this day...

one year ago already xox

introducing...

Today, 01 March, is my gorgeous Grandmother's birthday - she would have been 111.

Grandma had an extraordinary love for flora (and fauna too!), her garden was always filled with the prettiest blooms and the most delicious herbs and vegetables.  I think my love for gardening and flowers comes from her, through my darling Dad.

Not so long ago I took up photography to capture these beauties and admire them for more than just a few days.

And doodle, I've always doodled and grew up learning to write with a fountain pen and ink.  I am fascinated by typography and lettering in all it's many beautiful forms.

A couple of years ago, on a whim and with the notion of picking up long ago pens, I made my way to Byron Bay and spent a morning of wonder with the very delightful and super lovely Sabine Pick.  My desire to write again was awakened - Sabine is so kind and really such a treasure - her style and lettering just mesmerising.

And then last year, I was privileged to attend two workshops at Megan Morton's "The School".  The first, a day with Maybelle Imasa - oh my, what a beautiful, gentle soul with such talent - her penmanship is just breathtaking.  As a wedding present from my husband, this day will always hold such magic which I endeavour to take into my everyday.

The second day was a morning with Ashley Woodson Bailey as she shared her love of floral photography (or florography).  Again an amazing and inspiriting soul.  I came home with a full heart and a head brimming with creativity.

Almost 20 years ago I registered my business name - Inkala Images.  Finally, my ideas are clear and it is becoming a reality.  And so my friends, here is the beginnings of a wonderful journey - I'm excited, inspired, daunted and so very determined.  I'm ever mindful of Maybelle's "perfectly imperfect" as I navigate my way and I'm hoping you join me on this adventure...

And Grandma, Happy Birthday!  It only seemed right I shared this on your special day xox

Welcome to www.inkalaimages.com

{coming soon a little about my creative weekend with Maybelle and Ashley all those months ago}

blessed beginnings

waking to quiet bird song amongst the mist

stopping time to recall the fairytale that was

just hours before

the laughter and love

...and so happy ever after begins

love & cherish

As this year draws to a close, I'm recalling all that was 

this beautiful hideaway and time in particular.

I'm still left without words to describe the magic and wonder of this day..

our day, 

21 March 2015

My heart overflows with all that was, 

the memories we recall almost daily
(like dancing in the rain)

 The love that we shared with those who mean so much

 and who travelled so far to be with us.

This day, cherished for ever more.

xox

all images by the very beautiful ash oostdyck 

joyeux noel

the first as husband and wife...

carefully chosen surprises

new traditions begun

and old ones shared

fun and laughter

family and love.

the merriest of merry

xox

these months...

have been filled with magic and wonder...

this day...there really are no words.

sending long overdue thank you notes

and creating one final keepsake

for those most special to us.

prettiest of pretty

Treasures from my beautiful and generous friend x

(look at that bow...more on that soon!)

christmas snippets...

twinkles and sparkles,

little treasures,

a first christmas,
special treats...

x

something special

I knew this would be something so special it would be incredibly difficult

I knew that I'd want them to be just so

They are for my love and I after all

Save the Dates...horribly overdue but just right...I think!

surprise...

I had a little surprise to deliver at the end of August...

I travelled 16516km to deliver my little parcel...a surprise for my best friend to celebrate a milestone birthday!  It wasn't the easiest of trips and it was lightening fast but we had fun.  We laughed and we chatted until all times of the night and we had bubbles...lots of celebratory bubbles!

And I got to see and hug the sweetest of little people who are growing up way too fast...we had long summer days on the farm...doing farm type things.  We ate...far too much.  It was all sorts of wonderful and I would do it all again in a heartbeat (and I'm secretly hoping it won't be too long before I can...minus the surprise bit!)

a busy little bee

I've been a busy little bee!  

I went back here for a special (surprise) celebration and it was wonderful! It was a lightening visit but it feed my soul with all sorts of good...I'm inspired and full of renewed hope and determination for my little creative dream...

the beginning of which will be for something very special.

forever moments...

today was fun

today we made memories that begin to tell our story

thank you so very much Ash for capturing these moments...

(of course I can barely wait to see the magic you've created)

st valentine

the sweetest of celebrations…

{I said yes}

moments of merry

a full heart

x

{oh my, this made my heart sing…thank you dear angela x}

celebrating two

...and escaping the heat!

Quite how two came along...well, I'm still wondering.  But little Miss Z turned two on Sunday and she's beautiful and loving and she gives the most amazing cuddles and snuggles and I love her to bits.

Just a quiet family celebration...a picnic of seafood and chips and cake with strawberries (a little too full for gelati afterwards...but oh, so tempted).  Playground fun, little presents, sweet smiles and gorgeous giggles.  Tired eyes and rosy cheeks for the trip home...sweet slumber I'm sure!

merry and bright...

Little packages to open on Christmas morning...and the sweetest smelling rose from my garden.

I worked through the night, both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, it was my turn after all.  My family come from a long line of shift workers so we've learnt to adapt...an 'early Christmas' often extends the celebrations which can be fun too!

And so it was that our festivities took place the week before and they were filled with smiles and laughter, delicious food and the sweetest of bubbles!  There was plenty of paper and boxes and almost-two-year-old squeals of delight as each gift was revealed...it was special and it was bliss and it was with the people dearest to me...and that is Christmas for me, even if it was early.

I hope your Christmas was filled with merriment and joy too.

pinwheels pinstripes & polka dots

One

Already

How can that be?

Sweet Zoraya turned one last Friday and there was a party to celebrate on Saturday...oh what fun we had!  There was one very tired little lady Saturday evening but she was so, so good...only smiles and giggles all day through.

Miss Z I love you to the stars and back more times than you can count.

x

christmas moments...

there was...

baking and making,

ribbons and bows,

stars and snowflakes,

sunshine and seafood,

but mostly there was

love and laughter with my dear family

Christmas was truly wonderful
x

little christmas angel

Is this not the sweetest, prettiest most precious tiny outfit for my sweet little Z to wear over Christmas?
Those ruffles and oh my, those gorgeous angel wings...

magical moments

And so it is Christmas...

Wishing you the merriest of Christmas seasons

and a year ahead filled with

delightful moments that bring you joy and smiles.

x