Decor8 Blogging Course Nearly Here

I am really excited as it's only a couple of days away until I start my new online course

"Blogging You Way", with the super and talented Holly from Decor8.

This is my daily read, I love it, it inspires me, and I am constantly in awe of the continuous content written daily, her inspiration, photographs, and everything that is beautiful.

It starts September 3 - October 4, 2010, with a quick intro day, and officially gets going on September 7th.

Course Topics include: Things to include in your blog template, Finding your niche & your voice, Writing from the heart, Creative post ideas, Overcoming fear & writer’s block, Sourcing your content, Photo copyright, Community building, Building your readership, Handling negativity, Marketing yourself successfully online + offline, Blog ads, Social networking, Tips for taking better blog photos and Styling your photographs to create a more personal blog (beginners/intermediate).

It will be great to see how not only how my blog improves, but to see how these tips and tricks help with my photography, presentation, and break down some of the writers block that comes to visit me regularly.

If you are participating in this I would love to know.

Saturday at Modish Market

Yesterday I was at Modish Market.

I always enjoy myself maybe I am biased who knows.

Numbers were up, traffic flowed continuously throughout the day, and as always some stallholders had some great sales, and some were more quite. I was average, I'll be honest, but that's OK, having your brand out there even when people just browse it a great marketing exercise, you never know how your next sale may come.

The first photo below is of my one stall neighbours for the day. The lovely Lou, who also runs the Yarraville Market (which is next Saturday), and her brand is Totally Innocent.

I love Lou's work, she is one talented girl, also great to chat non stop with.

My other stall neighbours were my cousins Kelly and Tania, and their brand Cool Kids Creations. They create beautifully crafted kids jewellery, fully of glorious charms, vivid beads, loads of colour, and their quality is superb.

The last pic is from Fantastica, they were very popular on the day.

They weren't a stall neighbour, but I had to write about them.

The create perfectly round balls of cake, which are rolled in Chocolate, and popped on a stick, a perfect lolly pop change for Hudson. He absolutely demolished it.

The look of enjoyment in his eyes was intense and full of enjoyment. Great birthday idea too.

I also got to meet the very lovely Karen and Samara from the new baby and kids market, "Monkey Market"which is being launched on September 26th. They are just great & I am really looking forward to having a stall with them on the day, I know it will be a great event. If you are interested in applying you can contact them at monkeymarkets@hotmail.com for more details.

madeit finds modish market stallholders

Modish Market is on tomorrow from 9am-3pm.

Malvern Town Hall, cnr High St &

Glenferrie Rd Malvern

For my Friday madeit find this week I thought I would show 4 fabulous stallholders products.

1. Big Girl Button Hair Bands - lulu frou frou

2. The Lone Tree - Sterling Silver Chain with Teal Sparrow Listing - Oh Deer

3. Personalised Bunting/Banner - Moo Bee Tees

4. Flying Machine' vintage stitched collage - Totally Innocent

Keep your facebook on tomorrow we will be updating live about the market all day.

I hope you are coming along tomorrow!!

A visit from the fire department

Yesterday was like any ordinary Thursday........

It was quite wet and miserable outside, and when it stopped for a minute, I made the mad dash outside to take some some rubbish out. While walking back to the front door I heard it slam, then I was alarmed at hearing the little sound of the push button that locks our door.

Hudson locked me out of the house today!!

I was having near heart failure. Charlotte was on the floor in the lounge under the play gym, and Hudson was running up and own the hallway with excitement, as mummy was outside knocking and he could see me. I climbed our back fence and the back door was locked as well. So I went to a neighbours for some help & decided we were just going to break a window. Then it dawned on us shattered glass, a dog, and Hudson being bare footed was not such a good idea. So we called the fire brigade. I felt so silly as I could hear the siren as the truck came, and the lights were flashing.

Anyway..... They where wonderful, 30 seconds later, a broken lock and I was in. Throughout this ordeal I could hear Charlotte crying so I was very relieved to get to her. Hudson was still running with excitement now the truck was outside, so in his little mind this was an awesome experience. As for me, I have now decided to keep a spare key outside somewhere in a hidey hole.

Another freezing day in Melbourne

I have one question??? When is this FREEZING weather going to end in Melbourne?

Even though at times the sun is shining, the wind really has a chill factor to it.

I don't know about you but I am really struggling with things to do for Hudson indoors.

I have really had to pull some things out of the hat this week to try & keep him amused.

This came out of the Christmas pile today. Some new playDoh with number stamps.

It kept him occupied for a whole 15mins before he moved on.

I would love to know what others are doing with their toddlers indoors.

Mathilda's Market

Yesterday I was at Mathilda's Market located at the Hawthorn Town Hall.

It was a great day as usual, lots of people, not to mention amazing stallholders and their products.

It was lovely to meet Penny from Pocket Carnival, I have admired her work from a

far for a while now. As always lovely to see familiar faces as well, Camilla from Nog n Piep, Betty from Rileah Designs, Cath from Leaf Paper Journals, and to finally meet Kirsty from Small Prints. I was located next to Jacqui from Wee Small Hours, who makes beautiful quilts.

I was very happy with my stall. Believe me there have been many hours preparing on the kitchen table, and SO many changes over and over again. It will never be perfect but I think it's getting better with each market. I took some photo's just before 9am when it was neat, tidy and fully stocked.

Next week I will be at Modish Market, and I am really looking forward to that. It is located at the Malvern Town Hall from 9am-3pm and should also be a fab day.

Mathilda's Market Tomorrow

Don't forget Mathilda's Market.

I will be there, and right now I am busily preparing.

If you're there please come and say hi.

madeit - cupcakes

madeit finds cupcakes on Friday MMMMMM

Lovely Little Things - Lovely Little Hairclips

Made Bt Becca - Chocolate Cupcake Earrings

Cupcake Wrappers - "Elegance"

Butterfly Garden - Cupcake tin

Sailor Mouth Soaps - Strawberry Cupcake Soap with red sprinkles

Here we go loopy lou - Fabric Greeting Card - Cupcakes

Convoy Cushion

Just listed, my latest cushion design.

A convoy of trucks for every little boy.Available in my madeit and etsy stores.

Charlotte's Christening

Wow it's nearly that time again, a christening, this time my beautiful daughters.

It's not far away, I have booked it for September 19th.

This time round I am being a little on the lazy side, I have pretty much hired and bought everything. For Hudson's christening I hosted it at home with a full meal, and made 50 cupcakes and toppers, it was exhausting.

This time I have a check list & it's nearly completed already...Phew....

Invite - Done. Well I had to create these myself.

Venue - Sorted. At my friends boyfriends pub, Salty Dog, I have rented the area for the afternoon before the Sunday session opens.

Godparents - Done. My longest & dearest friend Belinda and her partner Phil.

Food - Catered for. I am taking a couple of sweet slices.

Cake - I am buying cupcakes from Sophisticakes I will keep you posted on what I decide there.

Decorations - I still need to get on to that.

Charlotte's outfit - I HAVE NO IDEA...Any suggestions??

Mine, Daniel's or Hudson's outfit for the day - Not even close...

I think most things are done, I think.....

MMMM Cookies

I just completed a post on Modish's website this morning about this amazing cookie dough

that is made by the lovely mother of two Danielle.

Her business is called "Baked By Mum".

I met Danielle at Flemington Market and not only was she incredibly busy, but boy o boy did Hudson love sampling her cookies. Everything is preservative free which is very reassuring.

I just can't wait to bake some with Hudson, I think he will have a ball.

Danielle will be at Modish Market on 28th August.
To read more just click here.

A Beautiful Cup

Sunday morning has started very early here, Hudson was up at 5.4am.

I managed to cuddle up with him in my bed until 6.30am but that was it, we were up.

The rest of the family is sleeping so I popped Nick Jnr on for Hudson, grabbed a cuppa

and had a wonder on madeit to see what perked me up.

As I sipped away I came across this beautiful picture by

Tres Chic Collection,

and couldn't help but think I wish my cuppa look as beautiful as this.

How has you Sunday morning been so far?

Saturday night

I am home tonight, it's not unusual these days, & I am not complaining.

I have a LOT of markets coming up, with my next one being Mathilda's next Sunday.
Tonight is a night of checking stock, building stock where necessary, and perfecting

everything where possible.

What makes this experience even more enjoyable?
MMMM a big glass of red wine.

What are you up to tonight?

madeit finds - balloons

Up up & away......madeit finds today lovely balloons.

1. Up Up and Away Earrings - Mecino

2. A5 Oriental album - Blind By Design
3. Balloon - leadamae

4.touch the sky - Sweet William

5. Up Up and Away tank top - Off The Peg

6. Fly away, fly away... - Penelope and Pip

A nice evening treasury suprise...

A nice evening treasury suprise from gonerustic

My Black & White Paisley magnetic bookmark.

Thanks Rita.

new fabric iron on transfers

Some new fabric iron on transfers.

Toucan

Daisy the Cow

Piggy Pam

What could you do with these?

All available in my etsy and madeit stores.

What we're reading this week

I have just started reading to Hudson now before bed. It has been a fantastic way to keep him in his bed, without coming out all the time, or worse me sitting with him until he falls asleep.

After I have read the same book a few times, I let him read it himself, and before you know it he is asleep. I just love it.

I have noticed he seems to like the same books for a few nights in a row, and then we change.

This week we are reading,

A gorgeous little story about a leopard who's mummy goes hunting for food & he misses her cuddles, so he gets lots of them elsewhere.

Lots of animals which is great for impersonations, or asking him what sound do they make.

Gorgeous illustrations too.

Point & Shoot - Simple Pleasure

I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to post some stunning Lillie's I received a while ago.
I was looking through my photo's and came across them.

They immediately made me smile.

They are gorgeous.

Their fragrance was unbelievable.

A simple pleasure.

What have you come across lately that made you smile?

Chooo Chooo

What a beautiful Sunday in Melbourne today, the sun was shining, the air crisp, and no rain.
It was a family day today to the 4 of us headed on down to the Diamond Valley Railway.
I had never been hear before which is terrible as I live 15 minutes away from it. I have seen many snippets on it on Foxtel channel 709 when Mickey advertises his 'Choo Choo Express'.
The miniature railway is based at Eltham Lower Park and is on each Sunday and most public holidays. It's such an inexpensive day, only $3 per ride and free for those tots under 2.
Take a picnic there is a huge play ground, and lots of land to let the kids run wild.
Hudson absolutely loved it, and so did his mum and dad hehehe.

Poor Charlotte slept through it all.

Here are a couple of photo's of the day which I highly recommend.

All aboard!!!

Hudson & I

I love the look of WOW in his eyes

An approaching train

madeit finds - in the kitchen

I love to cook, but not all the time.

Cooking shows inspire me, but it never lasts forever.

Looking at these amazing items are sure to inspire me.

1 What's For Dinner? A5 Note/Journal - covergirl design

2 Fig Oven Mit on Linen - Blue Ginger Designs

3 A Vegetarian Cookbook - Martha Goes Green

4 Red Kitchen Mixer Acrylic Brooch - turn left here

5 Card - KISS THE COOK - write to me

Need a sugar fix...

I have a problem.....my sweet tooth is at an all time high.

I constantly need a sugar fix.

Craving sweet delights, I think has become a rebound effect of burning the candle at both ends at the moment. I just can't help it, I know it's wrong but there is nothing better than when you're feeling a little drowsy, and a burst of sugar peps you up, and off you go again.

Any hints on how to curb this? Besides the obvious "STOP IT".

Candy Bar Labels by green apple paperie

I think my problem could be a lot worse if my naughty fix was presented to me as beautifully as this, as opposed to the plastic packaging I eat them out of.

Point & Shoot - Exhaustive Reading

I am trying really hard to not use my kids as point & shoot all the time, but they are just so funny.

I read to Hudson every night, after I have finished I leave the book with him to continue looking through himself.

This is Hudson laying in bed after completely refusing to take off his grandpa robe & runners, with a book on his face dead to the world.

Life Before Kids.....

Since having Charlotte life has been FAST is all I can say. Having two kids is a whole new ball game for me. The hours fly by each day, but if someone was to ask me what I did today I honestly don't think I would be able to tell you.

I love being lucky enough to be a full time mum, and even luckier to be able to follow some creative dreams of mine, even though the commitment unfortunately is somewhat part time.

I am sure I am not the only mother who does this, but I sometimes find myself sitting and wondering what it would be like again to....
leave the house without a care
put on my heels
go to the pub with friends & watch a band
have no actual dinner time
see a movie spontaneously
have a tidy house
get back my gym routine
read in peace
SLEEEEEEP

Then I look at my two boobaloo's and think, giving up all of that
IS SO DAMN WORTH IT