I added the garden gate about half way through the process of making Rabbitat. Since I changed the design from horizontal to vertical, I needed something in the lower right to balance the rabbit topiary on the left. I also wanted to create a transition from the foreground to the background and make an an entrance into the rabbit world.
I selected some driftwood and carved joints into the pieces. I then drilled holes in the joints and glued the pieces together with wire in the holes for reinforcement.
On a jig saw, I cut out a wooden rabbit shape to put on top of the gate.
I wanted bars in the gate, so I bent some 32 gauge cloth-covered wire and wrapped it with embroidery floss.
Then I had to figure out what to use for hinges and a latch. I got out my collection of little metal do-dads, but wasn’t satisfied with how they looked. Shiny metal didn’t seem to fit in the rabbit’s world. I ended up using clay tube beads for the hinges and wrapped wire for the latch.
I worked around the gate for many weeks, sewing the tree and constructing parts of the scene’s landscape.
I created a felt stone pathway leading to the gate, with french knot moss. Thinking ahead, I stitched my initials into the design on the right hand corner.
To see more posts in this series and to view the Rabbitat film click here.
SALLEY MAVOR 
Vraiment magnifique, vous me faites rêver…
gorgeous
Such BEAUTY… thank you for sharing. Your work is deeply inspiring.
Wonderful ideas! You are so imaginative and an inspiration. thanks so much
Love seeing your process, helps me with creating and thinking of ways to do things. I wanted to add some wood sticks to a piece, but wasn’t sure about attaching it, do you use glue? I collect sticks and let them dry in the basement, you never know when you might need some;)
Debbie
Yes, I use glue very sparingly, when nothing else works.
Stunningly beautiful! Thanks for sharing the process and finished product.
Love the composition of this (and I’d love a gate like that at my house!) 😉
Dear Salley,
I also love seeing how you work. Especially interested in your Rabbitat as my original family name means Rabbit, in Russian.
http://cateatsbananasandflies.blogspot.com/search?q=Krolik
As always, your work is exquisite!
Carolyn Croll
Love, love, love it. Thanks so much for sharing your process!
Salley,
I want to live in Rabbitat, love, love, love your sweet and inspirational work. Thank you for sharing.
Jenny
The french knot moss is wonderful! So fun to see how you put this together. I am forever in love with that bunny topiary.
What a beautiful gate Salley, that driftwood was just perfect!
Jane x
This is so amazing and fascinating!!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your process Salley! It’s fascinating to see how you design and your results are always spectacular!!
It’s amazing how much thought and detail goes into each part of the piece, but which makes it appear authentic. Lovely!
Dear Sally
Mary Corbet from Needle ‘n Thread has just reviewed your book Pocketful of Posies. Love how you created the Nursery Rhymes figures and I love your Christmas decorations beautiful when are you going to arrange an online course would love to participate.
Regards Anita Simmance