Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Sapphire Blue

The sky is grey outside today so here is some sapphire blue to brighten up your day.




These old bottles were dug up during the construction of the Perth Convention Centre 

Now is the time to fill your garden pots with lobelia  which has these beautiful blue flowers

Monday, May 30, 2011

Rainy Day Pursuits

Now that the weather is (finally) getting more wintry and the rain is keeping me indoors I have been spending  time trying out some new ideas.  Lots of folding and fiddling with glue so my patience is truly being tested!



Friday, May 27, 2011

Vintage Graphics


I love the graphics on old tins.

As my mother would say, things were made to last in those days.






The small tins (like the cocoa tin), were used by travelling salesmen as samples and are quite difficult to find as they were limited in number.

My favourite one is the Bluebird Toffee tin because the graphics are on the inside of the lid so they haven't faded or been damaged like most other tins from that era.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Things on Hooks

Hanging things on big hooks is a great way to reduce clutter and create an interesting focal point at the same time.  Especially in the kitchen.

Even more effective de-cluttering can be achieved by hanging up something which has a hook at the bottom (like old brass weighing scales used for weighing fish)  and then hanging more things on the bottom hook!




I even tuck herbs that I want to dry in amongst the hanging objects!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Things to do with an old Atlas

If you were wondering what to do with your old atlas here are some ideas.

I always knew I would find a use for this 1935 edition of Atlas of China when I rescued it from a second hand shop.


I know it's a bit early to be thinking of Christmas, but these would make good decorations.

Mystery Object

This is a treasure from Camberwell Markets in Melbourne.

When I first saw it I thought it was something else so I thought it might be fun to show it to you as a mystery object (like the regular slot on the ABC's Collectors programme).


Do you know what this is?

(It measures 10cms end to end)

Monday, May 23, 2011

Maritime Paraphenalia

Maybe it was because I grew up next to an ocean, maybe it is because my father used to fish or maybe it is just because I like the shape and feel of old weathered fishing things, but whatever the reason, I have quite a few...



Is it a Book? No, it's a Frame.....

Actually they are old books which I have turned into frames by cutting out a section of the cover.

You can stand them up by opening the book slightly or you could hang them flat against a wall.

They can be used for pictures, photos or anything at all that fits behind the space really.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Ripples and Shadows

Who wouldn't want to live in Perth when you can go for a walk on the beach on Winter days and see ripples and shadows like these:




P.S.  It's tricky taking photos attached to a dog on a lead!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Luggage Tags

Before some clever person thought of making luggage tags travellers would simply paint their name (and in some cases their destination) on their luggage, be it a wooden chest or a leather suitcase.

We have collected a few such chests and suitcases over the years and I always wonder who the owners were, where they came from and where they ended up.



Monday, May 16, 2011

Is it a Spaceship?

No, it's the new Perth Arena beginning to take shape - although quite what shape I'm not so sure!




The amount of steel being used in its construction is positively bewildering.

What's in my Garden

It's a while since we visited my garden, and with the changing season now is a good time to have another look.


One of my camellias has started flowering already.


This is the crazy fruit which grows on my kaffir lime tree.


The lovely autumn hues of my abelia.


Finally my oregano and dill is starting to grow.


If you liquid feed your geraniums you can keep them flowering well into autumn.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Hyde Park, Perth

What's happened to Hyde Park?

There is hardly any water left in the lakes and the  disconsolate ducks spend most of their time fossicking for food on the grass.




(seems ironic when there is hardly any water and even less water birds!)



I know Perth has just endured the driest summer ever but surely one of the City's oldest and most beautiful parks should not have to suffer the indignity of lakes with no water but instead a dank musty smell?

Monday, May 9, 2011

The Letter N

.....and so we come to the letter N.....



Nest


Nightlight


Nautilus Shell

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Christobel Book Sculptures

It suddenly occurred to me that some people may wonder why I wrote in yesterday's post about being excited to discover a fellow paper artist.  The reason is, of course, that I too make shapes out of old books.

Here is a selection of what I make:







Monday, May 2, 2011

Scratching the Surface Exhibition

I was really excited to discover that there is a fellow paper artist out there somewhere.

This was a shop front exhibition in association with Gallery Central of the Perth Institute of Technology.

Unfortunately it was closed when I happened upon it so I couldn't get any information about the artist.


I have since found out that the artist is Pascal Proteau.