2012 - Bring it on!

2011 was an incredibly challenging and rewarding year for me and for Songbird Designs.

Songbird Designs had an incredible growth year with thanks to you all, visiting me at the markets and also my lovely retailers both old and new.

In the same breath, as Songbird Designs is not my full time gig (I WISH), the year in reflection for my main full time job has been incredibly busy and at times very stressful.

I don't really do 'resolutions' or rather I never really stick to them but I have decided that this year I would have just one. For me, 2012 is going to be a year of new beginnings. What that means in different parts of my life may be different, I don't know what all of them might end up being. But I am going to try to see my world (perhaps THE world but my world in the first instance) with new eyes, fresh eyes, positive eyes open to opportunities. And I am going to go after them.

Life is what you make it, and my revelation, rather than resolution, is to make it the life I want it to be and not let things 'happen'.

Simple? I think yes.
Easy to stick to? I am not sure, but I am going to try.

I will leave you with some lovely images from a very sweet blog (Mrs A in the Cove) - check out her store Sweet Style too.

Cutesy HouseShoes

You should check out these lovely crochet shoes/slippers from HouseShoes.


I recently purchased some for my mother for her birthday and they were so scrummy, i had to go back to get some for myself. I LOVE them. They are warm and comfortable - even a little 'massage-y'

houseshoes

$25.00

houseshoes

$35.00

houseshoes

$25.00

houseshoes

$25.00

houseshoes

$25.00

houseshoes

$25.00

Its been a long time between drinks.... or posts as the case maybe..

This weekend is the Devonport Craft Market. This month there are over 70 stalls (good weather dependent!) and loads of giveaways on offer.

Songbird has donated x2 $25 vouchers to the prize draw. All you need to do is purchase something from someone at the market and you will receive a prize draw entry form. At the end of the market the prizes will be drawn. There are over 20 prizes on offer! Brilliant.

I have a range of new products on offer this weekend - some pics below.

Next Market - Friday Night Target Rd School

Come along!

Craft 2.0 - A whirlwind trip

Craft 2.0 was on Saturday. This is my story.


I had a hectic week at work finishing up with being on an amazing but intense course for the last two days of the week. This meant I had to be finished packing and making for Craft 2.0 by Wednesday - I made it but it was full on.


I headed straight from my course, which was based north of Auckland, and headed to the airport. Thank goodness I was a little early and I was able to sit down and breathe and have a wine. I thought that was a nice start to my trip.


I arrived into Wellington to a lovely clear but very cool night - my winter coat really came into its own!!


I met up with Cat who had arrived earlier in the day, and we had a gossip and then hit the hay ready for the next day.


Setting up in the morning is a bit of a blur - coffee came about 45 minutes into the set up courtesy of our lovely stall assistant and my friend Leyla. 


Once the doors open we were all go. It was a busy day for us, but having someone to help us on our stall meant we could have a bit of a wander and a look around. Last Craft 2.0 I couldn't leave my stall for even a second so it was nice to have the chance.


There were some amazing stalls - I came away with a colouring book from Lovely Sweet William and some small photographic images from Susannah Tucker and a lovely pillow for my son from Tea Pea. I could have bought so much more and I still might!


The plaited necklaces from Gottahave were so nearly in my clutches - They are my next purchase for sure.


The end of the day came pretty quickly and we packed up ready to make my 5pm flight.


I wish I had been able to take more time in Wellington - its a city I find really interesting. Next time I have promised myself a slow journey instead of a whirlwind one.


Thanks to Cat for being my road trip buddy and thanks to Leyla for her help. 


Sue and crew - THANK YOU for putting on a classy and well organised event. It is always a pleasure.

That's me on the right- I was surprised hence the odd expression!

The space(s) - finally

I said a couple of weeks ago that I would bring you some photos of my new craft space. Well it took me more than 24 hours but finally I have finished - well nearly.


To begin the story I will head back to June of 2009, when I proudly posted these photos of my 'new' craft space. 

This space NEVER worked - for one I had too much 'stuff' and secondly I couldn't open the doors of the cupboards.. Imagine both flat spaces with about 1/2 metre piled on top...

Since June 2009 this space as been a constant battle. I couldn't work in it as it was just outside my son's door and the only chance i got to 'work' was when he was asleep.....

So finally - 2 years later. We made a plan - exit the space and go for something else. Better storage and to actually acknowledge that I end up making in the lounge where it is warm...

The second acknowledgement was that I actually need more room.

Now see the new space - quite a different idea. This space is now for functional and nice looking storage. In this idea, each area of work has its own space for storage.

Draws and Cupboards!

Inspiration board ready to fill - just need to make some nice tacks

The LOVELY husband made me a holder for my Divine Twine - a few spots left to fill the collection of colours

These 'vintage' looking jars work well - they were only about $2 pop. They hold all of my ribbons etc

And this last one I wasn't sure I wanted to share - basically it is in the garage - home to the Dirtbike (NOT MINE) - I take up the cupboards you can see PLUS one other of the vertical ones (which houses all of my market props. This is the functional rather than good looking part of the space!

So that is the new space. Truly it took me a whole weekend to get it semi-functional and 2 weeks to finish it... 

On a much more organised note, I am packed and ready to go bar a couple of minor things for my road trip (or air trip) to Wellington for Craft 2.0 this weekend. I am really excited for it. I fly back Saturday night ready for the Devonport Craft Market on Sunday! and then I back it up by having a stall at the Target Road Primary Ladies night on Friday night.... MAD I am.

Hope to see you at one of these lovely events - I will make sure I document my trip to Welly - Craft 2.0 is always chocca full of amazing crafters, designers and artists...

Keep well

Sxx

Lucky Me!

I was VERY fortunate and lucky to have won a giveaway last week.


I am now the proud owner of a lovely bag made from vintage fabric, crafted by the wonderful Joanna from A Little Minx. It is beautifully crafted and the fabric is divine. I couldn't be more thrilled.


Jo uses found, vintage fabrics to create a suite of lovely purses, bags and memory keepers.


Check out my lovely new bag and go and check out A Little Minx

The stall - its been a while

Its been a while since I posted and a long while since I have posted any photos of my stall. This one from the Devonport Craft Market in June.


So here you go!

Loads more to post about:

• Songbird is selling at Craft 2.0 in July - YAY DOUBLE/TRIPLE YAY
• Some fab photos of the stunning giveaway I won from Little Minx
• Photos of my new 'craft' space - I was aiming to finish and photograph last Sunday but looks like it will be next weekend...