Flea Finds and Florals.

Well anyone'd think it's Spring round here with the amount of florals l've got going on in this post, but we seem to be enjoying an "Indian Summer" so (in the garden) l'm still enjoying roses, japanese windflowers.... both white and double pink, as well as velvety salvias and the ever reliable geraniums.

The statice flowers were bought at the market last week, the colours were my inspiration for this post.

These flowers are called everlastings 'cos the petals are crisp and papery. If you hang them upside down and dry them out.....they'll keep their colours and last for years.

 The fabric you see is an old brunch coat (summer dressing gown) prob'ly 60's, (does anyone else remember them). Practical l guess... but NOT flattering....though the colours in this one are pretty.

A couple of lucky?? buddha's...they looked so happy, chubby and relaxed l couldn't leave them behind at the oppy, and Avon cameo stick pin.

We all love to get to the market don't we....and l go whenever l can. Last weekend the weather was great so there were lots of stalls to nosey through. Found this awesome British flag t-shirt for a $1.00 and the stripey trims....to add to my other bunch of trims that never get used.....but hey.. they're there...(grin). 

One of my paintings is in the  background. lt was painted during my dot/stroke phase..... and really...l've had more painting phases than the moon.

Also found was this pair of bud vases....$1.00 each. Even though l'll sell them on at my next market stall, l wanted to live with those pretty bluebirds at least for a little while. Here they are with a deer bud vase l already had. 

l've been after a Royal (commemorative) cup for ages, but haven't been able to find one..... but almost as good was this Buckingham Palace souvenir glass l found at the market...Still in its original box, wrapped in crown tissue paper....cost $3.00, not at all old but still nice. 

How sweet are those birds... and not a broken wing in sight.

and last but not least l found this pretty old diamente hair comb...a bit bent up, but only a $1.00.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend coming up....thanks for popping over for a peek.

Til next time,

Bron.

She Sells Sea Shells.

By The Sea Shore.

Last weekend the weather was sunny, calm and warm so we took a (rare-ish) trip to the beach, (2 hours drive away). Walking along the beach l was really surprised at how FEW shells were washed up as the tide came in, then receded....not sure why.. it's quite touristy so maybe a lot of them have been picked up....and l wondered if all beaches are similar....l can remember holidaying around that same area when l was young and the beaches were smothered in shells then....Anyway thinking about shells and finding a few strands of them through the week inspired this post today.

These maireener shells were picked up in an opshop many years ago. This type of shell was found and gathered (seasonally) amongst the seaweed by Australia's (Tasmania's) aboriginal women along the shores of Bass Straits' islands ....once harvested the women then smoked them over a fire...then rubbed the outer coating off (with grasses) to reveal these beautiful irridescent colours. They were strung onto animal sinews or plant fibres and made into necklaces that were used as either charms, adornments or for trade. l've seen them in different colours... shades of pinks, yellows and greens. 

An interesting read here  (click on necklaces). 

l've collected quite a few shells and shell necklaces..... mostly for mosaic work.

These interesting strands are the ones l found last week...the far left strand looks like it's strung with little separate vertebrae. Also a strand of "rice" (methinks) shells which were also prized by the aboriginals...they were apparently very difficult to thread as they're so tiny and fragile.

Right....vintage glass (fake) pearls.

Back in the 60's and 70's a much more environmentally friendly way of wearing seashells was produced.....plastic coral and seashell necklaces.

A few pieces of Mother of Pearl with apothocary and sea coloured glass bottles.

Shell brooches and pendants. 

Beautiful shell inspired bathroom space.- via pinterest. 





Gorgeous views....no work would get done though... l'd just wanna sit all day......coastalliving. via pinterest.

Hope you've all had a fantastic weekend..thanks for popping on over.

Til next time.

Bron.

Catch a Dream.

Well l've been dragging those doilies out of the cupboard and finding another use for them again..... this time as the centre of a dreamcatcher. Saves a lot of time making the "webbing" out of yarn. l'd like to have used one that was a bit more "web" like...but the ones l had were all too big....but it's just the idea, hey..  

Dreamcatchers were made originally by the Sioux Indians (and later others) as a charm for their children, they were hung at the head of the bed, with the idea being that the bad dreams would be caught in the web, where they stayed until the first light of day (then disappeared) and the good dreams would slide down the feathers to the sleeping child. Nice idea isn' it..... Read more. Wiki .

Put a few things together and took some pics to share.

The rows of diamentes were originally straps on a dress that l found on the dollar rack, the dress was a MESS but the straps were awesome.

 

New books are an occasional splurge which l love even MORE than new shoes......this one is called Creative Display by Geraldine James, it has lots of gorgeous pics and ideas to make the most of displaying  your treasures.

l love scented candles but NEVER burn them....just feels wrong....only a little weird:-))

 

The book page above shows the workspace of French artist laurence-amelie. Her and her familys' house also features in the book.

Behind the scenes....haha!!

My dad made this bench seat for my mum when they were first married (50 odd years ago).....and she recently gave it to me....this is it's original paint, a now very pale tattered pink.

Pink doilies from my (growing) collection....with British brooch pin on (Italian) Florentine tray with cut glass cookie jar.

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week....thanks heaps for taking the time to stop by.

Til next time,

Bron.

Just hoppin' by...

 Happy Easter Everyone!!

Don't you just love Autumn.....it's my favourite Season ...especially the colour changes of tree foliage and the warm, still days that always seem a little dreamy to me. l also love taking a walk down the creek near mum's place where the huge oak trees shed layers and layers of leaves that you can kick and rustle through almost up to your knees....and l feel just like a little kid again...even if just for a few minutes.



..... and l've been inspired by these autumn days for my Easter pics.... A "woven" nest of Virginia creeper vine and apothocary jars filled with water... which was coloured with a drop of food colouring.



The little rabbit was bought at the flower show....so cute and the fact that he was so light and small went in his favour since l had to carry him around all day..... Though l noticed lots of people carrying loads of plants at the station on the way home.

This is a group of photos taken of the apothocary garden at the Melbourne flower show. The skeleton especially was a big talking point amongst the crowds checking it out. 

 

Test tube tulip display.

This was my absolute favourite display....so pretty.

Such a lot of work would have went into these display models...the model on the left's outfit was made entirely of seeds.

Here are my two favourite pinterest easter pics. Above livejournal.com

Quirky....piccsy.com ..........Easter Island :-)) heads.

While l was trawling l found out a few interesting bits about Easter which l thought l'd share.

Nearly 90 million chocolate bunnies are made every year.

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon that happens after March the 21st - Spring Equinox.

The first chocolate eggs were made in Germany in the 19th century.

Every day 5 million marshmallow bunnies and chicks are produced especially for easter.

Pysanka is the specific word used for the art of egg painting.

76% of people prefer to eat bunnies ears first and only 5% start at the feet.

Anyway have a wonderful easter break.......thanks so much for dropping by.

Til next time,

Bron.