In my last post Here I posted about what I did to the front gate. I've always loved the detailed wrought iron scrollwork you find on ancient seeming doors when they used to be done with not just function but with beauty. I posted a couple of pictures of doors I'd love like this or any of these......... But alas, those require funds and artisans neither of which I'm in touch with in this life.....at this time :D Sooooo.......as I'd been looking through all kinds of pics online even as recently as 2 days ago, I tried to figure out how I can create a look like this without the expense or need to travel to another time to find such beautiful ways to makes doors beautiful. As I was googling online again studying some pictures and trying to figure out how to get close to this with what I have available here in our time and place, for I am convinced almost anything can be done, really, some ideas did come to mind as I'd seen some interesting metal garden wall pieces sold at many stores like Target, TJ Maxx and others like that.....only I'd never thought of a place...... UNTIL NOW ! lol :D:D:D As serendipity would have it, I did have to go out today for some food actually, and there was a store I'd never been into next to my favorite Italian Market, and when I came out I looked at it and said, "Ive never been in there what do they sell, let me just look inside''. LO and BeHOLD ! there in the back, on the wall were hanging some heavy rusted iron work decorated filigree crosses, old time door knockers, and other things, nice and flat to be hung, not on a wall, as it happens in my case, but on a GATE ! I was thrilled! What were the chances that I'd be looking for a specific item and find it? hardly. But here I wasn't looking and there they were..... In iron door scroll work, the hinges is where the art work stems from mostly......and so I needed three of something, to attach to the 3 hinges on my gate.....and they did have three :D:D:D I grabbed the doorknocker and some crosses but I'd need quite a few to make an interesting pattern as the crosses themselves were a bit small. I wandered around the store a bit more and there was a section that was 50% off, and when I looked up I saw something very interesting......GRINS.......and they had three....:D:D:D.....and they were 50% off. I didn't have to think about this since I only had $15.00 to spend without getting into trouble. I went to pay for them. The Serendipity continues...... When I got to the register with my three items, the cashier lady looked at them and said "the keys to the kingdom''?.......and that is when I knew exactly what I wanted to say on my front gate...as I also wanted to have some words on the Gate to let people know the DoorWay to which they were standing in front of and in addition to the words ''Fairy Cottage and Garden'', I wanted to have something else, and she just uttered the beginnings of it. In my mind I finished it and decided that's what I was going to put on the Doorway. "The Keys to the Kingdom, Are Held By the Gardeners of the World." I got home and went to work. I had to paint over the center medallion stencil and a bit from the top to make the metalwork look right, and so I did that. I also couldn't decide whether or not to leave them black or paint them to match the hinges.....matching the hinges won out. And so I did that, and attached them 'somewhat' to the door.....and I am most pleased! While I love the stenciled work, I love even more layers of textures. I'm getting closer to the kind of GateWay, or Doorway I want.....which is more a portal of some kind into another world.....my world, a world of magic and beauty......and the GateWay tells you so. As it was ..... this morning.......... And now:...... I added a lion head knocker since it was lying on the table for the other door unused. Now its has a place. The Key..........very nice meaning and significance, and works well with what I'm going to write on the door soon.... ....ish. As it was black, which was great, but clashed a bit too much with the hinges. I needed it to blend. Do you have garden? Does it have a marker? an in-between place? a doorway, a gate? something that tells people they are entering a world of Nature, fun and Play? a world of your own making? What does your garden gate or doorway look like? What does it hint of when people stand before it? Does it cause people to pause, and feel..........that maybe they are entering a place of miracles and wonder? Does it say something to the observer? Does it invite? Does it keep out? Do you want to invite playfulness into your world? Anyone can go to TJ Maxx, Beall's Outlet, Marshalls, Home Goods, Target, JoAnn's Fabrics, etc......and find some garden metal work and attach them to their doors and gates! Lets Play! Any opinions or suggestions would be welcome :D blessings. Sharing this post with A Stroll Thru Life: Table Top Tuesday and with Faded Charm: ~White Wednesday and with No Minimalist Here: Open House Party and with Savvy Southern Style and with Beyond The Picket Fence: Under $100.00 and with The Shabby Creek Cottage and with The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home and with FRENCH COUNTRY COTTAGE: Feathered Nest Friday and with From My Front Porch to Yours and with Chic on a Shoestring Decorating: Flaunt it Friday and Curb Alert Friday Block Party