an ending and a beginning

Now that I have finished the garden embroidery I have started on a tree design and another beach themed box top.

I will take a pic of the tree tomorrow.


The box top is the usual formula: a box from the op shop, lumiere paint, texture paste, pumice powder and lots of bits and bobs from the stash.  There is a lot more to do so I will post pics as I go.
  

In the garden

Stitching at last

 I have finished my parterre garden at last.

It is pinned to a corkboard to damp stretch it. 

 The colours and textures have turned out really well and now I have to decide whether I should frame it or put it on the top of a box or the front of a journal.

Of course putting it in a frame would look good and I have just the right little frame but one of the great things about these little gardens is that they are very tactile.

 A box top would look great but I am not sure how many boxes I might need.

the front of a journal cover would display it well but would take a bit of wear and tear.

 

 I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Now I have to start on something new.

Back again

Goodness this time of year is so busy.  Blogging is sometimes hard to find time for.

We have had our granddaughter Ally staying for more than a week and some extra babysitting with the twins so my days have been full: the weather has been great and as Ally loves the water we have been to the beach lots of times.

Before taking her home we went for a swim yesterday afternoon and then we both spent time taking more pics.

Ally has started her own blog and I would be thrilled if you would take the time to visit it and perhaps follow or comment.  Take a look here.

Meanwile  I have been experimenting with using the monochrome function on my camera.

The effect is really pleasing don't  you think?

Today I thought I would show you a table set using just items bought at the op shops.

It was a fun and interesting project and my dear granddaughter enjoyed helping me with it.  

The idea was to use odd pieces of china, cutlery and glass and then to add a few decorative items to complete the look. 

The lovely damask table cloth is by Linen House and I paid $8.00 for it.  After a wash and iron it looks as good as new and fits our large round table perfectly.

This gorgeous quiche dish was a bit of an extravagance at $8.00 and fullfills my dream to own something by Villeroy & Boch and is perfect to hold little dinner rolls.

The dinner and side plates were from two different makers (made in china) and each set cost $5.00.

The very fine hand embroidered serviettes were part of a bundle of old linen that I bought at Vinnies: about 50 pieces of assorted serviettes and place mats for $10.00  = 20 cents each, which is cheaper than paper serviettes.

The assorted glasses cost up to $3 each.  I have collected these over the past few weeks. 




 The little pink glass petal candle holders were $2.00 for the pair and the candles are led lights which I picked up for $3.00 each.

The cutlery is an assortment of stainless steel pieces and these can be picked up for just 10 or 20 cents a piece in most op shops.
This is a very pretty fork. 

We used this plate for a garden salad:
the design is called French Dresser by Portmeirion made in Britain.  This is oven to table, Dishwasher, Freezer and Microwave safe but I must admit I will only hand wash this one.

The bud vase is beautiful with or without the rose and these vases can be picked up for 3 or 4 dollars.

I do have a weakness for glassware - especially good glassware.






So you can see it does not need to cost an arm and a leg to set a lovely table.  I have found it is much more economical than buying paper plates and so much more kind to the environment. 

Fisherman's Beach

There is not much stitching being done here at present: our grand daughter is still staying with us and  we are doing lots of picture taking.

Today we went to Fisherman's Beach at Mornington: the sea was calm and there was lots to see.  As well as the usual sea plants and birds there was quite a lot of litter which is a real shame.  I really don't understand the way people disrespect their own environment.

Roses, Roses, Roses

Today I visited the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens with my grand daughter and the twins.

I cannot describe how gorgeous it is: all maintained by volunteers.
 

Milly and my garden

 This is Milly -I bought her at the recycling centre for $25.

I bought her this dress at the op shop because she had been asked to model shawls and scarves at the art show.  She did a good job of the modelling & now she is home again. 

Now that the art show is over I have time to pick up this little garden project and it will be finished soon.

I am really pleased with this.

what is this for

 Can anyone tell me what this is for?

I bought it at a garage sale thinking it would hold reels of thread but the little pegs are too thick.

playing creatively

 I am making progress with this piece of fabric.

I have added pieces of lace, tulle and foil.



 

There are also a few little french knots.

The twins love to draw.
 

 There is chalk

or crayons and their imagination.

Tuesday's post

I forgot to post this yesterday.  The pink climbing rose is lovely, the nasturtiums are self sown and so cheerful and the bottle brushes, Hakea Kings Park Special, always blooms on Melbourne cup day.
 

in the kitchen

 What a difference a day makes:  In this pic you can see there is a wooden structure outside our kitchen window.





Today the structure is gone.  My arms and legs are sore but it looks fabulous.  Hubby is away till later tonight and our neighbour insisted on coming over to help: he informed me that being over 50 (and then some) I was at a high risk of falling from the ladder.  I graciously accepted his help.
 

The postman brought me a parcel in the post.  I won this lovely box of Twinings Tea in a competition through Nuffnang and Retro Mummy's Blog.

I do feel very lucky.

The display at the Arts Society is going really well: although we are not selling our items we are receiving fabulous feedback.  It is encouraging to know that others appreciate the things we make.

   

fabric making

I am making some special fabric for a book cover.

For the base of have used vilene and have fused part of a lace mat which I had dyed some time ago.
  

 Next I have put some bits and pices of lace on top.  At this stage just to see how it looks.  I will use mistyfuse to attach this layer.  It is very light but holds on well.

After that I will add some foiling or paint or glitter or...... 

I am just not sure  what yet. 





 

Saturday

 I am sitting on the couch and can see this view through my kitchen to the outdoors.

 The window and the views really  are  the features of this house. 

 I picked this beautiful gladioli because the wind and rain were going to destroy it.  It is such a gorgeous colour.

 I am too tired to stitch tonight: this morning was spent helping set up the textile display at the Peninsula Arts Society.  It does look good.  


Anyway a bit of fiddling with the gladioli pic on photo shop resulted in these two interesting images.

This kind of "playing"  is very relaxing.