So, 2013 is the Year of the Water Snake. Whatever it is, may it bring you happiness and good health. Remember 'be good to you'.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FOLKS .... may you have a wonderful time with friends and/or family. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and time with my blog.

So sad, so sad. My heart aches for all the little children, those so heartlessly struck down and those who live to remember. May you learn to forget - not your friends for they will forever be tied to your heart - but the moments they were taken away.

WOMEN ARE GREAT...I was chatting to one of our suppliers, Tania, in the shop. How busy life is, 21st birthdays, schoolies, parents, 70ths....you name it. Another customer smiled at our comments and joined in and before we knew it a couple more customers were adding advice, comments and lots of laughs. Even memories of Desiderata! Love it.

It's hotting up for Christmas here in Noosa....if you are looking for something ORIGINAL and gorgeous, quirky and memorable, little or big hop on over to HEARTS AND MINDS ART at No.1 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, or www.heartsandmindsart.com.au or follow facebook at www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart.
We have gift certificates and we giftwrap too!

So, a visit to the 'old town' of Mt Eliza (Mornington Peninsula) and then helping the parents relocate to Noosa. Stressful (tick), Emotional for them (tick), Jetstar my 'new best friend' to finally be heading home (tick), Annoying on so many levels (tick).  But, I know I did the right thing and they needed me. Getting older is no fun, and I hope that when I am their age, one of my dearest will be there to help me too.

I walked into our shop HEARTS AND MINDS ART in Noosa this morning, put down my basket, turned on some jazz and looked around. You know what! I whispered "Hello shop".  I'm not ashamed to say that I love going to work each day - even grumpy customers can't dampen my joy. So there!

We have had so many visitors to Noosa and our shop lately (Noosa Triathlon attracts some 30,000 visitors - could that be right?). Anyway, so many lovely comments like "Aren't you lucky to live here" etc. Yes! Yes we are and I think that every time I drive home along the river.

SURPRISE.....had a wonderful surprise visit from my three boys (and one of their lovely girlfriends). Had a fun week with them before they had to return to duty in Melbourne. So proud of each of them, for their individuality, determination and beautiful souls. Each one so different. (Thanks boys...playing the IPod in the shop).

So, Birthday Day. Apparently Saturn is leaving me after 29 years and all will be on the 'up and up'. Can't wait to see what I do, what happens, what influences will come my way. This is where it all began, with older sister Di wondering what on earth was going on. x

"To be an artist is to acknowledge the astonishing. It is to allow the wrong piece in a room if we like it, to hold on to a weird coat that makes us happy. It is to not keep trying to be something that we aren't." (The Artists Way - Julia Cameron). Nice.

RAINBOWS

If you were a rainbow, what colour would you be?
A slice of yellow sunshine to bring joy to someone sad, or the heat of fiery red to warm the chill of loneliness? The bluebird of happiness? A greenie of intent? A beautiful balance of all.
Let’s all reach out tomorrow, cross that rainbow of dreams and help colour someone else’s world. Not to be ‘all things to all people’ – just a touch of this, or a splash of that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FELLOW LIBRANS ...lovers of justice, peace and people. We just can't decide how, where or when to go about giving, making or meeting them.

The sunny Sunshine Coast - Noosa - where we live, work and play. Come visit us!
This pic is looking back over Little Cove from the National Park boardwalk.

At our HEARTS AND MINDS ART shop we sell an awful lot of Guatemalan Worry Dolls - the cute little dolls that you tell your worries to, then pop them under your pillow. In the morning they have taken away your worries. What it says to me is that...we all have so many worries. But worse, our little ones - our children have so many worries. That, in itself, is cause to worry. I think I will have to do some writing to help this in some way.

Time flies doesn't it. Can't believe how long since I did a post - have been busy on Facebook though (www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart). I went to a local Womens Expo today. Interesting. One quote I did come away with that I liked was this: "Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." (George Bernard Shaw).
That is, don't listen to what/how others expect/want you to be. Be yourself. Grow yourself.
I like that.

HAPPY DADS DAY ....

Hope all you dads out there (including my own Eric James B) have a great day on Sunday. Relax, enjoy and may the icecubes stay in your glass. xx

‘What if ..’

Two little words.
Ignore your fears, banish any hurdles.
Take those words and grow.
Follow your bliss;
who knows where it will take you.

Two little words. Endless possibilities.
(J.Holland)

Another day ....more sunshine.

How lucky are we to live on the Sunshine Coast. Love it!

Isn't this magical? This weekend I wish you time to ...blow bubbles, stop and have some idle time, count the colours in a rainbow or just 'be'. xxx

As mentioned on www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart, the whales are on their way north to breed. We saw some plumes on the horizon this week. One of the greatest, most heart-bursting experiences I've had was whale watching from a boat several years back. They floated along beside us, just watching. So peaceful. So beautiful. I felt so privileged.

Just got back from a visit to Melbourne. Caught up with my folks, 'old' school friends and my boys (and one gorgeous girlfriend). Am soooo proud of them - their dreams, their achievements, their passion. Three brothers but each so different. May you have a lifetime of love and happiness. xx

Is this the quintessential Noosa? Spotted the 'unscripted' scene on my morning walk along Noosa's main beach the other day. Fabulous!

It's been a nice few days. I feel that I have helped a couple of people with their needs - from customising my inspirational words to just lending an ear. I hope my work has added a little joy and inspiration into your lives, and helped those you are thinking of. x

Thank you to all our 'likers' at our new facebook page www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart. It's all new to us so hope we can bring you lots of thoughts, great promotions, Noosa pics and info and, of course, Hearts and Minds shop 'stuff.' xx
Thought: "Don't just live the length of your life. Live the width of it as well." (Anon)

Made in Queensland

We are so lucky in our store to be able to profile so many beautiful, original works of art ... and 90% of our products are Made in Queensland or Australia. Including this Angel Belle by Sharon. So delicate and beautifully crafted.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
What if you could .... would you?

Nice things happen in our shop. I was having a chat with a couple of young 'regulars' one of whom was married at Little Cove last weekend. A lady in the shop later said to me that she was in Noosa to celebrate her 50th wedding anniversary - they thought they had booked into Berardos but there was a wedding reception on there (they had actually booked at Berardos on the Beach). I told her that Kate had been that bride. One bride starting out and one celebrating her 50th, both at Berardos and both in our shop... nice.

I've been thinking about friends a lot lately.Old.New.Getting to know.Well worn. Someone once said that some friends are for a day, some for a year, some for a lifetime. I hope you have many in your life. Now and forever. But, remember, to have a good friend you need to be a good friend. So lovely to have drinks last night Janet.

HEARTS AND MINDS ART IS NOW ON FACEBOOK: Just search Hearts and Minds Art. Hopefully you'll all go on and Like us and leave happy comments. Thanks!

I guess my posts are generally about people, community, the world, being happy with yourself and life. This one is about a connection. Hearts and Minds Art's shop in Hastings Street has always stocked 90% Australian/Queensland Made and is proud to profile local artisans. We have now entered into a working relationship with an awesome local furniture maker (Tim Scarce from Green Cathedral). He will be making an exclusive line of funky oak stools just for us. Welcome to our world Tim and Sal and we look forward to offering these and some of your other beautiful products

NOOSA RIVER, NOOSA, SUNSHINE COAST, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA .... can't get much better than this any time of the year. And we live and work here, so how lucky are we.

GOODBYE EUMUNDI

After several years, Hearts and Minds Art will no longer have an outlet at Eumundi. We have decided to concentrate on our gorgeous shop in Hastings Street, Noosa Heads and our new online presence. We have met some truly wonderful people at Eumundi and thank them for their help and friendship. x

Story to share

People often buy our photo jewellery because maybe they've been to where I took the photo(Venice, Noosa..), or because they dream of going there. Such is the case with Sue W who came into our store this week. A while ago she bought our Streets of Paris ring (featuring my Montparnasse street scene). A year to the day (!) she was on her way to Paris with a girlfriend. Totally unexpected. Awwwww..so nice. Don't just follow your dream, chase it.

OK..I am a blogger. I am a photographer. I am a retailer. I would NEVER go into someone's store and take photos of their product, unasked. NEVER. As a retailer I don't care if you are a blogger "doing an article". It's rude..and illegal. Please ask the retailer if you can take photos and, like me, they will probably be more than helpful with artists' information etc. But, like me, they do have to protect their artists' product copyright so due credit has to go with a REQUESTED photo. Thank you.

Yippee...another great Festival in Noosa this weekend. It's the International Food & Wine Festival! 20,000+ visitors are due to descend on our gorgeous little town to cook, taste, imbibe, be mesmerised at gourmet workshops, go to chef book signings, spot celebrities and try out all the fab Queensland produce. Hearts and Minds Art at No.1 will be open late 'til 8 Thurs, Fri & Sat. Bon Appetit!

I read something puzzling in a well-known decor mag. When describing a child's room ".....without any signs of patronising childrens decor...". The room described belonged to a 10yr old boy, and showed a plain green doona on a single little bed with a padded green backboard. One tin soldier stood on the windowsill and there was a blue rug on the wooden floor. Nothing else. Mmm.. what's wrong with kids 'decor' - a finger painting, a pile of stuffed toys,or a few Batman cars. Sorry, I don't find any personal creative kids work or decorating 'patronising' at all.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

Can you believe my mum is in her early 80s?! I hope I've inherited her looks. Fantastic! HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all you mums and step-mums out there. I am a mum to three gorgeous boys (who still give me hugs when I get to see them) and stepmum to Greg's four children. No, we're not the Brady Bunch and are never all together. Phew! But how lucky am I to have them in my life ... and a wonderful mum too. Give your mum a hug. xx

Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers 'Grow Grow'.... I have felt a bit like that blade of grass for a while. I have grown, in my writing, our Hearts and Minds Art business, and I think in my life

outlook. In a bricks-and-mortar aspect, with the help of many 'angels' we have extended our little shop at No.1 Hastings Street through the wall. We are now double the size. But we are so much more than that. We have grown in so many other ways too. Thank you. x

ONLINE SHOPPING

Hearts and Minds Art now has an Online Shopping Experience. You can find our beautiful products and quirky bits and pieces at : www.heartsandmindsart.com.au.
Please visit and let us know what you think. (Thanks Simon for your hard work and patience!).

BOY,ARE WE BUSY!! Yes, our online shop is nearly there. But there's more ...our retail shop at No.1 Hastings Street (under Sandcastles) is expanding. Next week we are knocking out the wall into next door, and one shop will become one larger shop. Very exciting. Here's a 'before' pic of where we are now. Business as usual (we think!) so please visit.

HAPPY EASTER

Instead of chocolate, how about a hug for your friends and family. They deserve it. You deserve it. And it will release more 'happy vibes' than all those calories. Well...maybe a little Lindt egg won't hurt.

online shopping ..

ONLINE SHOPPING FOR HEARTS AND MINDS ART -- ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AWAY! We love people coming into our store, but you've asked for online as well so it's on the way.

I am constantly blown away by the talent of Sunshine Coast artists. Just look at these DIVINE hot air balloons. Made here in Noosa, Leanne's happy pots, dolls, pebbles, bauble key holders and balloons are all handmade using wet felting techniques. Time consuming and beautiful. We are proud to represent about a dozen Queensland and Australian artists, making about 90% of our stock Designed and Made in Australia. Up up and away ... in-store now in Hastings Street.

FABULOUS! Noosa's main beach was chocablock with spectators as the dogs took to the waves with their owners and longboards. A great exhibition as part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing. Such fun ... and all those canines were sooooo cute as they rode the waves.

♥ If you are unsure which rambling road to take,
if you feel so very alone.
If the fog is taking over, and you cannot open your mind,
just ask.
The gate will open, the embrace will be offered.
Your soul, once again, will take flight.
I wrote the above some time ago and have sold many framed versions of it. So many people have worries.Little kids worry - which in itself is a worry! At H&MA we have Worry Dolls from Guatemala. When you/your child has a worry you tell one of the little dolls, place it under your pillow and the worry is gone in the morning. Lovely. Email me to find out how you can have your own little box (julieholland1@bigpond.com).

Sunshine Coast

From 'down south Melbourne' back to 'up north Sunshine Coast' - we are a land of contrasts. But one thing doesn't change - Summer in Australia.
canvas shoes filled with sand - pounding waves - tranquil bays - rinsing out the bathers - filling up the ice trays - skimming stones - scorching sand - gelatis - prawns - old boardies - new wetsuit - hot car seats - wet dogs - watching for jellyfish - hoping for dolphins -- endless summer(The fun plaster plaque at left is a new addition to our shop and lists Sunshine Coast 'hotspots').

We just had an injection of Melbourne - our old stamping ground. Great to catch up with old buddies and families and to see what's happening around the town. The old girl certainly has style .. and great coffee. Thanks for the hospitality.

ONLINE SHOPPING COMING SOON ..

WE'RE EXCITED .... The Hearts and Minds Art Online store is being built and should be a happening thing in maybe a month. Lots of gorgeous ideas and gifts will be at your fingertips, and what's more most will be Australian made (like Anita's jewellery pictured).....

THE NEW SHINGLE IN OUR WINDOW AT NO.1 HASTINGS STREET, NOOSA HEADS. Thanks Elise for your original logo design!.

One of the things we enjoy is offering service to our clients - from giftwrapping an overseas gift order to getting a personalised message just right; from welcoming prams into our store to just being .. well .. polite. So it really steams me when service isn't offered. Take note telecommunications companies and mobile phone retailers - it's not hard surely to follow through on customer service. Meanwhile my mobile STILL isn't downloading images. Aaarrgh. (sorry - had to vent).
It is 24 hrs since I wrote the above post - this bit is an edit. I feel guilty. In the scheme of things, does it matter that my phone doesn't work. Not really, just an inconvenient reminder of inefficiency. But then I got an email from a dear friend in Africa who has set up an orphanage there. Mmmm, my problems pale. xx

Noosa is gorgeous right now - 28 degrees with a smooth breeze. Packed restaurants. Cruisey holidaymakers. Kids fishing. Lying on the beach. Taking to the waves. And we're busy in the shop at No.1 Hastings Street - loving meeting new and familiar faces. We've got a great range of plaster wall plaques too that sum up Summer on the Sunshine Coast - very retro and Made in Queensland.