Cutting / Making Paper Snowflakes

Posted on October 27, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Cutting Paper Snowflakes, a Fun Family Project

The art of folding and cutting / making paper snowflakes was taught to me, in the fifth grade, by a lovely Nun named Sister Mary Charles (nee Catherine Lily). Sister Charles was a very artistic lady who cut the most beautiful silhouettes of people, and encouraged my artistic interests.

From those days in the 1960’s to the present, I have cut hundreds of snowflakes for myself, taught friends and coworkers, and today I am going to teach you this wonderful Winter craft. Continue reading →

Posted in CHRISTMAS / Easter, How-to | 25 Comments

Picking the Right Paint or Siding Color(s) for your House

Posted on October 19, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Newport Art Museum, Griswold House, Newport, Rhode Island

When it comes to picking the color(s) to paint or side a house, most people don’t take into consideration the roof. The roof probably has the second largest amount of surface space (color and texture) next to the front, back and side walls of your home. Continue reading →

Posted in Picking Paint Colors Interior / Exterior / Front Door / Roof | 40 Comments

Choosing the Right Color Roof for your Home

Posted on October 7, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Roofing Shingles

When it comes to choosing the right color of roofing shingle for your house, the process can be overwhelming. There are many colors and styles to choose from, and you don’t want to make a costly mistake. You know, your roof is probably the second largest area of color and texture on your building, next to the brick, stone, or siding that covers your house. Continue reading →

Posted in How-to, Picking Paint Colors Interior / Exterior / Front Door / Roof | 3 Comments

My Garden, here at Whimsey Hill House, Mid July 2011

Posted on September 28, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

My garden out back July 2011

Wasn’t it just yesterday when the garden was at its peak? How quickly the Summer flew by. Finally I have some pictures to show you of the garden at its best, around the 15th of July 2011. Continue reading →

Posted in Fred's Garden at Whimsey Hill House, The Summer Garden | 3 Comments

It’s time to plant Spring Flowering Bulbs, Fall is in the Air

Posted on September 23, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Let's plant some Spring Flowering Bulbs

As the days get shorter, and the gardening season starts to come to an end, it is now time to think New Beginnings. Your new beginnings will be flower filledif you take some time now and plant some Spring flowering bulbs.

The Classic (most known and loved) Spring flowering bulbs are Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths, Grape Hyacinths, and Crocus. Continue reading →

Posted in planting a SHADE GARDEN, The Autumn(Fall) Garden | 2 Comments

DAHLIAS, dahlias, Dahlias..Planting and Winter Storage

Posted on September 16, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

DAHLIAS..Planting, Staking, and Winter storage of dahlia tubers

Dahlias are wonderful flowers that grace the garden with their colorful blooms from Mid Summer, until a good killing frost. Dahlias come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Some dahlias produce flowers the size of small carnations, while others produce giant heads that are compared to dinner plates. Continue reading →

Posted in The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden, The Summer Garden | 7 Comments

Hanging Pictures over a Sofa

Posted on September 12, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Hanging Pictures over a Sofa

An Assortment of Groupings, that would look Great hung over a Sofa

The number one thing most people do wrong, when hanging pictures over a sofa, is they hang them up too high. Continue reading →

Posted in Hanging Pictures and Mirrors / Arranging Knickknacks and Collectables, Interior Decorating Principles, San Francisco Chronicle / eHow references or resources | 7 Comments

When designing a Shade Garden, think Focal Point, Plant Color, and Shapes of Leaves

Posted on September 4, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Designing a Shade Garden

When I think about what goes into making a good shade garden, three things come to mind. #1 a Focal point(s) man-made or natural. #2 Plant Color to add light to the garden. #3 Shapes of Leaves for variety and visual interest. Continue reading →

Posted in Garden Design Principles, planting a SHADE GARDEN, San Francisco Chronicle / eHow references or resources, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden, The Summer Garden | 2 Comments

Fred Gonsowski Artwork, before the Blog

Posted on August 25, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

The Big Eyed People

The Big Eyed People at Saratoga

Some interiors that I painted

Paintings of Interiors that I made

I got a comment from a past customer / fan on my 8-21-2011 post titled: Designing / Planting a Hosta Garden. Her comment made me want to put up a few photos of my artwork, that I made Back in the Day.

The first images I call the Big Eyed People. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 73 Comments

Designing / Planting a Hosta Garden

Posted on August 21, 2011 by fredgonsowskigardenhome

Gardening with Hostas

Many people are Blesses???, Cursed!!! with a shade garden. If you are one of them, you will most likely be making lemon-aid out of lemons. Your lemon of choice, in this situation will be the Hosta, also called the Plantation Lily.

Hostas come in an assortment of colors (green, blue-green, chartreuse, gold, and white), and can be solid or two-toned. When combined properly, they can make an interesting display, even though you are just using one genus family of plant. Continue reading →

Posted in planting a SHADE GARDEN, The Autumn(Fall) Garden, The Spring Garden, The Summer Garden | 3 Comments