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calamity_j

Some stuff I've been doing...

17 years ago

Here's some stuff I've been doing now that I've got most of my 300 plants planted, fence around this 1/2 yard done, irrigation in, tire retaining wallwalkway/ path slope done, Yup been planting in the retaining wall tires! And using tires for my hose holders too!heh! I've added about another 100 tires since I had the first stage of the tire slope done...I've used the dirt from the big hole called a pond(soon!!!) and have been finally finding time to put some of my garden art out/repair some of it from the harsh winter/ and create some new stuff too! I've had some of those metal barrel hoops that I decided to finally put together(had for 5yr!!!) and then decided to add it to my bottle tree, by putting it on the top. Painted said pole for bottle tree a rich purple and then decided to paint the sphere black, have the hole dug but want to drill/nail the spikes onto the pole for the bottles before I put it in the ground, as the place it's going is a very sloped are(my whole back yard!) Added a garden mailbox back there too!!!Yippee! I have built a few arbors for privacy from the neighbors, have planted a climbing rose and climatis on it. Put up my "Robert Murray" inspired metal art on a corner post(I like it there!) Well, I think thats it....here's the WIP pics...oops and my Humpty Dumpty too!!!...and the wht glass globe(filled with crete) will be on a pole(mosaiced?)


















































{{!gwi}}






















Comments (44)

  • 17 years ago

    I need a nap just hearing all you've been up to! gracious sakes woman take some time to enjoy the things you've done.!!!!
    Nice going WIPs Is the finish date next summer? LOL

    CT

  • 17 years ago

    Wow great stuff. I love everythig you did. The Robert inspired art is really cool!
    I love the mailbox and have seen others do that. I want one too!!!!
    I have a few more barrel rings to put together too. I love them!!! It looks awesome on the pole. This fall I have to redo my bottle tree because the tree trunk finally is rotted away. I am affraid it might tip over!

  • 17 years ago

    Girl, you make me feel like a 'slug'!!! I just thought you were out by the pool doing your nails.

    1. What does the garden plack say on the trellis? I do not know why I am blind lately. (I think it's an estrogen thing.)

    2. Tell me about the Rural Route Mail Box. I have not seen them except up on the Highway. How do you decorate them?

    3. Where will Humpty Dumpty be placed? Will he be a solid mosaic? Will he be cracked or is this before-The Great Fall? Will he be cracked open and have flowers growing out of his fracture???? UMMMM Succulents.

    4. Your Mosaic Mirror Totem Garden Reflection Tower Gazing Thing is excellent. If you had to purchase a piece like that it would cost a fortune. Even Priceless. What are they called?

    Congratulations on all of it!!!!!

  • 17 years ago

    I have to agree this stuff is great but you need to take some time to enjoy what you've done....sheeew....I also agree that Your Mosaic Mirror Totem Garden Reflection Tower Gazing Thing is excellent! It reminds me of a pineapple....sooo kewl

  • 17 years ago

    Wow, calamity-j...are you sure it's summer up there??? You must have started this last fall! Wow! Wow! You are one busy lady...all those plants (planted)...will be awesome...please share pics! Would luv to see an updated pic of tire retaining walls! And, as always, you mosaics are just the MOST BEAUTIFUL...shiny, glittzy, most original pcs of garden art! TFS! Jeanne S.

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks Everyone! I have been busy!!!lol! It doesn't look like much right now as they are small new plants, that I bought at plant sales/yard/fleamarket/fundraiser style places but you can score anything your heart desires from some of these annual horticulture(gardeners)sales!!! CHEAP!!! 1/2 acre is a LOT to fill up!!! I'll take some pics of my tire slope walkway tomorrow...here's what the sign on my rose trellis says...I've finally found just the right spot for this little treasure!!! I bought this one but want to make some of my own signs...(of course I had to add my 2cents worth here by painting the letters black...)

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163593}}

  • 17 years ago

    It's coming along very nicely!! Great garden art ! Trellis will look lovely when covered! Are you doing the pool this summer also? You need a break!! Jan

  • 17 years ago

    Whew, I am totally exhausted...LOL. WHERE do you get so much energy? You've got more in your little finger than I have from head to toe, and back again.

    Ditto on what the others have said. It probably wouldn't surprise you to know the purple pole with black sphere on top is my favorite. LOL.

    hugs, Karen

  • 17 years ago

    You might want to start a separate thread to let Robert Murray know that he inspired you! Not sure if he (or anyone) has time to read all the threads. But I am sure it would thrill him to know! Girl, you have been very busy! Amazing! ~tenderlee

  • 17 years ago

    WOWEE!! You SURE have been busy! I had to go get a cup of coffee and take a break just reading about what you had done! Great job on everything....love the metal art pieces, and the gazing ball (which looks like a pineapple, right?) is marvelous. And all the other projects are just beautiful!

  • 17 years ago

    Incredible! I love it all. The Robert art is striking. Also the mosaic piece. Can't wait to see Humpty finished.
    kathy

  • 17 years ago

    Goodness, I need your energy. Love everything.
    Ramona

    Here is a link that might be useful: MY BLOG

  • 17 years ago

    WOW! I love the mosaic "palm tree" thing, and Humpty Dumpty is going to be fabulous!!

  • 17 years ago

    I woke up this morning...half dreaming about POPing my face!!!lol! To do a concrete casting of!!!lol! Anyhoo, I thought I'd post another pic of the mosaic I call Lil Shop O Horror, as when it was first made(plus it was a sunny day, so you can see the bling!) Humpty Dumpty is gonna sit on his very own brick wall!!!YES!!! But the idea of him planted at the bottom is cool too...(maybe make him a lady Humpty down there...lol!)I was going to decorate(mosaic/paint?) the mail/tool box, but was in such a frenzy to see it there...that I set it up right away!lol! Just HAD to see some Garden Art being put/made in the yard!!!! I've been going thru withdrawls!!!

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163598}}

  • 17 years ago

    I need a break! You've worn me out! Busy, busy, busy. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I want to see that tire retaining wall too.
    Vickie

  • 17 years ago

    You are a DYNAMO!!! Exhausts me just reading about it! Everything is so creative. Love the metal art and the mosaic especially. Looking forward to seeing Humpty before he falls. LOL

  • 17 years ago

    Love your man eating mosaic flower! Very cool, right along with the rest of your wonderful creations. Great inspiration!

  • 17 years ago

    LOL Lil Shop O Horror... you are too funny!

    Just like you to make us all look like lazy slobs HA! Which vitamins are you taking? I can sure some!

    And what are you talking about with the tires? I don't see tires anywhere? Did you bury them? Unless I'm dreaming.

    And what about all your bricks??? You were my inspiration for buying my bricks in the first place and now I don't see bricks anywhere! Will you just use them for your Dumpty Dumpty wall?

    So many questions.... so little time to answer them all.

  • 17 years ago

    So here's what I started with in Febuary...a rickety stairs that I had already slipped on and bruised my tailbone..OUCH!!! Then when I decided to get the 1/2acre fenced...I thunk...Hey, Why not a slope of tires(Nuthin' cheaper!lol! Free) so I can get back there and "claim" it!!! So they started the slope for me but it was still too steep...now 100 more tires added...been claiming the old tiered tires too!!! For planting in...have been on a total tire Kick





























































  • 17 years ago

    Sheesh, I wrote a longer thread, explaining everything and it didn't make it thru cyberspace!!!! Cait, my brick inspired garden via YOU, is on it's way!!heh! I'm workin' on humpty today AND his Brick wall!!!ha! And I used 100 bricks to do these hose holding tire thingies!! Tires...gotta luv em (Free)!!! Can you see the kitty in the pic of the bottle tree? She has her own Kitty Palace(our shed!18x20)and she's hanging out the window all the time watching me and my ratweillers!!! And a pic of my pond..sss...I GOTTA get that pond made!!!ha!You can't really tell by these pics but this 1/4acre of the yard is pure slopes!!!

  • 17 years ago

    Today I made the concrete pad for the BRICK wall that Humpty will be sitting on....then I got to work on humpty...well, his friend Yoda showed up(who was sadly neglected on the shelf) and I was having so much fun, I even put a slurry coat of mortar on this little wicker car, that I want to plant up!!!

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163601}}

  • 17 years ago

    calamity...whoa, now I've always known there must be "teeny boppers" on this forum...and now I've finally found one! What ENERGY! You are a "teeny bopper," right? WOW, what projects! l/4 acre of slope....do you ski, too? HOLE-Y buckets! Well, I don't know how many tires it will take, but you've got a good start & looks like you're filling right up nice & tight...keep those mosquitoes under bay!

    Hose holder is cool...humpty will be wonderful...DH & I made humpty's for littlest g'kids one Christmas ... a tall skinny brick wall (wood that I painted) with pegs & then humpty starts at the top & falls on down thru the pegs..then he's a scrambled egg at the bottom! Heh! Heh! So I have a soft spot in my heart for "Humpty!"

    And I've got no words for your mosaics! Just simply the best! Great work, lady! Keep us posted! Luv your pics! Jeanne S.

  • 17 years ago

    It's so good to get my MOJO back!!! I haven't created anything for a LONG time!!! like 2yrs!! So this is so exciting for me to be making garden art again!! Here is another CAIT Inspired project I will be doing!!! It is a styrofoam chair that I will be calling "The Throne" as it will be covered in toilet shards...yes you heard me...smashed up scrounged toilet shards...all colors!!! recycle/reuse/recreate!!! Where it says plate will actually be a huge ashtray that I found....The danglies will be GOG(glass on glass)....

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163604}}

  • 17 years ago

    Kathy, I wanna try and get Humpty finished before the end of the month!!!lol! Here he is, waiting for another slurry coat this am...poor Humpty...he has a drywall tape girdle!!!ha!

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163607}}

  • 17 years ago

    I don't even know what to say.....

    except..... YOU GO GIRL ! ! ! ! YOU ROCK !!!!!

    WOWZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    thanks so much for sharing the pics and the
    wonderful ideas...
    & for
    Helping to spread your energy and idea...
    and
    help giving MsCait some glory also !!!!

    GO GO GO GARDEN JUNKERS ! ! ! !
    Show the world..... recycling and Creative Art
    is
    just a curb...
    a TS .... a junk .... a way....
    GO>>>>>>>>>>>>>> TEAM JUNKERS ! ! ! GO !!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks!
    God Bless !
    SusieSunshine....

    praying for the ENERGY to just DO IT !!!!!!!

  • 17 years ago

    Hey, girlie: Glad to see all your latest things. Hey, y'all. I've been in PV w/this lady for the last three years. Y'all don't know NUTIN!! She is a little stick of dynamite, and I love her to pieces. Sure do miss her on the Stained Glass/Mosaic side - she pops in occasionally. She's a real piece of work. Git-er-done, JaneyBo, and PUUULEESE be easy on Richard - love that man!

  • 17 years ago

    Hee Ho!!! While I'm waiting for the 2nd coat of slurry to dry, I noticed this "guy" who I 1st imagined as a face(shoehorn?)that I bought a few weeks ago...in a pile o goodness(said items to be "garden Arted"/visioned)and had bought these eyeball type glass beads last time I was in Mexico PV, and now I had something to use them on!!! Love his mouth!!

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163610}}

  • 17 years ago

    You are TOTALLY inspring! I've never seen the way you did your concrete glass globe! That's gotta be yet another "must do" on my list...sheesh, I'm gonna have to live to 150 to get it all done!

    I looked and looked at your hose holder trying to figure out what it was!!! I thumped myself on the head ala "I could have had a V-8" when I figured it out. TOO CLEVER! It's great!

  • 17 years ago

    Love the trellis, love the sphere, LOVE your enthusiasm! Love it all! You have more energy than I can muster in a whole year, Jane. Klinger wrote me about your tire project. What a feat! Great job! I can hardly wait to see it all grown in.

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks Daiseyme! Hope your vacation was fun!!! I sprained my ankle on sunday, tripped over myself while I was pouring the concrete for my pond...my mind runs and my body waddles!lol! So I HAVETA slow down...grrr. Well, that and a rootcanal..YUK! When it rains it pours!!! So, I'm gonna sit in my studio and play with Humpty and Yoda for now....

  • 17 years ago

    Awesome idea with the tires! I love that! Especially the painted one. That one looks really good!

    Where did you get all those tires? I'm about to have a new garden area, about 6' x 100'. The tires sound like a really good idea to me! Boards just keep rotting on me, bricks would be too expensive. Free tires sounds about right!

  • 17 years ago

    Hey October, I just went 5 min down the road to a local tire shop and they have a ton of em in the back...I've hit over 100 now and the guys look at me like "there's the crazy tire lady again".....DH and I just put in a nice big bed (3ftx15ft)on a sloped part...dug out the slope leveled it and built a raised bed out of scrap wood, and then realized it would take a yard and a 1/2 at least of good soil to fill it, so we put 6 tires in the bottom and some scrap concrete first to not have to pack so much top soil across the yard (100ft+slopes) so I have been using these tires for a multitude of stuff!!! Dh worked on it for 10hrs so far and needs another couple of hours for the final fill of top soil!!! sheesh! I'm glad he's not grumbling, I have done the other 300ft of bedding myself!!! Plus the tire slope/walkway. But this bed is like a feature bed since it is right in the middle of the back yard(I have 2 backyards...the very back of my house, which is on the first 1/4acre...and then the Back 40 which is off the map!lol! All sloped for 100ft down!) When you first look it looks like I have a small back yard till you get near the back...then you realize it's waaaayyyy back there!lol! It's my version of Cait's Secret Garden! Anyhoo, I've been going on about it again so I'll stop now...(it has Taken over my life...trying to conquer this baby!) I've broken my leg back there(and had to lay there till DH came home) and bruised my tailbone...now sprained that ankle(broken leg) and have learned more about how many bad words I am capable of uttering....than I care to say!!!ha!

  • 17 years ago

    Can I come over and just gaze and drool??? Wonderful stuff!
    I love the Lil Shop O Horror, and I LOVE that play. So fun!
    I wonder about the mailbox too, what are your plans for it?

  • 17 years ago

    Well, the mail box may get mosaiced at some point...I actually spraypainted that yellow as it was a weird black brick looking paintjob(someone else had decorated it) but I have bigger fish to fry just now! Today I worked on Yoda and Humpty some more...boldly going where jane has not gone before!!! Robery isn't the only mad experimenter here!!!lol! I made up a mortar slurry, then got the idea to add some...GUCK!!! That's right! The guck/gunk, that is at the bottom of my glass grinder!!! It's like white pwder, from grinding the glass...but glass is made from sand right??? sooooo, I started saving the guck and wanted to try it with cement? Ya okay I'm wierd...but I haven't started saving my belly button lint yet, so I'm still okay right?!!! hahah! Anyhoo, here is a pic of Yoda and Humpty with their mad experiment smooshed all over them....

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163612}}

  • 17 years ago

    WOW!!! Love your creative energy. I really like your use of old tires. I wish towns & cities would use tires like that instead of so much hard surfaces. I had to take a second look at your bottle tree picture, all I saw the first time was the kitty hanging out the window. Had to go back to see the tree! Can't hardly wait to see Mr. Humpty on his wall.
    Vickie

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks Vickie! I sooo wanna get the bottles on the tree, but just can't get me AND the bottles down there with this sore ankle...so I'm taking the day off and going thrift storing with my Garden Junk buddy Klinger! Yeehawww!

  • 17 years ago

    Yowza! I can't believe I'm going to get to see all this and meet you in person soon! Hope some of your creativity rubs off on me.
    kathy

  • 17 years ago

    Here is my Cait inspired Throne Chair's humble beginings....

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163614}}

  • 17 years ago

    Hey, Jane, just caught up with this thread again and hope you are taking care of yourself. Sounds like you need to leave the falling to Humpty. Nice to see him "growing" even if he does need a girdle. LOL

    How do you plan to break up toilets? Seems to me they are pretty thick and resistant to smashing. A great recycling idea tho. Must be zillions of old toilets out there.

  • 17 years ago

    Luckygal, I have been saving toilet shards for a while now, they were smashed up with a sledge hammer!!! I have about 2 five gallon bucks full right now so I will have to go get some more...our city just had a big toilet upgrade rebate, buy a new low flush and get $50 rebate, and the place I was working at was the recycle depot in town,so that's where I get the smashed toilets(they are destined to be recycled into aggragate for paving....)Here's my Throne, it is 4ftw x 6ft tall.(That big blue ashtray is just like someones ashtray here used for a totem....)

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163616}}

  • 17 years ago

    Oh, good, glad you don't have to smash them yourself! You do think BIG! Looking forward to seeing pics of the finished throne.

  • 17 years ago

    Finally finished planting my bottle tree!!!lol!

    Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:163618}}

  • 17 years ago

    That be my ashtray (green), calamity! WOW, your blue one will be AWESOME with your mosaic on this monster throne (and a good monster throne, it is!) I'll post my ashtray (totem) so others can appreciate your blue one! I'm in awe of the mosaic challenges you take on...and your finished projects!

    Luv the bottle tree...I'm saving "bands" for one of those toppers ...got to rescue one more old, broken whiskey barrel from somewhere! TFS your pics! You might consider posting your bottle tree separately...so no one misses it! Jeanne S.
    {{gwi:135144}}

  • 17 years ago

    I never did smoke, but these ashtrays are just too gorgeous to dirty up with butts!!!!lol! I think it's so amazing when You first posted your totem and I had just got my ashtray around the same time...2 different ideas for these lovely ashtrays!!! I love those glass birds too! I am gearing up to do something with all the glass items I have been hourding!!! Now that I have "claimed" another 1/4 acre of yard, The Garden Bling ideas have all the room in the world to gather!!!ha!