After The Storm

Serendipity is a wonderful, wonderful thing.  It had been on my mind for a week or so now that I needed to write a new post on my blog and whilst there were topics to speculate on or finished projects that I've worked on to show and share, the right descriptive words just weren't forming. Sometimes I take that as an omen to hold off until a subject presents itself clearly and never has that been so obvious than about half an hour ago ... something that I just had to share with everyone because it excited me so much and not just the topic but the timing. 

You see here in Brisbane we have entered the summer storm season with us experiencing a severe storm last night and yet another one at lunch time today.  I had eaten my lunch on our back deck overlooking a view of gum trees and bushland, picked up some rubbish to take downstairs and place in the bin with full intentions of then going to my workroom/office to write a new blogpost.  As I opened the screen door to take the rubbish to the bin, I was pleasantly greeted by a kookaburra sitting on our clothesline drying himself off after the storm.  So ... as you do ... I carefully retraced my steps, grabbed the camera and in order not to frighten him away, quietly started snapping photos.

This little fellow knew he was on display and in typical form, tilted his/her head from one side to the other for complimentary angle shots.

It was quite a tame kookaburra because I couldn't believe it when I was allowed to walk behind him/her and take this back view without the kookaburra ruffling even one little feather ... mind you the beady eyes were watching me very closely indeed.  And then while I was admiring the colours and size of this awesome iconic Australian bird, he then spotted a tasty bite to eat somewhere on our grass, flew to it, grabbed it in his powerful beak and flew to the nearby garden shed to swallow it in one giant gulp.

The kookaburra is one of my earlier designs (consisting of 13 colours) which can be found on the website - www.gumleafstitchdesigns.com.au - and for obvious reasons, quite a popular one.  

Although we have regular visits from kookaburras in the area with their reputable laughing call (which some people take to mean a sign of rain), it's not very often one pays us a visit in our backyard and on the clothesline.  Now, just how Aussie is that!!

Ros

'Sometimes serendipity is just intention unmasked' - Elizabeth Berg

A New Look

Just like any makeover - be it wardrobe, hair and styling or a home and landscaping project - it can be exciting but just a little daunting, overwhelming and yes ... apprehensive too, which of course can put the whole idea into the 'too hard basket'.  Such has been the case for me at Gumleaf Stitch Designs.  For a while now I have been wanting to update the website, but with matters on the 'home front' being rather intense and time consuming, tackling such a project just took a back seat.  

But the time now felt right to tackle this makeover head on and so I have been fortunate to find a great web designer and between the two of us, have collaborated ideas and created - what I believe - to be a website with a fresh and modern look.  A new design layout displays each cross-stitch design to its full advantage as well as a slide show on the Home page.  The Order Information page has been updated to include shipping details, a returns/refunds policy and revised postage and handling costs.  Money orders or cheques are no longer accepted with payment to be made securely with Paypal or for Australian customers the option of a direct deposit, all details of which are outlined on the Order Information page.  A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and Your Privacy page has also been added as well as a special form on the Contact Me page which can be filled out and forwarded should there be any questions requiring clarification.  There is a Check-out Page whereby you can preview all purchases made.  

As with all major changes, there will always be a few tweaks and fine-tuning to be made as time goes on when you discover that something has been overlooked and, yes, at the moment, that is the case.  But at this point in time I feel quite confident to reveal Gumleaf's new look.  Of course, the main change is a beautiful new logo - a creative twist courtesy of my clever web designer. 

I invite everyone to check out the new look website and because your feedback (both positive and negative) is valued, it would be very much appreciated if you could contact me should any problem be encountered so it can be rectified promptly.  

I am going to end this post with what I believe to be a very apt quote.  

Ros

'It always seems impossible until it's done' - Nelson Mandela