Pincushion excitement!!

Wow, what a great and busy weekend has just flew by! Phew. It all started on Friday when the postie dropped off a little package at my door. As I was ripped off the brown paper wrapping I had a feeling I was in for something pretty wonderful.....

This amazing pincushion was made especially for me by gorgeous Michelle of Midge & Judy. She has added some sweet touches such as the chooks and rabbit, things she knows are close to my heart. Isn't it fantastic?? I was so touched to receive this beautiful pincushion that I had a bit of a tear or two, how lovely to be given something so special.

There is such detail in this little work of art, look at the bunny! Check out those carrots!!

And the holly hocks! As I said to Michelle I will really treasure this amazing pincushion and whenever I use it I will be reminded of her generosity and how a gift made by hand can bring such joy. Thanks so much Kate too for this fantastic swap, it has really connected people, in such a simple but wonderful way.

The rest of the weekend was a happy whirl of cooking,

dancing,

..and walking. I'm really on a roll with my exercise at the moment. On Saturday I did two laps of the lake again, taking in lots of lovely outdoors action, a wedding with a string quartet! and all the while dreaming and planning, and listening to Lucy's ipod.

I'm really feeling the benefits of regular exercise, my head feels clearer, I am feeling fitter & I'm not as weepy or cranky. Sunday has been joining me for bush walks, something we love to do together.

Yesterday we walked down to see mum in Hepburn, down through the gully and across the little bridge.

And up the hill to mums.

Have you got a busy week ahead? I'm looking forward to catching up with Kate & Pepper on Wednesday, finishing off some bunny orders, two school meetings, catching up with Michelle to talk garlic tomorrow, as well as Phillippa for our Women in Small Business meeting! Yay. Next Tuesday we are heading to Ballarat to do research for our various businesses. This research will probaly lead to a few lovely shops and some great coffee. Fun! This group is a great way to get motivated to get the most out of a small business and an excellent way to workshop ideas and get feedback. Phillippa was encouraged to start a blog as a way of connecting with other creative people and promoting her fabulous fabric. Do pop over and say hi.

Hope you have a fun week sweeties, what are you up to? xo

Happy Friday

When you live in a beautiful place there really is no excuse to be inside.

Recently I have revived my walking 'program' and have been loving the added bonus of being surrounded by amazing scenery, fresh air, blue sky & the sounds of happy birds.

I guess this is one of the reasons we moved to the country, and one of the reasons we stayed! To be in an environment that is so inspiring, invigorating but also soothing & serene, where cars don't dominate our lives, where there isn't a billboard for miles.

I know not everyone wants this, or are in a position to make such choices. I feel lucky & happy that we did and could. Our kids may not have some of the facilities of the city, or even of bigger country towns. And yes I do miss the different cultures of the city, getting to know people from other places and their experiences, the delicious food, oh & the trams! But I can't really think of anywhere I'd rather be, than here.

Yesterday Sunday & I went for a bush walk with the dogs, just at the end of our street. Max & Daisy had a ball, especially in the creek that runs along Doctor's Gully. Sunday threw stones into the water holes, chatted, sang, ran & jumped. We looked for things for our nature table and scanned trees for koalas.

This morning I went down to the lake, what a great way to start the day. It helped that the sky over head was a brilliant blue, after a week of cloudy days it was like heaven. I'm going to take you on a walk with me now, I want to show you some of the beautiful things I saw this morning.



First up I parked near the bridge that runs between the two lakes. From this bridge there are amazing, sweeping views of the water, quite breathtaking, especially at this time of year.

As we walk along, looking at shadows and the sun on the water, ripples and ducks, can you hear the sounds of cracking & chomping?

Yep, some gorgeous native birds having a feast of bright, red berries.

There must have been something pretty good in those berries as the birds don't seem at all bothered by people or noise & are super relaxed. I wonder what's in those berries, I might try some too!

I love the way they use their little clawed feet to eat. I'm not sure what type of birds they are, I've never seen them around this area before, have you?

It's such a beautiful lake to walk around, what about this view?

Lots of autumn colour, lovely old houses and pretty vista's.

And of course, geese!

I hope you enjoyed that little walk. It's so good for the soul isn't it? After feeling pretty crap for a while it's great for me to be enjoying these kind of experiences.

On the home front I didn't have much sleep last night as I was worrying, and sad, about Shorty the turtle. He disappeared from his little eating container, just as the kids were going to bed. Billy was so sad, we all were. We looked everywhere but no Shorty.

Good news though! After the kids went to school this morning I had another look and there he was! Under Bill's desk. Yay!!! So he is outside having a sunbath now to warm up. Phew. There is going to be one happy boy here after school!

Hope you all have a happy weekend, maybe you'll be out enjoying this gorgeous world of ours too xo

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