I guess as 2014 draws closer it would be okay to make remarks about hurdles - it being the Year of the Horse. Let me share one of my verses from 'A Nest Twice Built' ....

"What if" ...
Two little words.
Ignore any fear, banish any hurdles.
Take those words and grow.
Follow your bliss;
   who knows where it will take you.
Two little words.
Endless Possibilities.

Julie x

And so this is Christmas...
At the risk of sounding cliche I really hope you all have a wonderful Christmas - one shared with someone dear. Have fun, be safe, think nice thoughts and be respectful to others. I look forward to sharing more with you in the new year. Julie xx

"There are two takes on the universe. The one we humans can observe and the version that exists despite us - a multidimensional fabric of energy, of indeterminate and ever-changing form." (Rod Hyett, Great Ocean quarterly).
I like the way Rod has phrased this thought. So true.

It's summer here in Australia. The sun is out, it's heating up and the beach beckons. Sunshine always clears the cobwebs away don't you think. Sometimes you don't realise how much a happy difference it makes until you visit somewhere that's grey and rainy. Sometimes it's nice to snuggle up against the cold, but I think I'm becoming a Queenslander!

Sigh. I am a Libran - lover of balance, harmony and always trying to keep everyone happy. Does your star sign reflect your personality, your actions? I really do think there is something to it all.  It is so much easier to say 'no, sorry' than actually follow through. So it becomes a life of trying to be everything to everyone. I feel a New Year Resolution coming up!

FROM ME TO YOU

Just goes to show that 'little words of reflection, humour and inspiration' can help everyone. I had a fellow in the shop who bought my book - he was a solicitor on holiday, trying to get more of his own book written. Although it is a business tome he's writing, I received a lovely email from him saying my words/themes did help him reflect on his own life and where he is in it at present. Nice!

Interesting that Mary-Lou read out the following verse from A NEST TWICE BUILT, on radio yesterday. I had recently received an email from another reader who said these words connected with her as well...

It was just a quick catch up,
takeaway coffees on a park bench.
Our feet kicked at autumn leaves,
a sparrow our silent witness.
And something else too,
humming between our words

  - the guilt of distant possibilities

Looking forward to meeting Mary-Lou Stephens and being interviewed about A NEST TWICE BUILT :
Sunshine Coast ABC Radio : Monday 28 October, around 3.30pm.

Embrace solitude,
the chance to still the centre
of your body, your soul -
  your 'self'

(Julie Holland, A Nest Twice Built)

When thinking about which thoughts and verses to include in A NEST TWICE BUILT I wanted to include those that inspired, gave a laugh and... well... made you shrug away any worries. To ignore outside negativity and keep everything in perspective. Such actions are so much easier to think about and plan than actually execute. But can make such a difference to life happiness if achieved, even with small steps.

The day is out there. Waiting
Tapping its foot. Waiting.
Counting off the minutes. Waiting.
And do you know what -
  if you don't go out there. Now.
The world will miss
 the joy of you.

c.Julie Holland (A Nest Twice Built)
A Nest Twice Built can be purchased at www.heartsandmindsart.com.au

What a wonderful evening we had for the NEST TWICE BUILT launch at Hearts and Minds Art. So many supportive, friendly faces - thank you all. Must say I was very nervous (bit out of the swing of such nights) but happy that you all enjoyed my readings and the book. I have since connected with quite a few other people who would like to stock/buy it. I feel so privileged to know that my words are reaching people.

INVITATION

BOOK LAUNCH

' A NEST TWICE BUILT' by Julie Holland

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2013

6-8pm

In store at Hearts and Minds Art

1 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. Q

Enq: 0407840745

Wines supplied by Wine Fix, Scotchmans Hill, Noosa Cellars

"A ripple in the pond of positive change" - a nice phrase, and something that I hope my book can instigate. I don't try to be all things to all people, just a little bit of inspiration to those who are looking for it. Julie x

The idea for the paper sculptures that are scattered throughout A NEST TWICE BUILT came from a single sculpture. Local artist, Lisa Day, had made me an 'Owl and the Pussycat went to Sea' paper boat for our shop - loved it! I decided a range of her little creative pieces would be much better than my line drawings ...and so a thought, and new direction, started to take shape.

My little book called A NEST TWICE BUILT is now available. I am so excited as it has been a long time coming for many reasons. I guess we all doubt ourselves at times, but I was lucky enough to hear so many touching stories, and for customers to enjoy my framed words that I had to 'bite the bullet'. I will add details on this as time goes on, but in the meantime if you would like your own copy you can visit us in store at Hearts and Minds Art, 1 Hastings St, Noosa Heads; order online at www.heartsandmindsart.com.au. or email me at julieholland1@bigpond.com.au. $22 (incl postage and a bookmark). Thank you, and I hope you enjoy every single word. x

Wrote a post then deleted it 'cos I decided to focus on the positive, rather than negative people. As they say "A minute of angst is a minute lost to happiness."  So, to happiness.....
My book 'A Nest Twice Built' will be out in a few weeks with a Launch Night late September - will keep you posted, but if you would like your own invitation let me know (0407840745).

book is on the way

Sshhhh..... my first book of thoughts and inspiration is at the designers. Not long now, and it's a little bit exciting!

Some people just exude 'calm' don't they, and others put out so much negative energy you wonder how they make it through their day. If you're surrounded by the latter, here's a trick - imagine an egg cracking over your head, or the sun spreading its rays over you. As the wash goes down over your head, your shoulders, your whole body, embrace the barrier it is putting up between you and the negativity. Feel loved, protected.

A PEA GREEN BOAT

I love a bit of whimsy and this book sculpture crafted for me by Lisa Day fits the bill. 'The owl and the pussycat' is a great verse in the first instance - their pea green boat, money etc - where are they going?. And then there's the papercraft aspect of this. Love it... where would you go in your pea green boat?

Am standing in our shop, looking out at the rain and on the CD came 'Catch the Wind' by Donovan. Such a beautiful, simple song - I wish there was more gentleness in the world, that we had time to try to catch the wind, that people realised you don't have to knock anyone out of the way to do it.

MOTHERS DAY is this weekend. Being a mother - gosh, you never stop loving, worrying, laughing, hugging, supporting, encouraging and celebrating. It's wonderful. Whoever your 'mother' is (mum, friend, nonna ...) enjoy having them in your life.

Noosa ...beautiful one day.... We're getting ready for a Sports Festival this weekend, so lots of lycra and bikes being unloaded. Oops..remember to take bike off car roof before driving into underground carpark. Anyway, it's stunning here at present and we wouldn't like to be anywhere else but here.

Enjoy the little things,
for one day you may look
back and realise they
were the big things
(Robert Brault)

Don't you just love animals....so glad to hear that foreign whalers had their poorest 'crop' ever. Go whales and Sea Shepherd!  Closer to the back mat are our gorgeous doggies, and I like the saying "Be the person your dog thinks you are".

The sun is out, lovely customers in over Easter and apparently the surf is up. Positive vibes all round.

OK. I'm breathing deeply, but so upset and annoyed at people taking photos of our products in our shop. So rude and actually illegal. Please don't put your phone on video as you walk around, please don't brazenly take a photo and say "Let's look online". It shows your ignorance and disrespect for people's ORIGINAL works. We feel that artists' original works are more important than attempts to copy. Sorry to rant but if you only ask for permission, you know what, we are here to help and let you know more about it and might even say 'yes' .

Just went to a family wedding and one of the quotes from the service was from Pooh and Piglet books : "If you live to be 100 years old I hope I live to be 99 and 364 days, then I won't have to spend even one day without you." Awwww...

Aren't animals the best! We have a new little blue tongue lizard in the garage, two ducks waddling past our shop, bush turkeys scratching everywhere, amazing flights of hundreds of bats across the skies every night. And our two 'girls' : Roxy the Ridgeback and B (Black Betty Bamalam)the Lab. They give us so much joy, every day. Love them. And then there are the other 4-legged visitors to Hearts and Minds Art's red carpet - like Cody. Blind in one eye, he's a treasure.

Interesting. I've been thinking lately how the weather affects our moods. Noosa is known for its beautiful weather but it's been rain, rain, rain lately. Not cold, just rain. Customers at our shop have been (sorry guys) grumpy, glum and down. A bit of sunshine came out today and Wham! change of attitude completely. I'm the same. Having lived in Melbourne all my life until moving to Queensland a few years back I, too, felt the Winter blues. Wonder why. So much more energy with the clear skies. I just feel like stretching and, well, taking flight with new ideas and dreams.

Release your love into the skies -
the universe will take care of it.
Rolled in stars and rested on clouds,
it will come back to you.
   Shiny, new and warm.
(Julie Holland)

I have always whistled and sung along to songs. Unfortunately not always with the right words. (Yes, I'm the one that unwittingly sang "There's a bathroom on the right" instead of "There's a bad moon on the rise".) I'm sure I'm not the only one...the important thing is to participate, sing along. It fills you with emotion whether it's happiness, sadness or just memories. Tra la, tra la...Feel free to contribute your singalong mishaps at www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart (no awful YouTube karaoke clips tho!).

OK. So. It's done. My book of verse has been wrapped in hope and sent off to a publisher for consideration. Fingers and toes crossed. If they don't like it, I will darn well publish it myself because I know deep inside that people will enjoy, value and gain something from it.

Another day in Paradise here in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Sun is out, tourists are happy...and it's a countdown to Valentines Day. Check out our 'countdown IOUs' from today until V day at www.facebook.com/heartsandmindsart. Or why not wander into Hastings Street, check out our Valentines window at No.1, then stroll off for a glass of vino.

It's so important to look beyond the surface...I have written many verses about it. Every day in our shop this belief is backed up. No-one is how they appear to be, there is always so much more. That includes me, and that includes you. Be proud that you are individual, that you take the time to listen to others and not judge.

My goodness, we are lucky here in Noosa. Once again we have escaped the brunt of nature. Our rain and high winds are nothing compared to the devastation other areas of Australia are experiencing. Our love, hugs, offers and positive vibes are what I am sending out and hope those in need can get help. We just want the sun to come out and all to be right with the world again.

We are having so much fun at Hearts and Minds Art's store at Noosa Heads : sourcing fabulous, original products, meeting loads of wonderful people and hearing their stories, planning new things for the new year, knowing the beach is out the back and our doggies are at home waiting for us to walk in the door. Life's good and we hope it is for you too.

We had a past acquaintance call into the shop recently. She stopped, surprised to see us, and said something along the lines of "I heard you'd left to live in Noosa but never thought you'd actually do it." Interesting. Are people really surprised when you do something you've been talking about for ages, and if so, why? Because they don't plan things/do things/want or expect change? Each to his own but listen to what your friends say and back their dreams....whatever they are.