Secluded in one corner of Growing Matters is an area previously known as the Courtyard.  It was built sometime after we moved to this site in 2000.

Although a nice area to sit and well planted round the perimeter it was felt that this area could do with improvement.

We started out in late 2005/early 2006 making plans and coming up with ideas of how this area should be developed.

A plan and artists impressions were made showing how the area could look.

Mosaic Madness!!!

Well, a lot has happened since my last post, especially on the mosaic side of things 

Unfortunately, due to other commitments and general lack of time I've been unable to update you.

But hey!  It's Easter holidays at last!   Time for some serious updating.

Well, from my last post you will have seen we came up with a fish design.  This was just an experiment and as such has not been used in our final designs.

So far we've created three mosaics.  One is a couple of fish , rather like Pisces, however this is not yet complete.  The mosaics we've done so far have been attached to pieces of roof slate with tile adhesive.  Once grouted these will then be bolted to the walls of our new Secret Garden.

The slate were from someone who had them left over, so no, we didn't nick them off someone’s roof! 



Above: Pisces.  As you can see the image was taken before the tiles were glued to the slate.

I personally have done two designs.  The first one, a seahorse, can be seen below.  The second again takes a sea theme, but this is as yet unfinished, so I'll tell you about that at a later date..  We have been doing a sea/fish them to decorate a new formal pond which will be built into one corner of the Secret Garden.

The Seahorse

This is one I did personally.  It took me about two full days to do.  I started by laying the shape out on a board first.  At that time only the seahorse was done.

It was then photographed and printed off so I could use it as a guide for when I glued it on the slate.

I also traced the outline so that I could use as a template.  I then drew round the outside with a black marker pen on the slate itself so I'd have a guide to go by.

Above:  The original design as laid out on a wooden board.  Small blue crystals can be seen around the outside.  This was an early idea for a background.

I glued the smashed tile pieces with a tile adhesive.  Working round the outside first to get the shape.  I used the photograph as a guide as to which piece went where.  It was then a case of filling in the gaps.

At first I was unsure as to what material to use as a background.  I thought about using crushed glass or beads, but in then end went for blue tiles; some of which needed smashing.  I thought they'd contrast better with the white and be easier to apply.

Above: The finished design, although as yet 'un-grouted' which will be done at a later date.

The laying of the blue tiles I found somewhat easier, thanks to the addition of a small pair of tweezers.

I was keen to cut some in half, and laid vertically, reaching out like rays of sunshine from the white tile seahorse.  The idea being to draw your attention to the main design.

I wasn't going to cover the entire slate at first, but decided later on that it would look better, as though the whole piece was 'framed.'

So there you have it!
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