lately

Lately I have been taking fewer photos of Annabel and Otis....I find that instead of wanting to be behind the camera, I want to be joining in...being in the moment instead of capturing it.  It has, I must admit, been quite lovely.  Not so lovely when trying to send photos to family in Australia, realising we don't actually have that many!  It is such a cliche, but they grow and change so quickly, and I find I just love watching them, and savouring this time. 

I love that they play together and make each other laugh without talking.....I love that even without using words Annabel will tell me what it is that Otis wants....I love that he can ask her why? why? why? over and over and she doesn't grow impatient, but answers each 'why' with an explanation....I love hearing them giggle and play when they are supposed to be going to sleep....I am really loving life and everything we are blessed with.   

While we're on the subject...

...of vintage goodies, I've turned the latest vintage inspired polaroids into photo blocks,

available individually (on both Etsy and Felt)

or as this set titled 'Nostalgia'-

It is my new favourite set, now hanging in my 'still to be finished' studio. 

But that's a project for another day.  :)

Dear Santa...

please may I have some more Polaroid? I am down to my last pack of film.....

{The Globe}

{Ring Ring}

{The Imperial}

{The Hermes Baby}

{The Olivetti}

it's all about the music...

 {the blue ukelele}

I've been waiting all year for December to roll around so we can start playing the Christmas Carol music.  It seems to get us all in the festive spirit, and I love how Annabel requests her favourite songs all day long.  We never get sick of them, and oh how her face lights up if we are out and she hears one she knows.  Even Otis is getting in on it, following Annabel around copying her dance moves.

{it's all about the music}

It's no wonder with all this music and dancing in the house all day long, I was inspired to take some more polaroids...

Oh, and if you pop over to Much Love, the wonderful Anna is hosting a 2011 Polaroid Daydream Calendar giveaway...

The music

'can you hear the music.....'

'the strummer'

'the listener'

If a man does not keep pace with his companions,

perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.

Let him step to the music which he hears,

however measured or far away.

~ Henry David Thoreau

Photo Jewelry

{You and Me Photo Locket  - $40USD}

I am so thrilled to be working with Lori of Heart Works by Lori, together we have created the most divine jewelry.  Lori's pieces are stunning, brass lockets, rings, pendants...in which she mounts my (printed on metallic paper) photographs, and covers with a protective layer to give them an incredible shine. 

{The Ikonette Ring - $32USD}

 {The Minolta Ring  - $32USD}

{The Minolta Photo Locket  - $40USD}

I received my first order a couple of weeks ago, and most sold before I even had a chance to list them.

{She Wore Butterflies in her Hair Photo Ring - $32USD}

At the moment I have only one locket in stock, You and Me, a silver Minolta pendant, and these three rings.  I am so lucky, as Lori has just sent another order my way - even though she is flat out with her own orders, she made up more lockets for me.  Thanks Lori!

{The Minolta Photo Pendant -$35 USD}

{Pale Simplicity Photo Locket  - $40USD}

I think Santa will be giving me another one for Christmas!  I love them.

{Today would be a lovely day to be a Butterfly Photo Locket  - $40USD}

{The Resting Place Photo Locket - $40USD}

If you see one here in this post you would like listed in either the Etsy (USD and international shipping) or Felt (NZD and shipping within NZ) shop, please contact me to reserve it as they will sell quickly!

{I Wish for a Blue Sky -  - $40USD}

You can also purchase this locket from Lori's shop, featuring my 'I Wish for a Blue Sky' photo. 

 I am shipping orders (all gift wrapped!) as fast as I can, most within 24 hours, and for all you lovely kiwis, I will be shipping right up until the post office closes on the 23rd - with courier delivery available to guarantee a delivery on the 24th.  Happy Holiday shopping!



December

I'm not quite sure how it is here, but it is!  I love December, the busy-ness, the full calendars, the excitement and anticipation, the Christmas Tree, fairy lights, stockings, hiding presents where little (and big) people can't find them, letters to Santa, parties and catch ups with friends and family, Christmas carols.....it is such a festive month.  Not to mention the first official day of summer for us in this part of the world. 

Cheers to a wonderful month of celebrations!

The Simple Things

The simple things in life are the best, hey.  Like country Christmas parades followed by fresh fruit frozen yoghurt on a hot day....little boys who would rather eat bananas.....but love watching their big sister enjoying the cold treat.....

What simple things make you smile?

what's around the corner

Savour every moment....
because we never know what is around the corner....

The holidays are coming....

I love this time of year.  We're starting to think about the holidays...decorating the house, putting up a tree, finding the Christmas Carol CD....it's a few weeks away, but holiday shopping is in full swing, (mine included, I love sites like Felt, Madeit, and Etsy for buying unique presents, and supporting handmade) and so is my holiday packaging.  All orders are now going out with my polaroid holiday star thank you note, and a little doily.  Yes I know doilies are everywhere, but it's because they are so cute.  And if you come to my house for afternoon tea, you will have a little treat served on a doily covered plate with your tea in a vintage tea cup.  Even Annabel sets the table with them - for our dinner, and for her little tea parties.  Which pleases me no end. 

Happy Friday!

Barb "JinkyArt", and corners of our home

There are little corners of our home I'd like to share over a few posts, it is definitely a work in progress....we would like to paint the walls a paler shade of white, replace some of the carpet, lift up other areas and expose the floorboards, hang vintage chandeliers, wallpaper....plus we are still hunting through second hand shops and garage sales for furniture to fill the corners that are a bit sparse....it will take time, and is oh so much fun. 

I thought I'd start in the lounge.  We've recently had a couple of the JinkyArt photos framed - and I wanted to share them with Barb.  If you haven't already come across Barb's website, you must take a look - this lady is amazing.  A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  I still cannot believe we have photos of our little ones taken by Barb (more can be seen here) - I have been a fan for years and when we planned  a trip to Canberra at the start of the year, at the top of the list was to book a JinkyArt session.  When we pulled up to the location, my heart skipped a beat, and I wouldn't be surprised if Shannon told you I actually squealed.  A divine rocking chair, apples strung from the trees, vintage little horse and cart...seriously, heaven.  And the kids had a ball. 

This photo hangs above the main couch.  It is my favourite.  I had taken the butterflies with me in their little birdcage as a possible prop, and Barb's wonderful assistant Megan hung them in the branches.  The session was just for the kids, but Barb snuck this photo in, and I cannot express how much it means to me.  I am the one always behind the camera, so have only a small handful of photos with me and the kids.  I think maybe Barb knew that.  Thank you Barb!

Head over to the website to have a look at more of Barb's divine work, but be warned, you will be there for hours.....oh, and make sure you watch the video at the start, it is....well...go see for yourself....

A stranger on the ledge

In sorting out my new studio space, I flicked through the (very full) 'to scan' box of polaroids.  And found this.  It was taken on one of my final weekends in Melbourne, down a graffiti laneway.  There was a couple taking photos of each other, and as the girl sat in the ledge, the sun came out.  Normally I wouldn't take the photo - I am rather a shy person.  Maybe the thought of leaving made me brave - I asked if I could take a photo - the light looked so lovely, if a bit harsh, and I just really liked the way she was sitting.  My first 'stranger portrait'.  Although, not really a portrait, but you know what I mean.

I love Carterton

and so the 'why I love where I live' list continues...

#2.  I love that most places we need to go to are within walking distance - kindy, family, friends, supermarket, train (Shannon commutes - more on that another time), post office, parks, swimming pool - you get the idea.  And if we do need to drive, then within 5 minutes of leaving home, we are surrounded by country and quaint little towns.  So every drive feels like we are taking a 'Sunday country drive'.  And I do love a country drive....all the farm animals, the sky, the clouds, the hills, the trees, the fields...in every season it is beautiful...

I Love Carterton.

I really love where we live.  When people hear we've just moved from Melbourne, the reaction is always - wow, from Melbourne to Carterton, why??  And you know, it is a huge change, from big city to small town.  But we are LOVING it.  I honestly believe we live in one of the most beautiful regions in the world.
So I am going to do a few posts to share with you why we love it so much.

#1.  The wide open sky. 

No tall buildings.  No concrete.  No bus and tram lines overhead. 

No jungle of power lines.  Just sky. 

And in the distance, rugged mountain ranges to the west, gently rolling hills to the east,

coast to the south, and country to the north. 

In between, all this sky. 

Sky sky sky. 

I do love the sky.

I need a wall dedicated to polaroid

Afternoon sunshine....a  pretty dress that was an early Christmas present from my best friend...

vintage cameras...polaroid...Annabel's curls...we had about 4 minutes of this shoot.   

And then Miss Annabel decided she'd had enough.

And ran away. 

And asked me to stop following her. 

I need new subjects. 

Any volunteers?

my thoughts led me to the Show

Do you ever have random trains of thought?  This is how my thoughts went this morning -
it's a perfect blue sky day...another great day for the clothes line....we can have a picnic lunch again...I hope it's sunny in the weekend...oh, we have the A&P show this weekend...ohhhhhhhhhhhh, carnival rides and a vintage carousal...I wonder if it will be like the carousal at Luna Park...or the Melbourne Show...I loved the show....Oh!  I still have a folder of photos to go through from last years show....

And then instead of doing the jobs I had listed to get through this morning, I have spent the last hour editing photos!  And reminiscing about how great the show was....it was such a brilliant blue day, so sunny that most of these ttv's have sun flare and are washed out...but that's how I remember it, blinding sun, blue sky, and the sound of laughter...and after looking at these photos, I am even more excited about the show this weekend!

Happy Wednesday!