Meet Matt, the Barista Man

We are now serving Freshly Ground, Fair Trade, Organic coffee, check it out at http://www.blackstarcoffee.com.au/

Everyone is Beautiful

If you're feeling yuck about yourself, as I am, watch this, for Truth is truer than how you or I feel about our bodies. A little reminder that who I am and who you are is what True beauty Is.

1st day - balloons and the nutbush, recipe for success

Here's our cosy little fireplace, believe it or not it's cold here! A lovely surprise, Jake and Sally from Brisbane popped in


Shannyn, who will be working with us from now on

Shannyn serving a customer towards the end of the day. Boonah is busy til about 1ish, then it's pretty quiet on the main street

Maddie and Laura spent most of the day dancing up and down High St, doin PR and advertising

The days before opening were spent frantically stock taking, arranging, re-arranging, tidying, pricing -and with these two characters-laughing.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The window coverings will be coming off Saturday 11th July, the door flung open, Maddie and Laura will be handing out flyers on High Street -the word will be out!! OPEN!!!!! Shannyn and I will stay warm inside, dreaming of the coffee that is to come, hopefully the following week or two...

But in the meantime, there's books, gifts, t-shirts, handbags, toys, puzzles, stationary to see, so come say hi, look around and enjoy....

Open 9am to 2pm

Another Story Tree, a magical place....

Love me when I least deserve it...

...because that is when I really need it - Swedish Proverb

The talented Kylie Johnson from http://www.paperboatpress.com/ creates these beautiful ceramic tags. I am so thrilled to stock this range in the store (thankyou Susie for the hot tip).

This quote here is especially pertinent to me, as I am fairly highly strung, and not so easy to live with. It is dedicated to Matt, my longsuffering husband. I love you baby!

This book won the 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award:

This book won the ABIA People's Choice Award 2009:

Here is a gorgeous limited edition Belle and Bo print:

One of my favourite suppliers (check out article in current Frankie mag), Lark, are fairtrade, recycled, handmade and so so cute!

http://www.larkmade.com.au/

It's still like Christmas every

time I get to open a box that has just arrived

So folks, that's just a tiny teeny sample of the kinda stuff The Story Tree is stocked with

Nearly Ready

Notice the tree branch in the top right hand corner? My lovely friend Lara made it. It hung outside of the last shopfront, now we have it above the entry inside. Thankyou to the guys from Fassifern Electrical and Lighting, Steve, Matt and Paul for installing the lights.

Matt and the boys playing with boxes, for that is the funnest part of moving!

Here are some beautiful Poppies For Grace Gift Tags

Maddie helping with unpacking and arranging. She will be working Saturday's, serving customers with a smile!

Matt putting up more shelves, what a husband!

It takes many people to make big things happen. No story is without co-authors, all collaborating to create something special. What you see here is just a snippet of how many people have been involved in this process. It goes all the way from book recommendations, to the plumbing of the coffee machine. We even have a half of a three metre tree, found laying in the long grass of a local's yard -It's our shop counter! Cost us two cases of beer, I love a trademans currency.

This is what is coming...

There is Porter's Paints orange and green circles wallpaper,

Compendium Inc. range of 'Positively Green' cards,

Award-winning novels,

Eric Carle's 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', celebrating 40 years,

And a determined two year old who is playing in boxes

Thankyou Matt for making my dream floor happen,


I love love love this floor!

Renovation Action

A new ceiling for the back of the shop

Oskar is 'helping' Daddy

Say bye bye to this...

There is Matt's right hand man, Cameron walking out the front door of the shop before the gutting began. I will write up an elaborate and gushing thanks to the guys soon, for they were the hands that made The Story Tree (take two) happen...

Next, I will show you a sneak peek of what's to come!

The Before Photo...A Funeral Home it was

Here we are, about to embark on an adventure of turning something old into something new, Yay! Let the gutting begin...bye reddish-blackish faded old carpet, tiny back room, big counter in the middle of the room, floral curtain, fluoro lighting...

This was a place of farewelling loved ones. The Somerville Bros. Funeral Directors were the previous tentants here. I think that this is a good omen, as death means new life is the next part of the cycle. A place that was for grieving and tears, is the perfect place to bring joy and gladness. We can't have one without the other afterall.