Chatterboxes
Face time
Even at a garden party I expect the guests to be stylish, colorful characters with something interesting to say. So, why not create my own? These guys don’t take up much space, look good sitting around, and don’t require much attention beyond a little water now and again. And best, they get along famously no matter who they’re paired with!
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Line-up
I received 11 of these metal storage containers from our friend Susan, who found them in her attic. Apparently her home’s previous owners had used them for food storage … in the event of doomsday. Catastrophe, however, never struck and a half-century later the cans were rusted (see first photo for example), their masking tape labels (‘RED BEANS’) brittle and peeling, their contents mere dusty rattlings. When she offered the cans to me I jumped; I love metal vessels in multiples, and these had promise as planters … One of the cans was painted a nice shade of lime green, and I loved how it looked (see above, far left); it inspired me to paint the others in similar shades that would complement the cool hues of succulents. Using silk screening ink (it’s waterproof and semi-opaque) I applied their new colors with a small sponge roller; this method added a nice texture and still allowed their attractive rusty surfaces to show through. Next, I drew simple, funky-folk-y profiles onto stenciling plastic, cutting their insides out with a craft knife; I taped the outside shapes onto a can side and using the same roller filled in with a contrasting shade. Once all the profiles were in place I cut out a couple of word bubble shapes and repeated the stenciling process. Now the fun began …
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Mix and mingle
I planted a groovy succulent in each can and started to play with placement, enjoying how I could change the relationships between the cans and their colors. What I really loved, though, was how I could change the conversations between the heads — Now this felt like a party!
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Par-tay!
These four are the early arrivals, and the conversation’s already pretty lively … I’ll work on the remaining seven cans soon. But can’t you just imagine the raucous, riotous, Rancho garden party that will ensue? … Don’t worry, you’re invited!
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Rancho Reubidoux 
Pretty fabulous!
Thanks, Loree!
Oh how fun! Finally someone with something to say!
Hi, Kim, thanks! I thought about adding words at first but now I’m glad I didn’t …
Oh, these are the best things I have ever seen. Wish I’d thought of this!
Pretty fun, right?! Can’t wait to finish the remaining chatterboxes …
Thanks for the huge smile this morning. I can only imagine the whisperings that are going on.
Thanks, WF! They made me smile, too …
CHATTERBOXES…..what a cool name!
Thanks, Guida, I’m glad I went with this title instead of one of the rejects: COLOR COMMENTATORS, BLOCK HEADS, HUE DON’T SAY and TALKING HEADS!
I like HUE DON’T SAY. It’s funny!
It almost lived … almost.
I love these, Reuben! They’re beautiful!
Thanks, Miss Judy! Miss being neighbors …
Wow. Your creativity is boundless and inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
Adrianna, thanks so much!
Way cool, Reuben! I also thought that your hog boiler before, during and after was some kind of wonderful!
Thanks, Peter, both projects were really fun!
Thanks very much!