Swingset Trellis

For a long time I have wanted to grow gourds; specifically gourds that I could use for something after the drying process.  So, last year I bought and started a packet of Bird House Gourds.

I didn't have a great yeild in the plants that survived the weather and the chickens periodically finding them on the porch.  But I did end up with enough plants to do something with.

And the next thing I had to decide was how and where was I going to grow them where they could climb and thrive all summer.

This year I bought a packet of Bushel Gourds from Everwilde Farms.  I'm sure you could use any climbing plant on a trellis like this... think green pole beans, other beans, peas, cucumbers, some squashes, climbing flowers, etc.

I love that this could be used anywher; you could do it in a small yard, or even with a smaller A frame over a pot on a porch!  Enjoy!  Use the space you have to grow your own food or other useful items!

Materials Needed:
-1 to 2 inch screws {I just used some sheetrock screws}
-aluminum wire {I don't know the gauge of the stuff I used but I would compare it to the size of angel hair pasta.}
-drill with a bit that fits the screws you're using
-gourd or other climbing plants
-wooden swingset or other wood open A frame

Process:
1. Drill screws into the ouside of the swingset frame, about 1 1/2 inch from the inside of the frame.  But DO NOT drill them all the way in; leave just enough space between the screw head and the wood to wrap the wire.

I spaced the screws approximately 6 inches apart;
although I ended up only using everyother one,
so I could have screwed them in about every 12 inches.

2. Twist the starting end of the wire to one of the bottom screws; twist well.

3. Zig-zag the wire back and forth from screw to screw, pulling a tight as you can at each screw, until you reach the top.  
*You want them to be taut, so they'll hold up the climbers. 

4. Once you reach the top wrap and twist the wire to secure it.  
{I was planning to zig-zag back down to the bottom, but I ran out of wire and the single zig-zag worked perfectly.} 

This is what my finished swingset trellis looked like...

5. Now take some time to plant the climbing plants.  Place them evenly.  I ended up with 5 plants total.

Now if you have chickens or other animals that love fresh dirt you may want to protect the plants in some way.  

My chickens liked to dig their dirt baths right next to the plants; I placed some larger rocks on either side of the stems of the plants and that solved it.

Now, sit back and relax and watch your plants grow.  

TIP: You may have to occasionally train them to the wire in the begining.  Once they are going well, they'll do it on their own.

As the summer goes on the plants grow and grow!

And eventually the beautiful flowers begin to turn into georgous gourds...

At the end of the summer some of the lower leaves may begin to brown and fall off, because they are shaded more; but thats fine since the plants are now getting all of their sunlight from the outside and top.

The kids loved swinging on the swing set and watching the gourds grow!

Don't worry about the kids swinging and playing on the swingset; the plants vines should be strong enough to withstand the movement from the wind and weather.

Our gourd trellis ended up being a great place for shade.  Almost like a fort!  

Enjoy and let me know if you try this and what you think!

Handmade Dinosaur Stocking Holders

These were fun to do and I enjoy looking at them next to our Christmas tree.  They are also very simple to make!

{I made them last winter, but by the time I had them figured out I thought its was too late to post the tutorial.}

Also, an update on the little ones that Ombre hatched.
She has decided that she's done taking care of them;
so Shadow our little bantam {shown here} has adopted them as her own!
Cute, and they are getting so big that her wings have to stretch so far up to wrap them up.

Materials:

-Plastic dinosaur or other toy figurine, one per stocking holder {I used some of the kid's dinosaur figurine toys that they didn't use much anymore.  You could probably find some at your local dollar store; I think all of ours came from Target.}

-wooden blocks, one per stocking holder {I just used pieces of scrap wood so all of mine are different; you could get matching pieces at a craft store}

-spray paint

-strong glue {I used E-6000}

-screw-in open eye hooks, one per stocking holder

-cork or rubber corner cushions, 4 per stocking holder, optional {helps to prevent scratching or rubbing on the surface the stocking holder is on}

For Wreath Collar:

-green pipe cleaners, two per dino

-small bells, I used gold and red {you could also use colored beads}

Process:

1. Arrange dinos on wooden blocks; move them around until you like the position of them.

This is how I decided to arrange mine...

2. Apply glue to all the places in which the dino will touch the wood block.

3. Press glued feet onto the block where you want them, allow to dry completely.

On the T-Rex I applied glue to both feet and the tall;
I also allowed one of the toes to hang over the front edge.

4. Pre-drill holes for screwing in the open eye hooks.  And screw in the hooks on each stocking hanger.

5. Next, take your stocking holders to a well-ventilated area and thoroughly spray paint holders.  

Allow to dry completely.

6. Apply corner cushions to the bottom of each stocking holder.

7. Now they are ready for using...

Hang your stockings and enjoy!

I started with this violet color, because that is what I had on hand, then I decided I didn't like them as much as I thought and re-spray painted them with a red paint.

Here is the re-painting process; take time to make sure that you get paint in the mouths, under the bellies and tails, etc...

All re-painted and ready to use, again!

The violet under the red ended up adding a little extra dimension to the texture of the dinosaur's surfaces...

Now, for a little extra holiday touch I thought it would be cool to add a bell wreath around each dino's neck...

1. Thread a few bells onto each pipe cleaner.  {I tried to place the bells so they wouldn't line up right against each other.}

2. Twist the beaded pipe cleaners together

3. Wrap the "wreath" around the dino's neck and twist pipe cleaners to secure the ends.

4. Repeat with remaining pipe cleaners.

5. Repeat on all remaining dinos.

Enjoy!