summer

Done any late summer garden scavenging?  I have, and this is what I did with some of my findings.  If you’d like to make something similar, then read on.

©Linda Nelson 2014

I grabbed a ten foot length of scrap chicken wire, gently scrunched and twisted it, wrapped it around itself to double it up, then flattened it out and shaped it to my liking.  I then simply shoved my findings into the twisted and kinked wire form.

©Linda Nelson 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

A scrap piece of triple-ply jute as an added embellishment, and I was done.  Now, it’s your turn to scavenge around and give it a try.

These little garden jewel stalks are actually the fertile fronds of the sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis).  Aren’t they pretty?  They look like dark emerald beads on a stick, hence their other nickname, the ‘bead fern’.

©Linda Nelson 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

I also scavenged my basement for some stored fall decor.  I grew the Oaxacan blue corn last year, the bottleneck gourds, about seven years ago.  These dried props will be used indoors, most likely displayed in a shallow platter or bowl.  I prefer an ‘au naturel’ look when it comes to fall decorating.  No cute, store bought embellishments for me, thank you.

©Linda Nelson 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

I thought it somewhat amusing that throughout the summer I had been clipping off the spent Colocasia leaves as they declined in looks and performance; however, it is these very colors that are appreciated this time of year.  I took the photo just because of that mere observation.

©Linda Nelson 2014

And finally…. who says chum pots are just for chum.  Whoever says that is just talking chum.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Happy late summer!