tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63807964634322645912024-03-06T12:15:12.840+10:00Candykins CraftsCute and quirky hand embroidered delights!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432946887152430927noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-55909466723501816752013-08-17T08:25:00.001+10:002013-08-17T08:25:39.329+10:00How To: Make a Sewing Kit for a Young Girl<br />
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I <a href="http://instagram.com/p/dD-qYhzbh-/">shared a photo on Instagram</a> and Facebook yesterday of the above gift wrapped in fabric and secured with bobble-headed pins and ricrac. I mentioned that it is a sewing kit I put together for my niece, who also loves to create things. Some of you requested to see what is inside, so here goes: </div>
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I used a tin that I had laying around (an old "moon cake" tin actually), which would have been better if it were pink, rather than purple, as my niece is an avid pink fan. However, part of the aim of this gift is to also impart a "mend and make do" mindset along with some inspiration for creation. </div>
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I started with a range of pink-toned fabric pieces - some are fat quarters, others are smaller scraps from my stash. Did I mention that she loves pink? </div>
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Next, I rounded up some pink (and other coloured) ribbons, lace and elastic. I found a pink felt sheet, and cut a small piece to put a couple needles and a safety pin through. A small container of bobble-headed pins, with some tailor's chalk, and a ziplock bag with a small amount of polyfill in it. </div>
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Pink thread - well, all the fabrics are pink, so what else does she need at this stage? (My niece is only 5 years old, and will literally reject objects that are not pink). I also tucked a few different hairclips in for her to decorate her own clips. One of my favourite parts - a tin of buttons from my stash! I have <a href="http://candykins-crafts.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/ribbons-and-buttonsoh-my.html">fond memories</a> of rifling through my Mum's button tin, and figured my niece will enjoy having her own stash. </div>
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And last, but not least, a fabulous book by Jane Bull, aimed at young girls, with fantastic photos and instructions for a range of beginner crafts. This is a gorgeous book, with really wonderful ideas. I found it at our local library a year or two ago, and noted down the name, so I could buy a copy for my own daughter and my niece. </div>
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I contemplated doing a fancy needle book and pin cushion for her, but then decided she could make her own...that's all part of the fun, isn't it?</div>
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When you make your own sewing kit gift for a girl (or boy) in your life, you will probably have slightly different needs and purposes for the gift, but I hope this is a helpful guide to some of the basics you might like to include. I'd love to hear if you've made a sewing kit for someone! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06432946887152430927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-25360506704708325242013-06-24T12:55:00.001+10:002013-06-24T12:55:19.776+10:00My Thirtieth Vintage High Tea Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week I had a birthday. I do not normally celebrate my birthday
except with my immediate family, but this year was a milestone birthday.
The big 3-0. I decided earlier in the year to mark this one with a
vintage high tea. Here are some highlights, all photos taken by my sister Kirsty, who also provided half of the amazing food and helped me create the menu. </div>
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Other friends helped make some of the food, and I did not need to do any
food preparation whatsoever! I felt very blessed by that, as even
though I love baking, the presentation aspect of food is not my strong
point, and it stresses me out. </div>
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I borrowed vintage tea cups and platters from friends and family, and used vintage embroidered tablecloths made by grandmother and other tablecloths I found at the local trash and treasure! </div>
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My sister made a wonderful birthday cake, healthy natural sweetness and delicious chocolate icing. </div>
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A friend donated a lolly bar left over from her recent wedding. Those little pink pigs were so delicious!!</div>
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Everyone got dressed up in tea party attire from their favourite era. I wore my wedding dress, which I had designed and had made by a brilliant seamstress 7 years ago.<br />
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0lBN3YPgIjXMXhyfFVcqFuRnRSfczDz3NQ408FiSMqpYzP4vjFl91NZ1XdZx5SgDMLS_G04Zh9oO-sh81AcJvVowTxsGdu9ja_InlyEkgj_abxh9gv7naAY8GieS5vmkuoB-b6tUY9f0a/s400/IMG_0518.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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I have an extensive collection of tea and did not need to buy any extra for the occasion. However, I did make the labels for the jars with chalkboard cloth, and decoupage jar lids. (Remember this tutorial?) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f2Driuhhr4SVJGBbKZfO9eRjC-2jLClRJ0kI1g1MvbV2R1zGfQl7g9Fpgrmt0igITafJ2nMfGhiEY93tgleB3FWqgHOspiU7LkAFLKnYcP-eEnt-9YaL8LUzfNoxPAcvQJKRrJ9ip_AO/s1600/IMG_0553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f2Driuhhr4SVJGBbKZfO9eRjC-2jLClRJ0kI1g1MvbV2R1zGfQl7g9Fpgrmt0igITafJ2nMfGhiEY93tgleB3FWqgHOspiU7LkAFLKnYcP-eEnt-9YaL8LUzfNoxPAcvQJKRrJ9ip_AO/s400/IMG_0553.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUdBU6xaHcnhmDVJQ_uTGL-CjVB1lm_87ON0j6M-86Lev8Rzhh3zIrI0uJW2pTG2EM330cPRr0marS_srMmb_Iac-LL40X1AhJlaBMbfFr4KmgD2vEzA5MA1zww8QWCFSXFH2LhqjmJbc5/s400/IMG_0558.jpg" width="400" /> </div>
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I felt so overwhelmingly blessed by the abundance of gifts showered on me. I totally did not expect this, and I just cannot get over how perfectly appropriate every gift was! </div>
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A dear friend happened to attend a cooking school on the morning of the party, and made an amazing croquembouche, and kindly brought it along! Doesn't it look superb? It tasted great too! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddeYemQUbcWNNzmS6BrmDpRTAitMnFfUSm3KCsTD1W_1nC2p3GUGJDD7O8aAL72h_1-EpzomD-Pacs6p2LsKQTuMYOKBH6K08i1FwlEeeAPfDj1UExx0pTaRKqOHin62ZBOEvkGWbNuik/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddeYemQUbcWNNzmS6BrmDpRTAitMnFfUSm3KCsTD1W_1nC2p3GUGJDD7O8aAL72h_1-EpzomD-Pacs6p2LsKQTuMYOKBH6K08i1FwlEeeAPfDj1UExx0pTaRKqOHin62ZBOEvkGWbNuik/s400/IMG_0572.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I got to do the fun preparation - making vintage floral sheet bunting, fabric covered jars with fresh flowers and candles, tablecloths etc. I had such an amazingly fun day, and felt so very loved. Thanks to all those who are reading this who helped make my thirtieth birthday so very special. Now I need to knuckle down and get several custom orders finished this week! </div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-36548824961318306592013-06-12T10:33:00.002+10:002013-06-12T10:33:38.540+10:00Home Again, Home Again...<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been procrastinating writing this post because it brings up uncomfortable emotions. In fact, it makes me want to stop what I'm typing and run and grab the Tim Tams or corn chips and salsa (ummm...so can you tell I'm still struggling with cravings on this healthy living journey?) *sigh* </div>
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But I do want to follow through and process this. Now, I know that taking calculated risks is important in business. I have been working on this, stepping out of my comfort zone in order to grow my little business. Sometimes it pays off financially, sometimes it crashes and burns. Ouch. I'm still feeling the sting of the most recent "crash and burn" scenario. </div>
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As with many things in life, the higher the expectations, the harder the fall. I signed up to do the new high end BrisStyle City Hall market (even though it cost me much more than I could really afford for the stall fee), thinking it could be a really good fit for my products. I was so excited leading up to this market, and threw myself into preparations, including a revamped display. Our whole family came down with a truly horrendous gastro virus the week before the market, and that hindered my preparation more than a little. However, I was feeling well enough to face the market and follow through on my commitment. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMjbNDNasI8awkz7Nlrf45qtpcOLxqz_xjl5GTEdbw7hJfGczTrMK-PNWZAMxEy0O6hhpMQ3QzeTMI2JUfAqS2yrCYWKBAp-RiPTuw0WgYD5PckB61a7nOHvY0D8qpWx1F6Nzi0eTpJEo/s400/P1020751.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The revamped set-up in situ</td></tr>
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The vibe on the day was lovely - so many people coming through, and I thoroughly enjoyed stitching and chatting to many lovely people. There was significant enthusiasm about my products expressed rather consistently across the day. I saw many familiar faces and plenty of new ones too. But as I packed up my stall, my heart was dragging along the floor. NOT. A. SINGLE. SALE. Not one. </div>
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A bright note to the end of my day, however, was this adorable miniature resin vase from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BravoJulietDesigns?fref=ts">Bravo Juliet Designs</a>, who was my stall neighbour on the day. I'm going to put it on my birthday cake next weekend, and it goes beautifully with my birthday party colour scheme. Plus, I'm always on the look-out for a tiny, unbreakable vase for my darling flower-picking girl. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNdYF3I3zCx3Wqo0ZM5klHI81Sxnt0jKStnCKmIs3yEB2XF6LUgHVN4E9v-mkcLBUN4Krxn4vhwOcF3tkT6Xvc73NniUM2BNPUl0nrrAlBE7P02s4aaDsQTADrwfXh4vXamZpE7BkqtsV/s1600/P1020778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYNdYF3I3zCx3Wqo0ZM5klHI81Sxnt0jKStnCKmIs3yEB2XF6LUgHVN4E9v-mkcLBUN4Krxn4vhwOcF3tkT6Xvc73NniUM2BNPUl0nrrAlBE7P02s4aaDsQTADrwfXh4vXamZpE7BkqtsV/s400/P1020778.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So now I am left pondering the next step for my business, and have been feeling quite at odds about it all. I've even taken a four-day hiatus from making anything as I reflect and mull over this.<br />
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But something up-beat to finish on - if you have not heard yet, I am sponsoring a giveaway over on <a href="http://hejjuni.typepad.com/blog/2013/06/giveaway-candykins-crafts.html">Hej Juni blog</a>, you could win your choice of blue or rainbow raindrops contented raincloud - which can be worn as either a brooch or a pendant! Head over to Hej Juni to find out how.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c8Ovmek8pbyApKCE-EIeQdf_Z4TnJvet-2c1fhkOZkU8ZJrVdnJV1ihSXiKaHj502fk51adCLS0HKGZeT1XbBTfxlLKhNeI_kfk_fOS8HTW0xATHaxZbZArUdXgszPnvWIeXriuCAiln/s1600/6a017ee8b739ab970d0191031df453970c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-c8Ovmek8pbyApKCE-EIeQdf_Z4TnJvet-2c1fhkOZkU8ZJrVdnJV1ihSXiKaHj502fk51adCLS0HKGZeT1XbBTfxlLKhNeI_kfk_fOS8HTW0xATHaxZbZArUdXgszPnvWIeXriuCAiln/s400/6a017ee8b739ab970d0191031df453970c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-90592843467325381412013-06-03T17:10:00.000+10:002013-06-03T17:10:14.368+10:00To Market, To Market...<div style="text-align: justify;">
So here's just a smidgen of what's been keeping me busy for the last week. My set-up for the <a href="http://www.brisstyle.com.au/">BrisStyle</a> indie <a href="http://www.brisstyle.com.au/brisstyle-indie-markets/">markets at City Hall</a>. I had bought the fabric and started preparing for a black floor length tablecloth I have been meaning to make for many months...then I realised that there were certain requirements for this particular market. One requirement is that every table have a floor-length white tablecloth which must be visible beneath your own signature overlay. Hence the white under the black. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mock market set-up</td></tr>
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I am aiming to have a more streamlined aesthetic for this market than I've had previously - with all my boxes and cases being covered or draped in black fabric, and the new bunting for labelling purposes on each board. (There will also be one for hoop art and one for the rings, they are all still works in progress). <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-toAdvQ9K04DokkXGIXaYiuyBAEOle3MYFYHPodi6xaDoV6pMjo3laB8tze_kxq09b7kC7NbofUkkLVWsZYta0OdyMHj1A4anMJhw9pIkg4Pf3wjLvePSwjdzdqc9pUrgn0cIvKlnzu9a/s1600/P1020738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-toAdvQ9K04DokkXGIXaYiuyBAEOle3MYFYHPodi6xaDoV6pMjo3laB8tze_kxq09b7kC7NbofUkkLVWsZYta0OdyMHj1A4anMJhw9pIkg4Pf3wjLvePSwjdzdqc9pUrgn0cIvKlnzu9a/s400/P1020738.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice my new bunting as labels for each board (to be completed!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfrPmCDnPy2KgOz8VXtSRZa6w6c6CjK7N1jXUTHUPX-vKbxlhhGcbBXJSl8s1l8r34zK0vRnjdWDi1J9h_JDSA8XRPUId055WG_EfGxreOqLY_Opy97TUxFChCnZjr3DO463lCx4DHXoC/s1600/P1020742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfrPmCDnPy2KgOz8VXtSRZa6w6c6CjK7N1jXUTHUPX-vKbxlhhGcbBXJSl8s1l8r34zK0vRnjdWDi1J9h_JDSA8XRPUId055WG_EfGxreOqLY_Opy97TUxFChCnZjr3DO463lCx4DHXoC/s400/P1020742.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My custom orders example folder on display below the hoop art board</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA2R4_RLX6dyDmf0Rc9MN0FFWeJNpQShZMggpBZECyYHU5X3iE-qHlQlJOmuB3P9NICpTNtLoIPzzJplmc1dABMTozg8UHhf7Ty5ZvEW2dbrmhQuwL1JfoqMPHKNh6IivTsb3jdsPWGFJ/s1600/P1020747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA2R4_RLX6dyDmf0Rc9MN0FFWeJNpQShZMggpBZECyYHU5X3iE-qHlQlJOmuB3P9NICpTNtLoIPzzJplmc1dABMTozg8UHhf7Ty5ZvEW2dbrmhQuwL1JfoqMPHKNh6IivTsb3jdsPWGFJ/s400/P1020747.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new earrings display board and handmade fabric roll ring display</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRzPuTRrmCveCI2KjheIqbQV97dB6xCkpbRgyncT7R7hmD7-fACWJazJzeEDgCh6L_okKU-zKy11LN0T1V19W2ttSWx-VCSsXy0H0PY8Ev6PcFUSeaEYGSlTbgCl5kxyJedJGnBpfARkV/s400/P1020748.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New necklace display board</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMP0oeaXtPKdV-e0T4ojVPC7w50JIZzNF_-OTaMBMw4avjYYKLg7wY-SBNc0hn9U5vUNGL3GhY4CH9MwGg2tS11qM-QctBaPVZCXpLLh-9iZWXewl9dpyxnI20oY8rFnhz4HtjuXm_U1i/s1600/P1020726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMP0oeaXtPKdV-e0T4ojVPC7w50JIZzNF_-OTaMBMw4avjYYKLg7wY-SBNc0hn9U5vUNGL3GhY4CH9MwGg2tS11qM-QctBaPVZCXpLLh-9iZWXewl9dpyxnI20oY8rFnhz4HtjuXm_U1i/s400/P1020726.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of the necklace display</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am hoping that the work I am putting into preparing for this market will hold me in good stead for future markets. Perhaps I won't even need to completely redesign my set-up every single time - here's hoping!!<br />
<br />
P.S. - You can find me at the BrisStyle indie Markets at Brisbane City Hall this Saturday, 8th June from 9am - 2pm. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-65762785701417155632013-06-01T21:44:00.000+10:002013-06-01T21:44:41.552+10:00You can do more than you think you can.<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's only Saturday night
here, but I've had a rather enlightening weekend so far. Or rather,
an enlightening Friday and Saturday, which has been quite wonderful
in spite of my expectations of difficulties galore.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
I'm relearning a lesson
I've “known” at some time in the past. Or heard again and again,
and occasionally put into practice, but not consistently enough to
actually change my long-term habits. I'm talking about the power of a
positive attitude.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Something I have really
noticed about myself in recent years (probably since having kids), is
that I am actually quite a pessimistic person. I did not used to
think of myself as such, but I am realising more and more that what I
used to call realism is often negative expectations. Example –
my darling needed to go away for two days for work. I know, only two
days, really not that big of a deal. But in my little world, it felt
like a big deal. By Friday, I am usually just holding out for
Saturday, for a brief reprieve from the usual routine and sole
responsibility of caring for the kids. Just to have a little breather
and share those tasks with my dear one. Somehow, through repeating
this weekly pattern over and again, I have come to believe that I
cannot manage without my hubby, especially on a weekend. Or that I
can manage but it will be fraught with frustration, exhaustion and
downcast spirits.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
As I write this, it is
only an hour or two until my darling is due to return. The kids are
in bed, so in essence, I have survived the trial. And the funny thing
is, we've had the best couple days that we have had in a while! The
kids were more fun, played more happily together, whinged less and
actually ate their dinner both nights (without any tantrums). This is
quite extraordinary. Enough to make me stop and reflect, certainly.
As I reflect, I can't help but recognise that the difference is not
so much in my children's behaviour as it is in my own.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Because I knew I was the
only one available, I didn't put off unpleasant tasks – I just did
them to get them out of the way. Because I knew I would have less
energy in the afternoon, I prepared dinner earlier in the day.
Because I knew that the kids would be needing more input from me, I
prepared in advance a “What Can I Do Box” (thanks Becca for that
wonderful suggestion!!), so each time my sweet but
oh-so-needing-stimulation daughter asked “Mummy, what can I do,
what can I dooooooooooooo?” we could go and get something from the
special box. The stuff in there is not special per se, it contains a
variety of activities that she already does on a fairly regular
basis, but it just helps her see the options before her and make the
decision for herself rather than the usual:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Her: Mummy what can I do
what can I dooooooo?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Me: How about play-dough?
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Her: No, I don't want to.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Me: Ummm...drawing?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Her: No, I already did
that.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Me: Puzzles?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Her: No.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Me: Collage?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Her: No. I can't decide,
you decide for me.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Me: Ok, I decide
colouring.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Her: Noooo, I don't want
to do that!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Does anyone else get
stuck in these frustrating conversations? Usually I am focused on
something else at the time, a household task or trying to write an
email or whatever. Going together to the “What can I do box”
helps us to break the cycle of frustration.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
But back to the
reflection on how I was different these last couple days. I was
focused, yes; I was organised, yes; but more than that – I was
positive. So often in the last few years, I have found myself getting
caught up in the “I can't” thought trap. I've talked about some
of that before – you know, “I'm so tired, I can't get by without
a chocolate fix!” Or my favourite, “I just can't deal with this
right now!” Ummm...toddler boy has just pooped in the bath AGAIN
and I am saying I can't deal with this right now? How is that
helpful? I know that I am actually going to HAVE to deal with it, as
I can't fob it off onto anyone else. Why not bypass that unhelpful
negativity and just go straight into action mode? Perhaps even with a
smile and a game. Playing hard-done-by does not do anybody any
favours.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Of course, I know all of
this in theory, but this negative thinking habit just sneaks up on
me. I really want to kick the habit and replace it with a more
positive and helpful way of thinking...I try to teach my kids that
any chore can be made into a game by how you choose to face it, now I
just need to practise that more myself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
If childbirth taught me
anything, it's that I can persist in a difficult task through much
more pain and exhaustion than I ever thought possible. And what
helped me most when the “I can't...” thoughts threatened to
derail my focus was my darling chanting in my ear “You CAN do this,
you can DO this!”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Oh, and then there's this
old song from my childhood that just popped into my head. “I can do
all things, all things, all things! I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13!” Thanks DonutMan! It is true - with Christ as my strength, I can face the challenges of each day - and perhaps even smile through it all. :-)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-42447679282723585912013-05-07T11:20:00.000+10:002013-05-07T11:20:26.811+10:00Pity Parties and True Celebrations
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3Z_1115wc167NzUcDjNGEXQDEcRvF_NlyfIPdCiKOquO8OoYS1slmHCi7C1CxvdF2x1mCT7-Q4kjhDP3EA4JbaSKeETTLTBRs9426uWu4A9b9460ylmfO_en33pyZKy74dOApib3bZ9A/s1600/P1020332v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3Z_1115wc167NzUcDjNGEXQDEcRvF_NlyfIPdCiKOquO8OoYS1slmHCi7C1CxvdF2x1mCT7-Q4kjhDP3EA4JbaSKeETTLTBRs9426uWu4A9b9460ylmfO_en33pyZKy74dOApib3bZ9A/s640/P1020332v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kidlets harassing Dickens, their grandparents' cat </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My heart skips a little beat as I head
to the car. I have just left my kids at their grandparents' place for
about four and a half hours. I have an appointment this afternoon,
but this morning is FREE. Wow! I will have uninterrupted work time at
home for a couple hours at least, I tell myself. But first, I need to
stop by supermarket and pick up the weekly groceries. *sigh*</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What's wrong with me? I ask myself. I
normally enjoy grocery shopping. Maybe it's because I miss the
kidlets and their amusing chatter and antics. That must be it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But that's not it. In the very ordinary
task of doing the grocery shopping, I have had an epiphany. <b>I am
grieving the loss of the anticipation of pleasure I used to
experience when grocery shopping. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Woah,
back up lady! Aren't you being a little over-dramatic?? </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Okay,
let me explain how the epiphany came about. I was walking up and down
the aisles, grabbing the items on my list. Pretty ordinary thing to
do at the supermarket. But the difference today was that I
didn't have my kids with me to distract me from my internal
commentary. So I heard it loud and clear, and it went something like
this: </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Chips.
You wish, sister. Walk on by, just walk on by. Oh, the kids are out
of bread, you'd better get some bread. Mmmmm, doesn't it just look
delicious? Remember that taste of fresh baked bread? Stop it, that's
not helpful. You don't eat bread anymore, remember? Now what treat
will help motivate Eliza this week with her toileting. Hmmm, the tiny
teddies variety pack I suppose. Oh my goodness,why do I just want to
guzzle these myself? Must make internal pact to not eat a single one,
because if I have one I won't be able to stop. Oh dear, fair trade
chocolate is on special. WANT WANT WANT!! No, stop it. You are on a
chocolate fast...</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">By
the time I hit the fruit and veggie area (which I leave til last), I
was feeling rather sad. I wanted to cry, and felt very silly for
wanting to cry. My internal monologue was sounding rather sarcastic
by now: </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i><span style="font-weight: normal;">Oh
goody – green beans! Can't wait to snack on those. And look at these nice
fresh carrots, won't they be satisfying. Oh, and for an extra
exciting treat, here are some APPLES. Yum yum, right? Who would want
chocolate when there are delicious royal gala apples up for grabs? </span></i>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">It
kept going, but I think you get the picture. MAJOR PITY PARTY. Minus
the PARTY bit (sugar and fat filled food)! As I waited at the
register to pay, I unhappily noticed a big display a few metres from
me, declaring that if you haven't yet, you MUST try the new Lindt
carmel lindor balls. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Internal
tantrum ensued. </span><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">What?? My
favourite chocolate – Lindt – have FINALLY put out a range of
lindor balls (my favourite kind of Lindt chocolate) in my favourite
flavour – caramel?? NOW, of all times, while I'm on a chocolate
fast!! That is just SO not fair! </span></i>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">That's
when it hit me - </span><b>I am grieving the loss of the anticipation
of pleasure I used to experience when grocery shopping. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">It
wasn't a conscious anticipation, but I guess it was very much a part
of my shopping experience. And now it's gone. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As
I drove home, I gave in to the tears. I remembered a book I had
purchased online out of the blue on Friday, as I just felt prompted
to from an old scrap of a memory. It's
called “Thrilled to Death: how the endless pursuit of pleasure is
leaving us numb”. I don't particularly WANT to read it, but I felt
prompted to buy it anyway. And what do you think was waiting for me
as I drove into the driveway? Yep, the package with that book in it.
I had a wry chuckle at God's sense of humour and lugged the groceries
inside. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Don't
get me wrong – I do enjoy a healthy salad lunch, and the taste of
fruit. I just don't LOOK FORWARD to it. I don't experience a sense of
anticipation about the pleasure it will bring me. Because it doesn't
deliver a sensation of pleasure with each bite, and a sugar high that
carries me through the next couple hours. Instead, it delivers a much
more staid sense of wholesome “I know I made a good choice”
satisfaction. Which seems much more boring, but carries with it a
much more lasting positive consequence. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">What
started initially as a quest to lose 20kg in a year (or preferably 6
months!) has turned into quite a journey of self-discovery and, more
importantly, a quest for a deeper experience of God's presence. I
keep learning rather embarrassing things about myself as I currently am, but
also gaining insight into who God wants to help me become. </span>
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I
know this may seem rather trivial to some. You know,
#firstworldproblems and all that. But, while the particular
manifestion may be a first world problem (having access and means to
purchase and consume too much unhealthy food), I believe the root
issue is one common to humankind. The quest to experience pleasure is
the drive for much of human behaviour. And what my head knows but my
heart is still in the process of discovering is this: that I already have full access to the truest and only lasting source of pleasure that there
is – intimacy with God. </span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">In this moment, I know without a doubt that God is using this health quest I am on to strip away the distractions, to uncover the addictions and to use it all to point me back to Himself. And for that, I am grateful. Did you hear me? I said I am GRATEFUL! I can happily declare my pity party over (for now!), and my focus back on what really matters. Now that, my friends, is a reason to celebrate! BRING ON THE CARROT STICKS!!</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-34804360781541415362013-04-30T13:30:00.000+10:002013-04-30T13:30:06.681+10:00New Embroidered Jewellery Range<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneSKhTXlfGRI78wqtPCwMNH6Z_ozyPaL6FJl6Q47CeUId99M52cdVUbP2kcbHbShDytjhQACxZAyaqhbI4mBezcQ7reoDQpST2X7SV9RlXoz7jruDuqsI2KJAWpuXzejTZd7UmbQudpv7/s640/P1020322v1.jpg" width="635" /></div>
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<br />
Hi there :)<br />
<br />
It's been a busy month and I've been neglecting the blog again. Oops! Here's a sneak peek at something I've been working on - a new range of embroidered jewellery. Teeny, tiny, miniature hand stitched button earrings, rings, pendants...what do you think?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgjmAiLJabkwoZNkQkhvhihEOAEtjW_Ix9tnqFwDl6wuwoYmBIr5NVWqvS2DLvx3TXwvRLWnoLetbWoRNYKA1sEDugDBFczAP-0_K6Ayf6y4waQ2tyf251IhvKrUl0h3ExFDcZAAE-OiJ/s640/P1020312v1.jpg" width="636" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprkCtHpR3UYcPzUyCmhwlObDThOKblJV_VFDMR51pzmFIkZ5-sc3MqxI5Mv-5gcVM51Uisy57HzHiKIJNmW-n8A7SNvJB03BmMNR6N02vMkXRRCCyZHljpZENQ29QlC9JTljUEFD9vO5q/s640/P1020348v1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
This final one is a pendant I made for myself from a drawing my almost four year old daughter did. I just loved this little happy tree with shoes, and couldn't resist making a tiny embroidered version of it to hang around my neck. I'm putting it out there to ask: Should I stock this in my online shops?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYdym7n-qNgI5agxGboq4kRsxOtAsTpBrHXU_uRiBGABNEzXNY79Ayhz84_Vt0bolgPBPZvYfaPUSvaSsHYTDz-dflrFTmVxDxLuDRGTlpMkcCTcfhpWSZN2hx_M0iqAtQlqliovZNNtj/s1600/P1020328v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYdym7n-qNgI5agxGboq4kRsxOtAsTpBrHXU_uRiBGABNEzXNY79Ayhz84_Vt0bolgPBPZvYfaPUSvaSsHYTDz-dflrFTmVxDxLuDRGTlpMkcCTcfhpWSZN2hx_M0iqAtQlqliovZNNtj/s640/P1020328v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZhUF4f15xumTHKfv9WkFuXuxa4da0cb7ap03iM29CiXNhzb77mQWR0s1nVvA-OSYImumv9BfcZyWGR1yksR92uWMnhToZU4DP6AW7BTGF6oPtoGZ6cCbzKycGs8BWpfDW82v6qTNrcmJ/s1600/P1020344v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZhUF4f15xumTHKfv9WkFuXuxa4da0cb7ap03iM29CiXNhzb77mQWR0s1nVvA-OSYImumv9BfcZyWGR1yksR92uWMnhToZU4DP6AW7BTGF6oPtoGZ6cCbzKycGs8BWpfDW82v6qTNrcmJ/s640/P1020344v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original drawing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-39430604193661421212013-04-12T08:27:00.000+10:002013-04-12T17:24:24.346+10:00Commissioned with Confidence, Payment in Cuddles<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrlFYErwdfZoqvXlrz33eornh8RFSRyX4uovBV1HD6aN7VP0QDBlUalgT6SLfpjPlMalEj6ShGb_RglKQEG_lcUjt1WWXwfBuGFUjQPkjJn_njD_4fgPg-lGfMqTLQz8oGM-ThkF4zB43/s1600/P1020075v1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrlFYErwdfZoqvXlrz33eornh8RFSRyX4uovBV1HD6aN7VP0QDBlUalgT6SLfpjPlMalEj6ShGb_RglKQEG_lcUjt1WWXwfBuGFUjQPkjJn_njD_4fgPg-lGfMqTLQz8oGM-ThkF4zB43/s320/P1020075v1small.jpg" width="320" /></a>Or: “Miniature Things I Have Made At My Daughter's Request”<br />
<br />
My three and a half year old daughter
is my biggest fan. Anytime she sees me stitching anything, or comes
across something I've finished, she exclaims with adorable
enthusiasm, “Mummy, that's AWESOME! I love it!” or some similar
exclamation, inevitably followed by, “Can I have it?” Bless her.
If she had her way, her tiny bedroom would be overflowing with
Mummy's creations. Obviously, I say “No” a whole lot. So every
now and then when she requests something specific, I like to oblige
her.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
A while back, she saw another baby at
Mothers' Group with a robot toy, and she declared that her Quackybaby
(duck wheat heat that is her closest companion) LOVES robots and
really wants a tiny Quacky-sized toy robot, but it needs to be soft
so he can take it to bed at nap time. Then came the, “Mummy, can
you sew one for Quackybaby?” Her delight in seeing the finished
product was more than a little gratifying. She promptly named the
robot “Tick-Tock”, and loves to make Quackybaby's arms cuddle it.
She also frequently loses Tick-Tock down the side of the bed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKqLOqOJY8cDIDzrbnlla7fF5rHjzJcM9Z9VqxYiNe0n3IDHWDkKbOkzPto_CLMO8bfvvsaOI5Vd64DK66Qhd7GipiRUZ9OTxR8G_-RY7KKBxGmN8g9oyOTGhq3q0-WKGLvbHF7UxWsmn/s1600/P1020076v1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKqLOqOJY8cDIDzrbnlla7fF5rHjzJcM9Z9VqxYiNe0n3IDHWDkKbOkzPto_CLMO8bfvvsaOI5Vd64DK66Qhd7GipiRUZ9OTxR8G_-RY7KKBxGmN8g9oyOTGhq3q0-WKGLvbHF7UxWsmn/s640/P1020076v1small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz89WEHM61avC8TcHmDnLv3qNDkET2kT4wpJrry2D6qxQ_6Vf-fbPu4ygghHkSwAUWeTdyKsIMK12-RwNddndkHPC-edxS9uNlR5zrL7VtmkqPCJ1OYmayDZXacIl3P5xKjrQTsA8vNR5/s1600/P1020082v1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz89WEHM61avC8TcHmDnLv3qNDkET2kT4wpJrry2D6qxQ_6Vf-fbPu4ygghHkSwAUWeTdyKsIMK12-RwNddndkHPC-edxS9uNlR5zrL7VtmkqPCJ1OYmayDZXacIl3P5xKjrQTsA8vNR5/s320/P1020082v1small.jpg" width="320" /></a>More recently, while she was playing with her <a href="http://www.candykins-crafts.blogspot.com.au/search/label/quiet%20book">Quiet Book</a> during a car trip, she announced that she needed a tiny teddy to go in the bed on the bed-making page. "You can make me one, Mummy!" she states with certainty that makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. That night, while she slept, I pulled out my travel stitching supplies and just happened to have enough felt scraps to make her a tiny teddy in pajamas. Win. </div>
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Earlier this week, I woke up to this same sweet, quirky girl clambering into my bed, whimpering that she wanted to go to her grandparents' place. Once I calmed her down, I was able to ascertain that it was not actually her grandparents she was pining for, but rather a little penguin softie she played with while there on a recent visit. "Penguins are my FAVOURITE! Please sew me one, Mummy." I told her I couldn't that day, as we had a busy day planned. So next day, as she was heading to bed for her nap, she reminded me of the penguin I had supposedly "promised" to make. "How about you sew it while I am having a rest, then when I get up, you can give it to me. Is that a good idea?" "Ummmm...not sure I'll finish it by the time you finish your rest, Sweetie," I replied. "But you can try, hey." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34qNq7fw9XqtblVVhctq8b_Kq1f1I99sG7BoQmB1JRVR5tIubQ14Us7OHgGu0Q_n-ncLCRE37T2nD3TF52Ar04iCXaSiMGqxuotqTmyROHflvJrRQVLY8L-nwcf4_SRsZxPGElmErCtpV/s1600/P1020085v1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34qNq7fw9XqtblVVhctq8b_Kq1f1I99sG7BoQmB1JRVR5tIubQ14Us7OHgGu0Q_n-ncLCRE37T2nD3TF52Ar04iCXaSiMGqxuotqTmyROHflvJrRQVLY8L-nwcf4_SRsZxPGElmErCtpV/s320/P1020085v1small.jpg" width="319" /></a>Ahhh, the sweet confidence. The delightful joy upon receiving her "order". I have asked myself more than once, "Am I spoiling her?" But my answer to myself is this: "She has a Mummy who spends many hours making stuff for other random people she doesn't know. It is good for her to benefit from these sewing skills for herself, and it's good for her to catch a love of creating and a confidence that it can be done. In a few years, she will have seen this process of design, sketch, cut out, stitch enough times that when she wants a new softie, she may actually sit down and make it herself." </div>
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Of course, she may not. But I suspect she will.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-TXoInm-ukLhMkjyilsphV1-JZg2cg-BALBV2p5IJfm6HH5Y-pqAF4hyphenhyphenL0kvUpvX8EGHcsuTfhx7JG9yvV9cJukuPd4OtwfZkFVCnhHmsUsA3dGXJdlf-YjOyP32eCVHvfcr4a4ahbFA/s1600/P1020069v1small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-TXoInm-ukLhMkjyilsphV1-JZg2cg-BALBV2p5IJfm6HH5Y-pqAF4hyphenhyphenL0kvUpvX8EGHcsuTfhx7JG9yvV9cJukuPd4OtwfZkFVCnhHmsUsA3dGXJdlf-YjOyP32eCVHvfcr4a4ahbFA/s640/P1020069v1small.jpg" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy miss with her new penguin (note the penguin pajamas too!)</td></tr>
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#icantresisthersewingrequests</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-7287259081888951652013-04-02T14:30:00.000+10:002013-04-02T14:30:30.504+10:00I Survived A Choc-Free Easter<div style="text-align: justify;">
Is this year flying by, or what?! Easter has been and gone already! Wow. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HIYN0U1QtgIDUTkN_g7a_IuIcDMnc5mcAwBtiV7yEYY2ZkBezfxboVtQ3ythHmEsBwK056cQhdlRybrZDUDrL0TAXqZxfohtq3tXBE-cRM6_ziy8gRGGDqnb6TuCjFVE2ueyJSenTinS/s1600/PreChristmasMe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HIYN0U1QtgIDUTkN_g7a_IuIcDMnc5mcAwBtiV7yEYY2ZkBezfxboVtQ3ythHmEsBwK056cQhdlRybrZDUDrL0TAXqZxfohtq3tXBE-cRM6_ziy8gRGGDqnb6TuCjFVE2ueyJSenTinS/s640/PreChristmasMe.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at Christmas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have something to share with you today, in a different vein than my usual posts. I survived a chocolate-free Easter. My first ever. Yes, it is possible!! "But why would you want to?" I hear you ask. Good question! One I shall endeavour to give my personal answer to below...</div>
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A while back, <a href="http://www.candykins-crafts.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/a-sentimental-favourite.html">I shared a photo of the dress I wore on my first date</a> with my hubby, and told you of my journey to a healthier lifestyle, and how I hope by the end of this year to fit into this dress that I have not worn for almost 8 years. What I didn't tell you was that this journey is so much more than a "get fit, eat healthy" journey. This is a journey to freedom. Freedom from what? Freedom from compulsive, emotionally-driven eating. </div>
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There. I said it. It is hard to admit it even to myself, but I have developed an unhealthy relationship to food. Especially chocolate. I have shared in the past about <a href="http://www.candykins-crafts.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/embroidery-as-art-therapy.html">my difficulty in coming to terms with certain details about my son's birth</a>, and <a href="http://www.candykins-crafts.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/on-working-towards-balanced-life.html">adjusting to being a Mum to two kids</a>. Well, one way that I dealt with some of the day-to-day stress of those adjustments was to eat. "I just need an energy boost to get me through the day," I would tell myself, while breaking off a row of chocolate and shoving it into my mouth, out of sight of the kids. Ahhh...what sweet comfort chocolate gives. For about five minutes. Then I would want more. I would try to make the block last a week, but too often, would consume it in a day. Not once, not twice, but over and over. Week after week. </div>
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At first I didn't seem to see any weight gain, but as soon as I stopped breastfeeding my son, I piled on the weight. But I couldn't stop eating chocolate. If I kept myself from buying chocolate, I would scrounge around in my pantry until I could find something to substitute. Condensed milk and cocoa, or with peanut butter - not the same but it would do. Or I'd go for a carb fix of a different type - corn chips. Lots and lots of yummy, crunchy corn chips. </div>
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I feel so ashamed admitting this, but allowing food to have power over me was something that I never thought would happen to ME. Realising I couldn't stop was not enough to make me do something about it. It took photos from a family do just before Christmas to make me see just how much my body had changed, and just how unhappy I was to go on living enslaved to food. One last hurrah at Christmas, then I determined to make some changes. Twenty kilograms (roughly 44 pounds) in one year, that was my goal. Preferably in six months, if I could. Well, three months have passed and I am only 500g away from being half-way to that goal! Yes, that truly is something to celebrate, but how shall I celebrate it? I used to eat chocolate to celebrate! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTk3-tgWgXY3knc0o9MZuk9LNA2ien_JqG0hCgRrIzyqog_pEA_2B6SMqMA576RT1k1QrR6xcDGIpP94U5oS91lLsSGwkGgePt2k-zdt5g4izrryxcT-Tv0pxXlKjrWF1eTQs3sZFgb0K/s1600/LindtBunnysmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTk3-tgWgXY3knc0o9MZuk9LNA2ien_JqG0hCgRrIzyqog_pEA_2B6SMqMA576RT1k1QrR6xcDGIpP94U5oS91lLsSGwkGgePt2k-zdt5g4izrryxcT-Tv0pxXlKjrWF1eTQs3sZFgb0K/s320/LindtBunnysmall.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
Losing weight was not my only goal. A bigger goal was to reclaim the freedom to eat chocolate with restraint. From the start, I knew that the only way I could get to this point was to forgo chocolate altogether - abstain from chocolate entirely, for a period of time. Until my 30th birthday in June. </div>
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Which of course, meant a chocolate-free Easter. </div>
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Do you know, I honestly thought I would feel hard-done-by. That I would find it difficult not to have a little pity party about being surrounded by chocolate but not able to eat any. But I can joyfully tell you this is not the case. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtETJqSR6tYLaX6Dtk19kVQ9D8ymT4hQjxUtXzkxgy4VE2_KRzyAg-gY9EzcTxRf9j8n6siykFK9_pYPISuUgRLvsAmGbegiSrq8ZvemW_GobrioR29UaFlwuB2B4z2kgQqfdmOUddPD9U/s640/MeNowsmall.jpg" width="251" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me today</td></tr>
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I FEEL FREE!! I have had the best Easter ever, in some ways, as I have not had any guilt, self-hatred, sugar lows, and to top it all off, I felt like my heart was so much more free to focus on the sacrifice Jesus made for me that first Easter. And, here I am today, with my son asleep, my daughter at her grandparents' place, the house to myself, with a couple bowls of Easter eggs the kids were given, along with two of my favourite Lindt chocolate bunnies...and I know with absolute certainty that I am not going to touch any of it. That thought makes me smile. </div>
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Now, don't get me wrong - I have had many moments of feeling weak. On those "bad" days when everything seemed to be going wrong, and all I wanted to do was dive off the wagon into a bowl full of chocolate (yes, I actually fantasized about that on more than one occasion!). But that just showed me all the more how chocolate had been a substitute for what my soul was truly craving. It wasn't a quick-fix I needed, it was Eternal Strength. It wasn't a sugar high that I needed, which would send me crashing down to a lower low afterwards, it was a moment to rest in the Everlasting Arms. And I am learning that, in less time than it takes to unwrap a block of chocolate, break off a row and consume all traces of that row before children burst into the room, I can actually turn my heart to God and ask Him to provide the strength, perspective, refreshing that I need. The effects last longer than chocolate, it doesn't cost anything (except my pride), and there is no self-hatred or guilt afterwards!!! EPIC WIN!!! </div>
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Now, to get to the point where I can allow myself just one piece of chocolate, savour and enjoy it, but stop at that. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-86180072578594124302013-03-24T08:00:00.000+10:002013-03-24T08:00:10.821+10:00A Big Step <div style="text-align: justify;">
What a busy couple of weeks!! Hence the blog silence. Sorry about that! </div>
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The big news in the world of Candykins Crafts is that some of my products are now available in a real bricks and mortar store! Hurray! </div>
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I took a trip back to the neighbourhood in which I lived when I first moved to Brisbane - to a wonderful shop called <a href="http://sidestreetvintage.blogspot.com.au/">Side Street Vintage</a>, in Hawthorne. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sidestreetvintage">Side Street Vintage</a> stocks a beautifully eclectic mix of vintage pieces, handmade pieces and craft supplies, in very welcoming and comfortable surrounds. Well worth a visit if you are in the area. While there, I couldn't help but pick up these adorable studs by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Liddle-Apples/235740663138093">Liddle Apples</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLF6ErjOBFUYxzINihFB4XcKgHAKtYbOUiOd5XGt5Uvw6uAeGU1d7kwwbJkxm7czqxz5w04XR61zldK-6qD2DalO3bEmg1m5UkPAkpRCZleDNN1YP_m4kh_SyNLGnPqHNXLOr7lqumEEp/s1600/IMG_20130319_131425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLF6ErjOBFUYxzINihFB4XcKgHAKtYbOUiOd5XGt5Uvw6uAeGU1d7kwwbJkxm7czqxz5w04XR61zldK-6qD2DalO3bEmg1m5UkPAkpRCZleDNN1YP_m4kh_SyNLGnPqHNXLOr7lqumEEp/s320/IMG_20130319_131425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh, and this spectacular vintage knitting book, full of fab vintage fashion photography from 1952. (More on that coming up soon! Stay tuned!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAz3C_Fea6m-wvQEnkpgROrG1Gr4Ri-IF7Af-drqDpWpQ_9bP8-_M9GxQo4h-z6dM3oXF8OclgKZ9-EAgfsh_UjIciY5KNB6LIjMgBpW7y3DfDhpc9FOdA08EfP4devsqvFF_GyAsO3cH/s1600/IMG_20130319_142355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAz3C_Fea6m-wvQEnkpgROrG1Gr4Ri-IF7Af-drqDpWpQ_9bP8-_M9GxQo4h-z6dM3oXF8OclgKZ9-EAgfsh_UjIciY5KNB6LIjMgBpW7y3DfDhpc9FOdA08EfP4devsqvFF_GyAsO3cH/s320/IMG_20130319_142355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am also taking stock to the Reverse Garbage gift shop on Tuesday, including these hoop art pieces on salvaged fabrics. An exciting step for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/candykinscrafts">Candykins Crafts</a>!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEuGy9zlT77qmpXJwmIy_QYO_SzfKLK6WJDEDKsSsQXUctaMlhdCgOW-t39Kzhf8EeFLxptyH3ChrObqHNEE5iJDsRM4MafZh6q7VFuMRkRykBAY-_nHgLQ0MWltsm5Rb2_Ynvv2GcNEb/s1600/IMG_20130317_141938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPEuGy9zlT77qmpXJwmIy_QYO_SzfKLK6WJDEDKsSsQXUctaMlhdCgOW-t39Kzhf8EeFLxptyH3ChrObqHNEE5iJDsRM4MafZh6q7VFuMRkRykBAY-_nHgLQ0MWltsm5Rb2_Ynvv2GcNEb/s320/IMG_20130317_141938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-TAbXVHSqfG0qtqBKT9TyNdlzIbHbAg964skFzWHbQumfPe6aCirogE59aN4QSrO8FaCYS5fXLhI6rtVxNkcIVcxbuVt9EmbaK1Xd37SZLkads0dwUXExAoxDjVFi3T8cBPWmkxw4Zg5/s1600/IMG_20130323_140529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-TAbXVHSqfG0qtqBKT9TyNdlzIbHbAg964skFzWHbQumfPe6aCirogE59aN4QSrO8FaCYS5fXLhI6rtVxNkcIVcxbuVt9EmbaK1Xd37SZLkads0dwUXExAoxDjVFi3T8cBPWmkxw4Zg5/s320/IMG_20130323_140529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I confess, I am being a bit lazy today and just using Instagram pics from the week...if you are on Instagram, look me up @candykinscrafts for frequent updates of what I am currently working on (only if you are interested, of course!)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-44919881687073103502013-03-04T11:20:00.001+10:002013-03-04T11:20:41.789+10:00How To: Create a Magentic Secret Message Tin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b2YL5oai4zh1g3zZ8Q7ZpqLRK5B1TZ863LxeLpP3TUL8PoTEQv6ND3G-qNUkCiJR84jbMGMMS5dxmYnZ8iNXdZ3d5KE-jNWZBdU-Z6h89wKgHHkUBx6CfEbvIXDX2MnC-98jHvSFuUEj/s1600/P1010588v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3b2YL5oai4zh1g3zZ8Q7ZpqLRK5B1TZ863LxeLpP3TUL8PoTEQv6ND3G-qNUkCiJR84jbMGMMS5dxmYnZ8iNXdZ3d5KE-jNWZBdU-Z6h89wKgHHkUBx6CfEbvIXDX2MnC-98jHvSFuUEj/s640/P1010588v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We have these little magnetic alphabet letters on our fridge, for our kids to play with. But lately, I've been using them to leave little messages for my darling hubby. There is only one alphabet set, and it is just not sufficient!</div>
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So I had the idea to do up a set of magnetic words. I have seen something like this before on a friend's fridge. And I recalled that I have printable magnetic business cards stashed away somewhere. So, I whipped out the printable magnetic business cards, found the template online (they have a link in the business cards pack), and typed up a bunch of words that I thought would be useful in writing secret messages to my hubby. </div>
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I'm not going to share the list of words with you, as that would be telling. But you could make them as family friendly or suggestive as you like. Think about what kinds of words you would need for the sorts of messages you might like to leave. Include plenty of pronouns. I also included some partial sentences, such as, "Thank you for..." and "I love it when...". I included a few sets of individual alphabet letters too, though they do tend to get lost amongst the words in the tin. </div>
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Don't forget to do a test print on paper, to check that the words are not going to be cut off. Using a generous margin helps too. </div>
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Cut all your words out and pop them in a tin. I happened to have some cute tins that I am using for my dress up doll packaging, but a biscuit tin would do. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoun0mLe1TBZDAx7kk9rDhaUjHlmXxN-UU1EJ6o3Rf2scZb4uDg2tZqhMcnLGJlY0z6OlTXXhfgKXytIuaZQ6iZ9uDmp_yOIN6VNQB-ZLbiOcIHkiDxNEw26zPZ9UTF_8qnzTHWxzLy_-/s1600/P1010595v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoun0mLe1TBZDAx7kk9rDhaUjHlmXxN-UU1EJ6o3Rf2scZb4uDg2tZqhMcnLGJlY0z6OlTXXhfgKXytIuaZQ6iZ9uDmp_yOIN6VNQB-ZLbiOcIHkiDxNEw26zPZ9UTF_8qnzTHWxzLy_-/s640/P1010595v2.jpg" width="550" /></a></div>
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The last step (and in my opinion, the most tricky) is to find a spot to keep it that you will remember to check for messages, and remember to leave messages too - but somewhere that is out of reach of the kids (if you have any). <br />
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Have fun!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-48734369529473390072013-03-02T09:34:00.003+10:002013-03-02T09:37:01.212+10:00Shakespearean Quote with Blackwork Border<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm sorry I've been AWOL recently. Sickness hit our household again, and I did not escape this time.</div>
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One plus side of being unwell is that I allow myself more time to sit. And if I am just sitting...I might as well be stitching. Here is the product of this recent stitching time. I was commissioned by the mother of a previous customer to create this piece.</div>
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It was a nice change to work with counted stitching on even weave Aida cloth. I drafted the script up myself, and used a pattern from Carol Leather's Blackwork For Beginners eBook (available <a href="http://www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com/blackwork-for-beginners-new.html">here</a>). </div>
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I think the blackwork border works nicely with the quote - both originating from the period in history.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pGq0J3a5NVFMuphgo3WX5cLZ19ktplVjw4-Z_Cqma4oxN6mj5QzNi-E8yaIhQ2P9E3XB-AlzR_v4GOk7-Piz4YZwoQKmIoZG-A230J6RBHWHcKgfRTWN0QgnyaDcm2CScZmENBijhc8X/s1600/P1010581v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4pGq0J3a5NVFMuphgo3WX5cLZ19ktplVjw4-Z_Cqma4oxN6mj5QzNi-E8yaIhQ2P9E3XB-AlzR_v4GOk7-Piz4YZwoQKmIoZG-A230J6RBHWHcKgfRTWN0QgnyaDcm2CScZmENBijhc8X/s640/P1010581v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is going to be a wedding present for my customer's son. And that warms my heart. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-57404032677652680542013-02-19T08:45:00.001+10:002013-02-19T08:45:31.482+10:00Hello Friends<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the first couple years after my daughter (my first child) was born, I was...lonely. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed her company immensely; I loved being a stay-at-home Mum, but I was lonely for girl friends. I had some beautiful girlfriends from pre-Eliza days - but some lived out of town, and others did not have kids yet. Working full-time, they were not available when I longed for hang out time; and when they were ready to hang out, I was too dang exhausted most of the time. My poor hubby can attest to this. Every so often, I would get all weepy about it. It was something I would hold before God regularly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfx5b69S_OcYEKhvEwSgCrjggidK7JaQ5r6rqAXdNy9eoDTgD0ouUq50jQUM30qPDln8bYHJr4uh-IOl_t9G0dns2Kq9tjsXDKgAjwGNrGt92tYHAgYfX1nYl_aLWv0Xkssj36nFGp9h3y/s640/1206728_21045799.jpg" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1206728">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have recently realised just how much this situation has changed. Ever so gradually, my prayers were answered. My sisters and I started being more intentional about regular phone dates. This has been such a source of encouragement to me. I have developed some lovely friendships with other mums in my mothers' group. I also started meeting regularly with a close friend for prayer. Other friends from church have had little ones of their own, and we now have a fortnightly catch-up with our kids, where we can share our hearts' burdens and pray together. A couple of my friends from uni have remained good friends, and my friendships with them have grown closer over the years too, as we have gone through some difficult times together. I have grown closer with my sister-in-law. And besides all of these wonderful blessings, I have had the pleasure of meeting some lovely people across the world through Etsy. I have discovered one particular heart sister through Etsy, for whom I thank God every day. </div>
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Being a Mum at home does not need to be isolating. What I have learned through each of the friendships I mentioned above is: I AM NOT ALONE. So many of us women struggle with similar issues - body image, pressures from work, guilt, exhaustion, identity or worth issues, juggling work and kids, adjusting to the changes in relationship with partner that accompany having kids. Sometimes we can feel so alone, as if "I am the only person in the world who feels this way". Which can often lead to, "I must be dysfunctional/ unworthy/ inadequate/ not good enough". NOT TRUE!!</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1170300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkwMXanoPr2o9V_VZnSforVaZOnyreeFJ05juiJc978_k0kZfEbw9BC7jgu2W9CEe8pmoB2e0Kpy_jmmIKh6NrSYPk5BpkIeLJllQWY5t3bsmU1e_t4G_kYl4aBsc7H3n87euwsaX9i86/s400/1170300_85552087.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1170300">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I believe that we all struggle with feelings of inadequacy from time to time. It is part of being human. As is our desire to hide these feelings! We all hide behind different kinds of masks - this need is part of our drive for self-preservation. Masks can be very healthy and appropriate...but at times, they can actually be rather destructive or at the very least, counter-productive. We can invest so much energy hiding our struggles so that we can appear to have it all together - then fall apart in private, longing for someone to reach out to us.<br />
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Sometimes it takes one simple, honest admission of weakness to a friend to let her know that, in fact, SHE is not alone. Perhaps she looks like she has it all together - and perhaps she thinks just the same about you! Let's be brave, hold hands and speak honestly from our hearts about our struggles. We can shoulder the burdens together, and be stronger for it! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-51596856270415188022013-02-12T13:23:00.000+10:002013-02-12T13:23:04.513+10:00Hard Task Master
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOAehUOwt5z1BAH1hH7qtqag-GzAbiQqHC9u7vlks103JEF3hfm1GG9lY25lBnEnqy9x2o8PEgnTJx2a5KTE7LCRyRHFwcJhz3Idsb2Acw4iOM-GBJN28ZrAE_KVtHuv4Z70GGAdDJDGC/s1600/P1010261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOAehUOwt5z1BAH1hH7qtqag-GzAbiQqHC9u7vlks103JEF3hfm1GG9lY25lBnEnqy9x2o8PEgnTJx2a5KTE7LCRyRHFwcJhz3Idsb2Acw4iOM-GBJN28ZrAE_KVtHuv4Z70GGAdDJDGC/s640/P1010261.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You know it's been a hard day at work
when your boss gives you this tongue lashing:</div>
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You did a really poor job today! You
did not take care of your clients properly, you either tried to
control them or you neglected them, and if they wouldn't do things
your way, you ignored them. Where has your care and compassion gone?
Where is your nurturing, caring persona? And what has happened to
your personal grooming? What on earth are you wearing? You look like
a fat slob! And would it kill you to at least run a comb through your
hair? You smell like you haven't showered for days! Also, you spent
too much time on the internet while you were on duty. You were rude
and impatient to your clients. Your work space looks like a giant
bush turkey's nest. In fact, there is no evidence of you getting a
single thing done today at all!! And did I mention that you stink?</div>
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Who would take that kind of crap from
their boss? Oh hang on. Me. From me. I am such a hard task-master to
myself!! What I need to hear from me goes a little more like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_cEEKeRoYtd4WuPmf2WPc6TCWYch0MxKx5ylVXVeYbc-WQTF_6ZHlcjJj5efcLiZ5KZyNOeFNWDhqHlRmWyHSwsk_HPnepPQ62VImoMXhNhP9FQKVloX2PZb0_GW8_hCJrOpQsekpVBz/s1600/P1000764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_cEEKeRoYtd4WuPmf2WPc6TCWYch0MxKx5ylVXVeYbc-WQTF_6ZHlcjJj5efcLiZ5KZyNOeFNWDhqHlRmWyHSwsk_HPnepPQ62VImoMXhNhP9FQKVloX2PZb0_GW8_hCJrOpQsekpVBz/s320/P1000764.JPG" width="320" /></a>Candy, you seem unhappy with your work
today. Just cast your mind over the day for a moment. Think about how
you spent your time.
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You played hide and seek. Three
separate games.
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You read eight books. While juggling
two wriggly kids on your lap.
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You had kids tackle hug you repeatedly.
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You worked out – while supervising
two kids and dealing with their attempts to steal your work-out
equipment.
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You prepared five meals AND CLEANED UP
THE DISASTER AREA AFTER EACH MEAL.
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You resisted eating chocolate brownie,
smarties and corn chips, even though they were all readily available in your house.
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You vacuumed the whole house, cleaned
most of the house (while two clever kiddies uncleaned after you).
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You cleaned up four wee puddles, and
changed six nappies, and cleaned up poo off the floor and out of
undies.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H7xqwB7NqnwN6OoLKGVadDhdYDED5otbwJ3dwMzjd44q16Jx8M2IzZYeTSgdRCUgVe0L5oY0hfAO1Cg370-VfCI-t_pmPMyDGlvvfBO-_hi5JoXRPfVt86m1ygB1ylFal1lyl-dKR922/s1600/P1000765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1H7xqwB7NqnwN6OoLKGVadDhdYDED5otbwJ3dwMzjd44q16Jx8M2IzZYeTSgdRCUgVe0L5oY0hfAO1Cg370-VfCI-t_pmPMyDGlvvfBO-_hi5JoXRPfVt86m1ygB1ylFal1lyl-dKR922/s320/P1000765.JPG" width="240" /></a>You did two loads of washing, and
folded and put away four loads of washing, while supervising your
children's playtime.
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You brokered peace multiple times
between warring kids, once involving a sand fight that required an
extensive clean-up operation!
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You started your work day abruptly at 5:12am,
after being on call all night (and having to answer that call at least twice).
You had no child-free time, no “break”. Your work day finished at
7:12pm, but not really because you then had to do more cleaning and
prepare for the next day. Oh, and you are going to be on call all
night too. </div>
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I'm reminding you of this so that you can be more understanding and patient with yourself - not so that you can find your worth in the fact that you've done a reasonably good job under somewhat difficult circumstances.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjz9jgBp3ppblg-a8GeogDg-I5xQ7xchlSvx_c3KiLrTXXLVAEv-hux_Y-bFdJ3-BkX0F6BKzNCzHq6Bp0AApH6d4BJ-TRiySyfqdlJQLCzquyTmslhGrnOMqrFD3Gx7nUzSQ_on0BYvf/s1600/P1000767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjz9jgBp3ppblg-a8GeogDg-I5xQ7xchlSvx_c3KiLrTXXLVAEv-hux_Y-bFdJ3-BkX0F6BKzNCzHq6Bp0AApH6d4BJ-TRiySyfqdlJQLCzquyTmslhGrnOMqrFD3Gx7nUzSQ_on0BYvf/s320/P1000767.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Sure, you yelled more than you feel
comfortable with. You lost your temper after the third wee puddle
from the 3.5 year old who CAN control her bladder but prefers to
play. You did escape online a multiple times when you needed a time
out. You could have done things differently. You could have made
different choices about how to handle certain situations. But today
is past, and tomorrow is a fresh day. God's mercy is new every
morning.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
So stop being so hard on yourself and
focus on tuning in to Him who loves you. Let Him love you. Take your
frustrations to Him and breathe in His patience. Draw on His
strength, His compassion, His love to supply the strength, compassion
and love you need for your children. Beating yourself up just makes
for an emotionally bruised and battered start to the next day. Rest in Him and receive His forgiveness for mistakes made. Apologise to your kids for the times you yelled at them and ask their forgiveness too. And be kind to yourself. </div>
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I far too often focus on the negatives. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Do you ever mentally beat yourself up? Well don't, it's not helpful! Remember, your worth is not based in how much you get done in a day, or what your house looks like, or how content your children are! You have unmeasurable worth because God lovingly created you and counted you precious enough to die for. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHua4zEO2eRuvoHZi1ZefUMYCkjDUF2rV8U5cHdeQzXGxuz09-FrMobKTFj-WRtLvoHsJ9r3QKnJ3DtKbynDoRTOCSCkqtS1RqP1Hy98db5gveq7YHFmnxovQ7NJ1bhIx3Mk4Xia8PucR1/s1600/P1010264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHua4zEO2eRuvoHZi1ZefUMYCkjDUF2rV8U5cHdeQzXGxuz09-FrMobKTFj-WRtLvoHsJ9r3QKnJ3DtKbynDoRTOCSCkqtS1RqP1Hy98db5gveq7YHFmnxovQ7NJ1bhIx3Mk4Xia8PucR1/s320/P1010264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-81525823123548877942013-02-07T14:54:00.000+10:002013-02-07T14:54:35.910+10:00A Sentimental Favourite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeI9pcZ5jtkMPYqeBc7MVZviXHGotx-VpftD_KFft7vtbNDJE7WHzVvoh3HU8wD1Y5gWn1gP2wGdkzRpceYVzp_pBvrN8XbkM-R-zxaz-G2z2YpqDf2SCQTlp4mm-MU-2LQ2sRD0b84Hlt/s1600/FirstDateDress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeI9pcZ5jtkMPYqeBc7MVZviXHGotx-VpftD_KFft7vtbNDJE7WHzVvoh3HU8wD1Y5gWn1gP2wGdkzRpceYVzp_pBvrN8XbkM-R-zxaz-G2z2YpqDf2SCQTlp4mm-MU-2LQ2sRD0b84Hlt/s640/FirstDateDress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I just LOVE this dress. I just found it again recently, after a long absence in my sister's closet. It never actually fit her in quite the right way, so I don't think she wore it much. However, when I passed it on to her, I asked her to give it back when she was done. You see, it's got special sentimental significance to me...</div>
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I wore this vintage dress on my first date with hubby, almost eight years ago. I'm ignoring the fact that it wasn't a planned date as such, and more of a "I'm going to be baking to make supper for church today and yes that's fine if you invite yourself over to help". It was the first time we hung out together one-on-one and hit it off. And he took me out for lunch, so it kinda was a date. It's the date we use as our anniversary, and it's almost eight years since that day!! </div>
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Yep, eight years, two kids and two dress sizes since that day. I am currently on a quest to greater health - physical, emotional and spiritual health - and one of my goals is to be able to fit in some of my favourite clothes again. This dress would definitely qualify as one of my favourites, but it's so much tinier than I currently am that it seems impossible. </div>
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So today I pulled the dress out, ironed it and hung it in my room as a daily visual reminder! Here's hoping that it helps to motivate me when I'm feeling tempted to indulge in sweet treats or corn chips!! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-41544934448949265882013-01-30T20:02:00.000+10:002013-01-30T20:02:12.340+10:00Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouw7LjadlAEhmaW45R6GOhkDtymmwRipAKQ0c-WMmC0om8t50wbPYyV670CQlk_iO-mZbJKvxAExYwACswq-tA22_TBD0131_Jn5LbbLipOl_4h6iuvshtyAR5FQB20QdJZlqk5Gg-R_i/s1600/P1010375v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouw7LjadlAEhmaW45R6GOhkDtymmwRipAKQ0c-WMmC0om8t50wbPYyV670CQlk_iO-mZbJKvxAExYwACswq-tA22_TBD0131_Jn5LbbLipOl_4h6iuvshtyAR5FQB20QdJZlqk5Gg-R_i/s640/P1010375v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little something I sketched and stitched with love. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-8632428535616404442013-01-22T13:35:00.001+10:002013-01-22T13:35:58.410+10:00Dress Up Dolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8QM6yUBhxXvQBpyGyyCRo0JAXSPNeIHAgCfVIFhHEmAW0kKpG9Fu4RlJ8meLPsAVLIBn84y2EGFtEbdadQB0jdmGtiyL-_8u9krmqvcHF2hD0mxSBp-iTbDC2A45g9HLmXsarZ-G4rnc/s1600/DSC00394v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8QM6yUBhxXvQBpyGyyCRo0JAXSPNeIHAgCfVIFhHEmAW0kKpG9Fu4RlJ8meLPsAVLIBn84y2EGFtEbdadQB0jdmGtiyL-_8u9krmqvcHF2hD0mxSBp-iTbDC2A45g9HLmXsarZ-G4rnc/s640/DSC00394v1.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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Well hello there! I feel like it has been an age since I've last posted, but I think it was just last week. I just wanted to share the project that has been consuming a lot of my time in the last week. The prize from my most recent eNewsletter giveaway - a custom made Dress Up Doll brooch, with four dresses of the winner's choice. And here it is, ready to be posted out to our lucky winner, Stephanie. Apparently, she and her daughter are a wee bit excited. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz6MG4FOHtpegKTYuoeZJDp-dbaJ5t9RKkkesxr1fXyL9Vshkyj2An9VWf2OkodWc3Hi7FL-9MhjjZJQY9bTAG8P-K4P6PEBUVyzz7SlS55B3Iy_GYiqylZKcO637rEanh-WASAmVUHZN/s1600/DSC00392v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaz6MG4FOHtpegKTYuoeZJDp-dbaJ5t9RKkkesxr1fXyL9Vshkyj2An9VWf2OkodWc3Hi7FL-9MhjjZJQY9bTAG8P-K4P6PEBUVyzz7SlS55B3Iy_GYiqylZKcO637rEanh-WASAmVUHZN/s320/DSC00392v1.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOY2X4l4Lc821tYInuWjfHjzVcl9iLrHfV3tzczwe1cv9x3-SVwx7bIh0SQY3Fxb5hQk2vVnA_PG8GeOdydTk3flCBEKXMwv8rujgZcU96FHP8AZJtAnm0412gCqMAee8DNpFPckynwZ0/s1600/DSC00398v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOY2X4l4Lc821tYInuWjfHjzVcl9iLrHfV3tzczwe1cv9x3-SVwx7bIh0SQY3Fxb5hQk2vVnA_PG8GeOdydTk3flCBEKXMwv8rujgZcU96FHP8AZJtAnm0412gCqMAee8DNpFPckynwZ0/s320/DSC00398v1.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHvbMY88-YyvigAuEU3AQrngxbrysPeyQIeOhhDwylcLq4aVQ5JEiNPizgYFnZipqsQPHDdH1InTCF40Sdtl1DnV0BzTKgHbCxaKd7jQ4-XaUudjSX32mIr9RE3MKkEqgVf-pvq2GgLsF/s1600/DSC00402v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHvbMY88-YyvigAuEU3AQrngxbrysPeyQIeOhhDwylcLq4aVQ5JEiNPizgYFnZipqsQPHDdH1InTCF40Sdtl1DnV0BzTKgHbCxaKd7jQ4-XaUudjSX32mIr9RE3MKkEqgVf-pvq2GgLsF/s320/DSC00402v1.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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Here's a barefoot dress up doll with different colouring:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskWZtRH4YQEtXVNh_26-6FoO19AeNY8-t981ZqfFgBodchyphenhyphenayJ1MTFfxbEAUwTx6StwA39V797jDMIEtDwtpvsemQBqHU9cs9JE4jCaYmmav9GuUJKZj5WZ9krMpBdYaQbd39pkr0nBFF/s1600/DSC00403v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskWZtRH4YQEtXVNh_26-6FoO19AeNY8-t981ZqfFgBodchyphenhyphenayJ1MTFfxbEAUwTx6StwA39V797jDMIEtDwtpvsemQBqHU9cs9JE4jCaYmmav9GuUJKZj5WZ9krMpBdYaQbd39pkr0nBFF/s320/DSC00403v1.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
(Please ignore the fact that I haven't done her shoes yet!).<br />
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It is my goal to have some ready made Dress Up Dolls - some as brooches and some as toys - in my Etsy store and available at the next markets (dates to come soon.)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-77983785283630347342013-01-17T13:54:00.000+10:002013-01-17T13:54:38.067+10:00And Mari Was Happy At Last!<div style="text-align: justify;">
A friend I have never met, who lives on the other side of the world, has allowed me a very special privilege. She has commissioned me to stitch a portion of a recent story her six-year-old daughter wrote and illustrated. </div>
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My friend's little girl, Mari, has a serious medical condition that is increasingly impairing her mobility (and therefore, her ability to do things for herself). Mari is currently in training to have a helper dog, thanks to WAGS - Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs. </div>
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She and her family are so excited about the new freedom Mari will be able to enjoy with her service dog. Mari recently had the special treat of meeting her assigned helper dog, Olive, earlier than she expected. That precious meeting prompted her to write a beautiful story, a snippet of which you see here. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVrzbhE_ZOL7OEgB8XRTWnzLUKcOFIW0yITfDRh2d7GcoFz5oyKWB85SU4-L1EKK277uYB11U8_nYNNG-P6EBIyH4C3VAhpnmFg84CGGyKn3-6oQ63ulIvSBjbb-phArwSGp1knie6rYe/s1600/DSC00385v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVrzbhE_ZOL7OEgB8XRTWnzLUKcOFIW0yITfDRh2d7GcoFz5oyKWB85SU4-L1EKK277uYB11U8_nYNNG-P6EBIyH4C3VAhpnmFg84CGGyKn3-6oQ63ulIvSBjbb-phArwSGp1knie6rYe/s640/DSC00385v2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0yCsOZTOalL7cBi6yPZovisPG6sDlewl208oULlwmjLf53iTXvx00yWudFNcQV6J6FNTVgKBAORLckikcQhdNsjd8mMK4S0R_MmukXmKHjNqjn_mibJtnIWkctrYBIHXaxeNGHsHUtVo/s1600/DSC00386v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0yCsOZTOalL7cBi6yPZovisPG6sDlewl208oULlwmjLf53iTXvx00yWudFNcQV6J6FNTVgKBAORLckikcQhdNsjd8mMK4S0R_MmukXmKHjNqjn_mibJtnIWkctrYBIHXaxeNGHsHUtVo/s640/DSC00386v1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although I have never met her, I know that Mari has a heart of gold, just like her Mum. In the midst of the intense challenges that this precious girl is facing, I hope that this wall hanging will serve to remind her of the joyful first meeting with Olive, and help to keep her positive in her journey.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA8ArX1qhHdNDDLQPIyTtTchRx7LvxSCuiKFxivMuOIu09HcgtVRhqk0n8J6QYQK4cJwEdUIfPyvASLEHL615OsyQg02niMWuu0P902g-otYaKvC1yw6i7Y-cTAJXHq3GBxCBco-ihB31/s1600/MariOlive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfA8ArX1qhHdNDDLQPIyTtTchRx7LvxSCuiKFxivMuOIu09HcgtVRhqk0n8J6QYQK4cJwEdUIfPyvASLEHL615OsyQg02niMWuu0P902g-otYaKvC1yw6i7Y-cTAJXHq3GBxCBco-ihB31/s640/MariOlive.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mari with her service dog, Olive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-51333911311353113662013-01-13T09:46:00.002+10:002013-01-13T09:46:37.931+10:00How To: Make Paper Heart Embellishments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNQFePShm92gcZSu3t1HoacvKTfyAQ8K0nNmyqaTCz5JaWGJx-G0HCqboh5BNDM7e95PZIFFu16oRef3XLIcATlAEqaO3Oh-La35krrufh9uokKsw144ohD3QxkkArFAIdmUzs8I-4Vb1/s1600/DSC00350v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNQFePShm92gcZSu3t1HoacvKTfyAQ8K0nNmyqaTCz5JaWGJx-G0HCqboh5BNDM7e95PZIFFu16oRef3XLIcATlAEqaO3Oh-La35krrufh9uokKsw144ohD3QxkkArFAIdmUzs8I-4Vb1/s640/DSC00350v1.jpg" width="635" /></a></div>
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On my wish list for Christmas, I wanted a large heart cutter. You see, I had this plan to make some packaging embellishments from paper hearts. I had been given a sheet of these from a popular stationery and homewares store, and I loved using them to pretty up my packages last year. I loved the simple beauty of these embellishments, and thought I could make something similar pretty easily. </div>
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Well, lo and behold, I received a cutter for Christmas...a round corner cutter, that is. Exactly the same as the one I already have. But my loved one who gifted this to me kept the receipt (smart person) and I was able to take and exchange it for a heart cutter. I couldn't find a plain one, so I ended up with a scalloped edge heart. Which I have decided I love, by the way. </div>
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So, here it is. </div>
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How to make paper heart embellishments<b>:</b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pKYuf0r8UO29iYccH7NBDYcq4iwVoRzmLypbfq8WgHZmaDoadnOKexWT1L8DRd4-UZbEJOd6gbCdU80v4RC4Hlwl6xeQ0NJdebdN4hp3bIBrnQwDHYlQ8BwUlbLMRAta843prOpwk7Sm/s1600/DSC00352v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pKYuf0r8UO29iYccH7NBDYcq4iwVoRzmLypbfq8WgHZmaDoadnOKexWT1L8DRd4-UZbEJOd6gbCdU80v4RC4Hlwl6xeQ0NJdebdN4hp3bIBrnQwDHYlQ8BwUlbLMRAta843prOpwk7Sm/s320/DSC00352v1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u><b>Materials: </b></u></div>
<ul>
<li>Large heart cutter/punch</li>
<li>Scrapbooking paper, or other thick paper or thin card, with pretty matching patterns</li>
<li>Sewing machine threaded to match the paper/card</li>
<li>Paper scissors</li>
<li>Double sided tape</li>
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<u><b>Method:</b></u><br />
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Use your heart punch to cut hearts out of a variety of matching scrapbooking paper/card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10qrcZ-zbWdlaB71bjxikSHyLBOaVxNc71FqMOeOEM_GcyB0rzZUVdhGUvLQ3QWwBkDB502d5SSrqvpNLYP8_jT6CViQqOrGDn4Jzf1FdKpZ3ilC2G-W6g7QTtYG_D2gwfuOS4XmzQ7bc/s1600/DSC00353v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidifX4o3M_F7THr4BTMlGNM5DWztG6jmcGSPLBcD-zI0CrJNMrWx65aqgNoSZMaxHMszUuM-BOKbO33aMA708nHPtpIROCu-ayUbTgrLZJiPws183fJZ7IFgPk-mXxq5UoFK1GZJnJcwPm/s1600/DSC00354v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidifX4o3M_F7THr4BTMlGNM5DWztG6jmcGSPLBcD-zI0CrJNMrWx65aqgNoSZMaxHMszUuM-BOKbO33aMA708nHPtpIROCu-ayUbTgrLZJiPws183fJZ7IFgPk-mXxq5UoFK1GZJnJcwPm/s320/DSC00354v1.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10qrcZ-zbWdlaB71bjxikSHyLBOaVxNc71FqMOeOEM_GcyB0rzZUVdhGUvLQ3QWwBkDB502d5SSrqvpNLYP8_jT6CViQqOrGDn4Jzf1FdKpZ3ilC2G-W6g7QTtYG_D2gwfuOS4XmzQ7bc/s320/DSC00353v1.jpg" width="249" /></div>
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Choose three hearts to go together. The three hearts are going to sit in
a pile, so the top one will be most visible, but the others need to
look good with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnt0FvSCa2xSaUOKerfgUV-cmYnU_QqfkR0s1LU-4v95MZkVHJ2lY54YFbugEy7yUS6r7lVbwU5HyBRtt18B5qY4I_EiL07hRRZqjAD-hlGAxnAgshtnpxYw7aZUVGT7yUgFOPADQV2f-/s1600/DSC00355v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnt0FvSCa2xSaUOKerfgUV-cmYnU_QqfkR0s1LU-4v95MZkVHJ2lY54YFbugEy7yUS6r7lVbwU5HyBRtt18B5qY4I_EiL07hRRZqjAD-hlGAxnAgshtnpxYw7aZUVGT7yUgFOPADQV2f-/s400/DSC00355v1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Stack your three hearts in the order you want them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KFTNYDX-jgdEMOH2DrkczrqvgQwAT4ZTY3kcpLYciBWZ3yZc80WCnGzjXsgLJe8ZHStRrYCAxuLO9j9EMbtCbjse2DzbBS7ujH21r111YdMi-ZkVcWKjXkKMY4F9oegbyktkMsrNpxtF/s1600/DSC00357v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KFTNYDX-jgdEMOH2DrkczrqvgQwAT4ZTY3kcpLYciBWZ3yZc80WCnGzjXsgLJe8ZHStRrYCAxuLO9j9EMbtCbjse2DzbBS7ujH21r111YdMi-ZkVcWKjXkKMY4F9oegbyktkMsrNpxtF/s320/DSC00357v1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sew straight up and down the centre line of the pile of hearts, making sure you keep them neatly together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkZQW2V1JabK7Scnl-P5o07fhgxGqHcENUK1hCSzVwP1N5g2w3bWm18KCw7JZMeLNidUdoPl8CXKCNR3hFlW4iSPujSpLswwXnTMQOCJ4fWsQibwQq_HCzu6-C5t2kc-cX4vhobBBbF3u/s1600/DSC00363v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkZQW2V1JabK7Scnl-P5o07fhgxGqHcENUK1hCSzVwP1N5g2w3bWm18KCw7JZMeLNidUdoPl8CXKCNR3hFlW4iSPujSpLswwXnTMQOCJ4fWsQibwQq_HCzu6-C5t2kc-cX4vhobBBbF3u/s320/DSC00363v1.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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Flip the hearts over and cut a strip of double sided tape the length of the centre line of the heart. Place the tape on, leaving the protective strip on the second sticky side in place until you want to use it. [You can store the hearts at this point, in their flat state.]<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOyB2PK30l6dQE9f0CnSU-FSRD31I1jr1xmlsNIsrEhayzRq6AsAF0r30ZdXAnh6rgGmkbR7cquw9-KZ1iEdCzb4Lo0_bwLUe71lEZKUnUBVQmKwRwmhPhyphenhyphenoW-4HrUceaFVpSjna6trya/s1600/DSC00371v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOyB2PK30l6dQE9f0CnSU-FSRD31I1jr1xmlsNIsrEhayzRq6AsAF0r30ZdXAnh6rgGmkbR7cquw9-KZ1iEdCzb4Lo0_bwLUe71lEZKUnUBVQmKwRwmhPhyphenhyphenoW-4HrUceaFVpSjna6trya/s320/DSC00371v1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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When ready to use the heart embellishment, gently fold the top layers back towards the centre line, like little wings. Fold the second layer a little in the same direction.<br />
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Remove the protective strip from the double sided tape and place in desired position.<br />
Voila! <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-79650098904337327512013-01-06T11:42:00.000+10:002013-01-06T11:42:18.182+10:00Treasures From Home<div style="text-align: justify;">
In our recent trip to my parents' home for Christmas, I came across some beautiful hand embroidered vanity sets my mother did many years ago. I remember loving them as a child - cute and quirky designs, with such life and character. This time, however, I saw them afresh for the artworks they are. My mother's handiwork is gorgeous!</div>
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Another treasure from home: my mother gave me one of her old sewing boxes that I have always loved. <br />
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Lovely, huh?<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-61159043982642552072013-01-04T08:46:00.000+10:002013-01-04T08:46:10.029+10:00Completing Another Unfinished Project<div style="text-align: justify;">
Belated holiday greetings! And Happy New Year to all. I hope you have all had a lovely time over Christmas and New Year. </div>
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Here's another unfinished project that I completed prior to Christmas, and this one has a little "full circle" kind of story. The pink patchwork panel on the front was made by my Grandmother-in-law more than 15 years ago. It was intended to be a cushion cover, but never got finished. Grandma gave me several panels of different patchwork designs that were in various stages of completion, as she said she is never going to finish them now. She hoped I could find some way to make use of them. </div>
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When my Father-in-law asked if I had anything in my store that would be a suitable present for his Mother (the same Grandmother-in-law), I immediately thought of the unfinished patchwork panels and said I could whip something up. </div>
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So I made a simple tote bag, using <a href="http://ocd-obsessivecraftingdisorder.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/bag-lady-week-simple-tote-tutorial-and.html">this tutorial</a> to get me started (though I altered dimensions and a few other elements). </div>
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I made a kanzashi flower brooch to use as the centre of the patchwork panel as a decoration, or it can be removed and worn as a brooch.</div>
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I made the outer portion of the bag with an upholstery-weight cotton canvas that I purchased at a thrift store, and the inner (lining) portion of the bag with a vintage sheet (also thrifted). The inner pocket was from thrifted linen. </div>
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I always love the satisfaction of completing something, especially using thrifted materials. But with this project, the greater satisfaction was in knowing that the finished product would return a piece of lovingly-made textile craft to its maker in a form she can use every day. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-24624499036793693792012-12-19T13:52:00.000+10:002012-12-19T13:52:57.827+10:00Quiet Book Closure...LITERALLY!!Hi there! I'm feeling rather satisfied right now. I have done what I have been meaning to do for a whole year. It's a little rough. It's far from perfect. But it is DONE! My daughter's <a href="http://www.candykins-crafts.blogspot.com.au/search/label/quiet%20book">Quiet Book </a>cover. Completed in time for Christmas 2012. Huzzah!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-34115979915013452432012-12-15T09:00:00.001+10:002012-12-15T09:00:04.684+10:00eNewsletter Giveaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/TNPfJrzbv0/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5PMQ4hRYOhfn3A6lTenQ_IJH7ugatIo1nwSzGCltvSFQ5fsRd1l6Qhec8DSHGaMvGl_kGG6Ipaj7pIFvIXw5dug3Crm5fQxGXN1WA1cH4bTSQK1qJ_jNBFS52q9Tyif-Dk17X8i3VVIh/s640/2012-12-14+16.25.34.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
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I have got to say, last night's BrisStyle indie Twilight Market was the best market I have ever been to. There was such a great festive vibe, and plenty of people coming through. I got to share a table with the lovely Sharyn from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gutsygirl.com.au">Gutsy Girl Art</a>. And to top it off, I was not expecting to see any on my friends outside of the BrisStyle community, but saw quite a few after all! Including a lovely friend of mine from high school who came and hung out for the last hour or so, and even helped me close a few sales. (Thanks, Karen!)<br />
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Thanks to all who made purchases, it is truly exciting to see things I've designed and created going to new homes. But do you know what satisfied me most of all? Watching people's reactions as they walked past the stall. Of course, plenty of people walked straight past, but there were many who stopped and squealed with delight - either at the rain cloud brooches, or the dress brooches, or even the embroidery hoop art pieces. I just loved seeing those reactions! I loved the exclamations of, "Oh, that is SO CUTE!" and "KAWAII!!" and seeing people do a double take for a second look...I loved seeing people smile in reaction to my little pieces of wearable art. So thank you, to all of you, for making my night so memorable!<br />
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Okay. Down to business. Another GIVEAWAY!! You can win...drum roll please...drrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...a Dress Up Doll Brooch with four outfits - entirely custom made just for you! You can be in the running just by signing up to my brand new eNewsletter <a href="http://mad.ly/signups/67718/join">here</a>. You get to choose the doll's hair, skin, and eye colour, as well as each of her dresses - style and colour! Feel free to share the news with your friends.<br />
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<a href="http://instagram.com/p/TO-1JgzboK/"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6KDHB_Y_yoVAfZ7FR4NlEHE6wrOLsJRiYGS2jbmzZJsXu2nFHFxweJm4iL9TB5tckJXKiXT8lQW7xm7z2AfIcL-Ar72dcAZnXHamn1oKeRAhT2X4ZsnRNPiaYuADVzuovVnkQdgbCgws/s400/2012-12-15+08.38.12.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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Good luck! Perhaps you will win! (Giveaway open internationally, and will be drawn mid January)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-65800492205324715002012-12-06T13:11:00.000+10:002012-12-06T13:11:43.740+10:00The Green Eyed Monster Strikes Again<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaWoGCrhLq1cN3GDKilUv7iudQklcE_MFjXH9Rmn1RS7H_0wUCUm_sd1j6BBU6Vl8f21l-T-OoK-_gZ92f2TIq77G0F0O5xdAr4PFJSKG5N3YhgyjC1vnbZXnLZHPw8su0UZUpNadllUk/s1600/wow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaWoGCrhLq1cN3GDKilUv7iudQklcE_MFjXH9Rmn1RS7H_0wUCUm_sd1j6BBU6Vl8f21l-T-OoK-_gZ92f2TIq77G0F0O5xdAr4PFJSKG5N3YhgyjC1vnbZXnLZHPw8su0UZUpNadllUk/s400/wow2.jpg" width="400" /></a>One thing I have noticed in this online game - blogging, selling on Etsy, being on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest...the Green Eyed Monster is always lurking, reading to pounce. Have you noticed it? It looks something like this...</div>
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Scenario 1: Sitting at your laptop, doing the first online check of the day. Log on to Facebook, Etsy, email, etc. Facebook...Oh, wow, look at that. [Friend]'s child is already [insert activity that your child is not yet doing]. Good for her! </div>
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And at first, you genuinely mean it. You are truly happy and uplifted by the sight of cute little tot doing cute things. But then that Green Eyed Monster pounces and you feel just a bit blah. If you're good at the whole meta-cognition thing, you might notice yourself thinking "Why does her kid always do things [sooner/better/faster/neater/with more flair] than mine?" which might lead to "What am I doing wrong? Am I a bad mother? I don't spend enough time with my kids. I'm just not good enough!" Sound familiar?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH9Zo63BE-Xr3mBesW3333kZRb4QMNFBImzEtmFk8dDFj2WU4h5NQCmi5AkjO8nZ_7T8m8qRC-N4k-HDShJYjwe6RpZfV25EcsvrG0qS_HeI2shMVLvthxaqgbO1qTzAzxNbHX-AgwZFy/s1600/aww1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH9Zo63BE-Xr3mBesW3333kZRb4QMNFBImzEtmFk8dDFj2WU4h5NQCmi5AkjO8nZ_7T8m8qRC-N4k-HDShJYjwe6RpZfV25EcsvrG0qS_HeI2shMVLvthxaqgbO1qTzAzxNbHX-AgwZFy/s400/aww1.jpg" width="400" /></a>Scenario 2: Looking at Instagram on your phone. Scanning through food photos, sunrise photos, kids doing funny things photos...then you see it. Oh. My. Gosh. [Another online seller] is posting off 15 parcels today? Wow! Good on her, she must be doing well! </div>
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Again, you do genuinely feel happy for her. But it's not long before the Green Eyed Monster starts gnawing at your insides. "She is ALWAYS posting items off. Why does she sell so much and I try so hard but can't seem to make more than a sale or two per month? I mean, I know her work is really lovely, but I think mine is too!" which might lead to "What am I doing wrong? Is my stuff just rubbish? Does nobody truly like my work? Am I wasting my time? Maybe I'm just not good enough!" Come on, be honest and tell me, does this ever happen to you?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHusHWoYyVo7GWsEIgJ6YWLrdWtMCuDlKLVwv9nZqt_wSj5aqiNSNHWr_HCHGhL0mECubb7DbHnwN8CdVjpGeFX8F0LHx6smjIzRUcGh6t4gPbJsnq3LXRGcGE1IOl2ybKUEQpPso09Yrb/s1600/blah1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHusHWoYyVo7GWsEIgJ6YWLrdWtMCuDlKLVwv9nZqt_wSj5aqiNSNHWr_HCHGhL0mECubb7DbHnwN8CdVjpGeFX8F0LHx6smjIzRUcGh6t4gPbJsnq3LXRGcGE1IOl2ybKUEQpPso09Yrb/s400/blah1.jpg" width="400" /></a>Have you ever noticed the Green Eyed Monster sneaking up on you while you trawl the world of Social Media? What do you do about it? Have you ever noticed that comparison seems to reap nothing but dissatisfaction and self-doubt? How do you navigate the online world without giving way to the Green Eyed Monster?</div>
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<ol>
<li>For me personally, I know that self-awareness is a big first step. Acknowledging [like I am in this post] that I struggle with this. </li>
<li>Secondly, reminding myself that comparison that leads to the old "I'm just not good enough" story is not very helpful. There are helpful ways of comparing myself, but I must be very wary to ward off the Green Eyed Monster. </li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Yx3P9PmmYJtedWOhcGpcr7oxA8aKWzpqdvXxuHMEHs5hwq-m5xNvKbeAvXkEEVebiOLX3EHvPByQSgKRH9sAoDW-OBoO9YKqXdP5VStbYM1B-mXKvjovfiTzS9GRyVKPIaGIJcmMtf_g/s1600/humph1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Yx3P9PmmYJtedWOhcGpcr7oxA8aKWzpqdvXxuHMEHs5hwq-m5xNvKbeAvXkEEVebiOLX3EHvPByQSgKRH9sAoDW-OBoO9YKqXdP5VStbYM1B-mXKvjovfiTzS9GRyVKPIaGIJcmMtf_g/s400/humph1.jpg" width="400" /></a>For example, I can choose a few shops that I see as successful shops to learn from. I can look at their business practices, their use of social media, their way of marketing their products, and from looking, I can see what is working for them. Of course, the goal of all of this observation is not to copy, but to learn the principles that are working and adjust them to suit my own personal business, style, and time constraints.<br />
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This is important to note. I LOVE the embroidery work of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/dandelyne?ref=top_trail">Dandelyne</a>, for example. Sonia, the lovely woman behind the store, is vivacious, charismatic and a little bit wacky! She does a wonderful job of creating quality pieces, and her brand strong and style is unique and recognisable. She is one that I absolutely marvel at, when I see on Instagram that she has 56 orders to get out. But when the Green Eyed Monster threatens to start on me, I remind myself that there is no way I could possibly begin to handle 56 orders before Christmas!! Her kids are at school, and while that presents different challenges, it does allow more time, so she is able to take on more work. I just physically cannot do that much at this point in time, and there is no point wishing I could! </div>
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And back to the friends of Facebook scenario...I have found for myself that rather than comparing myself with my friends (or my kids with my friends' kids), it is much more useful for myself and for my friendships that I ask my friends directly what they are doing, and how they are doing it. Not to make myself in their image, but to learn from them if there are skills I am lacking, and to recognise the differences that are just circumstantial, personality-based, or values-based. We are all different, and that's the way it should be. </div>
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God tells us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). We can't do that if we are too busy being consumed by what we think they have that we want. The Green Eyed Monster is a master of illusion, and usually has us tricked into seeing things very differently than they actually are. <br />
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So when I notice that Green Eyed Monster sneaking up on me, I can throw it off the trail by:</div>
<ul>
<li>celebrating differences</li>
<li>doing something special for that particular friend</li>
<li>asking my friend about how she is managing - and really getting to know her for who she is</li>
<li>looking at my own life and thinking about where my own behaviours are
vastly different from my values, and focusing on what I need to do to
change that (with God's help)<br />
</li>
<li>praying for my friend - for absolute and total blessing over every area of their life</li>
<li>surrendering my feelings of jealousy to God and asking Him to replace them with love</li>
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I know several of my strategies are faith-based ones, which may not resonate with you personally. I'd love to know how you deal with this issue? What strategies do you use? <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6380796463432264591.post-16455817460696310082012-12-06T08:41:00.001+10:002012-12-06T08:41:25.778+10:00Christmas MarketsHi lovelies!<br />
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Just a little reminder for those of you readers who actually happen to live in the Brisbane, Queensland, Australia area (my stats show you are in the minority here). Two BrisStyle Christmas Markets are coming up in the next two weeks.<br />
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Firstly, the BrisStyle indie Designer Markets this Saturday, 8th December at St. Augustine's Church at Hamilton. All the details, including market line-up <a href="http://www.brisstyle.com.au/indie-designers-market/">here</a> and the Facebook event page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/549978168362082/">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuiOPP-IfWYaOFfCqUb_e8-qV9jBZoI-Xhyo5s23TnKO3dhW2dxfMwMcizge0yPQFTQeBp7wpgcTF3xk5Wfm02rackJIPt5HDp9Q0EYujlSVhimz3KB_VyM8ZhDYpdCccBLC0DFOvlKmW/s1600/Hi+Res_+Dec+8+Designers+Market+Product+Mosaic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuiOPP-IfWYaOFfCqUb_e8-qV9jBZoI-Xhyo5s23TnKO3dhW2dxfMwMcizge0yPQFTQeBp7wpgcTF3xk5Wfm02rackJIPt5HDp9Q0EYujlSVhimz3KB_VyM8ZhDYpdCccBLC0DFOvlKmW/s640/Hi+Res_+Dec+8+Designers+Market+Product+Mosaic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Secondly, the BrisStyle indie Twilight Markets next Friday, 14th December at King George Square, Brisbane City. Details<a href="http://www.brisstyle.com.au/indie-twilight-market/"> here </a>and Facebook event page<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/385754048175190/"> here</a>.<br />
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There will be plenty of lovely, quality handmade goodies to get your hands on in time for Christmas. You can do all your Christmas shopping in one place, and support local handmade makers in the process. Hope to see you there!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0