I bought myself a new camera a couple of weeks ago....and I am smitten! it's a Canon 7D with a 17-55mm lens and I have been slowly exploring all it's features. there is so much to learn even for someone who has been using cameras for a very long time....

here are just a few early shots. I can see lots of fun coming up here.......

questions

last week I started a new e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls called Hello Soul. Hello Business

it looks at business in a whole new way and asks many questions about how we think about our business, why we do what we do, who we want to do it with and so on. the input from fellow class members is great and comments pose lots more questions and ideas.

I've had a couple of aha moments over the past week and feel a little all over the shop but am really hopeful that this course is heading me in the right direction with where I want to be in the future......stayed tuned!



hello 2012

hello 2012. I'm back from my little blog holiday (which I didn't realise I was going to have but life got in the way!)....hope that 2012 has started in a wonderful way for you.

 can you guess what I've been up to these past weeks? yep......up to my ears in sorting, washing, photographing, cutting, ironing...getting lots of goodies organised for Magpie Finds

 I have been collecting "stuff" for so long now and it's taken me ages to sort through it all and prepare it all so it's bright and shiny ready to go out in the world.

but I haven't been ignoring the rest of the world. I've been doing lots of blog reading, spending my holidays indulging in beautiful images, going to concerts, planning and dreaming for 2012,  and generally refreshing my batteries....lots to tell but that might wait til next time. x

Merry Xmas

Merry Xmas everyone. hope your day is blessed with family, good times and peace.
I decided to use what I had around me in the studio to wrap my presents this year.....here are the results

posies in my garden

I've been working very hard in my garden over the past couple of months trying to transform it from jungle to pretty! lately the flowers have been putting on a lovely display and there is colour everywhere....love it

 these pretty posies are an old style rose I actually grew from a cutting....one of only two successes I've had

marigolds will always remind me of our visit to Nepal last year....they were everywhere

such a pretty view first thing in the morning

xmas is coming

I love Xmas. I love the excitement, the looks on kids faces, time to party, Xmas eve, cooking for Xmas day (mmmmm pavlova!), everyone wishing each other good times and good cheer, and the love of being with those I treasure.

 I also love making Xmas decorations! this year groups of these trees are going to adorn my table and cupboard tops.

 and these gorgeously coloured fabric balls are going to be grouped in bowls around the house

 and these pretty hearts are going on the tree....see the tiny antique frozen charlotte doll body all the way from germany...

music to my ears...

if you would like some of these to brighten your home too this Xmas I've listed some in the shop just now. be quick.

xmas gifts

these little treasures have been a real hit in the shop cute as a button pocket journals made from playing cards and recycled papers

 by yesterday morning they were sold out, but last night I added some more...

along with some of these slightly larger versions made from vintage children's flash cards...perfect for the little farmer in your life...or pilot or football player or fireman or.... 

great little stocking fillers. head over to Magpie House and have a look before these sell out too...

varanasi

this time last year......

madeit.com

have you discovered madeit? I'm pretty sure you have but just in case....you should head over and check out all the aussie handmade goodies, all ready just in time for xmas.

 I opened my little shop on madeit a few months ago and there are some very clever australian artists and crafters selling lots of wonderful things

now...listen up...madeit is running a choose handmade xmas campaign and that has to be a good thing. buy aussie handmade goodies for all your loved ones this year and know that your gift is made with love. you could buy one of my purses or brooches....or you could browse through madeit and find that special gift all without leaving home. now what could be better than that?!

and if you would like to make your own gifts for xmas why not check out madeit's sister craftumi where you will find everything you need in craft supplies

so much fun....!

diwali

this time last year we were in Nepal trekking through the Himalayas....I get goose bumps when I say that! I can't believe how lucky we are to travel to the places we do, meet wonderful people along the way, and see the incredible places we visit....so lucky. when we travelled to Nepal the festival of Diwali was just finishing. on our first night in Kathmandu we lay in bed listening to bells ringing, firecrackers exploding, excited voices, dogs barking and cats wailing!  

 as we travelled throughout Nepal and then down in to India the remains of Diwali were everywhere...mandalas in doorways, marigolds, signs, coloured powders on animals, etc. my favourite remains though had to be the countless garlands made from whatever was available in the environment. these two photos show some across waterways we crossed whilst trekking....in those Himalayas! I'm inspired to get out and make some from my garden now...but it's raining so it will have to wait til another day.

 marigolds were draped everywhere and contributed so much colour.

Diwali is also known as the festival of lights and is celebrated by various religions. for Hindus it is celebrated in families with traditional activities and in Nepal and India it is an official holiday. the word Diwali translates as "row of lamps" and small clay lamps are lit to signify the triumph of good over evil.