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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Dishing the Dirt...And Getting Even...

I have been seeing a lot of dish gardens and terrariums lately.  It seems that they have been revived because of some clever people that are doing fairy gardens.

I did some terrarium gardens back in the 80s.  Loved them.  They didn't have to be watered every day and were easy to take care of in general.

I had a large glass "cookie jar" type container in the workroom that just held a bunch of copper wire...

One thing led to another and this morning, I got even with Tessie.

She won't let me in my own craft cottage, so....I made an even smaller, but a lot bigger and nicer, cottage in a jar...She can't live there.  Ha!  I win!

Terrariums are very simple to make.  There are all kinds of instructions on the net, so I will just give you the general idea of what I did.

First I put a layer of dried moss in the bottom.  Then a layer of rocks and charcoal went in next.

Mine is a bit thick.  An inch or so is all you need.  That part is for drainage and to keep it smelling good.

On top of that, you get to work and put in plants and dirt.

I got the roots as flat as I could, by dividing them and laying them to the sides, instead of going straight down.

I have some Scottish moss and various succulents in the mix.

It will have to be opened about once a week after it is established and sprayed with water.

The catch is the part where the roots take hold.  That will take a few weeks.

The house is one that I got at Pic'and Save years ago....It's a made in China, David Winter type of cottage.  Much more interesting than the craft cottage in layout....

Now all I have to do is come up with that shrinking potion that Tessie hid, before she does. 

I do believe that I will leave the lid open if I ever get in there....Tessie might decide that I should stay...

But then, maybe not.  Who would build all of the things that she still wants if she did that?

Anyway, that's the mini for today.

See you tomorrow.

6 comments:

Giac said...

Hello Casey,
Good for you! It is beautiful! Very well done!
Big hug,
Giac

Phyllisa said...

Hi Casey. I love your house in the terrarium!I too did terrariums way
back when. But seeing the house
reminded me that I must have one
somewhere. I found a ceramic one
in tudor style and I know I could
find the plants and moss in the yard.
So all I need is the bowl. I will also be on the lookout for some small fairies.Thanks for the idea.
Phyllisa

Marisa said...

I remember those from the 80's we used to get big glass bowls to put the scenes in...some of them were very extravagant.

Hugs
Marisa

Eliana said...

Lovely!

Lucille said...

Very nice,Casey!

Fabiola said...

Wonderful creation!
Bye, Faby