Getting excited about the 3R's Living Green Seminar

It's so exciting!  I've been invited back to Alabama to give another of my workshops.  Thank you, Linda, for thinking that what I have to share is worthy of another platform (and thank you, Jan and James, for offering Casa Lisenby for my stay in your fair city).  This time the seminar will be hosted by the Wiregrass Master Gardeners in Dothan, Alabama.  The date and place are being negotiated this week and when it's all firmed up I will share with you here.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, check in with me when time allows as I will be posting some ideas for upcycling and refashioning of some ordinary household containers.  This is what I do.  (She can't help herself.)

Part of my daily diet includes salads.  I have a magnet on my refrigerator that reads:  The Salad is the Main Dish! And since I have no luck with growing my own tomatoes (not enough full sun in my yard), I buy a lot of canned tomatoes (no salt added).  I also eat a lot of canned pineapple, I use canned tomato sauce and tomato paste and canned mushrooms.  And occasionally, when I haven't made time to cook beans in my crock pot, I buy canned black, pinto, kidney, navy and garbanzo beans.  Are you seeing the recurring theme here?  If not, it will soon become obvious. It's about cans and ending up with a plethora of them.

We could talk about my options and how to reduce the number of products I purchase in cans. Or, we can get creative and think of lovely ways to reuse this strong and versatile material.  Today I choose B.  I'm a Libra, what can I say?

Here's what I came up with and I've got lots more cans where these came from. Looks like a door prize for someone who attends the 3R's Living Green Seminar! Maybe we'll call out your number!

Plant your favorite seasonal flower in the top can (punch holes in the bottom for good drainage, using a nail and hammer). The decorated bottom can is the 'saucer' drain pan can. I punched holes on each side of the bottom can to attach a wire hanger so it's easily transported. I'm already thinking of giving this as a little gift to a sweet neighbor who is always doing kind things for others. Donna makes our neighborhood a better place to live, just by her presence in it!  

I got fancy with metal tin snips and curled back strips of the bottom can for more 'fru-fru' and 'ooh-aah' power.  Caution here!  This makes the cut edges sharp.  Decorate your cans any which way that makes you happy.  I painted some gesso on the bottom can, as a primer so the paper and adhesive would stick better. These also look great without any adornment or just one simple ribbon tied around the base of the can or the wire handle.  The plant and flowers are the 'stand outs' here.

Refashion a can.  Plant a flower in it.  Give it away.  Make someone happy.