Early one morning in Amsterdam some months ago dumbo feather’s editor Kate Bezar and I chatted via Skype. At the time I was frantically working on my Amsterdam book, but Kate made me feel totally relaxed and so I rambled on, answering her questions and telling all.

I’ve been wanting to share this news with you ever since the issue went on sale. Travel and catching up with friends and family have kept me busy here in oz but I shall not delay this any longer  – if you don’t have a copy of the latest issue (no.22) of the ever-gorgeous mook (magazine/book) dumbo feather, then please, get your hands on one pronto.

To read the interview in print is like looking at myself with a magnifying glass. As all the interviews are transcribed directly from conversation, it is rather revealing and I must say, I feel very exposed. But that is the beauty of the publication – it is so uniquely intimate and it is such an honour to be a part of it.

I was also thrilled to find Holly Davis in the issue, who I had the pleasure of meeting a few years ago. Over a delicious lunch at her home in Palm Beach, we chatted about lots of things, most particularly food. Holly’s philosophy on the subject is wonderful, she is an incredible source of inspiration and to read more about her in this issue was pure delight.

Okay I won’t reveal a thing more! Except that if you have ever wanted full page printed images of my work, you will find them in this issue. And if you want a sneak peak, you can read a sample here. For those who live in Australia you can find the issue in selected newsagents and stores (click here to find your nearest stockist) and in America and Canada you can find copies at Barnes and Noble. If you live somewhere out of reach of these places  you can purchase a copy online right here (scroll down to issue 22, summer 2010).

Thank you Kate and the wonderful dumbo feather team.

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I am busy gathering stories and photos of my whereabouts to share with you. See you here again very soon!

Bonjour mes amis, how are you? Well and full of energy to start the new year I hope. My two week computer hiatus has come to an end. It was really great to take the break. While I was not blogging or checking emails I was reading, napping, eating, and enjoying some quiet time with my parents and french boy. I am settling in nicely to Sydney life. But this time, for the first time, I feel foreign in my own home town. It’s a strange feeling, but also rather exciting – I see the area with fresh eyes, and yet every space is filled with memories.

French Boy and I have been having two breakfasts a day – a light one before we take a long walk on the beach and then one after that which is a little more extravagant – white peaches, mango and banana with french toast, or avocado and eggs on thick buttery toast, and so on. This is the city for breakfast, there is no doubt about that.

I will be back again soon as there have been a couple of lovely surprises that I want to share with you. Until then, welcome to 2010! May it be a year filled with love and happiness for all of us…

xx

PS how gorgeous is the little guy in the first photo? He lives in this tree and comes out at dusk, climbs up to the tallest branch and gazes out at his surroundings. I’ve grown attached and love to watch him while he wanders around his home. It’s possum magic.

click here to see the original post for this image.

Well mes amis, this is it, 2009 has rolled on by. I cannot believe it is December and that the end of the year is near. I am about to hop on a plane to the other side of the world, to “my other life” down under and so I will bid you farewell for the year, here, today, as I have decided to take a little time off. I will only be taking a couple of weeks holiday as I have lots of work to do in 2010, but two weeks is two weeks and I am very much looking forward to it. I have had an extraordinarily busy year and my body, mind and spirit are in need of some serious rest and recreation.  I will begin posting intermittently at the beginning of the new year while I am in Sydney.  I’ll be there for a couple of months this time ’round. I’m so excited to be heading to sunshine, sea and sand.

click here to see the original post for this image.

But this is not the only “something wonderful” I have to tell you. Cast your mind back to well, around the beginning of this here blog, two years ago. In January of 2007 I announced an idea I’d been forming for an art project that involved you. I asked you to send in photos of your wandering hearts. Do you remember? Well the idea took off, and went completely out of control – I received so many images that I lost all ability to keep up to date. All the while I was consumed with the task of writing my very first book Paris: Made by Hand, and then my second to be published this coming April  – Amsterdam: Made By Hand, as well as keeping up my freelance styling work here in Europe. But it got crazier – in between all that I was asked if I would write another book. A book about my own personal journey of how I got here: the journey of  following my wandering heart. Today is the first time I’ve been able to tell you this “something wonderful” that I’ve known for a while now, I was just waiting to catch my breath.

And although at this early stage I cannot reveal much, I wanted to let you know about it since you have all been such a wonderful part of this journey – dear friends who have been encouraging me every step of the way, lifting me up, holding my hand, and guiding me gently.

So, what will this book be about? Well, here is a little description…

“This is a beautiful, lavishly photographed, illustrated and designed book by Pia Jane Bijkerk. It is a travel memoir, a love story, a story about searching for home and making homes in new places, a photographic love letter to the charms and delights of Paris, France, Amsterdam and Italy, and a story of finding inspiration in the everyday.”

I am very pleased to announce that My Heart Wanders will be published by Murdoch Books and will be released in 2011.

While I am writing and shooting it over the coming months, I thought it might be a lovely idea to open up the initial blog project again, and post images that you sent in as there were so many that I was not able to post and now that the book has evolved into a more personal journey that marks the beginning of it all, I will be able to share the first fabulous group of images sent in from around the globe.  So starting in 2010 I will re-open the artist studio as a place for wandering hearts. I will post an image every day or so that was sent in during the initial project, and then you will be welcome to send in more images throughout the year.

I also want to take this opportunity as my last post for the year to say thank you: for everything. Your kindness, your encouragement and constant presence this year here in the (blog)house has been overwhelming. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that this blog would be the catapult for so much wonder in my life. You are without doubt, the best readers a blogging girl could ever have.

Have a fabulous festive season. See you in the New Year!!

xx

So here we are, the last holiday gift guide. I have chosen gifts that are pretty much gender neutral, bar the odd gorgeous dress and hair clips (like below!). I remember as a kid, I was always as fascinated with the boys toys as I was with girly things. So I’m thinking, I’m possibly not alone, right? Well, here are some ideas for the little’uns in your life. First up I fell in love with the little guy you see above the moment I laid eyes on him. He is made by my favourite dress US$70.00 custom orders only. location: Vancouver, BC, ships internationally.

clockwise from top left: handmade whale by tiny warbler US$35 location: vancouver, BC ships internationally; candy cane striped non slip hair clips by everyday clippies US$4.00 location: michigan; wooden rattles (love the polka dots!) from little sappling toys US$38.00 location: Boise, ID; fabric number book US$48.00 from pilo sale location: toronto.

I think this little lass is the perfect model for this dress, isn’t she gorgeous? So is the dress of course. US$54.00 Made from a rose wool blend by mette location: vancouver (again! I see a theme). Also love this linen number with little ruffles, also by mette . US$50.00.

Yoyos!! They are the coolest aren’t they? Love this one from something’s hiding here US$10.00 location: philadelphia; wooden toy tool box, yes yes please!! US$60.00 from wood toy shop location: Portland, Oregan.

Oh just look at these tiny cashmere sippers. US$48.00 made by woolybaby location: Philadelphia; and then there are the lambswool tweed ones, too too cute. US$30.00

Shadow puppets!! Because I KNOW you love them as much as I do.  There is a great range available from  orange moon toys – diy kits are US$20.00, sets are US$30 location: wisconsin, ships internationally.

trucks! But not just any trucks, these ones are made in Europe by sprig,  with reclaimed wood and recycled plastic $15.00 each available online at wild dill location: california. And for some more serious playtime…

clockwise from top left: vintage flower press – but I don’t want you to buy it because I want it for myself. It’s just US$5.50 from ismoyo location: new york; wooden sewing machine – awesome. US$65.00 from wood clinic location: Vancouver Island; felt numbers from michima US$14.00 location: New Jersey; teepees! from gracey bean baby US$130.00 location: US; gluten free lavender scented play clay US$4.50 location: seattle; spanish felt letters (there is also norwegian/danish and german available) from michima US $40.00 location: New Jersey (ships internationally).

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So that’s it! That’s my kids holiday gift guide collection for 2009. I do hope you find some things in there for your own kiddies. If you are hungry for even more cool eco-friendly ideas for kids, check out my guide for last year and click on the shop links.

Look what I found over at  liberty post – a video of nathali lete painting a mural in a shop called usagi, in japan. You will want to watch the whole thing, so grab yourself  a little afternoon tea, and watch away. (this is also to distract you while I get the next post up, it will be a while still, kids)…