DIY Terrarium Tutorial: Reuse, Recycle & Regenerate

its the perfect tuesday
for a little dose of terrariums

i've got a huge thing for terrariums

they're adorable and pretty stinking cool
and they make my heart flutter all over the place

 you can find them just about anywhere now
i found these in a clothing boutique on pier 39 in san francisco for $20
{which is a bit steep if you ask me...}

i also have a mini obsession with glass jars
they're just so nifty

maybe its because you can use them for anything

{drinking, crafting, q-tip holding...literally anything}

and sometimes it's that olive jar, jam jar, or pasta sauce jar sitting in your recycle

that will make the perfect terrarium

 no need to spend your life savings on a crate and barrel apothecary jar

{though i wouldn't mind owning one or two of those...}

when you can just reuse use what you already have

 i also have this soft spot in my heart for reject plants

you know
the ones that sit on the clearance racks in garden sections

waiting for their imminent death
they're just so sad

i always do a quick walk by just in case i can save a plant or two

and bring them back to health
and sometimes a terrarium is the perfect place
for a helpless plant to regenerate and make its comeback
and on occasion there will be a very sweet guy working in the garden department 
who will just give you clearanced plants for free
{a smile may increase your chances}

so here's a little DIY terrarium tutorial for those of you
 that like to reuse, recycle and don't want to break the bank

my materials

olive jar, pasta sauce jar, baby food jar, kerr jar, all from the recycle {$0}
irish moss Sagina subulata purchased with a home depot gift card {$0}
a rescued zebra plant Hawthornia fasciata {$0}
a rescued echeveria hybrid Echeveria 'Perle von Nurnberg' {$0}
soil from a potted plant in yard {$0}
rocks from yard {$0}
bark and twigs collected from yard {$0}

the moss terrarium

1. begin by placing a layer of rocks in your container

2. add a layer of soil

3. remove moss from container and break up rootball

4. place moss in container and press down gently to nest it into the top of the layer of soil

5. add rocks, bark, twigs, or figurines for embellishment

{if desired}

6. water enough so things are moist but do not saturate 

7. place lid on container

{lid will need to be removed occasionally for air flow}

8. enjoy your creation!

the succulent terrarium

1. place layer of rocks then a layer of soil

2. remove succulent from container break up root ball

3. place succulent{s} in soil

4. use a spoon to add soil around the succulent

5. add embellishments 

{i added some moss and bark}

6. water but do not put a lid on the container

{succulents need air circulation}

7. soak up the cuteness!

follow same steps for these smaller plantings

for $0

i recycled 4 glass jars

saved two succulents

 made 4 terrariums

and had an absolute blast doing it

terrariums are perfect for table tops

bookshelves

window sills

and make great gifts

{housewarming, get well, birthday, just because...}

i'm currently keeping these little guys all to myself though

as they've now made their new home on the dresser in my bedroom

A Ferny & Flowery Friday

ok, so what girl hasn't thought about her wedding day

at least a tiny bit?...

well, the ever so tiny thoughts i've had about my wedding

involve being outside somewhere

in creation

surrounded by all the people i love the most

there's no where else i could imagine that moment in my life taking place

somewhere in the mountains or the woods 

where there's not much need for decorating 

because trees, ferns, and moss are in abundance

and get the job done

{obviously i've hardly thought about this}

there's something about those mossy, earthy tones

that do something to my heart

that stir up some serious passion in my soul

that send inspiration

flying all over the place in my mind

{via}

this week all i wanted to do was be outside

maybe it was the rain

everything was so lush and fresh and inviting

{albeit i wasn't entirely used to the drop in temperature}

but it was inviting none the less

and as i admired all the green around me

 inspiration struck

i wanted to create something from those mossy tones i love so much

flowers fit for that wedding in the woods

i've thought about only a tiny bit

i chose two types of simple, white flowers

and a variety of greens 

including jasmine, juniper, citrus leaves, ferns

that were cut fresh from the yard

put em all together

and this is what came about...

bouquet wrapped in lace (bottom layer) and burlap (top layer)
pinned with pearl tear drop pins

boutonniere: sword & maidenhair fern, juniper, moss and twig.

i love being inspired

i guess it really doesn't take much for me though

typically i just have to walk outside

well, until the next inspiration hits

{which im guessing won't be too long from now}

have a happy weekend!