Halls Gap Adventures...

What a wonderful, exhilarating and exhausting adventure I have been on during the week. Five days in the beautiful Halls Gap, the heart of the Grampians, with over one hundred students and ten other teachers for a week we will remember for many years to come. I tried my hand at a high ropes course, bush walked to 'The Pinnacle', met some lovely wildlife, rock climbed and the most adrenalin pumping of all, I took the plunge and went abseiling. What an amazing experience, the closest I have ever come to flying.

A few photos from my adventures, including the cliff I abseiled off (bottom right), the amazing Pinnacle lookout (middle) and a very cheeky kookabarra (bottom middle).

After a long week it is lovely to be back home and I'm very much enjoying hanging out by the fire, reading magazines, filling my inspiration journals and working on story ideas. We spent the morning at the botanical gardens which is fast becoming one of my favourite spots here in Mildura. It has been a misty overcast day and was the perfect weather for wondering through the beautiful winter landscape full of bare maple trees and pines. It was almost like being in Narnia.

My favourite photo from our outing this morning was of these two gorgeous Rosellas in the top of the beautiful bare trees.

I hope your weekend has been as delightful and relaxing as mine, I'm off to help my lovely hubby with dinner and to settle in for the evening with a spot of sewing by the fire.

Much love and winter gardens
xxx

Read More

Shopping List Saturday..

A week of adventure amongst the birds and trees has made me realise just how much I would love to live deep in the forest in a tree house. Watching the world go by from high up in the leaves in a little tree cottage sounds perfect to me.

1. Signature Dish- Tree House by thebrickkiln
2. Papercut Print. Tree House. by elsita
3. Daytime Tree Houses by Nottoopink
4. the tree houses - print by corid
5. Peculiar Neighbors - Print by atwhim
6. Growing a House print by IrenaSophia

I would love to fall into one of these beautiful illustrations and find myself living among circus tents, birds and branches. I am a nature girl at heart and a little homebody and love to dream of the extraordinary homes I could create.

For more beautiful tree houses check out this amazing book 'New Treehouses of the World'.

Take a moment to brew a fresh pot of tea and pop over to the fabulous Fancy Picnic to check out the other amazing Shopping Lists. The perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I'm off to spend a quiet afternoon watching a film or two and getting back into my granny squares. It is so lovely to be home after a week away with on year 8 camp, I'm so looking forward to catching up on some blog reading and pottering around the house. Photos of my adventures to come.

Much love and treeshouses
xxx

Read More

An adventurous week!

It's not quite the usual Sunday night at my place. I'm running around trying to find a torch, batteries, sunscreen, mittens and thermals. You see I'm going on year eight camp for the week!

Image from weheartit

We are off to Hall's Gap in the Grampians tomorrow morning for five days of ropes courses, absailing, rock climbing, bike riding and canoeing. Many fun and exhausting days ahead. Luckily this time we get to stay at a nice lodge instead of tents and I don't have to carry a 20kg pack on my back, so I'm really looking forward to this week's adventure.

My little Etsy shop will be open and orders will be shipped on Monday the 1st of June. I will be back on Friday night and will have plenty of photos and stories to share.

Wishing you a lovely week full of delightful moments. I'm off to continue packing and searching for all the strange bit and pieces I might need for the week. Hopefully it will not be too cold at night. Think I better pack an extra blanket.

Much love and adventures
xxx

Read More

Shop Update - The Owl Collection..

Sunday is a day for adventures, for tea parties and for owls.

'The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat..'

There is something very special these wise old birds and I'm delighted share my new little 'Owl Collection'. Each little brooch is unique with its own charming owl from Alexander Henry's beautiful fabric. Do you heart pirate owls, tea cup owls or magic owls? Pop into my Etsy shop now to find the perfect owl for you....

Much love and Owls
xxx

Read More

Saturday Afternooon...

What I love to do on a Saturday afternoon...

With my favourite illustrated copy of Alice in Wonderland, I found the perfect spot under the Autumn leaves this afternoon, to dream a few hours away in Wonderland..

I wish it was Autumn all year around. It seems we just agree with one another.

Now the sun has gone down, the antique bedroom chair by the fire calls to spend a little time on a few granny squares and lose myself in the beautiful collector's edition of Vogue Living.

Much love and happy reading
xxx

Read More

Shopping List Saturday..

This little shopping list dedicated to a beautiful woman, who also just happened to once be the Queen of France. Ever known for her amazing dresses and that 'infamous phrase', there is one eccentricity that I love about her more than any other... Marie Antoinette's gravity defying hair.

Bows, birds and even boats.. this is an ode to a Queen and her hair..

1. Marie Antoinette - Original Papercut Art by tinatarnoff
2. Marie Antoinette Paper Doll by LeLapinTriste
3. Le Chapeau de Poisson d'Or dans une Cuvette -print by ElizabethOcean
4. The Lady Who Had Her Cake and Ate It Too- Print by kirby
5. Trifle Tower - Hand Glittered Print by andreakett
6. Spring Queen- fine art print by darklingwoods
7. the hair print- by gerrijo

Why carry a purse when everything can be conveniently stored in your hair? quote from gerrijo

Take a moment to brew a fresh pot of tea and pop over to the fabulous Fancy Picnic to check out the other amazing Shopping Lists. The perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

The kettle is calling and so is my little studio, many customer orders and a very special surprise to work on. Also a little shop update tomorrow so be sure to stay tuned. Wishing you a wonderful Saturday indeed.

Much love and Bows and Boats
xxx

Read More

My Creative Space..

My creative space this week is the neatest it has been in nearly a month. With so much going on at my 'day job' my little space has not seen a great lot of action this week. I was very excited to come home this afternoon to some lovely mail, so at last my little space is back to it's usual chaotic state.

My desk filled with some fabulous mail, some brooches in the making and of course a cup of tea. Here is a closer peak at the bits and pieces filling my creative space..

A lovely little card from my grandmother who was my inspiration for starting this blog and a special custom order of brooches in the making.

A lovely cup of Lady Grey tea in one of my favourite 'Mad Hatter' tea cups and the fabric some very sweet fabric for a custom order to match a lovely handmade bag.

A very fun, half completed page from my 'wreck this journal' and some very cute air mail postcards I bought from Three Dog Party. They were very sweet and threw in a few extras which I would love fill with my poetry and send around the world! If you would like me to send you a poem on a very sweet postcard just comment and let me know. I just love filling the world with words!

Make sure you head over to the wonderful Kristy at Kootoyoo to join in the fun and show off your Creative Space.

Much love, poetry and tea cups
xxx

Read More

A very busy bee..

Right now I feel like one of these crazy little worker bees collecting honey..

image from weheartit

The weeks are just flying past and I just seem to be hanging on for the ride. Can someone hit the slow down button please! I think I'm ready for a holiday... only five weeks to go.

Much love to everyone, sorry I haven't been around to check out and comment on everyone's blogs. I will be doing so as soon as I can find life's 'pause' button! But for now, I'm off to be a little busy bee for just a little while longer before I find my way to the couch for a glass of wine and a lovely evening with my hubby.

xxx

Read More

Monday's inspiration..

Today I am inspired by...

The beautiful and intriguing world of Gibbous fashions

Jamie Lea Karoses' stunning hand bound book

Paris: Made by Hand, the exquisite new book by stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk

What is inspiring you today?

Happy Monday! This evening's mission is to tidy the house, unless of course I get distracted by any number of more exciting possibilities, especially my new notebook and watercolour pencils.

Much love and inspiration
xxx

Read More

Collections for the herbarium...

My hubby and I spent the afternoon walking around out delightful little town finding plant specimens for his herbarium (I just love it, it's like a big journal of dried plants like I imagine Harry Potter would keep for herbology). Along the way we played in the Autumn leaves and I had a wonderful time taking photos of the fascinating golden landscape.

Life in Autumn...

Mosaic outtake - I could not resist playing in the leaves.

I hope your weekend has been as lovely and relaxing as mine has. I'm off to pack some orders to be shipped off tomorrow and find a nice little spot by the fire to spend the evening with a good book.

Much love and herbariums
xxx

Read More

Shopping List Saturday..

It may come as no surprise to many of you, how much I adore journals. Having spend my whole life searching, collecting, flicking, smelling and writing in journals and notebooks, my exploration for the perfect journal continues on. I have come to have particular favourites and requirements in my journals as I believe they truly are a writer's best friend. Our PJP monthly writer's workshop is on this afternoon and journals are a constant talking point amongst the writing and workshopping. So I felt it only fitting that this week's shopping list is a my favourite selection of the lovely journals and notebooks on Etsy.

1. Treasure within- vintage book collage covered notebook by Sparrow Salvage
2. I Want. Small leather journal by The Black Spot Books
3. Giant oak leather blank book by Jovencio
4. Spells and Charms Notebook by celestefrittata

5. Curious Tea Party Pocket moleskine cahier by Champignons

It is almost impossible to go past any of these beautiful journals, to fill with pages of scribbles and musings, penned with love and ink. There is just something very special and almost unexplainable about keep a well used journal..

Well I'm off the writers' lunch and workshop to be inspired and fill my journal (hopefully) with some poetry and prose. I hope your Saturday is filled with all of your favourite things.

Much love and journalling
xxx

Read More

Lost in the depths of Victorian Literature..

There are just some moments I feel like I was born in the wrong era entirely... In high school I thought for sure I should have been around in the 1960's with flowers in my hair and love beads around my neck. Now as I meander through my library adventures there are so many places I know I belong, in Wonderland with Alice, causing trouble in Mr.McGregor's garden with Peter, searching for the secret garden Mary, attending a grand party with the Bennet's and today I just wanted to be sitting in the ever mysterious Wildfell Hall painting with Helen..

This afternoon as my literature class watched the 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' the BBC mini series, I couldn't help but realise how much I longed to fall into the pages of a Bronte novel.

Image from 'The Tennant of Wildfell Hall'

To wear a corset and bonnet, wonder around a village market, live in beautiful old manor and befriend an alluring 'gentleman'.

Image from marmalademook

To wonder the moors and set up an easel amongst the mist.. to paint, to write, to dream.

This is the beauty of literature...

I hope everyone has had a lovely Friday, I'm very much looking forward to the weekend, with much to do, including a few very exciting new projects, a writing workshop and a little winter shopping. I'm off to curl up by the fire, watch the second episode of The Tenant and perhaps even crochet a granny square or two.

Much love and beautiful literature
xxx

Read More

Giveaway WINNERS!

First of all thank you so much to everyone who enters my Mother's Day giveaway. I laughed, cried and was truly moved by all your beautiful comments. Big love to all the wonderful mothers out there, especially mine.. Have a lovely day today.

And now for the winners... thanks to random.org

The winners are:

The Artisan scrap brooch- LittleLovlies
Love (Green) - Edward and Lilly
Love (Blue) - SaraSophia
Love (Pink) - Bec

Congratulations girls! Wear them, love them or perhaps even share them with your mum! I just love giveaways and will be having another very soon.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Friday, enjoy all the lovely moments! I'm off to work, it's 'Suit Day' today, all the teachers are dressing up, should give the students a laugh.

Much LOVE!
xxx

Read More

My Creative Space..

I often forget that my creative space does not finish at my studio, office, lounge room or anywhere else I'm currently making a mess. It extends of course to my handbag...

During our weekly phone catch up last night, Courtney and I were discussing the contents of our well worn bags and decided that they would be perfect to share this week. We are both true 'Bag Ladies' are carry our homes wherever we go, my hubby often comments that you could fill a semi-trailer with the contents of my Kikki K. I will let you be the judge of that..

My favourite everyday bag from Kikki K filled with the everyday moments of my life..

Of course I just love brooches and this is just a small collection of the often quirky and ever changing gallery..

My 'wreck this journal' now travels everywhere with me, along with my little green William Blake notebook, perfect for my many lists (I'm a list addict), literary theory text, a stray granny square and a small mountain of pens (just in case one runs out).

A few interesting facts about the contents of my bag: Today there is: a diary, two journals, two notebooks, a novel, a textbook and exactly 14 pens. You just never know what you might need.

To see the contents of my partner in crime's bag, check out Courtney's creative space and head over to Kristy at Kootoyoo to join in the fun and show off your Creative Space.

Friday tomorrow! Much excitement all round. Some reading and sewing to do tonight and I also have to plan what I'm going to wear to 'Suit Day' tomorrow at work, what fun! Remember that my Mother's Day giveaway will be drawn at 8am tomorrow morning so get in fast!

Much love and Handbags
xxx

Read More

How I love Autumn..

I sat down to write this post tonight with some cute things to share, a winter coat I love, some fabulous stationary, perhaps even the progress on my 'wreck this journal' and granny squares. All of this changed when I looked out my window and saw tonight's sunset...

Spellbound by the delights, I threw on my jacket, grabbed my camera and wondered down the street to capture the beauty of this fleeting sunset, the falling leaves and stunning shades of Autumn.

You can see how this stunning Redgum got its name..


I was so tempted to play amongst the leaves of this beautiful Maple.

As the sun began to set I noticed the little things and marveled at these tiny new shoots caught among the falling leaves...

Tomorrow brings creative spaces and the down hill run to Friday, my first moment free at work all week, a cold morning and a much needed moment to sit and write.

Don't forget only two days left to enter my Mother's Day giveaway which will be drawn on Friday at 8am. Just comment to enter!

Wishing you a wonderful mid week! Only two days until the weekend. If you haven't already this week, look outside and take in all the beauty around you. Sometimes it hides in the sweetest places.

Much love and Autumn Sunsets
xxx

Read More

When Autumn and Spring Collide..

As Autumn and Spring collide around the world I feel myself drawn to to wear beautiful warm brown tones and at the same time I am creating brooches in the prettiest of Spring pinks and greens. Oh how I love global inspiration! My weekend to bought moments of Autumn and Spring as I stocked up on some winter essentials, spent some much need down time on my granny squares, played with some beautiful Thea and Sami fabric and created a little collection of brooches inspired by tea sets and flowing Spring dresses.

Shades of Autumn- Getting ready for winter, new boots, scarves and vintage gloves

My little grannies are slowly growing in numbers...

My beautiful Thea and Sami fabric arrived in the mail.. The delightful Thea and I are joining forces and I'm so excited to create a collection of brooches using her amazing fabrics.

Inspired by English Muse's beautiful roses and delights of flowing dresses and the amazing work of Susan Southam, I couldn't help but celebrate mother's day with a little collection of girly petite brooches which are available in my Etsy shop now.

I loved the delightful blossoming Spring feeling so much I just had to continue it into the brooches for my Mother's Day giveaway.

To enter check out my giveaway post and leave me a message telling me a little something about a wonderful mother you know. The giveaway will be drawn on Friday the 15th at 8am.

My weekend was made complete when Dujour Magazine released their stunning Vintage Issue which I am so delighted to be featured in.

The whole magazine is full of stunning designers, artists and photographers, beautiful photo shoots and all round gorgeous vintage moments, I really am in some amazing company. It is a must to check out! To buy your own copy or subscribe to the environmentally friendly online version check them out at Dujour Magazine.

I hope you have enjoyed a lovely start to the week, I'm about to locate my scissors and curl up by the fire to cut fabric circles and flick through the latest Country Style magazine.

Much love, Autumn leaves and Spring Blooms
xxx

Read More