Pet Memorial Stone DIY

It's been a year since we said good-bye to our sweet baby Tyke.  He was our first fur baby and a very sweet and sensitive dog.  It was something that came on quite suddenly for us, but long enough to see him suffer.  We made the decision to let him go when we just couldn't see him like that anymore.  After letting him go, I did not take it well.  I needed him in my life, even if it was just a little memorial to keep him close.

I decided to make a little stone memorial for Tyke.  I wanted to see his name and keep him close.  I had made paw prints and framed them before he passed.  I made copies of his paw prints and used that along with his name and an angel picture.  I printed all of these on to a piece of cardstock.

After printing, I cut out the inside images of my letters and pictures to make a stencil.  I'm sure if you have a Cameo or Cricut you could do this on there, but this worked for me.  

I placed my stencil on top of a concrete stepping stone I got at a home improvement store.  Using a black Sharpie marker, I traced inside my stencil onto my stone.  I then colored in my letters and freehanded the date as well using a Painters paint marker.  This will last much longer, especially outside.  Mine still looks good a year later, but you could always repaint if it starts to fade.

I made another smaller stone with Tyke's name and paw print on it to bring out to our beach condo. 

We placed our memorial stone in our backyard underneath a maple tree.  I smile when I see it and try to remember the good times we had.

He was our first baby and nothing could replace him.  We miss him everyday.  My youngest still talks about him all the time and tells me she can't wait to go to heaven to see him.  I know he is no longer in pain, so I'm glad he can rest.  Still doesn't make me miss him any less.  Love you Tyke!!

Ball Bin Memorial

Framed Paw Print

Shared at Tatertots & Jello

Fountain Garden Planter

Springtime is here in Florida.  Actually, it almost feels like summer some days.  I think the heat index was 102 today.  No more cold snaps to kill the flowers, so that means it's time to get our yard in shape.  The worst part for us to deal with are the out of control weeds that like to take over.  Weed pulling is a full time job around here.  Not my favorite thing to do either.

Not too long ago, someone had left this old water feature fountain out by the curb.  My good hubby was nice enough to bring it home for me.  It has been sitting by the side of our house for a bit, waiting to get used.  I knew it wouldn't be used as a fountain, but I thought it would be fun to add as a planter garden in our backyard.

We filled the fountain bowl with some potting soil.  I picked up mint and basil plants in the herb section, as well as some flowers for color.  I spaced them out with some room to grow.

They Fountain Garden is a great little focal point in our back corner.  You will need to be sure to water your plants often, especially when they are still getting established.  Water doesn't hold as well in the soil as it would in the ground either.  Although it's tougher for the weeds to grow up there as well.  At least it is easier to pull them at this height.

I had my little helpers out to help me water my plants.  

I chose a few different colors for my flowers.  I love the mixture of them together. 

I got lucky to find this fountain to make my garden out of, but you can make a garden out of almost anything.  Be creative and see what will work as a container garden in your yard!