We all loved the idea of hanging out in one of the above tree-hugging abodes, so I thought it would be fun to theme this week’s etsy favourites with this in mind! So come with me, let’s spend a lazy afternoon picnicking at our dreamy location…

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of being miles away from civilisation is food. I thought we could bring our tasty provisions in these beautifully woven baskets from The Bent Tree Gallery. Let’s fill them with afternoon treats like an assortment of our favourite French & Dutch cheeses, a couple of baguettes, freshly picked grapes, figs, dates, strawberries, pears and some fresh herbs from the vegetable garden.

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The Bent Tree Gallery has lots of great things for our picnic in the trees, including this handy wine bar. oh I adore this creation! We can have one for a lovely bottle of chilled rosé, and another for le champagne.

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Now we’ve arrived at our dreamy destination! That didn’t take too long did it? But before we get too comfortable, lets go for an afternoon walk – we can take one of these hiking sticks carved from maple, handcrafted from featured etsy seller bearpaw rustics. oh and let’s just have a peak inside this charming birdhouse nestled on a nearby trunk, perhaps there is someone home.

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When we get back we can play a few rounds of my all-time favourite card game – crib! And what do you know, I found a beautifully handcrafted one at bearpaw rustics…

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Well after all this glorious tree dwelling, I’m feeling so relaxed and rather sleepy, are you? Shall we stay for the night? Lets…

…because I just so happened to bring a couple of these soft, organic wool travelling mattresses made by Monikaw, just in case we decided upon a spontaneous treetop sleepover. And of course, I brought enough food for a delicious breakfast in the branches.

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Oh that was such fun! We might have to do it again sometime. Thanks for joining me for this specially themed installment of…

Yesterday I was working on location at a lovely house in Laren (pronounced Laa-ren). The house was surrounded by this beautiful forest. I found myself gazing out of the large windows to this view every chance I got, wanting to wander out there to hear the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet, listen to the early spring birds sing to each other, and watch the branches sway and creak in the wind. I imagined these naked trees to be looking forward to Spring just like me, their trunks and branches breathing sighs of relief as the clouds part to make room for the sun to shine on their arthritic joints.

I could imagine how lush this forest would be in it’s Summer months. And I could imagine a treehouse nestled in it’s depths, wouldn’t that be grand?

I think I have been to Laren once before a few years ago, and from memory it is a rather gorgeous village with lots of quaint boutiques and restaurants. There was no time to explore yesterday, but I would like to get back there sometime and just stroll around. I remember there was a really nice homewares boutique where I bought quite a few gifts from to take home to Sydney. And a restaurant that was so nice and gezellig (cozy), lined with dark wood panels and walls filled with books.

Let’s hope I can make some time to go exploring in this direction again.

xx

PS oh it’s so good to be back in the (blog)house! I have something fun in the making for my next post…

thank you for your encouragement for my ribbon girls! Your comments are so appreciated. I often wonder if you catch my smiles when I read your comments, I wish you did as you always manage to brighten my day. in such a special way. don’t ever stray. (sorry! couldnt’ help it)

I will think about the print idea but at this stage it would be another thing on my to-do list and that list is already rather full. Don’t forget I’m still working my little heart out on My Heart Wanders. Which I hope to be able to tell you more about soon. Perhaps when I finish that I can think about other things like these ribbon girls as prints. Oh but I still want to make a book about Harriet too! Pff!! Oh well for now I just offer you my drawings and creations as they come – a first peek at what I’m making.

I’m on a shoot for the remainder of this week and the beginning of next so I will not be able to hang out here in the (blog)house until its all wrapped up. So for the next couple of days please feel free to dive into the archives. Here are a few posts picked randomly to get you started…

my heart lingers still

interlude

crazy street art of paris

Come next week I have something planned for you! Until then mes amis, I give you ribbon girls ‘fancy pants clogs’. These were just plain children’s wood clogs that I painted the other day. I hope you like.

xx

…or pay me so i can justify spending precious hours on these fanciful creations… “hello, my name is pia and i’m currently addicted to creating whimsical ribbon girls who where clogs and top hats”.

…and a pair of clogs. where is a girl to go dressed in such finery?