Back Online...

I'm back and have just listed some butterfly sets. I'm putting some red ones up tomorrow. Thanks for your patience!!!

Catastrophic technical hitch

Big apologies to those who want to buy some wall art from my Madeit store at the moment. Our computer has completely died and I can't do anything until we get our new one up and running - as well as retrieving all of my data (yikes!). Hope to be back on line in a few days so please come and visit soon!!

Loving crochet

I always thought crochet was for nannas (it's not a bad thing, I'm just not a nanna yet) but whilst searching for a little project for my crafty ladies night (get together with friends to eat chocolate, drink wine and do some crafting) I came across an etsy store that sells crochet patterns. They looked good and I thought I'd give it a go. A few tutorials from Youtube, a cute crochet pattern from the said Esty store and a few crafty ladies nights and I made an adorable hat for my little Miss Emma. I've since made two more and decided crochet is not just for nannas any more. PS I was hoping to get some photos of my creations actually on Miss Emma but true to form she decided she didn't want to wear a hat at that very moment *sigh*

I'm in the Madeit Newsletter!!

Hello, one of my stand up letters is in the Wednesday Madeit Newsletter called "Decorate with Handmade". Click here for a look and to see some other lovely handmade items to decorate your space with. Hope you're having a super day!

Taking a break!

Well life has been getting a little hectic and I am finding that I'm not doing ANYTHING well so I've decided to take a bit of a break from my little crafty business to step back, have a think about it and come back newer and better! I'll still have a few things in my Madeit store but I won't be at any markets or have any stuff in the Handmade store for a little while. Life is too short to be too busy to enjoy it! Anyway, I'll still be posting when I get my hands on the computer - my hubby is writing a screenplay every second he has a free moment. Speak soon! Mel

Markets - erama!

Stressing just a little as I prepare for TWO upcoming markets over the next few weeks. The first is the awesome Handmade Markets on Feb 19 (11am to 4pm) at the National Convention Centre and the second at the Mathilda's Markets at the absolutely gorgeous Hyatt Hotel Ballroom on March 6 (9am to 1pm). I'll have a bit of a new look (more on that later) and some new products to test. So if you are around please come and say "hello".

Etsy loving...again!

Some people are just so clever and stylish! I came across this great designer the other day on Etsy. The shop is called Homako and this is my favourite piece. Since I can't really wear any bling at the moment (impossible with a curious 3 year old and 8 month old!) this will do me quite nicely!

Emma

Been doing a bit of experimenting with letters. I guess it was only a matter of time before I started covering letters with wallpaper and I'm so glad I finally did. This is my first attempt and I think it looks pretty good. My little Emma LOVES these. It's like she has marked her territory (they're in her room). She walks into her room and points to her name and says "this is Emma's room!!"" I might have to start putting some in my store, which by the way, I've stocked this week.

A little reading.....

Feeling like I needed a little inspiration I ordered these fabulous books by a Japanese publishing house called Paume. There are several in the series, each featuring very cool interiors from apartments in a particular European city. I bought three (they were on special) Children's rooms - Paris and London as well as Apartments - Copenhagen. It's all in Japanese of course but it doesn't matter, the pictures are devine. What I love about them is that the owners of these apartments have been able to create gorgeous, funky interiors by being creative rather than just going out and buying designer furniture. I guess it helps that most of the owners are designers themselves. Anyway, I'm well, inspired!

Creative ways to support those affected by the QLD floods..

Yay to everyone who has been coming up with ways to raise funds in support of those affected by the QLD floods. From a money box at the front of my little miss' Daycare to retailers offering a percentage of earnings - aren't there some great people about?! My top 3 ways are:

1. Buying something from participating designers (including me!) at Shop Handmade, Allara St, Civic, Canberra. Ten percent of January sales is being donated and in addition, a dollar for every dollar raised will be donated by the lovely gals at the shop (aren't they generous!).

2. Participating in the "Shoeboxes of Love" drive.

3. By making a Hope Softie for one the many children in Emergency Centres around QLD that have lost everything. Click on the Hope Softie button and it will take you to the lovely blogger who is organising this drive. Leave a comment and she will email you her address. She will be delivering the softies herself and also has some great softie ideas too. I love it!

Hello

Well I had a big post planned to let you in on my xmas, latest plans, adventures and goings on but having spent the last couple of days watching the QLD flood disaster unfold it all seems a bit trivial in comparison. My heart goes out to those that have been affected.
I have to say it's been a shock to see that even in Australia, with all of the resources at our disposal, that mother nature can cause so much loss and destruction. Will check in in another couple of days and hope that in the meantime you stay safe and well. Melanie

Handmade Market is just around the corner - so soon!

I feel like I've only just recovered from the last one and Handmade is on in just over two weeks! It looks as if it will be the best one ever. I love the new opening hours - 11am to 7pm, and there will be even more food and some great new designers. I'm experimenting with some new daisy shapes so hopefully I'll have them ready in time!

The little things....

This is the beginning of a sequence I thought I'd start based on appreciating beauty in the little things in life. Sometimes it takes you stopping for a second to realise the beauty around you. There's plenty of opportunity when your home with babies, especially when you're breastfeeding! So here is my first installment in celebration of spring. It's the first of the flowers growing on the vines in our courtyard. I love the combination of white and green - a refreshing combination.

Friday eyecandy....

Isn't this adorable? I found it on Madeit, an Australian website much like Etsy where you can buy and sell Handmade items. It's just one of the many gorgeous things you can find in this awesome store - oopsidaisi. Shops like this make me feel lucky to have two baby girls....

From November......

I'll have some of my work at the Handmade store in the city!! I dropped my stuff off this afternoon. To start with I'll have some butterfly and swallow sets as well as some small ring sets. Here's a quick peek of what I dropped off this afternoon.

I just had to have a look around and found it almost impossible to leave without buying something. At the moment it would have to be one of the best places to go for Racing fashion. I saw stunning shoes, loads of beautiful jewellery, gorgeous handbags and accessories. Seriously, why would you go to DJs or Myer and risk getting something that you'll see 10 other girls in on race day when you can get something that is unique and lovingly handmade at the Handmade store just metres away?

Fabulous Handmade and a lesson about self promotion..

Hello there, it's been a while from my last post and I don't really have an excuse apart from the usual life stuff. Had a wonderful day at Handmade - the weather was perfect and there was lots of gorgeousness all around. I had a stall across from two beautiful designers (Please eloise and Little Slave - check them out!) and ended up having to buy something from both of them- it was all too much looking at their beautiful stuff all day!!

I also learned a real lesson recently in self promotion. I have always been a bit shy of it and never really advertised myself - apart from telling people what I do - if they ask me! Anyway, my sister-in-law recently had a birthday teaparty and decorated her place Alice in Wonderland style. I offered to hang my dreamcatchers everywhere since they kind of suited the theme, and ended up selling them all, apart from one, and got an order for some more. So I'll be promoting my work at every opportunity from now on - no more shy Mel!

More for Handmade

Hi there, finishing off some more items for Handmade this weekend. I've made some more dreamcatchers. It was a lot of fun making them. Even though they are exceptionally girly, even the hubby likes them (true story!!). Anyhow, in the meantime I'm hoping Emma will give me some rest and go back to sleeping through. She's been a bit naughty these last few nights and has been keeping us up, she just doesn't understand why Mummy and Daddy aren't interested in playing at 3am. If not, I'll be the stallholder asleep under the table at her stall......

Butterfly Love...

Just thought I'd share with you a one off set I created for the Handmade Markets next Saturday 11 September. The butterflies are 10cm wide. I've used the last remnants of some wallpaper samples so it's the only set I'll have. I'll also have some sets in other colours. Perfect for a little corner you need to decorate...

Lovely....

I don't usually write about fashion but I HAD to share this lovely piece I found on Etsy. Why do I love it so much? I guess it's because it is gorgeous as well as functional. You could wear this to a wedding instead of bringing along a handbag which I always find a nuisance. It's from a shop called kikosattic . You saw it here first....lovely, lovely, lovely...

Handmade just 3 weeks away!

This will be my first markets after having Sophie so am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things. I hope I'll get the chance to check some stalls out for myself. It's always chock full of gorgeousness....and yumminess.