reflecting and aspiring

What a year 2011 was, dreams were realised and adventures undertaken, some things were really difficult and very taxing, others enlightening and magical. In 2011, I felt the pain of leaving so many wonderful friends, the uncertainty of a new life and the challenges of adjusting to the balance of having two adults at home full-time as well as the challenges of maintaining authentic and beautiful long distance friendships. By the end of 2011, we had gained some new friends, sadly lost a couple of old friends, worked through a lot of crap and came to the wonderful realisation that we have found our home.
I think that coming into 2012 with a lot of 2011 strengthening us is a great thing, we have great plans for the year ahead, plans that include extra craftiness (and art), more kindness in many different ways, exciting changes in the direction of Scott's work, hopefully buying a home, gardening like crazy and the task of working out how to live a life strong in our values regarding parenting, the environment, life, etc., without others feeling like they are being judged (this is particularly hard, have been work-shopping this with a few dear friends but am open to any ideas out there), especially when we aren't judging at all, we are just trying to live by certain values that we deem important but unfortunately the reality is that despite best intentions, judged is what people feel, and that makes me feel really sad.
We farewelled 2011 with new friends, nighttime bicycle adventures, communal cooking in the kitchen and tea and chocolate on the front porch, surrounded by candlelight and new dear friends, pretty lovely.

On the first day of 2012, we headed to Sawtell, set up a beach umbrella, a tent and a delicious picnic (with some help of the most amazing hot chips) and there we stayed and paddled and flew and read and then met with friends and did all that again and more. A simple, fresh and exciting way to start the year.

Poe and Ilo are very lucky to have some very special friends, Ziggy and Sydney, who live next door, they spend whole days (seriously) on adventures at each other's homes, climbing through the hole in the fence, making fairy gardens, being pirates, creating cubby's for them and their little friends, building lego masterpieces or many other games that just make me smile with wonder.

christmas fun

Merry Christmas everyone, hopefully it was full of love, dear ones, simplicity, ease and deliciousness. 

We spent some really wonderful and relaxing days on the Coast with my family. It was such a delight to gently ease into Christmas and to have Christmas be a time when we can enjoy just simply being in each other's company. So much space was created for each other and for the kids. Over the few days we were on the Coast, books were read, songs were written, laughter was contagious, a film clip partly filmed and two little cups were filled with Grandparent love. In saying this we still had a cooking frenzy on Christmas Eve, juggling and dancing in the kitchen, wondering where the time went and whether it would all come together but then were soon rewarded with a relaxed and delicious feast. 

Framed photo by Cass from Panel Pop, an amazing and quite an emotional Christmas present, heartbreakingly it shattered within minutes of this photo, but have no fear Cass, I have ordered another. Deer is also from Cass, boat, a Christmas present from Poe and Suirya and the nutcracker wooden soldier, $1 from an op shop in Coffs (seriously).

Some exciting, inspiring and thought provoking Summer reads. xx

Sometimes my mum is just too much, I gaze, I am struck, I am in awe of her talent as well as being totally intimidated. 

Another gift from mum, is this not the most beautiful plate in the world?

I did manage a little day trip to Sydney by myself and just 'happened' to visit and delight in the Cornersmith, oh so wonderful, what a space, it feel so solid, so beautiful, so amazing and like it has always been there. Thanks to Ruth and Cam for the bonus Christmas gift of Spiced Cumquats. 

And now I put forth my embroidery piece that I made for Scott, "Dear head", not quite as amazing as mum's but I am totally happy with it, and before you ask, no, I didn't intend for it to look like Scott. The 'Dear head' will be ironed and framed and some point, and hopefully hung over the mantelpiece. 

Oh and before I forget, here are a couple of those op shop finds from the Coast a few weeks ago. Now they are with their intendeds I can share.

Two of these stunning sets belonged to Jen and Rod, they are from Hungary and blow my mind. 

And this little cup had lots of little friends and a big Jug to look after them all. Maybe from Czechoslovakia but can't remember exactly, simply stunning. This troupe are now being loved by Ruth, Cam, Edie and Oscar...yay. 

So great to share such wonderful finds with special friends. 

i am a bird

Ilo has been doing these utterly delightful dance performances, he is so loose in his movements but so focused on what he is doing, being. I love them, he has also been a whale and a lady beetle. Enjoy.

market

The markets (Artisan and monthly Bellingen) have been really wonderful and totally disturbing. Wonderful, seeing people really enjoy and admire what I have crafted, the days spent chatting, relaxing and watching the children playing with friends all day (reminding me of my market days as a child at Paddington markets). Totally disturbing, because I am putting my crafts out there for people to actually buy, yep, parting with their hard earned cash on stuff I have made, when previously stuff I made was always just gifted (i.e. thrust upon people whether they liked it or not). Even when I see people wearing my stuff and raving about it I still feel totally anxious, what if it just falls apart etc. Anyone else feels like this?
I know I sound like a wreck but I'm not, really, it was heaps of fun, we went really well and people were happy, we had some totally awesome days.  Will definitely keep going to a few markets, but in the meantime I need to tag the left over stuff and take them up to Wabi Sabi and Weave.
Oh the new red bird headband is actually reversible! How cool is that. I was pretty stoked.

sneaky catch-up in photos

Sorry folks, time is a ticking and we are heading to the Coast this afternoon, so here is what I have missed in pictures.