Happy New Year

I can't believe it is the last day of 2008. This year has been amazing for me, the birth of my son & how my life has changed for the better. It's also a wonderful time to reflect on the year, but fantastic to start planning your 2009. What do you want to achieve? Things you would like to improve on personally & professionally. One of my goals for 2009 is to generate a lot more sales from my etsy shop and my other website. I have lots of ideas for new projects, I just have to plan & implement it all. Make sure to check my sites out for new year sales to come.

I have just decided to finally sell some of my canvas's that I have made recently. I love making these, and wanted to keep them for Hudson, (except the pink flower pop one)but he really doesn't have that much wall space since we put up his shelves, so I think it's time to let them go to a new home.










Today is a quick entry, I just wanted to wish all a safe new year.
All the best for 2009, Ky x

Phew Christmas has past!!

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all ate way more than you needed. There is something extremely satisfying knowing it's one day of the year you generally allow yourself all of those treats you strictly say no to on every other day. On the other hand it is very disturbing how sick we feel from doing this, & scarier knowing it's going to happen.

This year was my first Christmas a mum & I loved every second of it. Hudson had no idea of course but was absolutely fascinated with all of the paper. In the end I had to trade paper with him for some cellophane as I was a bit concerned about the amount of paper dissolving into his mouth. I do have one photo I would like to share which sums up the happiness on the day, Hudson and his Sesame Street Beanies.

I was so busy prior to Christmas, I am assuming like everybody else, hence my lack of posts. I took on a couple of hand made gifts at the last minute, that really pushed my boundaries.
I made a calender for my parents with every month featuring Hudson, boy what a tedious challenge. I had a pile of unused scrap booking papers that I used to complete this. That was therapeutic cleaning all of that out in a useful manner. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of it as it turned out great. I will get one though.

I also made 2 personalised cushions for close family friends children Jacinta & Katia. This was great fun and I think I will add new versions of these on my etsy shop in the near future. What do you think?

I have been quite productive over this Christmas break. I think it's because my husband Daniel is home & I can have an hour or two to myself. I have started the quilt I mentioned on my last post & it's coming along well. I love the colour combinations. Here is a picture of just the top layer.

I can't say I am enjoying my time off work, as I don't work at an office, but am really enjoying home with Hudson & Daniel. I received a mountain bike for Christmas, so Daniel has decked us all out so Hudson can come along. We have a little seat attached to the back of his bike. We all did a family ride yesterday & Hudson seemed to enjoy it, well there were no tears anyway. I loved every bit of it. I couldn't think of a better was to keep fit.

Kylie x

Gotta get back on track

I have been a little under the weather this week and I am feeling kind of back to normal today. I think it is this time of year racing around trying to get everything done, and of course please everybody. Burning the candle at both ends doesn't do well for me, i don't last the long distance. Anyway I think half the problem is not eating enough & more importantly not exercising. I am one of those people who needs fresh air & a walk gets my blood flowing & in a more positive mind space. I have walked 2 days in a row now & it's amazing how much better I feel.

I would love to hear from all you working women/mothers out there how they manage to do everything. Fill me in on you time management skills.

It was my birthday on Monday 8th, I turned 33, what a boring number. I was very spoilt my beautiful husband bought me tickets to Alicia Keys, & a spa package which will involve a body scrub, foot, hand & head massage, which will include a hot rock massage. I have never done this before, I will keep you posted. I think it is something I will save for 2009. I also received my very first "Happy Birthday" card from my angel Hudson. To be honest I think it was the best present ever. It is so amazing how something so simple can create the biggest joy.

I also received a very exciting gift from a great friend of mine Belinda. She bought me Amy Butlers - little stitches for little one. I am so thrilled I don't know where to begin, well what to sew. I better get a move on as Hudson is 7 months and her amazing creations go to 12 months. Over the Christmas break I think i will be mastering some of her assignments. Will keep you posted.

With the inspiration of Amy Butler I have gone & bought fabric to make Hudson a quilt. I have never done this before, I am not intimidated by it, just hoping it will look fab. What do you think of my colour palette? Also any easy tips on the art of quilting will be greatly appreciated.

I am still waiting to start the 2 cushions I am making that I posted about last time. I have created the designs but that's about it. I will have something to show soon.

Hudson is asleep so I have anywhere from 30mins to an hour of free time. I actually need to sleep, but why do us mothers push to get a few wee minutes of me time to do other things? I am always so busy & the thought of a quiet cat nap sounds so dreamy, but I just can't.

Like now I need to quickly start planning a couple of personalised cushions I am making for my mum to give to her best friends daughters for Christmas. Why do I take on these projects, it is definitely the feeling of accomplishment & knowing the enjoyment another gets out of something that is personal & different to the other millions of things on shelves. I have taken a couple of pictures of the fabric colour combinations I have chosen for the 2 pillows. I don't know what I am doing, all I know is that these colours are perfect to the 2 girls receiving them. Wish me luck....

Summer Time

I can't believe it's summer already, it just doesn't feel like it yet. It's just not hot enough yet. However it seems so far to be a beautiful day outside, & I can hear the birds chirping in my back yard, the sun is shining which always puts a smile on my face. The again anything can change in Melbourne.

I participated in the Sister's Market on Saturday which was great as usual. I actually had a great day in regards to sales. I have been told by many other super craftsters that it takes time for your brand to start selling, build up exposure and gain recognition. It's taken me 5 events now to receive the sales I did on Saturday, it was fantastic. I have put together 4 original Christmas designs for this festive time of year, designing the prints myself. I love drawing, gathering my ideas, sitting on Illustrator drawing, redrawing, getting inspired, changing my mind half way through, it can become a real process for me. But always comes out great in the end. It's a messy creative process I have I think. Does anybody else have that dilemma? Here are a couple of photo's of them, and you can also find out more about them under my Christmas tab in my website.

I was running 2 markets on Saturday, my babies wear & also the ladies clothing brand "House of MayBel" that I own with my friend & business partner Belinda. The clothing line is Australian made & is entirely made of knits, so everything is stretch & comfy. It has become both Belinda's & my best friends before & during both of our pregnancies. Check it out as we are clearing a lot of old stock for fantastic prices.

My precious Hudson now has two teeth & has now really discovered his food. The teeth are his bottom middle ones. I am not sure of the correct name. Anyway they are super cute, & actually really hurt if your hand, finger, or any other body part get in the way, those baby chompers have some power in them. Yep he leaves nice teeth marks. Lucky it is only occasionally this happens. It's taken a while but he is right into his food now. At first he gagged on everything, but now mouth is open always waiting for the next spoon full. However no one told me what a messy experience this can be. Lastly Hudson's newest form of communication is blowing raspberries. It's so cute, he does it over and over. He is clearly loving the vibrating sensation from his lips. The only time this adorable little action isn't funny is at breakfast & dinner time. I don't really enjoy having pumpkin sprayed on me. I just can't help it I have posted another photo of him, & a current one of the 2 of us.

My biggest frustration at the moment is time management. I want to do everything, look after Hudson, work my business, run an orderly house, earn money, & have lots of time for leisurely activities. The funny thing is I make time for them all but it's generally so chaotic. I think as of next week, yep like everyone you start fresh on a Monday. I am going to formulate some kind of 'loose' roster or timetable so I have some kind of structure. Coming from a former career relying on procedures & structures, to now being at home each day I feel I am losing the battle & a fish out of water. I would love to know if it is just me or does anybody else have this issue.

I attended Matilda's Market on Sunday. It was my first Mathilda's stall. WOW the talent out there is amazing, I just love looking at every one's hand crafted items. It really does inspire me to push myself harder creatively. My problem is I want to do everything. My experience was very positive lots of interest in my items which you can all see at my shop. Lots of people wanting to buy but because they didn't know the sex of the babies sales didn't happen. Please people come back & buy if you are reading this after you find out if it's a girl or boy. I need to work a lot hard on my gender neutral pieces I think. Even though I didn't sell as much as I wanted, the experience & inspiration was worth it. My mum comes along to the markets to help & she is a great right hand man, oops I mean lady. I will be attending the Sisters Market on 29th Nov, make sure to drop by, it's fantastic.

Discipline

Gee so much for me starting a blog. Already I have lapsed in my consistency & I had only written once. I have spoken to may others about their blogs & all have said it takes a bit of time to get into the groove & discipline of doing so. I will let myself off this time.

I have been so busy lately I christened Hudson on November 9th. I was a a great day, spending it with his godparents, family & friends. Besides christening Hudson my biggest achievement of the day was his cake. I made 50 large cupcakes in my favourite flavour of course "cookie & cream". My husband mad the stand which is great as it also serves as a display for my gift boxes at market stalls. I also made the star cupcake toppers. They tasted amazing. I am glad as if anybody knew & saw the effort in them behind the scenes they would have thought I was crazy. What do you think of them? What do you think of the HUDSON? That was hand made solid belgium chocolate. Divine! I met a girl by the name of Christina at Aphilgnton the other week who has amazing skills with chocolate. Chocolate artistry it is check her website out http://www.siskochocolate.com.au/

Spring Bling

What a day yesterday I was exhausted. So tired infact I fell asleep.

Yesterday I attended Alphington Grammar's "Spring Bling". It was a fabulous day as I got to present my product & even better surround myself with like minded women. All of which have a small business as well as a family. It was a great day where products were donated, fundraising occurred, and most importantly women shopped.

Above are a couple of photos of my product at my stall.

The Beginning!!

Hi everyone out there. Today is an exciting day, I have just joined the world of blogging. I am very excited and looking forward to the new world I have to discover.

Here is a photo of my beautiful boy, my husband Daniel, & me (Kylie). The other shot is Hudson in one of the outfits that I produce.

It's hard to pin point exactly what I will be discussing daily, but it will be a great opportunity to discuss hand made products, anything beautiful & inspiring, my life, babies, business and the challenges those last two topics entail.

Life has changed dramatically for me since having Hudson in my world. I have left the fashion industry which included lots of clothes, design, art, and travelling the world, and a very carefree life style. All of that was fantastic but nothing compares to the life I lead today. I have chosen to be a full time mum & not return to the daily grind, but instead venture out on my own with my babies line of clothing http://www.tigesandweince.com/ I thought this was going to be easy....Boy was I wrong. Although I am not constricted to any time frames, my daily activities revolve around my sons routine of eat, sleep, and play. It's so great yet so frustrating as I just never seem to have enough hours in the day to solidly pursue my business without interruption. I had great time management before hand & could easily complete a hundred things in one business day...Not now.

So this is where my blogging career begins....Discussions on the most wonderful & rewarding job of being mum....The frustrations of combining baby & business ambitions.....The desperation to achieve successful time management....The complete enjoyment of creative freedom....Trying to do everything....Wanting a fantastic lifestyle....Wondering if I will ever travel again.....

Tomorrow I will be at the Alphington Grammar "Spring Bling". The day is a collaboration of women who run business & have the opportunity to set their products up in a market style environment for people to buy. I will be there with my products as well as a ladies wear line of clothing that I have also produced call House of MayBel, check it out http://www.houseofmaybel.com/

It will be a great social day, & lots of home made cake to eat MMMMMMM.

It's also a free baby day for me, Hudson will be with my mum, which is a great relief. I have done markets with him, & all I can say is "it's all too hard".