DIY: Bare Branch Bottle Tree

EPEngineer By EPEngineer1 min read703 views

Early March of this year, I cut off all the branches from our fruitless Mulberry tree.
The idea of re-purposing the branches came after having removed the leaves and smaller branches and noticing that the branches themselves resembled trees. It was also an alternative to disposing of them over time. We decided to use the bare branches as Bottle Trees (read all about it here).

Bare Branch Bottle Tree.
Bare Branch Bottle Tree.

Materials/Tools Needed

  • Natural Tree Branches
  • Cement Bags/Mixing Tools
  • Shovel
  • Ropes
  • Glass Bottles

Step by Steps:

  • Cut some branches from a Tree
  • Smooth out the tips of the branches to slide the bottles in.
  • Using the shovel dig out a small hole about 12 to 16 inches deep and about 10 inches in diameter to bury the branch base. The bigger the branch the deeper the hole that will be needed.
  • Mix the cement making sure that you follow the mixing instructions on the bag.
  • Pour the cement into the hole and push the branch onto the cement to the desired dept.
  • At this point you will need to use the ropes to secure the branch in place so that the cement can dry.
  • Let the cement dry for 24 hours before removing the ropes.
  • Insert the bottles into the prepared branches and enjoy.
Bare Tree Branches.
Bare Tree Branches. (March 2014)

We decided to place the branches on both sides of a bench to create a beautiful sitting area. The effect is unique and we enjoy it immensely.

Inspire yourself or someone else this weekend with your creativity.

DIY: Desert Diorama

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read5.1K views

For their first month of school, the second graders project is taking the students to the Ocean or Desert. They were asked to create a scene using a Poster, a Diorama or creating a PowerPoint presentation about their subject.

My Son choose to make a diorama showcasing a few Desert Animals in their habitat.

Desert Animal Diorama.
Desert Animal Diorama.

Materials/Tools Needed

  • School Glue
  • Hand drawn scenes
  • Scissors
  • Synthetic Desert Plants
  • Stones
  • Craft Moss
  • Sand
  • Box (we used a Swiffer Sweeper Wet Refills Box)
  • Desert Toy Animals (or cutouts from drawings or Magazine)
  • Markers
  • Glue Gun and Glue Sticks

Step by Steps:

  • Decide on the scenery you want for your background, draw directly on your box or on a paper and then glue onto the box.
  • Figure out the placement of the Animals and Plants.
  • Generously apply school glue at the base of your box. Randomly place your stones and then sprinkle some sand and let it dry.
  • Apply some glue around the stones for the Moss.
  • Let it all air dry for a day and enjoy.
Desert Animal Diorama.
Desert Animal Diorama.

Our Scenery consists of a Desert Scorpion, Road Runner, Horned Lizard, Coyote, Rattle Snake and a Ground Squirrel which are all Desert animals and which are local to our surroundings. We got to learn what these animals eat, their favorite habitat preferences and the way they affect their ecosystem by their existence.

Our second grader had so much fun researching each animal and picking the facts he believed to be important for others to know about each animal. We hope you and your little ones will have as much fun as we did building this project.

Have fun and enjoy!

Quiet Afternoon

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read453 views

These past few weeks in the High Desert have been quite hectic and like so many residents, I have been praying for more rain. In just a couple of days, Fall will be here.

I was pleasantly surprised in the garden when I found gorgeous delicate clusters of yellow flowers on one of my numerous Mexican Bird of Paradise evergreen shrubs. The plant is drought tolerant to a certain degree and can re-sprout after colder temperatures. I planted them last Summer from seed, in full sun, and they have been thriving ever since attracting hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

Mexican Bird of Paradise flower buds.
Mexican Bird of Paradise flower buds.
Mexican Bird of Paradise flowers.
Mexican Bird of Paradise flowers.

As I was deadheading my spent Roses, I spotted an Argiope Trifasciata (orb weaving spider) hanging head down in the center of its web above a miniature Rose bush. You can clearly see its web linear decoration, zig-zag band of silk  structure  also known as stabilimentum.

I wondered if it could be the same I captured last month by my garage door and released in the backyard.

Argiope Trifasciata, a Banded Garden Orbweaver.
Argiope Trifasciata, a Banded Garden Orbweaver.

Wishing you all a wonderful day.