Most people go to the cottage to relax. To sip coffee in the morning and lay in the sun. Maybe read a book and roast a wiener or two.
I go to the cottage to pilfer from the forest and judge people wearing inappropriate swim trunks. Honestly. There is just no place for G-String bikinis in cottage country. For a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is sand spiders.
I spend the majority of my days scouring the edge of the water, the beach and the forests for things I might want to bring home. Could be twigs or reindeer moss or small children I think are especially cute.
For me the cottage isn't about relaxing, it's about work, which often requires power tools, safety glasses and prescription strength deodorant. Oh! And those little boxes of Froot Loops that you tip on their side and eat right out of the waxed paper liner.
So last year when we went to the cottage my boyfriend didn't even raise an eyebrow when I told him I wanted to bring some Birch branches home. I do that sort of thing all the time. The eyebrow raising came later when he saw me sawing and shoving entire Birch trees into his obsessively well maintained car.
Birch trees are the perfect thing to pilfer from the cottage because they aren't the hardiest trees around and, in fact, tend to fall over and die with great frequency. Those trees that had fallen over and died? I took em. In the middle of summer, drenched in sweat, I had the foresight to bring em home for Christmas.
Once I got them home I cut them into equal lengths of 6 feet and stored them until it was time to do my planters. I stored them for the past year and brought them out again this year and they're still in perfect condition. Granted, there are many of you who don't have the inclination or opportunity to pilfer the forest. Lucky for you, you can now buy birch logs at garden centres.
Here we go! The basics of how to make a stunning outdoor planter.
If your budget allows, buy a variety of greenery.
If it doesn't allow, steal a variety.
Incense Cedar
Western Cedar
Boxwood
Shore Pine
White Pine
Birch Logs
If you're using large tree trunks or smaller branches, dig a hole for them. Insert the log/branch and then pack the dirt around them tightly. Tight, tight, tight.
At this point if you're going very minimalist you can call it a day and go inside for a Hot Toddy or whatever you fancy.
The rest of us will continue on, adding in the greenery.
I don't ever have a real plan other than dividing up the branches evenly between the 2 planters before I start working.
This eliminates the pesky problem of having used too much in one planter and not having enough for the other.
Once your greenery is in you can add whatever other embellishments you have.
I used pomegranates and a huge pinecone. The pinecone you can keep from year to year.
The pomegranates? Not so much.
As you can see, the result is very pretty. Mine looks a little more contemporary with a hint of tradition.
If you were to do yours in a more traditional urn, it would appear heavier on the traditional side.
Now most bloggers would be done here. This would be the end of the story.
But not here.
Remember in the summer I told you I used my Glowing Orbs in the winter as well?
Yup. It's time to break 'em out.
Tie a wire around them ... I used picture wire, but you can use whatever wire you can get ahold of.
Then tie one or two of them to the lower portion of the logs in your planter.
And then stuff them full of mini-lights.
Scatter the lights among the branches as well.
You have now created a thing of beauty ...
... that will only get more beautiful the darker out it gets.
There are a few more tips and tricks I could tell you about with regard to creating holiday planters but frankly I'm sick of writing this post . I'm dying for a coffee and my G String is starting to itch.
Cindy Alvarez
Very funny, witty, and clever explanation of a beautiful project!!! Craft on! :)
Karen
Thank you ma'am. Now I'm gonna have to go look back at this post and see what the hell I said. ~ karen!
Jordan
Best. Blog. Ever.
Karen
Hi Jordan! Hmm. This particular post, or the blog in general? I'm fine with it either way. You'd get a bigger thank you with ya know, balloons and singing monkeys and crap if you mean best blog in the world. But best post still gets a hearty thanks. ~ karen!
gail
This is fabulous. Forget going to the second hand store I have a whole house full of them. Just bought a brand new house that has those stupid bulbs as fixtures everywhere. They don't belong in the house, but in the garden..... outstanding. I must go retrieve from my own garbage . I suppose with wire you could hang in a tree as well. Thanks for the great tip. Keep them coming.
Karen
Thanks Gail - Before you go hanging them in a tree with wire take a look at this if you haven't seen it ... https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/outdoor-orbs-part-ii-how-to-make-a-birdfeeder-from-glass-shades/ It's probably my favourite way to use the globes. It's been a couple of years and they're still looking great. ~ karen!
Erin
Love it- I always scour the woods too- Every year I bring home bags of sheet moss (and the bugs living in it) to use at Christmas time- for my planter, to hid e the soil of my paperwhites etc. Can't wait to check out your site further.
Karen
I scoff sheet moss from the cottage too! That and some reindeer moss, which lasts forever if you preserve it! ~ karen
angie
wow!! amazing!! love this idea and the summer idea as well... fantabulous!! thanks for sharing this!
Breanna Arling
You are just full of spectacular ideas woman! And flippin hilarious to boot! Thanks for the great ideas and humor, its awesome!
Karen
Well thanks Breanna! Welcome to my site. ~ karen
Kelly
I totally have some of these orbs, just didn't know what to do with them. But mine are clear and faceted...maybe a shot of Krylon Looking Glass to the inside before I insert the lights....can u imagine these as mercury glass orbs in the garden??! SWEET!
DrLorna
You are very creative, and I enjoy your sense of humor. The dead tree branches seem a bit odd to me, though, unless the greenery had been placed at the top to create a faux palm tree effect. Otherwise, I would skip that extra effort of chopping logs and just go for the decorative bush effect. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I love the lighted globes idea and hope I can find some secondhand if I hunt around long enough. I also love eating the rather expensive pomegranates too much and would go for good-looking plastic ones.
Marci
Hi Karen,
I just stumbled onto your website when I was looking for a good way to use birch logs in my planters. I love what you did with the birch trees. The planters are beautiful. They look like the holiday decorated planters I see at upscale malls that I've been wanting to replicate. Your story was so funny, especially since I could relate to your hunt for branches and "stuff" to use for decorating. I just came home from Lake Erie in Ohio with a bunch of large driftwood branches, masses of red twigs, and logs that look similar to birch to be saved in my garage until I'm ready to decorate. After reading your post, it just occurred to me to scrounge around our local yard waste dump site for evergreen boughs instead of buying them this year, then onto our local recycle center for globes and such. Thanks for the inspiration!! You're so funny.
Karen
Thanks Marci - Welcome to my site. And you found it just in the nick of time. There will be contests coming up soon ... ~ karen!
Kat
That is a thing of beauty. One day after Halloween and I am scrounging your posts for Christmas Ideas!!!
AmyLee
Once again, you are hilarious! It's great to get humor & education in 1 place! Your pics are perfect too! I find myself wanting 2 read everything you have written. Have you published anything? If so what? Because I HAVE 2 read it! This is a great idea 4 the globes (alien testicles ) ;-) too! Very talented! Thanx 4 sharing!
Karen
Hi AmyLee - Thanks. I haven't written a book if that's what you mean. It'd be great, but a LOT of work. I'm also happy with the instant gratification of blogging. Why wait months and months for compliments when I can have them immediately?! If I were an actress I'd totally choose the theatre. ;) ~ karen
mona
u really creative, i jus luv the way made them, hope u ll post somemore
Bonnie J. Poirier
Absolutely L♥VE this idea and the glowing orbs! Brilliant and looks easy enough!!! :)
Karen
It's very easy indeed~ ~ karen
Kerry
Hi Karen - I just discovered your website and love it. I have a website on container gardening on About.com and would love to blog about your holiday container and your orb lights.
Would it be ok if I used one of your photos? I will credit and link to your site.
Cheers,
Kerry
Karen
Hi Kerry. Sur! Thanks for asking first. ~ karen
Karen
I just replied to you but I think I deleted it by accident so here we go again ... Sure! Thanks for asking first, and welcome to my site. ~ karen!
Kerry
Thanks Karen! Love what you are doing.
Cheers,
Kerry
Estie
Hi! I absolutely love your sense of humor! thank you for your great ideas!
Karen
Thanks Estie! Welcome to my site. ~ karen!
Pauline Williams
I guess I love you, and also, I want to make these, Princess!
Brenda
At the beginning this might be a little more expensive, but when you get your power bill it may make more sense...solar mini lights...
Karen
Brenda - It is a good idea, but I find the solar light still have that blue tinge, which I don't like. Plus my backyard is complete shade. Solar lights will not work in it. :( ~ karen!
Geri
My solar lights don't get enough daylight in winter to hold a charge
Sandi
Love, love, love the idea. Will definately be trying this for my yard. I am curious though, what did you do to the tops of the trees? Are they just sticking up in the air cut straight across?
I am also curious about the croquet tree! :-)
Candy
I was on line looking for bowling ball ideas (going to make a 5 bowling ball stacked mail box) and I came across your globe idea. I have just remodeled my bathroom and now have 3 different size and shapes 80's globe lights. Almost sent then to the thrift store. But now, I can't wait to add these to my yard art. Perhaps under my croquet tree out front would be nice.
Super idea!
Thanks
Candy
Karen
Thanks! I'm almost afraid to ask, LOL ... um ... what's a croquet tree?? ~ karen
BRANDY SMITH
I LOVE THIS!! WILL DEFINANTLY USE!! LOVE YOUR HUMOR AND MAKES IT SOUND LIKE YOUR FROM THE GOOD OLE CAROLINA'S!! THAT'S OUR REAL SOUTHERN TALK!!
Karen
Well, thank ya ma'am. ;) ~ karen!