7/52

A portrait of my boy, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Image: My beach boy and his dimple xxx

Joining in with Jodi's 52 project: A portrait a week.

inspiration is all around

I have been feeling a little ill and weary of late, so I've been looking to others for inspiration. It's heartening to see these women I admire achieve their creative writing dreams. I hope to interview some of these writers in this space soon. 

• My stupendously gifted friend Christine Sharp is an author, illustrator, artist, book designer and editor. Christine will launch her first picture book for children, Bea, on February 28 at Avid Reader in West End, Brisbane. It's about daring to be different and staying true to yourself. I expect to find pure whimsy and joy in those pages. 
• Brisbane photographer, writer and stylist Chantelle Grady's first book, Devorer Montreal (in English, Devour Montreal) is due out soon. It's published in French because it is French! Chantelle hopes an English version will follow soon. She shares how this serendipitous project was born here on her stunning blog. I love this video of how it all came together. Enchanting.  
• Ange Takats is a journalist, author, and singer/songwriter. She is one of those people who makes her dreams happen and if I didn't know her better I'd think good fortune falls in her lap. But I know how hard she works to realise her creative projects. I went along to her charming CD launch at the Sandgate Town Hall. Her new album, Arva, is just delightful. Do yourself a favour and listen here. Being the go-getter she is, she's also written and self-published a book of her travel memoirs, The Buffalo Funeral.
• Writer and interiors stylist Pia Jane Bijkerk will soon release her fourth book, Little Treasures: Made by Hand. Through the very cool Pozible campaign, she called on her creative community to pre-purchase her book to enable her to self publish and they responded! She wrote a post full of gratitude on her blog here. I interviewed Pia for Peppermint magazine in 2011 and I've followed her blog for years. Pia's baby girl turned one last week, which I find a reassuring reminder that you can still achieve your dreams with a little one tugging at your leg (and your heart).  

Inspiration is all around (as my sweet friend helps remind me).

5/52

A portrait of my boy, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Image: Such a busy little bottom.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 project: A portrait a week.

4/52

A portrait of my boy, once a week, every week, in 2013.

Image: So pure.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 project: A portrait a week.

getting lost in a creative project

It's been a long time since I tried something new and challenged myself. Last week, I spent a dreamy morning away from little Bassie (yay for mother-in-laws and mums) with my dear friend Jacqui and her mum, Wendy, who is a talented florist. My job was to photograph flowers for Wendy's new website. I kept reminding Wendy that I am a complete amateur behind the camera, but she just laughed me off as if I was being modest. ("No, seriously, Wendy. Like, a complete amateur!")

I loved this day not only because I spent it with two of the sweetest, most creative and kind-hearted people I know, but because it reminded me how refreshing it is to get lost in a creative project, even if I'm still finding my feet and all feels awkward. Because, as I snapped away at wispy ivy wreaths, plump hydrangeas, and sweetly-scented pink roses, it felt like time stood still and I'm pretty sure I heard my heart sing.

Wendy kindly sent me home with this delicious bunch of blooms, captured below. See! She has such a beautiful way with flowers - arranging them simply and honestly, never fussing in a way that might dim their natural beauty. Wendy's website is still in the works but you can call her directly on her mobile (0405 011 599) if you need flowers delivered in Brisbane and further afield. I'll post her website when it goes live. x 

In beautiful synchronicity, the same day I came home to read this post by Jodi at Che and Fidel. Jodi is certainly not amateurish at photography, as you can see.

an outing and a green wall

We ventured to the State Library of Queensland today for Toddler Rhyme Time. It was my camera's first real outing and I'm happy I had it close by. Oh, that green wall. Love.

byw: a mood board

I offer this mood board as part of our Blogging Your Way course - it's a taste of what this blog hopes to share. You'll see I'm drawn to soft hues of blue and green and all things natural. I am fascinated by books and magazines with soul, fresh produce and beautiful interiors. I'm surrounded by baby toys and soft muslin wraps and am often within arm's length of my mac. The "S" (crafted by my thoughtful friend, Jacqui) is for my boy, Sebastian, or Bassie for short.

the nursery - baby steps in photography

It's been a long time since I asked my brain to learn something completely new. Like out-of-the-box new. My first DSLR - a Canon 60D - arrived just days before I attended Tim Coulson's The Nursery photography for beginners workshop in Noosa last Saturday. I had story deadlines to tackle last week so my camera remained in its box - alone in the dark - until the night before the workshop. Hopeless!
 
The images above are two of the first DSLR photos I've ever taken. I know there are so many things wrong with them (for starters, the first photo is blurry and over-exposed!) but I love them just the same. The first is of the gorgeous Steph and the second is of my dear friend Sarah. I love her smile in this shot - she was laughing at just how amateurish we looked. I think she looks like a pro already.

Tim is a natural teacher and his photography style is fresh, honest and beautiful. He confirmed what I suspected - there is no magic trick to mastering the camera. It simply takes buckets of practice and patience. And if you seek an emotional connection with your subject, well that's where you'll find true beauty. It'll take baby steps. Here we go. Thank you Tim, Kesh and sweet little Roo.

Jodi from Che and Fidel writes a beautiful wrap-up of The Nursery here. 

published pieces: Elisabeth Harvey and Michael Ableman

For map magazine's August eco edition I interviewed Brisbane fashion designer and photographer Elisabeth Harvey about her new sustainable underwear label, Nico Underwear. It's just become the first underwear brand in Australia to receive accreditation by Ethical Clothing Australia. Her story lives online here. I also interviewed American farmer, author, speaker and educator Michael Ableman about his life quest to encourage everyone to grow food. His piece lives online here. I loved these interviews.

the first day of spring

It’s because of Bassie that I’ve started this blog. Our boy, Sebastian (Bassie for short), arrived in September 2011 and has made our lives brighter, for sure. Now we really know what love is. While I'm at home with Bassie I'm working as a freelance writer so the challenge is to muster the brain power and energy to write while the boy sleeps or when my hubbie or my mum are on baby watch. I’ve started this blog to capture and share things that are important to me - naturally, Bassie rates highest on that list and then there's my writing work, the books I love to read, and my quest to learn photography. I'd also like to share ideas from other mums, writers and creative types about how they live, work and pursue their creativity. I’d say I’m a pretty private person so this whole blog platform feels a little odd, but I figure it’s more likely to breed good than evil. At the very least, I hope it inspires my little sister to start a blog about her life in Italy. It's the first day of spring today. How poignant!

image by Damien Bowerman