Mosaic Windows

BY SKEETER

 The Master Gardener here at In the Garden, Tina has inspired me yet again, to create a fun craft for my GEORGIA GARDENS. Click Here for the popular Posting of Tina's Mosaic and how she created it.

Soon after Tina had posted that wonderful tutorial, back in 2009, I decided I needed one as well. I picked up 3 old wooden windows at the Rehab store for a mere $5.00 each. Those 3 windows have spent the past 5 years tucked away in a storage closet just waiting for me and this project. Ha, I have such intentions but as I age, it seems I have issues becoming motivated to follow through with my plans. I am trying to get over this issue but I feel I am fighting a loosing battle at times. Sigh... 

Winter is a great time to take on crafty type projects so finally, the windows came out of the closet and into the sunroom. The windows had been a set of odd windows to a home therefore, there were metal tracks on them. I asked the Saint if he could cut them off for me. With us not having the proper tools for that job, we got assistance from a neighbor/friend with the proper tools. Thanks Dion for your help.

 The cuts exposed holes where the casings and grid were attached together.

 

No problem as I have filled many holes over the years. Out came my wood filler.

I filled the holes using a putty knife removing excess filler.

 These were small holes where hinges were attached.

 Once the filler was dry, I sanded the area smooth.  

 Next, I painted 2 of the window frames black.

 I do most of my craft projects in the sunroom as I enjoy the natural lighting from the surrounding windows.

 I allowed the windows to dry and cure a few days before moving forward with this project.

 I found many different colors of glass rounds at different crafts stores to include Michael's, Hobby Lobby, The Christmas Tree store and even the Dollar Tree!

 The fun part is creating a design using all the different colors.

Once I had my design in place, Out came the E6000 Glue. Be careful when purchasing this glue as you want to use the Transparent color! I found this out the hard way and now have an opened tube of Black Glue. Grrrrr....

 Here is the second pattern I created. As Tina mentioned in her tutorial of Mosaics, be sure to use plenty of glue or the glass rounds may not adhere to the glass panels. 

 I allowed the glue to cure several days before starting the next step.

 Now comes the messy, time consuming, tedious and at times, frustrating part of this craft.

 I chose Black Grout (no sand) to match the black trim of the windows. I had the Saint mix small batches and I put it into a baggie and cut a tip for easy application. More so like when cake decorating with icing.

This was such a slow process for me, that the panels were drying way too quickly. So I would grout a panel then lightly wipe a panel. Then tend to another grouted panel before starting to grout the next panel. I felt I was keeping up doing it this way. It took many times of wet wiping them before they were finished. Very time consuming.

 

 I was finished with the grouting process, on March 11, 2015. The windows have been sitting in the sunroom waiting for the Saint to hang them for me. As me with my "putting off" things to be done, the Saint has been in no hurry to hang them. I have harassed him a bit but he knows that I understand that some things take time. Ha ha.. 

  The windows were now very heavy so the Saint and I had to carefully chose good quality heavy duty hooks and chains for hanging them securely to the front porch. 

 I had the Saint hang them on each end of the front porch.

Opposite side of porch with swing. 

 This one has the morning East Sun shining through it.

This one has the evening West Sun shining through it. I am so happy with the way these two panels turned out. I still have one window that I have yet to create but in time, I will get to it.

I am so grateful to Tina for sharing her Mosaics with us on this blog and inspiring me to make a couple of my very own.

Click Here to see another of Tina's wonderful Mosaic creations. This is a great way to recycle old windows into a work of art. I just love these MOSAIC WINDOWS, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Recycled Herb Planter

BY SKEETER

 The Saint and I purchased some stones (via pallet) some time ago. I have had the pallet hanging around in my GEORGIA GARDENS just waiting for me to create something out of it. Landscaping fabric, scissors and staple gun to the rescue.

 I stapled the landscaping fabric securely to the bottom of the pallet. Then cut off the excess fabric.

 Now I have a planter ready for fresh composted dirt. 

 I found wooden spoons at the Thrift store for a mere one dollar. I painted them with my outside paints.

 Two thick coats of paint and once dry, we are ready for the next step.

 Turning the spoons into Garden Tags!

 Seeds have been sprinkled and tags put into place. I even added Cat Nip for my neighbors outside kitties. Hope they enjoy a nibble.



And now I await the growth of Herbs in my RECYCLED HERB PLANTER, In the Garden...

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Recycle an old Pole

BY SKEETER

I enjoy this torch in my Georgia Gardens. We fill the torch with citronella oil and it not only gives us light but keeps the bugs at bay as well. We purchased two of these torches while living in Germany. We found some neat things in the AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange) Garden Center while in Europe. I have never seen these little Smokey Joe Grill torches since. I have found some similar on the Internet. We have had these things out in the weather for over 12 years and one of them finally separated at the seams. We took the top off and left the pole in place. I was thinking that something would come to mind like a birdhouse.

Sure enough, in time something came to mind.

I found this candle holder at a discount store for a mere $5.00. I took the top off and turned it upside down and over the pole. Now, I have a fake light pole! This is a little project I took on last year so you can see the weathering from being outside for a over a year. She shall need a coat of paint at some point as she ages.

I also found this Mandevilla for a bargain price of $3.00.

I love mandevillas but they are an annual in my garden and too pricey for me to purchase.

So I normally do not have them in my Gardens.

But I am enjoying this bargain in the middle of a sea of Vinca. This is how I RECYCLE AN OLD POLE, In the Garden...

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A TROY-BILT CULTIVATOR. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE...


Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Magic Mailbox

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.

The Saint put a fresh coat of paint on the recycled post and I have planted some pretties below. Russian Sage, African Violet, Clematis, Verbena and Penstemon. And of course, Miss Myrtle is to the left.

This is a long shot of my MAGIC MAILBOX, In the Garden...
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Bloggers Fling: Curve Studios

BY SKEETER

After visiting 4 gardens, two bus loads of Bloggers had worked up an appetite. We headed to a wonderful setting at Curve Studios.

Curve Studios is a cluster of buildings which house Art of various types for sale. Behind the Studios you will find a beautiful Garden.

Here you see the Veggie beds. Click HERE to find out more about Asheville's Public Gardens.

I use old bricks as borders but have never thought to have the holes of brick exposed! I am always so careful to bury the bricks into the ground. After seeing this boarder and how the holes add whimsy, I may not bury another brick. Well, when extending existing boarders, I may still embed them.

See the old piece of rusty iron? Now a sedum planter.

I just love those big ole wheels used as a backdrop or fence. Wonder what they could be? I am sure recycled from something of another era.

Ah, seeing this rose bush brings back a nice scent. I was lucky enough to be able to eat my lunch while sitting in front of a yellow rose bush. The scent was soothing to my soul.

It was wonderful to arrive at this garden with a stack of folding chairs nearby. We could grab a chair and set it up where ever we desired within the walls of this surrounding beauty!

Lunch was served to us by a local restaurant across the street. 12 Bones BBQ is a must for a return visit to Asheville, NC. Click HERE to find out more about Asheville BBQ choices.

12 bones served up a BBQ Feast to say the least! The Saint and I enjoy BBQ from different places. Texas, Tennessee and the Carolina's seem to be the main States in the running for the Best! Smoked Sliced Turkey was something neither of us had ever tried before. It was sooooo good as were the Ribs from 12 Bones. Most places smother their ribs in sauce and we prefer them in the style of 12 Bones, being dry rubbed. We also enjoyed never before tried Jalapeno-Cheese Grits!

For once, I did not snap pictures of food. I guess it is safe to say that from all the walking and working up such an appetite, snapping a picture of food was the last thing on my mind. Eating it came to mind. Surely, someone at the Fling snapped some pics of the wonderful foods we enjoyed. Look at the brick with holes up pathway! A different look for sure but one I was interested in since I have so many free bricks still laying around. The large metal panels led to a nice sitting area as well as entrance to one of the art shops.

This seating area with its rustic invite. Rust is a theme in all the gardens we have toured in Asheville thus far. Recycling efforts within the art world.

Opposite the Rustic seating, we find another pathway to another part of the garden.

Yet another seating area. Gardens with lots of seating are so inviting to me. Wow, is this picture off centered or what? Ha, I must have been in a hurry at this point. Old Man-Hole Covers maybe for the base of this work of art? Or maybe old fly wheels from the warehouse's of before...

As you can see, it was a bright sun shiny day!

Bloggers relaxing in the beautiful gardens.

I was shocked as to the border of this garden upon a closer look. Old pieces of concrete! I see stuff like this discarded often and I hint to the Saint for us to get it for the garden. He always says it is not pretty rock but old messy concrete and does not belong in my garden. After seeing this, I shall ignore him.

Dessert was a pure treat from The Hop Ice Cream Cafe!

Greg, The Hop owner and son of Frances at Fairegarden was kind enough to be on hand to dip the creamy yummy delights into our cups. Here, you see a blogger chatting with him. How to chose from 4 awesome choices? I asked for the best seller on hand, Salted Caramel. I went back for a spoon full of Honey Lavender and about went into orbit over that flavor! On the way back to the bus I was moaning as to how to pick only one to eat. One Blogger said she got a small scoop of all 4 flavors! Well, Duh, why didn't I think of that! I do remember these type hints. More to come on that one... 
Believe it or not, day one of the Bloggers Fling is far from over. This was just lunch at CURVE STUDIOS, In the Garden...Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden