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.