Marg Low Designs

perfect gardening weather

It's been ages since I felt motivated to do a bit of gardening and the weather over the weekend was perfect for it. I thought I would tidy up a section out the back and very quickly realised it was going to take a lot longer than the afternoon I'd allocated to it. All I've succeeded in doing is creating big piles of garden waste.

It wasn't all work I did find time to enjoy these blooms.

Dainty Bess

Crepescule

Can't rembember this ones name.

Lamarque

Camellia Sasanqua - 'Setsugekka'

I had to look this one up!

The French Lavender growing under my clothes line.

smell the roses

Sunday I took time out to pick a few blooms so I could enjoy them while working on my new Christmas projects.

They're from the climbing rose Lamarque and smell divine. On warm days there's nothing better than standing under the arch and taking it all in.

open garden - Thurgoona Park

This weekend Thurgoona Park was open to the public as part of Open Gardens Australia. I was very excited when I read Edna Walling had designed a section of the garden. I love her use of stone walls and the natural flow between the house and garden.

This tree is magnificent.

I loved this path the best - it begs to be explored!

I've seen paw prints in old bricks but not this diamond shape.

Another path to follow.

 

a bush walk

Living in town I feel very lucky having a little piece of bush within easy walking distance of my home. In fact I get to walk along this track most days. With the sun shining and wattle in full bloom it looks quite spectaular.

 

 
 
  
  
 
 
I hope this inspires you to head out doors for a walk in the sunshine!  

garden worthy

These days I have very little time for gardening, so any plant that can look after itself is a winner.

That's why I love these succulents. I've seen it called various things but 'Poor Man's Daphne' .....How rude! 
It grows in too smaller pots, undernourished, in the baking northern sun or shade (like these), and survives my intermittent watering regime in the middle of summer. Most times I only remember when I notice the leaves are starting to shrivel.  O.K. so it doesn't have the heady scent of daphne but it does forgive my neglectfulness unlike my struggling daphne plants.

flowering gum

A couple of weeks ago I noticed the flowering gum on the nature strip was laden with buds. 

 
Green with a touch of pink they were beautiful in their simplicity.  

 
Look at them now! Such a gorgeous colour.

 
 I spend ages cutting up fabric, rearranging it and sewing it back together again, to create beauty (well I hope it turns out that way) and mother nature doesn't even have to try.

gum trees, lunch bags and a new blog

More of the gum tree came down on the weekend. Obviously it had been weakened from the storm 3 weeks ago. The rose, which use to cover the arch, is looking very sad! It's hard to see what's left of it.

I'm grateful this is a relatively small gum tree and not massive like my neighbours. My whole tree is equivalent to one of their branches!

Look at my new lunch bag. Sue made it for me, using the Christmas Treats pattern and stitching 'My Sandwich Bag on the pocket. I love it. The serviette gave me a good a giggle. It read 'Swimming at our age is dangerous, the lifeguards don't try so hard'.

If you love reading blogs here is a new one to add to the list. Sue-Anne (yes, one of the Friday Girls, has started a blog Buddy & Me. There will be many gorgeous quilts and other treats to inspire....

unplanned gardening

 There was no gardening on last Thursday's list of to do's but this changed everything. So glad I was out when it happened and Azzy (the dog) was waiting for me at the side gate. He's often sniffing around this section of garden searching for bread crumbs the birds have dropped. The power was off from 3pm until 9.30am the following morning.

 A little more of the Christmas decorations. A combination of gifts, Country Friends and my designs.

Up until a few years ago red was definitely not a colour I looked for in clothes, fabrics, china etc... probably something to do with having reddish hair as a child and all the associated jokes that go with it.  I could never quite understand Bronwyn's fascination for the colour red. We'd leave a shop, Brownyn with a bundle of reds and me with a bundle of greens. So we both had to smile when on our last trip I left with the reds and Bronwyn with the greens. Funny how things change!

gardening, christmas and Mamre House

The last few days have convinced me that spring has arrived. So you won't be surprised to learn I spent part of the weekend in the garden. And I'm so glad I did, and not simply so I could enjoy the beautiful weather. Last year I thought the weeds had taken over but this year they are even worse! I didn't think that was possible. What's that saying about one weed, seven years......? If you know how it goes please let me know.... or maybe not. It doesn't do to think about!

  These are so much nicer to look at than weeds. The daisy does have weed potential but right now I'd be thrilled if the beds were overflowing with this happy hardy plant.

Belinda brought her not quite finished Festive Gift Bag to Christmas club on Saturday. Who wouldn't love to receive this filled with treats. I get a real buzz out of knowing the projects are finished and not in the UFO pile.

Now I've also started work on the Mamre House projects. This year it's being held on the 24 & 25 October. More on that next time and maybe a sneak peek at some projects.

my easter break.......

A little bit of sewing, some gardening, a movie, sunshine and some much needed rain - how perfect is that?

After the scorching summer we've just experienced it's difficult to find anything to photograph. I find myself rejoicing in even the simplest of plants and flowers.  The lush new growth on the succulent and the divine perfume of the mock orange and rose remind me of why I love to garden.

And my little bit of sewing. It rained Saturday afternoon so I had the perfect excuse to make this. It's the only largish bag I seem to make. It's simple and quick (3 hours tops) and just right for showcasing a gorgeous print like this one. 

Now if you would like to make this bag the pattern is on special at AUD$10.00 (including P&H for local and overseas orders), but only for this month. Simply email me margjlow@bigpond.net.au with your order.

I do hope your Easter break has been as enjoyable as mine.