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Thursday, May 28, 2009

This and That Thursday...

Hubby's old work boot with Impatiens Painted Lady Hibiscus.......I just love this plant!
Jane Cowell Hibiscus
I took this very old green plastic container spray painted it lightly with an off white color, stenciled a few things on the front, smeared some green paint at the top.

Sprayed two coats of polycrylic to seal the paint and then filled it with Neon Star Dianthus, Torenia (wishbone) and some Potato Vine. VIOLA! A gift for the School Bus Driver!! I believe there should be a School Bus Driver Appreciation Day..... Our bus driver has gone above and beyond her call of duty to ensure our youngest gets home safe everyday.

You can't see them but they are in there.......our baby House Wrens!!
The rains have the Glads beat down, so my husband cut two and gave them to me. I keep a glass of water on the front porch for rooting my Potato Vines that I scatter throughout the gardens. I put the Glads in with them for color on the porch.
Guess what? My Poinsettias are putting on new growth........Yes, I still have these from Christmas.
That's it for my This and That Thursday.........!

24 comments:

Marsha said...

Darla your flowers today are beautiful especially the hibiscus but what I really admire is the painted pot! You are so creative and it looks so cute and the best thing is it is one of a kind. Did you seal it with something to protect the finish?

Patsy said...

I think you are "The Master Gardener".
Patsy

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susie said...

Darla you are such an artist. Love that cute planter. The school bus driver will be very happy with that gift.

Unknown said...

Marsha: I sprayed it lightly twice with polycrylic.

Patsy: You are funny!

Susie: Thanks..

Dorothy said...

Darla, your flowers are gorgeous and I love what you did with the pot!

tina said...

I would've thought that pot was a fancy high priced thingy. Looks great! My poinsettia is also growing too. I hope it blooms this winter. Any tips?

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I love the hibiscus! It's just beautiful!
Your planter turned out great, I think you could sell them.

Rusty in Miami said...

That is very nice of you, when my kids were little my wife made it a point to give our bus drivers gifts at Christmas and at the end of the year. Not many people appreciate what a responsibility they have and how under pay they are.

Linda said...

I love your stenciling. What a thoughtful, personalised gift. We don't have the same sort of school buses here, in fact in the towns we don't have them at all, because children use public transport. As you say, it must be quite a responsibility.

I replied about your fox warning - thanks for the concern!

SmilingSally said...

You made that old green pot glamorous!

Becca's Dirt said...

I just love the planter you painted. So cute and creative. It is nice to recognize the school bus driver. That is nice of you.

Dirt Princess said...

Exactly when do you have time to paint pots? You must do these things in your sleep? I am envious that you are able to grow hibiscus there and not have to move them indoors during the winter...or do you? Have you ever seen a summer poinsettia? It is just like the red one, but only hot pink and lime green and they bloom during the summer. I have one. They are pretty awesome! My 80 year old garden buddy has a poinsetties from many Christmases ago. She keeps it in a BIG pot, and it is HUGE! Like 7' tall. Amazing

Shelley said...

I love that gift you made for your bus driver - that stenciling was so pretty!! What a great gift! loved the addition of your hubby's boots too!

momstheword said...

I love the flowers in your hubby's boot. So adorable!

The pot is amazing and anyone would love that for a gift! You are so sweet to think of that and I'm sure it will be much appreciated.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Darla: You put everything to work as a planter, how neat is that old shoe.

D said...

Love the planters, both of them. You're quite an upcycler - saving the boot and the old green pot you painted! It turned out beautiful. I know the school bus driver appreciated it.

penny said...

I love the flowers in the old boot, its cool... your gardens are amazing and delightful:)

Bren Haas said...

What a wonderful planting day you had... the boot is super fun. YOU CAN pot just about anything. Love the blooms you captured and I can't wait to stop back soon.

Anonymous said...

That is very kind of you to think of the bus driver. I do love that pot. You did a good job on it. As usual, you gots lots of bloomers. And how about the old shoe--now that is clever.

Val said...

I know I say it all the time but you really amaze me!

Tootsie said...

BOO!!! did I scare you? if not...you should see me right now...that would scare you but good!! dirty and grubby and bruised...but done planting ...well except for a few odds and ends...and my sister's whole yard...lol
link up (if it works) and join me ...I love that boot...fertilizer friday is tomorrow!!!

Kathleen said...

Hi Darla. What a great idea to turn that plain pot into a masterpiece. It's beautiful now. How sweet to find the wren nest too ~ is it on the ground?? It's hard to tell by the photo. I've been wishing a wren would build around my house but they don't like it for some reason. Your garden looks really pretty. Have a great weekend!

2sweetnsaxy said...

I love that boot planter. How creative! Love the Painted Lady too. Beautiful!