Whimsical Paper Flowers Made From Trash And The Stash

Today is a public holiday, Gold Coast Show day. How amazing is it and how blessed are we to be given a day off work in order that we may have the opportunity to attend a a local show?

Anyway, its a bonus day, as my husband calls them, to be enjoyed as a bonus. I like that description,it helps me unwind and make the most of such a gift.

Inspired by a recent Spotlight Store craft magazine, and with the aid of my "stash", I have messed around with wire, glue, paper and scissors and made some whimsical paper flowers that appealed to me.

I enjoyed this activity whilst listening to tracks by a 90's American band called "Soul Collection" that we discovered on the radio this morning that we had not previously heard of. Funny isn't it how you can suddenly become aware of new 'old' music that strikes a chord with you for some reason, and quickly becomes a favourite.

I called into Spotlight last evening on the way home from work, in order to purchase the quirky, double sided craft paper that was recommended, from which to make the flowers, but this morning, though I was enthusiastic,I got cold feet at the possibility of cutting such pretty paper and so I decided to have a practice run on pages of brightly coloured, glossy junk mail, in case I messed it up. Away I went cutting and winding and as I was pretty happy with the result, I raided our recycling bin for as much paper as I could find that was suitable and then proceeded to completed a vase full of various sizes. I may paint them for extra pizzazz. I'm not sure that I will bother with the expensive paper!

What's the point of all this, well I'm reminded that making do often brings good results. Simple junk mail, that piles into our letterbox makes pretty paper flowers with a drop of inspiration and some bits and pieces from the stash. In case you are wondering, I made the stems from wire that I threaded through extra long straws and then glued to the back of the flowers.

Here's a couple of snaps for your perusal...

Rain was forecast for today, but it hasn't eventuated. The sky looks threatening, but still no rain, its been dry now for five weeks and the grass is crunchy underfoot.

I's been a lovely bonus day and its not over yet!

Simply Susan

My Bargain Bag, or rampant consumerism!

Whilst visiting our local Salvos store ten days ago, I espied a blue overnight bag, that really took my fancy, as I hadn't a use for it at the time, plus we had entered the store to look for a hat for my husband, I didn't buy it, nor did I buy a very pretty large brimmed black hat, due to the fact that my husband said it looked like I was attending a funeral! The bag stayed in my thoughts for a few days and I found myself wondering why I didn't buy it and what I would have done with it had I bought it. Can you tell that I am a procrastinator?
Anyway, this morning, a beautiful Spring morning, we ventured to the store for browse, as you do, and what do you know? We were greeted by an old acquaintance that we had made at another local op, holding the door open for us, whilst proclaiming "Everything is half price!" Music to an op shoppers ears! Many potential customers were in attendance, and we plunged in to check out the available items.

Yes, the blue bag was still there, at half price, even though I hadn't come up with a reason for owning it, beside the fact I liked it, I knew that I was going to be taking it home with me! Three dollars fifty was a bargain that I was not going to resist. After all a cup of coffee costs more than that here on the Gold Coast! This was value! A pretty footed Christmas plate and a sun hat joined my spoils and I left the store with a smile on my face having only parted with eleven dollars and and fifty cents!
I was tickled pink with my bag, suddenly not concerned as to what use I would put it to, just happy to own it!

Funny, you know, just this week, the topic our Bible study group discussed was possessions. If I am not careful, the joy that I initially experienced from owning my bag can turn into guilt for giving way to the lust of the eyes, buying something just because I liked it and could afford it, not really having any need or designated use for it.
Hmmmm... It would make a great knitting bag, but I've recently made myself one of those; definitely an overnight bag, but I don't do that very often. Maybe that was why the appealing blue, overnight bag was in the op shop to start with, the owner was no longer enjoying overnight stays; maybe I was meant to write this blog and smile, knowing that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" I love my blue, overnight bag for what it is and if I find a good use for it - great, if I don't, then I will have had my three dollars fifty value from it and when I no longer receive joy form owning it (hopefully using it as well!), I will send it to another op shop for them to make a few more dollars from.

Any thoughts?
Simply Susan

Signs of Spring

Spring is on its way!
The breeze has felt balmy these last few days, carrying fragrances of wattle and pansies and promise of warmer days. Laundry has dried quickly on the line in the garden, resulting in that lovely sunny smell once dry and, during a morning Ooh and Aah session, walking around my garden, I was delighted to discover this first Jasmine flower.

It has been warm enough to sit outside under an old poinciana tree to enjoy morning tea and lunch during my working day, a real treat and a great opportunity to gain perspective on the day.

Living in coastal Queensland means that spring bulbs are not really a viable garden option. I have fond memories of growing hooped petticoats, jonquil and freesias in our New Zealand garden, but now I content myself with jasmine, azaleas and the amazing sight and fragrance of golden, powdery wattle blossoms. There is a wisteria on our front fence, but alas, another year has seen no sign of dangling perfumed purple blossoms. I wait patiently and hope...

I have memories from primary school days in London, when we had the opportunity of buying a daffodil bulb, in the winter, to take home with instructions how to plant and care for it, to be brought back to school on a designated day in spring for judging. There was keen interest in this competition and hopes were high that our bulbs would be in flower come the big day. Winners, who were those with bulbs in flower received a glossy certificate, they were highly prized.

Another daffodil memory is of buying my mum bunches of daffodils in bud, from a stall in the local market on Saturday morning shopping trips. Twelve pencil shaped stems comprised a bunch, held together by two or three tiny rubber bands. I loved buying these because they would open in the vase on the dining room table and last over a week, a true investment. I think I paid two shillings for those golden treasures, Mum loved them.

Our winter has been very mild, only a few chilly days that I recall, but some low pressure areas off the coast, producing strong winds, high tides and big swells have caused significant damage to local beaches. The dunes are fast disappearing, making access to the beach quite dangerous. Not an easy image to capture, but I tried.

I ventured out on the ocean on my annual whale watching adventure recently, alas, nothing like the spectacle that I enjoyed last year, but a refreshing trip off shore, again bringing perspective to where we live, on a narrow coastal strip, wedged between ocean and mountains. Sadly the swell was significant an many unfortunate passengers spent their trip in less than optimum condition!

Our garden has undergone significant changes in recent months, we have reduced the width of the main flower bed, replacing shrubs and replanting, so to relieve the bareness of the fence while we wait for them to grow and to add colour, I introduced some art, inspired by our visit to Warwick's Jumpers and Jazz festival, last month. Simple but effective.
The CDs in the frangipani tree double as wind-chimes and light show, as the sun catches them, the reflections dance lazily or madly around the garden, depending on the breeze.

The promise of Spring has inspired me,I'm off to the local plant shop in the morning to buy plants to put into pots on the back patio, maybe my luck will change in that area, its worth a try.

Happy Spring!
Simply Susan