So, after finding a toilet component at the Waitaki Resource Recovery Park and then walking around the Oamaru Public Gardens, she decided to create a "floral" arrangement to enter in the inaugural Steam Junk competition.
The competition, run by the Waitaki District Council, challenges entrants to let their imaginations run wild and create something using only recyclable material or scrap which would usually be thrown away.
Mrs Bell, who was a "sucker for a challenge", created the arrangement, which she dubbed Mix N Match Funk, using the toilet part, tap handles and tins from the resource recovery park, springs from a friend, table tennis balls from her back room and cardboard flowers.
She intended making the flowers from tins but it did not work as they would not curl. However, they proved ideal for making leaves.
Mrs Bell said she was "addicted" to entering competitions and thought Steam Junk looked fun. She did not care about winning prizes but enjoyed a challenge.
Joking that she "lived" at the resource recovery park, she said she already had plans for another creation: a tin man, reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz character.
Entry forms for the Steam Junk competition had to be in by yesterday. Entrants have until March 27 to complete their entries.
Entertainers Jools and Lynda Topp will present the prizes during the Harvest Home festival at Totara Estate on March 28.
Entries will be displayed at the event.
