Trip, TuTu and Roses.

Today l have the second cabinet l painted to show you but not TOO many photo's l PROMISE:-)
Our son finished his recruit course a couple of weeks ago as part of his air force training so hubby and l took a road trip interstate to see him graduate which was a bit of a proud moment for him and us ...though l have to say it was a little weird seeing him in a crisp blue uniform, marching in the parade....it's certainly a BIG transition from his last job working in the environmental field, where he freely admits to being pretty much a hippie:-)
What surprised us most on our road trip was how MUCH MORE populated the country's become since we travelled those roads many years ago. Melbourne has expanded so drastically it seems that what were once the outer suburbs are now almost inner city....and so many housing estates along the freeway now with seemingly no facilities bar for a link to the freeway (and l'm guessing a train station). The larger regional centres are now also huge with fantastic roads and infrastructure, but interestingly many of what were once small  highway towns now seem pretty much dead or nonexistent.


l was a doing a little gardening at Mum's the other day and hidden away behind the apple tree was a couple of blooms on my favourite rose (at her place).... Just recently l planted a cutting in my  garden that Mum struck about 18 months ago...so far...so good:-) but this is my third attempt at trying to grow this rose so l won't start the happy dancing just yet:-)


You might remember the lamp shade l re-covered a month or two ago....well l decided to add a few birds to it. To attach them l used very fine like fishing line which can't be seen, so they look as though they're hovering there.....well that's the idea anyway:-)

l also made a little paper and fabric ballet skirt, wings and slipper set to place under a dome in the new look cabinet. l was inspired by Victoria and Caroline who specialise in making amazing and beautifully detailed miniature cottages/ houses/ trailers and all the accessories that they furnish them with. l twisted some wire into little coat hangers and a stand to hang them on.l enjoyed making them but it was all pretty fiddly and l totally admit they stretched the parameters of my patience.. haha!! When l loaded these photos l realised the tutu looked a bit boring so l've since added a couple of sequins to the skirt,  l did take a couple of pics but they both turned out blurry....sozlol:-)

The cabinet is no longer mustard/orange see here....but an aged grey green, l painted it first entirely in grey and then aged the outside with ink. The idea for this came from Caroline (link above) who uses  inks to age the timber finishes on her miniatures and it works fantastically well.....Thanks Caroline:-) l was hoping it'd work just as well on full sized furniture. l had to add a little yellow food colouring to my blue and black ink mix to create this stormy grey. The photo doesn't show the detail that well as it was such a dull day and l've had to really lighten the picture which drained out all the colour.

I've tried for a frenchy, millinery/sewing cabinet kinda vibe.

l found an old German dictionary at Mums with beautiful text and decided to use it to make some button cards...l simply glued the pages onto some cardboard and then when it dried l cut out a crucifix shape and sewed old buttons onto it.

You might be able to just make out the tutu set under the dome, this photo was taken the day before, as there's no sequins on the tutu.

l also made some cards to wind the various laces around. The graphics design came from here and l printed it onto blue paper. Once again the paper was glued onto cardboard and when dry little niches were cut into the sides which hold the lace. It's comforting to have Mums old Molly Bushell pin tin in there as well.

More gorgeous inspiration from nostalgiaatthestonehouse.

Thanks so much for stopping by and l hope you've enjoyed the post. Thanks too for your lovely comments....l hope you all have a beautiful Mother's Day next Sunday and are able to spend it doing what you love, with those you love most....Hugs Bron.

Til next time.