We were blessed this summer with workshops that were filled and sometimes left us having to be more than a little creative in how to squeeze a lot of people into our work space but even when we’re working elbow to elbow there is fun to be had. Lots of laughter,participants helping each other with taping their  molds together, mixing the ingredients and sharing their plans  for what to plant….everybody seems to love to play. Most everybody goes away with plans to make additional troughs or cast more leaves. And in this series of workshops a number of our clients stayed for the day and learned how to make both which doubles the chances for adding creative and useful items to the garden.

Why not consider one of our leaf  casting workshops as a way to get a group of  friends together to celebrate a birthday or a upcoming wedding .Either workshop would be perfect for a garden club outing.We can work with you on dates and times during the week or on a Saturday.

We love conducting the workshops and feel like we learn from the participants as much as they learn from us.

Just think of the possibilities!!!

Beth and Amelia

We also want to offer you some tips that will be helpful as

you begin your own adventures with concrete.

Tip # 1:: When choosing a bag of portland cement, you want one free of hard lumps.    Firmly tap the side of the bag with your hand.  If it gives in, you know it is a nice powder. If it is hard to a firm tap, try another bag. Hard lumps are not usable.

We are going to have more workshops in July – Saturday, July 17th and Tuesday, July 20th.  The hypertufa workshops will be from 9am- noon and the concrete leaf workshops from 1pm-3pm on both dates.  We hope one of those days works for you!

Just send us an email by July 5th to let us know the day and workshop that you would like.  Registration is $50 for each workshop and is payable to Lasting Impressions.  The workshops are located at 4904 Hermitage Dr., Raleigh, NC 27612.  We provide all the materials that you need and you will take home your trough or leaf that day.

We look forward to having you in one of these fun workshops!  Playing with concrete, in the summer, in a cool basement – it really is fun!!

So,there we were….a beastly hot  day in June…Helen taking pictures for her blog and Ginny taking pictures for  BHG and everybody offering tips on what to do,where to look and how to act as if we weren’t being photograped!

We had a great time and the ’star’ trough resides in Helen’s Haven today.

The article was referenced in the early Spring 2010  issue of country Gardens (page 24) with a link to the BHG website where you can find the step by step instructions for making your own unique hypertufa trough.

And to our delight it was also featured in the June 2010 issue of  Better Homes and Gardens.

We offer a number of workshops during the year both in hypertufa trough making and casting leaves.Our next classes are being held on June 22nd and Amelia and I are absolutely blown away by the number of people who have already signed up to participate.

Come join us for the next workshop…….They’re way too much fun!

People were lined up to get in Saturday morning at 10am to get first choice and to beat the heat!  Larkspur and summer heat seem to go hand in hand. But the heat just makes you more inventive of ways to stay cool –frozen grapes, lots of cold water, a fan powered by a car battery, cold wet cloths, catching a welcome breeze.

Thanks to all our friends for your support and interest.  We hope you have a fantastic summer!

Beth and I will be participating with concrete leaves and hypertufas.  You meet the nicest people, enjoy the garden, and shop for unique and special items for yourself and gifts for others.

It is always a weekend to enjoy the works of regional artists and the company of friends.

Come and join us on Saturday, June 5, 10am-6pm and Sunday, June 6, 10am-4pm.

See you there!!

In the past we’ve contributed cast leaves (hosta,pumpkin,colocasia and tetrapanix),hypertufa troughs, both planted and unplanted,and a water fountain which trickled water from a small hosta leaf  at the top to a larger leaf and finally into one of the largest Colocasia leaves we’d cast up to that point.Putting that thing together was quite a feat and deserves a blog entry of  it’s own!

So,this year it will be one of our big beach ball sized garden balls…open at the top as if some kind of  giant  baby bird was ready to emerge. It is painted a very bright shade of our favorite color-chartreuse and the inside is painted flat black which gives it the impression of endless depth and mystery. This one will look great in any garden. Happy bidding!

We are both looking forward to the 2010 J.C.R.A Gala in the Garden…maybe we’ll see you there.

Of course, the best part is always the people – gardeners of all types and interests – definitely some of the nicest people!  This year we had quite a few babies – starting them in the garden early!!  And thanks to our helpers. Beth and I absolutely could not have such a successful day without the help of family and friends.  And a special thanks to Wilson, our budding gardener, for his help.

This was our 4th Annual Open Garden.  We have not gotten everything put away yet, but we are already making plans for next year.  New plants to entice you and perhaps some new artists.

Thanks to everyone for coming and making it a wonderful day!

Amelia and Beth

Can you tell I love this time of year?!  Hope your garden is beginning to poke through and thrill you with its newness.

Our next workshop is Tuesday, June 22, 2010. Please contact us for more information and to register for the workshop.