tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-334616112024-03-16T11:09:20.359+10:00petalplumelliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.comBlogger756125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-30102970415961332412016-07-25T12:01:00.000+10:002016-07-25T12:01:06.795+10:00I've moved internet homesHello - I just wanted to let you know that I've moved internet homes. After ALL THESE YEARS on blogger, I've finally got my own domain name for my blog and using wordpress to build a blog website.<br />
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Please come over and visit me -<br />
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<a href="http://petalplum.com.au/">Petalplum </a></h2>
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Thanks so much for reading. I'm going to slowly import a few blog posts from here, but will leave this space open because golly - there's so much history and beautiful parts of my life that I only ever recorded here. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-64869851797844868532016-02-05T09:53:00.002+10:002016-02-18T13:52:13.502+10:00the art of art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's some truths….<br />
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I grew up in a very very extremely creative home. I was supported in my artistic, creative wishes… My parents helped, pretty hands-on, with my massive end of high school art piece. Actually, they probably helped with a whole lot of most of the things we made at home. Not always hands on helping, but support and idea sharing, and offering advice and suggestions. And supplying materials and space to create. And sharing "real" artists - books of, stories of, taking us to exhibitions and talking about their history, their careers, their art techniques.. That sort of thing. The sort of things that we took for granted. Some of which I offer my kids now, and they take for granted. Which is cool - I think kids should take some things for granted from their parents. </div>
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But - here's the thing. Through all this. Going to a Steiner school, having special art teachers, going to art camp during holidays… all those things (Which for my parents would have cost a lot, and been a challenge for them to find the funds for - somehow they did; with 4 kids too!). I still didn't go to art school, or ever consider myself as becoming an artist. (I did want to be an actor, which is an artist in itself - but I gave that dream up when I didn't get into any of the drama schools I wanted to). I never once considered the possibility of "being an artist when I grow up". Neither did my younger sister, or my older brother. My older sister did go to art school, and majored in photography, and she now works in the arts industry - but not as a photographer, and not as an artist. </div>
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Now - at this stage in my life, where I'm coming closer and closer to calling myself an "artist" I still have these issues, doubts, thoughts about it. I know mostly all real artists go through this.. huh. Do they. Maybe. I guess everyone goes through different aspects of that through whatever their career. I'm not saying I'm special or different by having these thoughts, issues, whatevers. </div>
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What I am saying, asking… is why.. And then - I remember that while my parents lived this very creative artistic life, neither of them was really a practicing artist. My mother wanted so desperately to be a potter, well to be accepted and acknowledged. She plugged on and on, with all her creative skills and talents - but always was left short of that particular fulfilment of being recognised. Even her craft of being a yoga teacher wasn't respected the way she deserved. But she kept at it, and battled through it. </div>
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Many of you know that my mama is no longer here, walking our Earth. I was youngish and caught up in myself when she died, so much of this could be strange memories, or made-up extrapolations. And I don't know / will never know the full depth of much of what she was, went through, wanted… But I do know, remember, and now myself feel, that pain - a deep ache - of wanting to be 'accepted' somehow. </div>
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I don't talk about my dad much here, because he's himself and I don't think he wants his story to be shared - especially my version of it.</div>
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All this is the lead-in to say…. I've been thinking about the art of making art. And about the anguish of. But mostly - about the way to come around and away from that strange need for validation from an outside world. Which is hard in this time of 'likes' and 'followers' and such a big world of popularity. Everyone wants more than their 15minutes of fame - we all want continual ever-increasing fame. And many people will never get that, many people who don't deserve it (artistically speaking) will get it…. </div>
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So - as a society, and a community. What do we do about this? How do we raise a new generation who don't value or need this validity of 'likes' and 'followers'. Or is it just a bigger version of the school yard where we can all see the physical number count of someone's popularity - rather than guessing at and giggling about the losers in the playground. I was never the popular kid at school; I was quite happy being the slightly strange 'hippie' kid (not self-named) who was respected by people but not their number one or anything.</div>
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For me, as a mother and a creative and a sorta-kinda practicing 'artist/maker' my goal is to let go of the 'likes' issue. To make for making's sake - to delve into what I want. To remember that girl who made because she loved making. Who stood in drama class and spoke words loudly and proudly. Who made a plaster cast of her body and filled it with precious things, and glued birds wings on her back for her high school major artwork. That girl. The one who spoke up to the bullies and didn't really mind what people thought of her if they weren't her friends. And to help my kids be that person too - find that person in themselves and never forget him / her throughout this world of popular. </div>
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Yep - that's my goal. Find the girl who glued green bird wings to her plaster cast body. </div>
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(*I wish I could share a photo of this piece with you. For while I still have it, it's slightly the worse for wear… not having been stored in an art gallery or anything prestigious like that Cause doesn't everyone's year 12 artwork get picked up by a gallery! also - bird wings / feathers were found in our forest home, no birds were harmed. Also - I love that we dyed paper and fabric with natural berries from our forest home for part of the work. These things - from way back then - are my life now.)</div>
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elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-2773651323971864982016-02-03T18:38:00.001+10:002016-02-03T18:38:01.256+10:00let's share a cup of tea & conversation<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HZzhrD1cwpbFinHK7St_omqrSbG4Knc570Z5k99yl8aE4jNlK4wZZDbDFcQmtjeuWg_tdObl6RwdkyK4xpi9MYXJnXJYQxbveulx26af6l0KMHwubWFUEmeSmB5qCehDR3MA/s640/blogger-image-60587875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HZzhrD1cwpbFinHK7St_omqrSbG4Knc570Z5k99yl8aE4jNlK4wZZDbDFcQmtjeuWg_tdObl6RwdkyK4xpi9MYXJnXJYQxbveulx26af6l0KMHwubWFUEmeSmB5qCehDR3MA/s640/blogger-image-60587875.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Sometimes I feel like I'm baring my soul; <div>Other times it's as if I'm hiding, there's little bits left behind.</div><div>Not that I don't want to share, just that somehow it doesn't come out right and the stories get a little lost in translation (from my brain to these words).</div><div><br></div><div>At any rate - I know that the more I keep doing it (putting words out here like this) the better I get at it. Somehow closer to the truth, perhaps if I'm lucky.</div><div><br></div><div>I've started blogging again. It may take me a while to find my routine and rhythm within it. I hope you'll come by and visit - to share tea and conversations with me....ideas and concepts and half-baked thoughts. And some pretty, and possibly a little ugly somewhere along the way.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe8-WpTaxK9mwjQgjJGi0B_5FWCi0Y88G50A0FKlVuG6oIWXD6hLVK4zgGns3IjwpT6BwBkyI553Ag0NOzyafL7nrf-tvk6nwGEoFz3Vd5kHT5t0NpV1rOmESPs5ZMZwCEGx1/s640/blogger-image--792473958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwe8-WpTaxK9mwjQgjJGi0B_5FWCi0Y88G50A0FKlVuG6oIWXD6hLVK4zgGns3IjwpT6BwBkyI553Ag0NOzyafL7nrf-tvk6nwGEoFz3Vd5kHT5t0NpV1rOmESPs5ZMZwCEGx1/s640/blogger-image--792473958.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I would like - if you could perhaps let me know what you'd like to read more of, hear more about....those stories that I have inside to share - which ones do you want to hear, to extract from me...? For I think coming for cups of tea - it is nice to guide the conversation a little, isn't it.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-17802219399618436692016-02-03T13:10:00.000+10:002016-02-03T13:10:08.650+10:00Gather Create : Summer's Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some of my really favourite things to do are gathering with other creative people; connecting, making, sharing, collaborating, learning, teaching, delving deeply into new ideas. Laughing. Drinking tea and eating cake. And making - stitching, dyeing, weaving… it doesn't always matter what the making is. Mostly it's about the connecting. Gather create connect. </div>
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18 months ago I was so so lucky to bring a group of people together, alongside my sister-friend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/suchwildgrace/" target="_blank">Leah</a>, and share in a similar day <a href="http://petalplum.blogspot.com.au/search/label/gather%20%3A%3A%20create" target="_blank">Gather Create : Unfurl</a>. I see people even now and we talk about that day. How amazing it was. How beautiful and connective and sharing and creative. How fantastic the food was. There aren't many photos from that day, which is testament to how deeply everyone was actually immersed in the day - not looking from the outside and taking photos, but being involved in being there. </div>
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Due to…ummm - having a baby - I wasn't able to organise one last year, but it's been in my mind, heart and soul…. and I've been waiting waiting for the right time. And now I'm so pleased that it's happening again. Oh golly. I can't even begin to imagine how good - <i>truly truly good </i>- this day will be. </div>
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This time we'll be gathering along the banks of a creek, set in the rainforest. At my neighbour's home & (new) cooking school - Jean, of <a href="http://artisanwholefoods.com.au/" target="_blank">Artisan Wholefoods</a>. This will be the first gathering event for her place, which is a little bit exciting, don't you think. Jean teaches workshops in nourishing foods, the whole food journey being paramount to her recipes, but highly delicious. Jean's food isn't about trends or fads, but about real food that is good for your body and soul, while making your eyes water, your mouth smile and your tummy grumble (you'll probably want to get out your camera too - cause her food is beautiful as well as delicious - seriously win win win when you're being fed by Jean).</div>
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Our day will begin with a morning tea cake table - uh huh…. a cake table. Oh my. Can you imagine it…. All natural whole real foods (no refined sugar or horrible fake colourings). And water kefirs as well as organic tea and freshly brewed coffee. We'll gather and fill our tummys and talk and connect - we plan on an informal talk about finding your creativity, sharing on social media (mainly Instagram), and staying honest and true to yourself throughout it all. </div>
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Jean will give a hands-on cooking demonstration of our lunch - a wholegrain pastry recipe for a Summer's Harvest tart. You'll learn how to make this at home, to nourish your family and impress your friends. There's be lots of hands-on photography time during this session, so you foodies will be able to explore the light and beauty with your camera. </div>
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While lunch is being prepared, we'll slip outside to the back deck and garden to create some magic in the dye pots. Using all hand harvested botanical dyes - from this region - we'll make colour on fabric and yarn. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/peregrinationz/" target="_blank">Zoe</a> and I will share all our experience, tips and how-tos at the dye pot… and you'll get your hands colourful and be delighted with the results. While our materials are dyeing we'll devour the lunch that Jean has prepared and linger over it while chatting and exploring the creek nearby. </div>
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And then slowly slowly we'll do some stitch work - using assorted fabrics (some pre-dyed by me, some vintage & special pieces from my collection, some we dye on the day) we'll hand stitch a piece for you to take home, to keep working on, to create in your moments of time. There'll be a few projects available - a hand stitched scarf, notebook cover, drawstring pouch or small pillow case… or you can simply stitch samples to eventually sew into a quilt cover. If by any chance you're still hungry there'll be cakes and biscuits from morning tea, endless cups of tea, coffee or water kefir - or just beautiful fresh from the forest creek water. And we'll spend the afternoon settled into the beautiful stillness of creating and stitching, conversing and connecting.</div>
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This day is about more than just a regular workshop. It's a feeling, an emotion, a time to reconnect with yourself, with your creativity, with your inner quiet and slow… while also meeting other people in the area, in your creative fields. We truly can't wait to share this day with you - to experience a community of connectedness, a sharing of experience and skills, and whole lot of delicious cake and natural dye magic. </div>
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All the <a href="http://www.elliebeck.com.au/product/gather-create-summer-s-harvest-saturday-12th-march-2016" target="_blank">details and booking info is on my website</a>, but please, if you have any questions at all - don't hesitate to ask me via email (ellieabeck@hotmail.com) or through Instagram. </div>
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<a href="http://www.elliebeck.com.au/product/gather-create-summer-s-harvest-saturday-12th-march-2016" target="_blank">Gather Create : Summer's Harvest</a></div>
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Saturday 12th March, 2016. 9.30am - 4pm (Day light saving time)</div>
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Full price tickets $225, early bird tickets $180 - still available until Valentine's Day. </div>
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And if you can't come along, but want to share in the stitch-natural dye experience I have <a href="http://www.elliebeck.com.au/product/gather-create-stitch-kit-botanically-dyed-fabric" target="_blank">Gather Create stitch kits</a> that will have the fabric and projects as well as some special tea so you can share with us. Available here. </div>
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* outdoor photos by Jean Martinez Artisan Wholefoods. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-62902483622833364502016-02-01T08:58:00.000+10:002016-02-01T08:58:09.649+10:00on Instagram & loosing myself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1FFD0a15onCfDpXDFmkWvgDxkTC7Bg_MVNlRyB7aO__AEEl4rknd656pBZOSFwWi-QUapS03UB9HhqkmaQXiQ1UHaPIGr2Cvh_tUNBbQDR776rIgKDzYYhOHvijsuVN2dPOn/s1600/IMG_8776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1FFD0a15onCfDpXDFmkWvgDxkTC7Bg_MVNlRyB7aO__AEEl4rknd656pBZOSFwWi-QUapS03UB9HhqkmaQXiQ1UHaPIGr2Cvh_tUNBbQDR776rIgKDzYYhOHvijsuVN2dPOn/s640/IMG_8776.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBE4qc-DbG-fw3KdanOsAmojvFl8_Z3HEKilTxXpfcD1WkZNtOB8YiLaoka1_caCadLI7IGwlBICm_ZgluZX3o3TNVAPINDa8XbsiGlvIq8ozZUnxZImc2X4LSgNfenB9aMgd/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBE4qc-DbG-fw3KdanOsAmojvFl8_Z3HEKilTxXpfcD1WkZNtOB8YiLaoka1_caCadLI7IGwlBICm_ZgluZX3o3TNVAPINDa8XbsiGlvIq8ozZUnxZImc2X4LSgNfenB9aMgd/s640/IMG_0334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Last year I was honoured to be placed on </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/petalplum/" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Instagram</a><span style="text-align: justify;">'s </span><a href="https://help.instagram.com/297758797000260" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Suggested User</a><span style="text-align: justify;">'s list. This is IGs way of saying yay for what I was doing with my account, and loving the way I contribute as a community member. I gained approx 80,000 extra followers in 2 weeks - wow, hey!</span><br />
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I'm not saying this to gloat, or boast, but more to talk about 'how fame went to my head'…. HA!</div>
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While it hasn't gone to my head (entirely, I still have to wash up and change the baby's nappy), it did alter the way I view Instagram, and also….. sadly (!!) the way I post images. And that was never my aim. I went through a little stage of posting only for likes - oh golly, am I really saying this? Yep. It's true. And I don't like it. Not one little bit. For sure - this whole online thing, <strike>showing off</strike> sharing our lives is about connecting and having others 'like' what we do. Is it not? A little bit (a lot?!) for sure, it's about that. But what's the use of sharing parts that aren't real, of making things up just to show off. </div>
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OK I never make things up, but mostly I choose to share an editing version. And I've been thinking about that. Why do I only share those views of my life and my home and my children and my making.<br />
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And this is what conclusion I've come to :</div>
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I don't want to share the messy, horrible, dirty… not because I don't want you to know about it, but because for me looking at the beautiful distilled moments bring me a little bit of joy and calm peacefulness amongst my noisy busy hectic noisy noisy day.<br />
I've found over the past year or 18 months or so, that making the time to style and take photos has given me more than I thought. It's allowed me to spend time in my head, quiet slow soft thinking time - focussing on the faffering in front of me stills me even if only for a few very short moments. It's also showing me a creativity that I knew I had, but had never developed in this manner before; and that makes me happy and shows me potential. My potential.<br />
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This year I'd love to have the time (find / make / magic up the time!) to spend doing more styling, product shots, image-making. To make it a real thing, rather than a two-minutes 'don't touch baby' thing. I keep wondering if I have time, space, head space - could I make ti something proper?<br />
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How do you feel about Instagram? Do you sometimes get a little lost in the numbers game of it? When I go through that stage I always chat with someone else about it (mostly this <a href="https://www.instagram.com/suchwildgrace/" target="_blank">person</a>), and my family. And then I put it out of my head. I stop checking the numbers. I stop comparing myself to the other people getting lots of likes. I step back subtly and delve deeper into the image making, and the thing making, and the creating. I start making images for myself, rather than worrying about the likes it might get on IG. I keep putting it out there and stop questioning everything that I do. And really - I know that the reality of some of it that life is a popularity contest and there's no way around that. And in the end the people who are "liking" my images are the real people I want to connect with anyway. And golly - they are sweet beautiful supportive lovely real people.<br />
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Sometimes I need to remind myself that I'm a quality not quantity person - I prefer having less friends who I value and who value me.<br />
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So - note to self "Ellie… get over yourself. Just keep doing and making and taking photos and all that because you want to, because it gives you joy and pleasure. And for no other reason than that". </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-27394529658856305492016-01-31T16:38:00.002+10:002016-02-01T11:56:13.408+10:00with intention {Slow Sunday}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's the end of January… just like that. I'm not quite sure how we got to here, but mostly in that way that I don't barely even know what day it is. The past two months have slipped by in a whirlwind and a blur. </div>
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December was the busy of makers making things to sell, and packing orders and the end of school count-down, and those days before Christmas where even though you don't want to rush somehow they zip past. </div>
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January has been mostly spent in a slow sleepy stupor. The heat, but mostly just a relentless tired slipped into our lives and took us over. And we gave in to the tired and let it permeate our days. In a good way. I realised that we all needed these slow long languorous days, almost like catching up on the quiet that had been missing. </div>
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And now - here. I feel like February heralds that official 'back to work', back to making, back to guiding things rather than being led / pushed / cajoled into something or other. </div>
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I've set my word this year. It's not really a thing I do officially, cause I'm not so good at sticking to lists or resolutions. But it feels good to have a word to guide me, to remind me, to assist me. </div>
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'Intention' - to do something with meaning, with thought, dedication, care. To have a pause before acting. To acknowledge the rhythm & ritual rather than the habit & routine. </div>
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I'm also applying this word to what I do, not just how I do it. To think about the things I make, to plan them and make things with intention rather than just make for the sake of making. Making for the sake of making is different than making without worrying about the outcome. To allow the outcome to dictate the journey of making isn't something I want to take away, but I also want to make sure that the materials I use, the things I put out into the world have some meaning and aren't just to fill time or space. To use my time and materials with thought, attention, intention, consideration - it takes a little planning for a project and then allows me to enjoy the journey of the process.</div>
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I'll be sharing little snippets of my "intention" on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/petalplum/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/slowliving_intention/" target="_blank">#slowliving_intention</a> - I'd love for you to share as well. To let us know what it means to you, and how you live with intention, how you let it into your days and moments. I'll have a prize at the end of February for the post that sings to me the most. </div>
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I'll be back next week with some of my 'intention' ideas for projects for my slow making, and also some tips that I'm discovering on how best to bring intention into my days. This slow stitching project I'm working on is some of my naturally dyed linen and hemp. I'm working on samples for my upcoming <a href="http://www.elliebeck.com.au/product/gather-create-summer-s-harvest-saturday-12th-march-2016" target="_blank">Gather Create workshop</a>, but they'll also form part of a quilt for our bed (in our new bedrooms). </div>
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I'd love to know your thoughts on this word. </div>
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Do you have a word for this year?</div>
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How does it fit into your life?</div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-44005301327987490902016-01-28T18:16:00.001+10:002016-01-28T18:16:14.559+10:00Creative Conversations {Geraldine Devine from Bee Eco}<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">I have a supremely beautiful and special conversation to share with you today. I want to jump right into this home, this family and be part of it all - don't you?!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Geraldine Devine, of <a href="http://www.beeecowraps.com/" target="_blank">BeeEco beeswax wraps</a>, is a woman who lives the life she talks about - she runs her business with a full heart and commitment to her beliefs; her family form the basis of all she does, and her home is full of warmth, honesty, colour and beauty. Living a true sustainable life, Geraldine and her family share their ideals in a positive light - inviting you to be part of the change through simple slow thoughtful living. This isn't about the perfect life, it's about a thoughtful journey, about sharing, connecting and educating. Geraldine, along with her husband Matt and four children, aren't living a trendy hipster Indie lifestyle (though, golly couldn't this photo below be an album cover!) - they're more content with simply living their daily beauty and watching their children play. </span></span><br />
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<b>I want to know about your beautiful family - tell me about where you live, and your amazing-looking home, and those sweet little ones of yours. </b></div>
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Our family of six live deep in a very enchanting forest in a soul warming & welcoming treehouse cottage. A 1920's Teahouse, renewed by our favourite craftspeople, using recycled timbers & materials. It rattles, shakes & is filled with love & quirky character! Our self sustainable haven of tranquility, 'off the grid' with solar power, tank water & no services. Based on Permaculture & Biodynamic Principles we built a cob oven, spiral veggie patch, dam filled with silver perch, yabbies, lotus & lilies and a sub tropical orchard. Free range animals, tree forts, swings & fairy gardens galore, bring daily delight & good reason to live life outdoors. Our gorgeous children, Archi, 11, Arjuna, 8, Mirrah, 5 & Soma, 2 have a rhythm of farm duties, crafting, cooking, tree climbing, animal loving, reading & lots of surfing. The Farm is an endlessly magical oasis for them & fills our heart immeasurably to witness them being raised this way!<br />
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<b>What are Bee Eco wraps? Share why you started making them - what lead you to walk this path in life? </b></div>
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Bee Eco Wraps are a beautiful & sustainable method of wrapping your food. GOTS Certified Organic Fabric or Handprinted Hemp, infused with beeswax, jojoba & tree resin. A reusable option to reduce your use of plastic and enhance the freshness & longevity of your food, naturally. A tactile, everyday reminder of the changes we can make toward sustainable lifestyles. </div>
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What you love, comes to be! Bee Eco, born from two great passions, textiles & sustainable living! </div>
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Raising children saw us shift from being environmentally aware observers to become active participants in paving a sustainable future. This is our time to 'be'. Role models that are grounded & passionate. Respecting this beautiful planet. </div>
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Our kitchen is the hub of our house as it bubbles, brews, ferments & soaks are daily fare. Beeswax Wraps are an essential part of the homesteading, food loving kitchen! </div>
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The 'Market Life' of the business is also our destiny, a perfect adjunct to our farm life, as we thrive amongst the bustling, diverse, musical, artistic & farming community on the Sunshine Coast. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHddWkUmb7OyYHkWJEF2bhTZLujbMPE6-DKh6cnzlFmPHoyQMpIenHjbTRXr8CT_hGPVScpfEHOnZw-w7kch6y2dFf4tYVS5Qa2VDwaIR1etIyF8dzGxsGMMHj9GwBhKw9wcPE/s1600/Petalplum+BeeECo7.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHddWkUmb7OyYHkWJEF2bhTZLujbMPE6-DKh6cnzlFmPHoyQMpIenHjbTRXr8CT_hGPVScpfEHOnZw-w7kch6y2dFf4tYVS5Qa2VDwaIR1etIyF8dzGxsGMMHj9GwBhKw9wcPE/s640/Petalplum+BeeECo7.jpeg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<b>You make all the wraps by hand - can you share a little of the process, or how special they are… how much work/time/energy/love goes into each piece? </b></div>
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We have poured so much love & positive energy into Bee Eco. The business has become a healthy part of our family, an element to the rhythm of our days (and nights!). From collecting the beeswax (and honey), cutting, chopping, blending, waxing, curing, every element absorbing the chatter & song of children & existing amongst the bustle of farm life. The monotonous sectors are enlivened with chit chat or loud music & the creative & delectable tasks of designing & choosing fabrics we savour & enjoy. </div>
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<b>Is Bee Eco a full time business or do you have jobs outside of the home as well?</b> </div>
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Bee Eco, our 50 acre farm & 4 children leaves us full! </div>
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On the Farm we love to grow & make our own, we trade & support artisans & local growers. Within a community, our humble, real & down to earth existence can find it's authentic face. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_7uaSKG816MpT-t2sECzrBck0VVtsqZGXONfhQ1weNcgc7_XszfQSsT-LpX2_ie6XE_-Bk1cusQQqPd169LeokfiLMgD93eX5GpmhK0rifPJV9qbymDcc-F8W7_gFMZzqq-N/s1600/Petalplum+BeeEco6.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_7uaSKG816MpT-t2sECzrBck0VVtsqZGXONfhQ1weNcgc7_XszfQSsT-LpX2_ie6XE_-Bk1cusQQqPd169LeokfiLMgD93eX5GpmhK0rifPJV9qbymDcc-F8W7_gFMZzqq-N/s640/Petalplum+BeeEco6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>As a mama of 4 with a handcrafted family business, how to fit it all in, how do you find your 'balance' within the busy?</b></div>
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Laying in the garden, warmed by the dappled afternoon sun, nuzzled by lambs, surrounded by chickens, nibbling on fresh picked lychees near the bustling beehive, the children spread amongst singing, climbing, whittling & chicken raising..... we poured our heart & soul into creating this lifestyle & we are committed to savouring it. </div>
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The balance is a gift from our children, who are ever present in each aspect of our life. To ensure we remain good role models on how a day should run, full of rhythm, purpose, nature, creativity & connectivity. To each other. To slow and channel our energy toward specific tasks with intent and positivity. </div>
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In a slow living orientated household with no technology (other than a work iPad) and an aversion to shops & consumerism, time really opens up. We have a different sense of 'presence' now. We are so much more deeply engrossed in daily tasks. A choice to minimalise our distractions, interactions & things that we find may deplete us. Allowing our strengths to surface & our consciousness & peace to unite & ignite us. </div>
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We feel that the greatest impact we can have on paving a sustainable and enriched future is held in our commitment to this lifestyle & passing traditions & knowledge onto our children. We are dedicated to not filling our lives too full to allow slow & generous time to relish in our children & the natural world. </div>
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The wisdom of age brings insight, boundaries & more confidence to keep business within the realms of our energy resources, to harness it as a handmade, homemade family business. </div>
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In a recent busy season phase, the snakes found holes to the baby chicks, the goanna's got to the eggs, I cooked my mother sourdough, the kombucha grew weird stuff & the animals took over the house. Yoga joined the list of multitasking skills, I got to bed just as the baby started nightly wake ups from not enough slow time day breastfeeding, I often forgot to breathe & my idea of tidy was to sweep everything into an ever growing pile (!), our sense of why we do what we do gained more strength than ever. Busy is good, but balance is essential. </div>
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In the fast & hectic times we practice our mantras, remember to breathe & endeavour to have each other's back as we shelter our small folk from the inherent pressures of a small, family business. </div>
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We are so very deeply in love with family life, grateful for our lifestyle & enjoy creating beautiful Beeswax Wraps. We pull ourselves & each other short when we feel too sorry for ourselves. We do sometimes call our life 'relentless'; the farm jobs, food preparation, lack of sleeping ~ we've been co sleeping & breastfeeding for a LONG time ~ this 'balancing' & juggling. Our life travels and experience have developed an ingrained need to think globally & remember our good fortune. We have many affirmations, methods & tools that we utilise to stay afloat through the tough times, that do, & will always come! We laugh, ALOT!</div>
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpp3Cw6SqlNSx6dypUuXZqo9XDNJ1RcjXBJVXYaK0FXusXll2roqbZOalY-tGdHAlHpq-eu5pAM0pB63qLMkKY8sQ3wxsCB1wnbIT1RMqhqtmh_qfxHCJ-bsjfxoXIUJxtKif/s1600/Petalplum+BeeEco4.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpp3Cw6SqlNSx6dypUuXZqo9XDNJ1RcjXBJVXYaK0FXusXll2roqbZOalY-tGdHAlHpq-eu5pAM0pB63qLMkKY8sQ3wxsCB1wnbIT1RMqhqtmh_qfxHCJ-bsjfxoXIUJxtKif/s640/Petalplum+BeeEco4.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<b>I love the recent fabric collaboration you did with Ink & Spindle (image above) and the linocut prints with artist Taryn Eales. You do a lot of collaborations with the fabrics of Bee Eco wraps - is this part of your business model, how do you choose who to collaborate with and do you have any tips to share on how to make it work well for both sides. </b></div>
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The creative process & exchange of ideas is so vibrant in collaboration. We tend to work with folks with a mutual understanding of the dynamics within a creative family business & the flexibility & genius required to uphold professionalism, with a baby off one hip, amongst the chorus of little chatterers & helpers. </div>
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The collective exploration & exchange of ideas results in something exceptionally beautiful, useful & bursting with story. Our hearts are full with the beauty created & friendships formed through collaboration. </div>
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Like all of life, expect a few downturns, or sticky aspects & determine to ride it with grace. As the journey of a business & creative collaboration unfolds, remain kind, fair, professional & excited. Keep in the forefront of your mind what you can give rather than what you shall receive. </div>
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Collaboration is a process of human relations, to which you can garner all of your gathered wisdom to bring about success. To offer your innate gifts & talents to bring to the table & trade with your chosen 'idols'! Fun!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByR3OiwPzONsT-l8CF0YAzvcx_p6lAng5014WMg9I2J49yuQu8A1hazqvBY5x3mo4NpTcjcT4dxp9FV6T6qV3d0pE1TjxcziA5vjDOHS7d1IPZmW-Nc8o-Xcc8KraCL7d9Bwb/s1600/Petalplum+BeeEco3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByR3OiwPzONsT-l8CF0YAzvcx_p6lAng5014WMg9I2J49yuQu8A1hazqvBY5x3mo4NpTcjcT4dxp9FV6T6qV3d0pE1TjxcziA5vjDOHS7d1IPZmW-Nc8o-Xcc8KraCL7d9Bwb/s640/Petalplum+BeeEco3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Have you got anything coming up this year that you'd love to share?</b></div>
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The Ink & Spindle Collaboration was such an honour for us and we just adore the outcome! As it all sold out near immediately, a new Australian Native Botanical Range, once again designed & handprinted by Lara Cameron & Caitlin Klooger in Melbourne, is very soon to be released. </div>
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The innate beauty & talent of Taryn Eales will continue to flourish as we bring more handcarved linocut, handprinted with Eco dyes, onto a gorgeous sturdy hemp. These Wraps feel invaluable & enriching to the soul of a kitchen. We roll down the country lanes, over rickety bridges, the kids mooing all the way, into Taryn's whimsical farm paradise, you truly can feel the beauty of this very talented Mama encapsulated in each handprinted Wrap! </div>
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A beautiful boiling pot of textile love is brewing! We are just bubbling with excitement at some upcoming collaborations! Solar screen printing & nature dyes with some of our favourite creative folk are amongst the excitement. </div>
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We have also opened the doors of our Farm to welcome others travelling a journey of self sustainable living. </div>
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<b>What's your best eco tip - the simple smaller everyday things often are the best aren't they? </b></div>
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Our number one Eco tip is time in Nature. Every day, as much as possible. The real change comes from within & occurs in Nature! A form of Eco enlightenment that brings a consciousness & empowers the determination to make & stick with those daily changes. Then get excited about all of the wonderful things you will learn, cool sustainable community you can be a part of & relish in the beauty of the natural world you are conscious of protecting. </div>
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On a practical level, allow a gentle awakening to the perils of plastic & eco conscious choices. Create a list. Step by step challenge the disposable parts of life. </div>
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Buy in bulk. Shift to sustainable toothbrushes, shampoo bars, jojoba oil & henna. Bicarbonate soda, apple cider vinegar & eucalyptus for cleaning. A great dishwashing cloth, scrubber, soap nuts for laundry. A mason jar each, a favourite op shop spoon, bamboo straw when out & about. Vintage wicker baskets are fabulous or an essential reusable shopping bag. Look at ways to trade goods & reduce consumerism, or delve into the magical world of vintage! </div>
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There is so much to learn about fermenting, gardening, cooking or sewing tapped into a local like minded community. Sustainable living is cool, pass it on! The time is NOW to be that change. </div>
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<b>I'd love to hear if you introduce <a href="http://www.beeecowraps.com/collections/all" target="_blank">beeswax wraps</a> to your life - they are one simple change. You can find all the <a href="http://www.beeecowraps.com/pages/how-to-use-care-instructions" target="_blank">info</a> about the Beeswax wraps here, and follow along with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bee_eco_wraps/" target="_blank">BeeEco on Instagram</a>. </b></div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-57325133095653284502015-10-15T15:06:00.000+10:002015-10-15T15:06:32.576+10:00Coconut-sugar pastry Tarts with Honey-Matcha Labne and raspberries. <div style="text-align: justify;">
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I have a special treat for you today - my wholefood chef neighbour <a href="https://instagram.com/artisanwholefoods/" target="_blank">Jean</a>, has a sweet dreamy tart to share. It's got all good stuff in it, and it looks as amazing as it tastes. I'm ready for a cup of tea and a pretty little tart right about now!<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">What a delicious way to taste early Summer's delights, and remind us that we eat first with our eyes. The Matcha green tea gives the labne the most stunning colour; add more to amp it up or keep it subtle and pretty like we did. The sweet vivid raspberries were a perfect mix for the smooth creamy labne, which is a healthier alternative than custard or cream. And don't the colours just make you think of dreamy Summer evenings, lingering over a dinner party. These are great tarts because the prep is done beforehand, and the assembly is quick and easy. </span></div>
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We used <a href="http://matchasol.com/" target="_blank">Matcha-Sol Organic Matcha Green Tea</a>, which is the highest form of antioxidants for a green tea, as you're drinking / eating the whole (powdered) leaf. You can read about the health benefits on their site; or you can just enjoy these tarts with a cup of vibrant Matcha tea knowing they taste good and are good for you. </div>
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Jean Martinez, of <a href="http://artisanwholefoods.com.au/" target="_blank">Artisan Wholefoods</a>, works with foods to heal the body, using ferments and real, wholefoods. She runs classes on how to make ferments, wholegrain breads & pastries and much much more. Her hands-on workshops show off her passion for healing the body through a real and natural way, but more importantly enjoying the food you work with and eat. Jean's food isn't health food for the sake of it, it's about a whole lifestyle change that's enjoyable and bubbling with local colour and taste. Please do go and have a look at her <a href="http://artisanwholefoods.com.au/classes/" target="_blank">workshop schedule,</a> or follow her on <a href="https://instagram.com/artisanwholefoods/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and drool every day over her delicious yet real food - Jean is my neighbour, and often I'm at my home looking at the yum she's having for afternoon tea (on IG) ….and sometimes we invite ourselves up!</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Coconut sugar pastry tarts with Honey-Matcha Labne filling</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">These delicious tarts have the subtle taste of matcha green tea with smooth raw local honey. The matcha gives the labne the prettiest green hue, which combines perfectly with the pop of fresh raspberries. The refined-sugar free pastry is crunchy and nutty, perfectly crumbly and could be used to make biscuits or cookies. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Honey-Matcha Labne filling</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">About 4 cups plain full-fat unadulterated yoghurt will make about 2
cups of labne.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Labne is carefully strained yoghurt that mysteriously takes on a bit
of an ice-creamy texture (well, I think so anyway). Simply place cold yoghurt
in a clean cloth – I use muslin folded a couple of times, in a sieve to line
it, and sit this over a bowl. Scoop your yoghurt into this, and place back into
the fridge for hours or overnight – depending on your level of organisation and
how soon you would like your labne. A minimum of 3 hours is good.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Place strained labne in a clean bowl and scoop in a couple of
tablespoons of wild raw honey, some vanilla paste and matcha tea to taste. I
used about 4 scoops from the beautiful <a href="http://matchasol.com/collections/matcha-sol/products/bamboo-scoop?variant=3901421381" target="_blank">bamboo scoop</a> that came with the tea (approx 1 teaspoon) - this created a subtle taste and soft green colour. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Whisk to combine and place back in the fridge while you make the
pastry.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Coconut sugar pastry</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">300g unsalted butter, cold but has sat out of the fridge for about 10
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">•<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">1 free range egg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Place flours, coconut sugar, butter and salt into the bowl of a stand
mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Turn on to a low-medium speed and
allow the butter to work into the flour until it resembles crumbs.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Turn mixer off and scrape the bowl with a spatula, and loosen any bits
of butter that may not have mixed in. Pour in egg and yolks, and turn back on
to low and continue to mix until it becomes a cohesive ball.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Turn onto a lightly floured bench, and squish together, before
dividing in to 4 equal pieces and flattening them into disks. Wrap
separately and label.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Chill for at least 30 minutes before using.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Use 1 disk (1/4 of the pastry recipe) to roll out for the tarts - This
will make 3-4 10cm (4inch) tart shells.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Pre-heat your oven to 180°C</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Roll pastry between baking paper to desired thickness – about 4 mm</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Grease 3 or 4 tart shells with a little butter, and carefully place
pastry in each shell, being sure to push it into the corners, and trimming the
tops. (The scraps can be re-rolled to make coconut sugar cookies).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Blind bake for about 15 minutes, then finish baking for about another
10 – or until pastry is lovely and golden.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Set aside to cool.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Scoop honey-matcha labne into cooled shells, top with some gorgeous
fresh raspberries and then add a dusting of matcha over the top. Serve immediately. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Recipe devised by Jean Martinez of <a href="http://artisanwholefoods.com.au/" target="_blank">Artisan Wholefoods</a>. Styling by Ellie Beck, photography by Jean.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;">* The Matcha green tea was gifted to me from <a href="http://matchasol.com/" target="_blank">Matcha-Sol</a>. I love enjoying it as a cup of tea, but am also excited to try it as cookies using this pastry dough recipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue;"><br /></span>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-38474700982631283522015-10-13T19:28:00.000+10:002015-10-15T13:58:48.767+10:00create learn connect share <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the things I love doing the most, in my creative outlet, is teaching and sharing. </div>
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Have I ever told you that when I was a kid I wanted to be a teacher? Of course, I always thought that meant being a primary school teacher - sitting at a desk with a vase of flowers and the chalk board to draw or write upon. We used to play schools during our holidays, and I was always always the teacher. And all the dolls and teddys and animals and my sister were the students. </div>
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So now, that my creative job - career! - has evolved into being a teacher. Well… I think it's a whole lot of lovely, and little bit strange. Of course, I don't sit behind a desk and teach the times tables or English language or about Roman clothing. Now I sit beside my students, I walk amongst them. My hands guide their hands, my voice shares my skills, experiences and knowledge. And my students go away after a day's lesson knowing how to work with their hands, so create something heart felt, meaningful, beautiful. And, hopefully, how to tap into their own innate creative self, how to express their creative vision and discover their own way of working, rather than following someone else's or copying pinterest.</div>
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All this is to say…. I have some workshops coming up soon and I hope that you can come along, that I can guide your hands and converse with you, and share my love of making and discovering your creative journey. </div>
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<a href="http://creativebase.com.au/shop/loom-weaving-thursday-12th-november-10am-1-30pm/" target="_blank">Loom Weaving</a> ~ oh my, you ready to become addicted to something soft and cuddly and seriously good! I love weaving in a way I haven't quite ever connected with the other yarny crafts.</div>
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<a href="http://creativebase.com.au/shop/natural-botanical-dye-saturday-31st-october-10-30am-3-30pm/" target="_blank">Natural Botanical & Indigo Dyeing with Shibori</a> ~ eeekkk eeekkkk. Yes. This will change the way you look at plants, flowers and leaves and you'll be dyeing every piece of pale fabric and yarn in your life. Seriously my full love for this way of working. </div>
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<a href="http://thecraftparlour.com.au/collections/workshops/products/lino-printing-workshop" target="_blank">Product Styling & Instagram</a> ~ So… the real reason I haven't been at this lovely little blog for the past of 4 years is Instagram. If you <a href="https://instagram.com/petalplum/" target="_blank">follow me</a> (and do… please do!) you'll know how much I love it so. In a good good way. Because it's so good for connecting with other people, and having a creative outlet and somewhere to share and learn and inspire and be inspired. Anyway, in this workshop I will share my way of styling products and things for selling and for fun, and also how I go about 'doing Instagram.' It's seriously going to be GOOD. </div>
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You can find all my <a href="http://petalplum.bigcartel.com/workshops-events" target="_blank">workshops and creative event info on my website here</a>. Or join my mailing list… (send me an email to ellieabeck@hotmail.com and I'll add you to the list). </div>
<br />elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-20541056097644224002015-10-13T12:42:00.001+10:002015-10-13T12:42:09.663+10:00practicing balance :: Slow Your Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My baby will be one in only a couple of short weeks. I'm feeling like time and days and years are whirling away from me, at an increasing speed. I want to grab hold of those moments - not to stop time, but to live within it, to appreciate it, to acknowledge it; rather than existing around it and constantly chasing time. I'm guessing this is something we all aim for, wish for….hope for. </div>
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I know we can't stop time; but we do have the mind power to slow time. I believe anyway. To be present and conscious is slowing time. To live inside time slows time. But how? </div>
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I'm working on this, slowly slowly. As a parent, as a creative artist and as a small business owner. </div>
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A few <b><i>Slow Your Days</i></b> tips ::</div>
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~ When you have a baby or small children, don't fight the hard days. Give in to those days where they just need endless cuddles and lots of hands on active play. Pack away the jobs list, cause it ain't going to get done anyway, and you'll just end up feeling frustrated. Get down on their level, and play - really play with them.</div>
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~ Go for a walk. Oh golly - this solves most any problem and hard day in our home. If baby won't sleep, or kids feel frustrated or I'm wound up I gather everyone up and out we go. It doesn't matter if you live in the forest or the city or near the beach. Just getting outside of your normal routine, slowing down and observing whats around you will help. Holding hands with little children, talking with them and noticing the things they show you. A half an hour walk will bring a feeling of fresh air and joy back into your home and help calm the crazy hour. </div>
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~ A happy, well entertained baby will (theoretically, hopefully) sleep better. Spending time with little one should result in a decent nap which gives you quiet time for your own creative space or jobs list. </div>
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~ Ask for help. With older kids, I think it's totally acceptable to expect them to contribute in a real way in the home. If you're working full or part time, and tending small children, running a business and trying to find time for your creative outlet - there isn't much time left for you and those beautiful cups of tea. Talk with the big kids about doing daily jobs - washing up, clearing the table, hanging washing, folding clothes, those every day jobs that the mamas tend to mostly end up doing. I think of it as training my kids for when they leave home. If I don't have to wash up every day, it gives me more time to spend doing other things, which in the end gives me more time to be with them. </div>
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This one isn't easy - it's hard. Some days it's simpler to just do the job yourself; but in the end that won't help your kids learn. This is one of those ones that takes time, build it up slowly…. understand that some days you'll have to re-do their job, or they'll take four times longer than you, or you'll just have to do it on your own. </div>
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You will discover slowly, step by step, that you're finding moments to slip outside and breathe the evening air, or five minutes to sip your cup of tea while it's still warm. Those two things bring me more peace and calm, which carries through my whole day, than anything else. If you can manage a half hour yoga session yay for you. But five minutes with a cup of tea and the birds calling, and my family respecting my peace, me as a person - that slows my day immensely.</div>
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I'd love to hear your tips for slowing time, or finding time, making time….</div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-83631729037470949272015-09-02T19:39:00.003+10:002015-09-02T19:49:54.793+10:00A garden bouquet ~ from my natural dye diaries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU878R4Ogl4UG2MPp5mrMKVlUoOSIjCOOwIPbJRaTDjwWcNMaFURN-bbbgPTh98Xr_BL0c_duUFWIiv0fWxtxZYdd7mOHwu6hd7bjkyEDZLLd33qyfOj6AFxM8IwTpiUN4b2f7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+7.33.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU878R4Ogl4UG2MPp5mrMKVlUoOSIjCOOwIPbJRaTDjwWcNMaFURN-bbbgPTh98Xr_BL0c_duUFWIiv0fWxtxZYdd7mOHwu6hd7bjkyEDZLLd33qyfOj6AFxM8IwTpiUN4b2f7/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+7.33.39+PM.png" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIK5Keu4V-YYAOBzqdN60YhUxe-LVGo7r5bdbIKx3PIW9dLhLIkKPHDo7Qv-_oZqvvOYrTQ9V2qFLPiuewKtq9wzjDvmGwgi5Rz0gZ0chGpiu-VWf6J2DcLWsHfdzf1cVUnI0S/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+7.33.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIK5Keu4V-YYAOBzqdN60YhUxe-LVGo7r5bdbIKx3PIW9dLhLIkKPHDo7Qv-_oZqvvOYrTQ9V2qFLPiuewKtq9wzjDvmGwgi5Rz0gZ0chGpiu-VWf6J2DcLWsHfdzf1cVUnI0S/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-09-02+at+7.33.07+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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A short while ago, my girl and I gathered some of the pretty blooms from around our garden. We rolled it all up into a bundle roll with fabric, and set the dye pot to cook. </div>
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There's a <a href="https://steller.co/s/4cthhuVveZC" target="_blank">little how to story over here</a>, if you want to have a look and make your own special piece of garden-gathered fabric. Each time you dye in this special manner, you get different results, depending on the flowers, leaves and seedpods. </div>
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For those of you looking for my how to dye with Turmeric, <a href="http://petalplum.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/how-to-naturally-dyeing-fabric-with.html" target="_blank">it's here</a>! You can also look at all my <a href="http://petalplum.blogspot.com.au/search/label/natural%20dye" target="_blank">Natural Dye post archives</a>.<br />
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I also have a Natural & Botanical Dye workshop coming up really soon. If you live in or near Newcastle, NSW and would love to spend a day learning about how to extract colours from the dye pot, then I hope you can come along. Sunday 20th September. Held in a beautiful florist studio - we will have all sorts of amazing blooms to dye with. All the details and booking info are over on my <a href="http://petalplum.bigcartel.com/product/workshop-natural-botanical-alchemy-newcastle-20th-sept" target="_blank">website here</a>. (There's only a few spaces left). </div>
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elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-31253902890020367202015-07-23T17:16:00.001+10:002015-07-23T17:16:49.325+10:00A little honey ....<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghJCl700IO0wkGbXFiBbGmA8MpozQ1CVBJtb0XmWElZeFSXsHSTsORkzNu53HEJiObmzMZhKpjGGqsepZKpVVWUArtDIrfxBH_Z-pqmpf6P56Qg2ja7VO0MpDUwVWHeAJeaam/s640/blogger-image--486403488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjghJCl700IO0wkGbXFiBbGmA8MpozQ1CVBJtb0XmWElZeFSXsHSTsORkzNu53HEJiObmzMZhKpjGGqsepZKpVVWUArtDIrfxBH_Z-pqmpf6P56Qg2ja7VO0MpDUwVWHeAJeaam/s640/blogger-image--486403488.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3aKSlQL4vAGGrrbQuOM5PmQJ5x-A77PIFj6PX1pHYyvtDtcWQ_K3insivIfp13OBD7kDqvByRmWPFLUnfoR9oPA9YX6kPjT29eN58dHvVZ1hBtWaxthT2zTXQvcLzzg0l0O2/s640/blogger-image-1436435564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3aKSlQL4vAGGrrbQuOM5PmQJ5x-A77PIFj6PX1pHYyvtDtcWQ_K3insivIfp13OBD7kDqvByRmWPFLUnfoR9oPA9YX6kPjT29eN58dHvVZ1hBtWaxthT2zTXQvcLzzg0l0O2/s640/blogger-image-1436435564.jpg"></a></div><br></div>There's colds and coughs here at the moment. And rainy coolish days. Perfect weather for gathering lemons from our trees, lemongrass from my friends garden and raw honey and organic ginger from the farmers market.<div>A remedy my mama used to make for us to nourish our bodies and warm our hearts. Holding a cup of warm lemon, honey & ginger is almost like a hug.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PfQef2zmG0LXmpb0AYZGBRzPyB2BPlt1esJsC4j-Xt_1RLiP9BKM9RjYYWOI-0gIAgl3AtTBcthX0GmcIEv55loJ4pGQ6KDeiJxk9PfR1Y6Id642JU9HMGJ8kxG0xP5pc3lF/s640/blogger-image--1912703718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PfQef2zmG0LXmpb0AYZGBRzPyB2BPlt1esJsC4j-Xt_1RLiP9BKM9RjYYWOI-0gIAgl3AtTBcthX0GmcIEv55loJ4pGQ6KDeiJxk9PfR1Y6Id642JU9HMGJ8kxG0xP5pc3lF/s640/blogger-image--1912703718.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBy3_o6PBhZUZ-WYpEFOFQ61wC9JDfkKnftldwvhx3BJtUyF9FVonMNHjm7qDF26Xl9VOrWRPkDmIap-6fp8IZphK13imYiApLSWtOYmL7fz8uoywfhVSpf-ozZbr0eqdblwy/s640/blogger-image--1452708854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBy3_o6PBhZUZ-WYpEFOFQ61wC9JDfkKnftldwvhx3BJtUyF9FVonMNHjm7qDF26Xl9VOrWRPkDmIap-6fp8IZphK13imYiApLSWtOYmL7fz8uoywfhVSpf-ozZbr0eqdblwy/s640/blogger-image--1452708854.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>{a recipe} </div><div>You'll need:</div><div>•fresh lemons, any sort will do. At least 1 per person or more if you like it tangy.</div><div>•honey, about 1-2 teaspoons each. Please use raw and local honey - it's better for your body as it still contains all the real nutrients (not stripped bare like from the supermarket), and supports a local farmer and his bees.</div><div>•a small knob of fresh ginger.</div><div>•some fresh or dried lemongrass (optional).</div><div>Squeeze the lemon into a cup, smash the ginger to release the flavour and add along with the cut lemongrass. Pour over not-quite boiling water and add honey to taste.</div><div>Cosy up with your favourite handknit or crochet blankie and snuggles with your little ones.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ1eclqdWqYcrG2-a_Rwj9WS_rIo4ZP1VKGCB5xHgsD2w6QFtyooKFBwooNWm4_7V9ui-sPky6zgnQNIh2qzNWi4r9WEoosjQJlAdri3dfjTATsgBF56KvqnymkACOL3Uixyn/s640/blogger-image-1058931791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ1eclqdWqYcrG2-a_Rwj9WS_rIo4ZP1VKGCB5xHgsD2w6QFtyooKFBwooNWm4_7V9ui-sPky6zgnQNIh2qzNWi4r9WEoosjQJlAdri3dfjTATsgBF56KvqnymkACOL3Uixyn/s640/blogger-image-1058931791.jpg"></a></div>*i love using my Made by Fressko flask, which keeps my tea warm for hours. I have a giveaway of one of these on myInstagram account at the moment - if you wanna pop over and check it out! </div>elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-77216665942367182622015-01-01T14:07:00.002+10:002015-01-01T14:07:16.876+10:00wants & living simply :: a manifesto for 2015 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've decided to start this new year with a manifesto. Not so much a resolution, but perhaps a way of living and thinking about our footprint on this planet and our daily actions in a different way. Of not guilting ourselves, but giving ourselves a way of re-thinking how we want to live. Of choosing at each moment what we want, how we want, why we want. </div>
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I find new year's resolutions for me bring about a guilt that I never keep them, that I've let myself down by barely lasting a month or even a week in some cases. I'm hoping this manifesto can help with my ideal of how I wish we could/would live, but also be an easier way for our whole family to be part of it. Often these ideals are pushed by one member of the family (me!) and the others don't really want to go along with it.</div>
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So.... here it is. My new year manifesto ::</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we want it, we should question our want</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we do still want it, </span><span style="font-size: large;">we should make it</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we can't make it, </span><span style="font-size: large;">we should get it second hand</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we can't find it second hand, we should buy it ethically</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If no one makes it in an ethical manner, we should re-think our want</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only after this shall we consider any other options. </span></div>
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I do hope that this is a good way for all the family members to live with our consumerism, want want want. To re-think how we fit within society - to re-think if our wants are based on other people's wants, or if they really are more of a need. To retrain ourselves to work out that often our wants don't fulfil what we think they will, that just as often we actually feel remorse or disappointment, after our wants are purchased. </div>
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I also know that this is a journey we have be on for a long time. Compared to how many many others live, we do not give in to wants and whims and consumerism. My kids are always telling me 'it's not fair, everyone else has one'..... Well, my reply is we aren't everyone else. We don't go shopping for the sake of it, we don't buy new toys or books or clothes or anything just because. We do still consume, we get things that we don't necessarily need, but my hope is that we can live this year a little less and then next year a little less.</div>
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I am going to be practical in this way of being, not enforcing this in every instance of our lives. Also, I need to be aware that there will be things we need to buy that are wants. Within our business we have purchases of new items - these are necessary for our business, for our livelihood (and I may talk about this at a later stage). Our house-building will have new-purchase needs as well. </div>
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But, hopefully this manifesto can help us all - the children and the adults - to live a happier life with less, to want less. To actively choose to want less, rather than feeling deprived on less. That's the ultimate - to stop the wants. To change the wants. To want less, to live with less, to live on less. </div>
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I'll be sharing this journey here this year, and on my instagram feed as well. I aim / hope to be more present here on my blog. By sharing my story and ideas with you - perhaps you'll follow along. I do hope so, even just a little. </div>
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I'm keen to hear your thoughts on new year resolutions, on manifestos, on consumerism, on wants and wants..... </div>
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{Hi Amy - who asked when I was coming back! Hopefully now. xxx}</div>
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elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-29770792611552514582014-10-13T21:17:00.000+10:002014-10-13T21:17:51.488+10:00of weaving my own path<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday I finished a little weaving on a tiny loom that Sam made for some workshops I did last year. There were a few looms left over and I brought three inside with a basket of yarn for the kids and me to work on as we wanted. </div>
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I started the weaving well, and contentedly. But then after a short while I started to feel like I didn't know what I was doing, or more to the point that I wasn't doing it right. I pushed the weaving aside to look at Instagram and see the other people on there who I follow who do quite stunning and amazing weaving artworks. I looked and looked and felt a whole lot inadequate. </div>
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I haven't been taught how to weave, aside from as a child by my mother and at school. I haven't done any workshops or online tutorials. Or even looked at a how-to book on weaving. The weaving making that I do is fairly innate and self-taught. The memory of under-over-under-over. But the knowing of any other special stitches or how to make the exact right way of setting up or finishing or adding embellishments. All of that is unknown to me. Unknown except for what my brain tells me might be the right way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqKBfeFWo1sMnA3xPW-fZS2eH9V7unj_d6GmmCfMepWexm9EeQvJRSc07iI9ZXoDzuIwOZfeUj7mEhXS91XwOJKhLH3Yq3yM5DyVWNaXWZ8z1wvt6tpY-SZiEifjflyWXslCd/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqKBfeFWo1sMnA3xPW-fZS2eH9V7unj_d6GmmCfMepWexm9EeQvJRSc07iI9ZXoDzuIwOZfeUj7mEhXS91XwOJKhLH3Yq3yM5DyVWNaXWZ8z1wvt6tpY-SZiEifjflyWXslCd/s1600/Picture+5.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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I sat with this feeling of not knowing, and being wrong for only a short amount of time. I pulled my weaving back in front of me. With my selection of colours and yarns I told myself that the very first humans to ever weave and make cloth or fibre of any sort didn't have a teacher except their mother or father, and didn't have a book or a fancy workshop. They had their materials and their human innate understanding of maybe how something could work. They didn't know if it would work or not, but they kept on trying until it did. And they kept on listening to their own thoughts and intelligence. </div>
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The weaving I have made I am not sure if it would be classified as art or craft or design or simply over-under-over-under of yarn through yarn. But what I do know is that when I made it (and I make more, not just weaving but other makings) I felt good and like I was following - making - my own journey and not following someone else's journey or rules or pathway. And when I look at this weaving I see a piece that talked to the maker and the maker talked to it. A conversation and communication between hands, mind, soul and materials. </div>
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This, I realised, is the best way for me to create. To make with my own inner guidance, to use my understanding of how things work and not have to follow. I don't have to lead either. I just have to happily meander along my own path. </div>
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I have entitled this weaving <i>'she whispered in my ear'</i>.<br />
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*this piece was written some many months ago, sitting in my drafts - for some reason never published. I like adding it to my story now - as since this piece I have found my own direction and non-path path for weaving. I have learnt new stitches, I have taught other people how to discover their own weaving styles. I have talked, conversed, listened to my materials and time and time again been delighted in the tales we tell each other, in the stories we create together..... the yarns we weave. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-66441042640875330372014-10-12T13:04:00.000+10:002014-10-12T13:10:01.462+10:00skinmade {beautiful natural skincare - an interview & discount code}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFToVUUyU2Jikegz4d3HrsdlAbIp4gy1zaizpwQWiwwhbARhwIsD2c6vwaGZaP5YxMWsrOs75PVMbymwfPLXX5r2kFcTZd0Ux-hQgVhKS07oUg24344StvA502zIKRRAiztlSb/s1600/IMG_5326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFToVUUyU2Jikegz4d3HrsdlAbIp4gy1zaizpwQWiwwhbARhwIsD2c6vwaGZaP5YxMWsrOs75PVMbymwfPLXX5r2kFcTZd0Ux-hQgVhKS07oUg24344StvA502zIKRRAiztlSb/s1600/IMG_5326.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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A short while ago I was introduced, via Instagram, to a beautiful and local-to-me skin care small business, <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/" target="_blank">Skinmade</a>. I've been loving using their organic and natural products each day. These are products made with thought, intention, care and a commitment to bettering the environment as well our skin. The simple packaging appeals to me - I don't need (or want) excess packaging or gimiky products, I prefer to use products that have pure simple ingredients and are easy to add to my daily routine. </div>
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My boy has also been using the <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/product/scrub-oat-lemon-myrtle" target="_blank">oat & lemon myrtle scrub</a>, which you combine with the <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/product/cleanser-castile-lemongrass" target="_blank">castile & lemongrass cleanser</a> to create a gentle yet very effective and lovely to use face cleaner. His skin (and mine as well) looks and feels so soft afterwards. I can't decide which moisturiser I like best - I'm using the <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/product/serum" target="_blank">rosehip & cucumber serum</a> for refreshing daytime use, and the <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/product/cream" target="_blank">vitamin E & balsam</a> as a night time cream. Both are nice and rich, yet not heavy - which is perfect for the coming Summer. </div>
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When I was younger a friend of my mum's started a skincare range, and my sister and I helped her sell it. We learnt a little about the products and the ingredients, and got to enjoy using beautifully made natural skincare. Finding Skinmade has been a wonderful way for me to use something that fits within my lifestyle and environmental ethics, while supporting a local business as well. It's important to do each little thing we can in our regular purchases to make differences in our environment, our economy and our personal welfare. Choosing a skincare company who doesn't test on animals, uses organic and local ingredients and makes a conscious decision to support the environment in their manufacture and packaging is an easy way to make such a change. Next time you go to the department store to purchase your new moisturiser and a million cleansers and such, have a think about the what you are actually putting on your skin, where and how it's made, and what happens with the excess packaging afterwards (Skinmade has a fabulous program where you can <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/green-living" target="_blank">return your glass bottles for reuse</a> - just another way they are actively committed to environmental consciousness).</div>
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I asked Claire and Genevieve to share a little about their beautiful products and their business. They've also shared a 25% discount code (find it at the end of the questions) so that you can try out their range yourself - you'll find their products very reasonable before the discount, so this is an added incentive! And make sure you add one of their <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/product/bamboo-face-cloth" target="_blank">super soft bamboo facecloths</a> to your order. </div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Why did you start Skinmade? </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">After
having
children it really opened our eyes to what we were using on our skin -
especially our babies skin. (Did you know that a leading brand of baby
oil has only two ingredients: mineral oil and fragrance. Mineral oil
coats your skin like glad wrap so it can’t
release toxins. It also interferes with the skin’s natural immunity
barrier. And unspecified fragrance is usually synthetic which can cause
major skin irritation and even cause dizziness. It horrifies me to think
we lather this on our new born babies).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">So we started Skinmade - making up our own plant-based oil blends using recipes passed
down from our mother in-law. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We
felt like there was a gap in the market for affordable, good quality,
plant-based skincare. There is no shortage on the market,
but most if it is very expensive.</span></span></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">What makes it special? </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We
use
really good quality, mostly organic, plant-based ingredients, subtle
earthy scents - nothing overpowering and we keep our products as simple
as possible. They feel really clean and light on the skin so they can be
used by the whole family.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">What's your favourite product and why? </span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Claire:
I have fair, dry skin so my favourite product is the Vitamin E + Balsam
cream.
Sometimes when I run out(yes that sounds crazy as I am the maker) I will
use pure rose hip oil until I make a new batch. When I get finally get
my hands on a new jar my skin feels so supple and nourished.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Genevieve:
My favorite product is the castile and lemongrass CLEANSER. I have
normal
kind of skin that can get a bit oily at times. This cleanser feels so
nice and gentle and the smell of it is very fresh and light. I use it
with an organic bamboo face cloth and the scrub. It was very hard to
formulate this product as there is nothing natural
that foams, except organic liquid castile soap, which is what makes this
cleanser so special. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"><b><i>Tell us a little about the making process, and what you love about the ingredients you use.</i></b> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We
spent a lot of time with a local naturopath learning about oils and
herbs, and perfecting
emulsification etc. I think for both of us two of the most exciting
parts of making skincare is seeing the cream emulsify. It really is
amazing. And secondly when we come up with new essential oil blends.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Our
first priority is to make a product that is 100% natural, second is to
make a product
that is nourishing, healing, and rejuvenating. Affordability to our
customers is really important to us, so you won’t see us using exotic
ingredients such as gemstone crystals from brazil, caviar or snake
venom. Instead we use the highest quality ingredients
that are more sustainable and readily availablesuch as jojoba, rose hip,
essential oils, shea/coco butter, vitamin e and aloe vera. We source
organic and local where possible.</span></span></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">How do you work together - what are your roles in your partnership? </span></span></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We
mostly
do everything together. At the moment Genevieve is pregnant so Claire
has taken over making the product and Genevieve looks after
ordering, shipping, online enquiries etc. I think we really compliment
each other in our business partnership. We both bring
unique skills and ideas to skinmade, and when one is having a busy week
with family or work commitments the other steps in and picks up the
slack. We have a good laugh when we are together.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">What are the challenges of having a small handcrafted skin care business?</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We
both have busy families and work part time, so it is often a challenge
to find time.
One of our biggest challenges is getting skinmade out there. Once
people try it, they love our products for life, so we are constantly
thinking up ways to promote the brand and reach as many people as
possible.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Skinmade has been around for just over a year now, how are things going? What are your plans for the future
of your business?</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We
are booking lots of markets for the end of 2014 and next year, plus
deciding which
trade shows to exhibit at. We have a feature in the Etsy Christmas gift
ideas, which will give us lots of exposure. We hope to grow the skincare
range to cater for more skin types and also develop a range of natural
remedies for children such as a breath easyessential
oil mix, chest rub, natural insect repellant and, head lice repellant.
We are very committed to minimizing waste and are working behind
the scenes on developing 100% compostable packaging. Our beautiful skin
tea range comes in 100% compostable containers, so
we aim to extend this across the range.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">What's the 'secret' to beautiful skin, in your opinion?</span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Never
believe the marketing ploys from commercial skincare brands about
getting rid of
your wrinkles or making your pimples disappear over night. The secret to
beautiful skin extends well beyond what you put on it. Firstly HEALTH.
Good health including diet and exercise… Secondly HAPPINESS. Balance in
your life and finding happiness and mental
strength. These are the building blocks for beautiful skin. Finally
skincare. Your skincare should always be plant-based with no harsh
chemicals. It should leave your skin feeling clean and nourished. It
should basically be edible.</span></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Why is local and handcrafted so important to you, personally and for your business? Can you share with
us some other local makers who's work you love? </span></span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Buying local is reducing environmental impact, creating more local jobs, investing in
the community, buying something unique and encouraging local prosperity. But most of all you are buying something from a </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"><b>real person</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"> who
has made the item with love. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We have a huge crush on handmade pottery at the moment such as <a href="http://instagram.com/thrownbyjo" target="_blank">thrownbyjo</a>, <a href="http://www.harvestclay.com/" target="_blank">Harvest Clay</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/susansimonini" target="_blank">Susan Simonini</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/KanimblaClay" target="_blank">Kanimbla Clay</a>.</span></span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/KanimblaClay" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"></span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We are loving the vege died clothing range from <a href="http://www.vegethreads.com/" target="_blank">Vege Threads</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">
and the up cycled kids range from <a href="http://www.alfiechildrensapparel.com/" target="_blank">Alfie Children’s Apparel</a></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We get weekly veggie boxes from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FarmerFat" target="_blank">Farmer Foster</a> (Murwillumbah)</span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FarmerFat" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and
make food for our kids from <a href="http://www.wholefoodcooking.com.au/" target="_blank">Jude Blereau</a> whole food cookbooks. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are saving up for some recycled furniture from <a href="http://www.simplyrecycledfurniture.com.au/" target="_blank">Simply Recycled Furniture</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anything else you'd like to add, please share ~</span></span></b></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">We would love for you readers to have the chance to try our skincare. Use the </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"><b>code:
petalplum</b></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US"> to receive 25% off </span></span><a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Skinmade.</span></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">You can follow <a href="http://instagram.com/skinmade" target="_blank">Skinmade on Instagram here</a>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Check out the <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/" target="_blank">website</a>, and make sure you read the <a href="http://www.skinmade.com.au/skinmade-blog" target="_blank">blog</a> with some really interesting (and scary) info about beauty products and ingredients. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">Connect with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Skinmade" target="_blank">Skinmade on Facebook</a>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="en-US">*all images by me, except b&w one of Claire and Genevieve from their website. </span></span></span></div>
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elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-75124889810407510192014-10-03T10:29:00.001+10:002014-10-03T11:31:29.910+10:00Coconut Cake - an excuse for pretty flowers and styling {a recipe}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Cake solves lots of problems, don't you think. You know, not massive world issue problems, but those tiny at home daily challenges problems.</div>
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The making of a cake, for me, is such a restorative process (mostly). I love thinking about the cake I'll make, and gathering the ingredients - seeing if we have the right things, or making do with what we do have instead. I love the preparation - getting the butter and eggs out. And then thinking about the sharing of the cake - that's the lovely part. Sitting down together and cutting into a cake. </div>
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So - cake is good. Yes?</div>
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I wanted to share a current go-to cake, with you. It's easy to make, quite healthy, very delicious and ever so pretty when you want to pretty it all up. (Those of you who read this blog know that I don't often use a recipe - but there are times I need to know a cake will work with no issues and this one ticks so many boxes in terms of look, taste, ease of making and fairly healthy). </div>
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<u>Coconut Cake with (coconut) Cream </u></div>
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6 fresh free-range eggs, separated</div>
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1 cup coconut sugar</div>
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1 cup plain flour (I use spelt or whatever you want)<br />
2 pinches baking powder </div>
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2 cups shredded coconut or 1 cup shredded + 1 cup dessicated.</div>
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180g butter, melted (I always use salted butter in my cake cooking - it adds that little speck of salt)</div>
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<u>For cream ganache / filling</u></div>
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1-2 can of coconut cream - place in the fridge for 24hours before ready to use</div>
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2-4T coconut sugar (the coconut sugar will turn your cream a beautiful golden colour)</div>
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How to:</div>
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Preheat oven to 180C. Lightly butter a 16cm spring form cake tin. <br />
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Using an electric beater, mix the egg whites until stiff peaks form and set aside.<br />
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In a separate bowl, beat the yolks and sugar until thick.<br />
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Gently fold a third of the egg whites into the yolks, with a third of the sifted flour. Repeat until all mixed together, then gently add the coconut and melted butter and fold through until just combined. It's ok if some of egg white can still be seen.</div>
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Pour into prepared cake tin and bake for 30-40mins until golden and pulling away from the sides. Leave to cool and then remove from the tin. </div>
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For the coconut cream ganache - Place one can of the cooled cream and 2T of the coconut sugar into bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and fluffy. One can is enough for one layer of cake filling. </div>
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To ice cake - slice cake horizontally into either 2 or 3 pieces, through the middle. Spread the coconut cream filling over each layer and carefully place them on top of each other. You can leave the top naked or cream it as well. This is the fun part - so I'll leave it up to you to decorate as you like. Toasted or large flakes of fresh coconut on the top is lovely too. </div>
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Decorate with non-toxic or edible flowers. Please be sure you check that the flowers aren't poisonous before serving to your guests!</div>
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You can make as many layers as you like - make 2 cakes to make a giant cake stack of 6 layers!</div>
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Coconut cream is more of an 'adult' taste, so you can just as easily use regular whipped (cows) cream. You shouldn't need sugar with this as it's sweet enough on it's own. We like whipping it in a jar - shakey shakey. Fun and easy. </div>
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{I have started using a 16cm cake tin, instead of my usual 22cm as it makes a smaller but taller cake. I'm loving the tall cake layers at the moment, but not needing the giant 22cm size cake for smaller gatherings or family nibbles. This recipe is suitable for a 22cm cake tin - it makes two well-sized layers}.</div>
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*Recipe is adapted from "Coming Home" by Kathy Armstrong.</div>
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*Photos of pansy-topped cake are taken by <a href="http://sangthebird.com.au/" target="_blank">Leah from Sang the Bird</a> at my weaving workshop gathering. The cut-pansy cake photo is by me. Other photos are by me, at my daughter's 7th birthday party earlier this year. </div>
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Pansy-topped cake has coconut cream and 16cm tin used. </div>
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Zinnia-topped cake has regular cream and 2x 22cm tin used. </div>
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elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-58943023599634722062014-09-08T16:45:00.000+10:002014-09-08T16:45:05.576+10:00Get your Weave on - workshops in weaving (and finding your own creative voice)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp755px2TL8KGcMq4P7P3bxl_GQkQpWIS_dJt4kq1pbm1zEC7EGHtSpFpL3G_7CZwYD6vAbRlbBt-q1SF7tAAKKIkybo8fo0lk8bSmy7Os8abo80IoFdy30-avEzBZGRO4AYIl/s1600/Ellie+Beck+weaving+purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp755px2TL8KGcMq4P7P3bxl_GQkQpWIS_dJt4kq1pbm1zEC7EGHtSpFpL3G_7CZwYD6vAbRlbBt-q1SF7tAAKKIkybo8fo0lk8bSmy7Os8abo80IoFdy30-avEzBZGRO4AYIl/s1600/Ellie+Beck+weaving+purple.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've long wanted to do some <a href="http://www.deadwoodcreative.com.au/category/workshops" target="_blank">weaving workshops</a> with adults, to share my own way of working with yarn and making pretty wall hangings and pieces of art. I've finally found someone who makes looms in Australia that I can share with you. </div>
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Weaving is just the teensiest bit addictive; I've actually been dreaming about new weaves and wanting to get up at mid-night to finish the current piece on my loom..... The house can stay messy for all I can. I guess I'll have to eventually feed the family - though they're pretty good at making do themselves. </div>
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Anyway. I'd love to share the fun and complete satisfaction that comes with making your own weaving. It's like making your own piece of amazingness. Yep - it's that cool!</div>
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I have a couple of workshops coming up really soon (before this baby pops!). Would love love you to come along if you can. To learn the basic skills and techniques and to spend time with me and hopefully soak up some of how I work - by breaking rules, making my own rules, experimenting, having fun, conversing with my materials...</div>
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Oh yes indeed. I do have conversations with my yarn and fabric. Sometimes they tell me they want to be just so and I really have to listen. I do think it takes practice and quiet and being fully involved in your work to listen to your materials. But when you do, when you discover how to, I think it brings an emotion and a uniqueness to your work. It brings yourself to your work. Not copying someone else's stitches and patterns and ways of doing things, but doing it your own way. Telling your own story. Allowing your own voice to shine. </div>
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That's important. I hope that during all my workshops (be in children or adults, screen printing or weaving or sewing or....) I can help you to open up and find your own inner voice. To allow you - give you permission indeed - to shout your own creative visual voice. That's so important to me. That we all share our voices, that we all feel confident that we can share our voice, and not hide behind copying someone else, or worse still not making and creating because we don't think our voice is valid. </div>
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Part weaving workshop / part find your creative visual voice workshop. Yep.</div>
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Details are: <a href="http://www.deadwoodcreative.com.au/category/workshops" target="_blank">Get Your Weave On!</a></div>
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Brisbane - Saturday 20th Sept, 12.30 - 4pm. At Tangled Yarns in Newstead. </div>
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Byron Bay - Saturday 27th Sept, 10am - 1.30pm. At Bubbles at the Head Studio in Byron Bay. </div>
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Cost is: $145 for 3.5hr workshop. You go home with your own new weaving loom + accessories (those lovely wooden needles), instruction booklet, scissors and yarns. You'll have a beautiful day with new friends (or bring a friend along to weave together), nibbling cake and treats and creating an amazing special piece to take home. </div>
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Bookings are essential as spots are very limited. <a href="http://www.deadwoodcreative.com.au/category/workshops" target="_blank">Bookings through our online store. Click here.</a> Or email me for more info if you want. (deadwoodcreative@gmail.com). </div>
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I'm also open to private classes if you'd like to gather some friends and have a weaving workshop at home. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-10831295910028891062014-08-13T17:32:00.001+10:002014-08-13T17:56:14.961+10:00spring blooming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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From blossoms comes </div>
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this brown paper bag of peaches </div>
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we bought from the boy </div>
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at the bend in the road where we turned toward </div>
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signs painted <em>Peaches</em>. </div>
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From laden boughs, from hands, </div>
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from sweet fellowship in the bins, </div>
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comes nectar at the roadside, succulent </div>
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peaches we devour, dusty skin and all, </div>
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comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat. </div>
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O, to take what we love inside, </div>
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to carry within us an orchard, to eat </div>
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not only the skin, but the shade, </div>
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not only the sugar, but the days, to hold </div>
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the fruit in our hands, adore it, then bite into </div>
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the round jubilance of peach. </div>
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There are days we live </div>
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as if death were nowhere </div>
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in the background; from joy </div>
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to joy to joy, from wing to wing, </div>
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from blossom to blossom to </div>
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impossible blossom, to sweet impossible blossom.</div>
</blockquote>
- "From Blossoms" by <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/li-young-lee" target="_blank">Li-Young Lee</a><br />
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The peach blossoms seem to be bigger and more showy this year. I wonder if it's true, or if my mind is just so wonderfully excited to be seeing them again. These are the prettiest thing in our garden. The trees make me happy all year around, but when the bare Winter branches break into bud and then bloom. Oh oh. So beautiful. </div>
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These have been flowering bit by bit slowly over the whole of Winter, due to our funny weather at the moment. One tree in the garden - in a different section - hasn't yet bloomed and is still a week or two away. Which is lovely, having the blooms staggered. Oh yes. Loving this more than I can say. </div>
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And the white plum blossoms will bloom soon - on they are magical indeed. </div>
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I'm loving Winter, but Spring really is on the way... or some days it feels like it's already here. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-80402742720596327492014-08-07T17:16:00.001+10:002016-05-09T14:46:58.411+10:00my dad's chickpea dahl {a recipe}<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Today I made my dad's chickpea dahl. My dad is one of the best cook's I know. ......maybe the best..?? Anyway, he's a pretty excellent cook. We grew up eating his good healthy real made-with intention, thought, care, love meals. My mum was a great cook too. </div>
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I think childhood memories of food and cooking and being in the kitchen with your parents are some of the strongest memories I have. I think maybe my siblings have similar strong food memories.</div>
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A couple of days ago Ari told me he wanted to make hummus for his school class party. He makes a pretty delicious hummus. As I won't buy tinned beans, it meant I had to soak raw chickpeas for his hummus making - so I decided to soak and cook a big batch at once. Which led to deciding what to make with the other chickpeas. And of course it being cosy fire-weather and warm nourishing dinners, I decided to make dahl. Luckily I got to ask my dad how he makes his. </div>
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So - here's the recipe. In case you want to make:</div>
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Eric's Chickpea Dahl / Channa Masala -</div>
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(as with all my recipes, quantities are fairly inaccurate as I'm not so good at measuring...sorry. I think that's the best way to cook - but instinct and to your own taste). </div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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1 cup dried chickpeas</div>
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3 cloves local or Australian garlic* diced</div>
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a knob of fresh ginger grated</div>
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1 onion diced (I use the purple ones because I like the caramel sweetness better than brown onions)</div>
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2t cumin powder</div>
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2t coriander powder</div>
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2t paprika or chillis </div>
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2t sea or rock salt (the one in the photo is pink Himalayan rock salt)</div>
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5-7 tomatoes diced</div>
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Olive oil or cooking oil </div>
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Fresh coriander. </div>
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The day before you want to eat your dahl you'll need to soak 1 cup dried chickpeas. Just regular water will do (of course we have beautiful rain water, so you should use filtered water if you have town water). Leave them in the saucepan to soak overnight. And then the next morning top up with water and put on to cook. The longer you soak them, the less cooking time they take. Bring up to the boil and then leave to simmer for some time - may take 1-3hours. Skim any scum that comes to the surface. You want to turn the heat off before they are fully cooked - a little bit of bite left, don't let them cook until falling apart. </div>
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Heat a heavy based fry pan (I have a beautiful cast iron one that my parents gave me when I first left home all that time ago and I use it every single day) and add olive oil. I let the oil heat a teeny bit, then add the onion, garlic, ginger and salt and fry until all nice (don't burn it!), add the tomatoes and spices and fry until the tomatoes start to break down. A good five minutes at least. </div>
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Drain the cooked chickpeas, but keep the cooking water. Add the drained chickpeas to the fry pan spicy sauce and fry for a further 10 or 15 minutes. Return it all to the saucepan and add a little of the retained cooking water if need. Put the lid on the saucepan and allow to slowly simmer for at least 3 or so hours. Stir occasionally and if needed add more of the cooking water, though the tomatoes make it nice and saucy on their own. Taste the chickpeas and see if they're well cooked and have soaked up the flavours. It can slowly simmer for more than 3 hours if you have the time. </div>
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Add freshly torn coriander right at the end, just before serving. </div>
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Serve with basmatic rice.</div>
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You can also add potatoes and kale during the cooking process if you want to make it a more vegetable meal. Though we like it plain like this and serve it with pan-crispy spiced potatoes which are super yum!</div>
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Enjoy. And think of the memories you can start making for your own children to have.</div>
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ALSO - in other wonderful and exciting news - our new benchtop was half installed today. Will be finished very very soon. Can't wait. It's so beautiful. We're all dreaming of standing in our new kitchen and cooking and sharing and being in the space. Can't wait to show it to you. And maybe have some of you over for sharing a meal together!</div>
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Beautiful spotty bowl by <a href="http://elkelucasceramics.com/" target="_blank">Elke Lucas</a>. </div>
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*do not ever, please please, use imported from China garlic. Local garlic grown in your country is much tastier and better for you. Garlic that has been imported from <a href="http://www.greenlifestylemag.com.au/blog/521/is-your-garlic-irradiated" target="_blank">China has been irradiated</a>. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-83828065368607061882014-08-06T17:54:00.002+10:002014-08-06T17:54:55.424+10:00do what you love / love what you do - but what about when..... {creative business conversations}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We've all seen <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=do%20what%20you%20love&term_meta[]=do%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=what%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=you%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=love%7Ctyped" target="_blank">those</a> lovely posters and heard the sayings:<br />
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Do what you Love</div>
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Love what you Do</div>
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about being a small business owner, a creative maker, a someone who has fled the rat-race for living the 'good life' making do and doing what they love everyday, for making their talent and skills and passions their business and livelihood. </div>
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You know those sayings? </div>
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but what about when..............</div>
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A few weeks ago both Sam and I were in a little slump about our making and the whole self-business and keeping on going and doing and 'loving what we do'. We were both sick, the kids were sick, the weather was horrible, the house-building was dragging (which means still no set dedicated studio for working in, still very make-shift). A whole lot of stuff was happening all at once, we had lots of deadlines and external things as well, and upcoming events, and self-imposed deadlines and that sort of thing. </div>
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Basically one of those months of full on crazy time. When you start to wonder why you work for yourself, why you can't call in sick and have someone cover your shift, why you've set yourself up to always always be having to work long days and often weekends and wondering if it's really all worth it and is it really what you want. </div>
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<i>When the love goes a little cold</i>. Or something like that. </div>
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Of course, we both love what we do and feel more than grateful every single day that we are actually able to step away from a regular job with a boss and all that. That we can do what we want, how we want. That we can be here when the kids get home from school. That we can make and chase and redefine our own dreams. We love all that. But sometimes all that doesn't make it easier. </div>
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So - I got thinking a little. About what to do when the love goes a little cold. Do we give up? Do we keep on plodding through it, hating it, or resenting it? We talked about it a little.. and I thought a little. And here's a few tips and ideas I came up with, or realised that we were already doing, to get us through the 'wish I could call in sick' feeling. </div>
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1. Remind yourself really what you love and why you're doing this. Write it down, talk it out, say it loud. </div>
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2. Look at all the cool stuff you can feel grateful for - the setting your own hours, the skipping afternoon shift to head to the beach or skatepark, the being home for your kids, the working together. </div>
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3. Think about what you'd actually be doing instead, in a 'real' job. The fact that you probably wouldn't be able to call in sick due a number of other things....and how horrible that would be. </div>
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4. Step away from it all - for an afternoon, a day, a couple of days. If possible I think taking time off is really important. What's the use of all the hard work if you don't reward yourself when you most need it?</div>
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5. Push through. Get over it. Toughen up. Grow up. </div>
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6. Sing and laugh and talk with someone fun - have someone beside you in the studio to lighten the load, even if just for the shortest of whiles. We always find our family particularly are good at helping out when we really really need it. </div>
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7. Or - sometimes...after a whole lot of thinking and talking and writing and more thinking....ask yourself, are you really still doing what you love. Do you really still love what you're doing? Sometimes we stay on a track because it's working, or there's no other options, because stepping off is harder or you need that next order before you can stop. Sometimes maybe you really do need to change or alter what or how you're doing things. This is ok - it's good to take time in your business and redefine if you still love you do. 'Cause if you don't love it, then what's the use?</div>
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I'd love to hear your thoughts and tips on what you do when you're in a rut - either in your own creative business or a self-set project. </div>
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How do you get through the slump? </div>
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Do you push on or give up?</div>
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Do you look deeper for the love, or notice that the love isn't actually there anymore?</div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-79785783888552647262014-08-04T17:38:00.001+10:002014-08-04T17:38:34.721+10:00Creative Makers - Ceramics I love #letsallsupportcreatives<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinENQ5qaCnUugJbNrHl8k1mlZCMwvCeaqFPr0nfOc0692va40X7NAhY0H5fnAInwEFOQtnqHw7wx7nSlqJSCusLiKOyQvklnZDGSndoGWxQMUTomk5tttGMEWd6hoePflK36G-/s1600/IMG_4219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinENQ5qaCnUugJbNrHl8k1mlZCMwvCeaqFPr0nfOc0692va40X7NAhY0H5fnAInwEFOQtnqHw7wx7nSlqJSCusLiKOyQvklnZDGSndoGWxQMUTomk5tttGMEWd6hoePflK36G-/s1600/IMG_4219.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pieces by <a href="http://kwceramics.com.au/" target="_blank">Kim Wallace Ceramics</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QB5JKcYBHUQTHEYvQySDHdpxSSIKwfFYorU6sHV-mVxEMsv-5E2O0-V183pLeY7cGrK0Okex9eJRvCPSSBSzgbEqHbowlNSbBo656zbGNZElGh8nphyphenhyphenpCoJUNxnsrd5FbCzt/s1600/IMG_4212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_QB5JKcYBHUQTHEYvQySDHdpxSSIKwfFYorU6sHV-mVxEMsv-5E2O0-V183pLeY7cGrK0Okex9eJRvCPSSBSzgbEqHbowlNSbBo656zbGNZElGh8nphyphenhyphenpCoJUNxnsrd5FbCzt/s1600/IMG_4212.jpg" height="640" width="618" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pieces by: from top left - <a href="http://www.meganpuls.com/" target="_blank">Megan Puls</a>, large blue bowl <a href="http://kwceramics.com.au/" target="_blank">Kim Wallace</a>, smaller green bowl <a href="http://www.pebukupottery.com/" target="_blank">Pebuku Pottery</a>, beaker cup Pebuku Pottery, pourer jug Megan Puls, spotty dish <a href="http://elkelucasceramics.com/" target="_blank">Elke Lucas</a>, small blue dish Kim Wallace. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAweswrs_20b4Zfi4A_ofVDWf84Rh3aoyaq_Wy7VPgG8YR6QVHONH1skaBrHbCo69YExuaRd-TPTwFIQSfIC7_ttTsJWc5csXOW_fCx9UhnkqYdmwCj3owHSq2tB2zY7NLtSgL/s1600/IMG_4194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAweswrs_20b4Zfi4A_ofVDWf84Rh3aoyaq_Wy7VPgG8YR6QVHONH1skaBrHbCo69YExuaRd-TPTwFIQSfIC7_ttTsJWc5csXOW_fCx9UhnkqYdmwCj3owHSq2tB2zY7NLtSgL/s1600/IMG_4194.jpg" height="592" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two pieces by unknown local artists.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34anzKIU5wwPCznYpLPc2nGx7J5rQh1IUCFTFuoPyYRca9shyLcD8JWjr63jQy8OIZkBZT5gNBGGKOPVEg7cb-pg_-cB7hN7z3JEGidSv7ugZKdXg8BPLKCA7ZKWYtW5IdepG/s1600/IMG_4192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34anzKIU5wwPCznYpLPc2nGx7J5rQh1IUCFTFuoPyYRca9shyLcD8JWjr63jQy8OIZkBZT5gNBGGKOPVEg7cb-pg_-cB7hN7z3JEGidSv7ugZKdXg8BPLKCA7ZKWYtW5IdepG/s1600/IMG_4192.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaker cups - from left to right: Elke Lucas, Megan Puls, <a href="http://susansimonini.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Susan Simonini</a>, <a href="http://www.harvestclay.com/" target="_blank">Harvest Clay</a>, Pebuku Potteryay gold coast</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQW2HM3y56SYGDBHcAffp-BQo-lpQHY5hBLgysDof5EmR015YZOaOQ3Lw3U2rqsB19yPjesAIyjfnsRZdpL-0uIFKd5eQxVml2YbbbSYNXEY4nEUsXsVH2UXF5-n6M3L3Nxp_/s1600/IMG_4220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQW2HM3y56SYGDBHcAffp-BQo-lpQHY5hBLgysDof5EmR015YZOaOQ3Lw3U2rqsB19yPjesAIyjfnsRZdpL-0uIFKd5eQxVml2YbbbSYNXEY4nEUsXsVH2UXF5-n6M3L3Nxp_/s1600/IMG_4220.JPG" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mMYmPfGQ33OTKtOplQKuV-K8Y_fMAFqUsGrO5ln6evMQGBNMzslWmKAMap04xEhAhRQvg-pVFAwrNlpc0Cl9SOEQi8di6rqtDJFPD71DADbbyf1NN_qvsA-M2epHG9AhTGaS/s1600/IMG_4221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mMYmPfGQ33OTKtOplQKuV-K8Y_fMAFqUsGrO5ln6evMQGBNMzslWmKAMap04xEhAhRQvg-pVFAwrNlpc0Cl9SOEQi8di6rqtDJFPD71DADbbyf1NN_qvsA-M2epHG9AhTGaS/s1600/IMG_4221.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small scoop spoon by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PinkyMauriceContemporaryCeramics?fref=ts" target="_blank">Pinky & Maurice Ceramics</a>, painted spoon by <a href="http://tamsinainslie.com.au/" target="_blank">Tamsin Ainslie</a></td></tr>
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Last week I decided to start sharing some makers and creatives who I love and appreciate and respect. To share the maker love, and to start a conversation about supporting our creatives. A conversation about the realities of the income of artists, crafters, creatives in our country (in many countries really!). </div>
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I'm not going to go into too much detail today, perhaps another day. Today - an image heavy post with just a small selection of some of our favourite ceramic pieces. Lots more in our home. We love using pieces that someone has made with their own hands, that someone has spent hours, sometimes days making and watching dry and firing and having the devastation of it cracking or not firing properly. And the sheer joy of it coming out of the kiln perfectly perfect. </div>
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I love the little indentations of the artists hand upon the pieces - that imperfection of knowing someone made the piece. </div>
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<br />I made a lovely little magazine layout story of this on a fabulous fun app called Steller. Oh that's going to be a great place for me to play and share. You can view the s<a href="https://steller.co/stories/308963079008289863" target="_blank">tory online here</a>, or download the app and follow along with my other stories (search Ellie Beck or Petalplum). </div>
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I'd love you to share your own Creative Maker loves. To spread the word about why we should support and value the artists in our community. I'm using #letsallsupportcreatives to connect us all on Instagram, if you'd like to join in there. Or leave a comment with your favourite makers for me to look at. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-62052135310264918032014-08-03T21:26:00.000+10:002014-08-03T21:26:39.044+10:00Natural Dye ~ the magic of creating colour from botanical materials {a workshop}<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Lately I've gotten right back into my <a href="http://petalplum.blogspot.com.au/search/label/natural%20dye" target="_blank">natural dye</a> making, and it's making me happy and excited and eager to be at the dye pot as many days as I can. I'm stretching myself, and learning new things and discovering new colours. I'm also learning to take note and write it all down - not like my usual 'oh, I'll remember that..'. A dye journal - that's what I need to make happen.... perhaps tomorrow. </div>
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All this new colour magic making has me wanting to share what I know and have learnt. Hence some upcoming Natural Dye workshops. Oh golly - I'm really excited about these. About gathering with people and seeing the look in their eyes when they make colour on fabric and yarn from simple plant materials. Oh yes, oh yes! It really is that much fun. It makes me sort of giggly sometimes... And I want to show everyone who comes nearby - though my family sort of doesn't have quite the same enthusiasm as other natural dyers would.. though they do try hard to be happy for me too. </div>
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So, I have an upcoming Natural Dye and Wearable Weaving workshop as part of the <a href="http://gathercreateevents.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">gather :: create</a> events I'm co-hosting with <a href="http://sangthebird.com.au/" target="_blank">Leah</a>. It's about
spending time discovering the beauty of creativity within the little
nuances of exploration. </div>
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Taking garden,
kitchen and road-side findings we will create some magic in the dye pots
and discover the joy of dyeing fabrics and threads with the natural
alchemy of botanical colours. I enjoy using hot and cold dye methods to
create colour, and delight in the finished cloth. My easy to learn ways
of working with natural plant dyes is something you can take home and
continue experimenting with to create your own colours and variations of
patterns. </div>
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After a full morning (well,
half a day) of working with the colour pots and turning white fabric and
yarn into a rainbow of hues, we will take those threads and weave
ourselves a pretty wearable neckpiece. I am a self-taught weaving,
drawing upon my childhood memories of weaving as my source of
inspiration, and can't wait to share these easy workable ways of taking
scraps and threads of fabric and making an art work for your wall or to
adorn your body. I prefer to work with a flexible approach to my making,
to discovering what can be done and not having to follow rules - to
make up my own way of working. To share this way of making with you will
be an honour - to help you tap into your own innate sense of creating
is what our <em><strong>gather :: create</strong></em> events are about. </div>
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<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Natural
plant dye is about more than just making colour on cloth, it's about
the environmental aspect of our clothing and our textiles. It's about
thinking about how our fabrics are made, and where our colours come
from. It's about learning to appreciate the beauty in the softer colour
palette, or how to up the colour hue with some simple modifyers. Natural
plant dyes seem to always fit together as a range - with a beautiful
way of melding and colours flowing into each other. The process develops
patterns on the fabric that are often not easily replicated, and to be
enjoyed for their one-off amazingness. </div>
<br data-mce-bogus="1" />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our
day will also involve delicious and beautiful food, as well as new
friend making, and interesting conversations. To connect with other
makers is such an important part of being a creative, and to be able to
share a journey of learning and making alongside others brings a sense
of togetherness in a unique way. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We have one workshop in <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/natural-dye-wearable-weavings-melbourne-sunday-31st-august" target="_blank">Melbourne</a> and one in <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/natural-dye-wearable-weavings-brisbane-sunday-7th-sept" target="_blank">Brisbane</a>. (click those links for details and booking info). </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-21458351069308883662014-06-23T21:30:00.000+10:002014-06-23T21:32:05.827+10:00creativity, play, appreciation, curiosity..... with Alex Falkiner {Unfurl for Gather :: Create}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I don't even know when or how I first stumbled upon the work of artist <a href="http://www.alexfalkiner.com/" target="_blank">Alex Falkiner</a>. I just know that the very moment I saw her pieces, her sense of colour-play and creative movement caught my heart and my eyes, and I haven't stopped looking and enjoying and being inspired since that day some years ago. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I currently only 'know' Alex through online interaction; Instagram, emails, etc. We haven't yet met in real life, but I know already that Alex and I have a lot in common, and a lot to talk about. A lot to share and a lot to give. For alongside her work of textile manipulation, of taking pieces of forgotten thread and combining them with found fragments of wire or lost assorted pieces, Alex feels and talks and connects with the act of making, the process of making and creating. She is open with her journey of being an artist, an emerging artist as she calls herself. Perhaps an unfurling artist might be more apt - as Alex talks a lot about Unfurling and discovering and growing and learning through the exploration of creative art-making. You can join in her conversations, or be inspired by her words, through her Instagram feed, her website or her regular newsletters sharing her current thoughts and ways of being. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">At this moment, Alex has left a home and is journeying where the artist winds take her. Meeting and connecting with people, and sharing her joyful sense of finding moments in your life away from the busy of everyday. Of soaking up the moments of a crease upon a table cloth, or the shadow made by her morning coffee cup. Her workshops aren't so much a follow the rules, do what I say, they are more a 'here's what I know, here's my technique and my own way of doing this, but let's discover a new way together'. She brings the supplies - the fabric and threads and colour bursting to make your heart sing, and the little collections of pieces that you may walk straight past. Under Alex's eye these pieces will be turned into a treasure, a something to enjoy, to inspire, to amuse. And under Alex's guidance you will see how to take these patches of colour and texture and make something that will lift your heart and inspire your eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>What does being a creative mean to you? </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">Being
creative doesn't just mean being an artist, it’s not a thing that some
special people are born or blessed with. I believe creativity is in each
of us and nurturing it is actually essential if you want to enjoy life
and contribute to others. Creativity is a practice, it's about doing
things with attention, bringing beauty and appreciation into your life.
I’ve also found that it is impossible to separate
creativity from play, appreciation and curiosity, they’re all bundled
up. I'm interested in expanding our idea of what creativity is and
taking the time to see where we’re being creative already in our lives,
the creativity that goes unnoticed, part of that
is finding words that resonate with you, being able to articulate it.
Like the word ‘unfurl’ for me at the moment, I love that word.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>How do you find inspiration for new work?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I
always begin with material play and some kind of 'problem' in mind. I
find if I set myself some quite specific limitations I can really play
freely
inside of them. Actually, we’ll be experimenting with this in the
workshop, finding and creating the ideal conditions you need to play.
Asking: what does that space look like for you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>How do you push yourself through a creative slump (e.g. - if the inspiration isn't coming and you have a deadline...)?</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">The
main thing is to get to know your creative slumps, feel them, notice
them and then make stuff anyway. I find my slumps are usually money
triggered
and come in the form of resignation and judgement and crying and wanting
to hide or give up. I can be quite dramatic about it all! </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">To
get out of it I ask myself how I would like to feel in this moment and
what steps I could take to make that happen. It’s about getting
connected with
what is important, remembering what I was up to before the slump,
refocusing on what lights me up. If it’s a really set-in slump this
usually involves a lot of writing and listening to favourite talks,
reading tender words. Then I take action! I find a series
of tiny actions to get the fruitful stuff happening again. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I
often begin something mindless, automated, something that I’ve done a
bazillion times, something with no purpose – just making for the sake of
making!
Once my hands are moving, it gets me out of my head. This is one of the
reasons I love making, I focus on working the materials, exploring
pleasing colour combinations, mastering or innovating a technique,
experimenting – I get lost here! Making always reminds
me what I’m good at and what is possible. I feel very different here –
cocooned, nourished, enlivened, curious. It’s a good place to be. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>Do you prefer to work to your own ideas, or do you like the challenge
of a brief from someone else? </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I
definitely prefer working on my own projects and setting my own (open)
briefs. I have this very strong sense that it is important to follow my
own trajectory,
exploring and uncovering what it is I need to make, seeing what will
happen next.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>What's your ideal creative day? </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">Hmm...
I’d begin the day in silence. A few pages of writing to clear some
space. Laying on the floor daydreaming, a bit of a stretch, then I’d
write lots
of words on paper, culling them down to words I really enjoy the sound
of, ones that feel like home… I’d ponder these words over pancakes and
black coffee, keeping warm in the sun and enjoying the sunlight across
the breakfast crockery casting shadows on the
table. After breakfast I’d lay out some old works, half made pieces,
materials and tools out on the table and spend the whole morning
arranging, adapting and reworking them, listening to music. On this
ideal day I’d have a small nap, followed by a leafy walk
and lunch with a good friend and perhaps even an afternoon sea swim!
We’d return to my studio for crumbly apple cake and a pot of tea and
spend the afternoon chatting and making together. I’d spend an
unreasonable amount of time just arranging the fragments
and odds and ends on various surfaces…haha!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>What's your favourite material to work with? </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I
mainly work with textiles, I am drawn to them because they are part of
life, so accessible and very adaptable. They also bring this sort of
comforting,
nurturing element to the table, which I love. I think it’s important to
choose materials according to your state. If you’re feeling tentative
choose materials that are appealing or curious to you… perhaps like a
colourful bait to lure your creative self out
of hiding. If you feel like a challenge take something you consider to
be ‘bad taste’ and see what you can do with it, find it’s potential,
find something about it that delights you, transform it into something
of value.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>Collaboration - do you like working with someone else, or are you best
on your own? How do you bring your own voice to collaboration? </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I
am actually on the look out for a kind of collaboration that would work
for me, but exactly what this would look like is still forming. I’ve
collaborated
with different organisations in the past to create installations,
community engaged projects and create workshops. I tend to try and do
everything on my own! But I love the support and the momentum of
collaboration and know that things can be richer and more
far-reaching when the right people get behind it. In a way my workshops
are a kind of collaboration, we support each other and learn and build
something together…</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>Are there lots of pieces or work that never makes it to the light of day - or is everything you make a final "good copy"? </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">I
make use of everything! I actually get a real kick out of putting
not-quite things or still-being-made pieces in exhibitions! It’s a fine
line, it has
to be just balancing on the edge… I can’t tell you how liberating it is
to exhibit a piece of Easter egg foil! Or a single thread! Haha! And
it’s not just liberating for me, I believe the job of artists is to make
room, to hold spaces. I get such joy turning
up to a gallery with a small Tupperware container full of ‘stuff’ and
seeing doubt and concern wash over the face of the person in charge… Then
seeing their surprise and delight as careful pinning and thoughtful
arranging of that overlooked stuff becomes a beautiful
dance of colour and shadow across the wall. It has to be close to
failing so the surprise is real! I’m looking to shift our belief of what
is possible.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><b>Why is play-based creative making so important to you? And also, why share it with others? Why not keep it to yourself..?</b></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><br />
Play-based making always leads me where I want to go, it opens me up,
opens up ideas and leads to genuine ‘me’ work. Not the work I think I
should make, but the work that I need to make. Play allows me to safely
detour from what I know, offers an alternative
to the certainty of the predetermined outcome… Play is expansive, but
not in a scary way! It is the opposite of forcing and pushing.
Play-based making gives me room to unfurl, it takes the pressure off. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">It is
imperative that I share this way of doing things because I know it
works, and I know it can often appear that there is no time or room for
play in this world. This world where perfection and efficiency
rule, where play is only for kids, where we adults are too busy and
important for that frivolous stuff! But we need it! And I have found
(through play!) that I am really great at creating and holding the space
to play. It gives me real joy to hold that space
for others and see them flourish there.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">Alex is our guest facilitator at the upcoming <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gathercreate" target="_blank">Gather :: Create</a> workshop. She will be sharing her way of working in a 3hour session "Unfurl ~ small scale conversations with textiles". Bookings for this workshop are essential, and we only have a few spots left - you can find more <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/workshop-unfurl-poetic-collage-saturday-28th-june-9-30am-5pm" target="_blank">information, or book here</a>. This is a full day workshop event, with our other guest facilitator <a href="http://petalplum.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/mind-smiling-and-creative-play-with.html" target="_blank">Karina Sharpe</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">You can see more of Alex's work on her <a href="http://www.alexfalkiner.com/" target="_blank">website here</a>, or her <a href="http://instagram.com/alfalky#" target="_blank">Instagram here</a>. Of go and connect via her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hello.alfalky?fref=pb&hc_location=profile_browser" target="_blank">Facebook page here</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span dir="ltr"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;">** all images used with kind thanks from Alex Falkiner, via her website. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-53789191253715948622014-06-10T16:31:00.000+10:002014-06-10T16:35:11.583+10:00mind-smiling and creative play with Karina Jean Sharpe {Poetic Collage for gather :: create}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EhBR3Z-cF_xaa4lLYf77jcSl0jVtYJlNDFqv6O8xBjuRUpPMrei3y1Fs-VSvx1GEZiKUeUwniKJlB8S7U0maAqStoT7ytJqzsOXBIcmoQ0qFaa6SEwmS-EZk74M1_VyY77h3/s1600/Picture+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EhBR3Z-cF_xaa4lLYf77jcSl0jVtYJlNDFqv6O8xBjuRUpPMrei3y1Fs-VSvx1GEZiKUeUwniKJlB8S7U0maAqStoT7ytJqzsOXBIcmoQ0qFaa6SEwmS-EZk74M1_VyY77h3/s1600/Picture+12.png" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
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I first 'met' Karina through the wonderful visual world of Instagram. I was immediately taken by her clear images that sang with a story, and made me smile a quirky smile, and touched my heart all at the same time. The very first time we met in real life was sorta-kinda special. In so much that I felt I already knew her (through Instagram and email conversations) and we could just jump right into the part of being friends and connecting, and could skip right over the silly of having to impress each other. She liked me for just me, and ain't that something grand! Since then every time I've seen her, she's brought her humour, humility and wisdom along, and shared her insights into creativity and sharing and being true to yourself. </div>
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<a href="http://www.karinasharpe.com.au/" target="_blank">Karina Jean Sharpe</a> is has a background in industrial design and mechanical engineering, yet a whimsical sense of play in her work. She ties these two aspects of her personality together beautifully in her styled images and words. Karina is interested in seeing aspects that other's don't always notice, and she loves to share this sometimes minute worlds that she imagines. Take for example her <a href="http://vimeo.com/karinasharpe" target="_blank">Thumb Tree Hill </a>video. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60UjOGShsTbH2DexfYiGJfBUnFjX_gdaErkknlPyuUjZhZFus6AMR2Tbx5LyebpnW0lPWD6HKvdcYpVJ-N6sLM31OhEkQbNJnFS2QKbP4L8nXQwJ74zCKmCbhQeuHXAdtSagV/s1600/Picture+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60UjOGShsTbH2DexfYiGJfBUnFjX_gdaErkknlPyuUjZhZFus6AMR2Tbx5LyebpnW0lPWD6HKvdcYpVJ-N6sLM31OhEkQbNJnFS2QKbP4L8nXQwJ74zCKmCbhQeuHXAdtSagV/s1600/Picture+8.png" height="640" width="608" /></a></div>
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At our upcoming <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/workshop-unfurl-poetic-collage-saturday-28th-june-9-30am-5pm" target="_blank">gather :: create workshop</a>, Karina will be sharing her self-learned technical skills in the art of paper collage with a difference, combined with taking a journey along Karina's magical word play and picture connections. <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/workshop-unfurl-poetic-collage-saturday-28th-june-9-30am-5pm" target="_blank">Poetic Collage</a> will be a whole new way of looking at magazine tear sheets and interesting images, and help you create a story book of your own visual voice - words and images combined to help you unlock your own inner story. </div>
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I asked Karina to share a little of herself with us today. And if this magical story below isn't enough to convince you that a <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/workshop-unfurl-poetic-collage-saturday-28th-june-9-30am-5pm" target="_blank">day spent in her presence</a> will shine some lights and make some sparkle, then hang out at <a href="http://instagram.com/karina_jean_sharpe#" target="_blank">her Instagram</a> a little longer.....</div>
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<b>What does being a creative mean to you? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everything. The
freedom to be creative means everything to me. The times in my life that
I have been unhappy, where the times that I was in a situation where
there was no room for creativity. Being creative, in general, is being
able to look at a situation, choose how to move forward, follow that
decision and end up at a result that would have been totally different
had you chosen any other choices. Creativity can exist in all forms of
being: making, writing, creating, cooking, parenting, gardening,
tidying, cleaning, conversing … as long as you are not a robot I think
you can be creative. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The act of being creative, for me, means the
opportunity to express my thoughts and ideas and to share them with
other people. It is a realm in which I can be my whole self and create
things of beauty. </div>
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<b>How do you find inspiration for new work? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mostly
I feel like it finds me. Usually when I am not looking, or when I am
playing around with other concepts. I have learnt to listen to all the
small inklings of ideas. Some of my favourite work has come from crazy
little thoughts, like: that shell could have a trail like it was walking; or
what if those <a href="http://www.karinasharpe.com.au/portfolio/timber-oasis/" target="_blank">flowers came out of a faucet</a>; or how about I cut a <a href="http://www.karinasharpe.com.au/portfolio/divot/" target="_blank">horse shoe out of grass</a> – I don’t ignore the crazy stuff anymore. I think the
other way I continually find inspiration is that I trust that it will
continually show up –if I get uptight and fearful that I have run out of
ideas, I begin pushing too hard and trying too hard and I lose the
flow. It is completely counterproductive -I’m better off having a sleep. </div>
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<b>How do you push yourself through a creative slump</b> (eg - if the inspiration isn't coming and you have a deadline...)? </div>
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If
it is just a general slump and I am working on my own stuff - which
naturally happens because things are actually cyclic - I either talk
myself out it, or ride it though, or stop pushing. In this case my aim
may not be to beat the slump, but to get though it without causing
damage to my self-worth - as I have learnt that these kind of slumps are
temporary if you don’t give them any power. A slump when I am working
for someone else is a different matter, in this case, I have found that I
work best if I talk to myself out loud. I go back to the brief, back to
the aim and back to the purpose. I talk it all though out loud. Then I
remind myself that this thing I am doing is something I love, and I see
if all that makes a difference. If not, hmm, I either phone a friend or
ask for an extension.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_4kkqWYygCdnTVqHzZOvxQ0is41RdR8wEQKnRNk5Fop_xNOSRJFXkKmw_khCBYXjJMShUwcmxceT-YGHXGPUxOqZ8FP2JTU483xfKCiCzcoextlB1yp-nNAek0b4_mNbibVf/s1600/Picture+18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_4kkqWYygCdnTVqHzZOvxQ0is41RdR8wEQKnRNk5Fop_xNOSRJFXkKmw_khCBYXjJMShUwcmxceT-YGHXGPUxOqZ8FP2JTU483xfKCiCzcoextlB1yp-nNAek0b4_mNbibVf/s1600/Picture+18.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Do you prefer to work to your own
ideas, or do you like the challenge of a brief from someone else? With
both these different aspects, do you approach them differently, or find
you come at your work in a similar way? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I enjoy them both. I
love the freedom of working on my own ideas, but I also love that a
brief can send you in directions that you wouldn’t naturally choose, and
as long as there is room in the brief to stay true to your own creative
language, there is big opportunity for growth. With my own ideas, my
work usually stems from either a phrase or story that I want to depict
as an image. I find a brief can often take on a similar state as there
is usually an underlying message that needs to be conveyed. I think I
like the balance of having both within my creative practise. </div>
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<b>What's your ideal creative day?</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ahhh.
Well if we are speaking ideal ideal, then: I would wake up of my own
accord around 6:30 am. Kiss and hug and smile at my loved ones, have a
delicious breakfast outside in the sun. See people off to school or
wherever, enter my big bright airy studio (the made up one will do for
now), do some creating, walk or cycle down to my favourite café for a
coffee and maybe lunch with my man or another creative being, go home
and make some stuff that is glorious, at some stage I would discuss some
cool projects with clever lovely people, before welcoming home the
young ones and being a mum for the evening. </div>
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</div>
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<b>What's your favourite material to work with? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I
actually don’t really have a favourite material. I use whatever I deem
necessary to achieve the thing I am trying to achieve. Sometimes its
paper, sometimes its grass, sometimes it’s some other bizarre thing I
have thought up. I am a swapper and changer. </div>
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</div>
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<b>Collaboration - do you like working with someone else, or are you best
on your own? How do you bring your own voice to a collaboration? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I
love the idea of collaboration, but have actually not had a lot of
opportunities to partake. I love collaborations when each person brings
their own special quality, material or skillset. I also like when
product owners and artists team up to make an artist’s version of that
product, or when a piece of work is the result of cumulative
contributions from different artists. </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Are there lots
of images, pieces, work that never makes it to the light of day - or is
everything you make a final "good copy"? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No, there are both.
There is a lot that makes it to the light of day. There is also a lot
that I sit on until they are my version of good, or that I sit on until I
can rework it. There are some that are totally dumb and they are in
the archives. And then there is actually a lot in the pipelines - A lot
of things in waiting, either for something else to come about, or
waiting because I don’t want to move that piece yet – hah like chess ( I
don’t play chess). </div>
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</div>
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<b>In your IG profile you say you
want to make our mind smile - tell us about that... what does it mean to
you? What makes you smile? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mind smiles. I love the thought of
it. There is a book about graphic design called A Smile in the Mind, by
Beryl McAlhone. I haven’t actually read it, but have heard of it from a
few places. When I first heard that phrase I couldn’t let it go. I asked
myself “Does the mind smile? Can it smile? Do I do that? Does what I do
do that to people?” I decided that maybe my best work did, and that it
sounded like a pretty good thing to aspire to. I am only really
interested in contributing things with an air of positivity
anyway, things that leave people feeling better than the state in which
they were found. But my aim is not to make people necessarily laugh out
loud or snort or giggle – although it is exceptional when that happens –
mostly what I do is more subtle. It’s about uplifting the mindset,
elevating the mood, creating work that people can feel good from –you
know, so their mind wears a cheerful little grin. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What makes me
smile? Hmm, that’s such a hard thing to pin down when you try to think
about it too hard. The perfect sentence makes me smile. And the prefect
title to match an image, with the equal amounts of cleverness and wit.
My sons make me smile and scowl in almost equal parts, but they are 2
and 5 so I think that is normal. Finding the perfect final object for
one of my neat arrangements – that makes me grin, or air punch,
depending on how long I’ve been searching. Oh, and ideas – ideas make me
smile more than anything else. And beauty - and whales and cleverness
and love and my man and friends and things done with imagination. </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Why is play-based creative making so important to you? And also, why share it with others? Why not keep it to yourself..? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For
a long time I lost the ability to play. When I was working in
consultancies my role was all computer based, building new products in
3-dimensions using a CAD program. Sometimes even the form of the product
had been decided by the time it arrived on my desk. My job was to make
it real, and that called for a sophisticated version of ‘staying within
the lines’. For instance, a product may have had to look a certain way,
be a certain size, with a particular wall thickness, 15 of them might
have to fit inside a certain box and the CAD program itself had
constraints with which I had to work. I made that product so it ticked
all the boxes, and I did it very well, but I was left feeling pretty
stale.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
‘Play’ just didn’t have an opportunity or reason to show up. And
like most things, when you don’t actively do it, you forget how it’s
done and then after a while you don’t even realise its missing. I had
forgotten how to play, and then, when I began to start to try, I
remembered that there was a chance I could get it wrong, and then I was
scared to make attempts. I had to step past that, and over time I have
practised. I have been my own observer and watched how freeing creative
play can be: how it allows you to tap into your own imagination and
stumble on things that are more brilliant that you could have imagined. I
don’t want other people to get stuck in that sucky place, where you are
either operating like a mechanism or too frightened to explore. And
that is why I am sharing - It’s not really mine to keep anyway. Creative
play brings out individuality, so I actually believe that the more
people play and explore creatively - then follow the things that come to
their individual mind as a result - the less similarities there will
be, collectively. So, I suppose, sharing the concept is actually in my
best interest.</div>
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****************** </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Karina's workshops are a thing of sharing and connecting and beauty. I went away from her workshop last year with my mind buzzing with ideas and images, and my fingers eager to be creating. Her workshop at our <b><i>gather :: create</i> ~ Poetic Collage</b> is the first time she's released this, and it's a not to be missed event. Bookings are essential to secure your spot at the table with Karina (and some delicious cake and other amazing creatives), <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/workshop-unfurl-poetic-collage-saturday-28th-june-9-30am-5pm" target="_blank">click here to book or for more info</a>.</div>
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If you'd like to see some of more Karina's mind-smile work check out :: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
her <a href="http://www.karinasharpe.com.au/" target="_blank">website</a>, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
her <a href="http://instagram.com/karina_jean_sharpe" target="_blank">Instagram feed</a>, </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
these <a href="http://www.karinajean.com.au/" target="_blank">beautiful pieces of jewellery</a> she makes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhyphenhyphenD7PCY1Pc9s1d4UpAnps5Bcb9XLgoeh1NR7eRs_GDBasWCmYF9ZShw9wuVAvj2Jh9tkFdfC4ms9ZLeL9TLRz15nNfjDRx8_OumFDHPsskdtnhofozcqTUu0Dd6Ve5u8lMXP/s1600/Picture+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhyphenhyphenD7PCY1Pc9s1d4UpAnps5Bcb9XLgoeh1NR7eRs_GDBasWCmYF9ZShw9wuVAvj2Jh9tkFdfC4ms9ZLeL9TLRz15nNfjDRx8_OumFDHPsskdtnhofozcqTUu0Dd6Ve5u8lMXP/s1600/Picture+10.png" height="370" width="640" /></a></div>
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** all images used with kind thanks for Karina Jean Sharpe - from her website and Instagram. She also often credits the magazines she uses in her IG feed if you want to check that out. </div>
elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33461611.post-79834753762177045012014-06-09T16:51:00.003+10:002014-06-09T16:51:49.190+10:00and then i went for a walk.... no-one will bloom on your behalf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxUxexb3uMdDsOf2zuu0QGNXDS3GR7A17XJ9JvdmC-uRiZS5vsWPbCvlyB6hyphenhyphenAcQFqNnRtnSw1BlVBjBk-iR0qpfndP3YvJmol9GHjRJ7O6WfWRBdVxC8_WwRFgtl2Z3Gre_C/s1600/IMG_3300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxUxexb3uMdDsOf2zuu0QGNXDS3GR7A17XJ9JvdmC-uRiZS5vsWPbCvlyB6hyphenhyphenAcQFqNnRtnSw1BlVBjBk-iR0qpfndP3YvJmol9GHjRJ7O6WfWRBdVxC8_WwRFgtl2Z3Gre_C/s1600/IMG_3300.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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This afternoon I started to feel a bit low. A bit of a slump. I looked around at all the things I should have been doing (already done) like the washing up or vacuuming the floor, or planning what we would have for dinner....</div>
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And overthinking how I felt about how things I put out there were responded to. </div>
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Overthinking....</div>
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Yep, that's not a good one is it. Sometimes overthinking can be good, but often I think it just leads to a bit feeling blurgh. </div>
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But it does make me feel heart sad when I put things 'out there' and don't get the reaction, response or results that I'd hoped or expected. I try hard to chin up and stay positive, but this grey cloud sky day wasn't helping. </div>
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So... I went for a walk. It has given me some fresh air and a lighter step.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRvGpXoFCM53p7jLjz3uJVQYAESEAI1OglZuQE7zQo-ZVpYCJ6PAuZAh1Fj-2jZK2W7JVOUpK7uIgFPulxfIKAg31UJ7WbPEaThNUQ68VpMlMGNB-ulrvQ6u1i-kBvvjHNuBv/s1600/IMG_3301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRvGpXoFCM53p7jLjz3uJVQYAESEAI1OglZuQE7zQo-ZVpYCJ6PAuZAh1Fj-2jZK2W7JVOUpK7uIgFPulxfIKAg31UJ7WbPEaThNUQ68VpMlMGNB-ulrvQ6u1i-kBvvjHNuBv/s1600/IMG_3301.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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This peach tree that was washed out of root structure earlier in the year, and we had to cut it off the path way. Look at it - it's still producing flowers. Wow. This thing has been literally washed out of the ground and had a saw at it and it's still doing it's best to do what it needs to do. That's inspiring isn't it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-IxPv9yAuRU00Je6IxjP5DpJXId810N97Bw0KWhKpfwMYYb2ZUdMHCZyL368G25eJm1V-xrvDpiyWQsjSy7SYdcWPLaXiW7dyMwWaO6zpyNwyByg6tQrGDoVjV5dvAfgZNcJ/s1600/IMG_3299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-IxPv9yAuRU00Je6IxjP5DpJXId810N97Bw0KWhKpfwMYYb2ZUdMHCZyL368G25eJm1V-xrvDpiyWQsjSy7SYdcWPLaXiW7dyMwWaO6zpyNwyByg6tQrGDoVjV5dvAfgZNcJ/s1600/IMG_3299.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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This orange tree is growing in quite a compromised spot, with low sunlight and lots of moss covering it's branches. Still it's producing fruits that soon we'll be able to eat and enjoy. </div>
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This beautiful dahlia plant was growing gloriously on the edge of a house site. The whole house burnt down a few months ago, and the whole garden has been removed / bulldozed, except this plant blooming on and on... </div>
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So, I came to the thought that : </div>
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Despite obstacles, one must keep trying,</div>
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Because no-one else will bloom </div>
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or flourish on your behalf.</div>
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That's it. That's all for today. Just my little feeling a bit blurgh and low and wishing things sometimes weren't as hard as they are. And that sometimes when I put something out there it goes bang bang, and boom boom. And all the hard work and effort and energy pays off. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn't. That's life I guess... isn't it. </div>
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Happy Monday friends xxx</div>
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{ps - you can book a spot in our upcoming workshop gather :: create and find your own way of blooming. Booking details <a href="http://gathercreate.bigcartel.com/product/workshop-unfurl-poetic-collage-saturday-28th-june-9-30am-5pm" target="_blank">are here</a>.}</div>
<br />elliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13094544175392775835noreply@blogger.com3