February 16, 2013 by Born To Organize

Flower Tower in (a Few) Hour (s)

Terracotta Stack after gold leaf finish

We had the most glorious weather today! Our highs reached 75 F ( 24 C). Can you believe it? The temps should start dropping tomorrow, with much-needed rain in the forecast but today was lovely.

It was also the perfect, no-excuses day to take on my two-tiered challenge. I wrote at Crafts and Plants: My Winning Combination that I wanted to finally get around to planting a flower tower of terracotta pots. I found the idea back in 2008 in a magazine called Do It Yourself. Today, I finally did. I also challenged myself to try something new; in this case, applying gold leaf.

As it turns out, it was really easy to do and a lot of fun. Like many things you try for the first time, there are things I would do differently. Overall though, not bad for a rookie.

Here’s what I did:

Clay Pots and Gold Leaf

I picked up three clay/terracotta pots in graduating circumferences (12″, 10″ and 8″ inches) from the garden center, along with a saucer and some potting soil.

I bought a metal leaf starter kit at our local craft store. It included six pages of gold leaf, adhesive size, sealer and antiquing glaze. I had a couple of small paint brushes on hand.

I read the directions (twice) then jumped in. Using a small paintbrush, I spread the sizing across the side of each pot, using a swirling pattern to create an organic shape. Once the sizing/glue was tacky to the touch, I applied the first sheet of leaf, brushing it into place with a soft, dry paint brush. (That was my favorite part!)

Antique finish detail

The leaf is super light and fly away, so I learned that you better have a plan. There are no second chances once it hits the adhesive. As small pieces tore off, I applied them to places with sizing. That was it!

Since the effect is as shiny as a new gold coin, I went ahead and brushed on a coat of antiquing (after sealing the gold first). I like the color but didn’t expect the brush strokes to be so apparent after it dried. The Mona Lisa Art Products Starter Kit came with enough product to complete one side of all three pots. You would need three or four kits to get enough coverage for all of them.

Stacked pots filled with soil

I raced back to the garden center late this afternoon and picked up a few cell packs. All that fresh dirt was simply begging for plants.

I planted:

6 penny White Violas
6 Penny Denim Jump-Up Violas
6 Alyssum
1 ‘Bluebird’ Nemesia fruticans

What do you think?

Flower Tower

February 15, 2013 by Born To Organize

Crafts and Plants: My Winning Combination

Before Pinterest, when you found an idea you liked, you simply tore it out of a magazine. Way back in 2008, I did just that. I thought it would be fun to make this stack of terracotta pots. It looked easy, affordable and fun.

Stacking Terracotta

I saved the picture and instructions to do as a summer project with my son. Life threw us some curve balls that year, so the clipping was forgotten. Every year since, I pull it out of the folder, think “wouldn’t that be fun?” and then for some reason, I never get around to it. Does that ever happen to you?

Well, not this year.

The beauty of blogging is the sense of accountability. I’m telling you that I will do this fun project. Soon. Maybe even this weekend.

I could simple stack and plant the pots as shown, but I’ve decided to make it even more crafty. I saw another cool idea on a design blog using gold leaf to jazz up clay pots. Doesn’t this look like fun?

I’ve never applied gold leaf before, so I’m challenging myself to try something new. Stay tuned.

What do you have planned this weekend?

February 14, 2013 by Born To Organize

Fairy Garden Valentines: Giving and Receiving

My heart is brimming with love today and the fairy garden is brimming with hearts. Don’t you just love the yin-yang of that?

Giving:

I had exactly enough baker’s twine to string a line between the Magnolia and the garden bench. I clipped paper valentine’s to the string (one for each of my neighbor Jazzy’s day care kids), then sent her the word. The world of make-believe is a powerful thing when you’re young. It’s fun for me to watch the children play each afternoon and to see the way they interact with the fairy garden. Although they all received the cards with gratitude, one of the older boys turned to me and said: “I don’t believe in that.” I asked him what it was he didn’t believe in and he said, “fairies.” I smiled and added “that’s okay.” It was sweet that he was still willing to go along with it for the sake of the others. Love and gratitude. It’s there when you look for it.

Valentine’s on a String

Receiving:

On the subject of gratitude, I received a package filled with love and creativity from a dear soul and kindred spirit over at Boomdeeada. She brightens my day with her artful crafts, creative blog and always thoughtful and generous comments. We’re actually going to meet for the first time this summer!

I found a tiny ceramic deer for the fairy garden tucked inside layers of the most remarkable gift wrap. I’m in love! The package also included the sweetest little banner, nestled inside a customized envelope. I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking, below. Its great fun discovering all the artful details.

Boomdeeadda Valentine

Reflecting:

I’ve come to think of Valentine’s Day as what you make it. You can view it as a crass and commercial Hallmark holiday, or as a day to share a little extra love and care in the world. If you’re a garden fairy, it’s a day to let your imagination soar. ♥♥♥

February 13, 2013 by Born To Organize

Punny Garden: The Sequel

Gardenlocks

This time last year, I published a post called Punny Garden: Garden Jokes and Puns. It proved to be one of my most popular. It continues to get hits most days. People like to smile, laugh or guffaw. Even the groaners are fun.

Without further ado, I give you Punny Garden: The Sequel. Thank you, Google, and all the individual contributors, for making this possible.

One-liners:

When kissing flowers, tulips are better than one.
Organic farmers till it like it is.
Why do melons have fancy weddings? Because they cantaloupe.
I once heard that the most popular thing to download on the internet is corn.

Books and Theater:

My Fair Lilac
Hello, Dahlia
Crocus Pocus
Bird of Paradise Lost
A Midsummer Nightshade’s Dream
The Garden of Weedin’

Puns:

King Tut’s favorite flower? Chrysanthemums

Thanks to reader Marcella Rouseau of For Your Good Health. Marcella won a pun contest at Organic Gardening and Farming with these:

Nevergreen by Barbra Drysand
Little Fruit Coup by the Peachboys

For more laughs, be sure to check out David Hobson’s Garden Humour

February 12, 2013 by Born To Organize

Waiting for the Birds

Tick-tock…the waiting game

I’m tracking my various nesting materials in the garden, but no discernible visitors just yet. At first I was hoping to spot a bird swooping by. Now I’d be happy with any sign that they’ve found the super-soft bits of wool and yarn. I hung the wreath in the Magnolia tree outside my home office window.

Nesting Wreath

After our last big storm I found remnants of what may have been a nest from last year under the pine tree. The bits of blue lint were unmistakably the color of our flannel sheets. So…I remain hopeful.

On the subject of birds, I signed up for tweets (I crack myself up) about Phoebe the Allen Hummingbird. I learned today that she’s already laid the first egg of her next brood. These hummers generally lay a pair at a time, the size of tiny breath mints.

Phoebe’s nest. First egg, February 10th

Here is the link to the live webcam in case you missed it. Warning: watching the nest all day is habit-forming. That said, it’s a habit worth forming. Enjoy!

February 11, 2013 by Born To Organize

Blogging vs. Facebook

Do you have a Facebook account? I have a handful of friends who are hold-outs, but the number of account holders globally is staggering. Many of my readers land here as a result of Facebook. More and more though, other social platforms are sharing the love.

When I sit down to write Gardening Nirvana, I’m generally armed with photographs, possibly research and the seed of an idea. Writing a blog every day is hard work, but it grows on you…just like gardening!

Some days my blog “writes itself,” but more often than not it takes work. While I’m busy procrastinating, I leave a window open with Facebook. You never know what might inspire you, right? WordPress is all business, offering editing prompts such as “Save Draft” or “Add Media.” I’ve noticed lately that Facebook is much more touchy-feely:

How am I feeling? Well…I made the mistake of reading a comment in my Spam Folder. Honestly, I really ought to know better. Most of the “comments” are advertising ploys but this one had the sense of legitimacy. Here’s what it said:

“The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought you’d have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.”

My Facebook tribe set me straight while at the same time piling on the loveliest comments. Most of my blog readers are the same. I’m feeling better with all that support. I’m also sorry for anyone with so much negativity in their heart.

Let’s see…well, the broccoli is looking really good. It’s dark green, pest free and almost ready for harvest. The cauliflower didn’t survive the frost, so I finally yanked it out and tossed it into the compost heap. I tried an orange from our tree today, but it wasn’t as sweet as I would like. I’ll try again in another week. I see a gallon of fresh-squeezed juice in my future. Be sure to stop by for a glass.

One of the tulips is popping up between the potted cyclamen. I’d forgotten all about it. Otherwise, is sure looks like winter out there. Brown, cold, dry, repeat. Not a drop of rain in sight, either. [heavy sigh]

Note to self: I hope no one interprets that heavy sigh as whining.

Gardening Nirvana reader. What’s happening? How are you feeling? I’m so glad you stopped by.

Thanks to you: Where The Journey Takes Me

Thank you so much to Where The Journey Takes Me, for including me in her list of Very Inspiring Bloggers. I’m touched.

Vivien writes: “I live in a small old mill town nestled into the Pennine hills in Yorkshire with my long-suffering husband of thirty some years. I have two beautiful daughters who have flown the nest (most of the time!). I paint and draw (a little) when time allows, make and bake sometimes but not often enough and garden and grow things as much as possible. I recycle and up-cycle, hate waste and I couldn’t live without my time planner and lists.

Follow my journey with me and do let me know if you stop by I would love to hear from you.”

Please forgive my shameless rule breaking, but since I follow (and am inspired by) so many wonderful blogs, I couldn’t begin to limit my list to ten. I hope my love, respect, admiration and loyal following speaks volumes. I’m inspired daily by the creativity each of you brings to the blogging community! Thanks once again, Viv.
blog-award-2

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February 9, 2013 by Born To Organize

Hardenbergia Violacea

Hardenbergia

Through the wonder of encoded DNA, the Hardenbergia always knows it’s time to bloom. Don’t you just love nature?

It’s a lush vine most of the year, with glossy green leaves. The vines twist like rope, braiding themselves around the trellis. It’s easy to forget it’s there. Then year after year, when February rolls around, tiny purple clusters begin to form. It’s subtle at first, with just the hint of lavender. Within a week, it’s like time-lapse photography. Brilliant purple flowers cluster at the tips of the vines, putting on a show that last two weeks.

Then, as quickly as they appear, it’s over. I find myself searching for the last few clusters here and there, until they really are gone.

The vine, pictured below, grows against the fence outside my laundry room. If you’re going to do laundry, I can’t think of better company.

Hardenbergia Vine

Hardenbergia, Member of the Pea Family

February 8, 2013 by Born To Organize

What do Trugs and Raspberries Have in Common?

Absolutely nothing!

Does this every happen to you? You go into the store for one thing, then leave with something else? I popped into Home Depot today looking for another ‘Trug,’ the light but strong, flexible buckets known as Tubtrugs®. They are really handy in the garden. I bought one a few years ago, and although they say the handles are ‘super strong,’ one of the handles on mine broke. No matter. I turned it into a worm bin. When I went looking for a replacement at the end of the season, they only had the smaller size.

Today I wandered around the store for a while, then asked for help from two associates. They had never heard of them before. As I readied to leave empty-handed I saw these:

Early Heritage Raspberries

Mmmmm…raspberries. The containers alone intrigued me along with the price. $6.98 for an entire shrub of raspberries!!! Holy cow. I’ll take two, please. I thought all raspberries grew as vines until Boomdee mentioned growing them as shrubs. Low and behold, there they were. We really enjoyed eating berries off the vine last summer, so I figured the more the merrier.

I’m still in the market for a Tubtrug, but I left the store in a good mood anyway. Did anything interesting making it into your shopping cart this week?

February 7, 2013 by Born To Organize

(Almost) Blooming Thursday: Tulips!

Tulips Break Ground

Did you hear me squeal with delight?

Tulips are popping up all over the garden. They won’t flower for a little while, but the fact that they’ve survived this long (shh…don’t tip off the squirrels) is amazing.

Last fall I planted three varieties, purchased at a local garden center. They are all sourced from Van Zyverden.

I planted:

15 Tulip ‘Angélique‘
15 Tulip ‘Attila‘; and
5 Tulip ‘Passionale‘

In other words, the potential for 35 stunning acts of nature. Guess what? I counted over twenty, ground-breaking bulbs! The last time I planted tulips, nothing came up. Zip. Zero. Nada. I’m really liking these odds.

Tulips all Around!

While I had my nose to the earth, I noticed several more bulbs breaking through: Crocus, Narcissus and a few others, to-be-determined when they bloom.

Oh happy day! What’s ‘cooking’ in your garden this Thursday?