Etsy Updates

Like many other BrisStylettes I have spent this weekend updating my Etsy listings to meet the requirements to apply for a space at the next BrisStyle market - a minimum of 10 listings in our Etsy store.

I haven't actually sold anything through Etsy yet, but I am enjoying being a member of the BrisStyle team and catching up with the creative goings on around Brisbane. I'm also very thankful to those that share information, like the great tip that allows you to copy your own listings on Etsy when you need to repeat the same information. That has been a great help.

I have to admit I won't be sorry when the whether cools down a bit. I'm finding it very hard to get motivated to enough to sew in the heat. I had a good start to the year with fabrics in my EBay store turning over quickly though and packing parcels is keeping me busy. I've had lots of fun bringing in new designs and keeping some special pieces aside like these owls which I've earmarked for another hat. But with time for the the first Handmade Expo for the year approaching quickly I know it's not enough just to stockpile great pieces of fabric - I will need to stop procrastinating and get moving with the sewing.

One more week of school holidays left to go here and I'll have to get creative in that area as well to make it special for my boys. My youngest starts high school this year - so a big step for all of us.

New Year's Resolutions

Late last year I set up an Etsy store The Rainbow Patch and became a member of BrisStyle a group of Brisbane crafters with amazing talents, many of which I can but aspire to.

My first NY resolution is to get more involved in 'blog world' and add to my blog every Sunday this year. Of course, I missed the very first one last week so I'm already off to a slow start, but here goes.

Today I had my first market for the year back at Mount Tamborine. It's a beautiful area on the Gold Coast hinterland and I've been doing the monthly craft market there since October. This time of year is particularly good for hat sales, which suits me because hats are my favourite things to make. I need to buy some more hat stands though as you can see I've got them all doubled up and it's difficult to show them well.

It looks as though I've inadvertently caught onto something big with my latest items - the Rainbow Patch bib. I thought I'd use up some some of my many scraps and make some great eye-catching 'I Spy' type bibs in the process. These have also been fun to make and no two are the same. The one in the photo is done using a variety of animal prints. I've just spotted Robyn's great blog over at Daisy Quilts where she's done a tutorial on making string blocks.

I've also found there's a challenge on at Loft Creations which I'll have to have a closer look at. I'd been wondering about other ways I could use up some of those many bits and pieces I have left from my fabric range. My personal challenge is to make 4 charity quilts this year - one a term. The quilting group I attend make them for a local domestic violence unit - with the hope that all the children who find themselves there will leave with a quilt made with love.

I also have another 3 grandchildren arriving this year, one due in March, the second in May and the third in July. I expect I'll be kept busy making things to welcome those lovely little bundles as well.

Late last year I participated in a Christmas ornament swap that I also found through Daisy Quilts. I swapped with another blogger Helen It was my first swap and Helen was quite a seasoned swapper. It surprised me how special it felt to receive her lovely decoration in the mail. I must do more of this.

Well this is blog #1 for 2010 - 51 more to go. Now to go and be inspired by the many wonderful things others are doing in craftworld.