Raven...much appreciated! I won't have to ask our friend... So much for combined shipping in one box...oh well...surely better than paying $21 for part of what I already own...which are the stems. $17 to make just leaves and the twisty vine that wraps around the stem. If you noticed her leaf is not small but really dramatically large. I want them...so it is better than the $21. I would imagine shipping should be a bit cheaper without the stems... This post was edited by cadillactaste on Thu, Jun 13, 13 at 8:52

Thanks everyone for such nice comments. I have made a lot of these the last two years and sold every one. I think they will do well again. The leaves are made from green coated clothes line wire found at Ace Hardware. Just finishing up & ready to grout three new stained glass light blocks which I also hope to have ready by Saturday. I am in luck...we are right in the middle of a huge blizzard; will probably not be able to get out for work in the morning so I can stay home and finish up these items. The weatherman said this morning, this is the biggest storm in 30 years! Talking about snow amounts of up to 12-16 inches and 50 mile per hr winds. Yippee! becky

Hi Jennie, Yes, I will collect seeds :D Yes, I have quite a few that haven't germinated for me and some that did but didn't do anything after. Cypress Vine has been a HUGE disappointment...they came up but never grew past 2"!! Out of two attempts, Moonflower (I. alba) never germinated and same with Yvonne's Salvia. Also didn't get squat from our native Blue Elderberry, Lamb's Ear, Sweet Pea (twice), Liatris(twice), Phlox paniculata, Rose Orach, Hosta...oh yes, there's a few!! LOL! Vera

Thanks for the kind words Anj. This was just a quick and easy project--figured I could just do two at the same time since I have so few patriotic decorations. I like the more rustic/antiqued one best too, but that is my style not SIL's, so I left her's "brighter". I also got another black rooster painted for a friend. She liked mine, so I figured that would be an easy gift to make for her. Finally getting a few things painted, have to have something to do during these hot afternoons. LOL