Sunday 1 March 2009

Market Basket........

I've just returned from a lovely morning out. At the beginning of each season there is a Farmers Market held at Glengallan Homestead.

This place has fascinated me for probably all of my life and until today had not been there. It lay in ruins from the 1940's until 1993 when finally the restoration began. It is owned by a Trust and receives no funding at all from the government. By rights it should be recognised as a national icon. The story of the original owners is interesting. They lived in the home for only two years until they were forced to move out - bankrupt! It was lived in by another two families until left to decay in the 1940's.



The view from the front room and verandah of the home is beautiful. This looks east out towards the Great Dividing Range.

Today it is so hot and dry, it's hard to believe it is the first day of Autumn. Roses everywhere, lovely still despite being the end of the season for them. I may have to go back in the Spring.


More of the lovely garden from the top floor verandah.



What a better occasion than this one to take my new Market Basket for a test run. I got busy yesterday afternoon and had a lovely time making a liner for my new basket that I showed in the last post.

The market was a little disappointing. We did get some delicious apples and nectarines from a farmer from Stanthorpe, some very yummy biscuits and also two bottles of delicious preserves - rosella jam and cumquat marmalade. Other than that loads of very ordinary crochet washers, teapot cosies etc. If they were tasteful I'm sure they would just sell like hotcakes!!



I am so pleased with how my basket turned out. Beautiful Tanya Whelan fabric, cute checked bias for the ties and the most beautiful "circle" (not sure what else to call it) to finish it off.

Gail McCormack makes and paints the most beautiful pieces, her very handy husband does beautiful restoration work. I saw these lovelies on her website attached to an old picnic basket - she was very kind to sell just a "circle" to me.



What a lovely morning I had driving through the beautiful Darling Downs countryside. The paddocks are full of ripening sorghum and sunflowers at the moment. It really is a beautiful part of the country to live - if only it would rain a little more.








6 comments:

Judith Tetley said...

Oh your basket is "so nice" Leisa. You are very clever. Love the tag (circle)..its a lovely attachment.
Hugs.
Judith
www.creativestudio.blogspot.com

The Old Dairy said...

Sad when you live with people that have no vision...I love the baskests.
The gardens around Glengallen homestead look beautifull. Spring sounds a lovly time to go back.
I'm glad you found some treasures in the little shop, don't you just love it.....
Mandy

Anonymous said...

Hi Leisa,
No wonder you were captivated by the Glengallen homestead, it is just beautiful. What a devine garden.
I love your market basket, what a great idea.
Sarah xxx

Unknown said...

What a lovely basket .Beautiful homestead .
clares craftroom

Unknown said...

You should go into Business..You are so Clever with your Restoring...The Basket is just Gorgeous...
cheers

Anonymous said...

I relly want to visit there! What gorgeous pictures. I love the basket liner also!
Rosalie xx