As you all know, I spent the weekend pottering around the boat, fixing and organising, getting things done on my ‘houseboat to do’ list. One of the things that has been bugging me for a while was my desk area. I had been blu-tacing things up on the wall since I’ve been here, trying to create a moodboard of sorts, and eventually everything just kept falling off – it was not unusual to be woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of papers and notes falling, creating a domino effect of falling items on the desk which, akin to my way of doing things, were all carefully balancing on top of each other (oh I hear my mother’s voice right about now, with the rolling of the eyes – she always had a strong dislike to my style of blu-tacking things to my bedroom walls and balanced things precariously on top of one another… don’t look Mum!).

And as you also know, with rentals you can’t hammer nails into walls. But this has never deterred me from claiming a space as mine and this weekend I came up with a system for getting as much of my inspiration on the wall above my desk as possible…

I used the wood trimming as my frame, and unscrewed a few of the screws just partially, wrapped some twine around them, screwed them back and tightened them to create a criss cross of strings around the window. Then I pegged all my inspiration and notes, ribbons, drawings and cards to the string…

What do you think? I am loving having everyone’s cards, gifts, and work on display. Do you recognise a few? The bird illustration card is from the wonderful Joetta when she sent me her My Heart Wanders submissions. The yellow square is a Tibetan prayer flag given to me by my aunty sue…

The artwork on the left is an abstract cityscape of New York, and is the incredible prize I won on Lynne’s blog. The competition was to name the artwork and as soon as I saw it the name “city talk” came to my mind. And I won! So here is “city talk” in the flesh, from the very fabulous New Mexican artist Sage McKee. Thank you again Lynne and Sage, I am totally in love with it. The photograph in the middle is one of David’s of which he wrote all over the back of as a card for my birthday (super sweet). The black and white print on the right is actually a poster of my Dad. He was a Judo Olympian way back when (I know, this fact has never made it easy bringing my dates home to ‘meet the parents’!) and i just love this poster of him doing Judo moves with his pal Peter Paige. The photo above that is from the Aymara catalogue and reminds me of my Mum, so beautiful. And the pic above that, well you all know, that’s of my favourite island retreat!

Above is “the desk” in situ – so you can see where it is on the boat. It is the perfect spot because from the front door in the kitchen you can’t see it which keeps the space looking clean lined, and it is not until you walk down the stairs and into the main living area that you see it to the left. It is such an inspiring space to work at now – i often glance up at it all and dream away, finding inspiration in the colours and textures, stories and memories.

I will show more things that I created this weekend, but for now, I hope you liked this snapshot.

xx

the water looks like glass this morning, i just had to show you.

oh and i nearly forgot, a song! I’ve been meaning to post about this song of Emiliana Torrini’s – click on this link, and come back to view the image above – it is very much the feeling of being on the boat (French Boy thinks I sing like Emiliana – yes please!! Although his compliments still haven’t convinced me to sing). And the sound you hear of the ropes throughout the song is just like the sounds I hear while in here on the boat – when it is a little windy the ropes make those sounds.

Diane Bronstein’s oil paintings and sketches leave me speechless.

I had all intention of posting a number of her artworks, but there are just so many that I am besotted by, I soon realised I was in the midst of pasting her entire website. So instead of doing that, I thought it best to give you just a taste, to entice you to have a look yourself. It’s a beautiful online gallery, I have spent a considerably large amount of time gazing and dreaming. Diane also has a wonderful blog where she posts her latest works with prices, plus sketches, thoughts, and inspirations.

I like to think Diane’s stunning underwater creatures are swimming around me when I sleep.

seems i’ve got a thing for teals and acqua’s today, and puffy clouds and birds. Perhaps this combo is all very soothing, and dreamy, just what i need to start the week! I love this photograph from Montreal photographer irene suchocki. She describes her works as creating ‘little poems for the eyes’, and i think she does this perfectly…

This Bird Has Flown by irene suchocki.

and you know I have a thing for the etsy boutique of Foundling. And I definitely have a thing for her phoenix necklace, crafted from a little vintage Cracker Jack prize from the 1930s or 1940s, dangling from a natural brass chain with a mix of stones and vintage glass, vintage lucite and semi-precious stone beads. wow. I love the way Foundling photographs her creations too – really thoughtful and very inspiring.

I have fallen in love with Ball and Chain’s quirky designs, and especially with this one: the cloud silver silhouette necklace.

I like to keep a selection of flower pins by the front door to add one to my bag, or jacket or hair before I head out the door. This one would be perfect for my collection: Teal Carnation Flower Pin made from a recycled t-shirt. It’s the handiwork of etsy favourite marang 97.

Hope you enjoyed this installment of…

well, i’ve certainly been slowed down, but not stopped. i’ve been pottering around the boat for the weekend – sorting, fixing, and playing – it’s been fun. I can’t play the piano, and I can’t walk so well, but I shall soon be back to my normal vibrant self, I promise!

Thank you everyone for your well wishes through all your emails and incredible comments – but saying thank you really doesn’t seem enough at all. Creating this blog has been one of the most inspiring, soul nurturing things I have ever done. You have all opened your arms to me and are like a wonderful, billowing silk safety net, catching me and throwing me back up into the air, allowing my wings to grow and find their strength.

I won’t get too soppy on you, but I just wanted to let you know.

So how about a song? What about one from the fresh, luscious voice of Sarah Aubrey. Click here to link to her myspace page, and listen to ’empty room’. It’s a little melancholy, it’s a little deep, and it’s a little raw. Just the way I like it. Of course I also love her references to water and paper boats. While you are visiting her, have a listen to ‘Ha ha hey’, it’s a goodie too. Thank you to my dear friend Jo Jo for introducing me to her.

And what will we get up to this week in the (blog)house? You’ll just have to wait and see! But I can tell you this: I will be starting the sorting of all your My Heart Wanders images this week, getting them ready for the judges. No doubt I will be very tempted to show you one or two from the collection…

à demain! xx