Tree Stump Gnome Home

BY SKEETER

 HAPPY SPRING! 

Today I shall share a little project I have been working on lately.

It seems we are forever removing trees from our GEORGIA GARDENS. As you can tell from the hole at the bottom of this stump, that this tree had to go. It has since become firewood for us as well as those which helped us remove it. I asked the Saint to keep the stump as is, due to an idea I had brewing in my head.

 For Valentines Day, the Saint and I don't really celebrate a Hallmark holiday as we show our love to each other on a daily basis. But when the Saint asked if I wanted to go out to dinner or anything for the day, I told him I had another plan for us once he was home from work. Using all scrap items we had laying around, I told him what I wanted and he constructed this roof for my project.

 Using more scrap wood, I created doors and windows and a little birdhouse.

 I installed the features while the Azaleas and Redbud were starting to give me a beautiful show. 

 I was pleased with the results thus far.

 Now we have a Gnome Home!

 I found the gnomes at a bargain price some time ago so they have been tucked away in a closet until I could decide their purpose.

 I recently found this little Sleeping Dragon and knew it had to come home with me so as to incorporate my Dear Departed Friend Bernie, AKA the Dragon in my gardens. The greenery is not real but I wanted some instant green in that spot. Once I find a real green plant, I shall replace it.

 I took a log from our firewood stack and made the Dragons perch and placed a log to the back of the display to act as an ending to the Gnome Home Grounds. Little Mushrooms picked up at bargain prices fit in along side some larger rocks I had on hand.

 I planted a couple of red Pentas I found over the weekend and dug out some Liriope that had jumped a planter. In time, they should fill in nicely.

 A couple of $2 turtles fill in as their pets.

 I had recently removed these stepping stones from another area of a garden and put them as their sideway leading to the front door.

 I spread natural earth tone pea gravel around the area as well. Virginia Creeper Vine was going up the tree and a bit remains. I draped it over the roof in hopes it continues to grow.

 We have two other stumps I had planned to Play around with but as you can see, this one has started to rot so I will not waste my time on it.

And the Woodpeckers have found this one.

I know that more than likely, in time this stump will rot away as well. I wish the Azaleas did not die to the freezing temps but otherwise, I love my TREE STUMP GNOME HOME, In the Garden...

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

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

Loving this time

BY SKEETER

 Little clusters of Grapes in the form of Hyacinths are blooming in my GEORGIA GARDENS! I planted a lot of these little bulbs a few years ago and this is the only cluster I found this year. Bulbs just do not do well in my neck of the woods...

 The tiny blooms are so vibrant in color and easy to see where they get their name.

 Hyacinth in the larger form are also blooming. Yes, Spring is here in south-east Georgia!

 I am so glad the nasty cold weather is gone but not counting the eggs in my Easter Basket just yet. There's always another cold snap before or during the first week of April.

I have been getting a nice workout in the garden the past few days. I am pulling weeds and getting the flower beds ready. I have spread 25 bales of Pine Straw/Needles and have 25 bags of mulch ready to be spread as well. We Sprang Forward over the weekend and now my days are longer! LOVING THIS TIME, In the Garden...

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