Gardens - real life size and miniature ones!

Anyone else found unexpected enjoyment in an activity since lockdown? 

Vintage illustration by Anne Anderson from a delightful book picked up from local charity shop, just before lockdown. 

Well I am pleased to say that I have suddenly found a renewed interest once again in my badly neglected garden. I used to love gardening but in recent times, my enthusiasm has sadly been lacking and I never seemed to have enough time. But since lockdown, everything has changed, I have been out there for hours at a time and am finding it extremely therapeutic.

 I have suddenly found so many odd things so satisfying, such as hacking down brambles and cutting them into tiny pieces in order to cram as much as I could in bin bags, it took me absolutely ages, but now time seems to be irrelevant. And I never thought I would find digging out bindweed and ground elder so enjoyable, how sad is that! 

I have redesigned the old brick area which was first created several years ago, but like everywhere else, had become overrun with weeds and moss.The lungwort is rather pretty this time of year and is rampant in that corner.  

After ridding the area of weeds, I used  recycled black membrane and large redundant pebbles from the other side of the garden, to fill empty patches. Am chuffed with the result. Plus other bits and bobs were added that were lying around, such as some old terracotta tiles leftover from my kitchen floor and a tin chicken which was a present quite some time ago.

My old herb garden that had been situated in the central part of this pebble area had to go as it wasn't working and its position too shady, so I dug it all out. The bare patch was then covered with recycled black membrane and larger pebbles from the other side of the garden. Have decided to keep herbs in pots on the patio instead and in a sunnier position. There is still much to do to get this garden as I really want it, but am determined to keep going with it now...and my aim is to make the garden lower maintenance. 

Whilst looking through files of old photos to add to my KT Miniatures Archive page, I came across the many miniature garden projects that my workshop colleague Robin Britton (now retired) and I created together over several years. Those garden workshop projects have yet to be added to the archive, so as a taster I thought I would add various pictures with some additional info of materials used below, which I hope may interest those of you who like creating. 

Down The Little Old Herb Garden Path Project

Gate made from wood and based on actual design found in a 1920s/30s woodworking book. Old slabs made from recycled cardboard, paint and grouting of sand. Rope edging made from braid and cardboard, then painted. 

Old rusty bolt simply made from cocktail stick, tin foil and paint, stone wall from cardboard and paint, then grouted with sand.   

Bricks were made from sandpaper and the assortment of plants and flowers were made using a variety of materials, including scanned leaves of actual plants and scaled down to size, then printed on paper.

Round The Back Of The Old Gardener's Cottage Project

Fence made from large matchsticks and fuse wire, water carrier made from painted card and purchased plastic wheels, grass is hemp died green.

Down The Little Garden Path Project

Crazy paving made from painted cardboard, compost bin netting made from fabric netting sprayed silver and aged with paint, then filled with dried tea and miniature vegetation including some tiny miniature paper leaves.  Cold frame constructed from wood and clear plastic glazing, then filled with layer of dried tea leaves and tiny pots made from  air drying clay.

Miniature hosta plants made from hand painted leaves scanned,  then scaled down and printed onto paper, each then attached to a thin wire stem.  Slug made from Fimo and given a glue slimey trail!

Over The Little Garden Fence Project

The back of this garden scene was dominated by the hand made wooden fence accurately constructed based on the real thing, and given a heavily aged white painted finish. 

The Little Old Washing Line - Xmas Special Project

Old fashioned coal bunker made from cardboard, grit, wooden strips and paint. Plus painted stones to look like coal.

Washing line made from painted wooden poles, made to look like vintage concrete poles, and wire washing line. Clothes are meant to be Santa's, as this was a Christmas workshop project. 

I hope you have found the miniature garden projects interesting and maybe inspiring enough for you to have a go at making a miniature garden yourself.

Celia