double happy

'Double Happy' by Susan Simonini at the ever wonderful Paper Boat Press gallery was a world of pure joy...of magic and whimsy...a beauty that filled my heart in a most unexpected way.  There is something truly special about Susan's work - it is both rustic and organic; colourful and decorative.

With her move to Tasmania, I've no doubt that Susan's work will acquire another layer of extraordinary as she immerses herself in the magic of her new surroundings.  I can only imagine what's to come!

miss molly

"Good Morning Miss Molly.  Did you have nice dreams girl?"

Our days would always start like this.

"Molly, what a lovely surprise." As she ran up the hall on hearing Peter come home from work, he'd open the door with these words.

And Dad's sofa...the best, especially good to snuggle in with Dad after a left over dinner snippet or a lick of the ice-cream stick.

Missing your wagging tail; the click, click, click of your paws on the floorboards; those beautiful big brown eyes and always inquisitive nose.

we love you to the moon and back...sweet dreams beautiful girl

xo

{25 February 2004 - 27 June 2107}

The days have gone so fast, they've become months.  Our gorgeous girl put up such a brave fight with  the cancer that ravaged her body.  Not a day goes by without thinking of her, talking to her.  So grateful to the vets who nursed her and ultimately gave her another eight months of good health - so blessed to wander and explore with her, play ball and indulge her in marathon belly rubs!

These photos were taken in 2014 by the super lovely and talented Ashley Oostdyck. 

Moments we will treasure for ever...'we three' embarking on a new chapter.

anything is possible

trust the wait

embrace the uncertainty 

enjoy the beauty of becoming

when nothing is certain

anything is possible

x

lucky clover

My grandmother had the most amazing ability to find four leaf clovers...I've found them pressed between pages of letters between her and my grandfather during the war; in pages of novels; on postcards and amongst her jewellery.  For the last three days I've found a four leaf clover and then another again today.

I know my grandmother is with me on this little journey of mine...it warms my heart and gives me great comfort x

still, life

'An exhibition of vessels for flowers and foliage

created by a wonderful and diverse group

 of Australian ceramic artists'

I think this may be my favourite exhibition yet Kylie - your little space brings me peace and fills my heart...always.  My visit yesterday into your little world, along with your warm hug, gave me more than you'll every know - thank you my friend.

This beautiful exhibition is on until 14 May at Paper Boat Press - it's pure magic.

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}

days end

wedding gifts and collected treasures

a pine cone from Byron View Farm

seashells from our Tasmanian honeymoon

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!

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.

star above...

When this little treasure blooms in the garden it means...

autumn is nigh

{and my mama is smiling}

morning mess...

I have this overwhelming desire to create…and yet I can't begin, I can't focus…

A friend once said to me that I suffer from perfection paralysis.  I fear it's getting worse and I know, with all my heart, that it is better to try and fail than not to try at all.

So many things swirling around in my head at the moment…mostly good things.  But where to begin?  Perhaps I should get up and enjoy the morning shadows more often…make a far more crazy mess on my desk…

Perhaps I need to actually try…and then embrace the imperfectly perfect.

Besides, nothing is a failure in dappled light!

good mail days

Yesterday was a good mail day…

An 'old school' aerogram with sweet wishes of congratulations all the way from Kenya.  Ant and Bee…an old, new favourite for a little person soon to arrive in the family.  I remember reading these little stories as a young girl…in fact, there is the rather worn and worse-for-wear original in the bookshelf.  And Kinfolk, wonderful Kinfolk…so looking forward to losing myself amongst the pages…I think it may become my favourite issue yet.

keepsake...

to treasure from the most delightful of evenings…

a truly beautiful book filled with the recipes we all shared on that magical spring evening.

{Lou and Kristina had the sweetest little pop up fete a couple of weekends ago…take a peek here and here}

linger longer...

oh spring...your visit is always so fleeting and yet you fill my heart with so much joy

please linger just a little longer...

finding treasures...

Among the treasures found while packing up the family home with my dear Dad, was this sweet collection of silver spoons. They belonged to my Grandmother - and have travelled the world.  There is a date on one - I imagine it must be the date of my mother's Christening, just under one month after she was born.  I know for sure that spoon has been to England, Kenya, New Zealand, Brunei and Australia.  I wonder who has held them; what stories were told as sweet treats were eaten...imagine the secrets they could share!

Do you think that little one is a forget-me-not?  How appropriate...

And the pinking shears - what a fabulous find, still in their original packaging (that alone intrigues me).  I'm not able to sew (oh, how I wish I could), but I love these!  They just need to be sharpened and polished up and they really will be just like new!

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.