Regularly, I profile one of the very involved and talented members of Flea Market Gardening. These folks are inspirational, talented gardeners and bargain shoppers! You may already recognize their names and photos and the next time you do you can say hello!
Jeanne and her hubby, Larry are retired and have lived on the same acreage for over 40 yrs now where they raised their children and animals in Northeast Iowa. She loves gardening!
Jeanne says, “I love anything “rustic”… especially using old barn wood, metal and pottery in the gardens. I love feeding the birds,…Larry takes care of filling the feeders, and I can spend hours watching them from inside the house and photographing their antics, especially during the long Winter months!”
“A beautiful day in Iowa and I enjoyed using some of my ‘harvest’ today and decorated up the Baker’s Rack on my porch/patio…cut boughs from pine trees and gourds and curly willow, too. A good day!”
“This is a door arbor, built last year, made from a couple old doors and 2×6’s that my hubby and I did together…Mandevilla vine hangs in the middle … white Cleome around it and a Knock-out Rose is new, too.”
This scene stunned us all when we first saw it. How did Jeanne know how effective the white cleome and chair would look combined with the fabulous idea of a door arbor. Many are ‘stealing’ this idea, but don’t forget the cleome!
“No fresh paint, just sunshine on the weathered fence…plus yellow day lilies to brighten it! I have several Asiatic & Day lily colors planted here, too. The plant growing that you see is actually a ‘Prairiefire Crab Apple’ off to the side & you are seeing a branch.”
“This is what I call ‘Live Art’ … made by an artist at Farmer’s Market for me a couple yrs ago…here it is in my gardens…I move it around and love it!”
“I like flower gardens, prairies and pine trees. I have a ‘secret garden’ out in the pines with a log swing where I relax, meditate and feel close to God…I refer to it as my outdoor church. I am continually adding, moving and creating new gardens…love being outdoors!,” says Jeanne.
“Another passion of mine is photography which goes hand-in-hand with gardening for me! I’ve taken photos for many years, just ask my kids! I also enjoy trying to capture the beauty of nature. In the early 90s, I went back to college and graduated, receiving an art degree with a photography emphasis, and an English minor.”
“Never pass up those ‘blue insulators’ at flea markets!…3 blocks of wood, strand of mini-lights, 3 metalthingy’s and some faux greenery behind it all…’Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!'”
Interesting glass insulators indoors and in the garden
“Here’s an old barn wood door that we rescued … I painted it white, added a board frame and grapevine wreath, an old freezer basket, a branch of Curly Willow and took it to daughter’s house with Fall Mum…… barn wood is fun to recycle!”
Last January, if you remember, I tried duplicating Jeanne’s old barn door, with a Dutch door of my own. What an inspiration! It was a fun project and everyone followed along to give me suggestions. ~~ Sue
“Retirement has been good for us! We joined our local Farmer’s Market about 5 years ago where we bring our old ‘barn wood’ creations: bird houses, feeders and my newest barn wood art, “Barnwood Blooms.” I really like how the stovetop grate frames the stained glass candle holder flower and I used patio umbrella spoke for the stem…My husband cut the metal leaf thingy’s from a pair of brackets I had…and course, the old barn wood board with a coat of Poly…everything from Flea Marketing!”
And this is the garden where a wren hangs out on the Bell. There are some weeds here, too…but it still is lookin’ good!
Jeanne says, “Creating photo cards has been a hobby for as long as I can remember, so I am always pleased to share my gardens, the birds, garden walks through photography.”
Jeanne is another ‘Queen of the Vignette’ as you can see, and her photos are distinctive by the soft focus edges she likes to use. I’m so glad to have Jeanne with us to add her creative contributions and joy of gardening! ~~ Sue
Jeanne’s nature-Inspired wood slice wreath
Jeanne’s secret garden in the pines
Flea Market Glass Garden Totem
Mason jar magic with solar lights
Whimsical weathervanes in the Flea Market garden
Collecting: Merry milk cans in the garden
View Comments
Very nice my fellow Iowan!!! Love the gardens and hope to see them in person some day. Another great profile, Sue. Keep up the good work.
Wonderful story, Jeanne you are such an inspiration and truly an artist in so many ways! I could spend hours looking at all of your beautiful photo's!
That was a real treat visiting your gardens Jeanne~ you are truly gifted with your Eye and Hands....Thanks for sharing <3
such pretty pines! i like her way of using them with the galvanized tin.
Jeanne's blog is very inspirational. Everything goes together so nicely. Well done!
Love all the great ideas.
Love Everything!
Jeanne,I love your gardens and ideas,you truly are an inspiration to me ! I could look at your pictures over and over. You know how to catch the moment for sure ! Thanks for letting us see the gardens. Sue,another great blog !
Now I know who to thank for the arbor door idea!! I have it hanging on my refrigerator waiting for hubby to make it. I already have two doors ready for the project.
Love Jeanne's garden and all her wonderful accessories.
Thank you, Sue ...your blog is wonderful! Love reading the 'how-to's!' FMG Facebook page is just so much fun! Such inspiration from so many pics & creative flea market ideas! Thanks, FMGers' for looking & commenting! Spring is just around the corner!