I just came across this thread. What a wonderful idea and gift for your wife. You are very talented! I'll enjoy watching your progress.

purpleinopp said:You can make stained glass with Shrinky Dinks, if that is of interest.

That does help thank you vary much!

plantmanager said:I just came across this thread. What a wonderful idea and gift for your wife. You are very talented! I'll enjoy watching your progress.

Thank you so much!

Ok started on the fountain and i think it looks pretty good...

You think it looks good? No, it looks wonderful! Will this be a working fountain with water running?

I made a castle last winter with rock and grout. The grout started to crack outside and kind of fall apart. I was really just playing around with it and learned a few things. Your project sure does make me want to have another go at it with concrete and more detail. Thanks again for sharing! I cant wait to see the final project completed. I guess it will be like any other garden though, in that it will never be completed, but a forever work in progress.

Esperanza said: You think it looks good? No, it looks wonderful! Will this be a working fountain with water running?

I made a castle last winter with rock and grout. The grout started to crack outside and kind of fall apart. I was really just playing around with it and learned a few things. Your project sure does make me want to have another go at it with concrete and more detail. Thanks again for sharing! I cant wait to see the final project completed. I guess it will be like any other garden though, in that it will never be completed, but a forever work in progress.

Thank you! And yes it will be a working fountain...But I can help you... Here is some tips on building out side, Number one rule---> Never mix material on a section of project...Like plastic with concrete, Plastic will expand during the day and will crack your concrete.. Use only sand with portland mix...I never go bigger than a grain of sand with my mix..Liquid nail is your best friend....And to finish use only portland with no sand to seal your project..You will always get some cracks but it should never crumble... Find you a plastic shopping cart that has lots of square blocks to make your bricks...every time you go out be on the look out for anything to mold miniature bricks..There everywhere you just have to look..And when you make your bricks use only portland and sand at a half mix...That will make your blocks around 10,000 psi...Those are just a few tips and ask me anytime i love to help and cant wait to see what you come up with...One more thing..I think I know why your project crumbled..You must glue your rocks down with liquid nail and then fill in your joints..If you can move your rocks around then it will crumble..every thing must be secure before you do anything else..If you just rely on concrete it will fail....

Great tips Shape! Ya, I used grout with it like the kind you use indoors and some of its insides were cardboard, so it was doomed to fail. That and the cats and chickens kept hopping on it to get to whatever resident moved in shortly after putting outside. We were having horrid weather at the time and I was bored. If I do another one this year I will be listening to your advice and doing it correctly for something that will last a very long time. How long do you let your little bricks cure? Would you cure them in water so they do not dry out to fast? I used rocks last time but bricks would be a much neater look.

Here is the castle....... it does not even hold a candle to your project but I did have fun doing it.

Your fountain will be fantastic, Shape! Thank you for sharing, and being so helpful to others.

That fountain will be a nice touch.

Audrey - cool castle, I never thought about making a castle. Great idea!

Esperanza said:Great tips Shape! Ya, I used grout with it like the kind you use indoors and some of its insides were cardboard, so it was doomed to fail. That and the cats and chickens kept hopping on it to get to whatever resident moved in shortly after putting outside. We were having horrid weather at the time and I was bored. If I do another one this year I will be listening to your advice and doing it correctly for something that will last a very long time. How long do you let your little bricks cure? Would you cure them in water so they do not dry out to fast? I used rocks last time but bricks would be a much neater look.

Here is the castle....... it does not even hold a candle to your project but I did have fun doing it.

Thank you..And usually I let the bricks air dry for 24 hours....Or until there white! Mix half portland to half sand..But dont pore them to wet..Scoop some out with your hand and turn upside down should stick but be on the verge of falling off..Perfect mix for 10,000 psi..

plantmanager said:Your fountain will be fantastic, Shape! Thank you for sharing, and being so helpful to others.

Your welcome and thank you!

beckygardener said:That fountain will be a nice touch.

Audrey - cool castle, I never thought about making a castle. Great idea!

Thank you..Here it is finished , Now ready for paint...

Hi,
Wow, I am so glad I found your Miniature Garden.
Your work is spectacular! And the fountain is just awesome.
Your wife is one lucky lady. I love that you created it as maintenance free for her.

I smiled at each phase, and am definitely watching too see your on-going mini Victorian gardens.

wondering if you plan to decorate it with the seasons?
I sure hope you enjoy your winter search.

also, lol that tiny hose is adorable, wondered if it worked too...


I'm Judy by the way . I love all things small and this truly just amazes me.

seedtosser1 said:Hi,
Wow, I am so glad I found your Miniature Garden.
Your work is spectacular! And the fountain is just awesome.
Your wife is one lucky lady. I love that you created it as maintenance free for her.

I smiled at each phase, and am definitely watching too see your on-going mini Victorian gardens.

wondering if you plan to decorate it with the seasons?
I sure hope you enjoy your winter search.

also, lol that tiny hose is adorable, wondered if it worked too...


I'm Judy by the way . I love all things small and this truly just amazes me.

Hi Judy and thank you for the wonderful comment! And yes once i finish she will garden all year around...She is so excited on every piece of this project..The hose is fake hehehe,,Also here is some pictures of the first coat..Once everything looks good i will apply another coat and weather...

It's looking great!

plantmanager said:It's looking great!

Thank you!

Lots of work ahead, But here is how it will look inside the conservatory.....

Oh my, how did I miss this thread! Wow!!
This is the Taj Mahal ! You are a master builder and you must love your wife very much!

Ursula said:Oh my, how did I miss this thread! Wow!!
This is the Taj Mahal ! You are a master builder and you must love your wife very much!

Thank you! And yes I do love here ...She is so excited and cant wait to start using here garden...There is still so much more work that needs to be done,But i think I will finish it all before spring....

Stunning work! Beautiful conservatory!

I am jealous of your wife!