magnolia leaves - wreath

I had a box of dried magnolia leaves ,  well they dried because I left them in  a basket after Christmas in the garage.   They were so perfectly dried that I thought I should make a wreath for the front door with them.   I painted the leaves a brighter green.   Some of the leaves I painted white with a little shadow of beige.    The center is a piece of pine cone.     I didn't paint the leaves until I finished gluing all of the leaves on a disc of about 8 1/2 inches in diameter,  then I went into the circle about another two inches and glued the second row.   Much better to paint the leaves first before gluing on.  

this is the finished product

this is a little blurry but you can see how I glued the leaves on a circle I cut from foam board

Wished I had painted them first at this point .

I roughly cut a piece of foam core and glued this hanger on

then attached to the back of the disk for hanging

I have some others I will post of other ideas when I finish them.    I sprayed the wreath with acrylic spray when I finished.

I am sharing this post with The Charm of Home

Side trip to Snow Creek Farm

Located in Woodford Va.  is a wonderful farm house full of any and everything.   Antiques , vintage, repurposed.    This was their spring market and there are two others in September and November.
We found the sign with  a bicycle near the fence ,  next door was a house that I had to get a picture of .  I like the columns  at the  sidewalk. 

Steve loved the cheerful flowers to greet in front, so he bought two of those and a butterfly to go with them

I hung a big flower on my back door to porch

goodies on front porch

I like the garland of seashells and driftwood

these bugs caught my eye, and I see their bodies are made of bottles,

how do people come up with this stuff? 

I'm gonna make one

Haven't seen her in a long time

Lots of whimsical garden art

that long strand of beads,   gonna make a chunky necklace,  I saw a lady wearing one recently made from large beads and I liked it.

I have this now holding a pot of lemon thyme

Look forward to the fall and Christmas time

New Grandbaby - plus Part 3 (last) of Ashland garden week

Meet Alaina Charlotte- new grand daughter.    I wish we could be there with everyone, but maybe a visit this summer,  she lives in Hawaii.    The spelling of her name is the hawaiian spelling.  She has two big brothers and as you can see from the pictures - are so happy to have a little sister.  So sweet

Pretty pink skin

Tyler - Dad - Ryan and Alaina

Ryan - Mom and Tyler holding Alaina

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The last two homes for garden week

A Virginia colonial home built in 1974 ,  built over the foundation of  a Victorian house that burned in 1970.

18th and 19th century English and American furniture as well as painting and sculptures  by local artists decorate this home

The American southwest and African art can be seen in the sunroom

A carved ceremonial comb from Mali and plaster castings of the original Parthenon freize grace the walls.

Many plants in the garden come from friends and neighbors and garden writer Nancy Ross Hugo

Family weddings have been held in the back garden

this one arrangement was being taken by a visitor who asked to get a pix, so I did too

Just a gorgeous arrangement in the kitchen with the veggies at the base

 

checking out the fairey garden under the tree

 this is so cute - there was little clothes line with rose petals hanging there - a fence made of twigs circles  the fairey houses -

clothesline

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Built in 1914 -a  two story greek revival residence-

of the original features are 10 ft. ceilings, heart pine floors, kitchen cupboards and dining room chandelier

I like the fern at the entrance

Love this flower chandy (I call it) looks like the plants are rooted in the pot and just hung upside down

Style in home is ecclectic - furnished with family antiques

A miniature of the dining room table is a tea table made by the owners father

Bold and bright colors and fabrics are throughout the house

There is whimsical art that decorate the home,  for example a box hanging in the living room that is shaped like a bug with doors and brightly painted.     A cheerful home

The owners say their garden is an old family garden with many shade trees

 

 

A lovely vine basket sitting on a pedestal

I like this idea

in the background you can see lemonade and cookies for the guests

lily of the valley covered the area along the driveway

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I meant to put this photo with the queen anne home in post 2-  better picture of how the front of home looks

The end

Ashland Gardens (pt 2)

Along the railroad tracks in Ashland sits this home,  two story frame farmhouse style.   Nicknamed at one time the dollhouse, used to be a one bedroom home.   Not anymore,  completely rebuilt and expanded in 2009.    Casually styled and inviting feel as we entered the home.
   Built by owner are 3 handmade tables, including the dining room  table using heart pine lumber  salvadged from an Ashland home renovation built in 1850.
There was a light fixture made by a local artist that I would love to have hanging in my house.  Looked like circles of clear glass incased in metal and then soldiered together in a half globe fashion and was hanging to a ceiling light with looked to be wire,  I will have to try this myself ,  really a neat piece.

The entire right side of front porch was added

looking at the clean flower beds makes me want to get home and tend to mine

you can see the railroad tracks running down the middle of the street

rear of home sits a nice shed

 steve checking out the garden shed with the seating area

Flagstone patio - coffee and breakfast here would be nice every morning

raised bed with some very healthy plants

aluminum cake pans hanging to scare away pests

Hydrangeas and gardenias

the owners consider the outside areas a work in progress

Had to get a picture of the gate , wood and iron

now off to the next house

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Popular Queen Ann Style built around 1887 - surrounded by nearly five acres of land.
Purchased in 1898 by the grandfather of the present owner.  The exterior of the home remains close to its original configuration.  The interior has gone through some minor remodeling over the last half century.
Some French furniture and Art from Africa - In the dining room are nineteenth century and contemporary portraits.    The grounds - a reflection of late 19th century, horses were kept in the back pasture.

I like how the entrance is on the corner of house

close up of rear porch,  notice the flower arrangement -  Ashland Garden Club

A croquet set sets the mood for the period of the home - swing in the tree,  It feels  like family and friends will be gathering soon for a picnic on the lawn.

we walked to the pasture and the showers were on their way, you can see from the way the clouds look

Steve and I sit here for a spell because of the brief rain shower,  was nice.   Areas along the walk to the different gardens had seating for people to sit a spell if we got tired.  Very thoughtful.

 Hurricane Katrina (was told by a visitor) took the large tree out, so the owners put a playhouse on it for the grandchildren,   even has flower boxes,  so cute

The owners office in this bldg.   Music was playing and looked like he may be back anytime to take care of business

Click here to see Part Three


Happy Tuesday
Betsy
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