2011 - The year that was everything we hoped for.

2011 has been such a rewarding year in terms of personal achievements for both me - and my tiny little business "Dalli".  As I look back over the last 12 months, I feel both proud and satisfied that I have followed my heart and have met so many wonderful people along the way.  Many people describe me as "stubborn and determined" and I can honestly say that I never saw myself in this light until this year.  I always thought I was a follower - someone who was just happy to blend into the crowd and never wanting to stand out.  Perhaps that is from years of wanting to be "normal", I don't really know but ever since having Macie - something inside me has clicked.  Something that wants me to different, creative and a boundary-pusher.  Something that wants me to strive for the best, provide for my family and most importantly, teach Macie to always have dreams and always believe that they can be achieved....no matter what anyone says. 

Here is just a little snippet of the rewarding year that 2011 was....

January saw the start of something big with "The Dalli Cottage Collection" scoring it's very first stockist.  Jo from Little Indigo fell in love with the beautiful patchwork aprons and asked for them to be specially made for ages 2 - 5.  Just ask and you shall receive. 

 

In February, both me and The Dalli Cottage Collection were featured as "Rural Mumpreneurs" in the fantastic online magazine "AusMumpreneurs".  It was fantastic exposure for my tiny-weeny little business and to be featured amongst such beautiful & talented women was a huge priviledge. 

March is when I picked up Heath's SLR Camera that had been given by his Dad years ago and started to capture our darling little girl along with our beautiful and sometimes harsh surroundings.  It was then that I fell in love with capturing that moment in time and making a picture say a thousand words....

April is where Heath & I let go a little and went on a mini-holiday without Macie.  We texted, called and sent photos 100 times each day but we also enjoyed some H&H time with our beautiful friends.

A few months down the track and I was asked to do a maternity shoot for a beautiful friend of mine.  Say no more.

August bought some very exciting news that I received a Bronze award for a few of my photos in a worldwide photography competition.  To say I was stoked....well that is an understatement.

We also got to annouce to the world that we expecting another miracle due in Feb 2012.  I can't wait to be a family of four - and it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.  Don't get me wrong - I have my moments where I freak out about how I am going to do it (my meltdown last night at Heath being an example!) but I know that it will just happen....and it will be magical. 

With this news - I decided to pack away my sewing machine and say goodbye to the long nights sewing up a storm for The Dalli Cottage Collection.  It was sad but it was a fun adventure.  I learnt so much....but most importantly, I learnt that I can do anything I set my heart on....and perhaps surprise a few people along the way!

We also had newborn overload and I was so priviledged to be able to capture such beautiful moments in these darling little babies lives.  It was this month I fell in love with newborn photography and perhaps when Dalli started....another branch of my tiny weeny business....

September bought more exposure for my photography and blog after being featured in a local magazine called "Border Living".  Another amazing oppurtunity and was an absolute priviledge to be featured with such talented women from around our region.  Nothing beats the country....

I was also asked to photograph TWINS.....lucky I was pregnant because these little darlings were just the cutest and most obliging little darlings ever!

October saw another month of fantastic Photography Oppurtunities......and when I really saw myself doing this in 5 years time...

November was filled with hustle and bustle of Harvest on the farm.....

and a few more shoots to fit in before Christmas....

and to finish off the year......a photo like this of darling little Stella. 

2011 has been such a rewarding and fantastic year.  Heath only said to me the other day how much he has enjoyed the past year and I had to agree.  Sure - we have had our ups and downs, but we are still so thankful for all the beauty our lives have to offer us. 

Thank you for supporting, loving and following the Dalli blog.  I have loved your comments, your feedback and your support. 

See you on the flip side!