My Creative Space

Last night I found my dreams were full of Love Hearts.

Not surprising as yesterday I finished cutting out another fifty for Big Dreams, in Northcote. The cutting out bit is my least favourite part of the process, but I love it when there is suddenly a pile of fifty, all different colours and patterns. I never get sick of the heart shape.

Today I will be sewing them up and hopefully getting out to Lavandula to buy some more lavender. But to start the day off I went for a walk with Shell around the two lakes. We're trying to walk three times a week, it's a good way to clear my head and keep active.

It's a beautiful day here in Daylesford and the summer seems to be backing off, the seasons changing. I love this time of year. The light is different, the air smells fresh and the nights are cool, good sleeping weather!

I really feel like my creative life is blooming at the moment. I'm so happy to have some orders for shops, to have some new ideas, to be surrounded by lots of lovely creative people who are so inspiring. I love living here in Daylesford with it's rich history of creativity. Artists and crafts people have been coming to this area for many years, attracted by the beautiful surrounds and other like minded people. It isn't something that has happened in the last couple of years - our town has long been a mecca for creative types, and this is continuing today which makes it a wonderful place to live. I'm so looking forward to Handmade starting up on March 8th (venue to be confirmed) so if you are interested in coming along (everyone is welcome) please put the date in your diary!


As some of you probably already know I have another small business with my mate, Michelle, The Organic Paddock. You may have followed the planting of our second garlic crop last year, the harvesting and then storing. We are so excited as our blog is now up and running and we are selling our biodynamic garlic online! Pop over and have a look if you have a sec. I had fun taking the photo's, I really like this one above.

I'm hoping to catch up with lovely Peta from Pippiwillow today for a coffee. She has just moved into town so I'm looking forward to welcoming her. I don't think she has blogged much lately as she has been busy moving. Meanwhile I should be emptying the dishwasher, planning tonights dinner, feeding the chooks, hanging out the washing...oh, that's right, I'm meant to be sewing up Love Hearts! Better get a wriggle on. Hope you are having a wonderful, creative and inspiring day. Pop over to Kooyotoo for more inspiration, xo

Monday

On the weekend Bill & Lucy started up their own blogs. Bill's is up and running and Lucy's should be finished soon. They are both so excited! If any of your kids have blogs and would like to link up with my two then let me know. Rosie has also been busy, she set up a little 'office' on the verandah on Saturday. She wrote out some important notes and did some other officey type activities,

in the bright morning sunlight.

Daisy kept an eye on things. Actually I'm not sure she can see that well, she needs her fringe trimmed!

Then it was off to ballet where my friend Michelle revealed her inner crafter! I made this little doll for Michelle's daughter, Freya, a couple of years ago & Shell has started making some sweet clothes for her, aren't the pants ace? Love those matching hair ties!I'm hoping Shell will come along to the new Daylesford craft group, Handmade, which is starting up soon.


Late on Saturday I headed down to Melbourne to catch up with Charlotte. It wasn't easy to leave home as one of my girls was so, so sad that I was going. I sat with her and explained how much Charlotte needs me too and that she doesn't get to see me every day, or be at home, like the other kids. I've made this decision to support Charlotte through her last year of school by visiting regularly but it's difficult to understand that when you are six, and you hate for your mum to go away. As I drove down the freeway with Paul Kelly blasting out I thought about the many challenging aspects of being a parent. Trying to do the right thing by everyone, and yourself, it's not always easy.



It was so good to get to Charlotte's school, sneak up to her room and have a big hug! I loved looking around her room which is so orderly & interesting. I had to take a photo of her stash of apples. I miss her so much when she is at school, although it's been great for her to board I have found it extremely hard.




One of our rituals is to go out to Woodstock for pizza & pasta. If you live in Melbourne & haven't tried their pizza's then run, quickly! Order one and eat it up, I bet you'll be back for more. Delicious! Then we went to Borders & Readings which is always fun. I just love hanging out with Charlotte.



On Sunday morning I had breakie with a lovely friend who I haven't seen in a long time. It was great to catch up and we laughed and chatted like we had only seen each other yesterday. Alot has happened to this mate in the last couple of years and it was also very emotional too. Back at her house she gave me some toys and books that belonged to her son who died aged 7 abour a year and a half ago. I can't imagine how she copes, it's so unfair and just breaks my heart. It's so difficult to see someone you love going through such pain. I guess at this point she is just putting one foot in front of the other and keeping on going. She is off to India for a few months - I hope she has a safe trip & finds a way through it all. My lovely friend.





As I've read over this post I'm struck by the thought that life can be challenging and hard & that is why the connections we make with the ones we love are so important. I received an email last week that also reminded me of the many challenges we can face as parents and the strength we need to push on through. Love & kindness, having hope, laughing and being close are what makes our lives worthwhile and gives meaning in the tough times.




Sometimes I get so caught up in thinking about such things, and daydreaming that I forget I'm a busy mum who has a million things to do. Today I have a long list. I am finding I just can't remember everything unless I write it down! Ahhh! Anyway, high on the list is finishing the cutting out of the 50 Love Hearts that are due for the beautiful shop, Big Dreams, in Northcote. Better go and start! Hope you have a great Monday, see you soon xo

My Creative Space

A couple of months ago when one of my children was having trouble sleeping I made them a little lavender filled heart to help them relax. It wasn't long before all five kids had hearts. Since then they have been taken to bed to snuggle, taken to sleepovers, to school, put in pillows, cuddled and have become nice, relaxing, comforting, transportable pieces of love.




It took a while to come up with the right shape and size. The first few were wonky, and not quite right. I like a bit of wonkiness but it wasn't until I used the pinking shears that I got the look I was after.








I love that they are easy to make,







That they are filled with locally grown lavender, from Lavandula,



and that they seem to make people smile.

I also love that I get to use my big collection of vintage fabrics.

Choosing different colours, shades & patterns is so much fun.

Filling them up with my trusty red funnel,

hearing the rice & lavender fall,

adding a label,

done.

They remind me of

mixed lollies from

the milkbar.

I find I have a favourite but then,

suddenly,

I'm in love with another,

& then I can't choose....

It's been really fun designing these little sweeties. Lavender hearts aren't exactly an original idea, but I hope I've put my own stamp on them and made them uniquely Dandelion.

Of course I like the love connection too,

Have you told someone you love them today?

.

Anyway, I'm excited to say my hearts became Love Hearts & are now out in the world.

You can find them at the Lark shop in Daylesford and yesterday I delivered

fifty more to Big Dreams

in High St, Northcote.

More creative spaces here..

I'm also excited to say that this is my 99th post and I can feel a giveaway coming on....see you soon xo