Tuesday Tips: Wicker and more

This week I thought it would be fun to just pick something that's on my mind. It was 63 degrees in southern Wisconsin yesterday and that has me not only smiling, but thinking of spring! Of course, that made me think of cleaning the yard, planting flowers, and pulling out the patio furniture. Well there you have it: patio furniture = wicker, at least at my house. ;)

A COUPLE TIPS

To prevent yellowing, scrub wicker furniture with a stiff brush moistened with warm salt water and allow to dry in the shade.

Remove dust from wicker by vacuuming with the dust-brush attachment. To remove grime, wash with a solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia per gallon of water; use a paintbrush or a toothbrush to get at hard-to-reach places. Rinse well; air-dry in the shade.

These tips are great, but I thought I would do a quick search on Old Fashioned Living for the term "wicker" to see what it came up with. Quite a variety in fact! Take a look:

Caring for Wicker Furniture - This article has some great advice or cleaning and caring for wicker, as well as what to do if you notice damage. There's also some tips on sprucing up your painted wicker and giving it a fresh look!

Choosing Wicker Furniture - This piece offers an explanation for the different types of wicker furniture available and how to choose the right type for your particular use.


Of course, those were the most obvious articles, but look at what else we found when searching "wicker" on our site. So many wonderful uses! Who knew? And the icing on the cake? Just by searching on "wicker" look at all the other wonderful features I found!

Unique Containers for Herbs & Flowers
"I have done this for years, but beware, the wicker rots after one or two seasons. What I do is use wicker baskets that I've picked up for change at garage sales or thrift stores and use them as long as I can. One long thin basket lasted almost three years before it gave out. Nasturtiums or pansies look charming `in wicker baskets grouped together."
Read more about other containers for herbs & flowers

Ddi you know you can construct a porch swing out of a wicker love seat with the legs removed?

Table Decorations
"A simple centerpiece can be made with a shallow wicker basket and natural ingredients. Line your basket with fall leaves of different colors. In the center place a small pumpkin (pie pumpkins work well), and surround it with small gourds of various shapes and colors. You can stop there or you can add pinecones and milkweed pods for variation."

"Use wicker baskets lined with napkins in Autumn colors for the silverware, napkins and muffins."

Read more ideas on having a festive brunch!


Frugal Flower Girl Accessories
"My husband had a hand in decorating the flower girls' baskets. He is always one to fix up something instead of throwing it away, so he came up with the idea of spray painting wicker Easter baskets. It was perfect--we already had the baskets and the white spray paint."

See more ideas on frugal flower girl accessories

Bean Soup Mixes
"Gift ideas: Line a wicker basket with one or two red bandanas. Place in a jar the beans and the seasoning packet, put on the lid and tie with natural raffia, using a hot glue gun carefully glue several small dried hot peppers to the raffia bow, or thread floral wire through the peppers and attach to lid. In the basket you can include two bags of cornbread mix, a bottle of hot pepper sauce (I like the brands with fun names), bowls and if you wish, a cast iron cornbread pan."

See the bean soup mixes and recipes!

Beautiful Button Crafts
"I like to find old wicker baskets at thrift stores or garage sales, wash them with hot soapy water, and decorate with buttons and ribbon. Line with cloth and you have a perfect basket to place baked goods, candy or other small gifts."

See all the fun button craft ideas here

All that from a quick search on "wicker"! Did you find any great "wicker" ideas, or even any leads after looking?