BY SKEETER
What does one do with an old mailbox? In my Georgia Gardens, we work our magic! I found this mailbox for free through Craigslist. A nice guy named Terry handed it over to me, rather then have it taking space in the landfill.
I gave it a fresh coat of green spray paint which I had on hand.
Out with the Patio Paints (Thanks for the outside paint tip Tina) and I started to play a bit.
I painted all but the front flap.
Yellow and Purple were my colors of choice along with a white picket fence.
A salvaged piece of wood from a front porch renovation and just like Magic, we have a new mailbox for the garden! To the left is a Crepe Myrtle that had to be cut to the ground last year after a storm destroyed it. Looking good now. Volunteer Black-eyed Susans and Cleome are popping up in this picture as well.
I had planned to keep the front flap completely open thus, no painting of flowers on the flap. The plan is to attract Wrens in this new birdhouse. We opt out on cutting a hole. The Saint thinks our chances of gaining interest from a bird are better if we do not open the flap all the way. Hum, should I go back and paint the front now? This project has led to extending the Semi-Formal Garden. We shall talk about that brick pathway another time.
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
I love the new mailbox, you did a wonderful job with it and it looks fantastic in that sweet garden of yours. I love that long view.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
how creative! It really fits in the garden with the black eyed susans all around. I am sure some bird will make a home of it :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful job you did painting the mailbox. I hope you have guests in it soon! I have to admit I was a little disappointed though. When you said "Magic Mailbox" I was certain you had found one to make bills disappear and replace them with refund checks! Oh well... It's still a lovely job. :0)
ReplyDeleteYou're a busy lady! Awesome job painting it! Of course I have a bit of your original artwork and I know you are a very good painter! Soon someone will move in there I'm sure! I think I'd just take off the front of the mailbox rather than cut a hole. Wrens are okay with open areas I think.
ReplyDeleteIt's a perfect little house now! I wish you'd come down and work your magic on some blank walls here. I would love to have some murals painted. You know, maybe a piece of wood that fits the opening of the box could have a hole drilled in it for the birds. Then you could leave the front flap open for them to have a landing platform.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Skeeter. Your painting is great. I love it. I had thoughts of doing something with mine as it needs to be replaced soon.
ReplyDeleteExcellent job, I love it!! Sometime when you are at Tina's you should as her to show you some of her paintings. She used to do large paintings, even did one of me that hangs in my den.
ReplyDeleteFlowerlady, Long views are not often shared on Blogs are they? I think due to a difficult task of seeing the blooms….
ReplyDeleteThree Cat Manor, I cannot take full credit for this idea. I have borrowed the idea from seeing such creativity on other blogs. Darla from Family and Flowers is one such blogger! But the painting was all from my imagination…
Randy, I only wish I could find that Magic Mailbox! I would be kind and share with all my garden friends as well. There is always that darn lottery we play as well. Sigh, I keep waiting for that big one to roll in but not holding my breath. At least I am putting someone through college, well, that is my thoughts even if paying someone salary…
Tina, I made this mailbox back last winter and it sat in my sunroom all winter long. Finally got it into place in early spring but just now posting on it. Gee, how does that happen. Fling maybe… LOL… I want to keep the flap on even if ajar. If I remove it, then I will have to find another purpose for it as I do not want it in the landfill. And I know what would happen, It would lay in my shed taking up space…
W2W, Murals! Are you kidding me? No way as I am not that good at playing with the paints. But thanks for the compliment. :-) Hum, I like your idea of maybe a wood insert and hole. The flap would be a great perch for parent birds as well as weary fledglings…
Lola, You could just paint the mailbox you have! If you are not comfortable with making a scene, they have stencils at crafts stores that could be an asset. Go for it…
Jean, An Artist I am not. I have seen some of Tina's work. She is way better then me at the painting! I just play around with it a bit here and there. I cannot tell you how many times I have painted over something several times before I felt it garden worthy. LOL...
ReplyDeleteOh that is just the cutest mailbox. What a great idea nad you did such a wonderful job of painting it. Your garden looks so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun comment Randy slipped in there...wouldn't we all love a mailbox that gobbles up bills never to be seen or held against us again...shame on me but sign me up! Skeeter, I loved your painting effort... very visually appealing and any of us would be thrilled to death if that showed up in any part of our garden. Promise me you won't pooh pooh your very artistic effort!
ReplyDeleteoh the tree swallows would be all over that here...It is pretty enough to put right put by the road and how it really does add to and extend the garden...what a great idea!!
ReplyDeleteClever idea! I thought you were going to use the new box for storage of some pruners or other quick access tool to grab while you walk the garden. I imagine the wrens will find it, they find all sorts of places to nest.
ReplyDeleteThat looks beautiful! The birds will be getting a designer home:-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.flowersforums.com/ruth/blog/
Love it, Skeeter! Beautiful design, beautiful colors - wonderful garden decor. Hope the birds enjoy it too!
ReplyDeletewow, that is a lovely addition to the garden, and looks very colorful. I hope the birds make a house of it soonest.
ReplyDeleteSo cute, Skeeter! And wow, look at all those rudbeckias in your garden--lovely!
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