Friday, November 21, 2008

Triple Layer Bulbs and A Pillow Makeover


I've been planting Jonquils all week. The town I live in is also known as "The Jonquil City" and every fall you can buy a huge bag of Jonquils (a type of daffodil) from the city for a few dollars . I had a few left over so I thought I'd pot some up and put them on my deck so we could enjoy them from inside the house come spring.


Have you ever triple layered bulbs in containers? It's a great way to get lots of blooms in a container for a longer time in the spring



I decided to plant this concrete container and put it on the bench that's under my kitchen window. I want you all to know that I carried that concrete container up the stairs to my deck by myself! First I filled it with some rocks for drainage.



The idea is that you add soil and bulbs in layers. So first I added some soil and then I added some daffodils



Then I added a bit more soil and some tulips



Then came the hyacinths. I think it's so cool that purple hyacinths bulbs are actually purple!




You could then cover those with soil and add some some small spring blooming flowers like snowdrops or a dwarf iris if you like. I added some ornamental cabbage and a few pansies so I'd have something to look at now.



I had a few more daffodils left so I planted this urn with them.



The daffodils will push right up past those pansies. The pansies will probably be dead by then anyway. They don't do too well when we have frosts



While I was at it I potted up some paperwhites to force in my groovy apple green container. Apple green, red and white are going to be my Christmas colors so if they bloom in time they'll fit right in!



Whew, that was a lot of planting! But that's not all folks! No siree, I was very industrious yesterday (must be because I actually got a full nights sleep). I made over this little pillow I got at the thrift store the day I found those chairs (thanks for all the chair love by the way - it was nice to be able to share my excitement over them with others who I knew would appreciate them). This little pillow was 60 cents. It's part of a Wendy Belissimo line of nursery decor. It's cute with the bee isn't it?




I think it looks better now. I just added a piece of toile to the center. Sewed it right on top and then I hot glued the three buttons down the center. Which I think are not on straight....oh well!


So come this spring I can sit in my windowseat in my kitchen(did you notice I flipped the cushion)



and look out my window and see my beautiful spring flowers!



35 comments:

Anonymous said...

You did a great job on the pillow! It matches perfectly.

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

Triple layering? What a great idea!!!

Salmagundi said...

What a busy, productive day!! I've read about layering bulbs, but we have never done it. We will need pictures from you in the Spring. Sally

Anonymous said...

Manuela,

Thanks for the gardening tip. I really like spring bulbs and will have to try this.
I shop at thrift stores a lot too,so I'll keep a look out for pillows to make over. What a great idea!

Vee said...

Fantastic reworking of that pillow! It definitely fits in better at your home now.

I'll be dumping flower pots today. The last of even the hardiest mums is gone. No problem, though, if I need flowers, I'll just visit you!

GlorV1 said...

Busy little bee aren't we. Amy would love that bee pillow. I love the way you did your planting in layers. They'll come up at different times for your enjoyment.Have a great weekend.

Hillcrest Acres said...

Found you through "Mom on the Run". Love the ideas. The pillow makeover is adorable. One can never have too much toile in my opinion.

Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

I saw a comment you left on another blog and thought "I wonder if that's..." Yeah! It's you! I had just found your other blog before you stopped blogging. I'm so glad you're back. :)

Adrienne said...

Hi Manuela -
What a darling pillow. Your transformation was perfect! I've always wanted to triple layer bulbs but have never slowed down enough to do it. I still have some tulip bulbs to plant. Since it's dry outside today I'd better get it done before the winter rains come and don't stop until the time the tulips will be peeking through.
~Adrienne~

Anonymous said...

Hey girl! Thank you so much for the sweet comments! Yeah, that McKenzie stuff is a little up there...My bro and his wife got a bunch for their wedding because she registered for it...I would love a piece, but just can't afford it! hehehe!
Okay so I am feeling much better now! Check out my new blog I posted this morning! Have a fantastic weekend!

Unknown said...

Very cute pillow. and i think i will plant some paper whites too. mishelle

Anonymous said...

You are fabulous! I bet I could give you a pile of dirt and some pink paint and you could redecorate my kitchen beautifully with it! :)

Mrs. Homemaker said...

I love the black toile pattern on the pillows!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

I wish I had your energy. I'd be out triple layering all of my flower pots! Sigh. I'm afraid when the pansies die, my flower pots will just have dirt, and I'll have to go get some spring flowers t put in them. Maybe next Fall, I'll triple layer. laurie

Jean said...

I didn't know you could layer bulbs like that. Great idea! Thanks for the info. Love the pillow! Jean

Lady Katherine said...

You did so much! I love the containers and I bet the conrete was really heavy and your not telling, Backache?lol I do love hyacinths, they smell so wonderful.Tulips and daffodils! Going to lovely at your window seat. I was a little shocked at the pillow, No toile? But then theres the make over, Toile! You made it so pretty!

Kathleen Grace said...

Great idea on layering the bulbs, I have never heard of that so it's new to me:>) Gosh I love your windowseat!

Angie said...

That pillow is adorable and looks great on your window seat!

Mimi Sue said...

Love your chairs, love your pillow. If you ever get tired of it, it'd fit right in in my bedroom. I've been planting bulbs too. Love the layered idea. Mimi

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Manuela...you did it again! I am definitely going to do the triple layer bulb thing for spring!! So simple, yet so clever!! Also love the pillow and LOVE that you left the buttons with their "charming imperfection" (which I didn't see in the pics, but I'll take your word for:)! Oh! Didn't get a chance to tell you that I love the chairs and don't hate you ;) at all! I'm inspired...there must be more treasures out there...they never seem to run out do they?! That being said, I've made a promise to myself that I need to declutter what I already own until I get to treasure hunt again!
Thanks again for sharing.
Love,
Tracey

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

And just when is the hernia surgery scheduled, after carrying that?

Hehehe...

Great idea. The bulbs, not the surgery.

Susie Homemaker said...

Manuela...thank you so much for visiting me today. Your nice comments are very much appreciated.
Your flowers will be amazing to see when they all come up next spring...you must remember to show us!

Blessings,
Susie

P.S. love the pillow!

Marianna said...

The pillow looks great...

I would love to have a mass of spring flowers from bulbs, but I have this little squirrel problem! If I could ever figure out a way to keep them and the rabbits from digging the bulbs up and eating them I would plant millions.

Marianna

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love that pillow makeover! I can just picture you there all curled up on your window seat. :)
Carrie

Screaming Meme said...

AWESOME GIRL! You are so creative! meme

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

Ok,

The pillow makeover is genius, Manuela! And for sixty cents! I want to go to your thrift stores! hee hee...

I love the idea of layer bulbs...I should go get some!

Anonymous said...

You have been busy! I love how you planted your flower bulbs for the spring! That is a fabulous idea. The pillow turned out cute as well. I can't believe the deal you got on your chairs! What a fantastic find!

I got tickled when you mentioned "the Jonquil city". It's been years since I heard Smyrna mentioned that way. We used to go roller skating several times a month at the old Jonquil Skating Rink as I grew up in Austell.

Have a great weekend!
Jen

Betty said...

Manuela,
Now aren't you the resourceful lady?

I bought bulbs last week and I think I'll layer containers....great idea....pillow is precious....Betty

Deb said...

What a great idea to layer the bulbs I can't wait until you post that they've bloomed. I love the pillow, and that you can flip the cushion for a new look. Deb

Paula said...

Dear Manuela,

You have been busy! I can hardly wait to see all the pretty blooms. Your pillow makeover is so pretty!

I love the chairs you found at Goodwill in your previous post! What a wonderful bargain. They are gorgeous. I am so happy for you!
Love, Paula

Kelli said...

I am drooling over your window seat and your pillows add the perfect touch! Just beautiful!
~Kelli

Betsy Brock said...

Hi! I'm so glad you came to my blog! I love homemaking, too, so I think we will enjoy visiting each other! I'll add you to my blogroll so I don't loose you!

bj said...

Oh, wow...you are going to have such beautiful flowers...very smart way to plant, too...
The little bee pillow is precious...I like your toile...
Beautiful job...

Essential Oil Premier University said...

What a great way to plant bulbs. . . layering.

What a lovely pillow makeover.

Blessings,

Sher

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Darling pillows, Manuela! Great job on them!

I like pansies, too. We have them in a front flower bed. I haven't planted mine yet (I'm a little late), but I love them. They last usually into April and early May.
Love your planters!

Sheila :-)