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Although this could very well be a picture of me finding a new treasure at a favorite nursery, it's actually an illustration by David Catrow for a children's book called Plantzilla.

Friday, October 17, 2014

My Favorite Thing in My Garden This Week Isn't a Plant

I'm joining with Loree at Danger Garden in her Favorite Plant...This Week meme and breaking the rules a bit.

The spider webs continue to look gorgeous although with the heavy rain and wind we've been getting some a looking a little tattered.

While this is beautiful, it's not my favorite thing this week.  What could it be?

It's the door of my greenhouse which Tom and I installed last night after dark using a lamp attached to an extension cord from the house.   The background reminds me of a spider web. The electricians were here all day yesterday and will be here again today, and due to a slight delay, the gutter guy will be coming today as well.  So, we should have power by the end of today and be able to move plants on Sunday afternoon.  I'm later than usual in posting today because I was waiting for enough light to be able to take a photograph of the door.

 About 16 years ago, shortly after we started working on our house and I'd taken my first stained glass class, I found this new  door at the Habitat for humanity store and thought it would be great to use inside the house somewhere.  I took out the new double pane clear window and made this piece of stained glass to replace it.  We decided not to use the door in the spot I had in mind so the window sat upstairs for years.  It's full of beginner mistakes and does not represent my best work but it's just right for my funky garden and it's nice that it's seeing the light (albeit just at dawn on a gloomy day) of day again.

Probably would look better without a flash, right?

With the door in place, the greenhouse is now fully protected from the weather outside.  I look forward to next weekend when I'll have a whole Saturday free to play with plants out there!
Happy weekend everyone!

46 comments:

  1. What a beautiful addition to your new greenhouse set up! As for beginner mistakes you'd have to point them out as I don't see anything but perfection.

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    1. You are very kind. When you visit my garden next, I'll be sure to point out every mistake for you!

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  2. Holy jeez that is a pretty door! It's not enough that I have to envy your gareenhouse (garage turned greenhouse), I now have door jealousy too.

    p.s. *Every* photo looks better without the flash. Leave it turned off forever!

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    1. I'll share with you what my glass mentor said to me years ago, before I really knew her, when I asked her to give me an estimate for doing the glass for the stained glass room "You can do this yourself." With your amazing skills with wood and attention to detail, you could do stained glass very well my friend. Thanks for the advice about the flash!

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  3. I said, "Oh, Wow!" when I saw the door and the dog jumped down from her chair and ran over to see.

    It's beautiful. How many times do I have to tell you all to not point out imperfections? The spider does not apologize for an skipped strand.

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    1. I'm glad that the dog was entertained!

      You are, of course, correct. I say that to my students all of the time but as a craftsman, it's hard to overlook some things.

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  4. Wonderful! I love how huge the orb webs get in the fall. And the door ... wow.

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    1. I agree, the orb webs are spectacular in the fall! Glad you like the door.

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  5. You are such an artist!!! that door is great!! and I love the spiderwebs... great timing for Halloween.

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    1. Thank you, Lisa. You are very kind. I enjoy the spider webs this time of year and they do seem perfect for Halloween!

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  6. It's gorgeous. I can't wait to see the greenhouse in full swing!

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    1. Thanks, Heather! I'm looking forward to seeing the greenhouse in full swing as well. I've got a collection of shelving and tables to go out there and am not sure how to arrange it all yet.

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  7. Wow! I can't imagine that many greenhouses have such an elegant entrance.

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    1. It is nice to see the panel in use. Doesn't everyone have a bunch of stained glass panels sitting around waiting to be used for something?

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  8. I get self deprecating humor, but I'm with Jean on this one. What imperfections? Its magnificent. The spiders in your garden will run away in shame. A she-spider may come around drooling over your stunning web design.

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    1. You and Jean are right, I should just enjoy the pretty glass for heavens sake! I wish I could take credit for the design but it's an historical American Victorian design that I stretched out a bit to fit the opening.

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    2. You can take credit for picking that design, stretching it out, applying it to the door in a such a lovely way. Is there anything truly original anywhere aside from creation? It's only our point of view and variation on the subject that makes it and us unique.
      Hope this isn't too preachy :-)
      Enjoy your door, and we'll enjoy it with your!

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  9. That is a truly magnificent addition to your greenhouse, the crowning touch. I see no imperfections, and I'm flabbergasted (what a great word) to find that this window was a beginner project.

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    1. Well, I'd been doing glass for about a year but still a beginner. As glass designs go, this one isn't all that difficult to fabricate, just big which takes a lot of special care not to break the glass as it's moved around. One of these days, you'll have to come over and see the greenhouse that you inspired!

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  10. That door is the crowning glory to a sensational project! I can't imagine the thrill of passing through it every time you enter!

    And what a perfect photo of the web!

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    1. Thanks, Rebecca. It is nice to see the window with light passing through it again after all these years.

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  11. Magnificent architecture of the spider! The door is absolutely gorgeous!

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    1. Spider webs are delightful! Glad you like the door!

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  12. Love the spider web theme, even in the door. Beautiful work done by nature and by man. Be sure to keep the hoe handles away from the door. That would be my concern if it was in my greenhouse...but then you may not be as accident prone as I am.

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    1. We had the same concern about tool handles, long bamboo poles, the lawn mower, etc. but decided that it would be better to enjoy the window and risk breaking it than to keep it safely in the attic.

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  13. Love it! A fabulous door for your greenhouse, such a unique touch too

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    1. A piece of clear glass door would have allowed a view of the outside and let in more light but this kind of fits the funky vibe of my garden.

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  14. Stunning door, stumning cobwebs. Looking at both makes me happy.

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    1. If looking at the door gives you even a fraction of the happiness of enjoying spider webs, that's high praise indeed. Glad that both made you happy!

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  15. Wow, what a beautiful door! That brings your greenhouse/garage up to another level, your plants will be so lucky!

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    1. Thanks, Pauline. Now let's hope that I can remember to water my plants on a fairly regular basis:)

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  16. An appropriate gateway to your own personal heaven, with Arachne standing in for St Peter (only room for one Peter here, and you have too much fun to be a saint).

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    1. I do have fun and it's such a relief that rumors of my imminent canonization are false as it's so difficult to know what to wear to such occasions. Oh wait, you have to be dead first, right? Perhaps a pearly gate would have been more appropriate:)

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  17. Oh my! How wonderful to have a protected greenhouse ... and one with a fancy, artfully made door, too. Nice job! Great shots of the spider web, as well. I agree that those sections of the door look like spider webs. Nifty!

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    1. Thanks, I've been having fun setting up shelves and tables and trying to decide where to put everything.

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  18. Love the spiderwebs, the real ones and the door!

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    1. Thanks, Evan. When you return to the PNW, you'll have to come visit again and see it in person!

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  19. Beautiful door for your greenhouse, I hope the greenhouse is finished soon so you can enjoy it. Nice web shots.

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  20. That's a gorgeous door! What a lovely greenhouse you are going to have!

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  21. Thank you, Kimberly. The greenhouse will be lovely but now it's functional and that makes me very happy!

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  22. I can't believe you made that!!! Well, actually I can - you are so talented! I love the spider web aesthetic - it will hold its own out with the real thing. The greenhouse will be a perfect spot for it!

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Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I love to hear your thoughts.