Today Ivy and I visited Kate in her new studio. I’m not a jealous girl by nature but I tell you, that could change after seeing just what the girl has going on. Good Lord, I want to move right in.  It’s sublime! Anyway, much more about that fancy studio later…

We couldn’t possibly leave without getting the girls into their cossies – it is mid-Winter, after all. Kate just happened to have grass on hand, Cassidy provided the umbrella and hey presto, d-i-y Bondi.

The past few days, I’ve come across several blog entries about the Nielsons..For those who don’t know, Stephanie Nielson is a popular blogger who has four gorgeous children, all under five, and a lovely husband, Christian.  Last week they were in a terrible plane crash in Arizona that has left them both in hospital with severe burns.

There are lots of different fundraisers happening for them as their medical expenses are expected to be in the millions whilst they remain sedated in hospital for some months.  Their children obviously also need to be cared for while the bills still roll in.

Sarah Jane is running an auction starting today as part of Nie Nie Day. She is generously donating a full set of her amazing calander prints..so quick – pop over there and get bidding!

Tangled and True are also running auctions beginning today on behalf of The Silly Wagon (owned by my sweet friend Whitney) – with some beautiful items donated by fantastic designers..Please pop over and have a look.

Morgan Moore, the supercrafty woman and fellow polkadot lover, is co-ordinating a fantastic sale at Etsy on the 23rd and 24th of September with all proceeds going to the Nielsons.

Morgan is looking for donations for the sale – if you’re a creative soul and think you could contribute, please get in touch with her asap. If you’re not creative but are good at shopping, make sure you mark the dates in your calender.

I’ve given Morgan a place in the Evolve workshop to include in the sale. I’ve been asked by many to make room for just one more and had to say no but I’m more than happy to open the door for this incredibly worthy cause.

Please, support where you can.  As someone who knows too well how life can turn on it’s head so very suddenly,  I would love to see at least the financial burden eased for this lovely family.

S xx

ps: Thankyou so much for all the encouraging comments about the blog – I’m really glad you like it :)
S xx

Isn’t it purty!! I am SO excited to see my new blog going live… I’m thrilled with how it’s turned out – a happy balance of everyday life, photography and of course, my darling Ava.  I really wanted it to be everything I love, girly and vintagey and candy coloured..I couldn’t be happier :)

Extra, extra special thanks to the girls at www.poppiesforgrace.com who were SO kind in letting me use their gorgeous illustrations – I fell in love with them one day whilst drooling around Kikki K and can’t believe I can now see them every day right here…Thankyoooo.

I hope you find it easy to navigate and enjoy the bigger images.  I’m still in the process of updating the categories – Ava’s are almost done but everything else is getting there..  Oooh, it’s very exciting!

And in other news:

- Yesterday I sent emails to all Explore participants, just to let you know we’re starting next week – I don’t believe I’ve missed anyone but just in case – if you did not receive one please let me know ASAP so that you don’t miss out on your login info in a few days time!!

Sheye x

I am.
How lucky do I feel? Very.

I never, ever expect the amazing support I get – you, you beautiful people, always catch me unaware and I sit back in amazement and wonder and gratitude. Thankyou.
So many reasons to smile.

All the beautiful words and thoughts and prayers and emails..making me feel less alone this week..the beautiful poems and stories shared..they all made a difference.

The sweetest butterfly earings from Krysta arrived, suprising me as I surely thought a box from Juicy could only mean one thing. Wrong, I was, and so glad for it because these are just perfect.

Sue sent me Coco. If you’re not obsessed with Maileg as I previously divulged, you may not be aware that Coco is, in fact, a bunny. Though to describe her as that is so very inadequate for Coco is wearing a pink crochet frock, knickers and mary-janes. Are you with me now? See? But, even better, Coco arrived with her formal attire as well..A pink evening gown with tiara, silver knickers and silver shoes. Oh, and on a coathanger, of course. She is so, so divine and I cannot believe she is mine.

Lea sent me Bailea’s Twingy skirt. It made me cry to see that fabric as I opened her parcel. Not sad tears, just overwhelmed tears. That I am so lucky to have such beautiful people in my life. She said for me to let Ivy play dressup in it. And isn’t that just perfect? That the skirt that I had obsessed over and imagined would be worn to the most special of occassions would in fact end up in the dress up box. I love that it encompasses everything I know to be true now..That there is nothing more important than just letting your children live in the moment and being right there with them. Such a perfect gift.

The amazing photographer, Dee (Detra) did this beautiful, beautiful tribute for Ava. You only need to look at it to know what it meant to see it. I keep going back to stare at it some more. Dee, you took my breath away.

Jen sent me a rainbow. It started out as a card but it was more than that. On Ava’s birthday last year, as we sat at the memorial garden, the sky gave us a beautiful rainbow. On Friday, as we drove away from the Gold Coast, the skies opened for the first time in weeks and it absolutely poured. We could not see in front of us for a few minutes while traffic almost halted on the highway. When it did clear though, the rainbow was glorious. The clearest and most vivid I had ever seen. When I got home, Jens card had arrived complete with the most gorgeous image of a rainbow and butterflies.

Kate gave me something so very beautiful that I’m keeping it for it’s own post. It needs photos, lots of them.

And one more gift? Out of nowhere, Ivy called me “Miss Mummy”. And suddenly, for the first time since February 2007, I remembered that Ava used to call me that. How I forgot, I don’t know..but I did. And to hear those words again..my heart sings.

Our day was peaceful. We visited Paradise Kids and donated the money from the workshop registrations and attended Parent Group. It was nice to see everyone.
We then went to Ava’s garden and released balloons and stayed a while.
A simple, quiet day that didn’t feel right but didnt’ feel wrong either and that is a huge baby step forward from last year.

Thankyou, again, so very much to all of you.

Love,
Ava’s Mummy.
xx

My darling Ava.

No matter how much I want to celebrate your birth on this day, it is so buried underneath the sorrow of what should have been.

You should be excited.
You should be here.
You should be five.

I can only imagine what you might have looked like now, what toys you would have
loved, what cake you would have wanted. Would your squeals sound older? Would your hair be longer? Would you have had a party?

I bought a pinata..a Dora one. And a tiara. And so many balloons. Be ready to catch them, won’t you?

Happy Birthday, my little Superprincess.

Iloveyousomuch.
Mumma. xx