The photos of the white curtins along with the mosquito netting are from the white and romantic part of the garden. The curtins hang from a copper gazebo my late husband made for our wedding and the mosquito netting gracefully embraces the granite bench. There are glass fixtures made into hanging lanterns along with a chandelier that is hung outside as well.
During summer garden parties, over 150 candles are lit which make the garden glow at dusk.
The china cups are on copper stakes. I had them filled with flowers to add punches of color.
My garden emphasizes foliage color (instead of being heavily laden with flowers) and texture. Several beds look the same in January as they do in June, as being evergreen, they continue to glorify the landscape. I also use repetition in the garden to keep it from looking "too spotted."
I call that the"paint brush scatter" method....too many individual plants making for a busy and unfocused area.
The gravel path has metal brown stepping stones which mirror the brown of the nearby carex.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Here are More Places in My Garden
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Fabric Floral Beauties
I have been happily creating fabric flowers to grace a jacket lapel, a flirty hat, or a stylish purse.
A stash of fabric has been patiently waiting for transformation. I discovered how much fun it is to burn the edges of some fabrics to create a curled-frilly edge to the petals.
I had just finished a pink crepe flower with a center of pearls when my boyfriend handed me a pink rose from our garden. Gosh-it reminded me of the commerical: "Is it real or is it Memorex?"
Nine (yes, 9!) Water Features in Our Garden
Water is a very important element to me. The garden also craves the delightful soothing and organic drip drip, splish splash, blup blup sounds of water. This summer we have nine water features that are electrified, hence moving the moving kind. There are over seven reflective and still water bowls. The water features are situated such that wherever I go in the gardens, there is the tantalizing lilt of water splashing. Some drip through a ring of moss and baby tear's while others careen over stacks of black slate and core-drilled stones.
It is easy to accomplish having a water feature. All you need is a submersible pump, water, plastic tubing, a container to hold water, electricity and some device to feature the water. One of our fountains consists of bamboo while another has a copper tube connected to the outlet valve. The water shoots vertically out of the copper and falls back on itself. I call this one "the dancer." The water feature close to the yellow-brick road is a whimsical watering can hung with fishing line (so it looks like it is floating) under a moss covered umbrella. I fit the water feature to the theme of the garden room: formal, whimsical, Pacific northwest, Asian. Enjoy!