What Blogging means to me...

This post is homework.
Yes, really. I have been doing a brilliant e-course called "Blogging your way 2.0" by the outstandingly-talented-and-oh-so-lovely Holly Bekker, author of bestselling Interiors book Decorate and Decor8 blog.

{photo}

Sadly due to ill health, a wayward husband (it's all work, nothing more dramatic, but it takes him away from home sometimes) and a few minor disasters (that resulted in several visits to the local hospital's casualty department), I have been struggling failing to keep up!
However, what I have got from the course thus far has been fantastic and I hope to use the next 4 weeks (whilst the content is still available) to catch up and make the most of it!

• I have learned about the importance having a plan, a direction, my own (authentic) voice; and I have been encouraged to work hard, be consistent, to not be discouraged and not to rush to get to where I want to be. 
• Useful resources have been shared, for improving your blog, tips on monetizing and various other things I had dreamed of one day achieving but not known where to begin or who to go to for advice!
•  I have also discovered some lovely blogs and some very talented and interesting people!            
• ..... It's moved me on to the next road in my creative journey, it's time to leave the roadhouse, (to use a very Aussie analogy), where I have been metaphorically resting with a beer and a meat pie for far too long!! Watch this space, I am hoping to vastly { but slowly} improve my blog and to create a plan for my creative future...

Thank you Holly - I now have the courage to take the next step in my life, and now that my kids have both started school, there's no time like the present to begin...

{In summary I would definitely recommend this course!}

Anyway, this week's homework was to write a blog post not only about what I have gained from the course but also what blogging means to me. {The first part I have answered above, the second below!}

Well, for me blogging is really all about two things:
 1. Connecting with the world - the (now huge) little-pocket of creative types in the world to be more specific. I began because I missed having other creative people around me, especially for the bouncing around of ideas. Since I left my design job to have my kids, I didn't really have anyone creative in my life. Connecting with others firstly through my Etsy shop and then later my blog, actually helped me out of a long bout of depression. I have made some truly great friends through the online craft & design community. I also now have a few crafty / creative friends locally.

2. My blog is to me, a kind of journal. It's a place to record and share creative inspiration, and general eye-candy, and also to document some snippets of my life. It's even a place friends and family can visit to see what my 'expat' life Downunder is like, or to gain a greater insight into my character and my taste. I don't think they do, mind you! But they could!!

Me and my little peeps! (photo by Milk & Honey photography).

I have really enjoyed reading the homework posts of some of the other students too.

Take care,
love,
 Sally xox

Last week's Sydney ABCD meet-up!

I am later in posting about this event, than I would have liked. Oh well, small boys must come first...
(at least SOMETIMES anyhow!!).

What:  ABCD Sydney Meet-up     When:  Thursday 28th October

 The ABCD (Artists + Bloggers + Crafters + Designers) Meetups are a chance for art, design and craft bloggers to get out from behind their computers and meet face-to-face at a casual quarterly get-together.

"The meet-ups have no set structure, and are designed to be an informal gathering at a bar or cafe on a Thursday evening."

True to their promise organisers/ hosts Steph Bond  and Lisa Tilse gave us a fun, casual gathering (in a swanky room, in a bar). Which luckily for me was in my very suburb!! Yes, I know, so lucky!! : )
                                                                           
Thank you Lisa & Steph, and also Kim of Udessi for co-organising. You all did a great job!

We were invited to bring something along (well, around 30 somethings!!) for the goodie bags, so I made up extra of the Spring embellishments I had made for the Creative Collective project, and made up little mini goodie bags, with one of these in , a postcard, a sticker and a lolly.

 The goodie bags were a lovely treat and were filled with all sorts of creative yumminess such as a little apple pin cushion, hand-made cards and tags and a teeny-weeny cute knitted tea-cup! Oh, plus more lollies. Yum!

My favourites were the Screenprinted fabric bookmark by Michelle from Me We and the little Apple pincushion by Dandi, but everything was fabulous. Thanks muchly to all who contributed to the goodie bags - I loved mine! ♥

for more details of the goodie bag contents (and better photos) see Steph's post here !

This is ME with the lovely Anastasia

Of course the best bit was meeting some of the lovely creative ladies who were there, every one of them beautiful AND talented! My only regret was that I didn't get to meet EVERY single one of them!

I had an awesome time chatting to the likes of these awesome gals: Amanda, Anastasia, Lisa, Steph, Sarah and Jessica...

In the (prettily put) words of Steph -

it was "LOVELY TO MEET YOU"!

                        ♥

Do you live in Sydney??

... I do. If you do too, maybe you'd like to come along to the ABCD meet-up.
I am going. I am looking forward to meeting lots of lovely creative types (and having a couple of hours off from 'Tiddlypeep' duty to boot!!)






Photo: this gorgeous banner is by BabysBunting on Etsy

   The details:
"The ABCD (Artists + Bloggers + Crafters + Designers) Meetup is a chance for art, design and craft bloggers to get out from behind their computers and meet face-to-face at a casual quarterly get-together. The meet-ups have no set structure, and are designed to be an informal gathering at a bar or cafe on a Thursday evening."

The Sydney meetup is     hosted by Steph Bond (Bondville) and Lisa Tilse (The Red Thread )

Participants simply need to RSVP before the event date, and are given a name badge at the meet-up, as well as the opportunity to share something with the other attendees in the ABCD goodie bags - a great way to be a little creative and help others remember you. Previous goodies have included mini lavender sachets, origami birds, product samples, cards, etc.

The important bits:



WHEN: Thursday October 28, 2010
TIME: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
WHERE: 3 Weeds Hotel 197 Evans Street, Rozelle

To RSVP or see more info go here

Hope to see you there!

Sally x