my creative space

Well this was a fabulous find. I am seriously going to have some fun creating clothing with this stuff. Not sure how it will all turn out yet but will be putting some ideas together for my next market soon.

'til next post. xo p

remember when...

Friendship bracelets were so big in the 80's and are making a comeback. Well in my own backyard anyway. I found this fabulous tutorial from the Purl Bee and am going to give it a whirl.

A divine creative pal of mine has a pantechnicon of embroidery floss she is selling. I wonder if there is any cotton amongst it all.

I am going to teach my daughter this craft. Keen to do the same then take a look-see over at here at The Purl Bee and twist and knot away to make as many bracelets as you can.

'til next post. xo pip

my creative space

My girlfriend/I were talking hoops a few weeks ago and she beat me to the post with getting her design up online. Me in my typical "I'll upload it in the morning" attitude took a while to put it up. I had it ready to go the afternoon of our conversation (hehehe, three months ago). What's more interesting is that we did something the same but different.

The same being... a hoop, background fabric, a letter and some blanket stitching.

The different being... our fabric choices and style.

Here's mine...

Her's her's...

'til next post. xo pip

a room with a view

Well you simply must get to see Jayde at little paper lane. She has the most amazing paper world you could imagine and I have not walked in yet. You can get her paper yummies online via facebook and she posts nationally in Oz.

Oh, for the day to see that 'room with a view'. It will happen.

She has just commissioned Matthew Roland for her new window totally out of paper and I am in love. Check out Matthews blog here he is one very clever dude!

'til next post. xo p.

the mojo is back in the house

After shall I say weeks of hunting the MOJO is back! I don't know where it flew to but I believe 'burn out' was the saying in the corporate world (the days of being a high-flyer). So now I finally recognise the signs and when it is about to happen. Call it burn out, day-dreaming, loss of focus but it's here to stay for a while, here's hoping.

It has also affected my drive to get the cards moving too so hope to have these designs up in the next week or so. Plus it's time to starting thinking about Christmas themes and get cracking on some designs for that too.

When dropping off a consignment order today for Sarah at Classique Flowers I realised how fortunate it is to be running your own business; small or big, it's a wonderful challenge with heaps of rewards.

Now pass me another cup of tea.
'til next time. xop

Oh a little bit more to say... I am seeing a lot of pledges lately and mostly for creative integrity. It's not nice when someone rips of your idea/concept. I certainly saw loads of this in the advertising field and the ownership of the creative idea opened up a plethora of discussion. But in the world of small business I think we need to support each other not rip each other off. So thank you all of indulging me in this wee rant.

Have a great week.

a spice rack with a difference

When out and about today on the south coast I found this terrific spice rack at a song of a price which I think will hold a lot of the blondebratpack cards beautifully.

See you next market. p

it's not just simply a market

The stand might look simple, the smile on my face showing 'ahhhhhhhhhhh' but there is a lot of effort that goes into preparing for a market day.  That continual monkey speak in your head....

"will I have enough stock? will the weather hold, will people stop to take a look and get a least one sale!".

The answer is a resounding YES, YES (sort of) and YES.
Amongst a lot of activity. The weather was not kind and the sign got washed out (literally). Note to self: a paper-based sign is not the way to go.

I must thank Carlie at Towradgi Beach Hotel for pushing me into 'my first market!' Thanks girl.

There are more to come.

There were some amazing people that stopped to have a chat, browse and of course buy. A dear friend's mum, Helen was my first sale (thanks a million), a young designer, a talented florist to a wonderful advertising guru and a great bestie came along.  So.... the audience is endless.

I simply cannot leave you all without thanking my sister for coming down a night early and helping with all the stuff. She was a hoot, very energetic, gift of the gab and even threw in a couple of compliments (not used to that and blushed a lot).

Finally a HUGE thank you to all the friends that offered support leading up to the day and put up with all my blah blah about it all.

'til next time. xop

better than a bakers dozen...

is a give-a-way from The Twinery.

and their hot new colours; blossom, charcoal and honey dew melon. So go here for your chance to win and for 25% OFF on purchases until 30 Jan 2011.

... so jump to it!.

can a doiley get any better?

Yes it can!

I have been on the hunt for some wonderful props for my photo shoots. It has got to be something just as special to 'showcase' one of the blondbratpack cards & designs. The sensational crew at mon tresor have some wonderful things. So worth the visit.

What out for some great photos when this 'hot' basket arrives in the next few days. Very excited!

Just need to go and create.

'til next time xo p.

wrapped in style

my latest card pack

"all wrapped for in-store"

I simply cannot believe the journey over the past couple of weeks. It has been more of an emotional road than physical, although the physical has been busy. When you decided to produce something heart-felt it certainly does not feel like work but fun. There are never enough hours in one day to get it all done and everything else seems to become a cool second place.

When I am in my creative zone it's a cloud nine spot.

'til next time xo p

my creative space

Cards, cards and more cards. In the last fortnight I have been designing, making, packing and promoting my card business. It's a rewarding feeling when someone buys some of your delightful creations. Excited. Here are a few so far...

shabby chic babushka

fushia japanese doll

shabby chic - doll face

christmas - hot snow flake

C is for christmas

'til next post. p

creative madness

A day with Kim Arnold at Scrapbooking Delights was amazing! This lo design from Kim used Dear Lizzy product. A lot of patience with fussy cutting and making some amazing tissue paper flowers... who would have thought it was so easy.  The trouble being that you just wante more more more product and fun things to play with everyday!

This page again by Kim Arnold  was loads of fun. Jillibean Soup product it devine (the Christmas 2010 range it is to die for) I am yet to journal. I want to put something just right rather than rush the sentiment.

THEN....

Onto our night crop. 8.5 pages in total. The last page I had to add somethings at home so it doesn't really count. Here are a few...

This lo used glimmer mist which I am new to. Thanks to Meaghan for her some of her huge selection, I grabbed some chipboard that I had in my box of stash and sprayed like crazy. I am very happy how it turned out. It certainly leaves painting for dead sometimes. This is quite fussy for me, yet again one of my 'new' favourite styles. Just need to add some words.

This pages captures some 'crazy faces' of my eldest daughter at Halloween '09.

I should made it a little more spooky but loved going with the red tones. Some small journaling (Renee would be proud of me). I find it interesting that after every lo that create I am the most harsh critique and continue to look for improvements.

AJ and I at one of my NSW northern beaches visits. Again make some more flowers out of tissue. The blooper here is that the cherries are upside down. A little embarassing but I am leaving it alone!

'til next time. xo p

ps. my bank account is slowing going south ;)

the envelope project

1. The posted package

2. The inside package

Below (the bits n pieces)

Let's face it the meet me at mikes envelope project really got me busy. I did get a little carried away in making an outer envelope for the post, an inner envelope to put all my goodies and three little parcels inside. I think that is a little obesssive compulsive, what the heck!

I didn't do this all in one session. Finally posted today.

Good luck the the happy winner.

I do hope it's me.

'til next time. xo p

great creative and top notch brew

This is a bit of story, why don't you get yourself a nice latte or tea, the choice is yours.

This espresso bar is amazing. I had the opportunity to enjoy breakfast here this morning with a devine friend of mine. We had not seen each other for 5 years.... yes that long. It is a criminal offence not to be repeated.

Like this lovely brew and food we did not stop chatting from 8am to noon, the conversation flowed, how wonderful. In fact we have never been short of a word and I wish it could have gone on for hours.

When ordering my coffee I saw their new business card. Why is this important? well, right now I am creating some wedding invitations for the some special people and my concept to use kraft stock, black text with japanese style paper must be a popular style right now.

Not only do I now see kraft being used everywhere but my love of curved edges. Watch this space and I will put up the invites. I am going nutty for curved edge cards and paper creative right now.

Seeing this business card blew me away. It's similar (well not quite) to buying a new car. Suddenly you see every man and his dog, cat and pigeon driving the same vehicle. Does that mean we are now going to see kraft and black text creative everywhere? Hope not unless it's mine!

'til next time. xo p

pps. we forgot to take a shot

ppps. my girlfriend kindly followed me to my hair appt

then left with the wrong jacket to have to return. Thx H.

felt heaven

How much felt one one 'gal' have?... there is NEVER enough.

I chose these felt flower yummies and buttons this week. They are in a number of sizes and fantastic tones. I am not sure what I am going to do with these yet. But something will be created.  I have to get some green tones for my friend Renee (she's nuts for green).

'til next time xo p

old is definitely new

People that know me very well will say that I am a contemporary gal and go for white most of the time. I am rarely seen anywhere near Salvos's, Vinnies or otherwise. I buy new all the time and second hand is not in my blood. Not because I choose not to, I just haven't given it much of a go.

Bring on the vintage!

My girlfriend Georgina has brought this love out in me. A good trait I must say. I do confess that I am going to be a blend of new, old and somewhere in-between.

My love of the high tea has also sparked my hunt for lovely plates. When out and about in the southern highlands this week I found these Royal Staffordshire plates. They are "oh so girlie" and "tres nice". I now have four extra plates in my collection. If they could speak we would hear the most wonderful stories. What fun!

'til next time xo p