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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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