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.