“The joy of the creative process, minute by minute, hour after hour, day by day, is the sublime path to true happiness.” ~ George Lois
I always enjoy being part of Kat’s Photo-Heart Connection and visiting the other participants’ blogs. Haven’t done it before? You can learn more about how to find your Photo-Heart Connection here.
I never really considered that one could be creative in gardening just as much as in painting or mixed media work, but when I came across the quotation above on the exact same day that I drove past these lovely purple flowers hanging over a fence, it got my mind going. I had to turn around, stop the car, and snap a picture. Something about their delicate loveliness spoke to me. I started thinking about creating a sort of calming space in various areas of our backyard and driveway with plants and flowers, somehow invoking the same feeling I got when I drove past these purple flowers… one of peace, purposefulness, and welcome.
This is my way to combine my Photo-Heart Connection post with a garden update! I’ve wanted to bring in some interest and color to our space, so I got these windchimes as my first new additions. The one on the left is made of recycled wine bottles (that lowest blue circle is the bottom of the bottle) and the one on the right was handmade in India.
To add interest to a blank wall, I added these decorative trellises (or would it be trelli?). I have lots of boring areas just like this one was so if you have any other ideas, I’m all ears.
Just adding color to our containers made a huge difference.
My favorite new addition is a peach tree. We already have a little one growing! It’s in a perfect location to be able to see it from several areas of our house.
We enter the house from the side door off the driveway, so having that area be more welcoming was my primary focus. I have had these iron flowers for about a year and a half now and they have been leaning against this wall with their price tags on the entire time. Pathetic. (I got them half price at Marshalls Home Goods because some of their jewels had fallen off – easily fixed.) I need to get one more and figure out how to incorporate some color into this space around our door. I may have to (gasp!) paint those wood beams.
I added this green shelf last year (see that post here) and it’s been sitting rather neglected ever since July when the heat pretty much did all the plants in. This time I am focusing on the decor and adding only a few plants. Those are in larger planters with moisture-retention soil, whatever that is.
My other new addition this year… a welcoming line of pinwheels and flowers along the driveway. Luckily, these get whatever rainfall comes their way, so I don’t really have too many to remember to water.
Our rose, hibiscus, and agapanthus plants are looking luscious. I’ve been enjoying a new rose a day in our kitchen window.
I decided to try this trellis idea one more time before abandoning it. Last year, because the pots didn’t have drainage, they became cesspools of nastiness. So I carved holes into the bottoms this time and planted mandevillia again.
Our front yard got a color update too.
So that’s it! I hope you enjoyed my tour. Click here to view my other Photo-Heart connection posts.
Linking this to Lori Moon’s May Flower Challenge too.
such an amazing spring post
Elsie recently posted…Samenwerken.
What a wonderful way to let your inspiration literally bloom! Your garden really is a magical spot!
Paula recently posted…Photo Heart Connection: April
your yard and gardens look like such a happy place to be. loving the bright, cheerful color!
kelly recently posted…10 Signs You Might Have Spring Fever
What wonderful garden photos.
Love what you are doing in your garden. I wish I could find the desire to really work on mine. Too many other things distract me.
Oh I definitely know that feeling, Sarah! It was hard to tear myself away from my art desk!
Wow, Naomi. Holy cow. How could you NOT see that as your creativity? I am blown away and inspired! We got snow yesterday so I am just hoping my new bulbs don’t die. You have really inspired me to get out there, rain or shine or snow and make some FUN in my garden!
Amy Putkonen recently posted…Trouble
Aw thanks, Amy! Snow? It’s already 90 here!
Yes, gardening is an amazing art! One where you don’t have control of the elements, which makes it even harder in some ways. Thank you for sharing this wonderful Photo-Heart Connection with us! It’s fun to see what you are doing with your garden space.
Your garden looks so fresh and colourful. It is wonderful that the sight of the lovely wisteria got your creative juices going.
It all looks really fantastic!!!
Thanks for sharing your garden space. That little baby peach is so CUTE! It’s making my mouth water for the promise of fresh juicy peaches. Yum! Makes me want to get out in the garden and do some work here … I love the Wisteria, too. When we go to France we see them in Spring. They don’t do well where I live, so I do appreciate the picture. 😉
Michele at Sweet Leaf recently posted…April Photo-Heart Connection
Lots of lovely colour so pretty…
Naomi – Thanks for participating in the May Flower Challenge. LOVE your garden! Seriously, all of the flower metal touches and those wind chimes are beautiful. Lovely to you see your outdoor space. – Lori
Oh what a fun tour of your garden spaces. Spring is much less advanced where I’m living, so the sight of your lovely blooms is really encouraging and inspiring. I love all your decorative touches adding vibrancy as well – and I’m really inspired by the windchimes. It’s fun to consider outdoor spaces as opportunities to create environments and energetic atmospheres just like indoor spaces.
Those are beautiful touches you have added to your garden. I am envious.
For some reason I have not been receiving e-mail notifications of your postings! I was getting worried about you, so I came over to make sure you were still blogging, and I’m so happy to see that you are! Anyway, I re-subscribed. Looks you are still your amazing self!
janet forrest recently posted…Flower Month – Day #3 and I’m a Lucky Girl!
All the colors look great!
WOW!
Naomi,
That was an amazing tour. You have been a very busy bee. I love what you have created.
Miss you and would love to catch up ~~
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Look for a little birthday gift in your mailbox very soon. I just saw something that whispered, “Buy this for Eydie.”
I love how your Photo-Heart Connection image sparked a burst of creativity in your own garden. It looks like a happy place to be!
seabluelee recently posted…Photo-Heart Connection: April 2013
It’s getting there! Thanks so much for touring it with me!