I Don't Just Want These Dinosaur Cacti Planters, I NEED Them!

A very cool project which is child's play! Instructions at http://www.funathomewithkids.com/2014/03/diy-dinosaur-planters-for-under-five.html 

Show me your results by tweeting me @rudedoodle I'm going to try my hand at making some later in the week. 

Above are the amazing results of the crafting on Fun At Home With the Kids. Love the neon green! 

Before I go  a little thank you to NI Parcels, who included me in their top NI blogs round up. It's a cool blog post they've put together, and I'm in very good company with many of my own favourite local bloggers making the cut. 

http://www.niparcels.com/blog/11-northern-irish-blogs-you-need-to-follow/

Short on Space? How to Create a Herb Wall Garden.

Just a quickie, link blog today as it's been a busy day for us. Ikea have a Pinterest board showing you how to make a herb wall garden.

https://www.pinterest.com/IKEAUK/how-to-make-a-herb-wall/

Make Your Garden a Winter Wonderland

Christmas is just around the corner now folks and it’s the same question on the tip of everyone’s tongue; will we have a white Christmas? The chances of snowfall this year may not have us all shopping for sleds just yet. But snowfall or no-fall, your garden can still be a magical winter wonderland.

If you have young children who dream of Santa and the North Pole, or you are a keen gardener who would appreciate a winter lawn, here are some tips to create an enchanting garden no matter the weather.

Plant Some Winter Flowers

Winter Jasmine

Whilst the rest of your garden goes to rest during the winter season, winter bloomers such as Helleborus Niger or Helleborus x Hybridus only come to life when the weather turns cold. These stunning flowers are irresistible when they open up in winter and their pinkish white hues really add to the magical feel of your white Christmas garden. Add a splash of festive red with seasonal Poinsettia planters and you won’t believe how easy the transformation is.

Use Outdoor Christmas Decorations

If you want a true winter wonderland, you simply cannot forget the outdoor decorations. Transform your garden as well as your home to create a truly enchanting festive atmosphere for the whole family. If you have a fir tree, decorate it with outdoor lights and make sure you make your front and back door welcoming with wreaths, hanging planters and garlands.

Turn Your Shed into a Grotto

For a true flavour of the North Pole (this is great for kids!), a grotto is a must. Anyone with a shed can transform a basic wooden structure into something spectacular. All you will need is some artificial snow and some pretty Christmas lights. 

Artificial snow comes in either sheet, spray or a powder form; use the sheet to decorate the roof / floor of the shed and dust off any nearby plants and trees with the powder or spray. Add some holly and ivy garlands to the front, along with some Poinsettia planters and you can make the grotto a welcoming place for the little ones.

Bring the Outside In

For anyone looking for a long term solution for enjoying their garden in winter, use frameless glass curtains to bring the outside in. Let the indoor and outdoor festive decorations come together to create a fantastic winter wonderland feel for the entire family. You can enjoy a white Christmas (fingers crossed) from the warmth and comfort of the indoors – or you can enjoy unobstructed views of the spring bloom come 2015. Whatever the season, frameless glass doors are a great investment if you want to enjoy your beautiful garden all year round. Visit FGC Frameless Glass Curtains Ltd to find out more.

Museum Selection Shares The History of Garden Gnomes, plus Win a Hare Garden Ornament

Gnomes are one of the top ten answers that pop up when you ask the general public what a kitsch item is to them. Weirdly though I don't feature them on www.TheWorldofKitsch.com often. Why? I don't know, I just don't like them. I think they are tacky in a bad way. 

I mean I have plastic lawn flamingoes, and they aren't exactly middle class norms, but I just don't like gnomes. The front garden needed a little spruce up and something new, so I've ordered an ornamental fox on Museum Selection, which I will blog about when he arrives. 

Until then how would you like to win your own ornamental hare for your grassy patch? It's a little different from a guard dog.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Museum Selection for this gnome infographic.