Sunshine and Smiles
Newsletter 76
Greetings! I come to you fresh from an afternoon nap, commission drawing and some work in the garden. Can you believe that it’s November already? Here in the Southern Hemisphere, the days are getting longer and warmer. I adore the heady scents of Spring where the grass is still green and flowers of endless variety are in bloom. This time of year is also generally quite busy with (horror upon horror) the lead up to Christmas. I’m not one to buy in to the frantic (and sometimes stressful) gift giving that comes with the festive season. In fact, my family haven’t done presents for years. The irony here is that I happen to own a small retail business that sells perfect little gifts.
This year I’ve decided not to book in to the million possible markets happening in Adelaide in November and December. Markets are not what they used to be for me and I’m very lucky that my teaching and commission income has increased so that I no longer need to stand around every weekend in the wind and rain! I do however have a bunch of lovingly/ethically made low-priced gifts that are available online if you wish to partake in gift-giving this year. Now would be a good time to purchase these bits and bobs to avoid the worry of Australia Post not getting things to you in time. My standard postage price is still free (until next year), so consider taking advantage of that now. I’ll also be throwing in a free copy of The Grand Banksia Adventure with every order over $25, a funny little book for everyone!
Australian Animal 2025 Calendar - A perfect gift for friends and family living overseas to remind them of home. I can even send it directly to them if you like!
Australian 12 Days of Christmas Books - I realised a couple of days ago that I don’t have many of these little stocking stuffers left. I’m not sure that I will be reprinting next year, so collect them now if you’re keen.
Little Christmas Cards - Very cute, featuring designs from the 12 Days of Christmas Book. I also don’t have many of these left.
Australian Animal A-Z Book - A good substantial gift filled with interesting facts about Australian Animals. I’m still donating $5 from each book sold to the Bob Brown Foundation, so you gift knowing you’re also helping to stop native logging.
Christmas Bunting - This bunting you can print yourself. It’s very sweet, I used it last year to decorate a festive picnic with friends.
VLOG
Art Classes
Wine and watercolour classes are starting up again at Between the Vines Vineyard and Cellar Door. These classes are lush, with a generous individual cheese platter and wine to accompany your artistic play. Join me on November 15 for 'Birds - Real and Imagined' and December 20 for 'Christmas Cards'. These could also make lovely experience-based Christmas gifts (my favourite!)
There are two more ‘Birds of the Cedars’ sessions for the year and I’m pleased to announce that they will be continuing next year. Join me on November 10 or December 8 using this link. These calm painting sessions are paired with tea (or coffee) in beautiful fine china.
On the 16th of November I will be at Stangate House for another Christmas Card making workshop, more beautiful gardens and tea in fine china! Book in here.
I created two free online art classes this month, which you can check out below.
How to Draw - Koala
I love koalas! We are so lucky often to see them in our garden and surrounds. Recently we even had one visit us by our back door. Follow along with me as we draw the koala step-by-step. All you need is pen and paper, enjoy!
Humpback Whale
Hello beautiful people and welcome to Lesson 8 of ‘Aussie Animals’ - Humpback Whale! I’m often shocked by how little people know about Australia’s animals. Of course, everyone knows about Kangaroos and Koalas… but what about an Antechinus or Dunnart
We Have a Gig!
My band - The Norbu Pellets will be performing for the first time ever this coming Friday at the Metropolitan Hotel in the back room. We’ll be on at something like 10.30pm (as we’re headlining), feel free to simply turn up if you’d like to see us play (free entry). Here is the link to the Facebook event. The band plays very silly eclectic songs, I play the piano accordion and will be singing in a couple of songs too (like Milo from the Bilo and Beans).
If you can’t make it to the gig and would like to hear our music, you can download it for free on Bandcamp.
October Blog Posts
I’m really loving using Substack (the platform I’m using to write this newsletter) to share parts of my artistic journey with you all. It’s nice that I can send everything out for free and have to option to add special extra bits to my paid subscribers. The community is also so wholesome! Here are a couple of posts from this month.
Your Mid-Monthly Dose of Whimsy #2
Hello my lovelies and welcome to your Mid-Monthly Dose of Whimsy. Since the last letter, the weather has really started to warm up here in the Adelaide Hills and I’m itching to spend every waking moment outside in the garden. The fresh odours of soil, warmth and new growth are truly intoxicating and I often feel as though I’m pottering around in a dream. I’m currently sitting in the dark next to an open window looking out at the last red embers of sunset and breathing in the sweet odour of jasmine. Check out my September garden diary below.
Gifts For You
I was delighted to be recently involved in organising the Bob Brown Foundation ‘Protect Native Forests’ rally in Adelaide. I was unfortunately unable to make it to the event, but I did make a colouring-in page featuring the Tasmanian Masked Owl that was given away at the event. Feel free to print out the sheet and distribute to anyone and everyone!
The gift in the real mail to my wonderful ‘Letterbox Legends’ (and one general subscriber) this month features my ‘G’day from my Garden’ letter, a mini-print of the Spotted Pardalote, Forest Dragon Greeting Card and Platypus sticker. If you also want a monthly dose of whimsy in your letterbox, you can subscribe for as little as $5 per month.
With love and a dose of whimsy,
Zinia