Here's to a happy 2015

2014 wasn't the best year for me and my blog was sadly neglected ... but I've turned a corner, closed a door and I'm looking forward to what's ahead.  To say goodbye to 2014 hubby and I took ourselves off to the other side of Australia and celebrated 5 days in Sydney.

Despite being in Australia for 47 years I've never spent any time in Sydney and now I know what I've missed out on.  What an amazing city!!

The Harbour is spectacular, the beaches and bays are beautiful, the scenery awesome, and the history and buildings are amazing.  Everywhere we looked was a photo opportunity.

Of course, 5 days certainly isn't enough time to explore this wonderful place, but it was a great taster to inspire us for a longer visit.  And speaking of inspiration, each morning we would see this street artist, Pepe, sitting at Circular Quay creating the most wonderful artwork I've seen.  He donates all his works to charities.  Check out his website here:  Pepe Gaka.

We had perfect weather and spent most of the time on or near the water.

 The Sydney to Hobart Yacht race had left through the Heads just days earlier.

 And you couldn't go to Sydney without a visit to Bondi Beach.

Even during a holiday my minds still on shape, pattern, texture, and colour, and I fell in love with the formation and colours of the sandstone cliffs around the water.  Surely thats got to inspire some creative textile work!

But of course, the biggest draw card at this time of the year is the New Years Eve fireworks display off the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

We spoilt ourselves with a boat cruise for the night and it was breathtaking - I can't find words to describe the feeling and atmosphere of being on the Harbour with thousands of people lining the banks, and hundreds of boats around us, all lit up and sailing around such icons as the Opera House.  I had to keep pinching myself that it was real. 

When the fireworks went off I felt quite emotional - closing the door on 2014, wondering what the year ahead will bring, and just being overwelmed by the magnificence of the fireworks display.

It was spectacular, and we didn't want the night to end - it will be one we will remember for a long time to come. 

Even though the holiday was short lived we weren't too disappointed to return home though because there was more excitement ahead.  We had a new puppy arriving .....

We've been looking for a few months now, and two days after Christmas I found this little treasure on the internet.  As soon as we saw that fat little tummy we knew she had to be ours.

The waiting was unbearable, I was counting down the sleeps like a child waiting for Santa Claus, and never slept a wink the night before.  I was in excitement overload.

 And on Monday she arrived!  Meet "Darcy", our new little jack russell baby.

I can't believe how much joy she's brought me in just 4 days.  I didn't think there was a cure for a bereaved heart, but now I know that a tiny bundle of warm furry love can cure the deepest of sadness. 

I've already started a new sketchbook and my minds ticking over for design ideas, what an inspiration she is.  So here's to 2015 being a productive year and one I can share with you all.  I hope that the year ahead will be a good one for you ... full of love, joy and happiness, and I thank you for taking the time in your lives to read my blog and share my life.