Floral Friday #2

I don't usually pick flowers from my garden.
I like to walk around and look at them on their bushes.
I like to see the sun lighting them up or the rain sitting on them like little jewels.
I love to see the bees and butterflies making visits to them as they go about their business and I chat to the useful little spiders which have curled themselves up tightly in spent petals, telling them to keep up the good work.
I know the flowers will last so much longer if I resist the temptation to pluck them for my own selfish pleasure of being able to bring them inside.
But look - see here - evidence of plucked flowers and lots of them.
This time I had to do it. I had to see what this wide and varied collection of flowers would look like if I were to put them all into the one vase.
There are Roses, yellow, white, pink:
Dahlias, yellow and orange:
Penstemon, red and
Snapdragons, pink, red and orange.
I have decided that they look absolutely gorgeous and smell divine and there are still plenty left in the garden for me to admire next week.
But for now, they are here next to me where I can see, smell and touch them, even when it's dark and rainy outside. I am thankful and filled with pride that I grew these most precious and beautiful works of Mother Nature.
Do you have any unusual floral combinations you would like to share?

Unfinished No.2 Daughter's tote:

Ahem, well on the subject of No.2 Daughter's tote - it will be finished and photographed for your viewing pleasure next week. Said daughter is coming to stay and no doubt will demand the completion of her tote.
I made a rod for my own back by putting such stiff interfacing in the sides; I had to just about dislocate my shoulder and elbow to put the first binding on and piked at putting on the second. Anyway the Sewing Godmother didn't call to finish it while I slept (as requested) so I guess I have to suck it up and just do it.

Love
Bron xx

Sunday Morning on the farm.

No I don't have a farm really but I'm feeling extremely rural and productive today.
This is my first attempt at bottling. I fear the pears may have been a tad ripe and I'm still to discover if the bottles sealed properly.
This grain bread is the funniest little loaf I have ever made. It's 'Dwarf' bread. The eighth dwarf maybe - 'Bumpy' or 'Lumpy' or 'Warty' - Hopefully it tastes just as good as it smells and who cares what it looks like!

Quick project for Friday night sew-in.

Thanks Heidi and Bobbi for this great idea. Here are some pics of the little sewing machine mat that I made tonight.
It is a freebie McCalls PDF pattern from their website - under Free Project (top right).
This mat stops your table top from marking, makes sliding the machine around, back and forth easier and has handy little pockets in the front for scissors, pin cushion, rulers etc.
It was so quick and easy. I didn't use the pattern instructions in the end; I just made it to the correct dimensions for my machine.

ps: Thanks Melody for this panel. I have finally used it! There are four of these vintage machine prints on the panel so can make three more for gifts.

Floral Fridays Feature

Welcome everyone to my new Floral Fridays Feature.
The only common ingredient for your posts is that it pertains to flowers or trees. Whether that be pictures of your garden, fabric, stories, poems, or anything else you would like to share.
I will try to show you a picture or two each week of flowers which are currently making an appearance in my garden.
This is my lovely white Hebe. I named the bush Miss Hebe as she was far too beautiful not to have her own identity. These gorgeous long spikes are covered with a hundred or so tiny, perfectly formed little flowers which the bees just love, as you can see.

This is my Dwarf Pomegranate. This dear little bush was transplanted when we moved. It went from the garden to a pot for 12 months and then into the new garden. It struggled with the very wet winter and looked like it was a 'goner' but as you can see it has rallied beautifully.

Lastly, this is a stunning purple pelargonium. When we first moved to Korumburra I was thrilled to see that the garden next door had lots of gorgeous pelargoniums. Clearly they grow well here which was very good news as I just love them.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your posts - so get those cameras out and get clicking!

Teddy Bear's Picnic

This adorable Golly and Teddy were made by a lovely lady who's name I have completely forgotten. It will probably come to me, or maybe Melody may recognize them.
The dear little teddy is completely jointed and has his own dolly too. Just so cute. I love all three.
Thanks Melody for letting me share them with your bloggers.
Take a look at The House on the Side of the Hill for more picnicking teddies.

Tuesday Treasures

What a gorgeous Tuesday we are having. Warm sunshine, cooling breeze. Summer in Korumburra is never boring that's for sure.
Thanks Melody for the opportunity of sharing my Tuesday Treasure with your bloggers.
The theme for today is 'What do you treasure in your surroundings'.
Mine was very easy to choose.
Here is a picture to share with you of the view from my dining room window of a magnificent rainbow. We have a lot of rain here and also a lot of rainbows but none as spectacular as this one which I was lucky enough to catch on camera.
I just wished that I could have caught the whole thing. The whole rainbow arched from one side of the hill and across the gully to this large gum. My lens just wasn't wide enough.
I have not enhanced this picture in any way. It was just good luck. Kinda like the pot of gold I was very tempted to look for at the bottom of this tree.

Floral Fridays Feature

I am a Floraphile and I'm proud of it! I would love anyone with anything of a floral theme to post to my 'Floral Fridays' feature. It can be garden pics, poems, gorgeous quilts or fabric. You name it.
I am looking forward to being surprised, delighted, educated, even moved by what you may choose to post. This is going to be so much fun. I really hope that you enjoy becoming a regular part of my Fridays.

Colourful Friday

I am really looking forward to participating in Colourful Friday's with Robyn.
The theme for today is the colours that remind us of Valentine's Day

* * *

I have never been one to celebrate Valentine's Day. I was married long before it had begun being celebrated in Australia. Nevertheless I take the challenge to brighten up the blog world with the colours that I associate with the day and the sentiment behind it.

Red and White are a given, of course, with the stunning red rose 'Oklahoma' being the almost perfect Valentine's rose.

Portabello Fabrics

Ok, now here's the thing. I was prompted to look at some fabric in my stash that I had bought when I was semi-conscious - digressing for a mo. I know that I was semi-conscious because I have no recollection of this purchase whatsoever - because my friend Melody had mentioned how much she loved French General fabrics and I thought "Ha!" Yes, I thought "Ha. I'm sure I have some of those fabrics in my stash, cos I saw them there a couple of days ago." So off I go on a scrounging mission and voila - there they were and they are, as you may have gathered, NOT in fact French General fabrics but Portabello. Now that I have exhumed these most lovely fabrics I have a hankerin' to make something with them. There is 1m of the centre fabric and .25m of the other four. What, in the name of all that is patchwork, am I going to do with them??? A bag? A table runner? A small table cloth? An apron (or two)? My imagination is apparently still on vacation. I would be thrilled if anyone could solve this most pitiful predicament I find myself in.
Thanks - in anticipation of the temporary use of your creative genius'

Tuesday Treasure

Oh sorry this is very late. Got home too late last night to add this. I really wanted to share this beautiful photograph. My daughter is a wonderful photographer and took this pic of her son under the Dromana Pier a couple of years ago.
I find the symbolism of this picture profound.
Please take a look at more Tuesday Treasures at Melody's lovely blog

No.2 Daughter's Tote

Clearly Kanga has been outside most of the afternoon and allowed me to get some more work done on No.2 Daughter's tote. I didn't get to use one of the fabrics she chose which is a bit of a shame as it is lovely but I ran out of pattern bits. I'll have to think of another project for it. Anyway I have to go to town for a couple of days so wont get to finish it until later in the week.

Sewing Helper

This is Kanga Pussamacattus.
Her full and correct title is:
'Gardening and Sewing Identity Extraordinaire'!
(or 'GASIE' for short)
Here is my Kanga helping with my bag project. I have already made 2 of these. One for my DIL and one for my older daughter. My younger daughter will be the recipient of this one. If Kanga ever lets me finish it.
You can see she is chatting to me about it. She is a very vocal puss and chats to me all the time.
I'm sure she thinks that I understand.

Name my sweet little bear.

This is my favourite of all my bears, of which I have many! This little fellow was made by my friend Jacquie.
I fell in love with him the moment I saw him and just had to have him. That was years ago and he is still my fav.
He is made from creamy white mohair with green tips.
He fits in the palm of my hand and is just so delightful.
He has skinny little bent arms like a baby and leather paw and foot pads with stitched 'fingers' and 'toes'. His little face is so cute and adorable.
I sound like a doting grandmother!
He has never had a name so anyone who would like to suggest a name is welcome. I will let you know the winning suggestion.
Thanks Melody for letting me share him with you and your fellow bloggers
Please take a look at some other bears on Melody's blog.

New Project

Here is my next project. I have admired this pattern for ages and finally got the opportunity to buy it yesterday. Now all I have to do is choose the fabrics for the scalloped border. The green one will match my house the best but gosh I just love the roses. What do you think?