If I asked you “how are you doing?” today…what do you think would be the honest answer?
And no…not the one that might knee-jerk and kick its way out of your mouth…but the real answer?
I think some of us are truly doing well with the whole back to mostly normal grind. And then? Maybe there are some of us (raising my hand) that might be experiencing some growing pains from the getting back into the race pace marathon again.
We went to the zoo this week and I locked eyes with this guy.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8253-768x1024.jpg)
It was like this giraffe looked at me and said…
“And YOU…How are YOU?“
And so, friend before we scroll down and get to the Dollar Store DIY Plant Hanger tips and tricks…I just want to lock eyes with you for a hot second ok?
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8269-768x1024.jpg)
I want to remind you…that it is O.K. if things are not clicking off just so, at just the right time, in just the right place and in just the right way.
It is O.K if you feel…just a little…off.
We are collectively exercising what have been mostly dormant muscles again.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/diy-vertical-wall-planter-how-to-make-a-plant-hanger-out-of-twine.jpg)
It is natural to feel a bit weathered as we experience personal growing pains or a few more pain points here and there while we exercise our abilities to rise to the occasion again of life in mega motion…
after a pandemic.
This body…the one that is holding those eyeballs that are locked in right now?
It has been holding you up and holding you together…through a year. So, if you’re feeling a little woozy from all of the green lights that have flashed back on…it is Ok.
We can be grateful for the green lights and also gentle with our own light.
And so? It is normal to feel a little off.
You are recalibrating and that process?
Well, it takes time.
Now then…back to the regularly scheduled program of how to make your own vertical planter using supplies from the Dollar Tree.
And don’t worry…because if you are in the camp of feeling a little worn down, you are in good company.
Because this little lady of white lattice? Well, she is looking a little worn and weathered too.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8309-768x1024.jpg)
If you have been around here since last June, then you may remember that I picked her up off the side of the road, in front of a business that was closing. This lattice was one of many items that had been discarded and labeled as “Free” on the sidewalk.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_5577-767x1024.jpg)
We re-purposed her last year around this time and this year…well it is her first birthday…
so we dressed her up for the occasion.
Above is what she looked like last year when I originally brought her home, having absolutely no idea what I was going to do with her once I had her.
I wrote all about the story of stumbling across this piece of lattice last June and how our daughter came up with the brilliant idea to place her along the siding behind our somewhat neglected fish pond in our side yard.
You can read the blog post about the re-purposed treasure here – in the “New Beginnings = Fresh Purpose” post.
But, like how I feel about myself right now…a little worn on the edges but still ready to show up, flaws and all. This beauty was ready to show up anyway too, scars and all to receive her 1st birthday party presents if you will.
Last year, after I picked her up and re-purposed her into a vertical flower planter, I was farther inspired to love up on our fish pond waterfall and give this small outdoor space a total refresh.
The makeover included bailing the pond out completely and cleaning the rocks and waterfall myself.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_5923-768x1024.jpg)
This year?
I got smart.
I sent two tiny helpers in to do the dirty work.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_7631-768x1024.jpg)
Over the last year, since this small outdoor space received a much needed refresh, our youngest daughter took to this new unearthed gem of a space and immediately turned it into Malibu Barbie’s tropical paradise.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_7621-768x1024.jpg)
Only the party got out of hand.
So, it seemed fitting that she be the one to take charge of the the after party clean up duty this time around.
I won’t even tell you how many articles of itty bitty clothing and Barbie shoes they found deep in the rocks of Malibu. We may just need to chat with Barbie about skinny dipping. 🙂
I digress.
Don’t you worry…these girls loved every single minute of mud-slinging cleanup duty.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_7625-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_7622_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
After the waterfall, aka Malibu Barbie Beach Paradise received her deep clean…it was time to bring in fresh life and energy in the form of new succulents and small flower plants to revive our weathered vertical planter made out of lattice.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8292_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8288-768x1024.jpg)
Last year, I twisted these small cup hooks pictured below, into the lattice to use to hang our DIY hanging planters from. (You can also pick these cup hooks up at the Dollar Store.)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_5632-768x1024.jpg)
The cup hooks are still in place from last year, making it easy to hang our DIY twine plant hangers this year.
I purchased two sets of 3 mini, plastic plant pots from the Dollar Store last week along with this roll of twine and bag of Spanish Moss which I use to top off any planters that need a little extra fluff to soften the edge of the planters as decoration.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/how-to-make-a-dollar-store-hanging-plant-holder-out-of-twine-768x1024.jpg)
How to make your own Dollar Store plant hangers out of twine:
Step 1: Cut two pieces of twine to the same length.
Step 2: Hold the two pieces of twine together and fold in half making a loop.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/how-to-make-a-diy-hanging-planter-vertical-wall-planter-768x1024.jpg)
Step 3: Tie the 4 ends together, by separating two pieces on the left and two of twine on the right.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8351-768x1024.jpg)
Step 4: Hang the two loops of twine onto the cup hook that is screwed into the wood of item you are using as your vertical wall planter. (In my case, this is the rescued piece of lattice we have re-purposed.)
Step 5: Place your small potted plant into the twine plant holder by using the knot you tied as the base of the holder.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/vertical-planter-diy-twine-plant-holder-dollar-store-planter-768x1024.jpg)
Repeat steps 1-5 until you have filled your vertical planter to your liking!
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/diy-vertical-wall-planter-how-to-make-a-plant-hanger-out-of-twine-768x1024.jpg)
The mini plastic pots from the Dollar Store are perfect for this project because they are light-weight and offer just the right size for creating a gallery of hanging flower pots.
I also decided to re-purpose two glass hanging candleholders and used them as flower pots for the larger trailing ivy.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8367-768x1024.jpg)
Are you ready to see how our little weathered lattice turned DIY vertical planter looks this year?
Remember…she was looking a little worn from all of those long days of standing firm and strong through a year that held all types of weather.
(Maybe you can relate.)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8309-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/how-to-make-your-own-vertical-planter-lattice-diy-decor-811x1024.jpg)
Honestly?
Those weathered and worn pieces of wood on the lattice that were bright white last year?
I love the way they look more this year.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/how-to-make-a-diy-vertical-planter-flower-wall-outdoor-decor-768x1024.jpg)
Friend, maybe it’s just me…but recalibrating the wheels on the bus have taken more time at our house to adjust then what we (or me) expected.
Like this weathered piece of lattice…and the tiny screwed in cup hooks that lasted through all of the weather of this last year…maybe you are feeling a little rusty too?
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8363_jpg-768x1024.jpg)
Here’s the thing.
When I am feeling rusty…it is a cue for me to clue into.
RUST reminds me to REST.
Nothing feeds stress like control.
When we release control…we are met with the opportunity to receive a new posture.
This new posture?
It is called REST.
When we lay our steps and stresses down…the cost may be control.
But the reward?
Freedom to rest in the “leave it at that” rest stop.
There are days friend…aren’t they?
You know the ones…the days when you are having a day.
Even on the “not so shiny” days…the light still catches if we look for it.
Distant…maybe not noticeable at first glance.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8283-768x1024.jpg)
Sometimes…we miss it.
Sometimes…the Light is blurred with the echo of everyday life pounding harder….faster.
But?
If we release control and breathe a breath?
We might have a better chance of seeing the Light…
Close up.
![](https://heatherkrout.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_8280-768x1024.jpg)
“This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.”
1 john 1:5 nlt
Dear God,
Thank you that you are near.
Help me to call out to you when I am feeling overwhelmed. I know that you are working the hardest when I feel the weakest.
Thank you for your continued strength and guidance. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you.
Amen.
Living on a prayer,
Heather
Heather
Such a cute idea. Do you mind if I share a link to your post, on my Dirt Road Adventures, Sunday recap.
Hi Rachel! Thank you! I would be honored for you to share to your Dirt Road Adventures! You are so sweet to ask! Thank you! Happy Friday! XO, Heather