I spent last week camping in the bush at Hawks Nest in New South Wales. I was there with my daughters to attend the Jon Young Music, Nature and Storytelling Workshop. Jon Young is a naturalist, tracker and mentor from North America. He's also an author (What the Robin Knows... Read more →

For most of this year I've been smitten with the poetry bug. Writing it, reading it, talking it. Dipping my toe into the beautiful world of spoken word and open mics. Having my first feature as a spoken word artist. Entering competitions and submitting to journals. It's been amazing and... Read more →

I'm submitting a poem to an anthology with my publisher, Ginninderra Press. I have no idea if this poem will fit the theme of the anthology or catch the selector's eye. In short, I don't know if it's going to meet someone else's standards, fit with their vision or be... Read more →

I'm having a moment of existential crisis and self doubt. I'm despairing of ever writing a poem that will get published in a literary magazine. The poems in literary journals are incredible. When I read the ones that have been accepted I feel so ordinary. It's my secret fear. Being... Read more →

Making is about gestating and then giving birth to an idea. It's a creative act. But in the very moment of giving birth there is also a deep and abiding sense of loss. An impossible grief at shedding the thing which has sustained, nurtured and held you in place in... Read more →

Last weekend I hosted a Crafternoon at my place. Long time readers of this blog will know that my favourite thing in all the world is to craft with other people. I love it so much, I invented a word - craftyr. I love the exchange of ideas and creativity... Read more →

Do you ever put something off for, well, forever? And when you finally get around to doing it discover it wasn't so hard after all? That was the story with me and making baba ganoush dip. Years ago I saw a tv show where you had to char the eggplant... Read more →

Late last year found me scouring op shops for second hand white tops. I haven't worn white tops since having children - between my natural clumsiness and grubby little hands wanting cuddles, they haven't stood a chance. However, now that I'm eco dyeing everything in sight, I suddenly have a... Read more →

When you're a maker there's a very real danger that you'll fall in love with the gifts you are making for your friends for Christmas. Instead of giving away what you've made, you find yourself putting it in your cupboard and not into your friends' hands! That's exactly what happened... Read more →

A couple of weekends ago I was back at the Village Continuum Festival, teaching a lovely and keen group of people the basics of leather craft. It's my third year of teaching at the festival and the second time I've run the Introduction to Leather Craft workshop. At my first... Read more →