Monday, October 25, 2010

More than less ... done

Good evening Friends,

Here it is the end of another Monday. Today was 'errand day'and we're glad that is over with. We do not like to shop.

Thought I'd share the latest project we've been working on as it is 'more than less' done.

I shrunk the bed around the ficus tree, then we gathered different pieces of patio pavers that we could use to fill in and enlarge the already existing patio. Now, let me remind you, that most of what we do is done on a 'shoestring', we recycle, and we've curbside shopped our whole 41 years together, so our grounds and cottage and we ourselves, are somewhat eclectic and eccentric, weird I guess you could say. Certainly NOT normal. :-)

Back to the project. We jacked and cut out the iron post to the left of the picture.

Click on pictures to enlarge.


I dug out roots, and took out ferns and other things that had overgrown the area.








I laid some curbside shopped border stones and put found rocks from TN on top.


After laying the various patio pavers and pieces, we needed to make a 'stop' for our driveway gate. I thought of using this old piece of concrete from around the 1920's. It's a pretty, weathered piece and we just had it back in my potting area. We set the pieces lined up on top of each other, then drove a pipe down the middle. We needed some sort of finial. DH came up with this old white or pot metal piece, that was in several pieces. I loved it and laughed because we are so unconventional. We can also loop a piece of something or other from the gate to this piece, to hold the gate in place.









I love the details of this piece.





I am a collector and noticer of hearts, but did not see these until I downloaded the pictures to my computer. I had to go out and take this picture so that you all could see them too. This is looking into the pitcher, so that you see both hearts.


Now, here we have the south side of this patio area. There had been some scruffy vines growing on the wire fencing, but it didn't look great at all.

We took out the iron post because it was crooked from hurricane winds, the fencing needed straightening and leveling. I went out early in the morning to see what 2x4's I could find to use on the fencing, as they were cut sections of fencing (about 24"wide) that someone had thrown away and we needed to tie them all together better than they were. With three hurricanes blowing them every which way, it was time to get them back in shape. They still have many years of use left. I saw some metal studs that we had in our stash and came in to see what DH thought of using them. He said 'excellent idea'. These fit right over the 2x3's that had been used on the fencing. He drilled holes into the studs, then screwed them to the fencing after we raised and leveled them.



Here it is after I took out the existing bed.



Here it is afterwards. A double layer of bricks with the rocks and coral that had been the border, now place on top of bricks. I used a section of green lattice from our neighbor, and moved in potted and other plants to the bed. It still needs tweaking.


I was inspired by a post I read somewhere in a FL gardening blog, about making a wall of air plants, so started by putting ones that I had growing in shrubbery. I'll keep filling it in as I find them here and there. These particular air plants get pretty purple and reddish/pink flowers.


I hope to get out there tomorrow to do a little more work.

It is amazing what we can do now that we have cooler weather.


Zone 10 ~ s.e. FL

23 comments:

Susan said...

Hi FlowerLady...I love your wall of airplants. That is a neat idea on the trellis. It's amazing what neat items you can find when curbside shopping. I've found some neat items, too, and your fancy finial is very, very pretty. I, too, love hearts.

I can see you're getting a lot done in the garden these days. It's so much nicer to be outside in the autumn.

Ami said...

Nice work with your garden projects. How creative you and your husband to make that "gate stop". Very lovely indeed! Can not wait for that air plants fence filled in. It would make a nice addition to the garden. Keep us posted!

Jim Groble said...

Your garden looks wonderful. And I love all the ornamentation. It's funny how it had to warm up for Pat and I and cool down for you guys. great pics and post. jim

NanaK said...

What a nice transformation. You have really put a lot of work into it and it looks great. I love your found art finial. Your air plant wall is quite innovative. I just started collecting a few myself and need a way to display them. I just may have to be a copy-cat.

Sandy said...

It's so evident you and your
husband love your home and
garden. You've put so much
work into them. Everything
looks lovely.
Blessings,
Sandy

Antique ART Garden said...

You two are such a romantic couple, out and about doing things together, encouraging each other. That is more of a blessing than your precious garden. Love your new nook you made, looks great. take care, Gina

gld said...

Garden designers would pay dearly for that wonderful piece. I think that is what makes your garden so distinctive and charming; those wonderful pieces you and your husband design. You make a great team!

Glad you are getting some cooler weather.

We will be down to freezing by Thursday!

Floridagirl said...

Ooh, I love the wall of air plants. The whole finished area looks so nice. Back in spring, I took photos of a hanging "string" curtain of tillandsias at Bok Tower Gardens. I so want to try that in my garden or in my orchid room, but I do have trouble scraping up time and money for creative projects. Thanks for inspiring me to get out there and just do it!

denimflyz said...

Beautiful layout, FlowerLady.
I be glad to send you more cooler weather, it will drop into the teens and 20's where I am at the rest of this week, lol.
Love your air plants location, looks very lovely, and the cement piece is very nice! You and your husband are not weird, its the rest of the world that is weird.
From one weird spirit to another***
Enjoy

Mama Mess said...

Beautiful! I'm weird myself and have always been called that because I'm an intense and passionate person. I like being weird! ;)

Mrs. Mac said...

You always find a lovely project to work on. Your gardens are ever changing .. and beautiful.

Becca's Dirt said...

Love the work you've done. Pretty garden art. I love the pottery.

I'm looking for a good bread recipe. I just bought some yeast and want to use it. I do not have a bread maker so I'll have to do it by hand. Made bread many years ago by hand so I can do it again. What is your favorite?

Rebecca said...

Oh, Oh, Oh! We are very unconventional also -- you can't imagine how much I am enjoying your photos! I shall return when I can spend a little more time...meanwhile, I congratulate you on such novel and attractive tweaking of your yard/flower beds, etc.!!!!

Morning's Minion said...

Your garden looks inviting--a place where I would want to poke about and discover how you have made each little corner attractive and personal. Anyone [with money!] can go to the garden center and buy the latest fad in garden art--yours are unique and creative--so much enjoyment is in looking at the available bits and pieces and then making them work for own house or yard.

Karen said...

FlowerLady, you know how I feel about your garden? I LOVE it. You and your DH are so talented, making something gorgeous from what others discard. I love the harmony in your relationship, something so few couples have anymore. When I saw the pitcher with the two hearts, I immediately thought of you and your husband, and how it is a symbol of your love. Your garden is amazing, I am in awe of all the work you've done!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

I love it, Flowerlady! I think repurposing is the way to go. How boring to just go out and buy what you want for the garden--or house, for that matter. So much more creative to use your imagination and find a new use for something that would otherwise be thrown away. Much more original too! Changes are, no one will think to use the same things you would. I hate shopping to--unless it is Goodwill or a garage sale or resell shop.

aims said...

I have always wished that I had a green thumb and the ability to garden. My back doesn't let me dig around bent over very often so my garden is very small. Inside though - that's another story. I have windows full of plants!

I love your place FL! I too love eclectic and eccentric things. What a fabulous place you have!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi FlowerLady,
You make me smile. You and your hubby are quite a team. I love the combined creativity of the two of you!

I was glad you showed the top part of your creation closer, because I had clicked the other photos to see them larger, but couldn't see the details on that.

Nice work! How's your weather today? Are you getting some of the wind that seems to be so widespread? We are. It's supposed to get down to 33 tonight. I think I'll go pick some green tomatoes.

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

Very nicely done, Flowerlady! We have to have some front garden work done! Hopefully, it will look as nice as yours just with a northern twist!

Sharon Lovejoy said...

and what is WRONG with being eclectic and eccentric? At least you're doing your own thing and doing it with verve and joy.

Love,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Sandra said...

Aahhhh I just love your gardens you truly have the touch :)

Nina Suria said...

I love the ornament, so gorgeous :) I cant wait to see ur wodden fence full wif air plant. Have a great weekend dear Flower lady

xoxo

Darla said...

I just adore this area. Nice job!