Celebrate with me! - There's a fab journal to be won.

 I am so excited to be at this point 1 year down the track.. There are so many kind and generous spirited crafters and customers who have helped get me here I wish I could do an honor roll for you all but I would most certainly forget some....well... perhaps a lot, but that happen now and then :P (to me it does)

So I say a big heartfelt, hugs and kisses THANK YOU.  To everyone who well, firstly chatted to me.  It was so nerve wracking walking into my 1st ever forum and saying Hi.  To those who answered my many questions with patience, who offered tips and critiques (invaluable). To those who commented followed, tweeted and fb'd and of course finally to those of you who actually bought something from my shop and brought a warm glow to the heart of a nervous crafter.  Hey if that's you MWAH.  I loves ya.

So what do we  do to celebrate this momentous occasion?  Well I took a poll and it seems all of you would like one of my journals.  (it was a short poll and not many took it but hey they all wanted journals)  

To give it a twist I'm going to let you decide your choice out of 3 vintage books you would like to have as a OOAK journal

                                                                                                                                                                   

Here's how to play "Happy Etsyversary re:deem"

To enter:                                                                                                 

Become a FOLLOWER of my Blog or LIKE my facebook.  Leave a comment here to tell me and don't forget to say which book you would like as a journal (please leave me a way on contacting you eg email)

For additional entries:

Become a follower of my blog or a liker of my FB page which ever you didn't do in step 1 (leave a comment)

Go to my shop and let me know what item you like the best (leave a comment)

Twitter about this giveaway (leave a comment)

Facebook about this giveaway (leave a comment)

Blog about this giveaway (leave a comment) 

Easy peasy :)

Your book choices from left to right (original pages from these books will be included in the journal)

A) - The Philosopher's Notebook by Monty Blandford pub 1952 ( a collection of poetry)

B) - The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley pub circa 1970 (children's classic)

C) - Curtain of Fear by Dennis Wheatley pub 1974 (fiction story based on the iron curtain/cold war)

This giveaway will only be open for my Etsyversary week (not like my birthday month haha) so closes

Sat 17th July at 10pm AEST.

Ok, now its time for cake and balloons!  Good Luck everyone.

The fork in the road.

The last few months have been huge!!!! There has been no time for facebook, twitter, my etsy shop and definitely no time to BLOG.  At the ripe old age of 46 I have decided to quit the day job, leave behind the corporate world and go back to school.

Image from gio loves you on Flickr

It's taken a great deal of introspection soul searching and long late night chats with my lovely supportive husband.  The budget has been worked and reworked turned upside down and reworked again and after some massive belt tightening we decided it was time for me to quit my part time job as a Library technician to concentrate on study and developing the hobby business into something a little more serious.

I've had a few moments of the collie wobbles, tears and wildly euphoric feelings contemplating all the major changes.  I intend to keep this blog updated on all the pivotal 'fork in the road' moments.  But I have previously procrastinated big time in regards to this blog so here's hoping my new found freedom will turn my intentions into reality.

We have a Winner!!

Congratulations to lucky number 9.

Briony from Petaliferous who is the winner of my Blog giveaway.  This gorgeous scarf will be winging it's way to her very shortly.  Thank you to everyone who entered and have followed, liked, blogged and tweeted I have been overwhelmed with the response...this was so much fun!!

And speaking of winners, I have been on a winning streak this week.  Firstly I won this totally yummy pearl necklace from Deb of Two Cheeky Monkeys.  Debs giveaway was hosted by the lovely Jess of Epheriell Designs on her blog.  I highly recommend both of these artists, for the excellent quality of their work and for being a couple of awesome chickies to boot.

This morning I opened my email to the news that I had correctly guessed a pet's name in a Etsy forum competition...go Stevey (I love unconventional spelling).   My prize is a beautiful set of hand painted notecards from Maria of mariadiana.  Maria has some very tempting looking cupcake designs in her shop.  I really love these.

Giveaway time - Lovely Ruffled Scarf

Gorgeous scarf to be won!!!

I must say I have loved crocheting this beautiful scarf, it feels very Victorian/Steampunk to me and it could be part of your ensemble this winter!  Its made from a soft acrylic wool in a warm sophisticated grey.

To be in the running to win all you need to do is one or for multiple entries as many as like of the following. Please leave a seperate comment for each thing you do.

• Follow this blog (if you don't have a blog profile please leave your email addy)
• Become a Facebook fan 
• Visit my shop and post your favourite item here
• Tweet this giveaway.  Leave your tweet here
• Blog this giveaway.  Leave your Blog link here.

Entries will close on Mother's Day (May 9th) so you could be getting a lovely surprise come Mother's day.  Winners will be chosen by our lovely random number generator

This giveaway is open to everybody so international visitors feel free to enter. :)

Peppermint Magazine and the DUST team Ad

DUST is the acronym for Down Under Street Team a contingent of around 500 Australian Etsians.  Recently due to the hard work of some of our dedicated members we have scored a grant to advertise DUST in a national magazine.  There has been much excited forum chatter and a great deal of sprucing up around the DUST site and our respective shops all in readiness  to launch DUST to the Aussie public.

The fantastic culture and lifestyle magazine Peppermint will be running an ad featuring a few team members products and a link to a specially constructed DUST team promo page and .....oh I can barely contain the excitement.  I'm going to be featured in that Ad....wheeeeeeeee.

Based on a member poll my 'A Gothic Tale' journal and stationery set was voted No 1 in the vintage/recycled category!! I am so thankful to my team who nominated me, it was so touching, overwhelming and a huge buzz all at the same time.  It also confirmed my slightly nervous decision to branch out and go with my eclectic instincts by adding the recycled vintage books line to my shop.

I am excited to be amongst my other nominated fellow team mates so many deserving entries, made my picks really hard thats for sure.  They are such a talented bunch and so lovely to boot.  My local Borders shop will be inundated by friends and family come the next Peppermint issue which is expected May- June.   I've never read a Peppermint magazine before but I'm already in love with it.  It's ethos of eco friendly and green ticks all my boxes and I was happily surprised to find I knew many of the featured artists through my time at DUST so big shout our to our talented DUST members.

And now for the winners....

This is just my version from Etsy poster Sketch the real ad will look way cooler.  The above are all the winners in each section.... Congratulations everyone!   OK will now have to do a serious makeover on my shop before the guests arrive :)

Twas brillig!

                                                                                                             

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
  The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!                
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
  The frumious Bandersnatch!"

Ok went to see Alice in Wonderland and this is what I found there.....

Great movie, really enjoyed it but was left a little wanting... I love Jabberwock even the Monty Python animation.  Such glorious words by Lewis Carroll you can almost believe they are real.  I don't want to give away the story line to Alice for those who have not yet seen it but the poem is central to the story so it's quite mad!

Beautiful art direction and costumes (drool).  Not totally satisfied with the character development however my favourite character was the Red Queen... a bulbously BIG hats off to Helena Bonham-Carter.  I would see it again if only for all the eye candy it's really gorgeous.

In line with the movie I want to.... "Investigate today things that begin with the letter M"

1. Maps your Journey - by Terror Dome  2. M cutout - by Tamara Designs   3. Miniature Bunnies - by Julie Blanchette
4. Mittens - by Melp Designs  5. Medieval Heart Brooch - by Tractor Girl 6. Mini Monster no 5 - by Ben Conservato



Things that make you go Mmmmmmmm!  As we are coming into the cooler months I recommend you check out Melp Designs.  The gloves and ankle warmers are fantastic and all of Mels designs are eco conscious...love it.

Well I did enjoy my adventure to Wonderland and the 'Hubby' was suitably impressed as well, though possibly not enough gratutitous violence for him to say he 'loved it'.

On the Etsy front I have not created a thing in over 2 weeks but there are many projects simmering away on the backburner.  I've been away at a conference in Sydney and some of the things I learned there are inspiring me to try and lend my craft to more causes than just micro enterprises for developing countries but I wont divulge more until they solidify.  Needless to say we can and must do something to help bring relief to suffering humanity I am hoping to use what I have in my hands and I would like to encourage you to use what you have in yours too.

                                                   

Curiouser and Curiouser...

Ok so Alice in Wonderland has just been released in the cinemas and I for one am really excited about going..and then going again.. and then watching the DVD and finally getting said DVD for Christmas.


Not only is it one of my favourite childhood stories and oft quoted by me it also is directed by Tim Burton, master of the visual feast and stars the incomparable Jonny Depp.  Need I say more?


The Etsy community local and global are inspired this month by Alice and her curious adventures in Wonderland.   The DUST theme for this month is the March Hare so check out the the AIW themed goodies on sale.


I have picked a couple of items to feature

Nothing but a Pack of Cards - Alice spoon pendant

Del from DELicious designs has a whole range of these lovely pendants be sure to check out her shop to see them all.

DUST March Sale - Alice In Wonderland Inspired Bookmarks

Tiges and Weince have a set of bookmarks that would make great thank you gifts.  There are also lots of gorgeous Toddlers and Bubs  accessories to drool over.

Finally I add a couple of my own creations. Hand sewn felt brooches that popped into my head one night and had to be created immediately.  I made a couple of samples before I was happy.

I Heart White Rabbit Brooch - Alice in Wonderland handmade felt Brooch

A Grin Without a Cat Brooch - Cheshire Cat Handmade Felt Brooch

Lewis Carroll wrote one of the Children's classics of all time and I am certain it will be enjoyed for generations to come.   Now to see about booking a couple of tickets to the movie!!!