Wow that's cool Verena, snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are a tender perennial, so I guess yours had a nice easy winter and are ready to get going again. If they last through spring freeze/thaw, they should flower for you again no problem - I wouldn't rely on seeing them back every year though. I was really surprised to see my thyme (Thymus vulgaris as far as I know) still alive in its pot on my deck this spring - I didn't think it would overwinter around here especially in a pot. This was the easiest winter I can remember, for warm temps combined with heavy snow cover... we must have had about a zone 6 winter I think. My Rosa gallica versicolour has emerged from the snow, with only tiny tip freeze where it poked out of its burlap... looks promising! But the offical report of the OBRHD will not be until May ;0)

Barb, I am thankful for being able to do it. I can't even tell you how long I "wanted" to do it before I got up the nerve to take a class. Believe me, if I can learn, anyone can do it! I really should have taken more classes and learned to do more complicated things, but I'm happy with keeping it simple. It can be as simple as just tracing a pattern onto a piece of wood or metal using graphite paper, then filling in the spaces just like coloring in a color book. In fact, color books often have cute patterns to use. If you buy a book with simple designs, it will help you to understand how to add some shading and other details that will make it even better. I really encourage anyone interested to at least give it a try, you might just find that you have a real talent and passion for it! ;o) Luvs

Thank ya'll for all the sweet comments. I'm glad to have a project done and I've gotten some nice compliments at home on it since it's hanging on my front door now. This is a free pattern on Renee Mullins site. I'll put a link below. Been wanting to paint it for a while and when Belle painted it so prettily it jolted me into action to get it painted by Easter. I was having a hard time with my shading on the metal. Kept beading up or pooling with the paint being thinned. Anybody got a tip to counteract that problem? I finally had to double dip the brush with the background color on one side and the shading color on the other, blend and then do it, but it came out darker and not the way I wanted it to. Just wondered if anybody ever had that happen and could offer at tip. Punk~ Stole your "heart". Good one. ha Glad you liked it. Belle~ I love how when we each do the same project and it turns out just a little different! I loved everyone's leprechauns last year! Luvs~ I got 3 of those signs for 50 cents each at the TS. They were painted an ugly mustard color. I painted the first one with the bear (on the gallery) and don't know what the last one will end up having painted on it. Maybe inspiration will hit me. ha Hope ya'll have a great Easter! The Easter Bunny came to our house yesterday and we had our family dinner yesterday too. Will probably have family over again later today to eat leftovers. ~A Here is a link that might be useful: Springtime

Beth, I'm so sorry I haven't written sooner. Between work and a sinus infection I got my back side kicked a bit this week. Antibiotics are working so I'm back to myself... mostly. A three day weekend filled with plant and yard time will help. Beth I LOVE LOVE LOVE the birdhouse, the sun charm, and the seeds (I didn't have most of them)! Did you make the birdhouse? Will birds crawl in and nest there? I'm really excited to try. We get a lot of hummers, barn swallows, mountain orioles, and meadow larks here. Now I'll have to watch for the little wrens. Thank you so much!!!