A sweet little stool...

I've had this sweet little stool stored in the shed for awhile now, just calling out for a little makeover.

Such a fun project.  Quick and easy.  Just a quick wash and sand and a few coats of paint!!

I've been able to put it to very good use as a little side table on my front veranda.  Perfect!

Another little completed project for Lorea House.  It's always lovely to create another little area to enjoy.

Trestle Table Love....

I have had the most beautiful couple of weeks. Not all wonderful. But lots of beautiful moments to make up for some really awful ones. 

I've had an idea in my mind for a little while now. 

I didn't end up with an outdoor table when I moved to my new life. I managed to save my lovely chairs that I painted quite awhile ago now.  

Bringing an idea to life is such an exciting thing to do.  

Planning, shopping, working it all out.

A trip to the Toowoomba recycling centre is always a fun thing to do.  

So many beautiful old doors to choose from. I found this one. Perfect for what I had in mind.  Strong, heavy, chippy and oh so wonderful.

A lovely friend made the trip to Bunnings with me. We had found a great set of instructions on the net and had our list ready.  How good is a trip to Bunnings!   One of my favourite places to go. Dangerous even!!

Home with our bits and pieces the fun began.  

My friend owns all the gear necessary. What a beautiful afternoon of building fun we had. 

Perfectly worn and chipped from years in another life. 

Right at home under the tree at Lorea House. 

Such perfect little details a reminder of its previous life. 

Ready for a perfectly beautiful summer of memories. 

Hobart....

Just spent a lovely week in Tasmania with my beautiful girl.  This week was our special celebration for finishing school.

We did a wonderful day trip to Bruny Island and sampled some beautiful food the island has to offer. The Day Tour group we used was great with a really good guide, Tim, who provided us with a lovely day out.

We enjoyed a really lovely day driving up through the middle of Tasmania and down along the east coast. So nice to wander in towns without any time constraints. Beautiful little antique shops and lots of bits and pieces to see, ducks to feed and coffee to drink.  

The boats on the harbour are just beautiful. There were two different cruise ships in during our time there as well.  Fish and chips by the sea. Lovely. 

A day at the Salamanca Markets was most enjoyable. We also found a really lovely farmers market as well. Truly delightful. 

The historic buildings and bridges in Tasmania are just wonderful. I love wandering the streets just looking at the buildings. We stayed in a delightful cottage built in 1890. A lovely little kitchen and lounge, a claw foot bath and a steep staircase to the delightful bedrooms in the attic. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Hobart are just beautiful. Filled with beautiful plants. I particularly enjoyed the roses and the beautiful border plantings. The vegetable patch was gorgeous. 

I think one of the loveliest places we visited though was Providore in Hobart. What an amazing store concept. Beautiful coffee, food and gifts all in an amazing setting.  

Absolutely love Tasmania and hope to visit again soon. 

A Little Baking....

 

 

Time worn utensils.

 

 

 

Favourite recipes...

 

 

 

 

and new recipes.....

 

A lovely day indeed.

A corner of my home....

 

 

Just a little corner of my home today......

 

 

 

 

The roses have been pruned and this is what was left....

 

 



Another garden job finished and now to wait for the Spring to come.  I love being able to bring blooms inside and enjoy them in my home.  How much fun to play with displays too especially with a new to me vase!!!

Inheritence....

Today I am trying to get this lot sorted and somehow incorporated into my home...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overwhelmed much...

For the love of Vintage.....

 

I've been on the hunt again.  A little spare time on my way home and I find myself finding my favourite vintage treasure shops.

 

I have had to put my love of old and interesting bits and bobs on hold while our budget was so tight.  Thankfully, we are blessed with a little more in our budget through our newest work venture.

 

 

 

This little grouping is particularly lovely.  Two beautiful handworked pillow cases and a wonderful small table cloth.

 

I love to wonder at those whose hands have worked these beautiful items.  How does anyone part with them.

 

 

 Stunning hand crochet edging and tiny, weeny stitches.  So much love and thought. 

 

 

 

My fascination with hand towels continues - I must count them one day - or maybe not!!

 

I was on a mission for more - the ones above have been saved, too precious to cut up - only the raggy ones get cut and made into something else.

 

Old linens are a little hard to find where I live and so I continue to look and hope.

 

I did find some lovely ones in a condition not really worth saving and have had a lovely time creating once more. 

 

It was wonderful to be in my sewing room and just creating.  Yes, some late nights but oh so worth it.  You see, I am taking part in a market in a couple of weeks.  We are doing a joint stall with our bakery.  Beautiful Christmas food - cakes and puddings, white Christmas, rum balls, apricot balls and of course we will do some macarons. 

 

 

 

Three years between markets for Eleanor and Ruby.  I am quite looking forward to it.  However, the unknown side is a little daunting - maybe it will all come home with me!!

 

 

 

 Bracelets made with buttons made with vintage stitching.

 

 

Vintage stitched magnets.

 

 

 

Pushpins (thumbtacks) for the notice board.

 

 

 

Now to just get the next idea on the go - all in amongst the Christmas cake making!

Corner of my Home..........

A quiet corner at the entrance to our home.

Beautiful Sweet Peas from the garden...........

The Treasure Hunt...

Last Saturday morning, I ventured out into a freezing cold morning to a wonderful garage sale.

It was held at one of the beautiful old churches in the centre of Toowoomba.  

I was quite hopeful, as the last time they held a garage/hall sale I found some wonderful treasure.

And treasure there sure was........

The beautiful old stool was a wonderful $15.00 find.......

A really lovely Pyrex jelly mould ........... $1

A lovely English cake plate.......... $2

and a sweet little sandwich tray............   $1

At this stage the stool will receive the paint treatment and join the new chairs in the outdoor area.

It was certainly worth venturing out into a very cold and frosty morning.

The Potager Sink

The ongoing fascination with the 'Potager' continues for me.  I love my vegetable garden and the joy it brings to me.  Especially when I am picking produce and providing for my family.

For what seems like an eternity I have had an idea.  I found the most wonderful vintage cast iron hand basin in a wonderful pink.  I knew the instant I saw it, what it was going to be for. 

I love the idea of a potting table come wash up area within the vegetable garden - or as you are well aware by now - what I will refer to as my Potager - whether it is a true Potager or not, in my imagination it will be!

So, the hunt for the perfect table became a focus.  I have hunted high and low, to no avail.

I started to think I would never find my perfect table.  Too small, too big, too good, too expensive, wrong shape!  Everything but the one I needed.

A few weeks ago I went to a wonderful Op shop, one which I keep forgetting about.  

Down a little back street hidden away.

I had hunted around, when up in the back corner it caught my eye.  'As Is' $35..........

Perfect in every way, the right size and wonderful.  I will admit though, that I am still feeling most guilty for painting the beautiful timber and sending this lovely to live outside.

But it is going to be wonderful and beautiful and so worth the wait!

This lovely little table has now had two coats of lovely Antique White and looking most positively stunning!  But then again I am totally biased.

The final unveiling soon I hope.