Creation of Eden continues.

The garden needed a focal point to drawer your eyes through the two circles to the back of the garden.

I also love the sound of water in a garden - so what better than to install a water feature.

Because of the shape of our garden was already 'circular' - the water feature had to

be of a similar shape in order for it to work.

By this stage the garden was well & truly taking shape.

You will note however, that there is also a change in style of my original plants.

Gone is the tropical theme I began with - thanks to the severe frosts.

The only things that really survived were the Queen Palms.

I love ponds in gardens too.

Having a water feature within your pond also helps keep the water circulating - therefore preventing 

algae build up & any mosquitoes.

We also bought large gold fish from the Tamahere Markets to live in the pond to help with

any mosquito larvae.

Another season passed & the loss of my Buxus hedging due to a mildew disease that spread

through the Waikato changed my planting again.

I introduced hardier hedging, that also gave quicker results.

It did mean a bit of work with the electric hedge trimmers but I think the effect with the two hedge

variants looked good next to each other.

Also the trimming of the hedge into square lines meant that it worked with the lines of the path.

I also knew I needed to balance this too with the main garden, so within

the square pots to the left of the photo - I planted 'Golf Balls' which grow round.

The great thing about my Queen Palms surviving also meant they started to tie in with the 

neighbors one that were extremely tall.

So in effect - I drew their garden into mine too.

Then came the outdoor fire!

Exciting times in June 2013 as we decided how good would an outdoor fire be!

But first foundations had to be dug & made as a strong base to install the fire on.

The length of the deck where the fire was to sit was perfect!

The truck turned up late one night from Tauranga to install the fire.

The outdoor fire we picked was from 'Flare'.

Our fireplace came in six pieces.

We were more than happy with the result!

Be sure to see my next post on my Blog with the finished look in 2014!

Should you need any help with your garden & the design of it along with choice of 

plants - I do consult for a small hourly rate.

Noddy, Little Golden Books & wooden puzzles!

This very cute retro wooden puzzle is perfect for little fingers!

You can't find them in the shops like this anymore!

Price $8.00

Style on the dining room table!

 

 

Gorgeous Vintage Urn of Crown Lynn style.

 

In mint condition for it's age & would look amazing filled with a fresh bunch of flowers or Easter Egg treats - placed in the middle of your table!

 

 

Measurements are 19 x 16cm

 

Price $35.00

My choice to go to for flowers would be either The Birdcage in Te Awamutu or The Country Providore in Tamahere.

 

 

Gorgeous vintage picture that would suit your bedroom or bathroom.

 

Complete your room of choice with vintage roses to replicate the ones in the picture.

 

My favourite place to buy such flowers would be from either The Country Provedore or The Birdcage.

 

Measurements are 48 x 64cm.

 

Price $49.00

Gorgeous Crystal Decanters!

 

 

How stunning are these!

 

And they smell delicious too!

 

Vintage crystal decanters filled with infused oil.

 

 

These make a beautiful showcase - or a gorgeous pre loved gift.

 

Only at $25.00 each.

Shabby Chic

This gorgeous vintage look picture would look great in your bedroom or bathroom.

Very shabby chic.

To complete & compliment the look - a bunch of roses in vintage colours would bring the look together.

My choice to purchase these 'pretties' - for flowers would be either The Country Providoreidore in Tamahere or The Birdcage - Flowers Jewellery Gifts in Te Awamutu.

Measurements are 48cm x 64cm

Price $49.00



Mr Retro Monkey

 

Mr Retro Monkey in his yellow dungeries is looking for a new place of residence on someone's bookcase or bed.

 

He has plenty of huggles to give!

 

Mr Monkey is up for grabs for only $10

Gorgeous Vintage Arm Candy

 

 

I'm in love with all things pretty!!

 

Especially when it's as detailed as this & is such a gorgeous colour.

 

I always find it's the vintage little treasures that make me feel so much more special when they are worn as they come with history of being special at some point in time to someone else.

For sale at just $25.00

Flameco lady!

 

One of my personal favourites...close to my heart!...so incredibly talented & sexy!....The Flameco Dancers.

They represent something so exotic & yet stunning in my mind....& something so incredibly mysterious.

 

This gorgeous retro original is up for grabs $129 + P& P.

 

measurements are 43 x 61cm.

Vintage Mad Hatter's Tea Party #2

 

All party props were sketched & painted by me.

 

They are all for sale at a really reasonable price & should you need help with any others

 

I can help you out with that too!

 

All vintage tea cups & saucers are now for sale

 

Looking for help creating your party?? Let me help create your fun day around your budget!

 

No party needs to be expensive - just great planning & great ideas!!

 



Vintage Mad Hatter Tea Party

Ruby turns 5 with a "Vintage Mad Hatter's Tea Party"

I love Vintage, I love the Mad Hatter, I love creating parties - so I had an amazing time putting together and creating Ruby's 5th Birthday Party!

It takes time to pull off a party - well for me it does anyway.

Time is always something I am short of - so I always have to plan.

I kept numbers to a minimum as we played 'Croquet' and it was a set of 8 so that made it easy.

For most of my decorations I made - I got supplies from Spotlight.

I sketched & painted the life size props - of the Wicked Queen, Royal Rabbit & Cheshire Cat.

I also sketched & painted the Flamingos that I used on stakes in the ground where we played Croquet.

I created a menu for the actual 'tea party' and wrote a list to collect all the ingredients in one hit at the local supermarket.

The supermarket has a great selection of cake decorations, icings, colourings & flavourings. 

Be creative with these things as these are the best parts & fun to create!

For my husbands, myself & our eldest daughter's costumes along with other extra cute things to make the party a hit - they came from Amazon.

The tea sets, table crockery & cake stands, Ruby's vintage dress all came from a collection of second hand shops.

No party needs to be expensive to pull off - just time & a bit of thought & planning.

Ruby & her friends also had fun playing pass the parcel, musical chairs & statues.