...They Came In Droves

The "Super Bloom" this past month in Southern California attracted many crowds, at a point between 50k and 100k in one weekend alone. I heard stories of the traffic jams, cars parking on the side of the freeway and even people waiting hours to board shuttles that were provided for a fee. There is good reason for the crowds since the last bloom was in 2017 (before that was 2005). The city used that experience to plan for this year's crowd, but the bloom and the crowd were greater than they had anticipated.

Photos above contributed by Katie (My Fairy Folks)

Painted Lady butterflies migrated from Mexico to Oregon (or further), making it the farthest migrating butterfly. For over a week it was pointless to get a car wash since every trip on the freeway gained a few unfortunate splats on the windshield. Over 1 billion of these orange and black butterflies filled the skies, being the most in migration since 2005. This migration and Super Bloom go hand in hand.

Photo posted to Facebook by Ernie Slone

Sources: NY Times, LA Times, CNN

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

My Fairy Folks - Springtime Palace

The following fairy house was created by Nick from Nevada. He's been making them for a few years and wanted to share this creation with the rest of My Fairy Folks.

This "Springtime Palace" was created for less than $10 using fake flowers, painted wood, gems and seashells.

The base was created from a Chinese checkers board from Goodwill and a silver painted wooden labyrinth found at a garage sale. What a lovely home that is sure to attract a happy fairy.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

Fall Challenge Submissions Pt 2

Both photos above were taken of the entrance to the dwelling of one of My Fairy Folks. The two photos below show a before and after of a repurposing project completed by one of My Fairy Folks. Thank you for your submissions!

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

Fall Challenge Submissions Pt 1

I sent out a request last month to My Fairy Folks, asking for their photo submissions for Fall-themed gardens. Here are a few that I have received so far.

This reader has decorated their door with a unique looking wreath that has warm colors but is not the typical autumn decor.

This eye-catching set up was put together by one of My Fairy Folks to make visitors feel welcome. This picture shows that this contest is not limited to home decor only, but I do need proof that it is something you put together (and not something you saw in public and then took a picture of).

The challenge will continue through the Fall season. I will choose one winner based on their submissions and the prize is a shout-out on either my blog, YouTube or Instagram (which could include a plug to promote whatever it is you are passionate about).

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

Gifts for the Garden - October & November 2018

This assortment of pavers were gifted to me by my son, Mike, after he redid his flower beds. They are heavy things that I won't be able to pick up on my own, but thankfully I have many young, strong family members surrounding me.

The broken floor tiles were from a business remodel near my work and I rescued them from the trash. I managed to grab a bag full, so the pieces shown are a small percent of what I managed to grab. The rest of these gifts came from My Fairy Folks. The succulent wreath with attached bow is actually live succulents! The many pine cones will help me decorate my fairy gardens for Fall.

This decorative gifted pot has drainage and a connected saucer.

This is a collection of some more gifts given to me recently. This fancy SnowWoman will surely find her way into some festive photos. 

I've been wanting to do a seed exchange and this was the resulting reward from my recent exchange! I love snow peas.

This beautiful Lily was also gifted to me by one of My Fairy Folks and filled my bedroom with such a wonderful fragrance!

This bouquet was put together so well and resides in my living room.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

My Fairy Folks - Unexpected Harvest

A few months ago I received some pictures from one of My Fairy Folks that I knew would be perfect to share this month. This first photo is a jack-o-lantern that Gus from Riverside carved and decorated her porch with last Halloween. Very creative. After the festivities had ended, Gus hosed off the porch and called it a day. By June of this year, some interesting development had begun to happen near the front porch. A personal pumpkin patch had grown!

In July, the plant had grown significantly. "It's tripled in size over the past week" Gus wrote.

A beautiful bloom.

Mid August is when the first pumpkin showed up.

In September, I got this update:
"I had to cut most of the pumpkin plant off because it was dying. The only one that grew is still going strong though so I left him some leaves for shade and a plate to rest on so his pumpkin butt doesn't rot in the wet grass. We named him Ichabod."

And here is the most recent picture. What a wonderful story! I'm eager to hear what becomes of Ichabod. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful garden adventure.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

My Fairy Folks - Ladder as Shelving

I love receiving photos from My Fairy Folks that invite me into their garden and expose me to their DIY projects. Recently I received an email from a reader who was inspired by some of my DIY projects to repurpose this ladder that used to be attached to an above ground pool. It now acts as shelving for her outdoor succulents.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

Gifts for the Garden - September 2018

I've received so many gifts for my garden this past month. A few decorations, some containers and some new DIY supplies.

This beautiful ceramic pot is part of a matching set that comes with drainage holes and a saucer, gifted to me by one of My Fairy Folks.

The two containers in the rear also came from one of My Fairy Folks, complete with drainage holes and saucers. The peat pot sleeves come in a pack of 24 and I received 5 packs. Since I have been receiving so many seeds, the follower suggested I pack these with soil and get the seeds started.

I don't have a single-serving coffee machine at my house but one of My Fairy Folks suggested repurposing these plastic cups as small planters (I didn't count how many I received, but I have a small grocery bag full). These won't decompose the way that the peat pots do, but they come with drainage and are reusable.

This tall beauty came to me as a hand-me-down from one of My Fairy Folks. She has been damaged in the past (weak ankles), but I have ways of hiding flaws in re-purposed items.

This cute little prince came from my granddaughter when she spotted him on sale at Jo-Ann. She knows that anytime she finds a little boy fairy, it needs to be added to my collection.

Also from Jo-Ann, this fall-themed decor will find it's way into a scene soon with the new season.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

My Fairy Folks - Seaside Breeze

Lighthouse day was August 7 (according to DaysOfTheYear.com). One of My Fairy Folks sent me this picture in honor of the holiday. This container garden features a weathered lighthouse, driftwood and smooth rocks, and a succulent that almost looks like it's being swept up by a strong seaside wind.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

My Fairy Folks - Garden Greeting

This welcoming garden belongs to one of My Fairy Folks. This shade-loving "Pink Splash" is a good plant to utilize in a front porch container garden. This plant loves the shade and guests will love to admire the speckled leaves as they wait for you to answer the door.

I do not know this fairy's name, but she looks like she wouldn't mind holding a conversation with your patient guests while you make some final adjustments to prepare for company.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

Gifts for the Garden - July 2018

The gift I received this month is from a Fairy Follower. When she realized there was no more room in her yard for this unique planter, she offered it to me. This gift will go in my fairy garden and be home to a container garden I plan to create with some of my micro decorations.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

My Fairy Folks - Path of Success

I received a message recently from one of My Fairy Folks. In this message she explained how she was motivated based on my Garden A Day Challenge to do something in her garden each day of July. She settled on cleaning up an overgrown path in her yard. She counted the pavers and divided the work equally throughout the month. The foliage was thick and covered the walkway making the pavers not visible. 

The pavers shown above were once obstructed from view by dymondia margaretae, a ground coverage plant that is more commonly known as "Silver Carpet." According to Gardenia.net, this plant sprouts small, yellow flowers in the summer and is drought tolerant but will grow quickly when watered. A benefit of having Silver Carpet in your yard is that it is a heart plant with deep roots that tolerates foot traffic well and also grows to be a thick mat that prevents weeds from sprouting.

"I never would have got the project finished if I hadn't divided up the work one day at a time because of my bad knees." 

Thank you for sharing your experience with us and I'm so glad I was able to inspire at least one person out there! If you have any projects you've completed that were inspired by this blog, please feel free to send me information so I can feature it during this monthly spotlight.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

Gifts for the Garden - June 2018

Lets take a look at all the lovely gifts I received from My Fairy Folks this month!

This planter stand and the bench were given to me by one of my oldest followers. The tiny Garden Gnome book came from a new follower - hello and welcome! This DIY door was spotted by one of My Fairy Folks in Los Angeles during a shopping trip and it made her think of me. How wonderful to know that I'm in your thoughts when you're out and about! The trail sign and pen came from one of my granddaughters. The pen is great for taking notes on paper and my tablet since it has a soft tip for touch screens.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE

Painting and Prepping for a New Look

I'd like to share with My Fairy Folks a story about how these two characters came to look so full of life.

In late 2017 I found this male fairy at Parkview Nursery in Riverside (this photo was pulled from a different post but shows the fairy best). Unfortunately his face was a little expressionless so I would try not to get too close in photos. A few months ago I came across a similar male fairy in a canoe at the same nursery and decided to purchase it. This wouldn't be the first time I've used two different figurines to play the role of the same character; I've also done this with some Disney character miniatures.

This gnome on a mushroom was gifted to me earlier this year by one of My Fairy Folks. I could tell that he was in need of a repaint. When I spotted a blue shirt, red hat gnome in a canoe recently, I knew this was a perfect opportunity for a canoe race scene. I had two characters that would be represented by four miniatures. But first, I needed to get new paint on the pieces.

In the few years I've been doing this fairy garden blog, I've been able to meet some very talented folks and am happy to call most of them My Fairy Folks. I reached out to one in particular who I was told does wonderful work with painting miniatures. I asked if she could add a face to my two leading characters and she was happy to help. When they were returned to me, I was very impressed with how they came out! 

Not only did she add personality to their blank faces, but she also repainted texture and clothes so that each character truly looked like their match. While the boy fairy was a bit easier since they came from the same miniature designer, the gnome required a bit more effort and finesse. I'm so very grateful for her work and friendship. I am pleased to know that there are people out there that stand behind giving new life to old things.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

grandmasEFG@gmail.com

FACEBOOK  GOOGLE+  INSTAGRAM  

PINTEREST  TWITTER  YOUTUBE

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE