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

A Very New Mosaic for Tiger Gardens

A while back when I said I was taking a break and had one more post in the hopper this was the post! Instead I have been posting weekly. I am afraid if I get away from blogging totally I might not come back to it. As much as I love to garden I am getting to a point I wish to do it a bit more intimately-with me and the garden only. That and the fact it takes a lot of work to blog have me kind of up in the air with blogging. At any rate today is a post about a craft and a specialty of mine. I started making mosaics for my garden more than 4.5 years and believe it or not that above mosaic and its twin have been mounted in my garden all that time!!!! I don't bring them in or anything. This particular mosaic had a large tree limb fall on it when I recently had a LOT of tree damage from a small cell that went through my area. I lost more than 30 feet of height from one oak tree alone but in total there were five oaks that lost limbs. We had to use the chainsaw to clean the mess and all total I took two trailer loads of limbs to the dump. The loss of my tree limbs was very sad for me. I adore my oak trees and in the twelve years I have lived here we've never had this kind of damage.

Damage and asides did not keep me from completing my most recent mosaic but the side trips did slow me down. The above mosaic is what it looked like in the dry fit state. I'm ashamed to say this mosaic sat like this for several weeks in my living room. I just could not seem to get the motivation to begin gluing the gems onto the window and grouting the whole thing. I am happy to say I've finally completed it so that is one less project on my list. 

I always dry fit my mosaics to both get the pattern and to determine if I have enough glass gems to complete the design. This particular one started with a $5 window purchase at the Nashville Habitat Re-Store. Normally I make random patterns or have chosen a color scheme or the American flag as designs on my mosaics. This one I wanted to be different and since I love flowers thought a flower would be good. I pondered how to fill up the frame and make the picture look not so realistic yet realistic and fun on a mosaic. The above is what I came up with based on my gem colors and idea of a flower. 

The next step was to finally get around to gluing the gems on the window. What a problem this was! I usually use E6000 glue. This glue is very strong, dries clear, and is good for outside purposes, but it did not hold all of the gems onto the glass. It was most frustrating for me. I spent a few sessions gluing but then when I ran my fingers over the design the next day the gems started coming off. Geez, I have never had that happen before so this was very weird for me. I wound up picking off most of the blue and green gems and regluing them only to find that the same thing happened again! The white gems stayed in place no problem. The situation was troubling for me because I could not figure it out. I surmised that perhaps I needed to add pressure to the gems and to be sure I applied a lot of the glue to them. This finally worked. E6000 is not a glue like superglue where only a drop will work. Apparently you need to be quite liberal with it and apply pressure; which I did by placing some handy heavy garden books on the gems as I reglued them all. Finally, a few weeks after beginning the glue process I was ready for grout.

You want to do the grouting outside as it can be messy. I usually use a charcoal or black grout but since the frame of this window was tan I wished to color coordinate the grout so I used an almond grout I had on hand in the garage. I barely had enough but as you can see it all worked out. Mix up the grout (I used sanded) with water to make the consistency of cake frosting, then put it all on your glass gems and begin spreading it around-I find it easier to do this with my hands. Be sure to wear some good gloves on your hands when you do this as grout can be caustic to skin. Once I have all the cracks and crevices filled I make sure I have a good seam with the wooden window frame then I let it sit up for a while. Normally after about 30-45 minutes I will check to see how set the grout is then begin wiping it away from the glass gems using a large wet sponge that I wring dry. The clearing of the gems takes time and patience. You don't want to take away too much grout yet you need to make sure the grout is all uniform and smooth. It works best to do this in stages.

The grout dried overnight and walah this is the finished project from the grouted side of the window. I will hang this somewhere that the light can shine through it and that the grouted side is the side that is protected from elements.


The window side looks quite different. The light comes in through the back and spreads out to give one a look that kind of says the mosaic is lighted from behind (which it is but by the sun). This isn't the best picture since I have glare on it from this side but you get the idea.


Is is that patriotic time of the year and I thought the above picture was patriotic. There are three bunches of glads here with the red white and blue bird house but only the red ones decided to bloom. Darn. The other two were a plum color and a yellow. This picture is from the land and one of my new gardens. Those gardens are doing well all on their own and since I spend so much time out there I thought I'd share a picture from there.

These rudbeckias are also from the land. I plopped them in a hole I dug in the ground back in May and they've been doing find all on their own. I haven't even had to water these very tough plants. That is what I want out there until we get the chance to start building our new home. Even though there are plenty of wildflowers out there I want cultivated areas. As you can see the local insects seem to be enjoying these flowers....

in the garden....

Next week we'll talk about making new gardens without a tiller. 

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

Garden Ornamentation

Spring this year is beautiful! One of the best I can remember in several years; though I suspect many would disagree. Nonetheless here are some pictures of Tiger Gardens to share with you all. I've titled this post garden ornamentation because as I look around there seems to be a lot of garden ornaments. Ornaments need not be art but can also be flowers. Don't you think? 

The glass mosaic is clearly an ornament. The bowling ball on the stand to the left of the glass mosaic is also an ornament. I even think the Japanese maple next to the 'Van Houtte' spirea adds to the ornamentation in this picture. I guess I am kind of going toward layers in a garden more than ornaments. But plants and garden art add to those layers.

A bottle tree draws the eye in the front yard upon one's approach to the front door. A shiny and colorful ornament for sure. 

Looking to the right of the bottle tree a bit we see a garden pond. I was just reading one of my garden books (Decorating Your Garden by Jeff Cox) that says when polled people prefer a water feature over any other feature in a garden. I thought that interesting. I am very glad we have a pond in our garden-amongst other water features.

Another glass mosaic highlights a garden bed in the distance. This is the view from the front windows of the house. In the immediate bed you can see a whimsical frog keeping watch over the plants. Gotta have some whimsy too. 

The backyard shows us a yellow birdhouse showcased in front of a 'Royal Purple' smoke tree. The tractor in the distance is a type of ornament I suppose but it doesn't add all that much to the garden!

Irises are surely the jewels in a garden.

I cannot think of a lovelier plant than irises in my garden right now. This one was a gift from a fellow iris lover and I treasure it and all the other irises she has given me (thanks Angie)! Oh yes! Friends are also ornaments in a garden....especially when they come and visit and you can visit them....

in the garden....

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

Some Problems, Animals, Gardens, and White Flowers

Lately it seems one thing after another keeps coming up to draw me away from this blog. First it is work, then it is anger at people stealing photos, then it is the economy, then the garden, then just life. As in I enjoy reading books and hanging out and not being on the computer. Ever feel like that? It has been happening to me a lot lately but I do try to focus on the positives-of which there are many. 

The above picture of one of my cherished glass mosaics is quite a popular mosaic and picture, though not this particular picture. I have found many many times one of my original pictures of this mosaic pinned on Pinterest. Usually I find my pictures because there is a url to my blog. This was not the case recently. I searched Pinterest for a certain key word and was shocked to find my mosaic pinned on a person's board. It was repinned 171 times. There was NO url to my blog anywhere on the picture. All those people who repinned my photo had no idea it did not belong to Mosh Art and another blog I will not name. Do people really care who owns what anymore? What do you think when you take other pictures and 'pin' it? I for one do not think this is okay if you do not ask the person. Never have we been asked if we would allow our pictures to be used elsewhere. What happened to common courtesy?

The picture was pinned more than 48 weeks ago but it was not actually pinned. It was actually downloaded then uploaded to Pinterest under another person's name. In other words, this 'person' took credit for the idea of the mosaic, and the mosaic itself, and the picture. Needless to say I was not happy. As always, I report the theft and I must say the positive is that Pinterest always removes photographs of mine when I complain and fill out the copyright form. I am very happy about this. I will always report the theft and leave a comment for the offender. To this date only one person has ever responded to me about my comments. What could they say? "I'm sorry I stole your picture but I really thought it was mine? No, actually I really thought you wouldn't find out."  I just wish I could understand what motivates people to actually steal others work in this manner. But then we move on.

To crepemyrtles flowering. They are so pretty this year. But in case you are one of the very few southerners that does not grow crepemyrtles beware, these trees are messy. I'll forgive mine because they are just so beautiful. I do try to plant them where their mess will not fall into gutters and storm drains but I have failed on this task a bit.

Cutleaf coneflowers are beautiful and cheer me.

The friendly neighboring cows are back for the summer. They are so funny I can almost forget about the world while watching these bovines play in their large field.

And what self respecting cow pasture would be without a feisty goat? Mr. C's goat is a hoot to watch while he guards the cows and their babies. He and his buddies the cows practically live in our yard thanks to the beautiful meadow abutting our property. It is such a wonderful view is it any wonder I spend a lot of time outside and away from the computer?

'Limelight' paniculata hydrangeas have not been as floriferous as they were last year but still they bloom and I am reminded life goes on.

Our two stray cats have finally made peace with one another. This was after many wounds and at least two trips to the veternarian due to abscesses. These two castrated Toms don't really bother Orkin; our resident female orange tabby for more than seven years; but she simply will not come to the porch and I rarely see her anymore. She is always in the garden close by so I am able to check on her but it makes me sad she will not come to us anymore due to these two Toms I now think Orkin stays away from the porch because the dogs scare her when they peek out and bark at her and the two Toms.

'Immortality' iris is on its second summer bloom. What an outstanding pure, beautiful, fragrant, and uplifting iris this one is. Everyone should grow it.

Night blooming Jimsonweed is a nice reminder of a dear friend who has moved away. She dug seedlings from her garden many years ago and passed them on to me. My plants are the progeny of the original seedlings because night blooming jimsonweed usually doesn't overwinter here in my Zone 7A garden. Seedlings reliably appear each spring with no help from me. Surprisingly enough I have not been able to start seedlings from seeds on my own.

Night blooming Jimsonweed blooms all season, but only at night. By mid morning the blooms will vanish. This flower is also fragrant at night. Jimsonweed is an excellent choice for a moon garden. Be aware it will get quite large.


This time last year this garden was completely bare. All of the beautiful flowers had disappeared from the scene due to the drought. I promised myself I would change that so I replanted the area with drought tolerant plants such as catmint, sedum, and grasses. Agastache was added later. I have been very pleased with the fact that this year I actually have green and like to think it is because of my planning, but I suspect it might be due to the wonderful wonderful rains we received in July and now. 

On our recent pond tour there were about 75-80 people who came by the garden. They almost all said this has been a bad year for gardens due to no rains and the extreme heat. I have to totally disagree because the past two years have seen NO water in my gardens for about two months straight and it was pretty hot then too. My gardens languished and many plants died during the past two years. I have yet to lose anything this year though a large black gum looks as though it might need to come down. We have had plenty of rain in my garden this summer and the plants are showing their delight. I suspect next spring will be wonderful as all of the spring bloomers like viburnums and hydrangeas have been able to set buds and put on new growth and will bloom like crazy next year. Just watch and see. While June was a bit rough this summer as a whole has been wonderful. I need to try to remember that as 2012 starts to wind down and I look to next year.

I need a slight pause from blogging but will be back.... 

in the garden....

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

Garden Whimsy at Herman and Donna's Garden Pond

The third pond on our 2012 Montgomery County Water Garden Society Pond Tour was the garden pond of Herman and Donna. For me these tours are more about the gardens than the ponds. I believe ponds, and water in general, enhance a garden experience. I simply cannot tour for ponds only so please excuse me when I refer to the gardens. 

Herman and Donna are fellow master gardeners and actually spent some time in my garden in June during the Master Gardener Garden Tour. My husband and I really got to know them and enjoyed talking to them and Herman's sister, Sue. It was no surprise then that when the tour stopped at their garden I was pretty excited. Their garden made me feel right at home-let me tell you!

One of the first things I saw was this mosaic. My husband said I should ask Donna if she got inspired from my three mosaics like this in my garden. I immediately went to her and asked her and she said she was indeed inspired by my mosaic when she spent time in my garden in June and gave me a big hug. She immediately went home after the June visit and created her own glass gem-shower door mosaic and the result is above. Isn't it beautiful? Now I no longer have the claim to fame that my garden is the only one in this area with a mosaic. Harumph! Nah, just kidding. I am flattered that Donna loved the mosaic so much she created it. I can tell you they take some work and each and everyone will be a bit different and unique. Mounting them in the garden adds so much to a garden. I am so thrilled to see this beautiful one in Donna and Herman's garden. It was a big hit with our tour too.

Here is the backside of it. Both sides are gorgeous. One side is in 3D while the other one simply sparkles with color.

There was another reason I felt at home in this garden. There were so many wonderful garden art pieces and splendid seating areas that I surely felt at home. Here we have some of those famous tipsy pots made by Lola, and a tower that sparkles with gems.

This had to be my favorite piece aside from the mosaic of course. I plan to make one of these soon. Mr. Fix-it has already been forewarned.

The garden area was interesting. I did not actually explore the growing spaces but noticed this wonderful trellis made from cattle panels. I wish I had the room to do this in my garden. These trellises are perfect for growing vining crops.

The host of the tour, Terrie, loved loved loved this sparkly tree. She asked me to take a picture of it. It is an easy do it yourself project for anyone and not very expensive either. The 'gems' are plastic doodads you can buy at any hobby store. I bet you can get the tree there too.

This totem was created by Donna. She is quite the artist and had paintings displayed in her home that I loved. I unfortunately did not get pictures of them as Mr. Fix-it and I were in the food line and so I left my camera at our table. Speaking of which, part of the tour included a lunch provided to the VIPs (PreTour guests). The spread Herman, Donna, their daughter, and friends laid out for us all was pretty amazing. Everything from fried chicken to barbeque to chess pie! And a very comfortable spot to eat it too! A few of us sat under a gazebo right next to the huge pond and enjoyed a shady spot to eat al fresco. I tell you I was not ready to leave.

This little bicycle was all set for a champagne toast.

How about this nearby bottle tree?

I like rusty things so this large flower caught my eye. No fertilizing, weeding, or watering required!

Now this weeping Atlas Cedar would need some help from the gardener. It was a specimen plant I wished I had in my garden.

Naomi was our traveling companion on this date. She thoroughly enjoyed herself as you can see. Pond tours are great to get good ideas not only about ponds but about gardens. Naomi is a learner and she savored everything we saw this day.

This whimsical koi caught my eye. He looks like he was washed up high and dry doesn't he?

Ah, here is the pond. This post is long and I was not sure if I even included the pond. I am really glad I did!! Herman used to have three ponds that he very recently combined into one large pond. This is one of the ponds that was less than three feet deep. He was limited on how deep he could go by fill lines under the pond. Pipes and lines are a big consideration when digging a pond. I made sure my waterline was no where near where I dug my pond as well. It takes some work to figure this all out but you must know where your lines are prior to digging to avoid costly mistakes down the road.

This neat piece of art was a hanging planter that really stood out to me.


As did the potted wreath welcoming all to Donna and Herman's garden....

in the garden....

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