Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Catching Up .......... Part (2)

Greetings lovely friends & readers

Here I am still playing "catch up" on my blog posts from my recent trip to Mum's & before that ........


My sister-in-law told me about a new store that had opened about 10 minutes from Mums, out on the Coast road.  As I'm always looking for places to take Mum for a drive I thought it might be nice to drive out & visit it.  

The store is called Brandy's Botanicals  -  the Owner Debbie has had a wonderful barn built on her property in order for her to sell her plants, seeds & other Giftware.

It was really lovely & a wonderful selection with lots to look at plus the Owner was just so lovely & friendly.  


My photos Do Not do it justice - it really was packed to the brim with plants that she had mainly grown all herself - plus a wonderful selection of seeds & some very unusual varieties.

Mum chose this glazed pot & I helped her find the sweet little trailing plant to go in it.



I bought myself 3 small size houseplants as well as 3 packets of seeds & the Owner tossed in the other 2 packets for free 😊


On the subject of houseplants ... I noticed my poor Peace Lily was looking rather root-bound & in need of a re-pot.  I fossicked around under my house & found this old terracotta pot which needed a good scrub with lots of "elbow grease".  It has the odd chip in it but this just adds to the overall effect I feel. 😉




After scrubbing & drying it well I gave it 2 coats of Pumice Chalk Paint & then applied a new transfer that I had ordered from * Here *.  I then sprayed it with 2 coats of matt finish acrylic varnish, just to protect it well.


I gave my Peace Lily a good root prune before repotting it in fresh potting mix.  It just looks so much happier now & will hopefully flower again when spring comes.


Prior to my trip to Mums my dear friend Jane requested a doll order for her Aunts 70th birthday.  Jane knew exactly the pattern she wanted - a Rosalie Quinlan doll called Ruby from an old craft magazine (Homespun I think) 

Jane requested that I make the doll in her Aunt's favourite colours of blues & greens ... "vivid retro florals" was Jane's words.  I was able to find exactly this in my vintage sheet collection, & Jane chose the homespun check for the bloomers.  

In Rosalie's pattern the tag reads "dear Mummy, I love you" but Jane asked me to stitch "Happy 70th Aunty Colleen".  

The pattern has a loop sewn to the dolls hand so she can be hung but is equally as nice sitting on a bed or a chair.  Jane tells me her Aunt Loved the doll & plans to hang her in her sewing room.  💙


We had a stretch of frosts last week & it was Oh So Chilly.  These two spend most of the day tucked up on a blanket on my bed keeping warm together.

I think I have one more Catch Up Post to put together friends,
Thank You for your visits here today - I am off to collect Sid as we have a couple of hours together after school on Tuesdays.
Wishing you all a wonderful rest-of-the-week,
With much love & friendship to you all,
Julie & the furry ones x0x0x0

19 comments:

  1. Really enjoying your updates, I love the pot you spruced up for your peace lily and your visit to the plant barn looked like my ideal place to be. What a sweet doll for your friend's aunt, I especially love her dress and its 70's print 😍. Jx

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet kind comment. Yes the plant barn was just wonderful & will definately be visited again I am sure. xx

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  2. I love the doll you made. The details on the sleeves and socks are exquisite. Simply beautiful!

    With love from,
    Kelly (Mrs. Kiwi)

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    1. Thank you so Kelly - I love making dolls - they are one of my favourite things to sew. xx

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  3. The plant store looks like a great find and your peace lily certainly does look happier in it's new pot. Sweet doll. xx

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  4. Love the doll, so pretty. Wonderful idea with the pot. I ended up with some from Mums place & i was just going to get rid of them but you have now given me ideas. :) Hugs, xx

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  5. Oh! Wow! A plant shop...I love plant shops, though the
    Nursery type plant shops can be quite expensive.....
    Much cheaper at the supermarket, though not as much
    choice..50/50..really..!
    I must get round to my baskets and hangers..the last
    three years l've got all my plants from Morrisons super
    market in town.. I have three hanging baskets, two fence
    hangings, and two smaller baskets all planted out for
    £14..($27.42)..Must have Lobelia..Hanging Lobelia...!
    I've got two pairs of old trainers, that l plant up with
    hanging Lobelia, and fix them to the fence..they look
    great when there in flower..! :).

    I've 'pawsed' for a while at the bottom there, to study
    the furry two..Bless..!xx They look lovely, and in the
    best place of course...Sweet dreams...! :O).

    Best get on, l've a bag full of food to unload..just got
    back from the supermarket, a nice mug of lemon Earl
    Grey with honey is called for..! Cheers! :O).
    🌱 🌽 🌿 🍅 🍆 🍇 🍈 🍉🌱 🌽 🌿 🍅 🍆 🍇

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  6. Nice pot make over. The doll is a beauty.

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  7. Simpson spring here and actually getting quite close to Summer, I was in a large plant nursery just a week ago on a cold rainy day. They too have a huge two-story barn-style structure it is just stacked to the ceiling with gifts. I enjoyed every minute. I'm glad you were able to take your mother out for a nice drive and she enjoyed a look about. The plant will really make her remember the day. And you still get Tuesday time with Sid. I've just reported a few plants myself in preparation for warmer weather continuing our way. Lynn and Precious XX

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  8. Fun to find a new place you can go and wander in. I love the pot you have done for your Peace Lily and the doll is very sweet..... the dress is perfection - I do love the vintage sheets, and the doily apron is perfect...
    Hugz

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  9. That looks like a very charming shop! I could get lost and never come out. I have about 50 houseplants--many of them flowering--and I am always drawn to more. :) What a fun place!
    Your Peace Lily has a beautiful new home. That is one plant I haven't had in a long time!
    The doll you created is absolutely precious, but I want to give her arm a rest. I know mine would be tired if I was hanging on like that! LOL
    Oh, those kitties look cozy!

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  10. The shop you visited looks lovely. I know it was special for your Mom. I miss having the energy to do that. The doll is darling and also your repurposed pretty pot. You are so talented. I have been spending my energy in the kitchen and planting in the courtyard besides helping with Rosie. She is getting so she likes to follow us around and doesn't have to be played with constantly. She is spoiled!...Nancy

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  11. Hi Julie , Another wonderful post , what a great place to visit .
    Love the doll , I have the same plant and my one really needs potting up , have fun hugs June,

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  12. New dolly's absolutely amazing. I love her face. Wish you could come here and do all my plant pots like yours. You make it look effortless! Love them. Have a good weekend, Julie.xxx

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  13. wonderful posts as always, enjoyed the part 1 & adore your new grand fur baby, poor thing what a start to life, now he'll be warm & cozy & loved; your creativity never ceases to amaze me, so beautiful. lovely plant shop there too!
    thanx for sharing

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  14. The plant barn looks like an amazing place to visit Julie, imagine growing all those plants! Great purchase for your Mum and yourself. The doll is beautiful, so good to hear she is loved. Great transformation on the peace lily pot, you must have a treasure trove under your house! Nice to see the cats curled up together.

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  15. That farm shop looks super, wish there were more of them around our country. Loved your lily pot, perfect.Beautiful Ruby doll.Miss Pippy and Blackie have a blessed life with you Julie.

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  16. That shop looks lovely. I love your Queen Bee pot Julie. The doll turned out lovely. xx

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  17. Oh that looks like a cool place to shop, love your repotted peace lily, looks fabulous, think my 2 desperately need that as well, gorgeous doll Julie, yes finally getting a bit chilly here to, so stay warm.

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