I love growing herbs! Every year I pick a few of my favorites, set aside a few hours and plant an herb garden in a sunny corner of the backyard. I mix in lots of heirloom tomatoes, some squash, and my favorite thing of all…lemon cucumbers. I’ve ordered my herbs and vegetables already from White Flower Farm. They have the best selection of quality plants. They hold your order and ship when the season is right for the area you live in, and if a plant might not grow in your area they will tell you!
Last year I ordered the windowsill herb garden from White Flower Farm and now I’m ready to plant it again with fresh herbs. Just so happens that Brigette has been making the cutest little garden markers from old silverware! Look at my herb garden now!
I even have a marker that says “Bunny Patch!”
If you’d like to make some too, we’re going to show you how! Step by step. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Assorted old silverware (try thrift shops or EBay)
- Anvil or steel block (you can find it here)
- Letter stamping set 1/8″ (you can find it here)
- Hammer or sledge hammer
- Black Sharpie Permanent Marker, any size
Old silverware…
Steel block and letters…
Sledge hammer…
And now onto making the markers… Place the silverware (we’re using spoons) onto anvil or steel block.
Strike with hammer until flat. Hold hammer as level as possible and strike hard. If your arm gets tired, ask a man to help, the more macho the man the better.
Choose your letters and center word on flattened spoon. Place first letter on the spoon and hit with hammer several times. Be careful not to move the letter because it’s hard to realign. It’s fine if your letters aren’t perfectly straight. It adds to the charm. Continue stamping until finished.
Color in the letters with a sharpie marker. Wipe off excess marker after it dries. Insert into herb garden and enjoy!
That’s it! You can make them for gifts and yourself! Repurpose. It’s such a good thing!
Don’t want to make these yourself? Brigette sells them in her Etsy shop!
Oh and in case you didn’t know already, “Snowbound” block number three is posted and can be found under Free patterns. Have fun everyone! Hopefully you’ll be quilting, knitting, crocheting, or making garden markers. This is national craft month! I’ll be back soon!
Hugs,
Anne
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Ooooh! I like these. : ) Thanks for sharing. I may just have to give these a whirl…
The new Snowbound block is darling! Can’t wait to get home and SEW!!! Happy Friday!
Comment by Piecefully, Pam — March 5, 2010 @ 3:30 am
National Craft only gets a month? I think we all celebrate it all year. :o) I absolutely love the herb markers. Women with tools rock. With my young pup eating everything in sight I think I’ll be going the window box route this year. I love fresh herbs. Thank you for sharing the how to.
Comment by Stephanie — March 5, 2010 @ 4:42 am
Thanks for the idea but I think that is MY silverware! I’m not calling mine “old” but instead “vintage”.
Comment by Lois Fiskness — March 5, 2010 @ 5:20 am
These are way too cute. I just may have to order some, since I can’t start another new crafting project (no, I really can’t!)
Comment by Mary Ann — March 5, 2010 @ 5:47 am
There goes that Bridgette again! Does she ever sleep? You two are a great team! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Comment by Charmaine M. — March 5, 2010 @ 7:08 am
well isn’t this just a real cuppa cute! I have the letter stamps so I see a trip to goodwill in my future! Mind if I link to this from my blog? (www.farmandfrufru.blogspot.com)
Comment by sharon stanley — March 5, 2010 @ 7:52 am
Oh Anne those are so adorable… and better yet… I don’t have to just lust after some of those adorable garden markers! I can make them! Thank you so much for the instructions… I’m in Heaven! xxoo
Comment by Sinta Renee — March 5, 2010 @ 9:01 am
Anne, thanks for the new block, it’s just darling….and the herb markers are so cute. I’ve already ordered the letter stamps and just have to come up with some silverware. Thanks for sharing the instructions to you and Bridgette.
Linda
Comment by Linda McKibben — March 5, 2010 @ 10:40 am
Herb markers are “too cute”…and so is Block No. 3. Great information……..my letter stamps are on the way also and lots of silverware waiting for me. Thanks for all the into.
Comment by Libby — March 5, 2010 @ 10:53 am
Very Clever! Perfect timing with spring planting on the way.
Comment by Angie — March 5, 2010 @ 4:34 pm
Such a delightful idea!
Comment by Delinda Lea — March 5, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
These are fabulous, I will be linking!
Comment by Fern @ Craftblog — March 6, 2010 @ 1:32 am
These are really sweet garden markers, Ann, what a fun idea! And thanks so much for the new Snowbound block, another darling snowman, can’t wait to start :-)
Comment by mimi'sdarlins — March 6, 2010 @ 5:59 am
Oh wow, that is such a smashing idea and a great way to use up old odd silver spoons etc. So easy but sooooo clever.
tinyinc
Comment by tinyinc — March 6, 2010 @ 7:11 am
[...] Head over to Bunny Tales to see the full tutorial and more photos. [...]
Pingback by Craft Blog » Cutlery Garden Markers Tutorial — March 6, 2010 @ 1:57 pm
Hi Anne and Brigitte,
I love the spoon garden markers, brilliant idea. Well done girls. if they dont weigh too much I am going to order a set of the letters to punch into some silverware. If they weigh to much I may have to ask you a favour!
Love Lynette
Comment by Lynette Anderson — March 6, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
Love the stamped silverware! So tempted to get those stamps too.
The new snowman block is cool! Thank you!
Comment by Loris Mills — March 7, 2010 @ 10:32 am
Anne, thank you for a wonderful class on Friday. I’m on my way to making some bunnies. My sisters had taken your yo-yo class and told me 1)what a wonderful teacher you are and 2)Brigitte makes wonderful desserts for your students!
They were spot on about both things. Thanks, Brigitte. ;0
Comment by Ina — March 7, 2010 @ 4:07 pm
Hi. Found you from over on Farm and Fru Fru. I am so going to make these. Just ordered the stuff in. I have seen these before and always wondered how it was done. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. You just made my week. Quick question though – What kind of silverware? In other words stainless steel, sterling silver, silver plated. Does it matter or will it work on any kind. Oh yea – I’m following you site now. Have a great day!
Comment by Jamie — March 9, 2010 @ 6:49 am
this is so fun! I want to make some for my garden summer!
Comment by Rachel — March 9, 2010 @ 9:05 am
Hi, Anne! Forgot to mention the other day, we’ve been ordering plants from White Flower Farm for years, and they’re wonderful :-)
Comment by mimi'sdarlins — March 9, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
i am SO GOING TO MAKE THESE!!! love them!
oh and i love your pink sewing machine. love it all!!!
i really hope to come and see you at market (even if for a second) to say hello in person!
Comment by V and Co. — March 12, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
[...] Anyhoo, not being one to throw anything away – I discovered this on craft blog and went looking for the tutorial here. [...]
Pingback by How do You Solve a Problem Like Stepford Husband? « Laugh in the Sun — March 20, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
I adore these…thank you so so much. I am going to try to make some for sure. How I love your blog. xoxo
Comment by koralee — March 22, 2010 @ 8:57 pm
What a great idea! Love this post. Thanks for posting this.
Comment by Jim Jordan — March 28, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
Thank you for giving a step-by-step. Nicely done!
Comment by Theresa — April 1, 2010 @ 11:18 am
I LOVE this tutorial! I went right out and bought some stamps and now am a stamping fool!! LOL Thank you so much!!! I have also shared your site with others that wanted a tutorial on how to do this. Love it!!
Blessings~
Comment by Sandi — May 11, 2010 @ 6:50 am
I wonder if the dremel tool would work for “engraving” the letters on the silverware? …
Comment by Sally — May 19, 2010 @ 10:05 am
Thank you – these are wonderful!!
Comment by Shar — June 14, 2010 @ 6:13 pm