Wednesday, June 24, 2009

'BiDM' books and lovely friends

BiDM = BrisStyle Indie Designers Markets (cool eh?!) and they are just around the corner!!! oh my, I think I'm starting to get a little stressed ... and super excited!! Oh, and I'm also on holidays for the next 2 and a half weeks ;)

Here are some lovely ladies ready for their big day at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Markets.

I really love making books and journals, and get so inspired by the fabulous things the BEST members make too. These journals have a stab-bound pad inside as well as a little pocket for goodies.


I think these little note-pads (below) are my favourites; they're nice and small, simple and have lovely images from old story-books on the cover. I'd like to make more of these!

My problem is I flit from thing to thing; while I was making some new brooches for the market today, I felt the sudden need to abandon them and go and make some more books! Oh dear, my attention span is on the small side, methinks!


In the past couple of years, I have gained many 'bloggy' friends and lovely, crafty BrisStyle friends too. I was so chuffed to receive the 'Love Ya' award recently from both Helen from Ruby2GoGo and Amanda from TwinkleStarArt - two very lovely BrisStylettes - thank you :)

This award is bestowed on the blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award. Then let everyone know seven things about you.

me:
*
I don't get anywhere near enough sleep - too many things I want to squish into my days!
*
I am currently in the 'twilight' zone - lost in the world of Edward and Bella (and I wish I was a vampire to solve my problem above!) After having countless students (10 -13 years of age) recommending the book for me, I was finally convinced when Helen raved about it ... I figured I was going to hold a lot more weight to a grown-up's view of the series, rather than a young girl's!!
*
(I think I may have mentioned this one already...) I am on holidays at the moment!! :D
*
I wish that there was one thing that I was really good at, instead of being ok at lots of little things
*
This month, I taught myself to crochet and am making granny squares to make into a throw for our (electrifyingly) blue lounge; I calculated how many I'm going to need - I'm hoping to finish before next winter!
*
Not a secret, but I really love making things - really love it. I guess I am lucky to be an Art teacher to small kids.
*
I used to be a waitress for 7 years while at uni - I never want to do that ever again (this desire, therefore, prevents me from doing any further study!!), but I do still enjoy carrying dinner plates up my arm!


I am passing this on to the following friendly, funny, self-effacing, inspirational and fun blogs ... I know that this is a double-up of the award for some of them, but I think they deserve it! ;)

1. Hey Harriet: Tracy inspires so many people to chase shadows every week as well as sharing her own beautiful images and adventures. (and I always have a little chuckle at the random surreal generator too ... hee hee!)

2. HotFudge: I love hearing Robyn's adventures, listening to her sage advice, and of course, cracking up at her little jokes!

3. edward and lilly: Rebecca has so much style and grace in the beautiful things she makes. I enjoy her 'shopping lists'.

4. Lisa's RetroStyle: I love reading Lisa's blog and discovering (and getting mighty envious!) of her new vintage and retro finds!

5. littlechrissy: Chris is very good at reminding me to appreciate the little things in her 'grateful Monday' posts.

6. The Small Stuff: Bec's blog was one of the first ones I found in bloggy land - I love her writing style and enjoy her stories about her kids ;)

7. Ruby2GoGo: Helen is such a wonderful, thoughtful gem with an eye for glorious Brisbane retro! :D oh! and she's pretty good at organising the best markets too!;)

8. TwinkleStarArt: An amazing illustrator - I love peeking into Amanda's sketchbook on her blog and amazing that her stories about her 2 year-old sweetie are exactly the same as my stories about my 2 year old!! hee hee!

Back to my brooches for BiDM now!

5 comments:

Hey Harriet said...

I'm very excited to hear that you've been making more little books for the market! I can't wait to see them in person! I like the way you squished two mentions of being on holidays into your post ;) You are evil Ali! I was dragged along to see that Twilight movie, not exepecting to like it at all, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it. Not enough to inspire me to read the books though. Congrats on your award! Thanks so much for passing it along to me. You are too kind! Hey I bet Lisa will feel very special to be the only non-BrisStyler recipient! Love your list! Happy creating! Happy holidays! See you at the BIDM next week :)

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Omg Ali! Have we got some things in common!! Talk about a short attention spanned multi-tasker...me too:} Oh, and wising you were really good at one thing...me too. I've always said I'm a "jack of all trades, master of none". Oh well what are we gonna do?!

I can see why you keep heading back to the books...they are fabulous!!! Love them.

Currently I'm too stressed to be excited. I have my monthly show on Sunday and have waaaayy too much left to do.

Thank YOU sooo much for the award! It is so very kind of you to include me with other such wonderful bloggers. I am honored:D
I will formally accept and pass along on my blog sometime next week when I get back from my show and recover:}

Thanks Ali! xo

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

I just read Tracy's comment. It hadn't occurred to me that I was the only non-BrisStyler:o I certainly do feel very special...well I already felt very special. Now I feel very extra special!!

Maybe I could be some sort of honorary International BrisStyle member;)

Anonymous said...

Love your little books. Lucky you having a couple of weeks to focus 'well partly' on BrisStyle markets. I'm sure a large chunk of you holiday will be spent entertaining your kids ;)

Oh and I loved reading the things about you. Only, you don't give yourself enough credit. Your fantastic at all the arty stuff I've seen so far. Very few people can do many, many crafts and be as good as you are. I guess this is why you're an art teacher, you pass on your magic wisdom to young and emerging talent.

Thanks so much for returning the Love ;)

Amanda xo

Bec said...

Ooooh, these little books look so lovely!! Thank-you for the award!! I'm a little behind on my blog reading so only just realised I'd been given one. I have just amended my award post on my blog to include you - hope that's ok!!!!
Boy the market sure is coming up quick. I should really get off this computer and onto the sewing machine. See you soon!!! Bec XX