Janet of All Trades

I start a garden scrapbook over almost fifteen years ago to keep a visual record of the plants and see the changes over the years. I somewhat abandoned it about five years ago since I keep all my photos digitally now and can view them anytime on my computer,but it is not the same as a paper scrapbook. Here are just a few of the images from my book that show how far my garden has come. This was my tiny back garden at the beginning. A year later. This was four years later and we had added the two side gardens.  I love looking back on how they garden has changed as well as looking at all my silly comments. Nothing can replace a paper scrapbook and I glad took the time to compile it. I think I better start a digital copy or is that what my blog is? Enjoy!

Something has been eating one of my plants in my garden and I thought it might be our resident rabbit. But after further inspection I found that it was not and a little black and yellow fellow munching away. If you look closer you can see him and his friend enjoy a late lunch. I was excited thinking I had Butterfly Caterpillars in my garden but after further research I discovered that they are Striped Garden Caterpillar Moths or Trichordestra Legitima. Oh well, they are eating plants that seem to grow more once they are eaten and they aren't eating anything else, yet. Plus they make good subjects for photos since they are colorful and move slowly. So think I will let them stay for awhile. Enjoy!

After about two months of thinking and planning, our front garden is finally completed and I have the photos to show all the entire process. For about ten years the front of our house looked like this with Shrubs and Black Eyed-Susans. Shrubs Removed Gardens re-sculpted Plant design laid out Finally complete with Mulch and Decorative Grass After it was complete, I could not stop walking out front and looking at the gardens. The house looks so different and fresh now. I feel like now the outside of the house is complete,well for this summer anyway! Enjoy!

Over the years, I have saved every plant identification tag from every plant I have used in my garden. I used them to learn and identify each plant and used them in a journal and a scrapbook. I still have many left and thought there some way I could use them. Then I had an Idea. Just use them as Art and then I could enjoy them all year long. I first selected a few that I liked the best. Then I painted a piece of cardboard with Rust-Oleum Hammered Finish paint, since I wanted it to look like galvanized metal. Next I cut each tag and a piece of the cardboard and attached the tag with a piece of foam tape to add some dimension. The last step was to arrange on a piece of card stock and attached with more foam tape.  And the last step was to place in a freshly spray painted frame. My art was done and ready to enjoy! Linking up to: Coast Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

We are in the midst of our front garden remodel project and we are getting one step closer to planting. Over the weekend my Husband and I wandered thru a local nursery to start selecting some shrubs. We found numerous plants that we liked but here are a few of our favorites. Now we just have to make a decision on the plants we like the best and how many. Who knew designing this garden would be so difficult,but we want to have superb curb appeal. Can't wait to see the results although and I will be sure to share in the coming weeks! Enjoy!