this neck of the woods

And here is what we came back to.. a little bit less sun, a little bit more snow.

We took a trip home to Australia for 5 weeks over Christmas, which was the first time we’d been home in almost two years. It was fantastic – and much needed :)

Valentines Day doesn’t mean much to me, but we saw this leaf while we were walking in the forest the other day and I thought it was appropriate – even if I am a day late! I also thought this might be a good time to restart the blog after a rather long holiday, part of which was spent at home in Australia.. but I’ll post more about that later.

If you haven’t heard of Days with my father yet – I would recommend having a look. It’s an incredibly touching collection of photographs by Philip Toledano of his father. It’s definitely worth taking the time to read the text that goes with the images, it gives funny and sometimes sad insight into growing old. The website is also being made into a book that will be available in June next year.

In a bid to keep away from mobiles for a little while, I’ve picked up sewing again – this time in preparation for our big trip home at the end of the week. I decided that I needed some small bags to carry stuff in (as you do) and found an excellent tutorial for some box bags here. The instructions are really easy to follow, the only thing I had trouble with were getting all the corners equal (as you may tell from the photos!). I did end up doing a lot of unpicking, but by the 4th bag, I was a pro :D

Um.. it seems that I’ve lost my blogging mojo. Any ideas how to get it back? I tried taking some time out to re-focus but instead, i just forgot about it.

It would appear to go hand-in-hand with losing my mobile/garland mojo. A few weeks ago a florist down the road agreed to put some of my mobiles and garlands into her shop, which was exciting news, but when I handed them over a week later, I didn’t get the reaction I’d hoped for and left feeling really discouraged. Mojo = squashed. I know I shouldn’t give up so easily, and I don’t plan to, but maybe I need to back away from it for a while?

I really want to get my motivation back soon.. so please tell me how!! Perhaps a nice long holiday in Australia will do the trick ;)

Balloons! Sometimes I think maybe I’ve seen enough photos with balloons in them lately (there seem to be a lot around!), but then I see a new one and remember why I find them so fun!

1: Alicebgardens, 2: A Cup of Jo, 3 (L): Lovely Sprinkles via here, 4(R): Ashley Brockinton via here, 5: Our Labor of Love

Inspired? Um.. Ja! As if you could look at these pictures and not be reaching for a stack of paper and a scalpel! Ok, maybe that’s just me :)

This stunning work is by Danish artist Peter Callesen, and yes, they’re all made from paper. Incredible! He has numerous exhibitions showing this year and next if you happen to be in Denmark, Sweden or Norway – and if not, well, I guess we’ll just have to make-do with his website :)

Thanks for the tip Maryline!

These last two days have been a real downer. It’s raining, cold and dark – really not cool mother nature! It’s on days like these that I find myself searching for anything remotely cheery to lift my spirits and remind me that the rain won’t last forever!

(Top photo by Edyta on flickr or deviantArt)

(Clockwise from top left: Rosebud pin corsage, Ivory velvet clutch, Embroidered necklace, Mister Bear print, fabrics, Bird vase, Yellow Harris Bag, Lacy bird bowl duo.