Kidspot's Voices of 2013 - Blogging Masterclass

Last Saturday I attended the Voices of 2013 - Blogging Masterclass.
The event was held at Megan Morton's place - THE SCHOOL in Sydney and oh my goodness, it couldn't have been a more perfect venue. Just being there was inspiring!  It's well worth a visit just to go to The School's funky neighbours - cafe Kitchen by Mike and the Koskela shop, but I will definitely treat myself to one of Ms Moreton's fab workshops and make a day of it, as soon as I get the chance! 

I was nervous going on my own (I don't get out of my comfort zone much), so after taking a deep breath, stepping through the door and making it as far as the name-badge table, I overheard a kind looking lady ask for directions to the loo, I immediately decided to follow (stalk) her there so I could make friends with her (read desperately cling to the first person who looked kindly!!). Luckily this weird-stalker-strategy worked out and Michelle and I became best buddies for the day!). The atmosphere was a lovely, friendly, gently buzzing, welcoming one anyway, so I needn't have worried! I was greeted by Pip Lincolne herself and she was very friendly and lovely just as she seems online! 

The bright white room was the perfect back-drop and each table had a lovely little floral centrepiece by Holly Hipwell of The Flower Drum. I think they were all different. My table had these beautiful roses (first photo below). 

We were also each given a notebook and pen, tied with a white bias ribbon - such a fab touch!

It was a great opportunity to make new friends and meet some online-friends in the flesh, for me that meant of course the amazing Pip Lincolne, but also 

a long-time Etsy pal Tess Carrad, who makes colourful beaded jewellery and was just so lovely! 

{me at top with Pip, and bottom with Tess}

The masterclass itself was made up of three sections, which went like this…

1. An incredibly inspiring talk from the wonderful film-maker, photographer and all-round fab person Hailey Bartholomew! Hailey is also known for her 365 Grateful Project. I had been inspired by Hailey's project and made my own 365 Grateful photo album on Facebook when I was depressed and it was immensely helpful, the simplest thing can lift your day, if you look for something positive - a coffee with a friend, or holding hands with your child for instance. I don't post photos anymore but each day I still find myself thinking of what I am grateful for. 
{Sorry for the digression}...

 ‘It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen!’ Hailey Bartholomew

Hailey told of how her journey from feeling lost and in a rut, toward living the life she strived for, i.e. a creative, fulfilling one, (with lots of time spent travelling / with her family / both), began with entering an ABC TV competition to make a short film about her life. Hailey entitled it "Picket-fenced in", a perfectly suited name! It didn't win overall best film but won the 'viewers choice award'. 

On Saturday, Hailey was nervous and real and emotional and incredibly inspiring because her advice was practical and good and she made us feel our goals are attainable. She truly shared a part of her soul with us. {Thank you Hailey!}.

2. A 'Blogging 101' panel -  convened by Pip Lincolne, the panelists being successful bloggers Jen Bishop of Interiors Addict, Vivian Mansour of Ish & Chi and Rebecca Lowrey Boyd of Wee Birdy.

We learned much, including what makes a good blog or a "successful" one I guess, from good design ("an ugly-arse blog will not be read"!!!), to finding your own voice and being original, and even dealing with 'Trolls' (those people who write nasty unnecessary comments). This panel discussion was lots of fun to listen to!

3. A 'Blogs and Brands' panel - with  Stacey Roberts of Veggie Mama, Lexi Kentmann of Pottymouthmama, Brian Giesen of Social@Oglivy and Louisa Claire of the Brand Meets Blog agency; convened by Kerri Sackville of Life & Other Crises.

It was interesting to hear all about branding on blogs and how advertising campaigns are very likely going forward to increasingly use Social Media and blogs for  promotion. 

For those of you unable to attend I would say the key points of the day were:

* BE ORIGINAL and true to yourself

*INTEGRITY is paramount

*DISCLOSURE is vital and sponsored posts should be interesting to your readers not just advertising!

*KEEP LEARNING - don't let needing new skills hold you back

*GOOD DESIGN is very important, keep it simple and easily navigable!

* DON'T GIVE UP! But rest when you need to.

* CONCENTRATE on great CONTENT - DONT WORRY ABOUT SEO  (search engine optimisation), but do try making your titles easily searchable for readers)

*It IS possible to make money from your blog or it may lead on to great opportunities

In conclusion, it was a fantastic experience for me and I am motivated to carry onwards and hopefully upwards, not just with my blog but some of those creative endeavours I have scribbled in my various notebooks or the myriad scrappy bits of paper on my desk.

Did I mention that this event was FREE?!

A big THANK YOU to Kidspot, all the sponsors and all of those who gave their time to inspire us!

Sally x0x

{I wore my favourite shoes!}

UPDATE: 
The winner of the competition for 'best blog post'  about the event was Amanda from Cooker and a Looker - take a look at her great post .

Craft Queen - {Australia's answer to Martha} - Pip Lincolne!

PIP LINCOLNE 
(photo bySimon Schluter from an article in SMH)

Tomorrow I am going to a "Voices of 2013" Masterclass, on blogging and one of my favourite creative people Pip Lincolne will be talking there (see Miss Pip's photo above).

The Voices of 2013 website is where you can find lots of bloggers; in the Creative + Home category of Voices 2013 you will find those whom are into all things crafty, including sewing, art, interior design, writing, collecting vintage treasures and more. YAY!! :)
These include The Design Files, DayDream Lily, Upon a Fold and of course Meet Me at Mikes 
(Pip Lincolne's own blog)
You can view a section on very creative 'creative spaces' here. So much fun! 

(image)

Image from Upon a Fold

Pip's Pompom rug as seen in issue 52 of  Frankie mag, (via Meet Me at Mikes blog).

...So, tomorrow... as I mentioned, Pip Lincolne is speaking at the Voices of 2013 Masterclass. (Exciting!)
I'm sure if you are of a crafty nature you will know of Pip Lincolne.
I think of her as The Craft Queen of Australia (as I'm sure do many of us crafty-peeps), I am a fan.
I have all her books. Pip blogs, crafts, writes for Frankie mag, edits JustB, she set up the  'Brown Owls' craft group, has been on TV, has been featured in lots of publications.... she is a Mum of 3, a stylish-clog wearer, a good cook....
She is to put it in one of her own fave words pretty RAD!!

Here are a couple of Pip-things. Images borrowed from Meet Me at Mikes.

Oh did I mention Pip is very good at crochet?!

I am looking forward to hearing Pip's inspiring words tomorrow and to see what else is in store for us.

I shall report back soon!

Take care,
love Sally x0x

Circus Birthday Party Fun...

.... 'Cirque du Finny at Looney Park'!

{image}

My eldest munchkin just turned eight. Yes 8! I cannot believe it. EIGHT!!! Already?!
Only yesterday( it seems) he looked like this (the one in red)!

But now. Suddenly. He looks like this. {note: not his real ears. It was EASTER!)

Finn - March 2013

My boys decide what kind of party they want to have next time, straight after their birthday. Sometimes that very day! Surprisingly they stick to it too. Last year it was Pokemon. Groan. No fun for me.
So I formed a cunning plan for this year....

Here in Sydney we have a local permanent Fairground called "Luna Park", which my boys like to visit (occasionally) and when they do, they really love the side-show games. They also enjoyed going to Cirque Du Soleil last year. So... I suggested a Circus-y themed party. After a tiny bit of persuasion he agreed. Some time, a fun Pinterest board, some shopping and some baking later, I made & hosted a circus-y party.
It went well.
Here are a few of my favourite inspiring images & ideas from my Pinterest board:

         Mateo's Circus cake       

Retro Wagon popcorn bags

Circus party from Bird's Party

fab circus cake

Here's a peek at my attempt at a circus-y party.
{from Lolly bags (which included caramel popcorn and candy Floss and was presented in a popcorn bag) to the games, the dressing up and circus tent photo-booth, to the birthday cake and cupcakes...}

It's in the details right?...my circus inspired shoes!! 

I had so much fun decorating the cup-cakes (which I topped with melted white chocolate, popcorn & lollies).

Note: I topped the cake that sat atop the cake stand, with these fab free print-outs from

One Charming Party!

I was so thrilled when I found them, especially as I had pull the whole party together in a day!

Finally my favourite photo from the day, our little friend's face captures the fun! It was a blast!

At least 5 of Mr 8's pals said it was the "best party ev-ver"! SCORE! High Fives all round!!
It will most likely be his last birthday party so we are going out on a high. A sugar high no doubt.
But a high all the same. He is happy. I am happy. Even little brother is happy.
Result! :)

Take care,
Sally xox

Hey you - it's been a while.....!!

image by Kerry Valentine

Have you ever had that feeling of STOP THE WORLD I WANT TO GET OFF!!?

I did. I sometimes do. I kinda did just that for the last 4 months or so. For instance I closed my Etsy shop and I stopped blogging (my last post was waaaay back in September, I had no idea it had been that long!), I even stopped obsessively 'pinning' (on Pinterest that is - we are not talking voodoo dolls here!)...

I won't delve far into the reasons as I don't want to bore you, but there was a death, (my beloved Nonna), kids (not new ones, the same two I already "own" or frequently dis-own!!), my Mum coming for a 3 month visit (we are just over half way), Christmas, then the long school holidays... a continuously travelling husband and most of all FIBROMYALGIA (from which I have been suffering to varying degrees since I was about 18, that's more than 20 years. Let's not talk exact numbers here!).

Anyway, I checked my shop the other day and found an invite from Etsy admin to a networking / Feedback morning tea event and I do so hate to turn down opportunites. It also coincides with the latest ABCD meet-up - again despite diminished self-confidence (never my greatest asset), I cannot turn down this opportunity. The ABCD meet-ups are always lovely anyway, even if they do pull me (just a tad reluctantly) out of my comfort zone.

Both are tomorrow - please wish me confidence and a good time!! :0)

ABCD Meet-Up  (graphic by Lisa)

It has made me want to return to my virtual world of all things creative. I didn't realise I had missed it so much!

So 'Honey I'm home!'

I will be back to tell you about said events, and hopefully bringing you news of creative endeavours in the not too distant future. At the very least I want to start actually MAKING stuff instead of just thinking about it! I may even get my sewing machine out of it's box, my paints out of the old vodka-presentation-tin they were banished to years ago. They may be dried out - so I may buy more. I will. Indeed I will! {She says with great conviction!}

Now, I'm off to reopen my shop....
come by and say HI.
I'll make us some tea!


Love Sally xox

Fab Finds - A la Zebra!

I love Zebra's, I always have, but more so since being lucky enough to see wild ones in Kenya 14 years ago whilst honeymooning there!

If you do too - take a look at these fun, fab quirky Zebra products I have discovered on my web-travels!

(Please note however: I generally don't like the typical black and white zebra print things around, you know the naff kind, especially when teamed with hot pink and most of the zebra themed things I found were naff indeed!!).

1. How amazing is this zebra rocker by Daniel Cox of New Makers in the UK?

2.This vintage spinning top - featuring... yes, of course zebras is fab!!

3. This Zebra Barcode Artwork by Sassan Filsoof is fun!

4. and my favourite - from Anthropologie is this faux taxidermy head.

Sally x

Pintastic! colour combo ~ Pink & Gold

I have just been doing a little 'pinning' (it's one of my favourite ways to relax).
I was inspired to make a new colour combo board with pinks and golds.
Here are some of my fave pins from my sweet and pretty new board
(you can view the whole thing here if you like)...

from http://ruffledblog.com/

from Martha Stuart Weddings

harmony by Kathe Fraga

love,
Sally
xox