Can you hear the quiet?

Silence. It comes
To you: all this is made of silence. All
The patchwork tonnage of millenniums,
The sun-built cliff, the trees
Which reeve the boulders to the sky, the
Wide,
Light-dusted river that’s about to stall,
So slow its downstream glide:
You’re spellbound by inaudibilities,

And simply sit
To wait possession out. Now every sound
That skiffs your hearing till you notice it –
The strokes of air that comb
The foliage, the freshets, birdsong
Sketches –
Emerges from and forms a mesh around
That silence, where it stretches
Suspended like a geodesic dome.
[stanza 3 and 4 from Euroka by Stephen Edgar]the poetry of Edgar is a recent discovery for me...i am awestruck by it...

all photographs from astrophotographer Laurent Laveder (how much fun would it be to be an astrophotographer!)

Where do you find your silence? Mine is usually found as I sit quietly in the garden. Or sometimes when lost in doing a piece of art. Mostly it comes when I'm meditating;in that space, that millisecond, after exhaling.
Of course, there are very few moments of real silence for most of us. But that’s okay; it’s the listening really that matters. Really listening, being aware of the mundane sounds, the lovely sounds, the grating sounds. Being there in that moment.

Euro Bunnies

1. Hangers from Design Atelier Article 2. The Last Bunny Ltd Edn Print from Eliza Bolli (Art)Works 3. Bunny Brooch from Krize 4. Knitted Cushion from Nervous Stitch 5. T Shirt from Tostoini 6. Snowglobe Ring from Romantic Eccentric 7. Bride Bunnies Original Painting on Book Cover from Castle On The Hill 8. Bunny Suit A3 Print from Pesce Rosso

Okay now, I hope you can settle back and have somebody lovely read this little tale to you.

Why the Easter Bunny Brings Eggs: a European folktale adapted by Jean Warren

Once upon a time, there was a King who had a very powerful magician at his court. One day, the magician gave the King a hen that laid beautiful eggs for a present. The king liked the eggs but he was greedy and he told his magician that he would like the hen better, if she could lay eggs of gold. So the Magician worked another magic spell and sure enough the hen started laying eggs of gold.

The king was delighted. He became very rich and the envy of the other kings. He kept his special hen in a golden cage next to his thrown. He knew that someday, someone would try to steal his hen, so whenever visitors came, he would have his magician come and hide the special hen and substitute an ordinary hen in the cage.

Sure enough, one day someone ran off with the hen in the golden cage. The king was glad he had had his magician switch the hens. He sent word for the magician to bring back his hen. But the next day, when the king looked in his golden cage all he found was a white rabbit. “What’s this!” said the King. “Little rabbit, how did you get in here? The King opened the cage and had his footman take the rabbit back out to the woods where he belonged. Then he called for his magician.

“Where is my magic hen?”, asked the King. I told you to bring her back. “I did bring her back,” said the magician. “I put her in the cage”, I just didn’t have time to change her back into a hen.”

They never did find the little white rabbit, but from that day forward, children found colorful eggs hidden all over the kingdom. And some say, that every once in a while someone found a golden one.

Sweet Easter dreams to you dear readers.

Can you feel it crawlin up you arm....

l to r, top to bottom, 1. Ltd Edn Spider Monkey Print from Benconservato 2. Wasp Messenger from Missy Mao Mao 3. Journal from Anrol Designs 4. Clutch from Sir Tom 5. Bee Bookplate from Ruby Victoria 6. Shoe Clips from Ruby Tombstone 7. Bugs on a Screen Door Pendant from Wiccked 8. Vintage Snake Necklace from Travelling Beautifull 9. Bee Pendant from In The Bird House 10. Tulip Baby Card (not a creepy crawly but very cute!) from Meerkat Art 11. Fabric Card from Rabbit And Me 12. Pin Cushion from Spincushions

Yes we have some creepy crawlies here in Australia. And we’ve had so much rain over the last few months that many of them have headed indoors for safety. Lucky us! Of course we have some covetable critters like those above, all from Aussie artists/sellers. I’m okay with most critters…but snakes, they do make my skin crawl! What’s your phobia?

Is there a little Bohemian at your house?

from top to bottom 1. Antique Shawl from Luminous Lady Vintage 2. Table from Lemonade Store 3. Black chair from milka LOOM 4. Punch Cup Chandelier from Meadow Sweet Studios 5. Table and chairs from Artsy Emma The Crafter 6. Ouiji Table from Tink Witch 7. Dresser from Junk Drawer Divas

Some inspiration for those who like to create style on a shoestring, improvise furnishings from cast-offs and conjure magic from the mundane. The dictionary defines "bohemian" as an artist or writer, or anyone who sets social conventions aside. Bohemian style means going your own way. It's self-expression and creative energy; it's caring less about what other people think and more about what you really feel. It is something made from nothing. If one of the pieces above would add interest to your current decor, you're probably already living with a bohemian style decor. I think I do. There's a mixture of eras, of textures, of colors, that creates my individual style.

In a bit of shameless self promotion why not purchase one of my US$3.00 digital files, like the print above, print it off, frame and give an inexpensive lift to any room. Just click ‘Shop’ at top of this blog. Go on, you know you want to!

A Bride of Amazement

for three muses

This post was going to be about grief and loss. It’s two years this week since some of us lost a dear friend, Miss R. By the way she lived, Miss R affected many enabling us to become better people. But then I found Mary Oliver’s poem, When Death Comes, and I knew Miss R would love it. This is the way she lived and wanted us to live - as ‘Brides of Amazement’.

When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut:
when death comes
like the measles - pox;

when death comes
like an iceburg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
as I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth
tending as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was a bridegroom taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

And I think she’d want us to dress up too. As a Bride of Amazement I think this veil would be lovely. I know I wouldn’t want to do the whole big wedding thing but a nod to conventionality wouldn’t hurt would it, particularly when I’m quite smitten with this little number.

from Gilded Shadows

I’d need a dress too. Nothing expensive. One I could explore in and not worry about it getting crumpled when I lay in the grass to gaze at my partner, Amazement. This dress is perfect and it’s only $55.

from Kitty Girl Vintage

Boots, yes I’d need boots. Comfy, yes, but cute as well, so Amazement and I could stroll together through different terrains.

from The Vintage Voice

No I don’t think I’d bother with a ring. Much better to have a useful trinket like this magnifying glass pendant. Amazement and I would get a lot of use out of this.

from Rachel Loves Coffee

And of course as a Bride of Amazement, just as Miss R was, goodness would come more easily don’t you think?

Dancin with The Artist

I saw the film The Artist at the weekend. For those who haven't seen it yet, get along if you can. It's a treat...the music, the dancing, the cinematography. Jean Dujardin and Berenice Bejo are perfect for the roles.

The film certainly gets you in the mood for a bit of dancing. You might need to get yourself a little number to wear about the house.

fringed top from Gravel Ghost Vintage, pendant from The Artful Badger, pdf patterns from Tumble n Twirl , mens tap shoes from The ID Connection, 4 pce outfit from Twila Jean Vintage

And to brush up on those moves...

How's your wardrobe? Check out celebs n Fridas...

from Gypsy in Stilletos. Check out also fab chairs in this store, perfect for lounging in your walk in wardrobe!

Why don't we wear flowers in our hair? And long colorful dresses? Today I'll do my bit and drag out my clip in red rose numbers.

I set eyes on the most fabulous book last weekend. I'm a 'regular' at a cafe, set in an old house and in a large country garden, named Colours of San Cris. Just out of town here, each room is filled to overflowing with arts and crafts from South America. And of course Frida features heavily. But, back to the book - Self Portrait in a Velvet Dress: Frida's Wardrobe. When Frida Kahlo died in 1954 Diego Rivera had her bedroom and dressing room in the Casa Azul sealed up for 50 years. In 2004, the rooms were opened and her clothes were once again revealed to the world.Skirts, dresses, rebozos, scarves, boots -the items have been painstakingly restored by loving hands. There are gorgeous photos of the clothes and original pictures of Frida wearing them. Have a little looky see inside here.

Include some more Fridaesque garb in your wardrobe with an item from Elizabeth Palmer's store.


Continuing to play around with digital art...here's a work in progress featuring the girl. The quote is from another gorgeous book, Frida's Diary.

Now, how does your wardrobe measure up against Frida's and these celebrities??? A tad smaller perhaps? A tad less full of opulence perhaps? Or perhaps not.....

via InStyle

I wore mine today! The rest of my dressing is quite boring...I'm afraid I'm a black addict when it comes to clothes. It's so easy. Everything always matches. I don't have to think too hard. Dressing is inexpensive but also still looks chic. How about you?

Let's play who owns this kitchen!

Okay, guess who owns the above kitchens...your contenders are Lance Armstrong, Gerard Butler, Will Smith, Diane Keaton, Sharon n Ozzy Osbourne, Ellen Degeneres n Portia De Rossi, and Elton John. Answers at the end of this blog. The Mexican themed one is fun isn't it. I've gathered a few South Americanesque items via Etsy that you could add to your kitchen to get this vibe.

Free digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

1. Canister Decals from 2 Old Divas 2. Tissue Box Cover from Buckaroos Mercantile 3. Mirror with shelf from Dissy Bs 4. Fridge Magnets from Amy Perrotti 5. Clock from El Sol Studio 6. Child’s chair from Austin Modern 7. Toy Teaset from Olde Tyme Notions 8. Apron from Suburban 50s 9. Teatowels from Folk Art Pharaoh 10. Potholders from Rustic Patriot Girl 11. Chandelier from Florida Found 12. Oilcloth Tablecloth from Winking Owl 13. Lazy Susan from Kate Sutcliffe Mosaics 14. Glass Cutting Board from Bill Fish Art Yes, the music is Italian not South American...limited choices with this free program I'm afraid!
Who owns this kitchen answers: 1. Diane Keaton 2. Gerard Butler 3. Will Smith 4. Elton John 5. Sharon n Ozzy 6. Lance Armstrong 7. Ellen n Portia. Kitchen photos from Architectural Digest. How did you go???

Anti Valentinism

above: 1920s anti valentine card from prairie peacock

And I thought that the Anti Valentine was a recent concept. Obviously not. Some of the AV items on Etsy are lots of fun. I suppose people dislike the day for a variety of reasons. Some people have never recovered from a broken heart. Some don’t believe in the notion of romantic love. Others feel that Valentine’s Day has become overly commercial. Although I’m sure you don’t have to spend money to celebrate the day I must confess that I’m not a fan. To put so much emphasis on one day as a time for declaring our love seems strange to me. Much better to let those we love know that they’re cherished every day don’t you think?

1. photo from patrick's house photography 2. journal from brown books 3. cross stitch card from ceg handmade 4. tote from shebbo designs 5. matches from dippy lulu 6. tshirt from nude and loitering tees 7. print from sandra eterovic 8. drawing from the sketchy life

You may not have heard or read this poem from Leonard Cohen (those who know me know that I'm a real fan). I didn't discover it till recently when I found a secondhand book of his earlier poems. I may not be keen on Valentine's Day but tokens of love are always appreciated. This is the poem that I'd love somebody to read to me...any day...any time.

When I think of 'love' I don't just think of people, but of birds and animals and other creatures. When I hear the birds around my home here I often have an involuntary intake of breath; an instantaneous smile. And just for a moment, I'm up there, soaring.

above: aceo from lemachi designs

print from moi, artdecadence (here in honor of Melange on Etsy Team 'Freedom' Challenge

Recycled Homes

Yes we all live in them don't we...recycled homes that is. But some people are just so arty that their recycled tableaus look like works of art. If you've visited Flickr, you'll know that some of the groups are not curated particularly well. Yes there are some fab shots in there, but also others that clearly don't belong in the group. Catarina Clemente as the curator of Recycled Home though does a consistently fabulous job. Thank you for the inspiration Catarina.