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Crafts & Handwork

Make a Garden Shadow Box With Miniature Keepsakes

Published on April 8, 2025 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden shadow box with garden photo and miniatures.

Turn a garden photo and keepsakes into a delightful 3-D display with this shadow box tutorial. It's a fun way to preserve garden memories and create something beautiful to display indoors. If you … [Read more...]

How to Sew a Simple Garden Apron (Free Pattern)

Published on November 24, 2024 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden apron

This comfortable garden apron is an easy sewing project, perfect for beginners. It requires minimal fabric, can be sewn in an afternoon, and includes a free pattern. If you enjoy simple sewing … [Read more...]

14 Owl-Inspired Garden Art & Craft Ideas

Published on May 13, 2022 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Garden art owl decorations.

If you love owls like so many of us do, these owl-inspired garden art and craft ideas are for you. Find the owl décor that suits your garden or get some recycled materials and craft up something … [Read more...]

Oh My Daisies! How To Transform Plain Shoes With Paint

Published on January 15, 2022 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Painting daisies on a pair of black shoes.

For this project we took a plain pair of shoes and transformed them into wearable art with a simple hand-painted floral design. You can also use these paints to turn worn-out shoes into quirky garden … [Read more...]

12 Creative Crafty Uses for Slow Cookers

Published on May 17, 2021Last updated October 3, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Craft, garden, and art projects made using a slow cooker.

Got a crock pot you’re not using? Have a look at these non-food DIY ideas for slow cookers including a smart gardening tip, home improvement ideas, and beauty and craft projects. This is all … [Read more...]

How to Sew Grow Bags (Easy Pattern, Any Size)

Published on April 17, 2021Last updated October 11, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Homemade grow bag planted with flowers.

Use these free instructions to sew your own fabric grow bags in any size (small, medium, large, and extra large) for your patio, balcony, or garden. Lightweight, inexpensive, and compact to store, … [Read more...]

Make a Paper Mache Bird (Beginner Tutorial)

Published on March 7, 2021Last updated October 4, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

Papier mache robin.

Use this step-by-step tutorial to create a paper mache (also called papier-mâché) bird. We've made a folk-art inspired robin but you could create any bird you like. This is a selection from the book, … [Read more...]

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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
Join me as I share creative + frugal home & garden ideas with a dash of humor.
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