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.

One of my paintings is in the  background. lt was painted during my dot painting phase:-)

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. 

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.

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.

Button Upholstered Bedhead

It's great to have a project finished that really began before Christmas..... l bought the bedhead below as my Christmas present on ebay. It was only a few hundred dollars, even with delivery..... l considered it a bargain.. but hubby..mmm not so much.
It looks a bit Italianate doesn't it......and in desperate need of a makeover, it took ages for me to even begin....l so didn't want to tackle that button upholstery having never attempted any before, l even tried to paint the velvet to avoid pulling it all apart, but that was a total disaster, so it just had to be done. THEN it somehow had to be attached to the bed....l didn't want a bed end so there was nothing to hold it in place. (that bit was hubby's department).

l watched a tutorial on utube which sorta helped but at the end of the day l just fiddled with the fabric till it worked. Recovered all the buttons and glued them on over the button base.

 

Here it is finished with it's new upholstery and a couple of coats of whiteish paint. So far the buttons haven't popped off...which l thought they might.
l bought a new doona cover for a whole new look. It has ruffles all over the place...nice:-))



The lovely frenchy cushion at the back was also a Christmas present (thanks Sis). It finally has a place.

 

l took the pics of my market finds in the bedroom.  Japanese Lady head vase from the 50's which was a bit exy at $20, she also has a couple of chips but since you don't see these around much any more she came home with me. Also a little cup that reads " love the giver"... the guy that sold it to me was a giver...cost just a $1.00. The  satin covered ballet slippers were worn by my daughter when she was a flower girl. l've never been able to get rid of them....way too cute.

 

Lastly l found these awesome boots...never worn as far as l can tell and only $2.00. l'll sure be glad of them come Winter.

Old carved picture frame and priests rosary beads.

Well as if l hadn't messed around enough with the bed......I saw this photo in the new Country Style magazine   l LOVED this floral valance. l've never seen one in the shops but thought it couldn't be too hard to make one.

Really just made a large frill which l did in three sections and sewed them all together when gathered, as l figured otherwise the gathering thread might break if too much length and weight strained it. l also used the fabric inside out as the "right" side was too bold.... a subtle effect was more what l was after.

After edging the frill with lace l sewed the entire length onto the existing valance. You might notice l've made it a little shorter than the original so that it shows through to give a double ruffle effect.

 

The shelf above the bed also got a new display...and the roses were added for colour.

Hopefully you'll enjoy my pinterest pics this week. Lovely old table...2.bp.blogspot.com

elegantlyuntamed. Gorgeous!!

laughingwithangels. Mirrored doors make this room extra special.

 

Lovely everything....lovefrenchbulldogs.

 

l hope you all enjoy the coming weekend....for most of us Daylight Saving ends and we gain an extra hour....( and just a reminder not to let anyone fool you on Sunday haha!!)...we hope to make good use of the extra hour travelling to Geelong for the market which is usually pumping and with any luck this week will be no exception:-))

Til next time,

Bron.

A fresh new look

For many people white/nuetral walls are the norm and they wouldn't consider having anything else, but l only recently realised that l've NEVER had white walls, they've been every colour of the rainbow and then some, but not white..... So when deciding on a change, it seemed a little OUT there for me......l'd been tossing the idea around in my head for a while and when l came across Lyn Gardeners' house in a mag ( here ) l was thinkin'... YEHH that could work for me, and with Winter almost upon us, l really liked the idea of a lighter, brighter space.

 

So this is what it looks like now. You can see how it used to look here (though the colour's not quite right- it was more yellow). The new paint colour is Dulux Hog Bristle- quarter strength. (It's a warm white).
There's nearly always a bit/lot of junk laying around, you know what l mean books, papers and  projects of some sort, but mum and sis were coming for a cuppa so l tidied up and thought it was also a good time to take some pics......

The timber table top, wooden architraves, skirting boards and timber kitchen add a bit of warmth and depth to the space. l haven't shown kitchen pics cos' it's so outdated looking.... but not yet old enough to be considered vintage ;-)) The bench tops were changed a couple of years ago and match better with the white walls.

l also painted the dresser that l was NEVER gonna paint.... but what's the sense of it sitting in the spare room cos it's the wrong colour for the dining room. (You can see how it used to look here).
The backboards of the dresser were painted in a warm greenish grey to bring out the colour of the dinnerset.

 

All the bits and bobs were rearranged......the morning sun through the dining room window gave a nice play of light.

 

So then l was all inspired to put a few things together and take some pics to share. Vintage millinary flowers and carnival glass beads.

Sis bought a gorgeous bunch of Lisianthus (Eutoma)...pink of course. 

Some rose stems were cut to length and popped into the cups - prrrdy.

And now for our pinterest pretties.

This pic and the two below are from Tricia Guild.   

I hope you all have a fun weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

Til next time,

Bron.