Let the countdown begin - NOW!!!!

Well –Shop Handmade is up and running and it looks just gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. It is fresh, beautifully decorated and full of the most incredible talent. Have a look at http://taniamccartney.blogspot.com (Tania McCartney’s Blog) for some lovely photos of the media opening night so you can get just a little feel. And, if you can, visit Shop Handmade at Shop 20, Allara Street, City Walk, Canberra.


Now, I am in countdown mode for Stitches and Craft at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. Two weeks! I am incredibly excited that I will be travelling to Melbourne for the 5 day show to set up my space in the Independent Craft Area. I have sold many pieces of Paper Quilting to Victorian’s visiting Canberra and Sydney, but this is the first opportunity I have had to travel to exhibit my work and to demonstrate Paper Quilting.

I am putting the final touches on my exhibition pieces which will be displayed at the back of my space. Today I bought some beautiful new table cloths (thank you Freedom Furniture for putting beautiful shell button on your curtains – they are perfect for what I am using them for). I have bought my satellite navigation thingamegig so I can find my way in this big city. I have booked my accommodation for a good nights sleep while I’m there. Over the next two weeks I will be working hard to make sure that my space will look lovely.

Watch the Five Book Video

Click on the Five Book Video at the top on the u-tube bar - it's great.

I found this on the Pepies Paperie site.

It’s a pretty exciting day today. It’s a beautiful misty morning with the sun just peeking through to shine on the autumn coloured leaves and on the still green grass. It is a beautiful time of the year. At lunch time I will be giving a small talk to the “Day View” Club at Queanbeyan as the stand in speaker. So I hope that will run OK – I hope my voice lasts as it is a bit husky from a cold. Nervous as always though.

Tonight, Shop Handmade is having a media event opening so the shop will be on proper show for the first time. I am going to try to sneak in to take some photos after lunch today to put up on my blog. Tomorrow is the first day of trading – so that will be incredibly exciting for the Handmade Team who have spent so many long hours waving their magic wands to make this all happen for us. Bill walked by the shop on Tuesday night after a photographic meeting and they were still at work at 10.30pm. They must be exhausted. Looking at their blog it looks and sounds fantastic.

This afternoon, if I get everything ready, I am sending off my samples and a short article to a craft magazine. It would be great to be accepted – but like all things in this craft/arts industry – we will be waiting, waiting, waiting – and probably waiting some more to see what happens. If this crafting life has taught me but one thing – it is patience. And that is a virtue – isn’t it??? I’m not sure that what happens when we don’t get accepted is a virtue though. But we just keep going ala Forrest Gump style.

SURPRISE behind window #10

Easter Sunday at The Old Bus Depot Market was another fabulous day. Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies keeping my little blue wren decorations company, made for a very happy day. My favourite memories are 2 little girl’s faces after eating Easter eggs. The most beautiful smiles – decorated with chocolate smudges.

After quite a few week-ends setting up my tables, tablecloths, props and creations, I have decided to try to have a quieter week. Well- sort of. I just need a bit of a breather to take stock, think of some new designs and take time over a few special creations. And today has been a great day of creating. I sometimes think I have thought of all the things I can create out of Paper Quilting. Then, right out of left field come some new ideas. So – it’s back to “The Shed” for some more playing around. There must be some creative energy floating around at the moment because there are ideas just EVERYWHERE.

Shop Handmade in Canberra http://www.shophandmadecanberra.blogspot.com/  is opening its doors next week Friday 16th April and I am delivering my creations this Thursday. So I am in final tweeking mode. What a lovely surprise this evening to find that the Wren’s Nest Studio web site is behind lovely window #10. Thank you Handmade – this has really made my day.

Well, it’s almost Easter. One of my very favourite times of the year. A time for reflection on what has gone on before – and a time to move forward. For us, here in Australia, it sees Autumn approaching. The leaves are turning yellow and red and the temperature is, at last, dropping. The days are beautiful. We have 2 more sleeps until day light saving is turned off so we gain an hour in the morning. Being a morning person – this is good news.

I am so busy with work, it will be a working time for me this Easter. I can’t complain though as I love what I do more and more. I just wish I had more hours. There is much to look forward to. This Sunday is the Old Bus Depot. It is Portobello Road Day so the vintage and antique dealers will be there which is always fun. Some people think it is a bit morbid – but I find all the beautiful old wares fascinating for their craftsmanship, history and beauty. There are always treasures there.

The Stitches and Craft Shows in Sydney and Canberra for April have been postponed which has brought forward some other creative things which must be done. I am still working on kits and patterns along with the example pieces for shows and an article I am writing. And the markets always require new work to replenish the sold pieces. There is always something new to work on.

Shop Handmade http://shophandmadecanberra.blogspot.com which opens in Canberra on Friday 16th April, also needs work to be created for framing. It is an incredibly exciting venture and I am so proud to be able to be part of it.
Shop Handmade is a place to browse beautiful handmade goods.
Our gorgeous shop is full of handmade designs.
Come in and say hello!

I am creating some very special pieces which will be displayed in my space within the shop. Framed Butterflies Dancing, Butterfly Button Gardens, Glam Handbags, Party Dresses and Ooh La La Corsets Paper Quilt pictures will all be making an appearance.

This week I received my order of Swarovski crystals in the most beautiful colours. I opened the parcel and it was like opening a treasure chest of jewels. Simply gorgeous!!! They are so wonderful to use.

Till next time - Happy Easter.