What Blogging means to me...

This post is homework.
Yes, really. I have been doing a brilliant e-course called "Blogging your way 2.0" by the outstandingly-talented-and-oh-so-lovely Holly Bekker, author of bestselling Interiors book Decorate and Decor8 blog.

{photo}

Sadly due to ill health, a wayward husband (it's all work, nothing more dramatic, but it takes him away from home sometimes) and a few minor disasters (that resulted in several visits to the local hospital's casualty department), I have been struggling failing to keep up!
However, what I have got from the course thus far has been fantastic and I hope to use the next 4 weeks (whilst the content is still available) to catch up and make the most of it!

• I have learned about the importance having a plan, a direction, my own (authentic) voice; and I have been encouraged to work hard, be consistent, to not be discouraged and not to rush to get to where I want to be. 
• Useful resources have been shared, for improving your blog, tips on monetizing and various other things I had dreamed of one day achieving but not known where to begin or who to go to for advice!
•  I have also discovered some lovely blogs and some very talented and interesting people!            
• ..... It's moved me on to the next road in my creative journey, it's time to leave the roadhouse, (to use a very Aussie analogy), where I have been metaphorically resting with a beer and a meat pie for far too long!! Watch this space, I am hoping to vastly { but slowly} improve my blog and to create a plan for my creative future...

Thank you Holly - I now have the courage to take the next step in my life, and now that my kids have both started school, there's no time like the present to begin...

{In summary I would definitely recommend this course!}

Anyway, this week's homework was to write a blog post not only about what I have gained from the course but also what blogging means to me. {The first part I have answered above, the second below!}

Well, for me blogging is really all about two things:
 1. Connecting with the world - the (now huge) little-pocket of creative types in the world to be more specific. I began because I missed having other creative people around me, especially for the bouncing around of ideas. Since I left my design job to have my kids, I didn't really have anyone creative in my life. Connecting with others firstly through my Etsy shop and then later my blog, actually helped me out of a long bout of depression. I have made some truly great friends through the online craft & design community. I also now have a few crafty / creative friends locally.

2. My blog is to me, a kind of journal. It's a place to record and share creative inspiration, and general eye-candy, and also to document some snippets of my life. It's even a place friends and family can visit to see what my 'expat' life Downunder is like, or to gain a greater insight into my character and my taste. I don't think they do, mind you! But they could!!

Me and my little peeps! (photo by Milk & Honey photography).

I have really enjoyed reading the homework posts of some of the other students too.

Take care,
love,
 Sally xox

Artist Love - Jessica Swift

I absolutely adore the energetic, whimsical, exuberantly-colourful work of fabulous artist / surface pattern designer Jessica Swift. {Can you tell I am a fan?!}

Jessica has a blog, a fabulous website, which you can buy a multitude of colourful products from, an Etsy Shop where you can buy fab prints like this one (below), along with things like pocket mirrors and cards...

Basically if you can think of something to print a pattern on - Jessica is likely to have done it! Even rain boots!!

I especially love Jessica's paintings: Here's a taster - but you can peruse many more or perhaps even purchase of Jessica's playful, funky original works on wood panels at Gregg Irby Fine Art.

{images from Gregg Irby Fine Art}

Enjoy ~ I hope to have brightened your day a little!

Love,

Sally xoxhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/jessicagswift

Colour palette inspiration ~ Cake-tastic!!

Isn't this Donut Wedding cake from Jesi Haak Design fun?
I love this colour palette of white, with beige, peach, indigo and hot neon pink!

Hope it inspires you too!

Love, 
Sally x0x

STILL ~ Stunning Photography by Mary Jo Hoffman

Mary Jo Hoffman has a beautiful blog STILL where for one year {2012} she posts a daily image of found natural objects.
The images are stunning.
Here are a few of my favourites:

Why not check out her blog and see if you can challenge yourself to choose 3 or 4 favourites.
The first four I have shown above are my faves {I think?!}.

...oh, look what I just found - a sneak peek of Mary Jo's home - showcasing her photos to wonderful effect in this great display (discovered via the awesome Design Sponge blog).

Enjoy!
Love,
Sally x0x

Fun Tutorial - Plastic animal ring holder!

This is fun isn't it?

I might give this a go - how about you?
I found this fun tutorial, along with many others at Small Good Things blog, by Emi, who is a super-cute Japanese writer living in London.

This is all you need:

• plastic cat(s) (mine is made by Schleich)
• enamel paint / nail polish

[optional from here]

• masking tapes
• double-sided tape / hot glue gun
• pushpins

For the instructions, and her other cute tutorials (including the fun earrings below) visit Emi here!

Have fun!

love,

Sally x0x

pretty recipes - with rhubarb.

Hi there,
just a quick post that I wanted to share, because after doing a bit of time spent relaxing in my favourite way, {web-surfing and pinning inspirational fab things on my Pinterest boards}, I really want to show some recipes I came across.
 I. am. a. huge. fan. of. rhubarb.
I love that it can be summery & light or wintry & cosy, so where ever you are reading this from, be-it Northern or Southern Hemisphere, I've got you covered!

These are just so pretty too - don't you think?

1. Summery - Rhubarb Muffins from La Tartine Gourmande...

2. Summery - Roasted Rhubarb Sherbet with Poppy Flower Sugar 
                      from Cannelle et Vanille

3. Wintry - Rhubarb Upside down cake  from Cooking for Seven 
                  ~ {served warm with a little ice cream of course!}

4. Wintry - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart from talented artist Stephanie Levy 
                  at Kitchen Sketches.

5. Wintry -  American Spoon's Rhubarb-Hibiscus Tart

I'd love to hear how you get on if you try out any of these recipes. I am hoping to sometime soon!

Or please let me know if you have a tried and tested favourite rhubarb recipe (or just one that looks delicious!! I'll happily take any suggestions! )

Hope it's not as wet, where you are as it is in Sydney right now!

Take care,
Sally x0x