I am a butterfly

 

(photograph via here, text added by me)

Life changes; sometimes it’s expected, sometimes it’s a surprise. Six years ago I left my career, my family and friends and moved overseas with my husband and children (expected). I then found myself pregnant with child number three (surprise!). I had planned to look for work after we had settled, but instead I was ready to go on maternity leave, so a stay at home mum I became.

For those who knew me in my previous life this probably seemed totally out of character, and honestly I never imagined that role for myself either. I had worked hard to build a career, a reputation in my chosen field, and came late to the child raising game (oldest was born when I was 35). I never considered the idea of not working, I wanted it all.

But with all the life changes 6 years ago, I did what I never thought I would do and became a stay at home mum.  For the last 6 years, I have been there for every moment of littlest's growth and development and I have thrown myself into my older children life, being there for every expo, school excursion, sporting event, and after school activity. I became that ever slightly annoying parent who did everything at her children's school, taking on volunteer leadership roles (school council and parent's association), coordinating fundraising activities and helping out in the classroom and around the school.

During these 6 years I also rediscovered my love of craft and handmade. It became my new creative outlet and a way for me to explore my fascination with my new home, Australia. Again, probably a surprise for those who knew me in my previous life. I started to blog, I started an online shop or two, became a twitterer, facebooker and instagrammer. Discovered, in fact, a whole new community of people and in many ways friends to share and interact with about my everyday life.

And so I settled into a routine, a day to day life that I was comfortable with. But 6 years on life changes again. In January littlest started prep, so all three children are now at school full time (expected). And I have gotten a job (surprise!). I had always said when littlest started school I would go back to work, but I did imagine a slightly longer transition. For what every reason, that’s not what happened. Last week I went back to the paid workforce, three weeks from seeing the job advertised to actually getting it. And it was a total fluke that I even saw the position advertised. I never look in the job ads, but that day I did and there it was, the perfect transition job for me in my former field of work.

And really I couldn’t ask for anything more, I am working 4 days a week, school hours. I am getting to bring my almost 20 years of experience from overseas to where I live now, and a chance to learn so much more about my field of work and community here. It’s all so perfect that I am a little bit suspicious:)

I am a bit sad about not being able to spend as much time on the children’s school, but I will still try and do what I can (I do have one day a week off:).  I am also not sure what impact working will have on my creative outlet. I am hoping that having more to do will only make me more productive - I guess only time will tell:)

Cyndy (the butterfly)

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My Creative Space

 

I'm feeling a bit discombobulated in my creative space. For the first time in 21 years, I have not worked full time and/or cared full time for at least one of my three children. That's right my youngest started school this year. That means effectively, I have from drop off to pick up each day free (6 hours).

This freedom should be fueling my creativity, but sadly this has not been the case to date. In the past it was amazing what I could do in the hour here or there that I had to myself. But despite working on a few things here and there, I am feeling decidedly unmotivated and without purpose. I know in my head what I need to do, I'm just not doing it.

I figure what I am feeling is par for the course when you experience a big change in focus and routine. Intellectually I know what I should do and could do, but I am missing the will to act on it. Hoping time is all that is needed.

So until then I will just be bumping along.

 

Do you ever feel discombobulated in your creative space? What did you do to get your self going or was it just about time?

For much more inspiration be sure to check out the home of My Creative Space. Cyndy

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My Creative Space

A couple of weeks ago an item from my Madeit shop was featured in one of the weekly newsletters. Later that day I received an email from a friend asking, "is that you"?!? The exchange ended up with her asking me to make custom gifts for friends overseas who had just had new babies.

She loved my bibs, but wanted a little more, so I shared with her a jingle ball I had made as a personal gift for a friend. And so the baby bib and ball gift set was born (trying saying that three times fast:)

Yesterday I dropped off the finished sets; one using a vintage blue flannel with little koalas and the other using the Melbourne travel icon print (both babies are boys). I love how they came out!

And I love how someone seeing what I do resulted in me making something new. Thinking I might make a few of these sets for the shop, what do you think?

Hope your coming up with new stuff in your creative space. Visit Creative Spaces for more inspiration this week. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

Lots of secret Christmas swap action going on this week, but I'm not quite ready to post about it, so I thought I would share what I was up to last week (while getting ready for my last market of the year when didn't have time to post:)

Now you are probably thinking, it must have been something for the market, but it wasn't that kind of crafting. Earlier this month was the market day and art show at my children's school and I was one of the organizers. It's an event that can't be successful without all the lovely handmade and vintage stallholders who participate, so we always do a thank you from the students.

In the past we have gotten blank cards printed using the children's art, but as it turns out we used them all up last year, so I came up with a very quick and simple idea for thank you cards. I got my hands on some unclaimed paintings/pictures from the art room, cut them up, glued them on black card and glued white card on the back for the children to write on.

See I said it was simple! Voila, thank you cards:)

We have received numerous comments from the market stall holders about the cards, how lovely and how thoughtful to even say thank you (doesn't everyone say thank you?) One stall holder even called the school to say how lovely their card was:)

This would be such a simple idea to apply to your own children's art. As littlest is in kinder she brings home a never ending supply of art projects. This would be another great way to use some of them:)

Hope there is lots going on in your space this week, maybe even secret Christmas stuff:) To see what others have been up to be sure to visit My Creative Space. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

 

This week I've been working on additional stock for my last market of the year (Piccadilly Market, November 25th, Geelong Waterfront). I like to have something new on the stall for each market. I certainly have enough ideas in my head, just wish I had enough time!

I experimented earlier this year with using remanents from tea towels (I use them to make cushion covers) to make a few things, including zipper pouches and passport holders. I love how they turned out, so when I was accepted for Piccadilly Market, I decided they would be one of the new things I would have available on my stall.

Only one more week to go. Then I've got some serious Christmas crafting to do!

Hope you are getting lots done in your creative space this week. To see what others have been up to be sure to visit My Creative Space. Cyndy

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Day 25 Blogtoberfest - My Creative Space

Even though I had a million other things to do (read should be doing) this week I indulged in a bit of Christmas crafting.

 

 

I shared a sneak peek earlier, but now I've done more and taken pics in better light:) They are Australian animal shaped Christmas ornaments!

This is an idea that's been in my head for 3 years. How do I know its been 3 years? Well, I had the idea right before we last went to the US and that was 3 years ago this Christmas. You see, I thought my idea might make a nice project for the children, something they could give Grandma, Auntie etc....

Only the project never happened, too much going on, children weren't interested. Honestly I don't remember why, I just know the idea never came to fruition.

So skip to this past Sunday. Looking for something to keep middle busy. We are going overseas again, so I thought they might make good presents (sound familiar). This time middle was interested so project was a go, despite a million other things I should have been doing.

I found the shapes many moons ago at Kaisercraft, some traditional Christmas shapes and some Australian animal shapes. It was the Australian animal shapes I was most interested in. In my quest for creating Australian themed craft activities I thought the idea of combining Australian animal shapes and Christmas themed papers was genius. Well, in my head at least. That is until now:)

I painted the edges, cut and glued the paper on both sides and voila, Christmas ornaments. Simple, no? And now that I have made them, yes, I do believe they are genius:) I even went out and got more shapes to make:)

I hope you are bringing genius ideas to fruition in your creative space:) For more spaces and inspiration this week, be sure to check out My Creative Spaces. Cyndy

PS Be sure to also check out the My Creative Space challenge for November! Pin It

Day 11 Blogtoberfest - My Creative Space

Have you ever been afraid to make something? I have. I have embroidered many Australian native flowers, but for some reason I have been intimidated by the idea of embroidering a waratah. I am not sure why. Maybe because its big? Maybe because it has lots of texture? Maybe because it's red?

Honestly, I have no idea why, but I've been scared so I haven't.  And then a funny thing happened, last week some beautiful photographs of real and sketched versions of waratahs showed up in my instagram feed. I knew when I saw them I needed to bite the bullet and try one. So I did:

There are layers of stitches and a lot of them, so its taking me a while. And while not done yet, I can already see some things I would do differently when I make another one.

Yes, I can already tell I will make another one. You see, it turns out it's not as hard as I thought it would be to embroider one:)

Hope your not feeling intimidated or scared to make something in your creative space:) And don't forget to check out My Creative Space for more inspiration. Cyndy Pin It

Day 4 Blogtoberfest - My Creative Space

I am one of those people who likes to keep busy, so I always carry a project I can work on in my purse. Although it's the school holidays, the children have had an hour and twenty minutes of swimming lessons each morning, so I have been working on finishing up some felt strawberries and blueberries.

I might have also finished a lamington...

or tim tam or two:)

Hope you are getting lots done in your creative space this week, little or big:) To see what others have been up to be sure to vist My Creative Space. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - New Etsy Store

First a new market stall and now a new shop on Etsy! Yes, sometimes my creative space isn't about the actual act of creating/making, but the behind the scenes activities.

When I made the decision to start selling my handmade items, I knew I needed to start slow. The anal retentive in me also required me to have a plan. And so I created a loose business plan, with loose dates, goals and activities/tasks.

I dipped my toe in the water just over a year ago with my Madeit shop. My goal was to open my shop on August 1, 2011. And I did, with one item in it:). On average I sell a couple of items a month. I know it doesn't sound like much, but I am not the speediest of makers and I only list what is ready to ship.

The next goal in my business plan was to attend 4-5 markets over the year. To date I have done four:) I love connecting personally with customers and hearing feedback on what I make.

The final goal in my business plan was to open an Etsy shop by August 1, 2012. Admittedly, I was a little off goal, but I was finally able to hit the "open shop" button earlier this month (September).

And, fortunate enough to celebrate my first sale within 48 hours!

So, now I am done. No more plan. Ok, that's not completely true, I have two markets in November (which means I will actually have done six this year, one more than my goal:) and the anal retentive in me has been thinking about what is next, I just need to put it on paper!

What's happening in your creative space this week (in front of or behind the scenes?) To see what others are up to be sure to visit My Creative Space. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - A New Market Stall

(picture by Morrissy Photos)

You may not have noticed, but I have been on a bit of a blog break. Last Friday, August 31st I had my second market stall of the year. In addition to getting stock ready, I had committed myself to creating a new stall set up. As we got closer to the market something had to give and my blog and keeping a clean house took the brunt of it. So this post is a bit of a catch about what I have been up to in my creative space:)

After my last market in March I knew I needed to rethink how I displayed my items. I also knew it wasn't my strength. So I asked my friend Tracy of BonVoyage Etoffe for her help and she came through in spades. She came up with a well thought out and detailed design based on her review of my other elements (blog, packaging, products and current market set up).

Now mind you this was a DIY project, so I had to get the supplies, build it and paint it. Tracy also came through in the build phase, when I didn't have all the right tools and started to stress about getting it done. Here's Tracy's original design:

And here is how it looked at the market last week:

 

(picture by Morrissy Photos)

 

I can't tell you how helpful it was to have someone else look at what I do objectively and to provide feedback. A couple of times along the way I thought about deviating from the design concept, but Tracy kept telling me stick with the vision, see it to completion. I even had to give up my use of doilies, but I do have to admit Tracy was right. I loved the end result and how it worked at the market, so a big thank you to Tracy:)

I owe another big thank you to friend Christine of Morrissy Photos. I always forget to take pictures when I am at markets, so I asked Christine to take some pics for me. These are just a few of the photos she took. Can't wait to share and use some of the others:)

And so in my creative space this week I am basking in my market aftermath and thankful for my creative friends. Hoping you get a chance to do the same:) To see what other have been up to this week and for more inspiration be sure to visit My Creative Space. Cyndy
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My Creative Space

The creative process is an interesting one, and probably different for everyone. As I prepare for an upcoming market I am reminded of my creative strengths and weaknesses. I love creating new things, and I am excited that others will be able to see them soon. I am not so good, however, with the repetitive processes required to create more than one of something.

This week I have been working on more Australian biscuit and cake felt food sets. I have decided to focus on making multiples of one biscuit at a time. That means cutting, embroidering, sewing and stuffing the same biscuit or cake, over and over and over. Not sure this is really working for me. How do you handle repetitive creative tasks?

Hope you are getting lots of things done in your creative space, whether they are one offs or repetitive tasks:) And be sure to visit My Creative Space to see what others have been up to this week. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

Still making pin cushions (among other things). I have been trying to vary the Australian native flowers I use, but I do think some look better (and honestly are more recognizable) than others.

Here are two more finished pin cushions (wattle and eremaea) and two more embroidered (swan river daisies and another red bottle brush).

I have two more pinned for sewing (yellow bottle brush and geraldton wax flower)  and two more on the hoop (another wattle and heath). I would also like to do a flannel flower. Phew:)

Hope you are having a productive and creative week. For more inspiration be sure to check out My Creative Space. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space

Only 6 weeks until my next market. I had visions of lots of making (the last market I did was in March), but somehow 6 weeks out it appears my vision is not yet a reality.

I have been working on a few new items for the market, including these pin cushions that feature my wool embroidered Australian native flowers. It's an idea that's been percolating for a while (i.e. what size, what shape, how to to do the back), but I only finished the first two in the last 2 weeks (the school holidays here).

I have embroidered the flowers on pieces of old wool blankets found at op shops and have backed them with coordinating quilting fabrics. They are square in shape and measure about 4 inches square finished.

Yes, I am moving at a bit of a snail's pace, but sometimes I need to let things sit for awhile until I work out what I really want to do. I think it's the anal retentive perfectionist in me:) I think their making will move faster now that I've worked out all the details. Well, that's what I am telling myself:) I hope people like them! I've kept the reject one (round in shape, about 3.5 inches in diameter and 2 inches tall) for myself and even though I am not in love with the shape/size, I do like looking at it every time I need a pin!

To see what others have been up to this week, surely at a faster pace than I, be sure to check out My Creative Space. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - Jam Drop Biscuit

Have I mentioned I love working with felt (as exemplified by here and here)? Over the weekend I decided to add a new felt biscuit to my collection that Australian home baked favourite, the jam drop. So I made one, then a second, then a third and finally a fourth, but of the miniature kind:)

Yes, I couldn't resist adding it to both my felt play food collection and my growing felt biscuit brooch collection. Do you think there is a way I could wear all four at the same time?

Hope you got a chance to work on something new this week. Be sure to visit My Creative Space for more inspiration. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - Iced Vo Vo Brooch

I love getting new ideas. Last Friday littlest and I were having coffee with a friend. My friend noted how she loved my felt food, but how her were children were already too old for them. She then commented on how I should have a "big girl" version.

And with that little comment she got me thinking about my felt food a little differently. How could I take what I do and make it "big girl?" And it hit me, a felt brooch. So Friday night after the kids fell asleep I stayed up late making a "big girl" version of my felt Iced Vo Vo - as a brooch!

Wish all new ideas were so easy and came to fruition so quickly - I hope you are getting lots of new ideas in your creative space:) To be inspired by others  this week be sure to visit My Creative Space  at its new home on Village Voices on Kidspot. Cyndy Pin It

My Creative Space - The Dollhouse Continued

The children went back to kinder and school this week, so I finally got a chance to do some real work on the dollhouse I put together last week. I wish I could report the dollhouse is done, but while small in size, it is not small in project!

I managed to paint the outside and inside of the house on Monday - it seemed to take forever! I used a paint brush and a small size roller (I didn't want to see lots of brush strokes). The outside was relatively easy, but the inside...all those nooks and crannies and windows.

Initially I planned to use acrylic craft paint, but I ended up using real house/wall paint. I picked a cream colour for the outside and a white colour for the inside from the returned paint trolley at the home improvement store. I figured real house paint would provide the best coverage, and I was right - only one coat was required!

Tuesday I put in the kitchen "wallpaper" and "flooring" and yesterday (Wednesday) the lounge room "wallpaper" and "flooring." I say wallpaper and flooring in quotes because it's scrap booking paper. Since conceiving this project before Christmas I have been on the look out for scrap booking paper that I thought might work for these purposes.  I love the red vibe in the kitchen and the modern look in the lounge room.

And let me warn you, if you think wallpapering a real wall is difficult, imagine trying to wallpaper a dollhouse wall. Yes, more difficult. Again, all those nooks and crannies and windows!

And so by the end of yesterday, littlest's birthday, I had painted an outside and inside base coat and put in the wallpaper and flooring in two rooms. Yes, definitely a "we will need to finish it after I give it to you" gift:) I put the dollhouse and a few items I have collected so far on the kitchen table for when she came home. And bless her heart, despite its state of incompleteness she LOVED it:) She even told me I was the best mom ever:)

So stay tuned for more installments as there are additional rooms to complete:) I have also been working on making a few items for use in the house. To be inspired or to see what others have been up to this week be sure to visit Our Creative Space. Cyndy

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My Creative Space - The Dollhouse

OK, I have decided to do it. What you ask? Decorate a dollhouse. You heard right, a DOLLHOUSE. Littlest wanted one for Christmas and I fully intended to do it then, but time (or lack thereof) caught up with me and I had to jettison the idea.

And so it went on my to do list for her birthday. Which is this MONTH.

So when did I start? Um mm, last week. Yes, I know call me crazy. I am thinking this will be one of those "we will keep working on it once I've given it to you" gifts. So far I have glued it together. Ah yeah, that is it. The challenge, of course, has been getting time to work on it when littlest isn't around, which as it's school holidays hasn't really happened.

So since I haven't been able to work on it physically, I've been planning. Figuring out paint colours for the outside and inside, "wall paper", how to do the floors, searching the internet for furniture/accessory tutorials and picking out a few furniture items to buy.

(potential kitchen and lounge flooring and wallpapers)

 

(potential master bedroom and children's bedroom wallpaper and flooring )

And hopefully next Monday morning (when she is back at kinder) I will be able to start getting some real work done:)

I hope you have been getting a little bit more done than me in your creative space this week. To see what others have been up to or more inspiration visit Our Creative Spaces. Cyndy Pin It