Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Hydrangeas, A Mansion, A Craft Fair, and Hypertufa

From In the Garden
Forever and Ever Hydrangea Fall Color (Just look at the vivid red!)

From In the Garden
Unknown Hydrangea Cultivar (but it is a newer hydrangea) The blue of the flower with the lime leaves (fall color) is outstanding!

Hi all! Fall is looking mighty good here in Tennessee! I hope it looks as good in your neck of the woods too. Fall and winter are the seasons I try to complete some projects. It is not like I need more projects but the process of creativity and creating really gets me going. I take great pleasure in creating things from nothing. Hypertufa is one of those things that is so easy to create and SO rewarding for the gardener. Let me share some creations I have recently made with you.

From In the Garden


I've already showcased my concrete leaf castings but wanted to share a hosta leaf casting as well. This casting is destined for a good friend for Christmas in remembrance of a good gardening friend who died this year.

From In the Garden

Here are some hypertufa pots I've made as well as several leaf castings. I am beginning to feel like a one woman factory for making all of these but it is fun. I have the process down well and will soon be offering workshops for local folks interested in making their very own hypertufa pots. If you are interested, just email me at ramseytina5@gmail.com.

I used various recipes for the pots above but hypertufa is very easy no matter how you do it. I am showcasing the pots and leaf castings because the real reason I have been making so many is due to a craft fair coming up this Sunday.

From In the Garden
Skeeter, see the seashells??

The craft fair is scheduled for Sunday, 29 November 2009 from 12:00-4:oo PM at Lylewood Inn Bed and Breakfast. Lylewood Inn is located at 110 Camp Lylewood Road, Indian Mound, TN 37079. This inn is approximately ten miles from my home and actually right off my road. I posted on it last April when my garden club had the pleasure of having lunch with Mandy at the inn. The craft fair is geared toward local folks but all are welcomed and it has been marketed pretty well. In fact, there are more than 30 vendors signed up to sell their handcrafted wares at the inn. As a bonus, you get to see this beautiful and historical mansion right here in this tiny little town!

I thought this small craft fair would be a fine place for me to start selling my wares-on a small scale. Wish me luck....and come out and buy some great Christmas gifts for your loved ones. I'll be there selling these leaf castings, marker stones, and hypertufa pots. The craft fair promises to be a fun event....

And oh yes, have a Happy Thanksgiving! I think Skeeter has something nice cooked up for you all tomorrow...

in the garden....

43 comments:

  1. Holy cow! You've been busy! Good luck and have fun, that's the important thing.

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  2. Oh I do wish you much success with selling your wonderful garden items. I am so interested in how you make the pots! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

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  3. Dawn, I'll try to remember that but it is going to be MOST fun if I don't have to bring these all home with me:)

    Darla, Thanks! I have posted on my pots waaaay back when. For these I used various recipes but the basic recipe is: one part sand, one part peat moss, one part Portland cement. Mix to consistency of oatmeal, and press into molds. Let sit 24 hours, unmold then let cure. I used shoe boxes and bowls for molds on these but anything is game.

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  4. Oh Tina ... could you mail me a few of these ?? LOL Yeah .. I know .. it would be an extra mortgage on the house to carry, to afford a mailing to me with these babies BUT I am so jealous of not being in the same area so you could teach me how to do this .. some how I don't think I would ever have the knack you do though ?
    I love those hydrangea ! That amazing red .. and the blue is gorgeous .. more on my list AGAIN !
    Joy

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  5. Happy thanksgiving, Tina!!! I'm so excited for you!!! Your items look wonderful! I wish you a ton a sales. Good luck!

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  6. You are not kidding, a one woman factory, that is for sure!!
    They all look great! I am sure they will sell like hotcakes, baby.
    Rosey

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  7. Those hydrangea are oustanding. Good luck at the craft fair and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. One woman factory!!! You crack me up, Tina, HA :-) You certainly do have the technique down pat, the troughs are amazing and the leaves are beautiful. I am sure you will sell out! Giving classes is a fabulous idea too. You are a natural teacher. Have a happy T-day and good luck at the Inn. :-)
    Frances

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  9. Wow! They look great! Good luck at the craft fair. How long did it take you to put all those together?

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  10. You are one talented lady to do those castings and garden labels.
    I love that red hydrangea!!! What a beauty.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

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  11. Ah Craft Fairs, I love them and use to partake in a huge one while in Germany. Our store had two major ones at the Officers Club Ballroom at Heidelberg on Campbell Barracks! People came from miles around to see the fun handmade treasures! I so miss them but no time to do any now with my busy life. You will have so much fun seeing all the other fun crafts and chatting with people. You may even make a new friend! You have a good supply to show and I do hope you don’t bring many home! Yes, I see the Sea shells and I knew you would find a purpose for them in time. Wish I could be there to help you load and unload and visit with other fun crafters and peek at the mansion also!

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  12. Boy I wish I could go to that craft fair Tina! You are quite a talented lady!
    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have been away from blogging a bit, but do check in with you all everyday. You are one of the blessing I will be counting tomorrow! :)

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  13. Tina, these are beautiful! I've always wanted to try my hand at making hypertufa; wish I lived closer so I could attend your workshop. Good luck at the craft fair; sounds like fun. And a Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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  14. Joy, You pay I'll ship:)

    Lzyjo, Thanks! I hope they go fast.

    Rosey, Hotcakes is good. Pricing was hard but I think I have it figured out to be a great deal all around. Looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful work.

    Sweetbay, I was so shocked by the beauty of these new cultivars. They are something else and are keepers for sure.

    Frances, I so hope they sell fast. I've been so busy making them-but for this reason only so I'll be happy if it was worth it.

    Dave, I found out about the fair about 6 weeks ago and have been working ever since. It has been hard to get an inventory built let me tell you! Each wheelbarrow full does about 7 pots or so. Then they have to cure. Gee, just let's say I made about 4 batches of pots and leaves, and one batch of marker stones and I still have some pots curing-hopefully in time. 6 weeks total I guess!

    Janet, Thank you! It's a mighty load of work but they crafts did come out good if I say so myself. Hard for me to let them go-but I will:) Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

    Skeeter, Girl you don't know how much I wish you were here! We'd have fun! You could sell stuff too and be the social one-and make me some sales:) Maybe next time?

    Linda, You are just so sweet and I am always most happy hearing from you. And I think of you often-I've been using my special spade a lot lately and I just love it! You have a happy Thanksgiving too and enjoy that new grandbaby!

    Rose, I wished you lived closer too so we could meet at least-one day. So many have voiced interests in workshops I decided why not? We'll see how they go but each participant will get their very own custom made pot-without the mess or work-unless molding is work. Nah, that's the fun part:) You have a great Thanksgiving.

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  15. My goodness, WOW, you sure have been a busy beaver. They all look so nice and the rangers are stunning.

    Lots of luck at the craft fair!!

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  16. A HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you & family.
    That is quite an array of handmade garden items. Wish I were closer so I could purchase some. I do hope you have a wonderful time & not bring any items home.
    Those are some fantastic hydrangeas. Love those colors.

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  17. Thanks Mom, I've been most busy and I can tell you it is nice to be done-for a while at least. Today is a catch up with school day so I can pass my medical class and not stress anymore. Oh yes, I have another class I have to prepare a presentation for. Gee, I am behind but now everyone knows why!

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  18. Lola, A very Happy Thanksgiving to you! Glad you like my wares. I hope they are a big hit. Those hydrangeas-they rock for sure.

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  19. I would like to take this time to wish everyone a "HAPPY THANKSGIVING".
    I have so much to be thankful for since I've learned so much for all of you, but mostly from Tina. She is a wealth of information.
    Thank you very much, Tina.

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  20. Happpy Thanksgiving to you, too! And yes, that was a vivid red indeed. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  21. Wow, looks like a lot of work, but I love the leaf castings. Good luck at the craft fair, and have a great holiday.

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  22. Hi Tina~
    Love your hypertufa creations! The leaf castings are gorgeous! I hope the craft show is a big success for you. Maybe you'll give Etsy a try in the future. Hope you and your family have a very happy Thanksgiving!

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  23. Lola, Thank you! You are just too sweet!

    ACIL, You should see the hydrangea in the garden-it says "look at me!":)

    Megan, Thanks! And a Happy Holiday to you too!

    Karrita, Hello and a Happy Holiday to you too! I've contemplated giving Etsy a try but the shipping thing has me hung up. I shipped out some of my marker stones and oh dear, it was very expensive. If this craft fair goes well I'll stick with local craft fairs. We have them weekly downtown and I hear it is a good turn out. We shall see. My forte is more in the garden than doing the crafts but I wish I could make a decent living off from crafts like you and my sister do! Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  24. Nice work on all those pots! I have always wanted to try some after seeing those guys on Martha Stewart's show making them.

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  25. Hi Tina,

    I love your creations. I wished I lived closer and could learn how to make them. I hope the craft fair is successful.

    Your hydrangeas are truly beautiful. The colors are incredibly vibrant.

    I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!

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  26. hallo friends, I hope you all feel good and everything is ok. see you ! Kathrin aus Bremen

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  27. Tina I wish I could come to the craft fair, I see several things I would buy. I'm serious!
    I think this winter I might try some hypertufa. I'm going to have to get a recipe from you.
    Have a great Thanksgiving!!

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  28. Dan, Martha Stewart I am not but these are quite easy to make so anyone can do them. Thank goodness! Give them a try. Sometimes it takes practice to get it perfect but really easy and most of the ingredients many gardeners have already.

    Noelle, Thanks, it is so easy to make them and they hold up so well in the garden anyone can do it. I too wish you a very great Thanksgiving tomorrow.

    Kathrin, Gruss Gott! And all is fine here. We are preparing for the American holiday Thanksgiving. Where everyone watches fussball, eats too much then falls asleep:) Nothing exciting as Fasching but a holidan nonetheless. You take care.

    Catherine, If you lived close by I bet we could have fun making some pots and leaves! At least we can talk. I'll send you the recipe when you are ready. Have a great Thanksgiving too.

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  29. Tina...your creativity is amazing! Everything looks so lovely!

    The colours of the hydrangeas are wonderful...so vibrant!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  30. The Hydrangea colours are so intense. I am amazed at all your creations - you are indeed a one woman creative machine!

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  31. Those vivid hydrangeas are fabulous! Have a good time at the craft fair. I've been to many of those on Thanksgiving weekends past.

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  32. Tina, your pots and leaf castings are wonderful and you should do very well at the craft fair. Wish I was closer to come see them and yourself in person. Maybe I'll email for instructions (like I also need another project to work on). ;-)
    HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you and your family too.

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  33. Hello tina

    Oh You are so talented! Loved to see your lovely pieces! I have been very impressed with your leaf casting pieces as well. I always love to see art objects!!
    Thanks for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

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  34. Tina, Happy Thanksgiving! My dear...I hope you have nothing left to carry home from the crafts fair~~unless, you find a few things you have to have! gail

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  35. Tina, I might not visit your site everyday, but you're always in my thoughts. Your garden marker reminds me of your special gift--for making friends! Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for your business venture!

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  36. Hi Tina, Wow, you really are a one-woman factory--I love all the things you've made. I also love the leaf castings, a new take on hypertufa. They could hold birdseed or just be decorative! I wished I lived near you because I would love to make a cast leaf!!

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  37. Happy Thanksgiving!

    I'm sure your cast leaves will be big hit at the fair. I'm sorry you lost a friend. What a nice remembrance.

    I love all the bright colors in this post - welcome to the grey north.

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  38. Oh Tina. How I wish I lived nearby. I would love to come and purchase at least one of your fabulous hypertufa containers AND take your classes. It's something I've wanted to try for quite a while but never get to it by myself. Good luck at the craft fair. I hope all your hard work pays off & you sell out. Happy Thanksgiving to you too!!

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  39. Great job with the hypertufa. When you send Joy hers, throw in a few for me. We only live about 250 miles apart! The colours of those hydrangeas are almost surreal.

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  40. Thanks everyone! You all are most kind! Tomorrow is my big debut and thanks to all of your nice comments I feel pretty confident-let's hope it all works out that I don't have to bring these home. Everyone enjoy your weekend!

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  41. My goodness, you have been very busy indeed! Love those leaf castings.

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  42. Tina,
    Those are cool items! They would make a great Christmas present for a gardener. I hope you do well at the craft fair. Let us know how it went.

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