Visit to the Botanical Gardens

My friend Leonie and I went to the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens for a wander the other day (and maybe to have a Devonshire Tea). A beautiful spot for lots of inspiration. Peter Cundall's vegie patch made us both a bit jealous but also gave us lots of ideas.
I took names of my favourite plants so when I dig up another patch of lawn out the back I will know what I'd like to plant.

The beautiful lily pond - very Monet...
Bright and bold sunflowers (with a bumble bee for added effect)...
Colourful echinacea flowers...

What a stunning perennial border, lots of textures and height variation...and look at that outlook...

More vibrant echinaceas...

The beautiful 'Crepuscule' rose...

Magnificent Globe Artichoke that was more blue in colour than this shows...

Stunning lilies in the conservatory...

Wouldn't you love this all for your own garden? (along with a bunch of staff to mow and weed for you!)

PS visited the Sorell Market yesterday - no major vintage finds but did get some timber corbels for my studio shelving for $5 and a lovely Tasmanian Manfern for my future fern patch out the side.

Vintage finds

I love antiques and vintage bits and pieces (yes, I am a bit of a hoarder). Owning a house that is now 100 years old this year has given me a good excuse to search out all sorts of bits and pieces (at least that's what I tell myself).
I've found a few good things lately...
The old French street sign came from Etsy (great site), as did the old letterpress letters. The cake plate came from the local tip shop at a bargain $3.50. I later discovered that Lyndon's mum has the exact same one - it was her mothers.
The old marine flag was Lyn's dad's and we use it on Lyn's timber powerboat.

The old chemist's bottle below came from Willow Court antiques in New Norfolk at only $4. It has a nice opalescent shimmer in the right light. The Fenton-esque glass goblet was from Salamanca Market, $12 I think and the blue depression glass jug came from ebay.

At the tip shop last week I bought this old pressed glass plate (below) for $2 and the old cushion pattern for $2.20. I couldn't believe it is intact and unused. I plan on making one of the round cushions.

I love searching for bargains, how about you?

I really like corn, but...

I don't think I would dig up my entire front lawn for a crop of corn!
This house is around the corner from us and I have been amazed at all the corn growing over the past few weeks. I have a theory that it will be used to make some form of moonshine - I'd love to knock on the door and ask them why they've planted it.
It's very quirky so I quite like it!

Raspberry jam

I made jam for the first time the other day. I managed to get it splattered up the wall, on the floor and all over me (have been soaking clothes all week).
It set really well (maybe a little too well) but tastes and smells great. I have had it on toast evey morning since. Must make some scones...

Studio update 2

The studio is coming along slowly. On the weekend we ripped up the carpet and worked on the shelving, attatching the shelves to each other and the wall for safety. The edging I bought was not right so this weekend we'll go and pick out some more.

We initially thought the floor had fallen away over near the window but it turns out that the floor there was the original verandah - the room has been extended. The floor in this area is rustic to say the least so we will have to get the floor guy back to smooth it over a bit for us. There are one or two patches that may have to be replaced.

Then we need to get in the plasterers to even up the ceiling which is currently very uneven and crooked. Then we will need new cornice, replace the skirting, install new lighting and power points, sand windows and paint throughout.

Phew!!!

I am still thinking of the pale blue and think I might try this blue at 75% to see what it is like.

We're aming to have this done by the end of February but it may end up being March. We'll get there in the end!

Cooling down

It has been so hot here for the last couple of days. Mid 30's.
I decided to cool off with a yummy raspberry smoothie made with fresh fruit, ice, milk and Valhalla Blackberry Cheesecake ice cream. It was so thick. Look at that colour! Yum!

100th post! Garden grows

It's my 100th post!
I haven't updated the garden lately and it wasn't until I looked through the pics that I realised how much the garden has grown in just two months.

Above was taken at the beginning of November. Below was taken today. The daisy cuttings have gone mad and the blue and white lobelia is looking very sweet.

Below is the non-existent bed under the front window when we first moved in, just a pile of old lawn clippings.

Below is today's version with blooming dahlias, delphiniums, pansies, roses and lobelia. Gladies are soon to come out. They're looking a bit dry as it has been sooo hot today.

This is my rose bed out the back when I first moved in. Those weeds are very persistent - I am still picking them out!

This was taken yesterday evening at the end of a beautiful day. The larkspur are thriving .

The dahlias are gorgeous and seem to fit in well with the style of the house. They are an old fashioned favourite that I think might be making a come-back.

We had quite an industrious weekend so it's almost time for a studio reno update soon (don't expect too much!).

Cheerio, Sarah

Pastel petals

The stunning work of French artist, Lynde Dourthe. Gorgeous paper flowers.
His work can be found here.

Marvellous Marimekko

As you all know, I am a bit of a fan of Marimekko designs. I was lucky enough at Christmas to receive a lovely piece of fabric from my sister Rachael. She was thinking it would look nice in my studio (if it ever gets finished!). The colour will be great in there.

It is from the Keisarinna collection from Kiitos Marimekko in New York. They provide good online shopping.

Very nice!!

A 'wee' vintage purchase

Last week Mum and I went to the Hobart Antique Fair. A lot of local stalls but quite a few from the mainland too. We both saw lots we liked but little we could afford, a common problem of mine.
I did find an old chamber pot for $48 which I thought was quite good. Quite decorative for a potty. It did have gold edges that have been worn of over the years (or through use???). It doesn't bear thinking about!

I also picked up these three old postcards. The top left one is celluloid. I'm not sure what I'll do with them, but just thought they were pretty.