Friday, January 28, 2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

the black spot books

i love these miniature books crafted from vintage leather by the black spot books

Monday, January 24, 2011

florist now open!



spotting this sign on my daily trip in to Laidley was quite uplifting! The florist is one of the shops that has been out of action since the floods - that is more then 2 weeks - closed, cleaning, repairing etc. It's sad to see quite a few shops (all small, locally owned businesses) damaged in the flood...about 6 of them so badly there is still no sign of them re-opening. I keep hoping to see a hint of them getting back on their feet but have heard the buildings have structural damage so it could be a while yet!





Usually I pluck flowers from our garden but had been thinking it would be nice to help support the young owner (whose grandmother owned the florist many years ago) when she re-opens...a stem every couple of days...I know it's only a small gesture but over time the little interactions make a difference...



so today it was a stem of miniature daisies, pretty yes?


Friday, January 14, 2011

Patrick Street, Laidley...

looking straight down the main street of Laidley


water pouring back out of the newsagents.


Hello, I hope everyone is safe and dry. It seems my internet is back on which is great. I've been popping in to check emails once a day using Ryo's wireless internet thingy. These photos are of the main street of Laidley and were taken by Pippa Scupham-O'Shea on Tuesday 11th. The very next day the water had completely receded and the clean up was underway.

There are scenes like this and worse right across Queensland with many places still under water and others waiting anxiously as flood levels rise. 75% of Queensland has now been affected by floods this year! The clean up is going to take many many months. People have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. If you'd like to help raise much needed funds donations can be made to the Premiers Flood Relief Appeal. The brisStyle girls have also set up the 'BrisStyle Handmade Ark Flood Appeal' with money raised being donated to the Premiers Flood Relief Fund. There are more details here. To see items available click here.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Little Soul...


How sweet is this limited edition etching, aquatint image!Little Soul 2 by Razvyda's printmaking gallery



Monday, January 10, 2011

12 days, 2537 photos!



It's custom for groups of friends to perform at friends' weddings in Japan. This can be singing, playing musical instruments, acting, skits, jokes you name it and it is performed - performed very well too! A lot of time and effort goes into practicing and perfecting the performance for the special day. This clever video clip was made by friends of friends in Japan as one of these special wedding performances. I received the link on the weekend and loved it so much I emailed back asking permission to share it here. The answer was yes, the makers are quite thrilled the video is being watched in other countries.
The title of the film is 2323 (this particular group of friends soccer team) x pika pika (shiny, sparkly, lights)

Enjoy x

PS If you like this one you may also like this - 2323 x LEGO!

Friday, January 7, 2011

Thursday, January 6, 2011

my mantra












less
is
more


















Happy 2011! I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and has had a positive start to 2011. I've spent a lot of time cleaning, culling and generally trying to declutter our home. We are both collectors of odd objects and seem to accumulate treasures quickly. Recently I've been feeling like I'm collecting 'other people's junk'. Don't get me wrong, I love other people's junk! But I also need empty space as it balances everything out. So my aim for this year is to try to clear out the clutter in order to create more empty space and not to accumulate - this will be difficult as I really enjoy popping into op shops and garage sales. In fact I saw a sign on my local op shop saying OPENING SALE January 10! Tempting? Absolutely! I couldn't help but peek in the window. Let's see how I go x

What's your mantra?