Last September, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into the vast land of blogging. I knew I wanted to share my creative side, as well as those who have inspired me. I have always been the creative type, even as a small child. I was constantly pretending and using my imagination. I had to, my sister didn’t come along until I was 7 and we lived in the country. I was very careful to not admit I was bored… for chores and not so fun suggestions would arise from that very statement. My mom was, and still is, one to encourage using my imagination. She would play along with me and help me create the world I was dreaming, and has done the same for our girls.
Blogging is simply that creative outlet. I was arranging and re-arranging, creating, and styling well before a year ago. Sharing my ideas in a public forum was something new to me, and it has turned out to be more than I ever dreamed. I happily discovered an entire community on social media that craved the same outlet. I had no idea it existed, but boy, am I grateful to have found it. I have met so many new friends, and it has been an amazing opportunity to encourage one another, all the while inspiring thousands of people just looking for how to style their mantle for the holidays. When I look back through my posts, it’s amazing to me the difference 12 months has made! I have pursued the art of photography, and the art of staging, and I think it’s paying off! I practice daily, and I am still learning, so it’s exciting to wonder the changes another year will bring.
I want to thank each and everyone of you for following along on this amazing journey with me. This is my 54th post. I have been so blessed to have been able to feature those who inspire me, simple DIY projects, decorating and organizing secrets, and home tours to have filled up an entire 52 weeks. It’s been a lot of FUN work, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself. With that being said, I have decided to change things a little this year moving forward.
I may not post every week. I am very much a creature of routine, so I am going to try to be a bit more spontaneous. My posts won’t primarily be on Mondays, they will just hit when I have something to share, whether that’s once a week, a few times a week, or every few weeks. I am going to focus more on featuring others. There are so many amazing ideas out there that need to be shared! So please, if you have something you would like me to share, email me! I would love to feature you! No doubt I will be approaching those that inspire me 😉
This past weekend, I decided to gather some succulents I have had scattered about this summer into my very first fresh arrangement.
Last year after my sister and brother-in-law’s wedding, I developed a love of succulents. However, they didn’t love me back throughout the winter months. I tried to keep them alive, but ended up purchasing a few in the spring and planted them in a bird bath. Turns out, they actually like being watered a lot more than I originally thought. I had great luck this summer, but have decided to pull some for this arrangement. I will try again to keep a few through the winter, but I have my doubts. I just don’t have the correct sun exposure, so why not enjoy them to their fullest now?
Before attempting this, I picked the brain of our local florist at Sheila’s Sunny Bloomers and, as promised, it was easy!
Items needed:
- Glue Gun – glue sticks
- Container
- Chicken Wire
- Sand and soil
- Moss
- Succulents
I chose a small decorative urn and filled it with a mixture of sand and Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus potting soil. I cut some chicken wire to fit the circumference of the urn, and placed it just inside the top.
I used a mixture of 2 types of moss, and glued a few edges.
Then I just started placing the individual succulents, gently poking their stems through the moss and chicken wire. I did add small amounts of glue in a few areas, but mostly the moss was enough to adhere to.
As I layered them, I didn’t worry too much about the chicken wire. They don’t need much to get started, so hopefully the layers of moss do the trick. I don’t look for this arrangement to last but a few months at best. If they actually survive and produce, then added bonus!
I added some faux floral berries for a little more fall color.
I lost a few petals in the process and just stuck them in some pots with soil in hopes they propagate!
This is not spectacular, and it’s rather small for my liking, but I am happy overall with my first attempt. I only purchased the chicken wire, so with just using materials I had at home, it’s good by me 🙂 It was fun creating it, so purchasing succulents with an arrangement in mind will definitely be in the future!
Author and photos – Martha Knake
Chief Editor – Emily Schunke
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Wow!! Thank you so much! Appreciate your visit!!
I love succulents and need to grow more of them outside so I can use them inside too 🙂 I love the urn you did. So pretty!
Thank you so much! Good luck!
I also follow you on Instagram and liked the giveaway post. My username is @norma_watson.
Thanks!
I like you on Facebook and shared the giveaway on my page. Thank you so much for offering such a lovely and generous giveaway. Fall is my favorite time of year. I am so excited to see the leaves start changing! 🙂
I love fall too! Thanks so much for your sweet comment and for sharing my post. I really appreciate it!
Love all of your ideas!! I look forward to reading your next blog and seeing your newest decor!!
Christa, thank you for your support, it doesn’t go unnoticed <3
Love your decor! 😊
Thanks so very much! Good Luck!
Such a fun feed. 😍
Thank you.
Thank YOU!
Martha I love your IG feed and your blog! You are continually inspiring and supporting me & I’m so grateful to have connected with you love! Congrats on your blogging anniversary and can’t wait to see what comes next 😃 Love ya ❤️😘
Love this!! Thank you so much dear friend <3 so happy to have become such good friends, love supporting you!!
Love your giveaway picks! I haven’t ventured into succulents since I don’t have a green thumb in the slightest so I’m afraid it would be a waste of my money. Hahah
🙂 thanks so much for stopping by to say hello, I’m not sure I have what it takes when it comes to succulents either 😉
Hi Martha! This is Laara @Laarapom from IG!! Happy Anniversary! I really enjoy following you on IG, I had no idea you had a blog too!! Sorry girl! I will look forward to following you here too!
How very very sweet of you!! Thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
What a beautiful arrangement. I love it! And…Thank you for the giveaway! I love great smelling stuff. 🙂
2dogs5catscrew@att.net
Thank you for your kind comment <3
I LOVE your succulents!! Does the chicken wire help keep the succulents in place and is it required? I have some real succulents and some fake ones. However, I want to put the real ones in a mason jar and I am a little scared to transplant them because they are doing so well in the container that they came in. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance! What a fun giveaway and I LOVE your blog!
Thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement, I truly appreciate them. I would love to chat about succulents!! The chicken wire helps but is not required.. they will take off in very little, moss, rock bed, etc. I am still learning so much about them, but I say go for it and document, and learn from there. I know they love light!!
This is just too cute! I love the added touch of the berries to the green! And it’s so great that you posted the tutorial!!! What a great idea, friend! Sarah Williams 💕
You are so sweet, thank you so much!!
So simple and cute! A great giveaway 🙂
Thank you so much!
Congrats Martha!!! Such a fun giveaway 🍂🎃🍁XO
😘❤️ Lora!!
Looks great Martha! Wish I was as crafty as you;)
Thanks so much Cara <3
You sure are very talented! Wish I had half of your talent! so glad this journey has been something great for you! fall blessings!
So very sweet of you to say Danielle, I will gladly come and help you style anytime 😉
Beautiful!
Thank you so much!
Martha I was unable to keep my wedding succulents alive also. They looked good until about January. I will need to follow your above post and try again. I love your sweater pumpkin.
Good luck Barb!! And thank you!!
Love this succulent! I’ve made many flower arrangements, but not succulents. Looks like I’m making a run to hobby lobby tonight!!!!!
Awesome! Thanks so much Keri!!
I love seeing all of your creativity and your beautiful home!
You are so sweet Jessi <3 Thank you!
Succulents have been growing on me too. I used to not like them, but now I think they’re beautiful. However my mind is in full force fall mode now, so I am crazy about pumpkins, leaves, sunflowers, and other signs of the season. Too bad I live in coastal GA, where it never cools off and we don’t have a noticeable fall!
Melissa, I would love to have warmer weather longer 😉 Thanks so much for your sweet comment!
I purchased the sweetest little succulent terrarium in December and it is still alive (woohoo)! I am worried it won’t be lasting past this winter without great sun 🙁
oh my goodness! If you have any pointers, pass them on!
Love your site and love a giveaway!
Thank you so much! Good luck!