Feeding the sheep

As soon as the ute pulls into the silo, Dad's 'ladies' make their way to the paddock gate for a morning feed of oats.

Loading up the feeder.

Patiently awaiting.

The rams join in the queue.

 Job done. Hopefully the autumn rains will come soon and transform these dry sun-baked paddocks into green pastures.

Happy St Pat's Day

Whilst it's a completely unrelated specimen to the Irish good luck charm, I think the Australian native clover 'Nardoo' makes a pretty good stand-in. Happy St Patrick's Day!

Inspired by.... Lambley Nursery

The Lambley Gardens and Nursery are located a few minutes drive west of Creswick in central Victoria.  I visited on a hot, hot Autumn day, but stepping into this beautiful green oasis set within a landscape of dry windswept plains was instantly refreshing. The temperature seemed at least a few degrees cooler.

I think a sedum flower textile design will have to go on my to-do list.....

The Dry Garden is a low-water use garden, surrounded with traditional English hedging.

                           

The old brick and stone farmhouse.

The vegetable garden.

 A richly coloured clematis.

Vibrant zinnias planted in raised garden beds. 

The cutting garden.

I love delphiniums but so do the rabbits in my garden. 

Hopefully I will have better luck growing these next year.....

The Lambley Gardens and Nursery are the work of David Glenn and the artist Criss Canning. An inspiring place to visit!

The early Autumn garden

Although it's now Autumn the sun is still beating down and the mozzies are on the attack.

Hot pink and red geraniums have flowered their hearts out all summer in these old hanging baskets, recycled from a pile of discarded bits and pieces at the back of the farmyard.

The sedum is just beginning to put on its Autumn display.

Drought and sunshine friendly oleander.

The first of the roses are starting their second bloom of the warm season.

Hot-lips salvia and native iris.

And Bonjour the cat....

The small details...

A scan from my 'Secret Garden' bedding design for Cottonbox Kids.

Flowers on a friday

And a butterfly for good measure. Happy Friday!

Secret Garden

And one for the girls! My latest bed linen design for Cottonbox Kids is 'Secret Garden'.

Take a step inside the filigree gates into an enchanted garden filled with beauty.

 Proud peacocks show off their stunning plumage beneath a mystical tree bursting with ripe figs and beautiful blossoms. Delicate butterflies flit and flutter around the water colour branches. Girls of all ages will fall in love with this detailed hand painted design in a palette of restful and harmonious spring tones.

The 'Secret Garden' bed linen collection is now available online at www.cottonbox.com.au

'Aviator' bed linen design

Hot off the press (or in this case, printing table) is my design for bed linen,

 'Aviator' by Cottonbox Kids.

Bi-planes, monoplanes, jet fighters, cargo planes and bombers all take to the sky for some aeronautical adventures. These magnificent flying machines from the first few decades of the 20th century have been hand drawn and painted in intricate detail - a perfect bed linen design for boys who admire these wonderful early feats of modern aeronautical engineering. Many of these robust aeroplanes can still be seen performing at Air Shows today.

The 'Aviator' design is printed on a lovely 100% cotton, 225 thread count base cloth, and is available in single and double quilt sizing.

Quilt Cover sets, set of 3 wall canvases and cushions are now available from 

www.cottonbox.com.au

Deco Roses

Art Deco style roses, painted in watery inks.