Happy Mama's Day

Whether you're a mother or a daughter...or both......here's wishing YOU ALL a fantastic mothers' day, and l hope you get to spend the entire day doing whatever YOU WANT!!

It's a double celebration for me as l'm also having a birthday....l'm turning a whopping 52 this year and believe it or not, l'm just ecstatic to be here....in my line of work ( healthcare) you get to see over and over, just how precious and fragile life is.... over the weekend l intend to go out with family and kick my heels up a little....albeit FLAT ones. haha!!!

The calistemon shown above is one l painted earlier this year and is pretty typical of the style and type of painting l most often do, but l'm up for trying new ideas and lately l've been inspired by the relaxed, romantic style of laurence-amelie.

This is one of Laurence's beautiful tutu paintings from Rachel Ashwell's website.....she is well known for her flower and tutu paintings and one of them featured on the front cover of R A's most recent book.

So the above pic is what came out my experiment into the abstract......not that l'd want to reproduce laurence's work (as IF l could) but l love the idea of painting with (seemingly) reckless abandon... using colour and movement as the focus instead of trying to make everything look real.
lt was heaps of fun and was finished in an afternoon but geez l made a MESS..... splattering paint around with spoons and toothbrushes... you can just imagine........

Here's my tiny horseshoe which l was admiring on the stall next to me at my last market ....when l asked how much it was the stallowners just looked at me like l was NUTZ.....apparently they're always out gold detecting and dig them up all the time..... so to them, they're useless junk and they kindly gave it to me.....recently it got a  splash of mauve paint. 

l know l'm always showing these linens and laces..... but what can l say....they're so pretty..

Found this week....a funky (prob'ly only to me) vintage plastic necklace....l think it's made from a type of thermoplastic. Also the allover floral vase which may be Italian.

and this pretty butterfly brooch....don't know if it's old or modern...l'd love to know what the wings are made of....any ideas??

This beaded flapper necklace is probly from the 20's l've had it for years and wear it often, though l'm always a bit worried it'll break and spill beads everywhere at the most awkward of times....

This is the very awesome studio of Gina Galvin featured in the magazine wherewomencreate  the pic's from beekeeperscottage via pinterest.

Stunning garden room  suzannespage. also via pinterest.

For those of you who've stopped by....thank you so much....enjoy the rest of your week and weekend.

Til next time,

Bron.

Channelling Marie Antionette.

It's been a couple of weeks in the making.... but my Marie Antoinette (inspired) cushion is finished.



 When l bought the job lot of silk panels at the market (pic below) l thought one of them would make a great period centrepiece for the cushion, but at the end of day the ones l liked were too small and/or dark.





So l've had a go at painting a panel myself....l'm sure she looks nothing like the REAL Marie but it's just the idea isn't it. Special paints weren't needed, l watered down the acrylics l already have and painted onto a piece of raw silk, but l'm sure you could use pretty much any fabric. 

Top left. The cushion is made from velvet and joined at the centre with satin ribbon, velvet ribbon was sewn over the ribbon for a pop of colour.(geez does that make ANY sense)

Top Right.  Silk panels in frames.

Bottom left. l carefully cut out the centre of the doyley to allow for the painting to be "framed."

Bottom right. The diamente dress straps l featured here were cut to size and threaded through the lace.



Velvet fabrics were torn into strips and formed to make a rosette. The soft edges l hope give it a more relaxed feel, it was also stuffed with feathers for the same reason. Never mind that the place looked like a Steggles slaughter house and that we were picking feathers off our clothes for a week....haha!! Now l know why they invented polyester.....



 l found a few glam-ish pics from my files that fit the theme.

Vintage costume jewellery.

Roses and feathers and tulle.

Kirsten Dunst as Marie Antoinette.. love this movie... .celebritywonder via pinterest.

and what's a glam post without shoes ....lacarmina.com via pinterest.

Awesome dress and in the background are beautifully embroidered cushions.

 vestidosfiesta via pinterest.



Hope you've enjoyed this post as much as l have putting it together.

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Til next time,

Bron.

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.