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Sunday, June 21, 2020

Way back in January...

In the 1950s I remember my mother and her friends making little potted gardens in terracotta bowl-shaped pots. These gardens featured succulents and little hand-painted stones provided splashes of colour. And years later these little novelty gardens are still very popular. Pinterest is full of ideas! 
Late last year when I was wondering what I could do to help in the parish Christmas craft market, I had a lightbulb moment...potted gardens!! I figured that I could use succulents that I’d potted up from cuttings. Pots I found in The Reject Shop and I bought some ‘accessories’ on EBay for a reasonable price. So despite having little time due to going to the hospital 6 days a week to sit with Carrie, I was able to contribute to the fundraising. 


I was on a roll and made a fairy garden for my neighbour’s Christmas gift 😄
I added white pebbles before I handed it over...


Now I was really on a roll! When the frame on my wheelbarrow rusted through, DH had bought me a whole new barrow. Ah hah! A perfect excuse to make a fairy garden in the old barrow for the granddaughters. And so it was in late January on a day that we were minding Miss Anthea that I put my plans into action with the help of DH and Anthea. 


Anthea and I with the ornaments I’d found at stores like Reject Shop and Bunnings. 



Anthea made a path from the fairy houses using big white pebbles. 


Ta dah! All done! 


A few days later Holly enjoyed playing with the garden...


A week or so later a bush turkey came along and dug up the garden. ( I’m pretty sure it was a turkey even if I didn’t catch one in the act!) Luckily I saw the damage before the little girls, put it all back together and then covered it with mesh. So then the plants could grow without disruption. 
And I took this photo this morning...


The little girls have had so much fun with the garden. We are seeing most of our granddaughters at least once a week now that restrictions are easing a little bit. 💕

8 comments:

mamasmercantile said...

I am thrilled for you that you are now able to see your family. The garden is wonderful and so much fun that you did it together.

Maria said...

Anthea Bruce and you have created a lovely Fairy Garden in the old barrow for all the little girls to enjoy.

Nanna Chel said...

Maria, aren't succulents great? They are so easy to propagate. Your granddaughters would love their garden...pity about the wildlife though.

Susan said...

Those plants are growing so well - I imagine the girls love it.

Gail said...

Really cute! I'm sure the girls love it-like a dolls house only with plants and dirt!

Vireya said...

That's just lovely. Excellent fundraising idea, and wonderful times in the garden with your granddaughters.

angela said...

Love your fairy gardens. I made a few last year and melody loves them
Come spring I’ll give them a spruce up and maybe I’ll make some more
It is wonderful to be able to see our family again

Happy Retiree's Kitchen said...

Maria succulents are so good to work with and what a lovely activity to do with the children. Such imaginative play. It's lovely you can see more of your family.Nice to see old ornaments etc being put to good use.