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jessica frost-ballas

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A much needed makeover…

11 Oct

So, when we left off, this is what you’d see when you drove up to our home.  Love the house, love the fall decorations…not so much the “grass” and “landscaping”.  In fact there’s been a distinct lack of green in our yard since we moved in.  After construction the builder laid down some grass seed but the ground is basically just rock.  It’s ridiculous how difficult it is to dig even a small hole for our ADT sign.  In combination, the rock-hard ground and the super tall and leafy trees that block the sun basically make growing grass impossible.  We didn’t want to get rid of the trees so our first step was to try and till and amend the soil to give the grass seed a better chance.

The father of one of Steve’s private students is a landscaper and actually completed another small garden project and the privacy fence for us when we moved in.  We were really pleased with his earlier work and couldn’t imagine working with anyone else.  We discussed our front yard plans with him and decided that while the grass overhaul was a little out of our budget for this year we could move forward with putting in some foundation beds and improving the overall look of the front yard.  So last Saturday we went out to several different nurseries with Alex and purchased lots of plants for our garden.  I had lots of ideas for plants I wanted and Alex did a wonderful job of helping me fulfill some of those ideas while also giving suggestions that would fit his plans.

A few weeks ago our yard looked like this:

Then it looked like this Sunday evening after our nursery trip…

And now it looks like this!!

It’s still kinda hard to believe that’s our house…he did an absolutely breathtaking job!  Here’s a closer look:

The big bed encompassing the two trees reaches all the way to the driveway and easement.  Our lot is a little oddly oriented and we actually have an easement running across our lot that also serves the two houses to our right.  The angle from the easement to the driveway is a little difficult to navigate so we’ve had to base some our plans around that.  Earlier in the year we had problems with people driving over a wedge of our land on the other side of our easement and destroying the grass so Alex installed a rock garden to help keep cars off that area.

When we were designing the gardens on the other side of easement closest to the house we wanted to tie in some elements of the rock garden so that it would look cohesive.  Alex suggested using some of the smaller rocks to create a dry creek bed that would “flow” from the bed closest to the house through the bed around the trees to the original rock garden.  I had found photos of gardens with beautiful stone retaining walls and I asked if that element could be included in our design and Alex definitely found a way to work it in!

The garden bed furthest from the house features a lot of plants that will attract butterflies and hummingbirds in the summer.  There’s also room to add some annuals in next year.

These are the plants in that garden bed:

  • Yarrow “Pink Grapefruit”
  • Echinacea “Cone-fections Marmalade”
  • Sedum “Lidakense”
  • Glossy Abelia
  • St. John’s Wort “Jaqueline”
  • Panicum “Northwind”
  • Buddleia “Miss Molly”
  • Muhly Grass
  • Artemesia “Powis Castle”
  • Gaura “Siskiyou Pink”
  • Lavender “Grosso”
  • Echinacea “Indian Summer”
  • Caryopteris “Dark Knight”
  • Hydrangea “Fire Light”
  • Autumn Sage “Heat Wave Blast”
  • Mahonia “Winter Sun”
  • Verbena “Lollipop”
  • Daylily “Strawberry Candy”
  • Lupine “Minarette Mix”
  • Japanese Maple “Sango-kaku”

Next year I hope to add monarda, lantana, asclepias, coreopsis, phlox, daylilies, gladiolas, and zinnias for more color (and more butterflies!).  In addition there are about 50 various bulbs: tulips, snowdrops, allium, hyacinth, and others planted in clumps throughout the garden.  I look forward to seeing where those turn up in the spring!

Now, the bed closest to the house is probably my absolute favorite.  Alex installed a beautiful limestone retaining wall that leveled the left side of the garden.  It also incorporated the red Japanese maple that Steve’s parents gave us last year.

He flanked the maple with three Japanese plum yews that should fill out nicely around the curve of the bed.

In that garden we’ve got the following plants:

  • Hydrangea “Little Lime”
  • Nandina “Flirt”
  • Holly “Sky Pencil”
  • Oenothera “Lemon Drop”
  • Pieris “Katsura”
  • Heuchera “Georgia Peach”
  • Hosta “First Frost”
  • Balloon Flower “Sentimental Blue”
  • Corydalis “Canary Feathers”
  • Acanthus “Whitewater”
  • Dwarf Peach “Bonfire”
  • Black Mondo Grass
  • Violas

In the photo below you can see the dwarf peach tree surrounded by violas right in front of the backdoor of my van.

When the house was built they put in a small garden bed built in between the steps and the driveway.  Originally we planted some grasses and a nandina bush there but Alex moved the grass into the larger bed and put the nandina in the rock garden to make room for his creation.  I was wondering what he’d do with this bed but I NEVER thought a space that small and narrow could look so cool!

In the last bed we’ve got the following:

  • Juncus grass
  • Purple violas
  • Heuchera “Peach Flambe”
  • Hellebore “Merlin” (of course I had to pick that one!)
  • Holly “Sky Pencil”

In both of those beds we’ve also got another 50 or so bulbs mixed in for early spring color!  So there it is…we’ve got a little while until we’ll have a full face-lift of nice green grass but the fun stuff is well on its way.  It’s already providing pretty fall color and I can’t wait to see what it all looks like next summer!

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Jessica About Me Photo
Hi, I'm Jess! Thanks for visiting my blog where I share my adventures in cardmaking and papercrafting! I hope I can inspire you to craft with a little sparkle!

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Jessica Frost-Ballas

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There’s a new release from @waffleflowercrafts and some fantastic layering stencil sets! I’m using the Heart Blooms set with distress oxide inks and a fun new sentiment set! Head to my blog for more details and hop along for a chance to win a gift card to #waffleflowercrafts!! 🌸❤️🌸 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/wf121/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #waffleflower #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #stencil #distressoxideinks

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Jan 5

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Instagram post 17946345070411377 There’s a new release from @waffleflowercrafts and some fantastic layering stencil sets! I’m using the Heart Blooms set with distress oxide inks and a fun new sentiment set! Head to my blog for more details and hop along for a chance to win a gift card to #waffleflowercrafts!! 🌸❤️🌸
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/wf121/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#waffleflower #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #stencil #distressoxideinks

jessicafrostballas

The new My Monthly Kit from @heroarts is now available and it’s Bee-utiful!! 🐝💛🐝 I’m sharing four cards from one watercolored background over on my blog and YT channel! Head over for more details and snag your kit before it sells out!! 💛💛💛 ••• LINK - https://shrsl.com/2ph6v (clickable link in profile) ••• #heroarts #mymonthlyhero #mijellomissiongold #hydracolour #watercolour #watercolor #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Jan 4

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Instagram post 17980797202329692 The new My Monthly Kit from @heroarts is now available and it’s Bee-utiful!! 🐝💛🐝 I’m sharing four cards from one watercolored background over on my blog and YT channel! Head over for more details and snag your kit before it sells out!! 💛💛💛
•••
LINK - https://shrsl.com/2ph6v (clickable link in profile)
•••
#heroarts #mymonthlyhero #mijellomissiongold #hydracolour #watercolour #watercolor #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

We have a new Lawn Fawnatics challenge to kick off the new year and we’re creating cards for Outstanding Occasions! 🎉❤️🎉 Today I created a wedding card featuring an adorable squirrel party! 😉 Head to my blog for more details and join the challenge! 🐿🐿🐿 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/lfch92/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #lawnfawn @lawnfawn #lawnfawnatics #inkblending #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Jan 4

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Instagram post 18184726213057099 We have a new Lawn Fawnatics challenge to kick off the new year and we’re creating cards for Outstanding Occasions! 🎉❤️🎉 Today I created a wedding card featuring an adorable squirrel party! 😉 Head to my blog for more details and join the challenge! 🐿🐿🐿
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/lfch92/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#lawnfawn @lawnfawn #lawnfawnatics #inkblending #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

🐝 Today we’re kicking off the countdown for the @heroarts January My Monthly Hero kit and it’s the perfect cheery way to welcome a new year! 🐝🌸🐝 Head to my blog for a closer look and comment for a chance to win a kit before you can buy it! 💛🐝💛 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hacd121/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #heroarts #mymonthlyhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Jan 2

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Instagram post 17938042399439973 🐝 Today we’re kicking off the countdown for the @heroarts January My Monthly Hero kit and it’s the perfect cheery way to welcome a new year! 🐝🌸🐝 Head to my blog for a closer look and comment for a chance to win a kit before you can buy it! 💛🐝💛
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hacd121/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#heroarts #mymonthlyhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

Starting off 2021 with a clean and simple card featuring one of my very favorite companies! 🖤💛🖤 I love the new Lovely Letters alphabet set from @concordand9th and how nicely it pairs with the other alpha sets to create this card! Lovely Letters is a stand-alone alphabet set that looks like hand lettering and it’s designed so you can stamp and build whatever sentiment you want! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉 ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hny21/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #concordand9th #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #happynewyear

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Jan 1

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Instagram post 17856831182398826 Starting off 2021 with a clean and simple card featuring one of my very favorite companies! 🖤💛🖤 I love the new Lovely Letters alphabet set from @concordand9th and how nicely it pairs with the other alpha sets to create this card! Lovely Letters is a stand-alone alphabet set that looks like hand lettering and it’s designed so you can stamp and build whatever sentiment you want! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! 🎉🎉🎉
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/hny21/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#concordand9th #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb #happynewyear

jessicafrostballas

🎆 HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE! 🎆 Today I’m sharing a look back at my favorite cards from each month of 2020 and hosting a $50 crafty giveaway over on my blog! I am honored and thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with so many of my favorite crafty companies this year! These companies are the heart and soul of this industry and I love to support them! ❤️❤️❤️ Swipe for a closer look as well as a look at my favorite cards from 2015-2019! 😳 It is really fun for me to look back and see my growth as an artist and cardmaker (and it shows me that there’s always room to keep growing)!! 😉 I hope you have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve and I’ll see you in 2021! ❤️❤️❤️ ••• LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/mfc2020/ (clickable link in profile) ••• #allthesparklejfb #inkblending #alcoholink #distressoxideinks #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

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Dec 31

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Instagram post 17866448675260868 🎆 HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE! 🎆  Today I’m sharing a look back at my favorite cards from each month of 2020 and hosting a $50 crafty giveaway over on my blog!  I am honored and thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with so many of my favorite crafty companies this year!  These companies are the heart and soul of this industry and I love to support them! ❤️❤️❤️ Swipe for a closer look as well as a look at my favorite cards from 2015-2019! 😳 It is really fun for me to look back and see my growth as an artist and cardmaker (and it shows me that there’s always room to keep growing)!! 😉 I hope you have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve and I’ll see you in 2021! ❤️❤️❤️
•••
LINK - https://www.allthesparkle.com/mfc2020/ (clickable link in profile)
•••
#allthesparklejfb #inkblending #alcoholink #distressoxideinks #copicmarkers #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

jessicafrostballas

Today I’m sharing a card over on the @heroarts blog for the newest Stay Crafty with Hero challenge! We’re challenging you to create a card using a creative team member’s card as inspiration for your card! If you swipe you can see the beautiful card @thecardgrotto created that I used as inspiration for my card! ✨🌌✨ I hope you’ll play along with the challenge! 💙💛💙 ••• LINK - https://heroarts.com/blogs/hero-arts-blog/galaxy-focal-point-inspired-by-michelle-short (clickable link in profile) ••• #heroarts #staycraftywithhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

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Dec 30

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Instagram post 17915304478546934 Today I’m sharing a card over on the @heroarts blog for the newest Stay Crafty with Hero challenge! We’re challenging you to create a card using a creative team member’s card as inspiration for your card!  If you swipe you can see the beautiful card @thecardgrotto created that I used as inspiration for my card! ✨🌌✨ I hope you’ll play along with the challenge! 💙💛💙
•••
LINK - https://heroarts.com/blogs/hero-arts-blog/galaxy-focal-point-inspired-by-michelle-short (clickable link in profile)
•••
#heroarts #staycraftywithhero #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas #allthesparklejfb

jessicafrostballas

So earlier today I posted the most liked alcohol ink work from 2020 and here are the cards you liked the most this year! ❤️ There are definitely some surprises in there 😂 but it’s fun to see what you liked best! It appears that ink-blending is popular! 😉❤️😘 ••• #allthesparklejfb #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

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Dec 30

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Instagram post 17855338049408350 So earlier today I posted the most liked alcohol ink work from 2020 and here are the cards you liked the most this year! ❤️ There are definitely some surprises in there 😂 but it’s fun to see what you liked best! It appears that ink-blending is popular! 😉❤️😘
•••
#allthesparklejfb #cardmaker #cardmaking #cardmakersofinstagram #papercrafting #papercrafts #diycards #handmadecards #cardinspiration #cardideas #cardmakingideas

jessicafrostballas

It’s always fun to look back and see what posts you liked most over the year. And often I’m surprised by what is or is not liked. I’ll be sharing my annual favorite cards series in a few days but I thought I’d share your favorite 2020 alcohol ink posts and cards today! ❤️ Surprisingly alcohol ink art and ink-blending are more liked than most of my cards 😅 so I thought I’d share them separately! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 It does make me wonder if I should change a bit of my art focus for next year! 😂🤔😜 ••• #alcoholink #alcoholinkart #alcoholinkartist #fluidart

View on Instagram

Dec 29

686 34
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Instagram post 17893561561794477 It’s always fun to look back and see what posts you liked most over the year. And often I’m surprised by what is or is not liked. I’ll be sharing my annual favorite cards series in a few days but I thought I’d share your favorite 2020 alcohol ink posts and cards today! ❤️ Surprisingly alcohol ink art and ink-blending are more liked than most of my cards 😅 so I thought I’d share them separately! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 It does make me wonder if I should change a bit of my art focus for next year! 😂🤔😜
•••
#alcoholink #alcoholinkart #alcoholinkartist #fluidart
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I design for several companies because I truly love their products! Anything I recommend on my blog is something that I genuinely love and regularly use. I do not get paid for product reviews and I will never recommend a product that I do not like or would not use.

I am affiliated with several of my favorite crafty companies which means I receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you!!) when you click on one of my links and make a purchase through the store.

You can find my full disclosure as well as a list of the companies I am affiliated with HERE. Thank you so much for supporting me!

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