The butterflies - in white

{she daydreams in pink - white version}

{best friends}

{she wishes on the wings}

I thought, honestly thought, that The Butterfly series was complete.  

But something was bothering me, I wanted white backgrounds to suit painted walls - 

the blues and greens of the backgrounds didn't quite suit 

some of the blue tones we have used in the house, 

particularly my daughters room.  

So on the to do list (you know the one...the never-ending to do list...) 

was to create some white based butterfly photos.  

Can you imagine how pleased I was when I received an email today from a customer 

asking if I had any of the series with white backgrounds?  

Finally, the push to bump it to the top of the list.  

And that is what I did this afternoon.

August

Already?  Really?

five...

We reached a milestone this week.  Annabel turned 5. 

And with that came the first day of school...

and so many emotions I wasn't expecting.   

As we walked away from school, 

I left another little piece of my heart with her...

and cried all the way home.

3am whispers

I have so much to catch up on with blogging, so much I want to share here in my journey about the exhibition in Napier, the Craft 2.0 market and general goings-on.  But catch up posts can wait.  I had to put everything aside today to create this new photo, with words whispered to me at 3am this morning as I tip-toed out of Annabel's room....

i love you to the moon & stars & fairies & flowers...

& back....

Falling in love again...

 {we were destined to be friends}

I am in love with the Butterflies again. 

It's funny to think that way back in 2009, 

on a beautiful early summers day, 

whilst out walking with Annabel (then aged 3) 

a conversation we had as we watched the butterflies 

floating from one flower to the next, 

provided the inspiration for this series.  

Annabel has been an endless source of inspiration for me - 

she is My Muse.

So anyway,

a few weeks ago I had a request for new work 

in the Butterfly Series from a client, 

and to be honest, I wasn't sure if I could revive them.  

But it turns out I fell in love again....

and have some ideas for more to add to the range.  

Happy Friday to you all, cheers to falling in love all over again!

Setting Up Home

 {If we could talk}

So it seems I have disappeared into the 'setting up home' abyss......we have unpacked (mostly), and are now enjoying setting up home....moving furniture around, wandering second hand shops and websites for the perfect items needed to fill the space and make each room more feel just right....it is so much fun!!

{The Telephone}

This telephone, found at a local second hand shop (which I am told will work if we get a new cord) sits in the most adorable little 'telephone box' in the hallway. 

 {Butterfly Stories}

And of course with the blue table and butterflies unpacked...well.....I had to have a little play didn't I......

A bit of grunge

{Homecoming}

{Flutter}

{A Gathering of Dreams}

Today I was supposed to be picking up an order of Polaroid film, to restock my fridge.  But the stores mixed up the order, and I am left with none.  To pull myself out of my not-very-happy mood, I had a play with the old box cameras.  It's been a while, and I totally forgot I had this dirty dusty Brownie Reflex!  Feeling much better now...and hope you are all having a wonderful start to your week.

My assistant

She takes it oh so seriously.

I dream of sunshine

{I dream of sunshine}

{sisters}

It's grey and cold today, but I don't mind as it's Friday.  I have a quiet house, a perfect time to look through unscanned polaroids...I love discovering polaroids I had filed away for a grey day.  I layered these 2 with textures for a different look to the other butterflies in the series.  I quite like them.  What do you think?

It's still quiet....I think I might even sneak in a cup of tea and a piece of gingerbread before they wake.......

Happy Friday!

Meet Sonny....

Hello my blogging friends, did you think I would be able to last long without a Polaroid?  ;) 

Since the 680 died, I have had ideas for new photos, new little sayings I wanted to incorporate...it's often the way hey, inspiration strikes but no tools to work with!  I feel like me and polaroid go hand in hand now, so I confess the hunt for a new one only lasted a few days.

I introduce you to Sonny, the latest addition to my 'Camera Family'.  I have been eagerly awaiting his arrival, checking the courier tracking website twice a day for a week, and today when he arrived, well, I just couldn't wait to play.  After a few tests, he was producing dreamy shots - the soft and lovely focus, the pale tones I am so loving at this stage in my work...  

Polaroid.....could you be the love of my life?

You and Me

If I were a butterfly....and you were a butterfly...
I'd like to fly with you.....

a rainy afternoon....

fresh garden roses + butterflies + the polaroid = a perfect rainy friday afternoon

Happy Friday to you all,

may your weekend be filled with sweet smelling roses and pretty butterflies.....

Still slightly obsessed....

I have a confession....I am still obsessed with the butterflies.......

and with green grass....in my 6 years in Melbourne I can't remember it being this green in summer.

I'm enjoying it before it dries out and turns yellow. 

Hope you are keeping cool in this sweltering heat.

The last and first...

Happy New Year!

 I have a feeling that this year is going to be even more wonderful with bigger dreams than 2009....well, it is more than just a feeling ~ it is a determination, a resolution if you care to call it that...to live in each moment, but to dream big for the next moment.

Above are the last polaroids taken in 2009, and below are the first for 2010. 

Cheers to 2010!

(The bike in the top photo was hired for the day from The Humble Vintage Bike Hire - I highly recommend this company, the service was fantastic and it was a lot of fun to ride around Melbourne on a vintage bike for a few hours!)

She wore butterflies in her hair...

I am still bursting with inspiration, and the desire to create, and in the midst of packaging orders and trying to get my head around the fact that Christmas is nearly here - I felt the need to get out the butterflies and the polaroid for a little play....

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend!

New blocks, a new market and thank you!

Just popping in to say hi....I am flat out here....the Sisters' and Yarraville markets this past weekend were a huge success, (the butterfly photo blocks flew off the table, I was so happy to see them making people so happy!) and I am busy packaging up holiday orders with my little helpers, and taking them to the post office daily (sometimes twice a day!) to ensure they are delivered by Christmas.  On top of that I have just signed up for a stall at a new market on this weekend - "Christmas at the Arts House Meat Market" in North Melbourne.  The market runs from 11am - 8pm, both Saturday (12th) and Sunday (13th).  I will be there on Saturday, with a full range of blocks, block gift sets, calendars, note cards, gift tags and something new...I'll post more on that by the end of the week.  It would be lovely to see you! 

A huge huge HUGE thank you to everyone who commented over at the Much Love and A Beach Cottage giveaways...I was completely overwhlemed at the lovely words you all left. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me. And congratulations to the winners, I hope you enjoy your goodies!

Butterflies and Giveaways

A few days ago the sun was shining, the sky was blue, and nearly every garden we walked past had butterflies flitting from one flower to the next.....it was a lovely day to be a butterfly....

...and so "The Butterflies" Polaroid series was born. 

It's funny how inspiration strikes when you least expect it. 

For months over winter I was so uninspired, there were days, weeks even when I didn't pick up a camera.  And then all of a sudden I have so many ideas and projects filling my head.....I love being in this frame of mind, when all I want to do is play with the cameras, and to CREATE.  I think this new series might just make it in time to be included on photo blocks for the weekend markets....

I am delighted to share with you that the lovely Anna over at Much Love is hosting a giveaway -
one of my 2010 Lose Yourself in a Daydream calendars,
AND if you head on over to the gorgeous blog A Beach Cottage,
Sarah is hosting my biggest giveaway yet, a whole stack of goodies including a set of the "Surf and Soul" photo blocks, note card sets and a Dandelion Wish mini print set.....so pop over to both sites for your chance to win! 

Giveaways are my way of saying thank you to all of the blog/Etsy/madeit support to all of you! 

Happy December!