Mosaic Butterfly Garden Chair

Image 1: Mosaic Butterfly Chair Center

A US Midwestern summer includes enjoying gardens and yards, so today's post spotlights a garden chair I up-cycled with mosaics.  I have my share of mosaic stepping stones, so creating the mosaic on a chair seat yielded a much more versatile and useful decorative object!  

Image 2: Mosaic Butterfly Chair seat

Besides being an actual chair (!), it's great have a level surface to set tools, or my camera, or beverages on when I'm outside.  It's also nice to sit on when taking a break from planting and weeding.  Amazingly, I have actually sat on the chair while eating outside with my 20-something children in sight of the flowers! (and weeds).

Image 3: Garden setting, with flowering hydrangea tree!

The chair is part of a vintage (and rusty) outdoor table and chair set I purchased in Door County.  The chair is actually is a folding chair, but I don't use it that way, and I leave it out all winter. (Click here for my winter garden photos).  I up-cycled the table first.  Since I am trying a variety of mosaic techniques, I am not making this set match at all.  The unifying theme is picassiette mosaic.

(Mosiac work using broken china is sometimes called Pique Assiette, or picassiette.)

Image 4: Up-cycled vintage Mosaic Butterfly Chair

The table and chair set I created included the mosaic table shown below, detailed in this post here.

Upcycled Garden Mosaic Table

Mosaic Garden Table Top

 

Mosaic Notes: Trying to flex my mosaics and design skills, in this chair I mixed small vintage tiles, contemporary and vintage china, and a central element from a novelty butterfly plate. I used multiple borders and triangular piecing. I loosely coordinated the butterfly's colors and added in additional colors, including cobalt and an inspiring periwinkle blue plate that I really wanted to use because the color was just so lovely. (Periwinkle is a lavender tinted blue, the photos don't necessarily capture the color).  LOL, half the reason the chair exists was to use that plate! 

Image 5: Mosaic Butterfly with Curved Border Detail

Project Notes: Reflecting on the results of achieved when a project is completed, I try to answer these 3 questions.

1.  What went well, 
2.  What could have gone better, and 
3.  What would I do differently if I could re-do it. 

Applying these questions to my chair, I saw I definitely improved and am happy with the results.  Here are my thoughts:

What went well:
I got to use the center of a lovely resale butterfly plate!
I used vintage tiles and other beautiful materials.
I used and was more adept at triangular piecing.
I used multiple border elements and lined them up better than I did in a previous project (the table from this set, shown below, for example).
I got to use an unusual color palette that makes me smile including periwinkle, cobalt and light blues inspired by the center butterfly plate.
I'm happy with the materials used - clear silicon caulk, sanded grout, grout sealer.
The project was fast, and finished! 

What could have gone better:
The chair really is too rusty for my taste.

What would I do differently if I could have a do-over?
I might have removed rust and used rust preventive paint.


Answering these questions for completed projects is something I encourage people to contemplate.  Skills are improved by practice and reflection!  

Image 7: Mosaic table and chair in garden

 

Garden Notes: I created this raised bed garden during the pandemic, with all plants and the tree, in what was plain lawn.  The small tree is a flowering Hydrangea tree and is already significantly bigger than when I planted it!

 

 

"If you have a garden and a library, 
you have everything you need." 

- Cicero      

Image 8: Mosaic table and chair in garden with flowering Hydrangea tree

"Gardeners, I think,
dream bigger dreams
than emperors." 

- Mary Cantwell      

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

I blog for fun and my blog is ad free.  Comments encourage me, and I sometimes need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time!  Anonymous comments and  comments months/years later are welcome!_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Click here for an Incredible Mosaic Collection!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy ...

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Lilies of Valley

Heart Window

Mixed Media 2

Winter Garden

Bonsai in Bloom

Bluebirds

Lotus Garden

Canadian Hike

Autumn Wreath

Glass Leaf

 _________________________________________________________________________________________________

I was featured here!

I am linking up to these parties:
Create with Joy: Inspire me 572 Sun-Mon (18 of 79monthly)
Always Write: Wednesday Quotes 31 (Entry 5 of 11.)
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 337 (Entry 9x of 64x.)        I was featured here!
Mostly blogging: Inspire-me-mon 432 (Entry 21 of 96)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Friday (Entry ***)
My Random: Anything Goes 388 (Entry 28 of 52.)
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 10 of 11.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun 31 Mon 4a (m Entry 15 of 38.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 758 6a (s Entry 26x of 32x.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 487 Mon 1p (l Entry 30 of 75.)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 283 Mon 2-4p (m Entry 9 of 95.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me 693 Mon 3p (l Entry 41 of 134.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 18 of 46.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 402 (Entry 14 of 15.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 2r of 47r.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About 214 (s Entry 4r of 132r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 537 (l Entry 8 of 38.)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party 324 (l Entry 28 of 33.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 9r of 167r.)
Also Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 9r of 167r.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 549 Wed (l Entry 5x of 121x.)
My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 402 Wed (m Entry 45 of 45.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 360 Wed 4p (m Entry 15 of 79.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 399 Wed 6p (Entry 28 of 42.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10p (Entry 30 of gone.)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Handmade Th 4p (Entry 42 of 83.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 8a (L Entry ***)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 620 10a (Entry 47 of 189.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry 47 of 189.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 448 8p (i Entry 4 of 123.)
 Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 391 Th 4p (Entry 9 of 33.)
Modern Monticello: Home matters 441 Fri (s Entry 2r of 144r.)
Sticky mud and bellylaughs/mon morn blog club (m Entry ***)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry ***)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th (Entry 6 of 10.)
Natalie: Coffee Share Th (Entry 4 of 21.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 150 (L Entry 1 of 84.)     I was featured here!
Shabby art boutique: Create-bake-grow-gather 583 (L Entry 48x)
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged Fri (Entry )
Mostly blogging: Inspire-me-mon 431 (Entry )
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 157 (Entry 3 of 144.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry 115)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 213 Sun 3p (l Entry 33 of 132)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 60)

                                                                     I was featured here!
537170

Vintage blog,
fashion, 

Kaleidoscope Images Part 5

Kaleidoscope H1: Free desktop background

These kaleidoscope images were created from a photograph I took of a hydrangea's flower.

Kaleidoscope H2: Free desktop background

The same source image was used for kaleidoscopes H1, H2 and H3.

Kaleidoscope H3

The source image for kaleidoscopes H1 - H3 is shown below.

Hydrangea Macrophylla (icecap) Flower Center

The image spoke to me and I have used it as a screen saver -- it reminds me of undersea corals opening at night, of fireworks, and of star cluster images from a far away galaxy.

Hydrangea macrophylla (lacecap) flower

The actual plant was a fantastic macrophylla lacecap hydrangea that unfortunately needed water and was drooping slightly.

Hydrangea macrophylla (lacecap) plant

Sometimes I discover something beautiful, but don't realize that it is also unusual or rare.

Kaleidoscope H4

When I saw the plant more then five years ago, I barely knew what a hydrangea was.

Kaleidoscope H5

I realized the plant was near the peak of "full bloom", but I didn't realize that the plant was a unusual hydrangea variety and a large and prolific specimen.

Kaleidoscope H6

I didn't realize that I was unlikely to see a plant like this again. 

Kaleidoscope H7

I have since learned that when you see something you think is special, enjoy it!  Because you might not be able to see it later. 



More Kaleidoscope images can be found in other posts linked below.



Click on the images to see them enlarged. (Yes, you can see these images even larger!)  The best way to see the images in their largest format is to (on a windows system) right click on the image and select "open in new tab" from the option box that opens. This bypasses software that limits the size of the image opened.  On the newly opened image, click on the image again to see it  zoomed maximum.

If you enjoyed this post you might also like:

Kaleidoscope Part 6

Kaleidoscope Part 5

Kaleidoscope Part 4

Kaleidoscope Part 3

Kaleidoscope Part 2

Kaleidoscope Part 1

Peacock Kaleidoscope

Mosaic Window

I am linking to these parties:
Rustic Refined: Table It 168 (Entry 191.)
Dwellings: Amaze me Monday 234 (Entry 124 of 131.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 453 (Entry 87 of 90x.) *
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 380 (Entry 63.)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 393 (Entry 126 of 272.)
Macro: Macro Monday (Entry 16 of 18.)
Cupcakes: Project inspired 243 (Entry 197.)
Mersad Photography: Through My Lens 114 (Entry 36 of 46.)
Good Random Fun: Good Random Fun (Entry 38.)
Southern Daydreamer: Outdoor Wed 456 (Entry 1 of 35.)
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 323 (Entry 180 of 230.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 356 (Entry 176 of 442.)
Gingersnapcrafts: Wow me Wed 319 (Entry 186x of 275x.)
DIY dreamer: Let's Share 283 (Entry 195 of 475.)
Gotta Create: Wildly Original 244 (Entry 11 of 104.)
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 267 (Entry 19.)
A Delight: Home and Garden Thur 285 (Entry 15 of 112.)
Katherines corner: Thurs favorite things (Entry 143 of 273.)
French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 38 of 152.) *
A Glimpse Inside: Handmade Hangout 174 (Entry 78.)
Craftberry Bush: Inspiration Gallery 162 (Entry 83 of 245.) *

Hydrangea-names 
Different-types-of-hydrangeas 
Lacecaps 

303124

Art in Bloom 2013

For the moms out there, here are some Mother's Day flowers for you to enjoy...

Flower arrangement for Milton Resnick's painting  "East is the Place"
(by Gaby Bras Floral Design)

The Milwaukee Art Museum holds a show each spring called Art In Bloom.  It is one of my favorite events in the spring. Art in Bloom is held mid-April, before spring really starts in Milwaukee, so viewers get to enjoy flowers and greens before they are appearing outside.  (I also get to enjoy flowers that will not be appearing outside, like the orchids in the arrangement below.)

Flower arrangement for "Mummy Coffin of Pedusiri" (by New Leaf Floral)

At Art in Bloom, selected art works in the museum are interpreted by area florists, many of whom are competing for view choice awards. Some of the arrangements are stunningly beautiful, and some are more abstract. There were over 45 arrangements in this year's show (2013) show.

Arrangement for John Singleton Copley's painting "Alice Hooper"
(by Sendik Food Market)

It fun to see the floral designer's work, the "state of the art" design concepts in floral arrangements.  Each year there are new plant materials and techniques.  My daughter and I rate the arrangements.  It's fun to see her perspective.

Flower arrangement detail - hydrangeas and contrasting plant material

Art in Bloom is also a great place for me to be able to photograph flowers up close in lovely and unique combinations.  The colors of flowers can be so incredibly vibrant, it takes my breath away.

Flower arrangement detail - orchids and roses

The flower arrangements also help you to study and notice more about the artwork that inspired the arrangement. It really makes it an enjoyable event. 

Flower arrangement for Jan Swart van Groningen's triptych, 
(by Nicholas Carl Design)

Don't the pink roses and matching pink tulips work well together in the photo below?  And I am going to try to mix in Queen Annes Lace into some flower arrangements this summer.

Flower arrangement detail - tulips and roses

I'm sharing this on my blog because flowers and flower arrangements are inspirational to me, and I know many bloggers decorate with flowers sometimes.  Funny, rarely do my arrangements at home look like these.

Flower arrangement

For the vintage parties I link to, the art is antique and vintage.  And so is flower arranging.


Click on the images to see them enlarged. 

If you enjoyed this post, you might also enjoy...

Art in Bloom 1

Art in Bloom 2

Orchid Peacock

Bonsai in Bloom

Winter Garden

Lotus Garden

Orchids

Lilies of Valley

Daffodils

Flower Bouquet

Chicago Tulips

Chicago Spring

I am linking to these parties:

Col Lady: Vintage Thingies Thur (Entry 6 of 23.) 
Shabby Chic: Transformation Thur 203, (Entry 134 of 411.) *

A Delight: Home and Garden Thur (Entry 40 of 85.) 
Faith Grace: Pearls and Lace Thur 135 (Entry 13 of 25.)
Domesblissity: Thriving on Thur 66 (Entry 67 of 105.) 
House of Hepworths: Hooking Up 147 (Entry 127 of 344.) 
Glimpse inside: Catch a Glimpse 130 (Entry 4 of 219.)
Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 43 (Entry 14 of 54b.)
Handy: Wicked Awesome Wed (Entry 93 of 105.)
Family Home: Wow us Wed 11 (Entry 87 of 92.)
Katherine: Thurs Favorite Things 87 (Entry 76 of 279.) 
Jan Olson: Share your Cup of Tea Thur 57 (Entry 60 of 103.) 
From my Porch: Treasure Hunt Thur 106 (Entry 4 of 103.)
Girlish Whims: Your Whims Wed 107 (Entry 205 of 215.)
No Minimalist Here: Open House (Entry 95 of 171.)
Joyful Homemaking Think Tank Thur 29 (Entry 31 of 102.)
Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 118 (Entry 54 of 159.)
Thrifty Grove: Thrifty Things Fri 108 (Entry 5 of 65.)

French Country: Feather Nest Fri (Entry 77 of 323.)
* Common Ground: Vint Inspiration (Entry 32 of 217.)
Blue Egg: Vintage Love (Entry 12 of 19.)
* Romantic Home: Show and Tell (Entry 87 of 287.) *
Chic: Flaunt it Fri 153 (Entry 25 of 226.)

Shabby Nest: Frugal Friday (Entry 313 of 319.)
Tatertots: Weekend Wrap Up (Entry 713 of 749.) 
Jen Rizzo: Fabulous Friday (Entry 9 of 150.) 
Maleviks Rose: Saturday Show Off (Entry 62 of 65.)  
Funky Junk: Sat Night Special 186 (Entry 152 of 152.) *

Be Diff: Show and Tell Sat (Entry 252 of 256.)

Natasha in Oz: Say G'day Sat 67 (Entry 152 of 159.) 
Boggieboard: Masterpiece Mon 123 (Entry 44 of 128.) *

Under the Table: Sunday Showcase 194 (Entry 34 of 306.)

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sunday (Entry 91 of 93.)
I Heart Naptime: Sundae Scoop 79 (Entry 398 of 472.)
Twigg Studios: Sun Showoff (Entry 88 of 98.)
Homemaker: Creative bloggers 110 (Entry 65 of 161.)
Making the World Cuter (Entry 65 of 204.)
Uncommon Design: Mon Funday 17 (Entry 235 of 570.)
Serendipity and Spice: Manic Mon 429 (Entry x)
Rain on a Tin Roof: Give Me the Goods 6 (Entry 16 of 207.) 
Mod Vintage: Mod Mix Mon 101 (Entry 13 of 74.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday (Entry 85 of 208.) *
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tues 163 (Entry 59 of 250.)

Dedicted House: Make it Pretty Monday 49 (Entry 127 of 300.)

* Stroll Life: Inspire Me Tues 164 (Entry 28 of 238.)
Knick of Time: Knick of Time Tue 86 (Entry 20 of 64.)
Cedarhill Ranch: The Sun Scoop 66 (Entry 173 of 356.)
Uncommon Slice: Tues Treasures 134  (Entry 82 of 248.) 

Diamond: Time to Shine 116 (Entry 124 of 158.)

Lavender Garden: Cottage Style 44 (Entry 10b of 46.)
Savvy Style: Wow Us Wed 118 (Entry 228 of 347.) h *

Cozy Little House: Tweak It Tue 40  (Entry 121 of 127.)
Feeding Big: In and Out of the Kitchen 13 (Entry 101)

Trendy Tree: Creative Share Wed (Entry 44 of 251.)
Fishtail Cottage: Cottage Party 2 (Entry 22 of 59.)
Fertilizer Friday (Entry 33 of 35.)


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