vine for support. I knew that Clematis climb by wrapping their wrists around small twigs, so other vines are wonderfully helpful for their successful climbing.

Here are some tips to get a Clematis started up your tree!:

-Choose a tree with rough bark, like a maple or oak. A smooth tree, like a cherry, with not get enough grip for your Clematis as it grows.

-Plant it on the shady side of the tree trunk and add compost. Mulch well. This enables you to give its roots the shade they need to start well.

-If you are not planting by another vine, then add a way for the Clematis to make it on to the tree bark. Use small bamboo canes, fishing line or twigs to make a scaffold for it to climb.

-Help the Clematis along by occasionally tucking its loose new growth into the rough bark of the maple.

It has turned out beautifully! I especially like the dreamy blue of Clematis 'Perle d'Azur' when viewed on the tree trunk against the blue sky. I hope yours does too!

there was no way I would allow myself to buy them. I knew I needed to figure out a way to make them myself. I bought some solar lights at the dollar store and was able to come up with my own Mason jar solar lights. Please visit my blog to see all of the details.

#DIY #Wreath #SpringFever #craft #SpringDecor

I first spied one in the mall before I got the nerve to try things on my own, and the price tag was not pretty. ($$$ x 4!) Then I wanted to make one, but the sewing part always freaked me out a little. You know, triangles and preciseness, and giant poles falling on your children and eight hour projects amongst other various whatnots. I'm getting the hang of sewing, but I was looking for an easier approach.

So I decided on a no-sew tactic.

Read more on our site www.thehandmadehome.net

wedding showers or any special occasion! Quick and easy to make using inexpensive flowers you can find in the grocery store and no calories!

@itching4spring

Ditto for cleaning the bathroom, kitchen, rinsing out dishrags. As I type this I am stringing things together and getting the feeling they have a selective sense of smell to go with selective hearing. Teenagers! Have you ever had a phantom smell in your house? Come on, admit it, I won't tell. You know what I mean. It is when you can smell something is funky somewhere in the house, but you can't find it. That is when you need me for a friend. I can find it.

#Recycle

happy with the way it came out.

I had a plug in chandelier that I had purchased for my wedding that I knew I wanted to use centered above the table, and that's how my ideas got started. I then hung Lill Curtains ($2.50 from Ikea) Around the entire patio and it really changed the look instantly.

For a complete breakdown and helpful tips to get the same "look" you can visit my blog at:

http://livegorgeously.blogspot.com/2012/07/b...

#Bestof2012