There I was. Wandering the aisles of Dollarama like I do most weeks when a grin as wide as a photoshopped thigh gap spread across my face.
I had gone for a spray bottle, but left with 3 bags of artificial grass. I'm sure you've seen them there before. They're just squares of fake grass or moss. They're pretty ugly really and I'd always wondered who would buy them and WHY. Turns out the answer to that question is me and because it was exactly what I needed.
I had been looking for something for a specific area in my backyard for weeks and nothing was right.
This. Would. Be. Right. Yup. Ugly is apparently what I was looking for. Who knew.
I danced my way up to the cash thinking this day couldn't get any better. Then, while checking out with my favourite Dollarama cashier, she grabbed some clothing from under the counter and handed it to the manager saying she'd found it in the craft aisle. Someone took their clothes off in the craft aisle?, I asked. Oh yes, she said. And this wasn't the first time. People do it all the time. She then went on to tell me all the stories about the Dollarama customers who disrobed and the one woman who left her coat and car keys in the store never to return for them. To this day, no one knows how Chilly got home that night.
So clearly, the day got even better. Plus I bought chips and was better dressed than everyone else in the store because I had my good pajamas on. So ...
For the rest of this week I'm going to show you the 3 projects I accomplished with my 3 bags of fake grass squares.
In fact the one was so good that Canadian Living was going to feature it in their May issue next year. But then they ran out of time while they were shooting here. (Canadian Living was here shooting my kitchen for the October issue of the magazine) At least they said they ran out of time.
The first project I'm going to show you is the one that I KNEW I was going to use the squares for.
My Ikea patio table outside is great. I love it with all of my heart. It's big and comfortable and feels more like a dining room table than a patio table. But it was looking a little blank.
I tried a bunch of different things on it and it just wasn't looking good. Ferns were too high, the neighbour's tricycle just looked stupid and leaving it bare made the table look oh so lonely. Like it was never going to have someone sit and eat at it ever.
Dressing it up like a real indoor table wasn't working because well ... this table was outside. There had to be some sort of compromise or combination of inside meets outside.
And there was.
A grass table runner.
I could have made a real grass table runner with a length of sod and it would have looked GREAT for a picture, but it would have looked like crap in about 3 days. BUT if you're having a party and you have a long table like this a roll or two of sod down the middle would be FANTASTIC.
The dollar store fake grass squares come with little nubs on the edges so you can actually attach them together so you don't have to worry about them shifting or pulling apart.
The squares were $2 each which made this table runner $24 to make. It works especially well in my contemporary backyard, especially because the other side of the yard has a large artificial turf rug.
Dollarama you've done it again.
Now where did my shorts get to? I'm almost sure I was wearing some when I left the store.
Jodi O
Brilliant idea. I am so happy to hear that you love Dollarama as much as I do.
Happy blogging!
Barbie
I really love this idea. However, do you find if it sits in the sun the "green" color of the plastic grass turns turquoise? This is what I have experienced with faux greenery sitting in the sun. Perhaps the fake grass is different material meant to be exposed to the sun and therefore does not do that.
Becky
So, I scrolled down through your post...and saw the photo.
I'm sorry, but I can't stop snickering. YOU are a total hoot, and a great source of inspiration!
I don't know how I got through my days "pre-Karen."
LazySusan
I have to add mine to the joy of others that you've done another Dollarama craft post. You're so clever!
Feral Turtle
So how long does it take you to mow?
Cynthia Jones
Julisee
I go to a coffee shop that has tables like yours.
The owner puts vintage plastic toy soldiers in one, Matchbox cars in another and marbles in yet another. So clever.
If the squares are not really big you could put different lollies (candy) in each square and drive your friends' kids nuts. That's always fun.
Debbie
Wonderful column and terrific comments. Fun on a thunderstorm/flood warning filled evening. There is so much rain, I think even fake grass would grow.
Cynthia
I did this before for Easter dinner! I had bunnies, and eggs, and tree branches etc......you get the visual! Ugly yes!
Lol
Cynthia
Ella
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!