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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

strawflower

 Straw 3 

Straw 2 

Straw 1 

 
The children and I discovered a rough walking-track near our house which had recently been cleared. Growing wild next to a tree stump, I found a strawflower plant. I haven't seen these flowers in a long time, but I remember them growing in my Mum's garden when I was a child. They are so brightly coloured and the petals are crisp, like straw. They're sometimes called 'everlasting flowers'.

Back at home, when I was looking through a folder of papers, I found this image that I'd torn from last year's calendar (which featured botanical paintings from Japan)- I do believe they are also strawflowers. I love them.

Speaking of wildflowers, I have a guest post published here at bliss in a teacup today.

Also- I'm honoured to be featured here on the blog for the Auckland Art and Craft Fair which I'll be attending on the 24th of July. It looks like it will be great: it will be held in the Auckland Art Gallery with Frankie magazine as a sponsor. If you live nearby and are planning to come along, I'd love to meet you.

 

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21 responses to “strawflower”

  1. Eyecatchers Avatar
    Eyecatchers

    I remember these flowers as a child also but I haven’t seen them for a long-time (except for the occasional dried flower arrangement(s) in Florist shops) – Just love them!!!!! Love your drawing/painting also!

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  2. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thanks, greta!

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  3. anna Avatar
    anna

    oh i’m sooo excited about the art and craft fair! i love your blog and it will be so exciting to see yours and other creative types wares in the flesh – felt and etsy are great but there’s nothing like actually seeing items for real. no doubt your stall will have queues a mile long!!!

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  4. louana Avatar
    louana

    ooooh, yay I might be able to make it! I love your strawflower image, my aunt used to grow them in bright colours and I loved them as a child. I haven’t seen any for years.

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  5. lotus Avatar
    lotus

    Oh that’s great about the Auckland Fair. I know a few people who will love to go. Hope you are all enjoying your new lovely house and the holidays xx

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  6. Jacqui Avatar
    Jacqui

    I remember those as a child too, my mum used to grow them and the wire the stems up and we’d have them all around the house. I’m bound and determined to get to the fair, despite having a 5th birthday party to attend that afternoon, so will pop by and say hello 🙂

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  7. caireen Avatar
    caireen

    what a beautifully structured flower.. if they are so rare, do you think you could bury these in the garden? they might seed? Cx

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  8. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hmm, great idea, caireen- i might just do that!

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  9. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi jacqui- thanks- it would be great to meet you!

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  10. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    thanks louana- it would be cool to meet you!

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  11. Eunhwa Avatar
    Eunhwa

    Hello Melissa! Loved reading your guest post and the interview. I have never seen stawflowers but will look into it now. Very pretty!

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  12. Jo Avatar
    Jo

    Melissa these are a childhood memory for me too, growing up in the bush outside Melbourne, my Mum called them Everlastings .. I should go up to her place tomorrow and hunt some down. 🙂

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  13. renee ~ heirloom seasons Avatar
    renee ~ heirloom seasons

    I have always loved these flowers too, I have some dried white ones from long ago that are sometimes included on our winter nature table. I love the yellow cheeriness of these ones, and always find such inspiration in your sweet little sketches!

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  14. Jacilyn Avatar
    Jacilyn

    Beautiful painting! I also enjoyed your interview for the craft fair. Wish I could attend but that would be one long flight from California!

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  15. Bluebird7777777 Avatar
    Bluebird7777777

    wao(^^
    beautiful!
    i am happy to see japanese paint we call “kiku”. very popular in japan(^^
    http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%AD%E3%82%AF

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  16. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    oh- thank you for the link, bluebird!

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  17. margie oomen Avatar
    margie oomen

    straw flowers are so fantastic
    i am happy you found some nearby

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  18. bridget Avatar
    bridget

    there were so many everlastings in western australia.. sometimes the only spot of colour to be seen. and i have had a surprising amount of luck growing them in the uk from seed. filled a big half oak barrel with them a coupleo fyears ago. you have reminded me i need to source some more seeds… x

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  19. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    nice one bridget- i just might try it too!

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  20. Lovely World Avatar
    Lovely World

    My mom used to grow lots of straw flowers and status flowers to sell at a farmers market. I have memories of her hanging them up to dry around and about the house.
    I enjoyed reading your last few posts. I have found it difficult to spend much time at the computer and have fallen behind in my blog reading.

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  21. Maddy @FlowerClub Avatar
    Maddy @FlowerClub

    I really enjoy reading your blog and what you have to say about straw flower. I’ve seen your flower, and I’m happy to let others know about it because you’ve written a blog with some really helpful information.

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