Must Have Flowers - Always...

It is nearing the end of Autumn in New Zealand,

and the garden has taken on an autumnal hue of colours.

The light is changing, the temperatures cooling.

It is at this time of year I love to bring more flowers into the home decor.

Not fancy large floral arrangements,
but small containers simply placed here and there.

They just bring such joy into the decor.

Simple and cost effective.

Hand picked from your garden, a friends garden,

 or a price friendly bunch from the supermarket flower section.

This is the little french table in the red sitting room.

On it is a small collection of containers and candles.

The phalenopsis orchid has been moved here from the Master bedroom, so the flowers can be enjoyed.

It has flowered twice this year and is looking the picture of health.

I added a few interesting rocks to the bowl, 

which also help support the air roots.

Find out how to create your own orchid bowl HERE.

The small container has a jar inside, filled with water.

The flowers are camellias.

This camellia is called  'Setsugekka'.
This is an old Japanese variety.

It's a favourite.

Single white blooms with wavy petals and centre yellow stamens.

What I love is the stamens start off a pale, and as the flower ages they turn bright yellow!

This small corner of the red sitting room,

Is cosy and pretty...

Claude Monet said"

One must have flowers, always and always.

And I agree!

Mini Planters For The Kitchen Window Sill...

Oh how I wish I had sills in my kitchen with depth.

But no - they are a mere 8cm wide.  

That is not even three and a half inches!

I see all these wonderful ideas for decorating the kitchen sills...

But I have never found anything, or any idea that will fit.

Of course a skinny vase, jug or bottle will. 

But they have all visited the been there done that basket!

Today I was at 'The Warehouse' store,
 where I found these cute little glass ceramic pots.

Nice shape and the perfect size for the window sill!

$5 each, marked down to $4, then $1.14.

Took them up to the counter and they were only 23 cents each!!!

What???   A whole 69 cents for the three cute pots!

Now that would have to be the bargain of the century don't you think?

So off I went to Mitre 10.

And purchased three mini pot plants.

The little plant pots were a perfect fit for the cute pots.

Total cost for the Kitchen Window Sill makeover - $9.60!

And I LOVE the look.

Crisp clean, and green!

#indoorplants #miniplanters

Look What's Been Happening In The Studio...

It has been a super crazy time in the art studio...

prepping for upcoming exhibitions I'm participating in...

creating  work for a fundraising exhibition...

and then completely wandering off task and painting flowers...

and watercolour ink birds!

Plus there's been a few competition paintings done.

(which I can't show you yet because it's secret squirrel stuff!)

Too many ideas...too much to create.

Both in the art world and the blogging world!

Yes - I admit it - I am a prolific painter!!!

If you didn't know - I'm in the studio painting four days a week,

with a few hours each day blogging.

Usually I have one blogger's day a week - when I create 'other' things.

It's busy - but I love what I do!

And I love sharing with you all.  :)

My NEW 'OLD' Book...

I love books...
So I just had to share the latest in my collection.

A childhood dream was to become a librarian!

I never did do that,

 but I still LOVE books.

I love reading,

looking at...

collecting...

and using books in crafts and DIY.
(this one's safe though - as it has the 'I'm special' label).

This book is so old.

Published in 1905 in fact.

It's worn, tatty and tired.

But for me it was love at first sight!

Just look at the gorgeous green embossed cover.

It is a beautiful book.

'Good Words' is full of short stories.

And wonderful black and white plates (pictures).

Here are a few:

But the one I adore the most is of the girl with the dreamy eyes.

Beautiful, don't you think?

Today's Reminder...

A little reminder to put laughter and love in your day,

and into other peoples too.

  :)

#quote #quotes #rosequote

DIY Epiphytes Hanging Planter Box...

You may well be asking - what is an epiphyte?
An epiphyte is:
a plant which grows harmlessly on another (usually a tree).
It derives moisture from the air, rain, and the debris that collects around it. They do not grow in soil.
The epiphyte family of plants includes many species of orchids, bromeliads, tillandsias, mosses and ferns.

To make a DIY epiphytes hanging planter box you will need:

a wooden box - an old drawer or a box made from pallet wood.

I used an old wooden drawer with the handle removed.

 First step:  dry brush the box with white paint for a wonderful shabby look..

 Once paint is dry add a plastic liner.
Staple in place and trim.
Add a wire hanger to the top.

Add a thick layer of coconut fibre. 

Arabella decided she must help! 

By investigating her new cat bed...

Sorry sweetness but that box is not for you!

 Add a layer of sphagnum moss.

Staple a covering of wire mesh. 

 Use wire cutters to make slits where you want your plants.
At the top I wired in place some spanish moss.
The second plant is Tillandsia aeranthos.

The plant on the wood is Dendrobium Tamara.
The yellow flowering orchid is Oncidium flexuosum.

The DIY Epiphytes Hanging Planter Box is on a covered deck with filtered sunlight with my other orchids in the collection, 

so Just a light misting is all the watering that will be needed.

All these plants were sourced from at 'Pottering About'.

For local blog followers - this specialty Garden Centre is in Military Road, Otakiri.

Don't worry if you can't visit in person, 

as they sell tropicals, subtropicals, orchids, bromeliads, and other epiphytes via Trade Me New Zealand,

or visit their website here:

www.potteringaboutorchidsnz.com

And while I'm telling you about "pottering About',

let me show you these...

 Wall or post mounted pot hangers called 'Leyland Latches'.
Brilliant idea, really affordable, and perfect for a mini orchid collection!

Just in case you are wondering...
this beauty is called:
Miltonia moreliana.

A DIY LOVE mini Pallet sign...

A DIY love mini pallet sign is a simple gift to make for Mother's Day.

Here's how to make it:

Cut a 34cm piece of pallet wood.

Paint it white and leave to dry.

 For the next stage you need a good length of cord.
(in a colour of your choice).

Use PVA wood glue to write your word on the wood.

Press black dressmakers cord in a continuous length 

onto the glue to create the word.

Then cleanup the excess glue with a cotton bud.

Talking about words, you can change it.

I've chosen LOVE,

but you could say:

FUN...JOY...LAUGH...or MUM.
(Just adapt your wood size to the word you choose)

Add a hanger using a staple gun.

I used the same black cord.

This gives you the option to wall hang your DIY mini pallet sign,

or as I ended up doing, 

just leaning it against the back of a bookcase.

Sunset LOVE...

As dusk fell the sky was on fire...

 The plants in my garden became silhouettes...

 Against the red and orange sky...

Nature's passion!

Life is nothing without passion.

(a free inspirational quote for your moodboard)

❤

#quote #quotes #sunsetquote