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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

So, another year, another 'promise to self'. Here's my wish to you, attached to my Tree of Life artwork, and may the Year of the Dragon bring you love, happiness, good health and vitality. xx

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all from Julie & Greg at Hearts and Minds Art : May you have a happy and safe festive season. Thank you to you all for your support and we are so looking forward to bringing you more heartfelt, creative works in the new year. Stay tuned. xx

It's funny how things eventuate. Take an overseas trip, some memorable photos and a quest for a new, creative life. Toss them together with lots of patience and love and you get our sterling silver range of pendants and rings that house my little photos. 'Jewellery by Croucher' (named after my jeweller grandfather, Jordan Llewellyn Croucher), the pieces are beautiful.