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Sunday, January 30, 2022

Easy Ivy Topiary for Valentine's Day

Hi Friends, hope you all are well and staying warm. And I'm hoping all our friends on the East Coast are safe and staying home somewhere away from the blizzardy snow and winds. Although we're having a sunny day here in the lower Midwest it's still cold and shivery. Anytime I can sit still for awhile you'll find me wrapped up in an electric blanket or throw. It's days like today that make me want to play with some plants and then put out a few vintage Valentine's to brighten up the house and shelves.





You all probably know me well enough by now, that you realize I just blog about what I'm doing "at the time". I'm not a post planner or big project person. I'm not terribly organized so what you see is what you get. I used to do more DIY stuff and have had a lot of fun in the past, "pre-blogging" days where I always had some kind of craft or project, home decor project, or hobby to work on, but now (especially since Covid) I don't like to get out and just browse the stores. It's all I can do to take care of home tasks and cook (not sure you could call it that) and share with you all what I'm up to.





But today I opened up some tubs of Valentine's goodies and happened to find a heart topiary form that I've had for years and used in several different plantings. I usually keep a few ivy's going; having a new start or two each year, so I grabbed one of those that's been around for awhile and thought I'd put together a heart topiary to celebrate Valentine's Day. 





As you can see it came from a florist years ago, but a heart form would be so easy to create using a smallish grapevine wreath or metal clothes hanger. You can tell by the dried out vines that it's been used before, and I just left them on the heart form for extra organic bulk.





It's easier if you have an ivy start that's been growing for awhile and that has multiple long tendrils to wrap around the form. You can start with a smaller plant of course but this makes it easier to get a more  "mature" look instantly. 






I just poked the tines on the base into the middle of the ivy;
no need to remove the ivy and replant it.
Super easy for me the lazy gardener.






So here it is after I wrapped four long ivy vines around the form. 2 on the left and 2 on the right. It looks pretty full, so I was happy with the outcome. Some people trim off the extra tendrils, but I like to let them grow in case one of the wrapped ones decides to poop out on me.






I've been playing with some of my vintage and antique Valentine's cards, and thought I'd try adding a few to the topiary for some fun. I've been taking snaps of them in several places around the house. That's the thing about old cards and ephemera, because you can move them around and use them multiple places for a quick cute vintage vignette.












Of course you'd remove them before misting or watering.




I thought I'd move the topiary over to the little white desk/table
 by the window in the Garden Room, to keep Goosey Gander company.




After Christmas I added the old cardboard suitcase to the desk
for a little added height and substance. 
Goosey has on his new seasonal wired "LOVE" ribbon for Valentine's Day.
The old white garden gate makes anything instantly "vintage garden".


















Did you catch my last post?





Have a great weekend, friends!





joining in here:


The House on Silverado  Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda
All About Home at Common Ground and Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Inspire Me Monday at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
 Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch 
  Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life   Wonderful Wednesday at LeCultivateur 
Turnabout Tuesday at My Wee Abode,  Centerpiece Wednesday at Karin's Kottage
Share Your Style at French Ethereal Vintage Charm at Our Hopeful Home,  
Thursday Favorite Things at Follow the Yellow Brick Home,  
Create, Bake, and Grow at Shabby Art BoutiqueFarmhouse Friday at  County Road 407
Friday with Friends at My Hubbard Home


22 comments:

  1. Debra, it looks great. I had kept a heart topiary wire around on the potting bench for years, but it went into the donation box this summer when I was doing a clean up. Like you, I don't plan ahead much and blog about what I'm currently doing, which isn't much these days! Ha! Ha! It's cold here as well, but the sun was shining today. It was a gorgeous day! I'm slowing pulling out some Valentine things this weekend. Love this time of year! Happy Weekend!

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    1. no sooner than I give something away, I find that I need it! Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday with some sunshine!

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  2. How pretty! I love Ivy and I have a few plants around the house so I may need to try this. I know we have months of winter to go but your topiary reminds that its on it's way at least! Thanks for the inspiration Debra. Have a great week ahead.

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    1. thankyou Denise! I love Ivy and it's usually something I can't kill easily, haha. I'm looking forward to a few sprouts of green outside. Happy weekend!

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  3. Hi Debra! I just love it! Everything you do looks wonderful! Hope you're having a great Sunday!
    Be a sweetie,
    Sheila ;)

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  4. Your topiary turned out great! I would love to make one - I have some ivy growing outside, I wonder if it would work with this? Thanks for sharing -- pinned 😊

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  5. Debra, that is so pretty. Delicate but certainly makes a big statement. You have a very pretty collection of vintage cards also. I love live plants in the house, but just can't seem to keep them growing long enough to do something with them. I agree with your form of "blogging". I am doing pretty much the same. It seems harder since I don't go out like I used to and I do miss that..Happy February, my friend..xxoJudy

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  6. The ivy is a beautiful touch!

    Alexandra
    OnRockwoodLane.com

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  7. What a pretty idea for Valentine's Day! Visiting from Farmhouse Friday!

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  8. A great idea. I love the vintage and antique valentine cards. Thank you for sharing!

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  9. This is adorable! I just love english ivy topiaries and this heart one is so cute!

    And thanks so much for joining our Fabulous Friday Link Party!

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  10. Love the ivy topiary and those vintage Valentines are precious! I appreciate you share at Tuesday Turn About!

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  11. Debra, your heart topiary is so pretty. Wonderful idea using the ivy. It looks lovely with your Valentine cards. I am happy to feature your pretty ivy topiary on Sunday at Love Your Creativity.

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  12. That is so pretty. I'm going to pin it and make something like it!

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  13. That's so pretty!! I love vintage valentines and topiaries. How nice to have both in one!

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  14. So cute! Now I'm on the hunt for some ivy... and topiary form...lol!

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  15. Yes, still need to make one of these! Great idea!

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  16. This is really wonderful, Debra! I love how it all came together. I'm happy to say that I'll be featuring this at Thursday Favorite Things today. :) The new party start time is 10:00 Central.

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  17. So very sweet and lovely! Pinned!

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