How now Macau?

En-route to Chiang Mai I enjoyed a little stop-over in the former Portuguese colony of Macau.

Summer colour

A warm afternoon spent exploring the summer blooms at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Ready made repeats

I must have taken about 40 close-up shots of hydrangeas on the weekend - I think this will make a beautiful water colour textile design! 

Lilac Luxe

I love the kooky mix of colours and patterns in Audrey's Parisian bedroom featured in the latest issue of Milk Magazine. I wonder who designed that fabulous wallpaper featuring cherubs, doves and peacocks?

Photographed by Louise Desrosier for Milk Magazine

Wildflowers of the Box-Ironbark forest

My local Box-Ironbark forest (encompassing Gobarup and Whroo) is in full springtime bloom after many years of drought. Here are a few photographs of the floral specimens I spotted on the weekend - the vast majority of these plants have not flowered in the last decade - happy times!

Chocolate Lily Dichopogan strictus

Fringe Myrtle, Slender Rice-flower, and Eutaxia (colloquially known as Egg and Bacon)

Egg and Bacon

Fringe Myrtle Calytrix tetragona

Fringe Myrtle, Guinea-flower and Eutaxia

 A kangaroo track carved through the wildflowers

Silky Tea-tree

This landscape reminds me a little of Monet's famous painting 'Red poppies at Argenteuil'

 Milkmaids Burchardia umbellata

Golden Pennants Loudonia behrii

Violet Honey Myrtle Melaleuca wilsonii

This one is going into Mum and Dad's garden underneath the Silver Princess Gum.... I love that intense colour.

Nodding Blue Lily Stypandra glauca

Clustered Everlasting Helichrysum semipapposum

And on a similar vein - Grey Everlasting Helichrysum obcordatum

Billy Button Craspedia globosa

Common Everlasting Helichrysum apiculatum

Fairy wax-flower Eriostemon verrucosus

'Finger Flower' Cheiranthera linearis

Wax Flower

 Everlasting Daisies amongst the Ironbark, Whroo Forest, Rushworth

Spring has definitely sprung in the bush!
Flower names from Flowers and Plants of Victoria, Published by A.H and A.W. Reed, Sydney 1968

Hola! Lola!

Papel Picado banners are used to decorate Mexican streets, plazas and homes for festive occasions. Our laser cut faux silk flags feature heart and butterfly designs (favourite motifs here at Hiccups). These gorgeous Mexican theme banners have been casually draped across a crisp white cotton quilt cover and pillowcase, creating our lovely girl's bed linen design named 'Lola'.

'Lola' is perfect for sweet summer siestas!

Pictured above is the 'Pepita' 30x30cm cushion,'Lola' doll novelty cushion, 'Mexican Dolls' 30x60cm cushion, 'Pinata Donkey' novelty cushion, 'Valentine' quilted pillow sham and the 'Mariposa' novelty cushion.

Our 'Pinata' donkey loves a cuddle!

'Lola' is a new applique bed linen design from our Summer 2010/11 collection, and is now available throughout Australia and New Zealand.