Monday, January 30, 2023

Perennial Herbs to Grow in the Garden

Perennial herbs to grow in your garden!

Perennial herbs are a fantastic addition to any garden! Not only do they provide fresh, flavorful herbs year-round, but they also can help attract beneficial insects and pollinators.

I'm really into growing herbs this year. I wanted to seed start some varieties that I'll be able to plant outside & enjoy for years to come, so I searched for perennial varieties. I was surprised to find quite a few perennials! I'll include some of them at the bottom of this post!

I want to transform my small front yard into a cute garden space. I want to offer fresh herbs & veggies to my community. Our Little Free Library is located in that space, so I wanted to expand on my community vibe. I'm all about finding small ways to make an impact. Gardening comes pretty easily to me, so I want to start there.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

The Whimsical Tale of My Mystery Pepper Plants Adventure

Tiff garden 2023 , seed starting 0 Comments

Mystery pepper plants growing in a charming thrifted greenhouse, showcasing the unpredictable joy of gardening. | on the creek blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Hey there, Besties! 🌟✨

I've got a delightful little story to share with you today – it's all about my recent escapade with mystery pepper plants! You know how I love a good garden mystery. 🌶️🔍

In true 'Tiff style,' I decided to experiment with pepper plants. Why? Why not! I was curious to see if the rumors were true – are peppers really perennials? I embarked on a pepper-planting journey to satisfy my green thumb and curiosity, starting eight little hopefuls in my adorably cute greenhouse. 🌱💚

Let's pause and gush about this greenhouse for a second. Picture this: a charming, compact greenhouse I snagged at a thrift store for a song. It's just the perfect little haven for my plant babies – high quality and oh-so-cute!

Now, onto the slow dance of growing peppers. These little guys are seriously shy when it comes to sprouting. It's a game of patience, watering, and more patience. For this experiment, I used some old cups with a bit of soil, diligently marking each with a Sharpie pen to keep track of the varieties.

But here's where the plot twists: the Sharpie betrayed me! With all the watering, the names just vanished into thin air, turning my well-planned pepper project into a guessing game. Now, my peppers are like little green enigmas, all mixed up and mysterious. 🤷‍♀️🌿

The labels you see in the photos? Oh, those are relics from my past gardening escapades, back when I used permanent markers that actually stayed put.

Despite the mix-up, I'm marching forward with my plan to move these little mystery plants into buckets. It's going to be a surprise party when they start showing their true colors (or, should I say, flavors?). Until then, I'm enjoying the suspense of not knowing what each plant will bring. It's like a botanical lottery! 🎉🪴

Stay tuned, Besties, as I navigate this unexpected garden adventure. Who knows what delightful varieties are waiting to reveal themselves? Until then, I'm embracing the unknown with a smile and a watering can.

Remember, life's a little more fun when you let the mysteries unfold. Happy gardening, everyone! 🌞🌶️

#1 Greenhouse plant terrarium

#2 Seed starting tray with grow light

Monday, January 23, 2023

Hobby Lobby Inspirations: My Creative Journey in Finding Affordable Decor Trends

Tiff hobby lobby , home decor 0 Comments

cute home decor from hobby lobby | On The Creek Blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Hey Besties! 🌟 So, you know how I can't resist a good creative challenge, right? Last week, I wandered into Hobby Lobby with my 'I-can-totally-DIY-this' hat on. But guess what? I was pleasantly surprised to find some adorable decor pieces that were actually budget-friendly! 🛒✨

Here's a little secret: I'm thinking of crafting and selling my own home decor creations this year. So, my trip to Hobby Lobby was also a bit of a spy mission (shh!) to check out what's trending. While I love going wild with my personal decor style, keeping up with trends is key for my professional side. 🕵️‍♀️🎨

Affordability is my mantra when it comes to creating decor pieces for sale. And you won't believe it, but there were times in Hobby Lobby when I thought, "No way can I make this for less!" Still, my DIY spirit spotted plenty of items I could replicate on a budget. Stay tuned for some fab DIY dupes coming your way soon! 🌟

But for now, let me flood you with a deluge of delightful decor snaps from Hobby Lobby. Whether you're into DIY or prefer store-bought treasures, these finds will surely spark some home styling inspiration! 🏡💡

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Crafting Cozy Charm: My Gallery Wall Makeover Journey

Tiff Cozy Home Inspirations , Crafting with Cricut 0 Comments

Hey there, Besties! 🌟

So, here's the scoop: I have a love-hate relationship with thrift stores. I adore them, but oh boy, do they test my self-control! I bring home more treasures than my basement knows what to do with. But change was in the air, and it was time to declutter and breathe new life into these finds.

The Birth of a Cozy Vibe Sign

This weekend was all about adding a touch of cozy to my bedroom with a DIY gallery wall project. Among my thrifted collection was a frame I fell for—though the art inside? Not so much. It was the perfect candidate for a cozy makeover, transforming it into a piece that truly spoke to me.

A Tale of Transformation

After painting the frame to match the vibe of my gallery wall, I turned my attention to the canvas. A fresh coat of white paint set the stage for what I envisioned as the final masterpiece. With my trusty Cricut by my side, I cut out a vinyl design. I eagerly placed it onto the canvas, sealing it with a layer of Mod Podge for that perfect finish. Or so I thought.

Embracing the Do-Over

Imagine my surprise when stepping back; I realized the piece didn't capture the cozy essence I aimed for. The brown frame clashed with the pristine white canvas, and the whole ensemble felt out of place among its wall companions. Not one to give up, I dived back in with charcoal chalk paint, transforming the canvas once again and peeling up the vinyl to reveal a beautifully stenciled design. A distressed white coat on the frame, and suddenly, it was love!

The Magic of Paint

It's incredible, isn't it? How a bit of paint and a dash of creativity can completely transform a piece. This project reminded me that there's always room for change and growth in the world of DIY. And yes, sometimes the second (or third) attempt is where the magic happens.

Sneak Peek Alert!

Though my gallery wall is a work in progress, it's shaping into a space filled with stories and charm. And for those curious souls, I've included a sneak peek of the wall and the sign's evolution. It's a testament to the journey of creating a home filled with love, one DIY project at a time.

Remember, Besties, our homes are canvases for our hearts and creativity. Here's to filling yours with pieces that speak to your soul. Keep shining, keep creating! 🎨✨💕

Friday, January 06, 2023

10 Reasons I Love Little Free Libraries

Tiff little free library , 0 Comments

10 things I love about Little Free Libraries!

Little Free Libraries are my jam. I have so much love for them that I established my own Little Free Library! I get so excited when I go out to my library & see different books! I was afraid that people wouldn't use the library, but it's a hit! I love that we were able to provide an area for people to access free books.

Over the weekend, I spotted a Little Free Library in the wild & was reminded all over again how beneficial these little book boxes are for communities.

I also think they are just the cutest things!

I love them so much that I made a list of 10 reasons why!

Thursday, January 05, 2023

Super Cute Herb Garden Kits From Amazon

Tiff amazon , container garden 0 Comments

Herb Garden Kits from Amazon | On The Creek Blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Super cute herb garden kits from Amazon!

After posting my tin can herb garden yesterday, I browsed Amazon to see the herb garden kits they had to offer.

You guys, there are some really cute kits available! These would be great to give as gifts...or keep for yourself!

I love that buying a kit gives you everything you need to start an herb garden. Also, most kits come with my favorite seed starting medium: peat pellets.

Any of these herb garden kits would look great in someone's home.

Wednesday, January 04, 2023

Tin Can Herb Garden

Tiff container garden , herbs 0 Comments

A super cute herb garden using tin cans!

Dollar Tree has shown up this year when it comes to gardening supplies. I browsed the garden supply area in the store over the weekend & it made me so excited for this year's season.

I've wanted to start an herb garden for a while now. Because the herbs will be grown mostly indoors, I could start it at any time. So, when I saw the Herb Rockets among the gardening supplies at Dollar Tree, I immediately got them & decided to begin my herb garden!

In preparation for the 2023 gardening season, I have been saving all sorts of tins & containers for seed starting. I mostly keep smaller containers, but I did have a few larger tin cans that I knew would be perfect for seed-starting the herb garden.

The Herb Rocket was easy to plant. It's basically a roll of seeds that get put into the soil. Unfortunately, the instructions are super vague, so I did my own thing.

Tuesday, January 03, 2023

Hello 2023

Tiff 2023 , life 0 Comments

reflections of 2022 & plans for 2023 | On The Creek Blog // www.onthecreekblog.com

Happy New Year!

I have never been happier to see the end of a year in my life.

2022 aged me about a thousand years! It was lesson after lesson in grief, heartbreak, betrayal & problem-solving. I had to become a different person while still wanting to cling to a life that no longer existed. There were times when so many things were thrown my way at once I thought my head was going to explode!

Despite the hardships, I found strength and resilience within myself & I emerged from the year more enlightened than ever.

(But, if the universe is listening, I never want to go through that again!)

My plans for 2023 are to let things flow. I spent a good portion of 2022 trying to swim upstream, forcing situations to fit into whatever I thought to be the "right" thing to do. I had to learn that I can't force anything & trying to intervene is pointless. I must be at peace, knowing the karma will work itself out without my intervention.