Brown paper packages

It's Sunday night and I am all over the place.  So much going on I am finding I go from one task to another without getting anything completed.  There are projects in various states on just about every surface of the living area.  I have my busiest market weekend next weekend, with the Sisters' Market on Saturday, and Yarraville Market on Sunday.  I'm really looking forward to it ~ and I do love the week leading up to it, with so much to focus on, and watching it all come together by Friday night.

This Christmas Star is the theme for all of my wrapping this year.  I love the blue and white with the brown paper.  I send all photo block and calendar orders from Etsy and madeit wrapped in brown paper, tied with string and with a little thank you gift tag, (I like to think the purchaser is receiving a little present for themselves) and  as I am getting into the holiday spirit already, from now until Christmas I will be using these blue star gift tags.

I have added sets of 4 note cards with envelopes to both shops (here and here), and will have note cards and sets of the gift tags with me at the markets next weekend.

And......stay tuned over the next week......I am very excited to have a couple of giveaways coming up......will let you know where and when...........

1+1=2

I am having a sale in my Etsy shop this weekend, purchase any 8x8" or 8x10" photograph, and receive a free print of the same size!  Add the title of the photo you would like as your freebie in the notes to seller field at checkout - too easy.  A great way to freshen up your decor for the holiday season, or to give as presents.

The above photo "a pair and a spare" is something I am working on for the Female Photographers of Etsy (fPOE) book - a group of talented ladies from all around the world, uniting to publish a book of work.  I am very excited to be a part of it, and will post more when the project is finished. 

I know that there are 3 pears above, so really my equation 1+1=2 doesn't really work, but hey, I am sleep deprived, so humour me!!!!

How inspiring is this!?

Erin Carver, one of my oldest friends, is an incredibly talented artist.  We have been friends for about 17 years, and over the years as her art has developed, I have been inspired and in awe of her talent.  I am so proud of her, she has recently opened up 2 online shops (Etsy and Felt), and has her first market stall this weekend - if you happen to be in the Hawkes Bay area of New Zealand this weekend, go and say hello!

A couple of weeks ago Erin created her first ever calendar from her Beautiful Words series- 12 pages of her gorgeous art, how could I resist.  Except before I had a chance to purchase a calendar, I received one in the mail...thank you Erin! 

It is beautiful, and I am so inspired by it.  I can't decide which month is my favourite, with words such as this how can you choose a favourite?? -

"you are full of possibility"

"dream crazy. big. beautiful. (your imagination knows no boundaries)"

"trust your intuition.  take chances.  say yes."

"create yourself. (you are an artist)"

I have each card up on my inspiration wire, and already have plans to frame each mini print (minus the dates) once the month is over.  My only problem is - how will I wait until the end of next year to have 12 mini prints of Erin Carver's framed?  :)

If you are new to Erin's work, I highly recommend the calendar as a way to receive 12 mini prints at once - and watch her space - it is only a matter of time before Erin will be exhibiting her art in galleries...

Trouble with words and a new series

I really am not very good at this blogging thing. I find as soon as I sit in front of the "new post" screen my mind goes blank. BLANK. Anyone else have this problem? I think of so much I'd like to share, and then somewhere on the way to the computer the words disappear. Hmmmm.

Anyway, that aside, I am starting to work on a new Bird series.  This is the first completed photo, titled "Spread Your Wings". 

There is something so lovely about birds in flight - the graceful way they fly, with a blue sky backdrop.....

Happiness is...

This morning we headed out for an early pre-hot sun walk around the neighbourhood (we're still in the midst of a heat wave here in Melbourne), and as Annabel was pointing out things she could see, she exclaimed "What a cool tree!  We could take a photo of it!"  I think my little girl is getting ready to start taking her own photos.  Oh how happy that makes me!

It also made me realise that I have missed taking photos this week - too hot to be bothered doing anything.  So when we walked in the door I went straight to the polaroid, wishing we were at the beach with our feet in the water, the breeze in our hair, collecting shells and building sand castles.  I think we should move closer to the beach......

If anyone is in Yarraville over the weekend, the Yarraville Market is on both days. I'll be there on Sunday, so pop in and say hello!

The haze of a hot spring

It has been so hot here in Melbourne, and it is still only spring. 

We have been spending a bit of time heading off on beach adventures - to play, to watch, to enjoy the sea breeze.  There is something so soothing about the different shades of blue...hazy blue sky, deep blue water, with simmering sunshine.....and then the evening light, as the air cools when the sun dips below the horizon...