Monday, March 22, 2010

taking over

The general busy-ness of life is getting in the way of blog-land - kids, family, work, school, jellygnite, BrisSyle ...

The last BiDM was fun and I'm gearing up for the next one, a 'BrisStyle indie Mother and Child' market as well as the market in King George Square.

So I'm taking a little bloggy break for a while; Im not waiting for when life gets less crazy - cause I don't think that ever happens! - but for when I'm ready to step back into Charlie and Grace properly again!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

BiDM Busy-ness!

ONE WEEK
In a week, I will be soaking up the markety vibe, listening to some guitar tunes, chatting with customers and generally enjoying myself at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market.

I only hope that next Saturday is not as wet and soggy as today! Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the misty rain, light breeze and occaisional snatches of sunlight, but not the best weather for Happy Market Days next weekend, me thinks!

Sunny Day at the last BiDM

I have made all the stock I'm going to make (I could always make more, but keeping my sanity is rather more important!) and printed out all the prices and bits and pieces. So I'm feeling pretty good - roll on Saturday!

What I do have left to do is make a pretty new dress for market day! It's green (suprise!) and cream spots and I'm making a mod-style summer dress. My gorgeous little girl bought the fabric for me for Christmas (love her style!)

Details for the first BiDM of the year are on the BrisStyle website as well as a list of BiDM marketeers - go write your shopping lists now! (well, I'm going to anyway!!)

See you next Saturday!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

The Art of Letter Writing

Ever since I was a small girl I have loved receiving mail. I love the postage stamps, the canceling
post office stamps, the dog-eared envelopes, the anticipation of what's inside...


I have a 'pen-friend' in Italy; we have been writing to each other for just shy of 20 years (oh my!). We are dear friends and although we mostly email each other now, it is most exciting when a parcel comes in the mail all the way from Italy!

I love sending mail too! I love making and decorating envelopes and putting little, funny and sometimes trivial notes inside or long big essays of thoughts and happenings. It truly is a beautiful art, this letter writing!


I have just finished some new products for my jellygnite Etsy shop. A year or so ago I made my mum an 'Art Deco Ladies' note paper set, she commissioned me for a couple more for her friends and now I've finally nutted out a whole range.

It features gorgeous ladies from the 20th century in their varied, but always so stylish and glamourous fashions. There's 'Deco Retro', 'Wartime Retro', 'Rock n Roll Retro', 'Mod Retro' and 'Woodstock Retro'. I had considered including the 80s decade of fashion too .... but those fluro rah-rah skirts, leg warmers and big hair have left a permanant scar on my memory!

I'm looking forward to the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market (in TWO weeks!) where I can bring my 'Retro Ladies' note paper sets out and encourage others back into the love of letter writing!

Saturday, February 13, 2010

an apple for the teacher

I've just come back from a great BrisStyle Committee meet (they are such a fantastic bunch of super dedicated BrisStylers!) and am feeling really positive about all the 'good things' . And it's well and truly time for another blog post .... now that Christmas, summer holidays and 'back to school' are out of the way it may be time to get back to the blog ... even though life continues on in it's crazy, frantic fashion.

Today, the (very) lovely Helen from Ruby2GoGo gave me this gorgeous brooch for my birthday - 'an apple for the teacher'. Isn't it lovely? It's made of camphour laurel wood (mmm smells good!) by Sam from Jetta's Nest. I love these wooden brooches - I hope she has more for sale at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market!


Speaking of BiDM, it's the first of the year and it's in 3 short weeks! I'm quite excited making new little gift tags, 'Little Loxies' and eco- envelopes. I'll be in the same spot as last year; next to Little Chrissy. Yay!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas Tree

Advent Calendar


Nativity Scene

Christmas Market


... I really think it is the most wonderful time of the year!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

... it's that time of year ...

Although it's not December yet (when Christmas 'officially' starts in our house!) it's certainly "that time of the year".

It's that time of the year when my colleagues and I are busily marking student work and writing reports as well as thinking of fun Christmassy things to do while trying to stay 'on top of it all'.
It's that time of year when the heat arrives and brings thunderstorms in the evening (yay for rain!)
It's also time for me to start thinking about Christmas gifts and looking forward to and planning the festive season.

And the thing that's exciting me the most is the BrisStyle Indie Designers Christmas Market, because, not only does it coincide with the end of school for me, but I can't wait to set up my little stall, soak up the friendly market atmosphere and do some super crafty Christmas shopping!

I have been making a few new things for BiDM, some more 'little cuties' (like the one I made in this post) and my 'eco-envelopes' (see this post). Most recently though I've made some little gift tags.


These have been made using up-cycled cereal boxes (I have been amassing quite a collection - we eat a lot of weet bix!!) and some fabulous vintage images from old childrens books. I think they would make cute gift tags for gifts for kids, but think they would work as bookmarks too!


Making these is very addictive and fun - I absolutely LOVE trawling through damaged old books looking for the perfect images!

I'm selling these in my jellygnite etsy shop as well as at BiDM. I'm really looking forward to BiDM now! ... but there's a little bit of preparation work ahead of me yet!

If you are keen to check out who of the BrisStylettes will be at the next BiDM, check out the BrisStyle website (created by a very clever local Brisbane web-developer ... aka, my husband!!)

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

BrisStyle Limited Edition Eco Tote Bag

... Help Pick the Design and WIN!

This is rather exciting! We are printing a limited edition run of BrisStyle totes for the BrisStyle Indie Designers Christmas Market. Some of our very talented BrisStylettes have come up with some fun designs.

Head on over to the BrisStyle Blog to pick your favourite ... if you can - I'm having trouble deciding which one I like the best! You'll go in the running to win a tote of your very own!