Tea Towels

It all started with tea towels… because I wanted to create gifts that are lightweight, easy to pack and economical to send.

My mother used to send tea towels from Devon so I was constantly reminded of her & the places of my childhood while muddling about in the kitchen. Furthermore, I was surprised how many others shared a love of special tea towels despite the use of the dishwasher.

Apart from the Banksia nut and Golden Penda seed pods, this arrangement includes Silver Ash pods, Crows Ash pods (spikey); Foam bark seeds (itchy), Tulipwood pods and seeds, Ivory Curl seed pods, helicopter seeds from one of the Ash species; Callistemon nuts, Golden rain pods/lanterns, flowering gum nuts, Duranta seeds (poisonous) and the snakey looking things are from a tree I have yet to identify!

Most of these came from our garden or the park next door. This (French) Lavender thrives here, as does the Rosemary and Rose scented Geranium. You can imagine the scents I hungrily inhaled, picking and arranging them.

Both the Ilawarra Flame tree and the Firewheel tree have spectacular flowers and shed them to leave scarlet carpets beneath them. The white blossom is from the Cadaghi tree (Corymbia torelliana) which is a splendid looking tree and these blossoms were given to me by the lorikeets feasting on them way above. Despite being a native, its resin (which native bees love) can create difficulties in their hives.

Fishtail oxalis or Oxalis latifolia is a perennial herb originating in parts of Central and South America. Another plant that loves it here in the sub tropics where it is apparently considered a major invasive weed. It was in fact when I was pulling it out to feed the chooks (who love it) that I became enamoured of its shape which I likened to a Moth, hence the name I gave this piece.

The same items as in HerbyOne, just rearranged.  Thanks to the wee spiders and bugs that joined in.

A generous dollop of the gorgeous Rose Natal grass with Lavender and Spotted Gum blossom in the centre; edged with more lavender and Rhodes Grass at the compass points. Then a scattering of Spotted Gum blossom bits with a gem from Anonymous.

Gifts from my Coast Banksia plus Golden Rain Lanterns, Golden Penda seed pods and Rhodes grass. Love their colours against the mauve!

A Jacaranda in full bloom is breathtaking, particularly against the bluest sky. It heralds exam time for students and I was told in Perth that if you don’t know what you need to know by the time the Jacarandas flower, it’s too late!  Also featuring on this tea towel are Tuckeroo seeds and Crows Ash flowers in the centre; Melaleuca seed pods and dry Protea petals forming the star shape; Geisha girl flowers at the ends of the Jacaranda arms of the star; Silver Ash blossom, Tulipwood seed pods, Foam Bark seed pods and She Oak seeds, with two pink tufts of Lilly Pilly Cascade at top and bottom.

Mid November and the streets are abuzz with activity around and amongst the blossoming trees. Lilly Pillies are bowing under bounteous bundles of berries and the scented Ivory Curl flower spikes, which surely inspired Velcro, are bouncing with nectar loving critters. Meanwhile, in my garden, the Dancing lady orchids (Oncidium) cascade out of a Callistemon and waltz up the path while Blue Quandong leaves splash the lawn with red.

Frankincense surrounded by a wreath of red Callistemon, then small nests of  Eucalypt blossoms, Ivory Curl pods, Tuckeroo leaves and seed pods, Bougainvillea bracts, Melaleuca nuts, A star of Crows Ash flowers sitting in the pods and a partridge in a Pear Tree!