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Guest post by children’s picture book, young adult, and new adult author Deb Gardner Allard.

CRAFTING GOURD BIRDHOUSES

There are few things that brighten dreary days when my heart is troubled, but one thing does the trick–working on craft projects. As my focus drifts to creating, I forget about burdens and think about the person who will receive my handiwork. Surprising someone always tickles my heart.

One of my favorite projects was a gourd birdhouse. Pat Reiter and I got the idea when we attended a writing event at a restaurant in eastern Michigan. A unique red-barn style shop was part of the facility. As if the place needed more charm, a large wagon wheel decorated its front yard. After lunch, Pat and I decided to do some serious browsing, but we didn’t make it far. A nearly overflowing bin of unique gourds by the door snagged our attention. Some of the shapes and sizes were perfect for birdhouses or feeders. I purchased two and couldn’t wait to carry my treasures home.

Unfortunately, the gourds needed to dry before removing the seeds and goop on the inside, so I tucked them away on a shelf for about a year.

The next spring, when I finally sat down to begin work, my excitement swelled as I scoured the internet for ideas. Pinterest has tons of painted gourd projects as well as instructions on how to make birdhouses/feeders. I scanned through pictures for a few days before deciding on the right design–a sunflower with leafy vine.

The new project took several days to complete due to waiting for coats of paint and varnish to dry. That gave me time to find the right size mailer box and card.

I was beyond excited when I finally sent the finished project to Pat. She’s someone who enjoys making crafts for others–fun things like Christmas tree bulbs decorated like snowmen, decorative gift bags, and much more. She’s sent me things over the years that have blessed my heart. I was excited to bless hers.

To my surprise, once she received the gift, she hung it over her porch and took pictures for me to see its new home. Her enthusiasm brought me overwhelming joy.

I haven’t had time to work on crafts these days. My life seems to get busy in spurts, but one thing I know for sure–thinking about brightening another person’s life is a surefire way to distract our own minds and fill them with joy.

You can learn more about Deb at:  http://debgardnerallard.com

 

 

 

A fun, inexpensive outing I do with the grandchildren is an afternoon of rip-sticking. Quality time with them is minimal as they are growing older and heading in different directions. We plan an adventure once a week. Rip-sticking is at the top of their list. Sometimes we pack a picnic lunch with healthy sandwiches and snacks or pick up a pizza on the way to a fantastic local park. They wiggle and twist their rip-sticks up and down a trail that runs alongside a creek. I walk. They always travel far beyond me but group together for safety. The perfect ending to their afternoon trailblazing is a rip-stick race to the ice cream drive-in for a refreshing treat. Outdoor fun, sunshine, and healthy exercise does wonders for them and me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can imagine my surprise when I found the drought resistant Moss Rose (Portulaca) flower growing in the cracks of my driveway. But flourishing surrounded by cement? When my Master Gardener friend, Becky, stopped in, I asked how this could be. She informed me rain, birds, and wind can carry seeds to different locations. I had already noticed several Moss Rose plants heartily growing in an area with my perennial Hens and Chicks. These annuals had been planted the previous year then tilled under after the frost.

I’ve tried very hard not to disturb or drive over the Moss Rose, and hope the flowers will continue to grow and bloom until frost.

This reminds me of God’s grace and love. He sees the beauty amid our imperfections.

 

 

 

A charming addition to your flower beds, walkways, and yard is repurposed garden art. My friend, Debbie, creates unique designs from vintage glass she finds at rummage sales and thrift shops. These layered pieces sparkle amid a backdrop of colorful annuals and perennials. Nestled among summer shades, hummingbirds and butterflies become frequent visitors. Below is Debbie’s shared design procedure.

I start with a variety of different colored textured plates, bowls, and candle holders. Then I decide which pieces look best together, beginning with the largest (minimum 3 pieces–I’ve used up to six). Once I have my pieces selected and design planned, it’s time to start assembling the flower. I apply a good even bead of E600 glue to the back of the dish and press it firmly into place. I allow 24 hours for each glued piece to set before adding another dish. Once I’ve completed gluing and curing the flower itself, I take a small vase or spice jar and adhere it to the back. This allows me to display the finished art on a garden stake.

Maybe you would like to try a hand at making your own conversation piece.

Repurposed garden art is a great gift for gardening friends, grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and sisters.

You can view and purchase Debbie’s designs at: http://bit.ly/debbiemomof4