For quite a while, I have admired all sorts of wonderful homemade and commercial raised beds seen on Pinterest and Hometalk. Because I couldn't justify the cost of buying the lumber and didn't want to tackle disassembling pallets, raised beds did not seem to be in my future. But then, our neighbors replaced their shutters and were nice enough to give them to me when I asked. They know by now that a repurposing project is about to get underway.

You could do other configurations, but I used two shutters on each side and one-half a shutter for the ends. That used up all ten of the free shutters. Odds and ends of lumber stored in the garage rafters came down and became corner, end and middle supports. I even had enough wood screws from another project to use for this one!

See more pictures and all the details on Our Fairfield Home and Garden's latest post

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I've got full detailed instructions on my blog with recommended materials but here's the basics:

Materials: Birdhouse base, small stones (I buy bags of them at the dollar store), funnel for roof, silicone sealant to attach the stones, wood sealer.

Steps:

1. Start with a base. Here I used an unfinished birdhouse but you can also use a wide piece of PVC pipe, a jug, teapot...Anything with a the right shape.

2. If you're using a wooden birdhouse, first treat it with a wood sealant so it will last outdoors for many years.

3. Attach the stones using an outdoor silicone sealant (pick one that dries clear). Work from the bottom up so each row of stones rests on the ones below.

4. Add your roof and you're done!

More ideas: add a wee door; window boxes-create a whole fairy garden scene-; make the roof from moss or tiny cedar pieces or a folded licence plate...

I hope you'll share your ideas in the comments. Have fun!

PS: These birdhouses are intended as decorations only. See my blog for information on safe nesting boxes.

http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/2013/03/...

These lists of my favorites are not unusual, hard to find, or expensive. I can't justify spending large amounts just to have the newest or most unusual plants. I look for beauty, longevity, and low initial cost all wrapped up in the easiest care possible. And these all fit the bill. They include:

-Boxwood

-Hydrangea

-Spirea

-Rudbekia

-Sedum

-Stella d'Oro daylily

Plus a few more. What would you add to the lists?

neighbors old car or unkempt lawn from your view. The best of both worlds is to have a part of your porch for greeting neighbors and a corner carved out for just you.

Here are three classic ways to create privacy on your porch:

-Lattice

-Trees and shrubs

-Vinyl cut-out panels

Our front porch ideas will give you plenty of options!

#PorchPride

Check out the "Zen mini garden," mini cottage garden with succulent roof, a whimsical "fairy hideout" garden and a mini garden called, "The Shepherd!"

Learn about plant selection, order of construction and where to source materials. Thank you to www.WholesaleFairyGardens.com for the fairy accessories.