While I’ve been sunning it up down under, I have been missing out on what has most likely been the prettiest winter in Amsterdam for years. In the last couple of months it has unusually snowed in my new hometown countless times, leaving a nice thick blanket over the cobblestoned streets, parked bicycles, canals and houseboats, creating incredible picture-perfect scenes…

To say I’m envious of all who have witnessed these snowfalls is an understatement. I adore snow – always have and always will (I’ve survived a number of Quebec winters in my younger years and loved each and every freezing moment) – and to know that I have missed something so unique and spectacular is fairly heartbreaking. Of course I know that so much snow and slippery ice brings chaos to such a city but still, it’s one of those natural phenomenons that continually manage to surprise and delight me. Unfortunately the snow has stopped falling and the Amsterdam that I will go back to in a week’s time will most likely be the rainy, dark, and very cold one I’ve come to know so well.

But the good news is that my dear friends have been taking the most beautiful photos of their outings when the snow appears and emailing them to me. Their photos make me smile every time so I thought I’d share some with you…

All these gorgeous images are courtesy of photographers Cath Conroy and Alan Jenson. Thank you so much Cath and Al! You are both super lucky to have had this experience, and your first ever winter in Amsterdam to boot.

Stunning. Hope you’ve all enjoyed these images as much as I have. Cath and Al, I promise to pack a bit of sunshine in my suitcase for you.

xx

Jasmine from show + tell recently honeymooned in this incredible abode known as treehouse point, in Issaquah, Washington  and took the most amazing shots. Aren’t these photos magical?

Look at that treehouse, tucked high up in the branches. How utterly dreamy. Click here to see more of Jasmine’s gorgeous photos, she has a fabulous photostream. Now, I am off to dream (again!!) of treehouses, and I think I may just have to book myself a trip to treehouse point next year. What a treat it would be!!

UK-based illustrator Rowena Dugdale has been experimenting with polaroid and pinhole cameras lately, creating stunning images.  “Like the delicious static on a vinyl record, any dust specks, light leaks, torn edges or quirks are an integral and honest part of the process and character of this body of work and have been deliberately left in rather than airbrushed out.”

She uses objects around her – marbles, feathers, fern fronds, moss and buttons – to create ethereal, light filled photographs. The results are incredibly beautiful…

Rowena’s images have taken me back to my days at university, when I spent hours in the darkroom, lifting paper out of the smelly chemicals and hanging them to dry, wanting to burst out of the darkness to view my latest creations. One of my absolute favourite processes was making photograms, where I’d bring in things from my home, compose a vignette and play with exposure times. When I am back in Australia I will try to find some for you to show here on the blog.

Click here to read and view more of Rowena’s work, and here to purchase her creations  –  a wonderful gift idea for someone who loves photography.

so autumnal! boots, by amanda.

The weather has been sucky here, to say the least. Windy, rainy, and chilly – these are all the elements that keep me tucked up inside my cozy boat home, blanket over my lap, and cup of hot tea at the ready. But you know I have a wandering spirit, so thank goodness for the internet. While I’ve been working on the book (only one week of photo processing to go!), I’ve been taking little blog breaks, clicking on a recent comment  or a blog in my blogroll and being whisked away to another world. Here are some of the things I’ve found…

Jen has an incredible photo project in the making which involves a natural history museum. Above are some little snippets of what she is making, I simply cannot wait to see more, click here to read her full post about it.

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Today Lucy from The Design Files posted about the illustration work of monsieur qui. Now when I am in Paris I will know who makes some of the beautiful street art! Click here to see Lucy’s post.

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Anna Spiro from Absolutely Beautiful Things lead me to the illustration portfolio of Samantha Hahn – stunning work, check it out here.

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lubitel 2 photo by rachel jan

And Jen Laceda just left a comment on my previous post to let me know about an awesome giveaway she is hosting on her two blogs Les Filles Giada et Cairo, and Folie à Deux – you can win a Lubitel 166+ Universal Lomo medium-format film camera along with accessories, colour ring flash, Lomo book, a box of limited edition Agfa black and white film, and coloured films. Wow!!! I’ve already added my name to the draw, click here to learn how you can too. Thank you Jen!

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Okay I have to get some work done now, but I will be back soon. Enjoy your Wednesday!

xx

photograph by Cath Conroy

Remember last week I posted about photographer Al Jensen? Well this week, I’m delighted to let you know that his lovely partner and photographer (and newcomer to Amsterdam) Cath Conroy is in da (blog)house. Over the coming couple of weeks, Cath will be sharing some of her stunning photographs of their recent trip to Spain. Click here to read her first post. Thank you dear Cath!

xx

PS this is spooky coincidental but both Zoë and Cath  – who don’t know each other  – come from Brisbane, and when Zoë left Amsterdam, Cath arrived! How unexpected to have a Brisbane friend leave, and meet another all at the same time. Also just in case you’re wondering, Zoë  has temporarily vacated the guest quarters while she enjoys sunny Queensland. She will come back though (won’t you, Zoë?).