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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 17, 2012

Hanging Garden Markers

Garden Markers
Like many of you, we love having a garden!
Every year my kids can’t wait to get those seeds in the ground and we wait anxiously for those first sprouts to peek up through the soil. Somehow the process just never ceases to amaze and thrill me and I’m just as eager as my kiddos to watch it all unfold!
This year we decided we needed some garden markers and I really wanted them to have the kids’ “stamp” on them.
While perusing the aisles of Michael’s one day we saw these darling little wooden plaques with rope handles and while I wasn’t quite sure how it would all work out, I threw caution to the wind and snatched them up!

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Anyone who has attempted doing crafts with kids knows that these experiences can go one of two ways.
It is either a “pulling out your hair because no one is listening and everyone is arguing and won’t share their markers and ruins the first 10 attempts and leaves you wondering why you ever bothered doing crafts with your kids in the first place” kind of experience.

OR
It is a “lovely summer afternoon and everyone calmly listens to mommy explain the craft and no one fights over the markers and they are so proud of themselves and you are so proud of them and you wonder why on earth you don’t do more crafts with your kids” kind of experience.

Fortunately, this one fell into the second category!

I had the kids go to the garden and memorize what we had growing.
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Then they came back to the table and after dividing up the plaques, they wrote the name of the plant and drew a picture of it.
Are those not the sweetest carrots you’ve ever seen?!
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This next part is VERY IMPORTANT!
Be sure to spray each plaque with 2-3 coats of polyurethane in order to seal and protect it from water. Then we got to that point in the craft where Mommy just had to wing it. Not an uncommon occurrence around these parts I have to admit! How was I going to hang those adorable plaques in the garden? Enter the dry cleaning hangers!

 

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 All I did was use wire cutters and clipped off the bottom part of the hangers. Then I used pliers to make the little hook at the top of each one. Each time I picked up another one I channeled Joan Crawford.

“No wire hangers EVER”!

Thankfully, the hanger hooks worked perfectly!
Hanger Garden Marker
And the kids had so much fun attaching the plaques to the appropriate plant hook.
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Carrots Garden Marker

cucumbers

Can you guessssss why this Parsley plaque is my favorite?
parsley garden marker
And the best part?
This particular “crafting with kids” moment gave this mommy hope and motivation to try another one soon.

I didn’t even feel like pulling my hair out!

Thanks so much for joining me today at the Fence,

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This post is partying here:
MercyINK: Heart and Home Party
DIY By Design: Sizzle Into Summer
Imparting Grace: Grace at Home

24 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Gardening, Kids

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brook says

    July 17, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    Those are ridiculously adorable! I love them. Seriously, I don’t have kids and I would love those in my [non-existent] garden.

    Reply
  2. miss flibbertigibbet says

    July 17, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    Those are just too adorable!!! I already can see mine, “short weeds”, “tall weeds”, “weeds with flowers”, “unidentifiable weeds”…….Yours are certainly better….

    Reply
  3. allisamazing says

    July 17, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    What a super cute idea!

    Reply
  4. Lauren @mercyINK says

    July 17, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    I absolutely LOVE these, Vanessa! They are so sweet and have the touch of a child but they really look great in the garden!
    thank you SO much for linking up at MercyINK’s heart & home party, too 🙂
    blessings,
    lauren
    http://www.mercyINKblog.com

    Reply
  5. Nicole@Show Off Friday says

    July 17, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    That is such a cute idea!

    Reply
  6. Brooke @ Inside-Out Design says

    July 17, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    How fun! These are super cute!

    Reply
  7. Cynthia says

    July 17, 2012 at 5:50 PM

    Thie would be so much fun for kids. A good way to get them involved in the gardening process. Very cute.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  8. Erin @ His and Hers says

    July 17, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    So cute that the kids made the signs, and I love the use of the hangers. Clever and practical! (I find the picture of the carrots especially adorable.) 🙂

    Reply
  9. Niki says

    July 17, 2012 at 10:41 PM

    Your kids are natural artists! These are too cute!

    Reply
  10. JOY 2 JOURNEY says

    July 17, 2012 at 11:41 PM

    So cute and great that it all went well. Memories that will last a lifetime 🙂
    Hugs,
    Bj

    Reply
  11. Eclectically Vintage says

    July 17, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    What a fabulous Joan Collins crafting moment! This is the only time when wire hangers are acceptable – who would want to bear the wrath of Joan!
    Kelly

    Reply
  12. Jessica Kielman says

    July 18, 2012 at 12:37 AM

    Too perfect! Hahahaha, Kelly! Every time I see a wire hanger I still cringe!

    Reply
  13. Judy says

    July 18, 2012 at 12:46 AM

    Those are so incredibly cute. Great idea with the wire hangers.

    Reply
  14. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    July 18, 2012 at 1:00 AM

    This is so great…but what is even better is that you have it all recorded right here on your blog. Your photos are fantastic. The perfect example of “quality time” with your kids. Good job!

    Reply
  15. City Farmhouse says

    July 18, 2012 at 11:12 AM

    Thanks for the great idea:). Stay cool, Jen

    Reply
  16. Laurie says

    July 18, 2012 at 2:00 PM

    A wonderful idea that gets kids connected to the garden, looks adorable and has an easy clean up. Genius!

    Reply
  17. Susan (My Place to Yours) says

    July 18, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    Vanessa, those are precious! I’m going to have to remember that idea so I can do it with my Little Man and Little Sir when they are old enough. That would keep them nearby even when they have to go back home. Love it!

    Reply
  18. Buttercup Bliss says

    July 19, 2012 at 2:05 AM

    These are so so cute!! I really wish I had a garden – I mean I have wanted one for a while, but I want one even more so I can make these with my little boy :-))

    Reply
  19. One More Time says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    So cute! Wish I had done this when mine was small we always had a garden..she would have loved it! Would love it if you would share at my link party http://www.onemoretimeevents.blogspot.com
    Tammy

    Reply
  20. Richella says

    July 26, 2012 at 12:54 PM

    Vanessa, I love these! I like the ParSley sign, too, and I LOVE the “Carrots”! Good for you for doing this with your darlings. And great use of wire hangers!

    Reply
  21. Konkurrencer says

    July 27, 2012 at 11:32 AM

    It is interesting and creative post shared we can be know that and enjoy it in this moment so nice and fantastic.

    Reply
  22. Rach H @ FamilyEverAfter says

    August 1, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    I have never seen your blog before, just found it. SO glad I did, what I gorgeous blog!!! I’m a new follower for sure! This project with your kids is so adorable. Totally something I meant to do with my kids and just missed the boat. Next year for sure!

    p.s. This is Rachel from Family Ever after. I’m having a big contest starting next week where you can link up your posts that have to do with anything you made with your kids over the summer. This would be perfect! You can check out the teaser announcement here: https://www.familyeverafterblog.com/2012/08/sewlebrity-crush-recap-and-100-giveaway.html

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 27 DIY Garden Markers - Housing a ForestHousing a Forest says:
    April 8, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    […] Hanger Garden Markers from At the Picket Fence […]

    Reply
  2. Easy DIY Garden Markers — Eat Well 101 says:
    March 12, 2014 at 7:17 AM

    […] – Home Road | DIY Garden Markers – Wit and Whistle | Hanging Garden Markers – At the Picket Fence | Wooden Spoon Herb Markers – Craftivity […]

    Reply

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Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
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