DIY self watering plant containers

Sorry folks, I have been MIA lately. I have just been a busy bee! 

I saw my friend post this on Facebook a while ago.


I loved it so much I asked her if she could guest post here.

Thanks so much Desarae for the fantastic post!

So I was cruising around on Pinterest the other day and came across a blog about how to make self-watering start containers for growing fruits and veggies. It piqued my interest because that's the big problem I have with growing things, I have no clue when or how much to water things! And an even bigger bonus, all i had to buy was potting soil and seeds, everything else I already had on hand!

Supplies: 

2 liter soda bottles (empty and cleaned) with caps (1 for each type of seed) I planted 5 types so I have 5 bottles

thread/string/yarn you will need about a foot for each bottle

potting soil

seeds

rubber mallet/hammer

phillips head screwdriver

sharp knife

Directions:

first, after cleaning the empty bottles cut them in half with the knife (a lot harder than I thought it would be! mine definitely don't have straight or pretty edges but hey, it works!)

second, place the cap on a hard surface (I put a cutting board on the floor) and punch a hole through the center with the screwdriver and the mallet. Don't worry about damaging the surface underneath, it doesn't go in that far as long as you don't keep hitting it!! Twist the cap a few times to make a hole, otherwise you just get a useless cross pattern and you can't get the string through!

third, fold your string in half and make a knot at the looped end and string through the cap, place the cap back on the bottle

fourth, put potting soil into the top half of the bottle (hold onto the string so it comes up into the center of the soil), leave at least an inch open at the top, plant your seeds according to the package

fifth, put water into the bottom half of the bottle, make sure not to submerge the cap when the top half is placed inside

sixth, water the soil thoroughly making sure all the soil and the string is wet, otherwise the string will not be able to pull water up when it needs it. Then all you need to do is make sure the reserve doesn't get empty, just lift the top off and put water in then put the top back on!

seventh, if you want you can add something pretty to the container so it doesn't look so ugly! I added green ribbon so the containers match my kitchen!

And there you have it, six easy steps to making your own self-watering containers!

A little health update

    

    I havent written about my health issues for a while so, I wanted to give you all an update. I am maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. My pain has gone from a 4 to about a 1-2. I can't say wether it has been a medication change or answer to prayer. But either way I am praising God for times with little to no pain. I have no clue if my mystery pain/illness will strike again but I am trying to live moment by moment thanking God I can focus on life without the worry of pain looming in the back of my mind. Anyone who has dealt with chronic pain can understand it takes a part of yourself captive. In those times I can only operate at 50% or less. That means my kids and husband get only half of me (if that). It makes me feel almost guilty even though it's out of my control.

But, I am truly blessed God has taught me to trust in Him and not take a day for granted. Things could be so much worse! Health is an absolute blessing! Don't take for granted that you are without pain or sickness. Being healthy and pain free is a blessing in itself!

 ¹⁴ On a good day, enjoy yourself;
   On a bad day, examine your conscience.
   God arranges for both kinds of days
   So that we won't take anything for granted.

Ecclesiastes 7:14

If you are going through a hard time, (wether it's pain, sickness, family issues, or you just need a prayer ect...) please leave me a comment below and I would love to pray for you! 

Have a great day!

100 Follower GIVEAWAY!!

I am so HAPPY ( umm, elated!) to reach 100 followers!! I am seriously smiling from ear to ear right now! 

So, I want to show you all my appreciation by having a GIVEAWAY!

The prize to be won is a sweet little hodge podge of goodies including: a Buxom lip tarnish (in a lovely nude shade), Revlon nail polish (in a sweet pink color), a $5 Target gift card, a crystal drop necklace made by ME on an antique bronze chain, and a white rose pin made by myself!!

YUP, pretty nice right?

To enter: 

1. you must be a follower of my blog Blissfully Blessed. If you are not, please become one (that makes me happy!).

2. Will you please share this giveaway via your blog, Twitter, or Facebook pages. Or simply share with a friend or co worker. This will count as one entry, just leave a comment telling me that you did so.

3. Please tell me your favorite posts on Blissfully Blessed ( decorating, recipes, crafts, outfits, thrift store goodies etc......) This will count as a second entry. Just leave a separate comment telling me what your favorite posts are.

Each comment will count as one entry. Please leave me your email address (in your comments) or a way I can contact you if you are the winner. Of course the winner will be announced here too.

This giveaway will end April 10. 

GOOD LUCK!!!

How to make a lovely tank dress

This was such a fun and easy project! Here is how I did it:

 I bought 2 yards of fabric. Then I wrapped it around  my waist one and a half times and cut the excess.

Fold the fabric in half, you will have a long strip and you can even use the fold on the bottom for your hem, like a bubble hem. 

Sew two rows on the open edge of the fabric. This will be for the elastic so make sure you allow enough space for the elastic to fit through.

Next you will attach a safety pin on your elastic and pull it through the rows you just sewed.

 It will start to bunch up like this. Sew the elastic when you attach your fabric together. Sew the fabric together inside out this will make the skirt. 

I did hem mine because I am short. Otherwise, like I said above you can leave it like a bubble skirt.

Now you will have a skirt! 

Don't worry about the rough edges on the top the sash will cover them.

Using the leftover fabric you will make a sash. I didn't measure but it was about 4-5 inches across.

Sew the fabric inside out  and then hem the edges.

Next I tried on the dress and the tank top and made sure to place it where I wanted. I pinned it while I was wearing it (really carefully).

Then sew the tank top to the skirt and cut off the excess top material

You could attach the sash to the dress but I am happy just to tie it around the dress.

This was the first dress I have ever made! 

I have to say I quite proud of myself!

Size XL to Small~How I altered a thrifted Anthro Top!

I found this top at Goodwill with Anthropologie tags attached! The only problem? Size XL! So I dusted off the sewing machine and I made some modifications, and it fits PERFECTLY!

I pinned the sides about 3 inches in and 4 inches on the bottom hem. 

Then I cut the excess fabric. This only took me 15 min to pin and sew!

I really love the abstract print! The price on the tag was around $70! I bought it for $3! I cant wait to pair it with my mustard yellow jeans!

This Weeks Thrift Haul

I really scored this week at my favorite thrift stores. 

Here is my fabulous thrifted haul.

Vintage suade jacket. It's so cute on! Only $3!

Romeo and Juliet Couture leather jacket $14! LOVE! 

BCBG silk ruffled top $3. The color is so pretty.

Forever 21 skirt $3. I love the fabric! It's almost vintage looking. I am wearing this on my "what i wore" post next week.

Banana Republic striped dress, $14. That is kind of pricey for thrift store standards but I couldn't resist the stripes! Plus I will be able to style it a ton of different ways.

Leopard silk and burberry pattern scarfs $1 for both.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Entry Way Makeover

I found this wall accent at Target the other day and it inspired me to makeover my entry way. Plus you all know I cant pass up some more cute little birds for my house. However, the space is only three feet by three feet so I really couldn't do a whole lot with it. But I found using some new paint, hooks and wall art can make a big impact.

Before.

After!

I painted it a gray'ish blue'ish color to give it some interest.

The Hubs installed some hooks (also from Target)  for backpacks, scarves, purses, etc.....very functional when you are living in a small space. 

I could have attempted to paint this mural myself but, I really like the ease of pealing off stickers. Plus I can change the decor very easily when I get tired of it (which I often do!).