Seeing as I am a brand spanking new garden girl, I thought I would give a little introduction to myself…I really wish I could woo you all with my accent (seems to work pretty well elsewhere!), but you’ll have to just imagine it. My name is Emily Falconbridge, I’m a native Australian having recently relocated to the US due to my husband Mick getting his first ever job at the ripe old age of 29! Really glad those student-scrapping-on-a-serious-budget are over! I am a lover of all things crazy and creative – I love getting out the paint with my 3 year old and learning from her uninhibited spirit when it comes to art! I am so thrilled to be part of 2 Peas!

There is a house up the road from me that I like to drive past on purpose for pure amusement. You see, these people like flags. At first I really only noticed the flags hanging from the house on holidays – big red loveheart for valentines day, green clover on st.patricks, easter bunnies etc – but the more I went past, the more I realized they have quite an impressive collection! Not only every holiday you could imagine, but a creative mixture of ‘fun flags’ for every other day of the year! Rainbow colored fish, pina coladas, tennis rackets – they have it all. I love the surprise of what the flag might be on any given day, and I like to imagine where they keep all these magical, colorful flags – and how happy it must make them to fly them outside their house. Their own way of expressing themselves.

I am also eager to see their decoration for the upcoming holiday of July 4th – I’m sure it will impress! Something I have noticed and love about being in America is how patriotic a country it truly is. While I don’t know much about the history of the holiday – I do know that it is a big deal, and that it will be one special day next week! It always makes me stop and think and feel to see people who love their country. Coming together, feeling proud, appreciating all the wonderful things your land brings to you and others. Connecting, and feeling part of something strong and powerful. I never knew how much Australia defined who I was until I left. I am so proud to be an Australian (aussie, aussie, aussie! Oi, oi oi!). and I miss it so much – but I love experiencing life in another country – there is so much to learn and see!

I guess what I am trying to say is – wherever you are from, make sure you take some time out to really stop and think about your place. Where you have been, where you are now, where you are going. What makes it so unique. What you appreciate. How it defines who you are. Scribble some notes over the course of a day as you remember and notice different aspects. And then create something. An art journal page, a layout, a card, something to hang on your wall. Something digital to send to your friends. A reminder to yourself and others of the blessings you enjoy.

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you get up to – and I look forward to seeing some patriotic creations in the gallery soon!

emily ☺

Note from Kristina: I asked Emily how she ended up spending her holiday, and out of curiosity, I had to know about the house with all of the flags. This is her response: mick went into work (crazy boy!) so i spent the day scrapbooking and playing with ivy...we had fun just hanging out and went to the pool. at night we heard fireworks going off outside! i did however, get to see the famous decorations the day before on the previously mentioned house - there were flags of all sizes and frills, as well as other red, white and blue decorations!