My Creative Space

This week I'm working on a small project for the walls of the my oldest's room; he has just transitioned from a toddler bed to a big kid bed, and I want to make his personal space feel as safe, beautiful and loved as I can -- you know, in a bigger-kid way.  I'll do a few more of these with different fabrics and then I'm planning on using my free-hand (ie childless) time at the market this Saturday to embroider them.  Simple, cheap, satisfying.

And not necessarily in creative space, but in super-exciting space, I just received my issue of this lovely magazine, which featured the work I do for My Baby and Me in the "Pick of the Organic Crop" section.

This is definitely a first for me.  Yay!

At My House....

...we've just completed a one-week, $100 makeover.

From this....

(Solomon, pointing out an especially enormous spider.....)

To this....

Sure, it's only the laundry room, but it happens that this area is at the entry to the house, so it's often the first room people see.  Also, I spend a good chunk of time in here.  We repainted the walls, ripped out the grotty linoleum and painted the concrete, installed a shelf, added insulation to the hot water cylinder (behind the cabinet) and dislodged 47 (or so) spiders and their webs.  Loving the simple improvements....

Playing along with Lou's blog today.  Check out the lovely Buttons by Lou Lou to see what everyone else is up to at their house this week.

To Market To Market

Getting ready for a month full of markets.....

...with a few new prints on short-sleeved kimonos.

And I've managed to get this far with the terrycloth rag rug from yesterday's post:

So I think it's officially a WIP now.

Happy weekend!

My Creative Space

So far I've got the inspiration....

 The materials....

And the space....

Does this count as a work-in-progress if I haven't technically started yet?  This week a new shower curtain motivated me to finally finish up the bathroom refurbishing we began months ago with a simple paint-job.  Rather than buy a new bathmat, I'm going to try to breathe new life into a pile of getting-a-bit-dingy towels.  I'm not really sure how terry will hold up to the rag-rug style, but it seems like the thickness of the material should make pretty quick work of it.

In other news....today I finally dusted off the storage box that holds my running clothes (literally --  it was pretty dusty) after I heard myself saying "I really ought to make time for exercise" to one friend too many.  I mean seriously, Jen -- do it already. Sure, I'm busy.  Our lives are full....but do I not have 30 minutes twice a week to devote to my health and mental well-being? In fact I do.  Sleep has been slightly better lately, and as my little ones get more independent, I know I can get away more easily.  I'd love to get back into the running habit....as with everything else -- we'll see how we go.

Playing along with the lovely Kootoyoo (for the last time this year!)  Pop over to Kirsy's creative space to find links to many more.....

Itsy Atsy Etsy (A Coupon Code for You!)

Hello readers.  First, a huge thank you for being here at the Seedling blog.  It's wonderful to see the numbers slowly creep up both here and on Facebook, and it's lovely to hear from a few new readers in the comments section.  Welcome everyone!  I'm so glad you're here.

To celebrate both you and the opening of my new Etsy shop, I thought I'd try out a spanking-new feature they've got over there called "coupon codes."  Just enter "goseedling25" when you check out and receive 25% off anything in my shop.  Etsy's got it sussed!  This is such a cool idea. 

Follow the link below to find my shop and take your coupon code for a spin.

ps.  I should probably note that unfortunately, we've passed the Christmas deadline for shipping items from New Zealand to places beyond Australia (I know -- it's ridiculously early) but I'll do my very best to get your item to you asap wherever you may be.  New Years gifts are always nice too! 

xx

Ta-da!

I'm on Etsy!  I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to set up a shop on Felt's bigger, older, global sister.  In part, I've been intimidated by the sense that Etsy is so huge that in order to get noticed, I would need to devote myself to forums and treasuries in a seriously time-sucking (and frankly impossible) way.  And perhaps I'm right, but well....nothing to lose in trying, hey?

Over the past few days I've listed a few items, fiddled with my banner and filled in my shop policies.  Click on the button below to have a look. 

I welcome any and all critiques!  Please, if you have any feedback, constructive or otherwise, I would love to hear it.  Thanks!  xx Jen

At My House....

 ....it's feeling a lot like summer.  Windows thrown open, kiddie pool out, trips to the beach, and today my first attempt at homemade yogurt pops.  So easy!  So healthy!  Definitely a new seasonal staple.

And I finished heat-setting my order for My Baby and Me -- I so love working with MBAM.  The quality of their clothing is amazing and I love the practicality and ease of kimono-style closures on these little newborn onesies.

I did 12 kimonos in all, but only photographed 10 since two of the prints repeated.  Looking forward to sending these off tomorrow and getting to work on a few kimono prints in bigger sizes for the Nelson market on Saturday.

Happy to be joining in with Lou's blog today -- go visiting and see what other crafty bloggers are up to here.

This Week I'm Grateful For.....

:: Outdoor play, outdoor play, and outdoor play.

:: Two hours this morning all to myself!  I was able to browse the farmer's market at leisure, poke around op shops and pick out an enormous stack of magazines at the library.

:: I've just finished an order of 12 newborn kimonos for My Baby and Me -- just the heat-setting left to do.  Feeling happy with the results  I'll post a few pics of new designs before sending them off.

:: Our first ocean swim of the season.

:: And I set an all-time personal record -- all of my Christmas gifts were sent to family back home this week.  I managed to hand make nearly everything (a few items were handmade by others) which was another new record.  I felt a bit sad as I sent them through the window at the post office; I'll certainly miss being with my family this year.  Time now to think about how we'll celebrate in our own way and begin to create a few new traditions (camping, perhaps?)

Hope you've had a good week with many things to be grateful for as well...... xx

ps I'm happy to be playing along with the gorgeous Maxabella Loves...this week -- check out her blog for more gratitude and much lovely inspiration.

My First Advertisment

Huzzah!

It's pretty exciting to see the "Birds on Wire" photo I submitted through Felt featured the back spread of Extra-Curricular.  Extra Curricular is such a gorgeous little magazine; visually and intellectually stimulating, it's an incredibly satisfying read.  Worth every penny!  Find it here.

At My House....

Yesterday, we enjoyed watching the creation of this giant outdoor art installation....

I loved seeing the single-minded focus with which S worked.  No space was off limits, and in a manner that reminded me of "Harold and the Purple Crayon," Solomon narrated the cities and scenes he was creating.

The rain last night washed away most of the chalk  -- clearing some space for more today....

This Saturday I'm Grateful For.....

 :: Freshly baked bread and freshly cut flowers....these two simple things make me feel so nourished and happy.

:: My new camera!  Over the past few moths my trusty old Cannon slowly withered away until it really and truly completely died.  Seeing this possibility looming in the future, I've been saving up my points in a reward-card system we use and was able to order a new camera (A Fuji Finepix) at absolutely no cost.  It arrived today and it has been so much fun figuring it out.  A lot has changed in the five years since I bought my first digital camera.

:: Eating outdoors.  Pasta primavera, do your worst - - we just hose down the table (and the kids) afterward.

:: An amazing garden-boosting concoction that was recommended by our good friends in Denmark (hi Ben and Jane!)  Simply fill a bucket with grass clippings, then submerge in water.  Leave for a minimum of two weeks (N.B. Unless you want you or your loved ones smelling like the Bog of Eternal Stench, you'll definitely want to use gloves when handling this and keep away from curious pets or children.)  Remove grass clippings and pour liquid into a plastic jug (a used milk container works well.)  Dilute with water 15:1 and spray on the soil around your plants as a natural super-fertilizer.  My husband swears our vegetables grew overnight!

I'm happy to be joining in with the gorgeous Maxabella Loves....  Hope you have much to be grateful for this weekend as well.  xx

My Creative Space

Hello!  It's good to be back.  I think a bit of a break was vital, but I'm feeling fresh, recharged, and ready to enjoy this space again....

While I was away from the blog we've done quite a lot:

:: We've begun our landscaping and gardening business -- nearly two weeks in, and all going well.
:: I've done my first craft market, which was a wonderful experience.  I loved meeting people and the other vendors couldn't have been nicer.  My stall-mate Amelia and I will be doing another Nelson market on November the 20th, and every Saturday through December.  Please stop by and say hello if you happen to come down!
:: We've finished putting in our spring gardens - - we have fruits and veggies tucked into every possible corner.  I think this year's crop will be amazing.  I'm so excited for summer's bounty of fresh organic produce.  (Full credit to my husband -- this is very much his domain.)
:: I've churned out a few new designs -- I'm most excited about this one....

The print has been hand-cut and will be used just once.  I've hand-detailed a few of the vehicles as well.  Though this design won't be repeated I see a lot of potential in the idea and am excited to see where it goes.

I've also been doing a few summery prints on blankets....

I think I'll need to put prints aside over the next week to complete a few Christmas projects to get ready to send before the deadlines.  (FYI Dec 6 for Australia and November 29th for all other international if you send via airmail.)

Happy to once again be joining in with Kootoyoo!  Find many more creatives and their spaces here.

My Creative Space

Oh, I am loving my time out in the studio these days.  When I finally get out there, it's usually after 8 -- but lo and behold, there's still a hint of daylight in the sky.  The air smells fresh, and all is peaceful and quiet.  A few friendly hedgehogs poke around on the borders of the yard.    I've been on a bit of a podcast blitz as well.  I've been listening to episode after episode of This American Life.  Have you heard of it?  It's classified as a radio journal and the premise is that every week a theme is chosen and stories that are variants on that theme are explored.  Quite simply, it's brilliant.  I often stay out in the studio after I'm done working just so that I can finish listening to an episode.  I'm sure all of you mamas out there (stay-at-home or otherwise) appreciate what I mean when I say that I crave social and cultural stimulation.  TAL (among a few other podcasts, like Radio Lab) help provide that for me.  If you haven't yet had the pleasure of listening, find This American Life here, and Radio Lab here.  You can stream all of the programs directly from the sites.  Working in the studio + listening to a podcast is for me, multitasking in the best way.

Anyway.  Here's what I've been up to:  Lots of prints, including some very satisfying new mosaics (each of which is one-of-a-kind.)  Still building up stock though unfortunately, I won't be at the Nelson Market this Saturday.  My stall-mate has had something important come up, so we're aiming for next Saturday, November 6th instead.

I have the pleasure of playing along with Kootoyoo today.  If you have the time, check out many other creatives and their spaces here.

Checking in.....

Okay, I admit it: I've totally fallen off the wagon with Blogtoberfest.  On the plus side, my work in the studio has been prolific and I'm feeling fantastic about the output.  This is what it comes down to: something's got to give.  I have two little sleepless wonders  -- one of whom, thanks to daylight savings, prefers to get up at dawn with the birds, and isn't in bed for the night until about 8pm, and the other who wakes several times in between.  When I have so little time and energy to work, the studio wins over the computer hands down.   Also, it's beautiful outside and I've been preferring to spend any other leisure time I can muster going for walks or playing outdoors.

I doubt that the point of Blogtoberfest was to turn me against blogging, but the pressure to sit down every day and post has made it a chore.  So, in the interest of my sanity, and to preserve my good feelings about blogging, I hereby discharge myself from Blogtoberfest.  Like someone who jumps into a marathon without training or foresight, I've totally hit a wall.  I feel a bit guilty for letting go of my commitment, but I'm telling myself that it's fine -- it's my blog and I get to decide what's best. 

 

To keep things from being too gloomy and boring, here's a picture of a rainbow (refracted by a glass of water in my window) in the dishwashing bubbles.  Totally mundane, but pretty all the same. 

Congratulations again to Beck, winner of the giveaway!   I'll probably be posting again sooner than I expect.....once the pressure is off, I'm sure I'll be teeming with ideas and enthusiasm for this space.  Until then..... xx

And The Winner Is.....!

So, I just visited random.org and put in the variables between 1 and 15, and wouldn't you know it picked number 15!  True randomness always surprises me.  BECK of Dandelion is the winner of Kari Chapin's The Handmade Marketplace.  Congratulations Beck!  If you see this post, please email your details to me at seedlingclothing@gmail.com.  Otherwise I'll be in touch and will post your parcel off to you ASAP.

As for the rest of you, don't despair!  I have another copy of Kari's book tucked away for a future giveaway.  Luck and random selection may shine on you yet.  A huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered; your tips were so brilliant, I think I'll dedicate an entire post to them tomorrow sometime in the future (too many break-of-dawn awakenings, sleepless nights and full days here recently; I think I just have to let go of daily posting for now.)  See you then.

Felt like Friday....

It was just too easy getting this "For the Kids" showcase together -- so many amazing things for babies and bigger children in the pages of Felt.

Enjoy.

Baby Reé Striped Te...

desiree

$22.00

Bicycle Print Revers...

craftykin

$23.00

Toddler Crochet News...

apricot

$28.00

Purl Fancy Jacket

purl

$69.00

Cute Apple Pocket Sk...

hikkepik

$20.00

Pohutakawa Pinafore ...

luluscloset

$59.00

All Size Pram Liner ...

lilypad

$69.99

Red Stripey Togs

swanwear

$58.00