HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2006-05-04, Page 14High rise
John Looser of Cranbrook has crafted originally-designed
birdhouse from scraps of wood. His creations are fashioned
after historic pictures of homes and businesses in the area.
(Heather Crawford photo)
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PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN,THURSDAY, MAY 4, 200g.
Historic buildings inspiration behind birdhouses
By Heather Crawford
Citizen staff
John Looser knows how to keep
busy.
The Cranbrook resident spends his
(MS) — Gardening trends this
spring will feature a more playful,
leisurely-looking garden full of
colour and whimsy.
"The key to a fanciful garden- is
you," says Jeff Howe, president of
Fernlea Flowers. "You have to have
fun planting different textures and
colours of plants and flowers,
designed in a way that gives you
pleasure and a smile. One plant I
love is the Cordyline australis,
which is available in two colours,
providing a great backdrop for your
garden. It is better known in
nurseries and retail outlets as 'Red
Star' spike in -burgundy and
`Sundance' spike in green with pink
striping.
"And don't forget that blooming
side of gardening." Howe continued.
Pansies, with their smiling faces, are
available early and in almost every
colour of the spectrum this year.
Frilly, large, and various are the
options for this little gem. Show the
neighbours that gardening can be a
fun sport with a lighthearted
approach.
Gardeners are also creating mini-
gardens in containers as accents
within their garden or as personal
gifts made from the heart.
For more gardening tips. including
suggestions and pictures of plants
Looser said aside from the
growing interest on the' Internet he
sees a lot of cars slow down outside
his yard to take a closer look.
And it's no wonder why. The
intricate designs include a driveway,
a porch and lots of choices for
feathered friends when it comes to
ways inside.
"I don't think I'll go any bigger.
My daughter thinks I'm crazy
already," he said.
All of the detail and time is
something that Looser said he
enjoys. "It keeps me out of trouble,"
he joked. "I like doing it."
And the birds chirping in the
background seemed quite grateful.
people think the houses are a lot sell the designs and then people can
older than they are." build [the birdhouses' themselves,"
The designs are crafted in the he said.
image of older style buildings from After a work-related injury sent
historic pictures of homes and ,him home, Looser has been filling
businesses around the area. To date, his time in his shop,-crafting pieces
Looser has built 16 houses and of wood to create houses.
although there has been a lot of "It usually takes me a couple of
interest to buy his work from his days," he said. Some of the larger
website, he has only given them houses have taken about four days.
away to family and friends. "The birds really like them," he
"I just don'-t think I'll be able to said. Apparently so does everyone
keep up and so I think I'm going to else.
Gardening trends turn playful
that work well together, take a look
on-line at www.femlea.com .
spare time crafting originally
designed birdhouses from scrap
pieces of wood and his own elbow
grease.
"All of the wood has been
previously used," he said. "A lot of