. It was great fun to create a special hideaway all your own with a pretend bed, table, windows, and carpet. If the neighbors children were willing, you might play ‘family’.  I always liked being the Mother. This image evoked all those old memories. Now as a grown-up, I want to make my real house a home. I call it ‘nesting’…

As a continuation of Part One, here are some other simple and clever ideas to think on as spring and summer approach. Some are feasible, and others are just for fun! Enjoy!

mailbox planter, wooden planter box for trailing flowers

Line with black plastic and four small drain holes?

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porch lighting, party lights, string of lights

Colorful shades add a neat touch to an temporary outdoor conversation area

birdhouse, DIY recycling project for birds, old shoe, crafting

Easy -to-make DIY project to draw nesting birds to your yard

Wellies, muddy boot holder, DIY entryway project

DIY mud boot tray for the back entry

patio umbrella holder/planter, DIY shady reading area for outdoor living

Create a sheltering nook for reading or conversation

outdoor night lighting, pathway lites, candles in garden, party lights

While not a fan of lots of yard ornaments, this by itself is in good taste

temporary shelters, DIY hideaways and homemaking ideas, camping, outdoor living

An idyllic weekend getaway idea...don't forget the binoculars

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whimsical, vintage, shabby chic door pull, trowel door pull/ handle

I have always wanted to do this on a potting shed

old metal headboard of bed used as garden gate, shabby chic gate, wrought iron gate

Great use for old headboard in your secret garden, perhaps?

candlelight hanging lamp, patio, vintage lighting, non-electric ideas, DIY

Creative recycling for pretty DIY project

Do you enjoy ‘feathering your nest’? Do you have several in your family who are also creative souls? Find an idea you love and brainstorm together to see what you can do. It doesn’t really matter what project you pick; doing it together builds heart strings and lasting memories and serves as a jumping off place for more good times together.

“We are making their memories day by day and year by year, and what they shall be in the future will depend on the home life we are living now. We may make our home a palace, filling it with delights, covering the walls with beautiful pictures, planting flowers to fill the halls and chambers with fragrance, and hanging cages of singing birds everywhere to pour out sweet notes of song; or we may cover the walls with hideous images and ghastly specters to look down upon us, and plant only briers and thorns about the doors to flaunt themselves in our faces when we sit in the gloom of life’s nightfall. We may make the memories of our home so tender, so precious, so sacred, that each life that goes out of our doors shall carry a blessing upon it wherever it moves. Or we may make its memories a perpetual pillow of thorns for our heads, a burden of bitterness and anguish which shall never be lifted or removed.”  ~J.R. Miller, from Home Making

This has been so much fun, I just may do a third installment :) What are your favorites?

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~ Jacqueline

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This entry was posted in Children, Decorating, Garden, Hospitality, Nature, Outdoor Living, Preparedness, Thrift. Bookmark the permalink.

14 Responses to Whimsy In Your Yard & Garden, Part Two

  1. Clint Baker says:

    Love these posts. Thanks for posting them. They give us so many great ideas! God Bless you!

  2. Lana says:

    Thanks for all the great ideas! I love the headboard gate!

  3. Shelby says:

    I LOVE the hanging shades, the plantable mailbox, the headboard gate, the garden tool doorknob, the… oh my.I love everything! Great post!

    • m clark says:

      The mailbox cover is our creation. Hope your bloggers enjoy viewing By the Cottage Door . Nice to be seen!!

      • Jacqueline says:

        Dear M. Clark,
        I had originally found your photo on ‘Two Women and A Hoe’s’ photo log. I am glad to know where they found your photo, and I gave your link as the source. Thanks for letting me know :) Blessings!

  4. Isabella L. says:

    These photos are definitely going to help me with creative ideas, thanks a lot my friend. Success to you!

  5. Élias Sami says:

    Your work is very appreciated by me, I always read your posts. Thanks!

  6. Naomi says:

    Jacqueline, love, love the ideas you shared. I am tucking some of them away so I can make them work in my backyard. Thank you for sharing. Bless you. :o )

  7. I love all the ideas, Jacqueline. I especially love the door handle; clever.

  8. I love the headboard gate, but seeing the basket of candles just instantly inspired me! I have a “hanging fruit basket” that has been collecting dust on my porch for too long (ceilings are too high in current kitchen for it) now I know exactly what to do with it- just have to find the right branch to hang it from and the right candles to put in it! :) Yeah summer entertaining- maybe citronella candles would be a good idea. :)

  9. Carla M. says:

    Wow, such interesting ideas. I am loving finding new ways I can use some old things I have just sitting around here. Please keep sharing these things with us!

  10. Lori says:

    Hello,

    Love the ideas! I’m actually looking for a new headboard currently and I was wondering where you got the one in the photo. I’m in love with it!

    Thanks,

    Lori

    • Jacqueline says:

      Lori,
      I am sorry that the headboard is just a photo I’ve gathered from around the internet…I know! It is a gorgeous piece. You might call around to some of the architectural supply houses or big antique houses that remove things before an old house it torn down. Maybe they would know of a place that renovates those items :) Thanks for stopping in…come again! Blessings,
      Jacqueline

  11. Pingback: Date Night Bucket Ideas: Backyard Camping

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