the olive bird

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  • About me

    Hello and welcome! I am Joanna, a wife, a mother and the artist behind the olive bird store. This blog is a space to scribble notes on a life filled with creativity and joy. Along the way I'll share arty endeavours, things that inspire me and other random streams of consciousness. I hope you enjoy and come back and visit often!

    Come visit

    19th of December hide and seek markets


    Featured

    the olive bird has been featured @
    Literacy head
    Another donkey design


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    Packing baby clothes for a holiday

    Julian had his first holiday this week! He coped so well with long car trips and sleeping in strange places. It was lovely to get away from home and show him some more of this beautiful world. When packing for the trip I decided to put Julian’s outfits in separate sealed bags.

    OCD packing

    I’m so glad I did as it saved so much time just to pull out a bag of clothes for warm weather, cold weather or sleep and know that everything was in there. No digging for tiny clothes in a big bag. I am slowly learning the ways of the organised mother. I may have to be stopped from organising his entire wardrobe into bags.

    Here’s a few shots of our first family holiday!

    Julian's favourite vantage point

    Jumping in the shade

    Roads lined with vinyards

    Two relaxed little legs

    This moment

    One photo capturing a moment from my week. A simple, beautiful moment that deserves to be soaked in and cherished. No words, just a picture. Feel free to share a link to your moment in the comments. 

    Covet Garden Magazine

    I stumbled across the gorgeousness that is Covet Garden at desire to inspire and I am so excited to see a digital mag full of  such beauty. This sweet little magazine is the creation of Canadian writers Lynda Felton and Rhonda Riche, and art director Jessica Reid. Their vision was a magazine that made them feel as though they were invited into someone’s home. What’s lovely about this little mag (now in it’s second issue), is that it focuses on lovely artistic, creative homes that reflect their owners lifestyles and passions, and not a faceless commercial aesthetic. One of the great things about it being digital is that you can scroll over the pieces in the pictures find the ‘where to buy’ links immediately. The future has arrived people! Here’s a peak at some of the beauty inside. Enjoy!

    Clover's nursery

    This little girl’s room (above) is divine. I’m definitely filling it away for inspiration.

    Clover's playroom

    Shelley, Brendon and Clover's dining room

    Shelley's art space

    I’ve already planned out an art room in my head for our next home. I can’t wait to be able to leave all my supplies out like this.

    Blissfully unproductive evening

    Evenings around here normally consist of baby in bed around 7pm, then the paints, pens, paper and whatnot emerges cautiously whilst they are safe from tiny fingers. Tonight however, they can stay packed away. The last three nights I have averaged about four hours sleep. Last night it was about two. In a life pre-Julian I would have just slept in, caught up during the day or the following night. That’s no longer possible. These days, I’m practicing putting aside my pity party and focusing on this beautiful boy. So my post today consists of absolutely nothing productive in my work or art life, but a beautifully productive day with this boy I love.

    My love

    Note card love

    Here are a few of our new note cards! I’m so pleased with the finish on the cotton paper. The colours are so clear and beautiful. Keep an eye on our etsy store, they’ll be up in no time!

    Note cards

    Note cards - I carry your heart with me, Alphabet love and Mad hatter's party

    note cards

    Note cards - Connections, The Search and Sebastian's Search

    note cards

    Note cards - Stationery forest, No words needed and Life with the birds

    note cards

    Note cards - back of card

    – Joanna

    Alphabet love print

    This bright love note is now up at our etsy store! Click on the big orange etsy button to have a look around our little shop! I’m loving this shade of yellow at the moment, maybe because summer is approaching! The original painting hangs in Julian’s bedroom and watches over his cot.

    The print is on a lovely textured cotton paper. As always, contact me if you would like this or any of our prints in a different colour scheme or size (it’s currently 8″x10″ at the store) or if you would like to commission a new piece. I’d love to paint a blue or pink version. We are currently working on a range of greeting cards in all our designs so stay tuned! Ooh and another hint for what’s to come… stencil… baby clothes. So exciting!

    alphabet love print

    Alphabet love print

    Original ‘Alphabet love’ painting in Julian’s room next to ‘Stationery forest’ painting.

    A baptism celebration

    What better way to christen a blog than a post in honour of a baptism party?! Not just any baptism party, but our baby boy Julian’s baptism party! To be surrounded by people who love this boy as we made our dedication to raise him to know Jesus was a beautiful thing. Definitely a day worth celebrating!

    Mr Julian

    paper lettering and bunting

    Paper lettering and bunting

    raincloudA raincloud from Mathilda Markets

    chocolate cake

    Chocolate cake with whipped frosting and cookie letters

    cupcakes

    Vanilla bean cupcakes with paper toppers

    pompoms and banners

    Paper pom poms and banners

    guest book

    Guest book table under Julian's monthly photos

    Welcome to the olive bird’s nest!

    searchingWelcome! This is a space that I hope to come to share my scribblings and my musings in between changing nappies and starting a business. Along the way I’ll share my own creative endevours as well as things that inspire me including design, kids, family and art. I hope you enjoy and come back to visit often!

    Love Joanna