Free TO DO LIST Christmas download

Hello lovelies, is that clock ticking louder & louder as we get closer to Christmas? 
I hope you are not racing around too much & still getting a chance to look after yourself.

How are you keeping organised? I am a BIG list keeper, & still a strong devotee to the traditional diary. I know its very handy to pop every task into your phone, & I adore the charm that dings reminding me of whats to be done. But I have to admit I forget a lot when it's packed away in there. Where as my diary, it's all there on an open page, lists hand written & a highlighter always so close to mark those babies off!

Around Christmas time I love a separate list, so it doesn't get confused with my every day & work tasks. Jotting down the gifts to give, from family to friends, to teachers doesn't seem as daunting. The food I need prepare & take to pre Christmas "catch up" parties, or my list of things to take on the big day itself. I always feel better when it's written down. Can I be honest? It reduces my feeling of being overwhelmed & keeps me calm & happy which is always such a priority. 

If you're need a special Christmas list, I have created one especially for you. I have used it myself this year so far. It's been a handy little printable to keep me organised. I have a couple stapled together so there is no chance of losing anything. If you think this could be of use, please feel free to download it for yourself. 

Just click on the link & enjoy that sweet feeling of organisation!

Back for part B - Lilla Rogers course Make Art That Sells

Monday night was the first class of Lilla Rogers course Make Art That Sells, Part B. I completed Part A in June this year, & it was the best course I have ever done. Also the most challenging. It opened my eyes a lot to how my work needed to improve, how to make it improve, & how to do it. I have learnt about following my own style & trusting some artistic intuition. Since then I have been working really hard & starting to rediscover my style.

For Part B of this course, my confidence has gown & I am feeling a lot more assured in what I have to do. There is still an incredible amount I need to learn, but it won't feel like such a shock to the system. It's amazing how one person has to only say one thing & it sticks in your mind. Lilla taught us the "people buy your joy, & that there is room for everyone's art in the market place". She is so dead right & when I feel doubt I always think of those words.

Anyway as already mentioned I have returned & we have been given a brief. The brief is for paper goods. Think cards, gift wrap, invitations, note pads, stickers & the list can go on.

The last day or so I have been sketching away, the topic, winter holiday candy & ornaments. I love drawing anything that is Christmas themed, designing my current Christmas range was a blast. Having to recreate something new is fabulous. Here is what I have been sketching so far.

I can't wait to find out what the main assignment is tonight.

I get butterflies thinking about it.

Christmas Range Progress & Planning for it

It's only the middle of August & people have questioned me, why are you worrying about Christmas. I can't believe you have completed it, it's so early.

As my business has grown I have really had to start making a conscious effort of planing ahead. I am used to it, as I always worked at least 12-18 months ahead when I worked in the fashion industry. To be honest with you, I should have really had my Christmas range completed about 4 weeks ago, so in my head I am a bit behind.

Planing helps your business & it's direction. For me to plan, it's a bit like a road map, I know exactly where I am going. I know as a creative being, there is nothing worse knowing a project or deadline is due, & you have complete writers, or illustrators block. The feeling literally makes me ill. The major companies are releasing Christmas earlier & earlier each year too, not that I am following their ways of business, but if I am to aim at have a good sales period I need to be early enough so I can benefit from it. Lets be honest, if you're too late you may lose those spending dollars from customers to someone else, & most of the time its to the big guys. My products are generally personalised, & in this peak time of year take around 2-3 weeks to be made. The other benefit is that when its done I can cross it off my list (I love lists), so I can start marketing it, & focus on getting orders & customer requests completed as quick as possible. It's a busy time of year & I need to prepare. I also sell on the amazing Hard to Find website, & have taken the plunge this year with them advertising in their Christmas campaign. I needed products complete, my samples made, photographed, & prepared for them, so their designers can select the products they wish to use for their campaigns. It's all very exciting.

With all that said I have a Christmas product I would love to share.

My very new Christmas Sack.

This design is confirmed & ready to go. I have 5 designs in total, so will hold off releasing the others until I release the whole range. I mean you need a little surprise don't you? I also have a couple of other products I need to tidy up & finish off including my yearly Christmas stockings & bunting, along with 2 newbies. It's all happening & exciting.

So what do you think?

Have a great day x

planning my Christmas range

It's time for me to start planning my Christmas range. I sit here & think to myself, already. It's only the end of July & I am in the middle of so many other projects. I am in the middle of getting samples made of all of my new products to be released. Once they are done, photos & editing need to be completed, then loading them into my store, & the fun part letting everyone know about them.

But I have to freeze for the minute & literally put on Santa's hat. Thinking about my favourite time of year isn't the hardest of tasks, & it's a time to lose hours upon hours while I search for ideas & inspirations. Love it!! I have loaded up my Christmas Pinterest board with inspiration, & after hours of pinning what felt like thousands of images, there was only a couple of hundred there. Without even realising, my eye has been quite drawn to the idea of a pink Christmas. It just looks so sweet, pretty, feminine, fresh & delicious. But there is no way I could design down that path only, I have little boys to design for.

Here are a few images that have sparked some interest. Yes they are very pink. But they also have a sweet nostalgic & vintage feel to them, which could be interpreted in so many ways.

From everything I have gathered it's time to get some firm ideas down with some sketching.
I am very positive I will be creating the same Christmas items again, as in stockings, my ornamental pear & bunting. It's hard not to, as they were all received so well last year. Thank you x

However I have a new idea or two up my sleeve so I will need to plan & make a few mock ups of that also. Fun times ahead.

Off to draw...Have a great day.

OMG 1st Nov...Christmas is coming

Pinch punch first day of the month. I simply can not believe it's the 1st of November  which means one thing for me....Christmas is coming. Since having the kids Christmas has taken on a how new level of excitement. I love seeing everything through their eyes, amazement, beauty and innocence.

I just couldn't help myself today I needed a break from some work & fluffed around on Pinterest for a while pinning some loveliness to my Christmas board.

I found all of these images shown here on a gorgeous board called Christmas  - Shabby Chic. I loved everything, & was oohing and ahhhhing the whole time. There is something amazing about vintage style Christmas decorations. They look so soft, whimsical, pretty and delicate.

So much too look forward to, I can't wait.

I love pinterest & love looking at everything, while you're there you can find me here.  I'd love to see your boards too. 

Christmas preview

Christmas is slowly simmering away for all designers at the moment. Everyone is gathering their inspiration and ideas, ready to making this Christmas their prettiest ever.

That's been the case for me.....I have been drawing away getting designs planned for my stockings. I am very happy with the final outcome and here is a preview of all 6 new designs. 

Next is my Christmas bunting. It' very different to last years design, a little more colourful an modern. There is something about a Christmas snowflake that I love, they just look so pretty and delicate. Even thought it's summer here at Christmas, I still think they are beautiful, and one day hope to experience a white Christmas with my husband and kids.

A new items this year, I have created a Christmas pear. A lovely ornamental piece that's will be able to come out every year to put on show. This is a sneak peek only in the panel stage. The complete one will be here to show soon.

It's not even September & I am getting excited about Christmas already.

I look forward to showing more soon.

Kylie xx

Christmas Break

I have decided to take a short break over Christmas as I really need it, like many of you who are reading this.

I have had the most wonderful year personally & professionally.

Some highlights are:

Watching my babies turning into competent & very clever little people.

New friends I have made through activities with Hudson.

New friends I have made also, via the amazing handmade scene.

I have seen significant growth in my business, which just keeps me smiling.

I have learnt to cook a few new dishes which are so time saving. Who would of thought a slow cooker would become my new bestie.

I have finally had enough patience & will to let my hair grow past my shoulders!!!!




I am really looking forward to 2012. I am bursting with new ideas and goals, some which include;

New designs & products for my business.

Watching Hudson start kinder and being involved.

I have asked my mum to look after the kids 1 day a week so I can work, which will hopefully brings more balance into my life.

Take a few more weekends off & go away with hubby & the kids....I think we're going to try some camping.

Try & complete some D.I.Y projects that have been filed away for too long.

Get out in my garden & make it prettier.

Strive to be as happy as I can every day.

I will be back early in the new year, I am not sure what date but it won't be long. I wish you all a very Happy Christmas & I hope your new year is bursting with inspiration and love.

Speak to you all in 2012.
Kylie xxxx

My Christmas Tree is up

I was really excited to put my tree up this year, mainly because Hudson is so aware of Christmas & Santa. It's actually a really exciting & special time, I am just loving it.

We put it up on Saturday night, unfortunately a few days later than I had wanted, but luckily Hudson isn't that aware of days & dates yet :0)

It's not a real one, boo hoo! I just love the smell of the pine despite the messiness of the pine needles falling. I will leave that for another year when Charlotte is old enough to contribute in the choice of tree we all buy. So it doesn't look like a tree you would find in Myer, but it's our tree with lots of input from Hudson as to where things had to be hung.

Our lovely hand painted personalised baubles, sitting along side the beautiful glass bauble ornaments from Muzz.

My favourite ornament of the year!!! I am so in love with these adorable Robins from the very well known Plushka, they are incredible, Katia (designer/owner) is so talented. I will be back next year for a couple more.

Charlotte's first bauble from my mum, I love how precious it is.

I know our tree will slowly get a little more "unusual" & less coordinated as the kids get older & start making their own Christmas decorations. I must admit I can't wait. I hope your tree is up and bringing you lots of happiness like mine has.

Cushion Love on Friday - 5

My love for cushions continue. I decided to see what was out there representing the Christmas spirit.

These little wonders are actually pin cushions, they were just too adorable to not include.

Loving this decorative Christmas chair & festive cushions. It looks like a dolls chair doesn't it?3

I am loving these so much. Cushions in the design of letters to Santa...Love it!!

Have a great weekend.

What I have been up to.......

With Christmas getting busier I have managed to sneak in a few new products to my shop. This is what I have been working on & finally finished. I am hoping to add more in, but at the moment it's all about customer orders & getting their precious items delivered to them on time.

Brand new design - Vintage plane

Updated & new version of my Garden Party design

Magnetic bookmarks, perfect additions for stockings & inside Christmas cards.

All items are available in my madeit shop.

Festive Christmas Decorations on madeit

With Christmas weeks away I thought it was time to browse through madeit to see what gorgeous Christmas creations are being made.

As usual I was not let down.

1 - Plushka

2 - Sea a Drift

3 - Red Zebra Designs

4 - edward & lilly

5 - Red Stitch Designs

6 -3 girls and a goat

FRIDAY STEAL - Buy 4 stockings & get one FREE

I thought I would offer a FRIDAY STEAL today.

With Christmas only 10 weeks away, literally freaked me out!

Until 8pm tonight you can buy 4 of my Christmas stockings for the price of 3!!

That includes personalising too.

There are 5 designs to choose from.

Christmas Tree

Bird on a Christmas Bauble

Blue Santa Owl

Pink Santa Owl

Santa

All you have to do is email me at tigesandweince@gmail.com & advise me of the designs you would like & the names, also your postal address. I will then email you back an invoice for payment. (Postage registered $5)

please visit my etsy shop or madeit shop for size & other details.

These are a great idea for the whole family.

They have been very popular for mummy, daddy, & the kiddies names.

2011 Christmas Collection

With less than 100 days away until Christmas I thought it would be time to reveal all things Christmas at Tiges and Weince.

A couple of weeks ago I gave you a sneak preview of my Christmas collection in illustration form only, which you can read about here. I am happy to say they are complete & available now.

There are 5 different stockings to buy.

All $20 with FREE personalising

FREE postage too.

I think these are a great Christmas gift especially if you have to post interstate or abroad as they are so light & flat to post.

Bird on a bauble Christmas stocking.

Christmas tree stocking.

Pink owl Christmas stocking.

Blue owl Christmas stocking.

Santa Christmas stocking.

Something new to add this year.

A Christmas bunting to hang around your festive space.

Also a Christmas doorstop.

Use to hold open your front door to let in that summer breeze over the Christmas break.

All are available in my etsy & madeit shops.

Also if you follow my newsletter you can receive some Christmas bundled items.

Just look to the left hand side of my blog under the big mailing list tab to subscribe.

Would you like to see what's on offer? You can also read my newsletter here.

Christmas Preview

I have been working frantically on my Christmas designs for this year 2011. I felt like it was never going to end, the continuous changing & tweaking was becoming obsessive. I have arrived so to speak at my "final destination" of completion. There are 6 & I am thrilled to share each one with you. At this stage they are just illustrations to share & will soon be created in the real form.

This year I will be of course doing my mini Christmas stockings. I made them last year for the first time & was thrilled at the response, you can see last years designs here & here.

Here are my designs;

Bird on a Christmas Bauble & Merry Christmas Tree

Christmas owls, one for the boys & girls

Santa of course & a Christmas Angel

The Christmas stockings of course can be personalised which seemed to be the most popular choice last year. Add a name & year, or just the year, it's up to you & again this year personalising will be free

.

I am wanting to add a new product to work along side the Christmas Stockings, but am still to decide what. If you can see these designs as something else I would LOVE to know you thoughts.

I still can't believe how fast this year is flying & I am scrambling to get my Christmas collection together. What are you racing to complete in time for Christmas this year?