positive number sixteen

When you're at home you can reminisce and make discoveries like no other place. Sitting here placing my online check-in for my Melbourne adventure tomorrow, I've come across some old airshow photos. It's funny how much family changes... and then, ironically, doesn't.

I love these.

The little brother

The little sister

... hunting for more memories.

positive number fifteen

I love being home.

positive number fourteen

The whole family - one, two, three, four, five - will be home for Christmas.

How wonderful.

positive number thirteen

Positively, timeless advice.

{hearted}

positive number twelve

Excuse the dodgy drive-by iPhone photo... but I just wanted to let you all know that the Christmas spirit is positively alive and well in Hamilton, Brisbane.

Love it.

Twinkle.

positive number eleven

Like I've said before, there is nothing so intense and powerful as a child's wish.

I think this little girl was thinking what I'm wishing for this Christmas...

Positive thinking.

positive number ten

I'd just like to thank God, the Universe, whomever, whatever - but definitely that significant higher power, for where I am right now. You have to be thankful don't you.

Life's not easy - but it's not meant to be either is it?Challenging and surrounded by amazing people (you know who you are) and opportunities waiting to be snapped up!

Well, that's a positive. A good change of 'tude.

Let's find some more to add to that December list!

sail away with me, honey

My head is full of ships today... sailing ships.

Big and majestic and mysterious.

They hold a certain kind of magic, don't they?

Alluring and intriguing... they seem to carry dreams.

Maybe it's because I'm a cartographer, and the significance of ships and old maps has a nostalgic beauty to it.

On land or at sea.

I don't know, but they seem perfect today.

swift, silky animation

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

{found via the rockstar diaries}

positive number nine

This year, I'm going to believe in Christmas miracles.

Just because.

Sprinkle a bit of this on your breakfast.

{that favourite place}

positive number eight

So far this year everyone's favourite nerd, Chloé Jane, is right on par. 'How? What?', you ask?

In 2009, I read a total of 23 novels. This year I am up to number 23 as we speak, with Cecilia Ahern's 'The Gift' (see cover image below). What an appropriate novel for the festive season - enjoying it I am.

The challenge is definitely on for next year!

You should join, and nourish your mind.

dressed up tresses

I can't wait for my hair to be long again... so I can dress my tresses like so.

{image via le wedding party}

positive number seven

I also follow an amazing 'one man, one wheeled' tyke called Rémy, from South Africa. His blog has won awards for photography and is constantly producing great work. Not to mention his twitter ramble is always entertaining.

Be sure to check him and his work out. His revamped site is quite impressive.

www.remythequill.com

positive number six

For the past couple of years I've been inspired, intrigued and enjoyed following these blogs:

the rockstar diaries

a beautiful mess

little chief honeybee

The rockstar diaries was an intial inspiration for beginning my blog. The story of Josh and Naomi (taza and husband) and now their mischievous bulldog, Kingsley. A welcomed distraction and inspiration for a challenging time in my life.

Still following their beautiful story to this day, and what begun as an uncertain creative outlet, my blog is now as concrete and alive and well as the rockstar diaries.

Check these bloggers out.

positive number five

This year on the 15th of August, exactly one year after their first wedding, I was honoured to be a part of my cousin Casey and her husband David's special (second) day.

The gorgeous couple first wed in Shakespeare's Garden in Central Park, New York City - you can see my blog post about that sweet day here, and secondly at Little Bay Chapel in Sydney, Australia.

Family is such a wonderful thing.

Now waiting on the latest addition...

The image here was taken on the beach just down from the Chapel, the wind whipping and a storm as a dramatic backdrop. But these two are sprinkled with luck, quite literally - it rained on the way to the reception at Sydney's funky Crown Street bar, The Winery; and we all know that rain on your wedding day means great things! Especially when it fined up for a comfortable August evening.

{image courtesy of Tindale Images}

positive number four

For my positive number four, I must tell you about this furry little man. His name is Weasley, age unknown, and he currently resides wherever he wishes within the walls of my apartment.

Amy and I adopted Weasley from her vet surgery in June this year. From the get-go we fell in-love.

A persian-ginger cross, so awkward and darling at the same time - we simply had to name him after Ronald Weasley (from JK Rowlings Harry Potter). A little man with definite character.

And a deed one would never take back.

lashings

A new, beautiful obsession.

{playing on my heart}

positive number three

A week and a smidge into the new year of 2010, I touched snow for the very first time. Albeit crappy and old, Janelle and I ventured toward Milford Sound on our New Zealand holiday and found this just before the tunnel that goes through the mountain allowing you on the downward spiral to the Sound.

And so here is the proof! This was also my first time overseas, so maybe this positive is a double whammy? A late bloomer in regard to finding my sea-legs, but better late than never!

Fjordlands National Park, New Zealand
9th January 2010

Bloody cold, but a positive to tick off the list nonetheless!

my new love

... addiction, perhaps. While I get ready in the morning, walk to the ferry, am on the ferry, walking to work and sitting here at my desk this very moment... Ellie Goulding's new album BRIGHT LIGHTS is bouncing around in my earphones.

I'm hooked. Well and truly.

After discovering her via a post from society story journal, where she has covered Elton John's 'Your Song' for a UK Christmas commercial. It's a beautiful rendition, and I have been pleasantly surprised by her album.

Worth a listen. Maybe even pop it on your Christmas wishlist!

elliegoulding.com

{image via weheartit}

oh nostalgia!

I found this image while perusing new blogs this morning. This is from a lovely blog called modern nostalgia. The name is self-explanatory really, and if your up for a little daydream or just want to float through a blog - then this is the one for you.

I particularly like this one as it reminds me of my Grandma, the gorgeous golf tycoon she was... and the days when I played golf. Yes, it's true. I even won a tournament.

Makes you go to vintage glam-up and hit the course doesn't it?

positive number two

This year, I got to see my little brother graduate from the RAAF Advanced Flight Training School in Perth.

The wee man duxed his course and walked away with four awards, including the most proficient and skilled in aerobatics, navigation, instrument flying and night flying.

I seriously couldn't have been a prouder older sister.

Now it's on to jets Maverick!

Definitely too cool for school.

positive number one

I haven't laughed so long, or so hard than with my little sister Amy, this year. It has been a long time since I've giggled and cacked uncontrollably... even fallen in a heap of laughter on the supermarket floor.

It is true - laughter is the best medicine.
Great sister's are too.

the most wonderful time of the year

Can you believe it's December 2010 already? A year and a half ago I began my little blog, to place my creative rambles and recently share some of my personal work.

This year, I have met some amazing people who have inspired me no end, celebrated with friends and family and now the most wonderful celebration of the year is upon us.

Whether you believe in God or the significance of the holiday season, take time to appreciate all the good things that have come your way this year. I'm going to try and name a positive experience or happening every day this month, here on my blog. Could I encourage you to do the same?

Happy December, Happy Holidays, Happy celebrating!

i may have fallen

... down the rabbit hole. Where life from now on is to be just like Alice's adventures in Wonderland - full of twists and turns and unexpected fantastical things.

I'm taking that chance.

Realistically, optimistically... excited?

Bottoms up!

something to think about sunday

{source unknown}

five weeks

until St Nick pays a visit...

thought I best start my Christmas wish list.

You know what it's all about, right?

back to rockferry

Rekindling my love for the unmistakable voice of Duffy, and reliving the songs of her 2008 release 'Rockferry'.

Bringing back memories.

{image via weheartit}

bailey rae

Corinne Bailey Rae

Coloured pencil on paper.

Circa 2006. Copyright Chloé Jane Newby.

blasko

Sarah Blasko

Coloured pencil on paper.

Circa 2006. Copyright Chloé Jane Newby.

a little bit tech

Ink on paper 

Watercolour on paper

Technical illustrations of a black beetle.

Circa 2004. Copyright Chloé Jane Newby

faux fashion illustration

pencil on paper

scanned sequins, pencil on paper

Fashion-inspired illustrations.

Circa 2005. Copyright Chloé Jane Newby.

pen and ink

The Bird

Octopi

The Turtle

Pen and ink on paper. Circa 2004.

Copyright Chloé Jane Newby

a desire to share

I've had few friends and family say to me, 'Why don't you put any of your work on your blog?'... and my answer is always a myriad of different things... or excuses perhaps.

I do get little shy, and the reality of instant exposure is exciting and overwhelming. But it has to be done.

So I'm going through some of my old illustrations and would like to share them with you. I'm open to all sorts of feedback and criticism (constructive, if you can).

An artist always has much to learn.

gimme mo!

Everyone needs some sort of explanation, right?

More Mo love to come.

Stay tuned.

hold my hand

{with an unwavering grip}

remember

1. Whoever comes are the right people.

2. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.

3. Whenever it starts is the right time.

4. When it's over, it's over.

tartania

Just spreading a little more Ginger love with this rad new MAC Make-up current style look. Nothing screams red like this hairstyle, awesome tartan accessories and that red/fuschia hue lipstick. LOVE.

I need to be in England to rock this.

Keeping in mind for July.

Glastonbury, perhaps?

{mac.com}

flashback

I couldn't resist.

Enjoy your daily dose of the five spices.

{burn}

flagged down

Recently New Zealand born and bred (though we like the fact she resides mostly in our Sydney, Australia...), Brooke Fraser, brought out her third album Flags. 

An artist I've come to love more and more. With some tracks resonating with particular moments in my life, to the kind of songs that you can just get lost in...

Listen. There's a story to be told with every one.

brookefraser.com

own worst critic

Lately I've been getting a little Photoshop crazy. You've probably noticed if we're connected on facebook or twitter, however, it is due to my love of the Photoshop iPhone app.

It is such a wonderful, handy little app that allows me to unleash a little creativity - in the most awkward places and moments in time... take a boring conversation for example. Kidding! No really, it does keep me entertained however. That design nerd is definitely surfacing of late.

As you can see all subject matter tends to be of myself... no, it's not for vain reasons (contrary to popular belief), but it allows me to be my own worst critic. It's easier when it's a personal piece - the chances of offending someone else decrease greatly.

So here is where I put it to you...

what do you think??

It's not fabulous, nor particularly refined... but I like the aura they kind of emanate...

The centre picture I'm thinking of printing and sketching/painting more detailed elements on...

Any feedback is greatly appreciated, along with tips.

Creative freedom... love it.

papa was a rolling stone

I think she met him in the back room.

I found them here.

party perfect

all rolled into one.

{find it here}

listen

I opened my girlosophy book to this page this morning.

Channeling that.

Thanking all those close, all those that love me. What would I do without you? Lost, for sure.

You know who you are.

X

welcome to the mad house

Only one more sleep until Halloween waltz' into Crescent Manor (residence of yours truly), where a thriller night shall take place.

Ghouls, ghosts, the frightening, the fabulous. Naughty, nice, sugary sweet, sexy and downright disgusting. Super heroes, sailors, pin-up girls, devils, demons and angels. The calibre of attendees is sure to be a visual delight.

Photos will be posted for your amusement and creative perusal, after the event.

Spooksville welcomes you to join in the fun!

sex on legs

or on feet, maybe.

{i heart them}

no such thing

as intense or powerful as the magic of a child's wish.

I'm wishing like I was 4 years old, and the world is mine without a care. Come true.

moment of truth

{mine}

what's a cookin'?

I think these little guys speak for themselves.
Deliciously cute.

Ideas for Christmas treats and foodie love are spilling from my mind. Gingerbread, shortbread, chocolate chip; icing, sprinkles, treacle and dip!

{yum}