The Butterfly Collector

lovely things for Thursday!!!

lovely to read ... Velvet Pears by Susan Southam
lovely to look at ... Girl with a paper fan print by Irena Sophia

lovely to listen to ... Sarah Blasko

Pinwheels and Cloudchasing!

Some wonderful things I'm enoying on this funny overcast Friday are...
John McRae's Paper Pinwheels found over at the amazing Ullabenulla blog!

An amazing new fairytale adventure book called The CloudChasers we went to the launch of and had it signed by the Author and Illustrator for our boys! Its about three children and their adventures in a hot air balloon!

And a first but fuzzy glimpse of Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland! I can't wait for this film, its going to be a major event in 2010 for me!

Survive!

I know this isn't my usual fun, happy arty post of beautiful things, but we have been touched by tragedy in the last few days. Wild bush fires have swept through our state, thousands of people are homeless, nearly 200 are dead and whole beautiful little towns surrounded by big wonderous forests have been wiped off the map. Our best friends have lost their whole house, town and everything in it, thank God they are ok. We are all in shock and so desperatley want to help those who have survived!
So besides giving money to help at the Red Cross, I am trying to get creative and think of some other ways to help! I feel limited in what I can do being at home with two little ones so I have cleaned out every cupboard in our house and given some things to our friends and lots of toys and clothes to the charities who are helping those in need. Its amazing what a household can accumulate that it really doesn't need! I urge you wherever you are in the world to look through your house too, are there things in there others in need could use that you don't really need or want, that you really could survive without?
I am hoping to auction some Art works ( will let you know when if its online! ) and if you have any suggestions I would love to hear them!
Hand Embroidered Antique Linen by Joetta Maue

Illuminated!

Lovely finds today at ETSY! I am astounded on each and every visit at he amazing artworks and their makers found over there ... ENJOY!

My Little Red Bird by Fireapple

Pink Her Print by Aliette
and a new most amazing print by the fabulous miss Anne Julie called Illumination!

Fanciful Sunday Afternoon!

Today my mind is filled with fantasy! I have just devoured British Vogue and loved every page of the Fashion Fantasy Issue. Especially for the photographic feature on Tim Burton, Helena Bonham Carter shot by Tim Walker and inspired by the stories of Roald Dahl! I'm inspired and ready to create! A new painting is on its way! I've actually finished a few lately and not done a show and tell! They are coming soon!!! Some other Sunday afternoon treats found today are ...

The Migratory House Art Print by Little Robot

The Peacock Bustle Notecard Set by Mulberry Muse
and The Runaway Carousel Horse by the Poppy Tree.

A Spoonful of Sugar!

I went on a little blog holiday there for a while! We've been enjoying time at the beach and having some relaxing family time at home! But today I decided it was time for a little Art Inspiration and the discovery of some more amazing artists! Here's three tasty treats I've found today! ENJOY!!!
Above... Cupcake Babushka by Tascha

Little Lucky Elephant by Suspect Shoppe and
Bird Pink Wing Print by Jill May Berg

Winter Sparkles!

Its supposed to be Summer here in the land of Oz, but its a little slow coming this year...( lots of cold and rain so far this december!). I am enjoying all the blog posts from the Northern hemisphere although, all those blankets of snow covered parks and trees are just wonderful!

Speaking of Winter Abroad, my new favorite blog is posting some beautiful Christmassy, wintry, gorgeous images... visit the Cherry Blossom Girl for some French Fabulousness Now! Alix is a fashion designer blogging and creating in Grand Paris!  A window and street tour of Paris features the above photo!

I am secretly hoping for Fashion Photographer Tim Walker's book Pictures for Christmas ... hint hint to my husband!

And I'm quite in like with these cute snowflake decals found over at Etsy today! Happy Christmas Preparations to all!

Its Oh So Quiet ...

I'm home alone!!! This is my first weekend off in over a year! My boys are all away for the weekend! Its oh so quiet ... I can hear myself think! ( or not ...its nice to be quiet inside your own head too!) I've watched a beautiful movie, written inspiring thoughts, listened to wonderful music that makes my spirit soar, I'm reading a life changing book, had lunch out by myself, been for a walk down to my local cafe with the amazing view for coffee ( above) and I've been out to a gathering of new friends too! Next is dinner and then maybe some painting time!!! Bliss!
P.S. Secretly I will miss the boys! But for now I'm cherishing this special time alone and grateful for the beautiful town I live in!

Pastel things to love on MOnday!

FOUND .... I've got a thing for British magazines and websites, must be hereditry ???!!! All my ancestors are mostly from the UK! And my Great, Great, Great, Great (not sure how many Greats?) Grandfather William brought our part of the family over to live in Tasmania on a ship called the Glory in the late 1800's with a wife and seven kids in tow ( Henry was born on the way over!), Wow , what a trip that would have been!!! I bet they would have loved some of the comforts of HOME way back then!
I just love everything over at Cox & Cox, all the product pics are gorgeous! These ones are all from the kids section!

Lets Play!

All day now I hear ..." Lets play hide and seek Mum!" or "You be Dora Mum and I'll be Boots!"or"Tell me a story Mum!" Its lots of fun, but sometimes I am asked every ten minutes and I tell you it helps to have a vivid imagination when a three year old is trying to create things all day! So today I dedicate to handmade toys ( and kids and their Mum's imaginations everywhere !)
I loved these Yakka Dolls by Partridge and Pear and found at MY POPPET

And I would love to make it to Jhoanna's Show ( details above), her postcards are just fabulous! I have been an admirer of her handmade dolls and OWLs for the longest time and she makes beautiful collages too!

And a new find, Jurianne Matter and her beautiful little wish boat party favors. There are lots of other fantastic paper creations on her site too! Have a happy and playful weeks end all!