Well I had quite the revelation this evening.  I finally got home before it was dark and had been gathering the dirt and plants and garden tools that I needed to fix the garden bed in front of my house.  I pulled weeds and removed the yucky stuff.  Planted some new things and spruced up some old.   To help my new lawnboy I pulled the weeds and grass from around the front.  That is when this giant revelation hit me.

Even my garden is re-used, recycled and yet still green!

The “Welcome” sign was purchased at a yard sale.  Think it was 50 cents.  The rocks and bricks and stones were gathered from around my yard and used to make an edging on the front.   An old tree stump (on the left) is used to put a potted plant on.   Weeds that flower are encouraged.  When I do weed it is awesome therapy for me and I really needed that after my long day/week/month of working hard.  My theory is that the weeding helps my brain to make room for new stuff.  Pull out the bad and allow room for the good.   There are actually a few Bible verses that support my theory.

The mums I planted several years ago and they just keep on coming back.  On the right is what I thought was a giant fern weed.  Last year it grew so much that it was hanging over onto my driveway.  That was all fine until I kept swapping myself in the head every time I walked by it.  So early this spring I had my old lawnboy extraordinaire (who doesn’t want to come here anymore) cut it down.  He left a 12″ stump which has started to grow all over again.  This time I am smarter and pruned a few branches off so it doesn’t get so huge again.  A friend told me that it really isn’t a fern at all but a mimosa tree.  Hmmmm – news to me!!!

I used broken up pine cones and bark that had falled off of nearby trees to make my own sort of “mulch”.  Pine cones are scattered throughout as well cause I have a lot of them collected from the neighbor’s pine tree that conveniently drops bunches of them on my side.  

The lawn ornaments are sort of a joke.  One year my sister thought it was funny to buy us all these wide mouth alligator and turtle and frog.  My other sister quickly put it into the yard sale pile.  Somehow they all ended up at my house!   They are funny looking for sure!!!   The little turtle below was found way in the back.  Someday he will come in and visit Jackson the Turtle and get a new coat of paint.  It would be good for these 2 turtle to become friends.

Other than buying plants and dirt occasionally, I really haven’t spent much on this little garden.  My neighbors would probably frown and say “yup-looks like it” but I think different.  It is a gathering of things that were left behind or discarded.   It is gardening on a shoestring.  It is using the natural things that have been provided for us.   It looks like MY garden.  

I am pleased to announce that Little Pieces by Holly Doyle will be participating in The Handmade Faire, not your average art and craft show…. (see more info below) I have never done a show this large so it was very exciting to be selected. If you can, stop by.

The Handmade Faire: not your average art and craft show…
A new generation of nearly 100 original, unique indie artists and crafters will be selling their creations at the Handmade Faire in Medford, New Jersey this Saturday October 25 from 10-4. You’ll find amazing Handmade finds such as handmade soaps, unique jewelry, paper crafts, metal sculptors, clothing designers, basket weavers, painters, organic pet treats and much more – everything you need to start and finish your holiday shopping! It’s no coincidence that the Faire is exactly 60 days until Christmas! It’s best to get your shopping done early and this is your perfect opportunity! All items are being represented by the artist that created it, it is truly a wonderful thing to buy a one of a kind item directly from the hands that created it! Check out our vendor list!

The first 100 visitors will receive our signature treat bags, chock full of free goodies from local
artists. (I’ve seen some of the items for these treat bags – really great stuff – Holly) This Faire is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping, too!

The Handmade Faire
Saturday, October 25, 2008 at the Flying W Airport Resort
Fostertown Road, Medford, New Jersey; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
(follow Church road in Medford and make a left at Kirby’s Mill)

The ambiance at the Faire will be be festive so if you have been waiting for a reason to put on a costume, now is your chance! Many of the vendors will be in costume and we encourage you to do the same! Abbie Galie and Mother in Law, Pola, the event coordinators will be in costume as well! (Holly too!)

Similar to our April Handmade Faire, Abbie has some very special giveaways planned for our shoppers and the vendors have really outdone themselves in the goodies that they are offering. Some of these freebies are special presents all in themselves. Not to mention the amazing Treat Bags that will be given to the first 100 shoppers!

Admission and Parking are both free and abundant! Come do your Holiday shopping and save on shipping AND gas by shopping all in one place!

Shopping not your thing, but your spouse loves it? Don’t worry – you can grab a bite and watch the flat screen tv’s in the on location Flying W Bar, while your better half is shopping! Or have a scenic lunch while watching the airplanes fly in and out! There’s certainly lots to see! Make the whole day a Halloween Extravaganza by checking out the Medford’s Annual Halloween Parade after the Faire at 7, on Main Street. A fun day for the whole family!

Top 5 Reasons to Buy Handmade and do all your Christmas Shopping at the Handmade Faire!
#1. Support Local Independent Artists
#2. Be an Individual, not some brand
#3. Own or Give something that is completely unique
#4. Better Gift Giving – no chance of doubles!
#5. Think Green – Not Factory Made

Jackson finally  has his Halloween costume ready.  He is all dressed up as a pumpkin and is the first in a series entitled “Jackson the Turtle Greeting Card Series”.  

It’s very exciting!       

The greeting cards should be ready for the Art Walk in Medford this coming Saturday, October 4th from 2PM to 7PM.  If you are in the area come and visit Jackson and I.  We will be right in front of the Bain’s Deli on Main Street.  The streets will not be closed for this event so it should be easier to get into town. 

The Jackson Greeting Card Series will also be available in the soon-to-be-released store at www.leafpile.org.   His next outfit is already planned and will be debuting at the Handmade Faire on October 25th at the Flying W in Medford, NJ. 

 I’m keeping that secret until then……….

My favorite turtle statue has exciting things going on in his little world.  It seems that there is a character in a children’s book known as Franklin Turtle.   I would not want to cause any confusion.  So henceforth, he shall be known as Jackson the Turtle, JT for short.   He will keep his costume to be dressed up as Franklin Delano Roosevelt but this shall be “a day which will live in infamy” as he officially changes his name.