This gorgeous bleached pinecone wreath has rustic charm with a contemporary twist. There is nothing like natural decor to bring the beauty of the outdoors in, but it can be hard to come up with creative ways to display the same natural elements year after year. That?s why I love the look of bleached pinecones, which are simultaneously classic and modern. With just a few easy steps, you can create your own bleached pinecone wreath to enjoy throughout the colder seasons.
are all the rage! While pinecones have always been a staple of autumn and winter d?cor, bleaching them gives them a softer, brighter, more contemporary look than untreated pinecones. The light color also creates a contrast and makes the interesting shapes of the cones really stand out.
We have seen single bleached pinecones displayed in glass terrariums, groups of them piled into decorative baskets, bleached pinecone garlands, bleached pinecone ornaments with ribbon hangers, and this . But this bleached pinecone wreath project really captured our hearts here at Garden Therapy (you know how much we love ).
This wreath is the perfect way to adorn your entrance this fall and winter. It has a rustic farmhouse look, but the surprising white color of the pinecones gives it a modern, minimalist feel. And the best part? It is super easy to make!
Begin by taking a walk through a park, wood, or tree-lined street and pick up a whole bunch of pinecones. Follow the instructions for bleaching the pinecones , and then you are ready to begin your wreath.
Materials:
- 80 in two sizes: 35 medium (2-3?), 45 small (1-2?)
Make it!
Divide the pinecones into different sized groupings so that you can choose between medium and small ones for each layer.
Lay out medium pinecones around the wreath form, with the base of the pinecones touching the wreath. Use professional strength glue to attach the first one to the base. Add glue to base of the second pinecone and knit the second one into the first one as you attach the base to the wreath form.
Continue to glue the base of the pinecones onto the outer ring of the wreath form while knitting them tightly together to fill up the spaces.
Lay out the inside ring of smallest pinecones. Attach those to the inner ring as you did to the outer ring.
Add a third layer of medium sized pinecones alternating between the first ring. Nestle these in as close to the other pinecones as you can, while gluing the base to the wreath form.
Add fourth and fifth rings to fill in the gaps between the layers and fill in all the spaces.
I thought this wreath looked pretty great on the white door,
but it?s also at home in the garden. Which do you like better?
Love this wreath? Well, here are a whole bunch more!
Do you know what you?re digging with? Many people don?t know that shovels and spades are actually two different tools with different uses. There are so many garden winds replacement canopy for the windsor gazebo standard 350 beige_700032 tools out there that it can be overwhelming and hard to know which tools to use for which jobs, but if you know how to choose the right tools, your garden and landscaping projects will be significantly easier on your body and everything will go more smoothly.
This guide will teach you how to tell the difference between shovels and spades, how to properly use them, and which tool to pick for which job.
Disclosure: this post has been sponsored by who also provided me with the shovels and spades to try. And they want you to try them too! Be sure to check out how you can get your hands on the shovel or spade of your dreams from Gardener?s Edge at the end of this post. All opinions within the post remain my own.
What?s the Difference?
So, what is the difference between a shovel and a spade? A spade is shorter and has a flat blade, while a shovel is longer, angled, and its blade is curved into more of a scoop.
Shovels are better for digging up, breaking apart, and lifting soil as well as for scooping and moving loose materials.
Spades are best for cutting into sod, edging, or digging trenches?anything that requires a sharp, straight edge.
Proper Use
When working with digging tools like this, be sure to wear appropriate footwear (no flip flops!). For both spades and shovels, the basic technique is to insert the blade into the ground, using one foot to push down on the ledge at the top of the blade, called the ?step.?
Shovels should be inserted into the ground at an angle and pushed slightly forward, while spades should be pushed into the ground vertically to create a straight edge.
As with any outdoor work, use your common sense and be mindful of the heat, stay hydrated, stretch, and take breaks.
Parts of a Spade and Shovel
Shovels and spades are made of similar basic parts?the handle, step, and blade?but they have subtle variances which might not look like much at first, but make all the difference in what these tools can do.
Handle
Spade: shorter, straight handle with a D or T grip at the top to make it easy to hold.
Shovel: long, upward-angled handle, often no grip at the top since shovels are usually held by the handle at an angle, not by the very top. Shovels do frequently have some type of padding around the upper section of the handle to make holding it more comfortable.
Step
Spade: small ledge on top of the blade on either side of the handle, so that you can rest your foot on it and press down into the soil with the strength of your leg.
Shovel: smaller or no step ledge, as shovels are not intended for the type of work that requires as much extra force of a foot on the blade (such as edging) and a bulky step would get in the way when scooping and lifting material at an angle.
Blade
Spade: flat blade with a square-shaped end.
Shovel: curved, bowl-shaped blade, usually rounded or pointed at the end, but shovels with square-shaped blades are available as well.
Keep in mind that there are many different blade weights, which will dramatically change the experience of handling a shovel or spade. Professional-grade shovels can get very heavy, which means that they are great for heavy lifting but can also be difficult to use. Lighter shovels are less powerful, but are much more usable for many and are a good choice for those with limited abilities.
Try out the different weights and see what feels comfortable to you?I personally prefer a lighter shovel, while my partner prefers a heavier one.
For more info on blade weight and handle types, watch this video:
Types of Shovels and Spades for the Home Garden
Lightweight and easy to use as well as affordable, the ash handle is very durable, and the deeply scooped blade makes it ideal for lifting and moving loose material.
This shovel is quite heavy, so it is not suitable for everyone, but if you like a heavier shovel this one is very powerful and will last forever (it even comes with a lifetime warranty). The strong fiberglass handle is angled at a high lift, so you won?t have to bend too far when you?re digging, which will reduce strain on your back.
Great for scooping up gravel and other loose materials and clearing away snow. The poly material is weather resistant and won?t rust or damage surfaces (so you can use it on your deck without worrying about scratches). This shovel also has an extended, lifted handle to help save your back while you scoop.
At just 26? tall, this little spade can do big things. It is perfect for transplanting those plants that are too big for a hand trowel, and it is also a lifesaver for dividing plants, stripping sod, and other projects that require some precision.
This is a great basic spade. The beveled edge of the blade is crafted specifically so that it doesn?t require sharpening, so this tool is very low maintenance. It is durable, strong, and has a large step and foot pad to cushion your foot and reduce strain.
The Root Assassin is a small, tapered shovel with saw teeth on either side of the blade that work to cut through roots while you dig. It is great for digging trenches and digging in areas that are overgrown with roots. The padded D-grip handle makes it comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver.
Giveaway!
Pick a shovel, any shovel (or spade). has generously agreed to GIVE AWAY the shovel or spade of your dreams! The winner of this contest was Kay. Congratulations, Kay!
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