Through the lounge room window of my mothers home I spy smoke dancing from the chimney and ghosting across her property. I'm positioned centre front by the fire and taking just enough time out from my teaching research to come up for air and say 'Hi'.

I have had a busy first 6 months of the year and I am craving the stillness that creativity requires. I am truly happy to have a couple of quiet months to hang with books, fires, blank paper, pens and ...um scones. Lots of scones with jam and cream. Here is the gluten free recipe that has won my heart. I have road tested it 5 times already. Stick with gluten free flour but trust me when I say Spelt flour, Besan and Buckwheat versions taste like dirt. I like to use Orgran Gluten Free Self Raising Flour from the supermarket.

Abbie's FAVE GLUTEN FREE SCONES Recipe by Jamie Oliver

JMC ACADEMY

It is a blessing that my new part-time job has forced this stillness upon me. This gypsy loves to travel but also craves rest in balance. I begin teaching the semester of Lyric Writing 1 to Bachelor of Music students at Brisbane's JMC Academy next week. I am honored to announce this because it is a course that was created by one of my songwriting hero's ; Mr. Pat Pattison. I doubt his name rings any bells with most of you folks but perhaps his students John Mayer and Gillian Welch do?

I went to my first Pat Pattison lecture well over 6 years ago in Melbourne. I was so blown away I promptly saved up my pennies for his 3 Month intensive Berklee College Online course. Needless to say his teachings were a GAME CHANGER for my songwriting. Teaching is a whole different bag and I am excited to be forced to have to know the work well enough to explain it inside out and back to front. So, yes, I am honoured and excited to see how it inspires and expands my own writing.

CARDWELL CONCERT IN ADELAIDE

Gigs are quiet but the songwriting will flow. Those of you in Adelaide will be treated to a special family concert on Saturday July 16th with my Dad Roger Cardwell & brother Jeb Cardwell at Trinity Sessions . Saturday 23rd will be me solo at The Singing Gallery in McClaren Vale SA. . (Buy tickets via the Gig page)

These quieter months are needed as a creative but without regular live gig earnings I am forced to think outside the box financially! I'm conjuring up a winter house concert by the fire for Brisbane folks, A Songwriting Workshop by the fire (with scones, cream & jam), private songwriting lessons and some of my art showing at an exhibition and selling online.

MEXICO

The rockumentary about Twin Tones and I, 'Estoy Aqui Por Una Noche', is showing in Mexico City this month on June 19, 3pm at Centro Cultural de España in Mexico City. (This building is stunning by the way and right near the main zocalo)

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CROWD FUND AN ALBUM & YOU GO OVERTIME?

I chat with the boys in Mexico in Twin Tones regularly. I continue making the story and art for our un-finished PledgeMusic campaign when I can. I cannot even begin to explain how hard it is to finish such an epic project on such little money. We reached our minimum amount over 1.5 years ago. It covered part of my flights on that initial recording trip but that was pretty much it. Needless to say the making of a Spaghetti-Mex-Western album with a story and hand-made art to each song that is recorded in Mexico with string arrangements made in Italy costs a little bit more. It is a project that has certainly dragged out but.....it is certainly going to be one hell of a damn fine album when we are done.

By the way.... you can still buy a digital copy or any of the exclusives via Pledge Music (CLICK HERE) . We aim to be done in the next few months so I can return to release the album alongside the official release of the movie. I think it is true; "good thing come to those who wait". (and those that chip away, think outside the box, and just keep on keeping on against all odds)

Ok, enough rambling. I need a scone now and one more log for the fire.

Love Abbie

I'll be chanelling this vibe over winter.