I’m so excited….

What a lovely way to end the year – on a high note. Today I had the pleasure of having my products featured on Steph Bond’s blog – Bondville! I am just a little excited!

I am a huge fan of Steph’s Blog (even before she featured my work) as she finds the most gorgeous products for mums, kids and homes. This last month Steph has been running a wonderful series of posts on “Australian Christmas 2010” and has been featuring many a beautiful product including Blossum Creations, PaperKlip Design and Polli (where I was lucky enough to win a beautiful Christmas wreath). I highly recommend you check out Steph’s Blog.

White Apple Tree Greeting Card

Chalkboard Gift Tags

ALSO – the every sweet Janette from My Sweet Prints showed off some of my Christmas Gift Tags in her blog post today! Seriously how lucky am i!

Christmas Gift Tags

One last time for those that may have missed it – lots of tags, cards, Peg It Ups and chalkboard tags in store + 10% off my etsy store until 20 Dec 2010 (coupon code MERRYCHRISTMAS) and free delivery Australia wide!

Wordless Wednesday

More here

We're all going on a Summer Holiday

So it is that time of year when things are winding down and I am dreaming of spending some time in the pool, lazy afternoon naps and big sleep ins (not going to happen with a one year old on my heels but I can dream).

We are lucky enough to be spending time away with the family over Christmas where I will not have ready access to the internet – which is a good thing I think. This does mean however that I will be on a blog hiatus and will be shutting down my etsy and made it stores from 20^th December – 3^rd January. There is however still heaps of Peg it Ups, Cards, Gift Tags and new Chalkboard Gift Tags in store should you need some last minute stocking fillers or cards. And as a special thank you to all my lovely blog readers – use coupon code “MERRYCHRISTMAS” in my etsy store until midnight 19 December 2010 to receive 10% off (plus free shipping still applies Australia wide).

Big Thank you to all for joining me on my blog this year and I look forward to sharing lots of lovely finds and new projects with you next year.

Merry Christmas and Happy and Safe Silly Season

Random Etsy Wednesday

1. The Love Pears, white plush toys by lapomme

2. 6-24 m Cotton Mini Monkey Flap Hat - Latte with Oatmeal Trim By citefuzz

3. Cubist Bird Feeder No.1 – Aqua by joepapendick

4. Small Allium Table lamp By Hannahnunn

5. Linen and Cotton Trim - Red Hearts on Natural by petitsdetails

Further Fuel to the Fire - Gnomeangle

Next up on the ‘adding fuel to the fire’ was Gnomeangel’s lovely Christmas Card I received late last week.

Angie (the woman behind Gnomeangel) describes her blog as “one woman’s rambling collection of interests, half arsed projects and tales of misadventure. It’s a blog dedicated to showcasing the extraordinary from the life of someone ordinary. Here you’ll find shiny things, things that make you laugh, things that make you want to dance and things that make you go “say what?.”

Angie is also a very dedicated tweeter and facebooker. I have only recently started following Angie – but her selection of images and quirky finds are instantly addictive. 

(Flikr Faves)

Thank you Angie for making me card post happy

Chantal Vincent Art

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to win some gift tags made by Chantal Vincent Art (I entered a competition where you had to provide suggestions for Christmas themed stamps).

Chantal creates and sells beautiful stamps, lino prints and cards on etsy. The stamps are fun, creative and inspiring and I must admit I have asked Chantal’s advice on stamp making and lino printing on more than one occasion and she has been very generous with her knowledge.

Make sure you check out her store – she has some beautiful Christmas cards in stock and her stamps are perfect for all occasions.

Chantal can be found on her blog, etsy, facebook and twitter

Random Etsy Wednesday (on Friday)

My days of the week are a little out of whack this week so I apologies for the Wednesday post on a Friday!

1. drikab echino blue bird jute pouch by DrikaB

2. Canal houses - A2 Super large print by lauraamiss

3. Ruler Notebook by baileydoesntbark

4. Dress Up Dolls - Reusable Fabric Wall Decals (not vinyl)  by lovemaestore

5. Spooning Poster 30.4x42cm LIGHT BLUE AQUA by petekdesign

Awww – the Animal Print Shop

One look at the Animal Print Shop and I guarantee you will be saying Awwww within 3 seconds.

Whilst Sharon Montrose’s photos of animals are super super cute – they have that styled look about them which make them perfect for any interior from the super stylish modern living room to the super cool (but not necessarily cutesy) kids room. 

Sharon originally began selling the photographs as large limited edition prints back in early 2008, however after overwhelming requests, and lucky for us, she now offers small, more affordable open edition prints at only $25US each. And better yet for 1 more day (sorry about the late notice) – buy 3 get 4^th free – check out the website for more awwww worthy photos and offer details!

My Favourite – the donkey of course!

(PS – thanks @swissmiss for the heads up)

Fuel to the Fire - Creative Collection Card Swap

To further fuel my stationery card addiction I am taking part in the Creative Collection card swap this year. You make (or buy handmade) 5 Christmas cards and then send them to your five allocated people. I popped my cards in the post today - no photos as it was very late when I finished them – however hopefully my receivers will post about them and I will link back to them.

But – more importantly – I received my first card yesterday from the lovely Laura of the even lovelier Moags and Smeet. Laura makes and sells beautiful jewellery on line, and blogs in her spare time, and as she is a self-admitted non-paper crafter she purchased her cards from City Kitten Designs on Etsy. The card is beautifully made – and brought a smile to my face – so thank you Laura for making me card post happy!

I will be checking my mail box eagerly each afternoon awaiting my remaining 4 cards – be sure to pop back in to check out what other beauties I receive.

In the meantime – are you posting any Christmas Cards this year – why not take a photo and share them on my face book page.

Bespoke - free shipping

Quick one from me today as a little under the gun… You know I can’t go past a good letterpress – so when I received an email last night from one of my favourite’s – Bespoke – I just had to share  – and better yet they are offering free shipping before December 15 (sorry Australia only).

Letterpress Friendship print - coral & grey - would make a great present for a best friend

Letterpress Premium Christmas 6 pack 600gsm large gift tags / ornaments

Letterpress 12 pack kraft christmas swing tags - red

These are a few of my favourite (Anthropologie) kiddie things....

Today – a few kiddie things on the wish list from Anthropologie 

1.      Les Oeufs Verts au Jambon

2.      Standout Giraffe

3.      My Favourite Things Flashcards

4.      Alphabet Wagon

5.      Mushroom Pouf

6.      Chatterbox Charlie Puppet

My Christmas Tree

Thanks to the very timely post from Steph at Bondville on Christmas Wall Decoration Decals – I finally got my act together last week and chose a Christmas tree wall decal design and ordered it on line. I chose this Bosco Bear design

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at the size of it. It was super (if not slightly time consuming) easy to put up – and I believe it is the ultimate solution for small toddler / Christmas tree clash crisis’s

Here’s the final result at our place. I just need to strategically place my little man in a santa hat in front of it and then it would just like the store picture!

How are you decorating your house this year? Have you come up with any child friendly solutions too?

My Creative Space

This week my creative space consisted of completing a couple of orders (yeah!) for Sarah Allen Consulting and a New York Client, who ordered some of the White Apple Trees to use as her Christmas Cards. Sarah commissioned me to make her corporate Christmas Cards, including a logo stamp, and also some custom packs of Peg it Ups for her Creative Clients to pin up their creative (social media) ideas. I also started work on my Christmas tree last night and I have included an honesty shot of what my creative space actually looked like this week!

What did you get up to this week? Check out some more over at Kootoyoo's blog

Random Etsy Wednesday

(clockwise from top left)

Three Wish Fish - Wall Décor by darlingsavage

Randall the Country Rabbit - Sewn Plush Toy by chantelstar

silk screen printed card - Three Wise Owls by slide sideways

Teal Cup Cozy, Blue Mug Sleeve, Topaz Coffee Tea, Green Peacock Turquoise by natalya1905

Wordless Wednesday - Summer is here (or was here!)

Check out some more here

Kikki-K - I should have known better

I had a most unfortunate incident yesterday afternoon – I discovered a new Kikki-K store in my local shopping centre. I tried my hardest to refrain from entering, but the bright lights and red and white decorations lured me in. I may or may not have purchased a “drawn wooden alphabet stamp set”. Some of the lovelies on offer at Kikki-K at the moment:

(Clockwise from top left:)

3am spiral notebook

charcoal felt A4 portfolio bag

wooden stamp set cute

wooden apple stamp picnic

paper clips love heart

wooden alphabet stamp set drawn

There is so much more in store and online. But be warned – you will not come away empty handed!

PS – they blog too including great decorating and wrapping ideas

Black Friday - 15% OFF @ ANOTHER DONKEY DESIGN

Who can resist a sale – well apparently I can’t resist joining in a sale! Although I had never heard of it before – I have been swept away with Etsy Black Fridayness and joined in the fun. What is it I hear all you aussie’s ask. Well apparently (according to the very reliable (?) Wikapedia) Black Friday is the day following Thanksgiving Day which really kicks off the Christmas shopping season (makes me feel better about barely making a dent in my shopping list).

So what is your point I hear you ask? Well the point is as of 7am Friday 26^th November to 5pm Monday 29^th November I am offering 15% off store wide in my another donkey design etsy store plus Free Shipping Australia Wide. There are lots of great Christmas tags, Birthday Cards and Peg It Ups (which make perfect stocking stuffers) in stock – so why not take advantage of the sales.

Xmas Peg It Ups - perfect to hang all your Xmas cards and to use as stocking stuffers

Xmas Gift Tags - Packs of 5 and 10 - the pefect finishing touch to any present

There are also lots of other Sydney (and world wide) Etsy sellers taking part in the fun. Why not do all your Christmas shopping today from the comfort of your computer! Check out lots of other goodies on sale here at the Sydney Etsy Team Blog

My Creative Space

Looking at my work space (dining room) you would never guess I get paid to organise things for a living! I work in chaos and generally have a number of projects on the go at once. This is not a conscious decision but just the way things turn out.

So – here is my creative space

This week I have been working on finishing up my custom Christmas order for Sarah Allen Consulting and also my first lino-printing in about 15 years.

Check out some more creative spaces here

Random Etsy Wednesday

(Clockwise from top left)

Bird on a Wire Printable Party Invitation by divine by design 11

Spring Has Sprung - Printable 3D Tree Card, Envelope, Gift Tags, Favor By Go Make Me

bakers twine-red and white (25 yds) by Cocoa Beans

I didn't speak – print by the Olive Bird

Wordless Wednesday

More here

New Lotta Jansdotter Book - Open Studios

Last week I blogged about a couple of Lotta Jansdotters books here. Well - a new book is coming to town- "Open Studios" in which Lotta takes us on a tour through artists studios in Brooklyn, New York, Stockholm, and Tokyo.

Photographs showcase each artist's studio while personal interviews reveal how they organize their supplies, use their space, and where they find inspiration. Tours include insights into graphic designers, photographers, ceramic artists, printers, and more.

No point adding it to the Xmas wish list though as it won’t be released until Feb 2011. It will be on my Birthday Wish List for sure.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's "My Creative Space" when i will be "showcasing" my open studio (or mess of a dining room depending on which way you look at it!)

Photo's that never see the light of day - Paris, France

I have been feeling a bit out of sorts today. Not sure what it is. Could be the beautiful weather and being in an airconditioned office. Could be that time of the year. Or it could be because I have a list of things a mile long that I want to get done and there never seems to be enough hours in the day!
To cheer myself up I had a flick through the digital photo album (all it did was make me want a holiday!). So today I thought i would share with you some happy travel snaps that never see the light of day - ah Paris - i remember you well.

Blog Lovin Friday - Blogs!

Today I have decided to not feature a blog I love. Rather I am featuring my love of blogs in general.

·         I love the windows into people’s lives – reading about everything from their breakfast, to their creative endeavours, to their highs and lows.

·         I love the sense of community – I am constantly amazed at the generosity of people I have never met, or spoken out load to.

·         I love sharing my thoughts and ideas with people who are genuinely interested in reading about them

·         I love that as long as I have an internet connection– I always have something to read, procrastinate, loose myself in

·         I love following a twisty turny never ending path from one blog to another

What do you love about blogs and blogging?

Photo by Banmorn 

My Creative Space

This week I have been working on my first corporate custom order from the lovely Sarah Allen of Sarah Allen Consulting (the bees knees when it comes to all things social media).

 I have been experimenting with using rollers and ink in lieu of the usual stamp pads and after some excellent advice from Chantal Vincent of Chantal Vincent Art – I think I have it figured. Will be documenting the whole process once I am done.

I am also starting to percolate some hand stamped card ideas…. More to follow
Check out some more creative spaces over at kootoyoo

One More for the Cushions - Tiges and Weince

And while I am on the subject of cushions – it would be remiss of me not to mention one of my favourites for kids -Tiges and Weince. Kylie’s cushions, which can be personalised for that extra special present, are super sweet, offer plenty of range and would look great in any kids (big or little) room. They would also make a perfect Baby Shower, Christening, Birthday or Christmas Present.

 

Tiges and Weince are in all the usual places – on the web, blog world, etsy, made it and facebook

Random Etsy Wednesday - Cushions

Something you may not have considered for a present - a cushion. The options in designs, shapes and sizes are endless – but here are 6 of my favourites for the young and old adults from Etsy

Hand Screen Printed Dream Big Cushion in Teal by Robin and Mould

Little Cloud Cushion - Navy and White Stripe by Poppy & Ted

Red Fox Screenprinted Pillow by sassandperil 

Love Pillow Cover by Home to Roost

Ampersand Cushion by Aunty Cookie

ABC Pillow Cover In Red by Helen Rawlinson  

Makedo - Great Xmas Present for kids 3+

For those lucky enough to have a kid older than 3 – here is an awesome Xmas present idea – Makedo’s.

“makedo is a connector system that enables materials including cardboard, plastic and fabric to easily join together to form new objects or structures. When you’re done playing, simply pull it apart to reuse over and over again. makedo is made up of three simple parts - – a connector, a hinge and a construction tool.”

You can buy various sized packs and for a limited time they have free shipping – bargain!

The possibilites are endless

I am so jealous that my little one is not yet old enough for these as they would make those playschool inspired afternoons so much easier, and dare I say – more fun. For the next 2 years we will have to make do with masking tape.

From Under a Rock - Lotta Jansdotter

Yes I have been living under a rock when it comes to blogs and design for the past, oh, 30 odd years. But having just discovered Lotta Jansdotter I thought there might be at least one of my readers out there like me.

Lotta’s work is inspired by nature and you can see the Scandinavian influence in her work also. It is clean, crisp and very very appealing.

Lotta produces fabrics, stationery and clothing – but it is her books that are on my Xmas list. In particular,

 “Handmade Living: A fresh Take on Scandinavian” (on sale at Fishpond with free shiping) 

and Lotta Prints: How to Print with Anything from Potatoes to Linoleum” (also on sale at Fishpond with free shipping).

Shelter Pop also recently did a tour of her east coast studio (that's it the dining room is becoming an offical work studio - what little 1 year old needs a playroom).

 For more pictures go here.

(Can someone please tell santa i want these books for Xmas?)