Pink gourds decorate the tables scattered outside the cafe.
Multi coloured gourds hang on the walls...
...and many are available for sale. If you would like to grow your own gourds there are several varieties available from Eden Seeds.
Some are decorative and others have had a hole cut in them for adding plants. However, I was looking for a coloured one to use for a planter as I saw Sophie Thomson on Gardening Australia make one for using indoors recently in this episode Gorgeous Gourds. I didn't see quite what I was looking for unfortunately but was able to buy a small gift for an interstate friend from the beading shop there and felt quite proud of myself that I didn't succumb to the temptation to buy more beads as I already have more than enough to use up from the years when beading was a very popular craft.
As you would have read in the previous posts one of the sheds features mainly glass beads but, if you ever visit, then make sure you go into both buildings as another one is chockablock full of colourful beads, many of which would be great for children's crafts.
I asked the staff what doing stocktake was like and I believe it is done by weighing the beads but what a massive job it must be.
We had a little child with us and the playground was very popular. It is next to the cafe so you can watch your child play while catching up with friends.
These birds (whose name escapes me now) enjoy wandering around the complex - especially around the tables after lunch :-) Don't you love the feathers?
As the Carnival of Flowers is just around the corner as it starts on the 15th September, this will be a popular place to visit if you happen to be in the Toowoomba region for a few days. Danish Flower Art is on the New England Highway near Highfields and is not far from The Chocolate Cottage which is also a must-see tourist attraction. Here you can sit outside with friends and look out over the Toowoomba Range. Nearby there is also a patchwork shop, Quilters Angel and a number of gift shops which are always interesting to look through.
I have known the friends I met up with today since the 1970s. Five years ago we lost one of our group to cancer so each year we have the joy of catching up with her lovely daughter and granddaughter to remember our old friend who was a very faithful friend over the years and to see her granddaughter grow up. I can tell you she is growing into a delightful little girl.
All in all it was a perfect day!
think the bird is a Gueanie Fowl? not sure how it's spelt.
ReplyDeletelove the abundance of colour with the gurds so unusual & so many pretty beads!
thanx for sharing
It is a lovely place to visit if you are ever in our region, Selina.
DeleteOh wow, so many colorful gourds!
ReplyDeleteThe pink ones on the tables were very pretty, Nil. Last time I was there they were red.
DeleteHaving your friends daughter and granddaughter with you is so special.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting place. I think I would have been drawn to the glass beads.
I have bought lots of glass beads from there in the past, Kylie. So I really had to restrain myself this time.
DeleteFirstly, how can it not be a perfect day when you visit a place called 'The Chocolate Cottage'!! I saw the sign posted from that little center and it seems like I could spend an ENTIRE day there....and get into a bit of a financial bind!!
ReplyDeleteLove the gourds. I'm so glad you posted the mobile. I grew a big crop of gourds about 10 yrs. ago. I used some to make snowmen (great necks for a scarf!), some for birdhouses, but I still have a couple left. And one is cracked on the bottom! So, I'm going to cut that one into a little dome and make a fun mobile for my front porch using beads! Thanks!
I thought the bird was a pea hen because it reminded me of a peacock without the frou frou! I've never seen a pea hen, but that's what I've imagined them to look like!
Debby I am glad that photo gave you an idea of how to use your gourd. I have never grown them.
DeleteSounds like a perfect day to me too, I am going to be at the Chocolate cottage on Friday with a friend, I've never been to the Danish place, so that will also be part of our day out.
ReplyDeleteMargaret I can't. Believe you haven't been there. The shop used to be in Ruthven St upstairs somewhere opposite Baileys.
DeleteOh, a chocolate cottage. HOw divine! If I'm ever out that way, that's where I'll be headed:) Meg
ReplyDeleteMeg they have homemade chocolate there plus a beautiful gift shop and cafe.
DeleteThat has always been the most beautiful part of Toowoomba - all the way up to Crow's Nest. They maintain a rural aspect, while successfully blending the urban infrastructure, as well. There's a gift shop attached to the Chocolate Cottage (may be a separate business) which had everything Shabby Chic and vintage. I don't know if they're still there.
ReplyDeleteI can verify, that's a guinea fowl, as SelinaB suggested. I wonder if they're wild or kept? Anyone who free ranges guinea fowl in our area, always end up having them vacate for the wilds. They just prefer wide, open spaces. So I was surprised to hear they were around tables. Maybe it is possible to domesticate them, after all, lol. ;)
I think that gift shop is still there, Chris. The guinea fowls are always there. Perhaps they are locked up at night with the other wildlife there. There is a lot of room for them there to roam around.
DeleteI'll add that to the list of things to do when we visit Toowoomba! Love the bead shop, how very tempting!
ReplyDeleteYou will love it I am sure, Belinda. There is a lot to see around that area.
DeleteGuinea fowl....so noisy! Did you know they have quite dark meat?
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about them, MrHM. I loved the feathers though.
DeleteMy friend made me laugh one day when she referred to Guinea fowls as "little old ladies in polka dot dresses" lol! I think that describes them so well! :)
DeletexTania
Sounds like a wonderful place to visit.
ReplyDeleteWhen you visit Queensland you must call in there, Robyn :-)
DeleteOh I hope to come to this part of the world one day!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly must, Chrissy. We live in a beautiful area of Queensland.
Delete