Colour Swap Sent and Received!

2014 Colour Swap

What on earth is wrong with me? I have signed up for my first two swaps in the space of one month!! The first being the kids handmade clothing swap, and the second being a swap based on the receivers favourite colour, it was suppose to contain 3 gifts, with a $20 total ballpark value and contain something inspirational! 

This one was organised by Miriam and I liked that the rego form had so many questions on it, it gave me a real sense of what the person I was buying for was into.

I sent a wee parcel to Gill, who likes blues and whites, nature styled things, crafts and a few scents. I had bought the stag head design off Etsy, had it printed and framed, along with some fat quaters, embriodery threads (not pictured), and a vanilla fragrance diffuser. 

I wish I had put in more time into making something awesome for Gill, but with birthday parties and family holidays I left it all a bit late. Anyway, she tells me she likes the parcel and that it was very "her". So, success!

I just received my parcel from Lisa in Australia! Most of it was handmade, including all the packaging. She's very very talented! Choccies, a handmade tilda bird and fox, buttons and a little quilting pattern.

She's already blogged about it, and you can read all about her talents on this blog post (and more!). Lets all just throw up our hands and declare Lisa to be the queen of swaps!

I put on my rego form that I liked most bright colours, blues, pinks, yellows, greens so she went with aqua and I think she nailed it! Thank you so much Lisa! It's clear you put a lot of thought into my parcel and I'm very grateful!

Thank you to Miriam for organising this swap, and to Gill and Lisa for participating with me! 

From the CHCH Bloggers Xmas party

HELLO WORLD! The Christchurch bloggers are swapping gifts and eating treats (while I post this at the same time!!)

I love these ladies.

(And I'm going to miss Miriam SO much when she departs our fair city soon! *whimper*)

I Am Who I Am

The Crafty Fox and myself:)

See you at Around The Table, in ONE day! Whaaaat!

I'm so excited to meet so many of you, but thought you should know some things about the -real- me, because as I've read peoples blogs and met them in the flesh I have realised that most of what I read online is read in my own voice. I create a picture of someone and assume they're mostly like me. Then when I meet them *shockhorror* they're someone completely different.

It is quite funny to then continue to read their online words in -their- voice now that I know them. It changes everything!

So.

I did write a big list of disclaimers, but I've deleted it. I'm excited to meet you, just as much as I'm excited to be -met-. Often I worry that you all have some crazy idea that I'm this person who doesn't exist. I try so hard to be my real self on this space so it will be nice to be met and to know that you know the real me.

I am who I am :)

One disclaimer, I'm terrible with names so if I stare blankley just remind me of your blog name heehee. I'm much better with a photographic memory :)

And all my other qwirks? You'll just have to find out for yourself ;)

I can't wait to meet you all (just remind me of your blog name at the same time!) we're going to have a lot of fun and I've been really genuinely praying that this is a really inclusive weekend for everyone! Lots of friendships to be made and lots of people breaking out of their comfort zones to make others feel welcome and loved!

Peace, see you tomorrow!

X

Ps - did you see Around The Table in The Press?

Anticipating Around the Table

What began as a stirring idea inside Miriams mind has now turned into this: Around The Table - New Zealands first bloggers retreat!

If you're a blogger I really do hope you'll come and join us on April 12th-14th in Christchurch! We're going to have so much fun!! The weekend will be focused on the social aspect (I can't wait to meet you all!!) with a few practical and fun workshops thrown it, along with lots of coffees, goodie bags and prizes, a swap and an banquet dinner together!

Sounds like fun!

I've already had our spare room billeted out to a gorgeous lady and her baby (yay!), I might just have a spare couch with your name on it as well!

Registrations open on Thursday! Check out the conference overview to find out more details of whats happening!

Affordable Crafts

If you need to shield your eyes from its beauty thats okay. I needed to when I first saw it.

Mixed stripe blanket found here

Isn't she DIVINE?! I've been crochet-crushing all weekend. Suddenly blushing when I see her, getting all hot and bothered at the thought of her eclectic snugglyness. Oh me oh my.

She (and her wollen beauty) lead me to ask this question on Twitter:

I'd love to know!

Personally, I'm driven by price. I dont really do second hand (i'm not a thrift store junkie!) but I can't afford the good stuff, so often settle for acrylic yarn etc.

I loved what Talia had to say in reply to my asking if spinning her own wool saved her money::

What are your crafting standards? Do you only use second hand supplies? Do you only use brand new best quality available? Leave a comment and let me know how you make your hobbies affordable for you!

2012 Goal Review

My 2012 year consisted over the months January - October. Anything after the last half of October I consider a write off. Life sucked into a vortex never to be seen again.

January marked the beginning of a few new goals, and a few more were made along the way.

Namely, being more efficient with my time. This mostly included less procrastination and more doing. Less internet time, more productivity.

I'm pleased to say that I feel fairly successful in this area. I spent a week without Facebook which ended up being my most productive week of the year.

I also learnt to plan my blogging around my time, only blogging when Milla was asleep and mostly in one big go (on a Sunday night) for the week and scheduling my posts, along with keeping a blog book (that I lost and found!).

Just recently I have turned on word verification for my blog comments because the spam was getting ridiculous (I woke up to 40 spam comments and said enough was enough!) which has cut down the time I spend in my emails.

Also, I learnt to turn the day time TV off, something I used as company and comfort. I quickly learnt to play more music and spend more time focussed on Milla.

Becoming more creative in the kitchen was a big fail. I aimed to make one new recipe a week and did this for about four weeks, then for a number of reasons lost motivation and interest and didn't pick it back up again. The meals I did make were delicious and I have continued to make them throughout the year.

This is something I would like to continue to work on, and feel that I am, but didn't stick to my goal.

I did however become much more skilled at meal planning and shopping on a budget and kept our family fed, toiletried and nappied for only $90 a week.

In february I also made a goal that I wanted to make $1 from blogging in 2012. I had a huge desire to know that I could make money from something I loved, which at the time made sense to be blogging. I am happy to tell you that I well and truly completed this goal, and felt empowered and fulfilled doing it.

I also opened an online Felt store and sold one of my baby blankets, another marker in my life where I made money doing something I love.

I did lots of other awesome things in 2012 and truly enjoyed the year. Thanks for sticking around and encouraging me on my journey!

Blog Book

Notebooks from EmmaMakes on felt

Ever since the beginning of this year I have been keeping a blog book, a real life physical book that goes everywhere with me.

When I receive sudden inspiration in the mall food court I can whip it out and write down my ideas. Things I want to post about, things I want to edit or adjust or redesign, thing I want to talk to other bloggers about. Anything Facebook or advertising related. It all goes in the book.

Then when I sit down to do a few blog posts I know exactly what I'm posting about, what I need for the post and it usually doesn't take me very long at all.

I love blogging this way because I love blogging. Being organised means I get to spend more time blogging because I know what I'm blogging about. (How many times can I say blogging!?)

Anyway. I've lost it.

All of my ideas. All of my to do's. All in one place.

What was I thinking?!

You might have noticed my blog as been a little quite lately on the personal front (still kickin' along with the sisterhood though). Thats because the book is gone. I feel like a little part of my Being has been lost. Who am I with out it??

I need to get my A into G and find a new diary and begin scribbling down what I can remember (it was all brilliant. Trust me.). For that reason the Smart Shopping series that was supposed to start last week has been delayed also. Its all in the book.

Who ever finds it could start an instant blog. *sigh*

Do you have a better way at keeping track of your blog and ideas? Or are you just a wing-it type of blogger? Leave a comment and let me know! Maybe I need a better system!

Travelling Stash Box

The Travelling Stash Box made its way to my home recently, bursting with fabrics and ribbons, sparkly tubes and woollen strings!

I pulled the ribbon on top and it all came tumbling out. Heeeaven!

Bits and pieces from womens stashes all over New Zealand. I loved that every piece had a home once a pon a time, it had a destiny, a good intention, but somehow didn't quite make it. Instead, shipped off to another good home in the hopes someone else will love it as much as the original owner.

You could take anything from the stash and replace it with something of equal type / value.

Here's what was in the stash when it arrived at mine::

And this is what I took from it (mostly fabrics from Treena, who had it before me) and some orange yarn, remember when I said I couldn't find any anywhere!? ::

And here's what I replaced my takings with:: A meter or two of some fabric, along with a whole lot of off cuts of pretty cottons, ribbons, yarns and a set of aluminum crochet hooks.

Thank you so much to Cat for organising this Stash Box! I believe at the end of its travels when it gets back to Cat its contents will be given away! I'll let you know if / when that happens! In the mean time, hop over to Cats, she's organising another christmas swap (she doesn't ever stop!)

I've already made a skirt out of some of my new fabric and delivered the box to Debs and its back on its journey around the world New Zealand.

READ MORE:

Spring Fabric Swap
Joining in with Creative Spaces
The beginning of The Stash Box

Spring Fabric Swap

Thanks to Treena I was involved in a Spring Fabric Swap! We were each given a person to receive from, and then give to. Since all of the sign ups were in Christchurch we decided to have a little get together while we swapped, trying on dresses at Miriams, swapping birth stories and telling Amy all about our post baby bodies. Woo.

My swap partner was Holly who wasn't able to make it on the night so I gave my parcel to her later in the week. I gave her a whole range of denim and 3 pretty fat quarters and matching thread.

From Amy I received::

::pretty vintage sheets (which I never ever own (because I never go op shopping) two balls of wool (you'll see one of these featured in a post soon), some plastic buttons (from Miriams stash) and paper doilies (i've already used one in a birthday card!)::

Thanks to the ladies who joined in!

READ MORE:
Treenas post on the swap

Cycle Runway Fashion Show

Last night I attended my very first fashion show with a small group of Christchurch bloggers! We were there to be inspired by sustainable fashion - recycled, upcycled, quality, fashion-lasting pieces were the stars of the evening, designed and shown by local artists worn by modens on adorable 50's cycles. Yes, bikes down a runway, it made for a few giggles in the first half with some very nervous (read: wobbly) models.

I loved attending this fashion show! I definitely think I could get used to this life, drooling over such lovely creations!

Best of all, we got to see our beautiful bloggy friend Nin of Sailor Spy showcase her range of beautiful, well tailored and detailed clothing! It was such a pleasure to be a part of it and cheer her on!

Afterwards we went out for coffee and talked and talked and talked. As bloggers do.

Myself, Juliet & Miriam  (Roz was behind the camera, preferring to stay anon!)

During half time of the show I had some photos snapped, attempting to join into Wardrobe Wednesday (now hosted by Miriam). Here I am, on the catwalk, strutting my stuff ;)

Dress: Lippy (3 years old!)

Leggings: KMart

Necklace: Equip

Red Lipstick: Clinique

First fashion show, first time with Wardrobe Wednesday! Who am I!?

Crafty Christchurch

These ladies.

Holly. Amy. Jamie. Miriam. Roz. Treena.

All very near and dear to my heart. These Christchurch bloggers and myself got together and went to Crafty Christchurch on Thursday night. A craft and supply market inside the Hagley Geodome.

 I was amazed at how many suppliers and crafty businesses are up and running in Christchurch, amazed and inspired. These businesses have been through it and are still here. I love that. When people need a release they craft. 

We bloggers moseyed through the top quality stalls too with such lovely products. Fabrics, yarns, hooks and needles, sewing machines, threads, hoops, beads, chains, papers and cutters. Anything crafty and it was there.

The market is running until 6pm Saturday 25th August, if you're like me you'll want to check it out.

Mmm so love to touch me some soft woollies.

Also, I was spotted twice by Sisters I've never met before. Crazy crazy! (in a good loving it way) 

READ MORE:
Joining in with Things I'm Lovin & Best In Blog
Christmas Bloggy Get Together
Like Sophie Slim on Facebook