Trellis Facelift - a creative project

These look like wrought-iron trellises but actually they are metal decorative panels that I painted. A friend spied the two panels in her neighbours trash and rescued them for me, knowing that I might like to do something with them. 

  

They were a yellow creamy colour before the transformation.

They were discoloured and had rusted in several places. 

I used a matte charcoal coloured paint that I had left over from another project and painted them completely. Using a small brush like the one in the photo and an even smaller brush to get into all the tricky little places, it was a slightly tedious process, but worth the effort.

I left them to dry leaning against a tree and then placed them in the garden in a spot where the panels create a view looking through them. I may eventually use them as a trellis to support a flowing vine of some kind.

Art in the Garden 2015

Art in the Garden, held just outside Perth, had a lovely selection of art this year. I was fortunate to visit on the Saturday and the weather was glorious, sunny with cooling breezes. Just what you need for strolling through the extensive grounds of Kiwi Gardens. Lots of interesting garden art on display, but without a doubt, the whimsical creations by Ottawa artist, Liz Cielsluk were the ones that captured my imagination and drew my interest the most.

Like this little fellow, who seems to be cobbled together with all manner of things, a sort of steampunk hummingbird-frog. Definitely a creature of fancy.

As would be expected in this topsy-turvy world, Alice was in attendance, along with her flamingos.

As was this woodland wizard who blended very nicely into his surroundings.

It seems that several characters had come to the sale using their own modes of transportation.

This handsome fellow was the most beautiful shade of blue. Very regal indeed.

And this cross between a bird and butterfly definitely has magpie tendencies, as his collection of glittery objects shows. 

But there were many other artists at the sale, with wonderful works of art that would blend very nicely into garden landscapes, including these interesting trellises which would divide a garden into different areas very nicely.

I look forward to visiting again next year!

The Silica Garden

Another interesting feature at 1001 Pots, is the unique Silica Garden that's tucked away in one corner and can be easily missed. 

The entrance to the Silica Garden is through a pair of rusty metal doors.

The roof is made of  branches open to the sky.

Inside, there are various rooms with benches for sitting and contemplating or perhaps for studying the myriads of pottery that make up the walls.

Not all the walls are filled yet.

But those that are provide a fascinating display.

A "stream" of blue ceramics flows through this unique garden.

1001 Pots

For 24 years now, 1001 Pots, the largest ceramics exhibition in North America, has taken place in Val-David, in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. There is an abundance of styles to suit everyone's taste in this outdoor display on the grounds of the event's founder,  potter Kinya Ishikawa. You can wander to your heart's content in a lovely garden setting, collecting as you go, and pay at one of the cashiers near the front entrance. Even if you decide not to bring anything home with you, the setting and displays are a feast for the eyes and make the outing well worthwhile. 

Some of the displays are grouped by theme, such as these bowls above, and the vases below.

Other displays group the work of a potter in one place, clearly marked with a sign. Visitors are given a brochure with a map that helps you find the location of a particular artisan. There are so many displays, this certainly helps if you are looking for the work of a particular person.

And if all this wasn't enough, there are workshops,demonstrations, musical concerts and poetry readings scheduled throughout the event's one-month run. This year, 1001 Pots runs from July 13th to August 12th.

Winter Urns

As the seasons change and I ready the garden for its winter nap, there always comes the time when I must toss out the flower plantings in my iron urns at the front entrance to our home. Rather than look at two big empty urns all winter long, I always try to create a display that will take me through the winter and bring a little colour and cheer.


This year, I'm happy to say, my displays cost me nothing... thanks to a friend who lives in the country who brought me these beautiful birch branches...


and these lovely red-coloured branches.


Add in some cedar cut from my hedge, bright red berries from the garden next door, some wavy branches and oversized pinecones that I've collected over the years, and you've got a gorgeous winter urn.


Why not try creating your own rendition, using whatever plant materials you have at your disposal? If you don't own urns, any large flower pot or container will do.

Best of the Tour

I was recently on a garden tour of eight or so residential gardens. Some had been professionally landscaped, some had been developed over the years by the owners and others were works in progress. My absolute favourite, though, was a delightfully quirky garden containing all sorts of whimsy. The owner does most of the gardening herself and obviously has a great sense of humour which she allows to creep into all the nooks and crannies of her garden. These photos are just a few of the spots that caught my eye. The garden is the sort that offers its visitors many surprises, some that might be missed on a first visit, as there is so much to see. Unfortunately, some of the tongue-in-cheek touches such as the metal hen planters potted with Hens and Chickens are not pictured here. But even so, you still get the sense that is a totally charming and welcoming garden.

Tree Art

I was whizzing along the bicycle path on my way to work when I spotted what looked like artwork. As I cycled home that afternoon, I stopped to investigate and took these photos.

Sure enough, a landscape (signed and dated: J.L. 11/07/11) had been painted on the surface of a tree where a large limb had been cut. We have lost a lot of trees lately to high winds and I guess the artist saw an opportunity to display their art. Located at a fork in the path, there is a lot of "foot and pedal" traffic so the spot is good for reaching a lot of viewers.

What I didn't realise at first, but have since confimed, was that the artist had painted the scene they saw from that vantage point, looking out over the water as the sun was setting on the Ottawa River one evening.

Whimsy with Purpose

This wee blue chair, measuring only 5 1/2 inches wide by 12 inches tall, will be on sale at the Great Glebe Garage Sale on Saturday.

What a sweet perch it would make for a small potted plant or mini trellis for a plant to use for support in a garden pot. I made a little seat cushion for it that could be used to hold straight pins or as I've done here, brooches and jewelery pins. And surely, it is adorable enough to stand (oops... sit) all on its own.

Twisted Topiaries

I came across these brass candle holders for candelabras at a salvage store and re-purposed them as miniature urns with quirky topiary I fashioned for each one, some more twisted than others. The urns all measure 2 inches high (more or less). They are just some of the handcrafted items I'll be selling this year at the Great Glebe Garage Sale.