9.08.2011

:: back door herb garden


Hi, I want to share my back door herb garden with you before the season ends.  I meant to share when I made it and all the plants were cute & small...but time & the plants have gotten away from me so better late than never.

I had an idea to use different sized galvanized containers to create a tiered herb garden. I have the perfect corner for it right at the backdoor leading to the deck from the kitchen. All I had to do was go to my local Tractor supply to pick up a few extra buckets, I already had the largest tub that held my Christmas tree this past Christmas.  I'll have to get a new one since I punched holes in this one for drainage. You can't see the middle bucket in the picture above, but I promise it is there, as well as the small pail on top.


Here it is a little earlier in the season...


One day while my sister was visiting she helped me with this little afternoon project.  Using a large nail & hammer we simply punched six drain holes in a row about 2" up from the bottom of each of the containers, {working from the inside out works best & doesn't dent the buckets}.  We filled each bucket with potting soil, and simply stacked them on top of the lower buckets soil as we went. The holes allow the water to trickle down from each of the buckets into the one below.  We then set out my herbs to decide where we wanted things to be according to their size, and as you can see they've all grown quite large....some more so than others. I've even had to do a little plant rearrangement along the way.  I have had an abundance of fresh herbs right outside my door all season long. It's been so nice having it right outside the kitchen door, I just pop out and snip.  Together with my tomatoes we have had lots of lovely fresh pasta dishes.

Next year I may lay out my plants a little differently, I would love to add it to a stand or add one more tier for a little more height in this corner.  I have loved this project, and it's so nice to see the pop of green outside my door when I drink my morning coffee.

So what do you think?
Would you give this project a try?
Do you already have a backdoor herb garden

I would love to see your herb gardens so leave me a link and I'll take a peek.

Since fall is surely on it's way, I'll soon be saying goodbye to this little garden...
I can't wait to start again next year.



Did you know that you can start some herbs inside by simply placing a cutting in a container of water...it takes a few weeks & you'll see it's roots.  I've started rosemary, oregano, marjoram, basil & mint too, i've created several new plants this way.  I've been taking cuttings and rooting them for replanting inside, I'll start them in pots soon.  Remember all of my little cuttings on my windowsill, I love the look...they all graduated to plantings, and I have several more going now.  Give it a try if you haven't already....it's super easy, and hopefully you have a sunny spot for keeping them indoors this winter.

I'll have to let you know if mine make it indoors.

Hope you are having a great week, can't believe it's almost over....but Yay anyway.

:: peace, love & hugs ::
Carrie


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9.06.2011

:: the emperor & a mosaic



More butterflies... first is the Tailed Emperor { Polyura pyrrhus }, 
doesn't it look grand, the name fits it perfectly.
Secondly I painted the lovely Mosaic butterfly { Colobura dirce } 
I love how different the two sides of this butterfly looks, I just had to attempt the zebra stripes.

So, what do you think?
Like the colors?

I promise no butterflies tomorrow ; )...only
because I was out thrifting today and had no time to paint... hee hee.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week so far.

{peace, love & hugs}
Carrie

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9.05.2011

:: artist studio - butterflies

Hi friends, I'm finally back online after a long week without internet at home.
The whole switch from Time Warner to Direct TV left us high & dry for a little while.
Wow, you just don't realize how much you use the internet until you are without it a week.
Needless to say, I'm glad to be back here on my bloggy space.
Just thought I'd share what I've been working on in my studio since last night.
I was suddenly inspired to paint, something I don't ordinarily do.
I've always wanted to be a real painter/artist, but honestly I've never attempted it.
Well, I think God has planted a seed to see what I will do with it.
I have to say I haven't been more relaxed and excited to do something artistic in a while.
I was in my studio first thing this morning and finished the artwork above.
Now I'm wondering what you think...is it good enough to sell?
Do you prefer prints or original art?
I wonder if you can tell which butterfly I started with above.
I do believe the last is much better than the first.
After all, I'm no painter and this is the first time i've picked up a brush in some time.
So hopefully over time and with practice I will continue to get better & better.
Most of all I'm really enjoying this time being creative again.

I hope you all are doing well, and having a wonderful holiday weekend.
I'm so sad that it's already coming to an end.
I've enjoyed this time at home with my family just relaxing.

{ peace, love & hugs }
Carrie
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