Friday, January 28, 2011

a little free-verse

Keep walking (Endlessly) Chloé Newby

Walking alone,
through a half-lit
fairground.
Tents and sparkling light,
thoughts of you
fill my mind.

This creative wonder
I stroll through.
The fog lifting, maybe.
I can still see into
the near future.

But what this is --
is a wonder.
And I am wondering.

Calm enough
in my own skin.
Yet restless to
reside where I am.
My heart itches
and my spine tingles.

Shivers, that sprinkle
like glitter
across my back.
I pull my coat tighter.
Hood over my hair,
the gravel and grass
line my path.

My mind circles my head,
while my heart
flits, dipping like a Swallow.
Only to rest on the
branch, that is young
and yet to shoot...

To the stars, who knows.
If only to sit
amongst the celestial
beauty of clouds.
They say they'll be proud.

I keep on walking.
It's dusk - more twilight.
The glow grows stronger --
the twinkle, my guiding light.
My soul, heart,
life burns brighter.
Into the night.

There's never a conclusion.
Only a feeling, of
a moment in time.
Keep walking, burning
creative desire.
Endlessly.

{i heart that}

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

afternoon giggle

{found with the girls at frankie}

and another thing

... to keep in mind.
I'll definitley be printing this one out!

{found here}

those things

I'm sitting at my desk here at work this Australia Day Eve and have the urge to share with you something simple... plainly, the things that I love. Things that have recently made me smile, lit that creative fire, soothed my soul and ultimately made my world go 'round that little bit easier.

Things like...
>  my Beatrix Potter mug nestled amongst days work. The warmth of the sweet tea and those illustrations that evoke childhood memories add a pleasant nostalgia to my Tuesday morning.
{image via google images}
> listening to Adele's second album, 21. With music that captures your heart within the first few bars, leaving an impression that lingers long after. At the moment I've been taken away by her cover of Brandi Carlile's 'Hiding My Heart' - a song that takes me back to one of the hardest, yet most important times in my life in 2009. I was at my parent's in Inverell.
Home is such a good place to be. I can't wait for Easter. Inverell is such a beautiful place as the season turns, the liquid amber leaves start to illuminate and autumn colours your immediate world.
> I'm getting a few more hip shots in {the ol' point & shoot}, in my recent adventures. This one I love. My sister thinks I'm strange, but I love this shopping centre billboard. There's something whimsical, hippy, yet chic, contradicting and ever so artistic about it.
> I attended a festival with my little sister {our first together}, Amy over the weekend - the 2010 Gold Coast Big Day Out. This was taken as the afternoon sun gave us a little reprieve and the always amazing, show-stopping John Butler Trio took to the Orange Stage.
> My gorgeous cousin and mama-to-be, Casey, sends me pictures of the delicious sponge cakes she's baking on her days off while I'm at work. All amongst a myriad of tweets and emails of course! I told you - it's all about what makes your day that little bit brighter, and yummier!

> speaking of the said festival, I got to witness a band I have been hanging out to see for quite some time.
{image found on my heart}
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
I had to leave the JBT set to catch their gig, by myself, but I was surely not disappointed. A little self-conscious to begin with... then the inhibitions were let loose and I grooved, bumped, jumped and skipped around to the ecclectic sounds and entertaining antics of Mr Sharpe and his entourage.

> and before I blog about the next thing that pulls on my heart strings, in my lunch break I read two of Emma Magenta's gorgeous little books, and on the final page of A Gorgeous Sense Of Hope I came across the sweetest moment...
Perhaps this is where I'm at right now.

Let's see if you're mapped in.

Friday, January 21, 2011

one of those days

It's one of those days. Nothing in particular is special - but you're here, where ever you are, and it only takes something as simple as a sweet cup of tea so make you sigh a little softer. Smile a little easier.

It's been raining on and off, and unlike any other day - it doesn't really bother you (even though you have a spray tan appointment this evening).
You come across whimsical typographic artworks like the one below here, and are thankful for all the creative souls you've encountered, personally or virtually.
That's what today is like.
As I sit here at my work desk, listening to a myriad of my favourite artists (inparticular k.d. lang's rendition of 'Halleljuah' as I blog this), working on a map for the Oxford University Press' Atlas of Malawi, I am sailing along. A complaint would be out of sorts on an afternoon such as this.
What's so good about it? Nothing in particular. But then nothing is bad either.

I finished my fourth book for the year, Coming Up For Air by George Orwell, over lunch and am silently planning an evening that satisfies my mind just so. The company of my sister, delicious dinner, a glass of wine or two and a movie I dare say are on the cards. Saving one's pennies as the Big Day Out festival we are to attend on Sunday has surely been seen on the not so distant horizon.
It's funny - feelings like this I mean. They're wonderful, for no particular pin-point reason and you wouldn't change it for a thing.

Happy Friday.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

waiting, patiently anticipating

No Doubt are back in the studio.
A self-confessed Gwenabee from wayback, are you as excited as I am??

{photograph of Gwen via the No Doubt official twitter account}


Sunday, January 16, 2011

expand your mind

You've probably noticed, or maybe you haven't, but I have another creative outlet slash hobby... and that is, in 2009 my best friend Janelle and our lovely brosef, Jake, founded The Book Club.

Apart from being great friends, we all believed that reading is so important and so The Book Club was born. For the young, old, for study, for pleasure - there is so much to discover.

Along the way we've roped in a few friends, family members and had followers from social networks join. We're blossoming.

And so, two years with our noses in between the pages and we're ready for a new year. Fancy coming along for the ride?

Find us here.
And tweet with us here.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

do it

The poster says it all.

Working on this being the best year yet, full of plenty of creative projects. In time I'll introduce you to my latest pet project... it's something I've had up my sleeve for some time.

Stay tuned.

a humble abode

"I like things to sit together in a kind of haphazard manner", says Fiona Douglas of Bluebellgray. Here are a few pictures of her gorgeous home.

I like her style, and have a similiar haphazard/homely approach to my humble abode. 







Oh the ideas that I'm conjuring!

queensland crisis

The floods in Queensland, Australia have been described as a disaster on a biblical scale.

Beginning in the northern tropics and devastating many country and coastal communities, the flood devastated area now covers that equivalent to the size of New South Wales - and it seems to be growing.

Yesterday, the inland city of Toowoomba, which sits atop the Great Dividing Range experienced a freak event that has not been seen anywhere in the world. Toowoomba's township suffered an inland tsunami. As the torrential downpour gushed through the city and further down the mountain to the Lockyer Valley, many more communities have been devastated, lives lost and people are missing. The death toll is currently at 9 and expected to rise quite dramatically.

I sit in my apartment in Hamilton, 5km from the heart of the Brisbane CBD and am anxious, but also in a state of awe.
Grantham in the Lockyer Valley has been referred to as 'Ground Zero' - that's the impact Mother Nature has had here in the Great South East.

The Brisbane river has now broken it's banks, with fears that the city will experience it's worst flood since 1974. The Wivenhoe Dam, purpose built to prevent such a disaster after the '74 floods is over 150% with all gates open to release the excess water. However, the rain is still coming and the dam is expected to reach over 200% in capacity tomorrow.

Many inner city and riverside suburbs are now realising the effects of broken river banks. I live approximately 200m from the river, though am praying that I am fortunate enough to be on Hamilton Hill.
My sister and I walked down to Kingsford-Smith Drive in Hamilton about an hour ago to see the river for ourselves, while it's safe and before it peaks with this afternoon's high tide.


Here are a few hipstamatic photos I took:
A small boat moored with many of it's belongings placed on the pontoon in preparation for the potential devastation on the Brisbane River.
{Looking from Kingsford-Smith Drive towards Bretts Wharf}
Looking toward the riverbend suburb of Newstead, Bulimba on the far left and the city in the background. 
A possesion-clad pontoon.
{Looking across at Bulimba waterfront homes, from Hamilton}
The river level at around 1.30pm. Approximately 30cm from breaking the bank on the Hamilton side of the Brisbane River.
I have been glued to the television since around 8am when I found out that I couldn't go to work today. The coverage has been amazing, extensive and the rescue teams, the Australian Defence Force and communities are binding together to prevent further disaster and aid those in need.

Caboolture, 45kms north of Brisbane is currently isolated, Strathpine evacuated and the updates keep coming as the region begins to stop where safe, yet work and rescue with a sense of urgency in those flood stricken areas.

I have watched our Prime Minister Julia Gilliard address the nation through a press conference in Canberra, and the State's Premier Anna Bligh has also given her address and is expected to again momentarily, with further updates.

There will be much more to experience in the next few days, let alone the next 24 hours. I urge you to listen to your radio, turn on the television and remain as calm and aware as possible.
 If you're in Brisbane - get to family, friends and higher ground.

I also urge all of you who can to donate to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal. You're generosity will no doubt be greatly appreciated, albeit much needed.

Open your heart, and your wallet - donate here.


I will share all I can.
Thoughts and prayers with all those affected.


If you do have any urgent concerns however, the Queensland Flood Hotline is open. Call 1300 993 191.


"This weather may be breaking our hearts, but it won't break our will"
- Premier Anna Bligh.

Monday, January 10, 2011

snap

This year, I'm going to take more photos.
Use my DianaF+ camera more than I ever have, and hopefully acquire a few more treasures like the ones below.
I'm going to collect amazing memories.

{via my heart, here}

moment in time

I recently came across this piece of writing whilst beginning the spring clean of my mac... and what a process that is!
I'm not sure when it was written, it is untitled. Perhaps the appropriate title is 'Moment In Time', just like this blog post, as this is what it signifies.
It can't be that long ago - my only way of knowing this is because of where it was saved in my documents.

So, for the sake of sharing my creative soul, here you go.



Moment In Time Chloé Newby




I have a bleeding heart
My mind is wandering.
Did I make that first incision
my consciousness is gone.
Swimming in the thoughts in my head.
My heart cries out for you
my body longs to held by yours.
I can hear them in the background
Pan-flutes like this song I hear
Singing my song, calling for you
When does the recovery start?
When do you smile like you did
the day before.
My heart weeps, praying.
Indeliable my change has been
since my whole met yours.


filtered




These artworks by Marco Suarez portray the world where we live, and it's beauty. Filter or no filter.
These images make me want to walk where they were taken.

All images are of the Emerald Isle (Ireland), bar the murky one - this is the Loch Ness, Scotland.

Magical, aren't they.

{find more of Marco Suarez' creative endeavours here}


Friday, January 7, 2011

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

spanish for skin

Pondering, sketching and tweeting about my pending tattoo and where to find desirable scriptive fonts, and what should I stumble across? A lovely typeface, designed by Ale Paul.I really do enjoy being 'Served' once in a while.


 
It goes by the name of Piel (which is Spanish for 'skin') Script.
Below you can see just some of the versatile applications and example practices of this font.

Oh. The cogs are turning.

You can also read about the Piel Script story here.


You like?

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

flying high

One of my favourite photographs taken over the Christmas and New Year holidays is this one right here.

On Christmas Eve, Michael and Dad flew to Brisbane to pick Amy and I up and take us home for Christmas. Here you have an impromptu twilight selfie, just after take-off. Sitting in the back of the BaronE55, chatting away and occasionally rocking out to Michael's iPod selection via headset.

Not a bad shot if I do say so myself.
Fi-fi (my adored iPhone4 & PA) has quite the knack for a decent pic or two these days, just excuse the blur - I like to think it's got a soft effect/appearance...
Sisters

here it is!

Well, welcome 2011! It's finally here.
I trust that you all had a wonderful Christmas and celebrated in style this New Year. I know I did.

From the comforts of home and family bonding, to popping bottles of French champagne and attending festivals over New Year's amongst old and new friends - these last celebrations will be hard to trump!

Last night I flew back into Brisbane's balmy weather after a higglety pigglety string of weather experienced in Melbourne.
The nights are balmy, the mornings temperate and the days hot - summer has arrived in South East Queensland, despite all the rain!

So what's on the agenda for the New Year of 2011? Many, many things. The efforts to accomplish them all will be tried, and this I am looking forward to.
It's my first day back at work, travelling the world through my 20inch screen in my little cartography world - but the fun doesn't stop there... this evening it's DM at The Lido, followed by freelance and bar work throughout the year. This Miss has some serious saving and 'getting ahead' to do!
The 4th of January, wow. It has begun!
Can you see the smile on my face?

It is the time to put resolutions into place and challenge oneself to accomplish such tasks. As for myself, I'm not sure I have resolutions... I have goals and the desire to be a better person. Both of which I'll try with utmost effort and passion to achieve.

My Dad said that 'this is my year', and that he can feel it. The faith and encouragement of others can really give you that positive boost - so thanks Dad for your vote of confidence!

By the way, it was dear Daddy's birthday yesterday. Turning the ripe and wonderful age of 57, I hope this year brings you as much joy, satisfaction and happiness that I know you wish for me.
How I love family!

So whilst I get back to work, I wanted to leave you with this note 'from The Universe' I recieved via email yesterday. It's little notes like these that can pick you up and give you that feel good feeling, and above all - the feeling that everything is alright. I think that is important.
You can sign up for your weekday subscription here. Enjoy.

Every day, "the score" is even. Every second, in fact.
Everyone lives each day for him or herself, no matter what they did.
No one owes anything to anyone, no matter what happened.
And from this, what I hope you most get, is that whatever you do next, you do it for the joy it brings you.

Joyfully,
The Universe


Happy New Year all, here's to the best one yet!

{image via weheartit.com}

I think I'll also make more cupcakes this year...


Peace, love and happiness,
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