Merry Christmas

I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a safe, prosperous and happy 2009!
I have seen so many fantastic blogs in recent times I have really been inspired and I think one of my things to do in 2009 is to be a better blogger.

See you at the Handmade Expo at the Jondaryan Woolsheds on Australia Day.
There will be over 50 stalls of gorgeous handmade only goodies.
The entry fee has been reduced to $2 per person for the day and promises to be a great family day out.
All the usual Aussie day activities, ceremonies, kids games, aussie tucker etc will be there for you and your family to enjoy.
Hope to see you there!

Xmas xtravaganza expo huge success

Saturdays expo was so amazing, so much fun for the grand finale for 2008.

1250 special customers came to look and purchase from 97 talented stallholders,

handmade heaven if you ask me.

We all had a nice time admiring the firemen! and I think they enjoyed themselves too!

I woke up this morning to an email from a reporter from the Melbourne Age wanting to use my luggage tags (selling on madeit.com.au) in a story in about 2 weeks in the Sunday Age.

Naturally I was thrilled and very excited.

Here are some pics from the Handmade Expo last Saturday. My two daughters, the other two Handmade Expo co- ordinators in the bottom pic with Bruce, above that, myself with Bruce and Dale and on the left 3D dinosaurs.

It was very hot in the pavilion!

madeit.com.au

I finally managed to list my luggage tags on http://www.madeit.com.au/madeit/mymadeitstoreitems.asp you should check out this online store of handmade delights!

The Handmade Expo

This is our new bit of publicity for The Handmade Expo, it was a bit of fun and all I can say is that at least we don't have to take it down, do you know where it is?

Chenille Teddies to die for !!!!

This was the view from the table at breakfast in Coffs Harbour, it was very hard to come home from this. It was such a beautiful spot and the wedding was perfect.

Also meet my new best friends (that I will sell to anyone because I'm in to sharing!) They are the softest teddies you've ever felt and made from chenille (not by me though) would be a lovely first teddy.

I've been playing around with some left overs and made some luggage tags, I've listed them on Etsy so hopefully they wont all go before the next market so you can see them, They are funky! You will be able to spot your luggage on the carousel a mile away!

I'M PLAYING AROUND WITH SOME DIFFERENT IDEAS FOR CUSHIONS TOO (WELL DIFFERENT FOR ME!) AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING TWO THAT MATCH, IN A CONTRASTING SORT OF A WAY...WHAT DO YOU THINK? WELL I MIGHT GIVE THESE A GO ON MADEIT.COM.AU AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS....

We have been busy organising our Xmas Xtravaganza Xpo (the Handmade Expo) on Dec 13th in Ipswich, have some really big lucky door prizes to draw every hour and some firemen selling their calenders, maybe i have mentioned this before! There will be lots of fancily dressed stalls and stallholders for a competition we have for them and by then we'll be well and truely on our way to Christmas.

Well have to go and pack now as Jeff and I are off to Coffs Harbour for 3 nights for a wedding and some R&R, (my leave app. all signed)

Trip to Jondarayan

The 3 of us (+ Cooper, Jordan, Jackson & Jeff) took a trip out to Jondaryan Woolsheds today. What a lovely day. We arrived around 10am and left at 1pm. We had a good look around and enjoyed some damper and billy tea, made on site. We needed to have a look at the Woolshed where the Australia Day market is being held. We measured up and worked out that we can fit 48 stallholders throughout the inside of the Woolshed. So, that means, we are fully booked for our inside stalls...however...we can utilise the beautiful surrounds of the shed and have outside stalls still available. So, we are now taking bookings for outside only. The cost for an outside stall is $40 and you will need your own tables, chairs and canopy. www.thehandmadeexpo.blogspot.com

madeit.com.au

I have just listed some of my creations on madeit .com.au, you should check this out for lots of beautiful handmade things from aussie creators of handmade goods, oh so inspiring!!

The Handmade Expo Nov 2008

WOW another great time was had by all at the 4th Handmade Expo last Saturday. It was a bit hot though I must say, luckily there are only two really hot months that the Expo will be in that venue. Christmas is just around the corner and I managed to get at least two crossed off my list..One more Expo before Christmas though thank goodness. Here are some pics from Saturday.

JANUARY Monday 26th 2009 - Australia Day Jondarayan Woolshed

FEBRUARY NO EXPO...TAKE A BREAK! MARCH Saturday 14th 2009 - March Madness Expo Ipswich Showgrounds Exhibitors Pavilion

APRIL Saturday 4th 2009 Goondiwindi PCYC MAY 7th, 8th, 9th 2009 See us at the Ipswich Show promoting and selling handmade for The Handmade Expo

JUNE Saturday 13th 2009 Ipswich Showgrounds Exhibitors Pavilion

We are pretty excited about next years dates for the Handmade Expo, with some different venues to keep us on the hop! Looks like Goondiwindi will be HUGE as we have already reached our minimum stallholder requirement and have four and a half months to go.

Make sure you check out my new things for sale in my ETSY store, I finally got around to updating after selling so many things at markets and then making new things I was starting to cringe each time I looked at it. I have some Xmas shorts for sale, new cushions and I put the hats I have left on there as well. These are all also available at The Handmade Expo or you can amail me direct! I've got some more new things to list tomorrow too!

Finally Liesa and I got to visit Trish at Old Petrie Town. We had a lovely day out and seeing the shop in person is so much more than we imagined, Thanks Trish for being so hospitable and inspiring too. I realise that I neeeeeed to open my own shop! (Well you made me realise) Hope you'll come to my opening!

I have had a busy day today after being presented with my Certificate IV in Business it was off to Gatton to their once a year Christmas in the country market at the Town Hall. Its on again tomorrow too and have a wide variety of lovely crafty things for gift buying. Between that and The Handmade Expo next Saturday 15th November, I'll almost have it covered!

Another market day gone at Cabarlah, So many people, so dusty and a great day was had by all.Saturday was Tina's (aka more-ish) high tea to raise funds for National Breast Cancer Research. I cant remember the last time there was so much food in one place, of such variety and beautiful quality, presentation, taste and all handmade by Tina. Congrats to an amazing fundraiser, raising $1812 is an awesome feat!

It's not always about food , oh yes it is!! with treats like this at the Handmade Expo who can resist! Also a new stallholder judy, from Paddington, her things were delicious but not edible!!

See you all Saturday for the third Handmade Expo at the Ipswich showgrounds, 8am - 2pm, I'm going to start lokking for things for Christmas presents because I know the rush will be on for this reason in Nov and Dec and there's no way I'm going to miss out, I'm going to be totally organised this year!!! Famous last words I know! I'll let you know how I go....

See you there!!

This was taken at a pit stop on the way back from Glen Innes today, I cant believe after all these years of travelling along the New England Highway I dont think I've ever seen this weather rock before! We went to Glen Innes for Jeffs brothers 50th on Sat night. We had a lovely time. We stayed in the most fantastic B&B called Tudor House, it's on the highway and was fantasticly comfortable and gorgeously old world, just our style....we want one!

Nearly ready for The Handmade Expo, heat packs were the almost last thing to do, see the purple and white chenille squares? Half way through customer ordered cushions. They're so snuggly too, I'll have to think about some for myself and maybe the grandbabes too!

This is the last one for the month it's back to the pants!!

I'm lovin the red and I have purple and green to go.

More new hats, I'm excited!

These are a very light khaki almost camel.

So it begins...my first hat I've ever made. Its a size 1 and will have a skirt or shorts to match at the Handmade Expo, 18th October, Ipswich Showgrounds. More great colours to come!

Managed to find a couple of hours to finished my old fav. the bubbachenille version with a bow, there's so much room in this and has a pocket inside for your phone or a lippy! Now I'm right to start on the hats,bright pants and new heatpacks in those fantastic colours. They are all chopped up and ready to sew. I have a fairly empty week ahead at this stage (famous last words!) so I hope to achieve a lot as the following week is The Handmade Expo again on the 18th October. Starting to work on The Handmade Expo for Goondiwindi in April too, so there is never a dull moment!

Have been slightly creative this afternoon finishing off a bag I cut out a few days ago, this one has a zip in the top and adjustable strap. I'm loving this pink but cant wait to get my scissors into some of my new colours!!

My First Post

Hi Everyone

This is my first post. I am no longer a blog virgin...

For my first post, I would like to show off my latest creation...masterpiece in the making.

I received a HUGE shipment of preloved chenille with some fantastic colours and textures. My creative juices are flowing.

I can't wait to get even more creative, mixing and matching with some gorgeous cotton prints that i recently purchased from Bearly Basic Creations at Rosewood (also has a stall at The Handmade Expo).

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I CAN TELL YOU ARE LOVING IT!!!

WELL, HERE IS THE FINISHED PRODUCT

Please feel free to subscribe to my blog for regular updates and more masterpieces in the making.

From Miriam