Floral Friday #2

I don't usually pick flowers from my garden.
I like to walk around and look at them on their bushes.
I like to see the sun lighting them up or the rain sitting on them like little jewels.
I love to see the bees and butterflies making visits to them as they go about their business and I chat to the useful little spiders which have curled themselves up tightly in spent petals, telling them to keep up the good work.
I know the flowers will last so much longer if I resist the temptation to pluck them for my own selfish pleasure of being able to bring them inside.
But look - see here - evidence of plucked flowers and lots of them.
This time I had to do it. I had to see what this wide and varied collection of flowers would look like if I were to put them all into the one vase.
There are Roses, yellow, white, pink:
Dahlias, yellow and orange:
Penstemon, red and
Snapdragons, pink, red and orange.
I have decided that they look absolutely gorgeous and smell divine and there are still plenty left in the garden for me to admire next week.
But for now, they are here next to me where I can see, smell and touch them, even when it's dark and rainy outside. I am thankful and filled with pride that I grew these most precious and beautiful works of Mother Nature.
Do you have any unusual floral combinations you would like to share?

Unfinished No.2 Daughter's tote:

Ahem, well on the subject of No.2 Daughter's tote - it will be finished and photographed for your viewing pleasure next week. Said daughter is coming to stay and no doubt will demand the completion of her tote.
I made a rod for my own back by putting such stiff interfacing in the sides; I had to just about dislocate my shoulder and elbow to put the first binding on and piked at putting on the second. Anyway the Sewing Godmother didn't call to finish it while I slept (as requested) so I guess I have to suck it up and just do it.

Love
Bron xx

Sunday Morning on the farm.

No I don't have a farm really but I'm feeling extremely rural and productive today.
This is my first attempt at bottling. I fear the pears may have been a tad ripe and I'm still to discover if the bottles sealed properly.
This grain bread is the funniest little loaf I have ever made. It's 'Dwarf' bread. The eighth dwarf maybe - 'Bumpy' or 'Lumpy' or 'Warty' - Hopefully it tastes just as good as it smells and who cares what it looks like!

Quick project for Friday night sew-in.

Thanks Heidi and Bobbi for this great idea. Here are some pics of the little sewing machine mat that I made tonight.
It is a freebie McCalls PDF pattern from their website - under Free Project (top right).
This mat stops your table top from marking, makes sliding the machine around, back and forth easier and has handy little pockets in the front for scissors, pin cushion, rulers etc.
It was so quick and easy. I didn't use the pattern instructions in the end; I just made it to the correct dimensions for my machine.

ps: Thanks Melody for this panel. I have finally used it! There are four of these vintage machine prints on the panel so can make three more for gifts.

Floral Fridays Feature

Welcome everyone to my new Floral Fridays Feature.
The only common ingredient for your posts is that it pertains to flowers or trees. Whether that be pictures of your garden, fabric, stories, poems, or anything else you would like to share.
I will try to show you a picture or two each week of flowers which are currently making an appearance in my garden.
This is my lovely white Hebe. I named the bush Miss Hebe as she was far too beautiful not to have her own identity. These gorgeous long spikes are covered with a hundred or so tiny, perfectly formed little flowers which the bees just love, as you can see.

This is my Dwarf Pomegranate. This dear little bush was transplanted when we moved. It went from the garden to a pot for 12 months and then into the new garden. It struggled with the very wet winter and looked like it was a 'goner' but as you can see it has rallied beautifully.

Lastly, this is a stunning purple pelargonium. When we first moved to Korumburra I was thrilled to see that the garden next door had lots of gorgeous pelargoniums. Clearly they grow well here which was very good news as I just love them.

I'm really looking forward to seeing your posts - so get those cameras out and get clicking!

Teddy Bear's Picnic

This adorable Golly and Teddy were made by a lovely lady who's name I have completely forgotten. It will probably come to me, or maybe Melody may recognize them.
The dear little teddy is completely jointed and has his own dolly too. Just so cute. I love all three.
Thanks Melody for letting me share them with your bloggers.
Take a look at The House on the Side of the Hill for more picnicking teddies.

Tuesday Treasures

What a gorgeous Tuesday we are having. Warm sunshine, cooling breeze. Summer in Korumburra is never boring that's for sure.
Thanks Melody for the opportunity of sharing my Tuesday Treasure with your bloggers.
The theme for today is 'What do you treasure in your surroundings'.
Mine was very easy to choose.
Here is a picture to share with you of the view from my dining room window of a magnificent rainbow. We have a lot of rain here and also a lot of rainbows but none as spectacular as this one which I was lucky enough to catch on camera.
I just wished that I could have caught the whole thing. The whole rainbow arched from one side of the hill and across the gully to this large gum. My lens just wasn't wide enough.
I have not enhanced this picture in any way. It was just good luck. Kinda like the pot of gold I was very tempted to look for at the bottom of this tree.