The Return of Vickie
Vickie’s most wanted
What can I say about Vickie Perez? Let’s see, she’s friendly, knows how to spin a good yarn, is a dog lover and a loyal friend to those lucky enough to call her one. Oh, and she’s talented, really gosh darned talented. Of course if she were here watching me type these words she’d become all shy and aw shucks-y … but that modesty is just another part of her appeal. Vicky has become something unexpected around here: She is a break-out Rancho Reubidoux star! This means that no matter what else is going on, no matter what’s being posted (or not, due to medical hiatus on my part), the post where I introduced Vickie to RR readers will have visitors (click to read it here). They come for photos of her planters for their own blogs, websites or Pinterest pages, where they are picked up again, and so on … So, while she’s had thousands of viewers here, who even knows how many other thousands have seen her projects elsewhere? Aside from driving up RR’s stats, Vickie’s also done something priceless for me: She unlocked my creativity. How? By letting me in on her artistic process, and by sharing her innovative problem solving decisions. Without Vickie I would not have come up with the palm scoop planter, the TV-front planter, even the fan screen planter!
If there’s a negative quality Vickie and I share, it’s an artistic sensitivity that keeps us from ever being referred to as prolific. We require so many variables be aligned before we embark on a project that we can be immobilized when they’re not just so. So, I’m very happy to report that the planets have aligned and all conditions are optimum because Vickie’s back! She’s been hard at work creating tons of new succulent gardens that will be for sale at this weekend’s Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour event held at the Elks Lodge. Here’s a look at just some of the quirky-ingenious pieces Vickie will have for sale (full show information will be at end of post).
Vintage vehicles roll again … or just hang around
—O-O—
For the mechanic with succulent taste
—O-O—
Succulent saddlebags? Let’s ride
—O-O—
Oldies and goodies for every taste
—O-O—
Riverside Flower Show & Garden Tour 2015
Elks Lodge, 6166 Brockton Ave., Riverside CA 92506
Saturday, April 25, 1 – 6pm; Sunday, April 26, 10am – 4pm.
Check website for further information: Click here.
Rancho Reubidoux 
Yay, Vickie’s back! I still want to go by her house and see all her quirky stuff that she has… Perhaps we can do a road trip one of these days!
Vickie, if you’re reading this… great job on all these creations, they look fantastic and good luck on the sale this weekend!!
Yes! A Vickie field trip should be penciled in, WF … but I’m thinking the porch-sitting-wine-fueled consideration of your front yard should come first. Hope to see you soon.
It is a good thing (at least for our bank account and my marriage) I live too far away to make this sale because I’d be sorely tempted to ask “how much for the whole shootin’ match?!”. I want them all, every single piece, and I’m currently guilty of eyeing spaces here, imagining the goodies shown already in place.
I’m also feeling quite vindicated for pulling over to the curb of my neighborhood recently to pick up a rusted out metal planter and another chipped edge terracotta planter (still filled with plants/soil!) that had been left out as trash. I repurposed them both and am ridiculously smug over the results.
Though you/Ms. Vickie* aren’t literally supplying me you are at the very least actively inspiring/enabling, Grazie! (Am I the only one who read the post title and started hearing “Tiptoe through the tulips”?!).
Such is the power of Vickie’s art, Deb! Seeing them opens up a whole world of possibilities for almost anything; nothing is un-salvageable and everything can be made beautiful. And thanks for inserting Tiny Tim’s little dittie in my head … it’s nice to know I’m not the only person pulling over for the rusted out and chipped whatsit.
When I first started making up planters out of “useless ” bits and pieces of toys that were headed to the trash I never, in my wildest dreams, thought it would lead to anyone saying the comments above. It’s just what I did to amuse myself. And to recycle the pieces and what was used to make the pot parts. (This time the liners are made of an old shower curtain) Thank you all for the kind words. And since I have a bit of a bent mind I will continue to look for projects that will spark the creative in all of us. I’m glad that I can inspire.
Texasdeb, this Texas born always has the eye looking in the most likely and unlikely places.
Wldflower, any friend of Ruben’s is always welcome but one never knows what you’ll find
around here.
Thank you Reuben, for your efforts of yesterday’s picture session! And for inspiring me on something I was ready to give up on. At least the selling part of. I’ll always be making something. A girl has to amuse herself somehow!
You’re welcome, Vickie, thanks for everything! 😉
Okay, I’m on fire now!! Checked out the back yard and have turned up an old milk can from our days in Chino, a big metal wash tub and an old metal pail!! And YES, I’ll be at the Elks this weekend to see what Vickie has for sale!! I’m ready to go succulent! I have a number of old crockery pots, inlcuding a 12 gallon crock, some without drainage…can I use them as well? layer rocks in bottom? just a neophyte looking to get started!!
Yes, absolutely you can use those crocks, LSG! Just include plenty of drainage in the form of gravel or broken pottery in the bottom and be careful not to overwater. Wait always until the soil is completely dry before adding water. Succulents have relatively short roots; all the action — the good stuff — happens above ground! You have lots of fun to look forward to … have fun, always!
Oh great….Now after reading all the posts , and seeing the wonderful creations from you and Vickie, I find myself constantly looking in dump sites and old run down houses for things to use for plants. My husband thinks I’m nuts.LOL
Wish me luck on my hunt.
Thanks to you and Vickie for the posts.
But that’s the power of what Vickie does, Val: She shows you the possibility of things, especially things that most people consider trash! Wishing you the best in the hunt … all it takes is one ingenious, amazing project for hubby to come over to the dark side. Then HE will begin looking for suitable materials too!
Thanks for that I really am interested in her work.
Sent from my iPad
>
Hi, Johanna! You’re welcome. 😉