Tuesday 19 August 2008

I've cracked it

After much tinkering and dabbling every night for months, I have finally come up with the essence of my childhood memories.
Frangipani has always been my favourite flower, probably because we had trees in our gardens when I was growing up and their fragrance was so pungent and signaled the prospect of summer. Smelling it's essence now fills me with warmth, the sweet feeling of the sun upon my skin, simply because I had a joyful childhood by a beautiful beach.
Our garden in sunny Cronulla, Southern Beaches of Sydney, had a fab pool, tropical garden and huge pergola with built-in BBQ and Mum and Dad always put on the best parties for family and friends to enjoy. From Hawaiian nights to Toga parties, we did it. Usually the police would call to request we turn the music down (those of you who know me, this should sound familiar).


Scents of Paradise - The Frangipani!

So several months ago, I embarked on the challenge of making aromatherapy candles with the prospect of capturing this idealistic childhood memory in candle form.
Aromas have always played an important part of my life as they take me away to tropical fantacies of white sandy beaches and never-ending sunny days.
Wonderful aromas always fill our house (not just curries) and visitors always ask what essential oil candles I am burning.
Now that I have finally captured my own essence, soon they will be available to share through my website and hopefully the Welsh Hamper Company who are excited to feature them in their hampers.
Watch this space....

Monday 18 August 2008

Tahitian Dreaming....


There have been so many different types of crafts I have played with over the years, silk painting, cake decorating/sugar crafting, abstract painting, more recently candle making to name a few and certainly nothing is more fulfilling (apart from giving birth to a beautiful baby) than realising the fruits of one's labours.
When a blank canvas presents itself in front of me, it takes a while to get acquainted, usually with several glasses of Cava!
Whilst I wouldn't proclaim to be an artist in this field, it's truly amazing how confidence and my sheer willingness to try, allows me to forget I am a novice.
The weather has been horrendous this summer, especially with the kids off school, so I decided to immerse myself in painting with a dream of taking me away to sunny distant shores.
I remembered my visit to Tahiti when I was about 15 years old and I immediately felt excited and compelled to get started.
The memories of mangos flooding the roads, white beaches, glimmering turquoise waters, and the dreamy smiles of the local ladies surrounded by tropical floral delights.
My painting actually allowed me to forget about the weather and I was in fantasy land.
These creative elements in my life allows me to grow and fuels my determination to drive myself further into the unknown. I am now looking forward to progressing this lady, along with more Cava....
Ah, what a great feeling.

Thursday 7 August 2008

Misinterpreted

Tears cried are not weakness
Smiles are not strength
Angry but forgiving
Ignored and tired of breath

Mirror shattered
Bruised and raw
But the touch of baby
Brings hope and warmth

Melinda xx

Wednesday 6 August 2008

Happily Marrieds

Here are friends from Cowbridge, Helen Alden, who tied the knot with Mike Reilly. A big "Congratulations" goes out to our happy couple who drank in the hot Tuscan sun & sipped cool champagne with friends and family last August.
Sadly, not long after this wonderful day, Helen's beloved father passed away. So this is dedicated to Jeff Alden.
Helen wears the V07 Necklace (on snake chain) and Earrings in White & I have to say she looks just gorgeous.

Fab Fashion Quote

Attention all Ladies, keep this quote on the edge of your tongue when negotiating your next season's shopping budget with your husband and his platinum credit card:
"You have a better life if you wear impressive clothes!" Vivienne Westwood.
And she would know.

Artworks

I have just received my painting from Jean Dayton and I am very pleased indeed!
I commissioned the artist to paint a beach scene of my daughters to remind me of glorious sunny holidays spent playing at the beach. Seeing this, takes me away from the grey cloudy rainy days.
What a truly satisfying feeling, commissioning an artist not for investment, but purely for pleasure and I thoroughly recommend it.
Of course, one could argue that photos are better, and we certainly have plenty framed and awaiting a slot on my dressing table or mantle, needless to say there are only so many spaces and the house is starting to look like an old peoples home!
I love original art and I intend on filling my home with it, in various forms. This way, I have the memory of my two beautiful girls playing at the beach captured forever on canvas. Brilliant!
As always, I am delighted to share my secrets. Jean's work can be found at www.jeangdayton.com where you can also read about commissioning the artist!
Mx