March | 2014 | Petal & Pins

An Autumn Weekend

Cathy from Rambling In The Garden started ‘In a vase on Monday’ as a weekly ritual of bringing something from the garden inside no matter what the season and invites readers to do the same.

I have been enjoying seeing hers and Julie from Peonies & Posies gorgeous floral creations – both being northern hemisphere gardeners I’m delighting in their Spring finds just as I head into Autumn and Winter.

A week or two ago theirs and many other blogs I look at were filled with the exuberance and colour of the beginning of Spring and the excitement of days outside that will bring. At the same time we suddenly had a drop in temperature and rainy grey days so there was no mistaking Autumn had well and truly begun.

On Saturday we took advantage of a fine weather day for a drive to Oatlands, taking Agnes for a walk around the lake and looking at some of the antique stores where I bought a length of vintage ribbon.

Sunday friends came for afternoon tea. Going into the garden to gather some flowers for a vase I thought I would be scrounging to find much to pick but I was pleased with the arrangement – adding some autumnal hued sprigs of Dogwood and some dried Honesty seemed to pull it all together.

Perhaps the vintage ribbon inspired my gathering, certainly the colours are complementary – so I thought I’d share a picture of them for ‘In a vase on Monday’.

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March 27, 2014

The Seventh Fuchsia

I have seven different Fuchsias growing in my garden.

Six of them were already well established when the garden became mine – including two pale pink and the pink/purple one I’ve used for this Garden Fairy’s Wardrobe design.

A couple of years ago my father bought me a variety called Peppermint Stick from a plant stall on a drive down to Huonville and we planted it together outside my salon window. It hasn’t had as many blooms as some of the others but otherwise is thriving in our chosen spot.

At dad’s suggestion I struck a piece incase I lose the original. It’s doing well but I’ll keep it in a pot on the deck over winter and then find a place to plant it – perhaps in the back garden where it will get a bit more sun which might bring more blooms.

Do you have Fuchsias in your garden?

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March 20, 2014

Jupiter’s Beard & The Queen Of Vines

I had to go to my bookshelf to discover the name of the flowers I used for this Garden Fairy’s gown (it is indeed a gown rather than simply a dress – perhaps inspired by the metres of tulle I’m currently sewing up for my latest bride).

Consulting The Gardener’s Book of Colour I was able to identify it – Centranthus ruber albus – commonly referred to as Jupiter’s Beard.

I must say it’s prettier and more delicate than what a beard conjures up but I think naming it Jupiter’s gives it an air of magic.

Recently I discovered on Nathalie’s blog Cover Me In Flowers that clematis are sometimes referred to as Old Man’s Beard. I was similarly underwhelmed by the name but Nathalie reminded me of the feathery seed puffs that form and could be described as beard like.

I’ve never had much success at growing clematis but perhaps come Spring I’ll try again though I don’t think I’ll be calling it Old Man’s Beard – I much prefer their other name Queen of Vines.

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March 11, 2014

Purse Project

The results of my bag making project from The Last Days Of Summer using my photos from Kaleidoscope Garden

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March 4, 2014

Garden Party

I created this hydrangea dress when the flowers were still creamy white.

A week or so later and the flower heads on the bushes have turned a mix of dusty pinks and greens – I love having vases full of them in the hall and on the mantelpiece.

Another of my hydrangea dresses, from when the flowers are creamy white, features in my new card set – ‘Garden Party’ Collection – along with pansies, brassica, geraniums and pom pom flowers.

Summer might be at an end here but this new card collection will be a reminder of the fun and frivolity that a garden party can bring…and if you’re in the northern hemisphere they’d make lovely invitations to one now you’re coming into Spring.

Garden Fairy’s Wardrobe ‘Garden Party’ Collection
Notecard Set 5 x cards 5 x envelopes AUS $24.95 plus pp.
Available now from my Etsy Store

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Petal & Pins

Month: March, 2014

March 31, 2014

An Autumn Weekend

March 27, 2014

The Seventh Fuchsia

March 20, 2014

Jupiter’s Beard & The Queen Of Vines

March 11, 2014

Purse Project

March 4, 2014

Garden Party

Month: March, 2014

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