New Fabric

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OOHH today I brought some absolutely devine fabric and I can't wait to get behind my sewing machine and create some new cushions!

I will have to take a picture of the fabric.... it's so lovely.

I'm getting super excited to be heading to the GungahlinChristmas markets - apparently they are expecting 5000 people...eeeep

Back to creating..........

BTW what are you creating today???

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Although I was mildly disappointed with the lack of sales at the ‘Handmade market’ I had so much fun that I thought I’d try my hand at it again.

So we will be setting up stall again at the Gungahlin Christmas Markets on 13 December.

Both of us will have some new products as well as all the products that sold really well last weekend – including the bottle tags that are such a unique idea!

Although once again we don’t have much time to prepare, we are confident that we will be able to get it all ready on time. And so much of it has already been organised from last weekend. Phew!

Hopefully the weather is much better and warmer – it will make the experience very different from all the rain and wind we had last time.

The big day

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WOW what a day we had yesterday!!! I think we encountered all 4 seasons - from pouring rain and and howling wind to sunshine (although the sunshine was not around long). It was snowing in the hills around Canberra so it was very cold being out side all day. But I wouldn't have changed a thing as it was such a great experience an I learned many lessons!

I wanted to blog about my nervousness and excitment but I was so busy finalising all the small details that I just ran out of time. I did however create a etsy store - so check it out here.

My friend and I had so much fun yesterday and met some wonderful people. It was a great event and I think there were about 2500 people over the day. Although it seemed as if every one came from 10 - 2pm and then there were less people over the afternoon.

My friends paper goods sold like hot cakes - everyone loved them (its hard not to when they are just so devine and very reasonably priced)

Unfortunatly not many people purchased my cushion covers :(

Alot of people seemed interested but I'm unsure why the didn't sell. Perhaps I had the price to high (although I think it is reasonable) or perhaps I didn't have the colours they were after.

I'm a little bit disheartened but I had such a fun day that I'm very glad I did it.

Disaster

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Disaster has struck….. my sewing machine has gone to heaven.

I was just finishing up a few final items for the markets this Saturday when my machine started making this horrible clunking noise. To my surprise I wasn’t upset at all, I just started working on other little bits and pieces that didn’t require my sewing machine. After discussing the pros and cons of getting this one fixed with my partner he suggested that I buy a new one. What a great idea!!!!
I’m kinda a bit bummed about having to spend some extra money but I love sewing so much that it really over rides any other feelings. So today in my lunch hour I’m off to buy a new machine. I’m very excited because I have no idea what I’m going to end up with.
I’ll post some pictures of the new little one when I get it home…….

Busy little bee

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I have been so busy preparing for Canberra’s handmade markets this weekend that I have not had a chance to blog! I’ve been coming up with some great designs on my cushions and I hope that other people like them as much as I do.

My stall partner has also been busy working away on her greeting cards. I am always utterly amazed at the beautiful work she does. I wonder where she gets all her inspiration… she is just so creative! Hopefully on the weekend some of that will rub of on me!!

I saw some of her Christmas card range at the end of last week and just about jumped up and down on the spot because I know that they are going to be a big hit. She has all the original Christmas colours as well as all kinds of variations – so if you like traditional or modern she will have cards that you will just fall in love with.

Yesterday I did a practice run setting up the marquee to make sure I knew how to do it and how long it would take. It was very easy and I hope that it all runs smoothly on the day.

I have so many ideas, emotions and thoughts running through my head all day and night that I can hardly concentrate or sleep. I’m super excited and I can hardly sit still long enough to write this. I’ll keep you posted on the progress.

Canberra's Upmarket - Handmade Market

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So for the next week I’m busy creating new cushion cover designs for Canberra’s Upmarket!
You should see the mess I have made at home, there are all kinds of fabric every where.

I am really enjoying working on this project and I’ve been spending so much time on it that I’ve hardly even thought about anything else. I don’t even feel like cooking so my poor partner is missing out on yummy dinners.

And I’m very excited to be working with a good friend on this project – she designs greeting cards! (I’ll post some pictures of her work that she will be selling in my next post). I’m so glad to be working with her as she gave me the extra support needed to actually go ahead with this.

The cushion covers I will be selling come in sets of 2, a large one 14 x 21 inch and a smaller square one 13 x 13 inches. I’ve included a picture of a set which is one of my favourites. They remind me of summer and a beautiful beach house.
One of the reasons I decided to start making cushion covers was because I couldn’t find anything I like in the shops and every thing I did like was over $60 each. I couldn’t find any unique covers that were at a reasonable price, so I hope that people like my designs and also find that they are affordable.

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Wow it has been a few weeks since I have blogged - and what a few weeks it has been!


I recently brought a secondhand sewing machine and I created some cushion covers as a little starting project. The feedback I received seemed to be really positive. I'm a huge fan of Etsy and so I started thinking of perhaps making up some more covers and selling them there. I thought I'd make a few and test to see if people were interested in what I make...I mean just because I like it doesn't mean to say anyone else will!!!

I've been tossing and turrning for a few weeks now when I found a flyer for the 'Canberra Upmarket'. I love handmade products are they are so special and different. I was very excited and thought it would be great to go along and see if any one there sells cushion covers like I was thinking of making when it occurred to me.....why couldn't I go along and be a seller?


Now for me this decision was a big one....I'm so scared of people not liking what I have created so putting my stuff out for sale face to face with people is scary!

Mothers

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My mum is coming to visit me for 3 days this week so I thought I share some feelings I have about her. I also found this wonderful website that has some amazing quotes about mothers.

I have conflicting images of my mother –
one. This person who wouldn’t let me do anything when I was growing up as she was very strict and straight down the line.
Two. A person who is a lost teenager and hasn’t found themselves yet.

When I was younger she was exactly that ‘my mother’. While I was a teenager I disliked her because I wasn’t aloud to do things I wanted to and she was the one stopping me from doing them. Now I look back and I thank her for being that way because I know that all the choices she made for me where the right ones. It was hard to appreciate her care at the time but now I’m starting to understand.

My father and her separated in my last years of school and I saw a completely new person. She stayed out late and didn’t seem to care what I got up to – at the time I thought she must have been going through a mid life crisis! But I realise now she was just being herself and being free. Since then I have found that she doesn’t seem to have direction in her life and still hasn’t worked out who she is. I wish I could help her and sooth all the pain and turmoil inside her. I try to guide her in the right direction but she doesn’t seem want to go there.

I know that I’m still in the process of finding out who I am- I’m reading this amazing book by Louise Hay and it is really helping me find my feet, but I wish that I could give my mum the gift of finding out who she is so she would be completely happy.

Does anyone else see 2 sides to their mother?
Or know of people that seem lost?
I’d love to hear your stories so please leave a comment.

Sooty

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I'd like to introduce Sooty - he is my beautiful 15 month old cat. I received him from a lady that was giving her unwanted kittens away. He was only 6 weeks old when I got him. He has such a wonderful personality although can be quite grumpy when he wants to be.

He loves to chase toys and play with your hands. My mum calls him Mohammad because he seems to use his paws to sort of box at you....he is so gentle and never uses his claws.

He isn't a big smoocher so I mostly get my cuddles when he has just woken up in the morning. I love to stand by the window; look out at the new day and listen to him purr.

I'd love to hear about your beautiful animals that put a smile on your face.

My Mama

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This blog is dedicated to my Mama (Grandmother) who passed away 15 years ago.
My Mama was a wonderful cook – she made everything from scratch, pasta, baked goods and all the yummy traditional meals.
I remember even on the hottest summer day she would be in the kitchen baking away with sweat pouring off her. I loved going to her house, the smells from the kitchen and garden were amazing. There was always so much to eat that I’m surprised that I’m not as big as a house – although if she was alive today I’m sure I would be!!

I wish she was alive so:

She could teach me to cook
She could pass down all her wonderful recipes to me
So she could teach me to crochet
To hear all her stories about her life and her journey to Australia
For her to pass on her knowledge about life and give me guidance
So I could get a great big hug from her
So she could see the woman I have become {would she be proud?}

I thought of her last night when I found her old dinner set that I have wrapped up in newspaper and stashed away in the cupboard. I should really have them on display- they are just beautiful but I’m so scared that they will be broken.

I decided to use her plates in a composition that I was photographing to put on the front of my own recipe journal. None of my Mama’s recipes were written down so I have decided to create my own recipe journal that I can pass onto my children (when I have them).

I will post a picture of the journal when it is complete but for now I have added a picture of my Mama’s plates and a close up of the detail in the middle – enjoy!

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Sometimes I wonder what we are here for? What is our purpose in life supposed to be? – what is my purpose? What am I supposed to do creatively, career wise and spiritually?
Sometimes I feel so lost about who I am – I want someone to show me the way. I know I should be excited to find my own way through life but why haven’t I found or had an inkling about what I’m supposed to do? Perhaps I don’t notice the signs?

I read all these amazing blogs about wonderful people who are so happy and are doing things that they love…..and they seem to know their purpose.

Don’t get me wrong I’m very happy in my life, the happiest I’ve been in so so so so many years but sometimes I do feel lost. The more I focus on ‘what is it that I’m supposed to be doing’ the further away it seems to be. Often I feel like a small child looking up into this huge world, just in awe of what is around me, wondering where do I go from here? Which step should I take next?

I’m sure others must feel the same and I wonder how they overcome/discover this for them selves?

TTV

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I have been trying out TTV (Through the Viewfinder) photography - but just using templates from flickr. I really love the effect that it gives to photographs. See my example.

Today my buzz of needing to do soemthing is gone, although I'm still not quite into work mode.

Wishin' it was the weekend every day........................

Wishing

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Today I'm looking into how to change my layout so I can include some pictures that I have taken. But my mind does not want to focus on that or work. I just wish I was on a warm sunny beach some where...... any where but here!!

I have that feeling again - Like I need to create something.....but what? I don't feel like doing the usual things, painting, drawing ect....so how do I let my creativity out? I'm not even sure what it is that I want to do! I just feel restless!

Does any one else get these feelings?? If so how do you let them out??

First..... and a bit scary

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I have been reading a few blogs lately and have decided that this is something that I would like try...share my thoughts, feelings and experiences with the world for who ever wants to listen.

I haven't actually commented on any blogs before, just read silently from the comfort and safety of my computer. I'm a bit nervous, excited and scared - partly because I don't feel my writing skills are particularly good. Did any one else have these feelings when they started blogging? Or is it just me?

Since it is my 27th Birthday today I have decided that it's time to take the plunge and start or I will be old and decrepit before I do!!

I'm hoping to add a few pictures and change the look of the design of the page.... but I will get there in time!

And here I go.........(eyes closed) *post*