Shabby Art Boutique

Gifts and gratitude

2012-01-30T16:00:00.001+11:00

From today you will notice some changes taking place at ‘Shabby Art Boutique’ the blog and my business Woodberry Designs. The website will be closing briefly from tomorrow and when it re-opens there will be a whole new Boutique Shop. . . but I’ll reveal more about that later in the week.

Some of you have already noticed the new logo. . . and of course a new logo and shop means all new stationary too. Here’s a little sneak peek of some of the new packaging. What do you think?

This gift is part of a prize for a giveaway winner. Do you remember on this post last week I said I’d gift my second copy of the Romantic Country magazine? The giveaway was open to any Aussie followers of Shabby Art Boutique who left a comment on that post.

So today I drew the winner. . . nothing fancy, I just copied the names, folded up the itty bitty paper strips and piled them into my vintage cream jug.

I delved in and pulled out a winner. . .

Debbie from Shabby English Rose

Congratulations Deb. . . I’ll be sending a copy of Romantic Country magazine up to you in Queensland, along with a little something extra from the new shop.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on that post. I really do appreciate all your support and encouragement.

Crafting and blogging friends really are the best!

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Vintage sewing notions

2012-01-27T16:34:00.001+11:00

Vintage sewing notions. . . oh how I love thee.

On a recent thrifting adventure, Miss Aimee and I were seeking some vintage goodies to use as photographic props. With this in mind we were trawling through piles of what is best described as junk, looking for anything that was rusty, chipped or distressed. . . I almost passed this baby by.

Now I know the colour and layer of dust is revolting. . . but if you look a little closer you’ll see the goodies that made my heart flutter.

Aimee went back to this old girl several times. She loves anything that has little compartments and she was trying to figure out how she could incorporate the box in her industrial chic themed bedroom.

When I moved a little closer to see what had her attention I saw the little labels on the drawers.

Then there was a hint of old packaging.

My pulse soared with the opening of each little drawer.

A bounty of goodies lay waiting. . . aged to perfection tape measures, rusty thimbles, packets of old press studs, hook and eyes, and buttons. There were buckles, mother of pearl buttons and many packets of sewing needles.

I couldn’t believe my luck. Who would have thought. . . there amongst the strangest collection of old relics just waiting to be discovered was this inconspicuous dusty box filled with vintage sewing treasure. . . and the best part. . . they were practically giving it away. Just goes to show, one man’s trash is another’s treasure!!

The man-of-the-house is still scratching his head wondering why I would be excited over old packaging and aged notions . . . or perhaps he is pondering why he ever spent money on diamonds when he could simply have bought me ‘junk’.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Romantic Country

2012-01-25T11:13:00.001+11:00

If I have a little extra bounce in my step today it’s because something lovely arrived in the post yesterday.

The lovely Mary Forsell, editor of the US Romantic Country magazine sent me two copies of their latest issue, (Spring 2012).

And here’s why. . .

this here little blog of mine was featured in ‘The Blog Spot’ department.

I was pretty surprised. . . and just between you and me, absolutely thrilled when Mary contacted me back in November to tell me they were featuring my blog.

Although we don’t get this gorgeous magazine here in Australia, I was certainly aware of it through the blogosphere. It’s a New York based lifestyle magazine that features the prettiest interiors, gardens, artists, shops, and inns. Every page is filled with the most beautiful photography and stunning people and places.

Thank you Romantic Country magazine for featuring a glimpse of my creative life at Shabby Art Boutique.

Also a big WELCOME and hello to any US visitors popping in here for the first time.

Now I mentioned that Mary sent me two copies of the magazine. . . I’m keeping my copy to gush over, but would love to gift the other copy to an Australian follower of Shabby Art Boutique.

Soooo, if you’re a follower and would like to check out this gorgeous magazine, plus receive a little something else from Shabby Art Boutique, please leave a comment on this post. I’ll announce a winner next Monday.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Some creative sneak-peeks. . .

2012-01-23T20:25:00.001+11:00

Living a creative life sometimes means traveling down several paths at once, which can certainly make life interesting.

Right now I am the wearer of many hats in my business. . . and I quite like that. The hats change throughout the course of the day from designer to purchasing officer, secretary to machinist. . . add photographer, social commentator and art director and you get a hint of my crazy little world right now.

You may recall back here that I had an off day last week… that rarely happens, but when it does I don’t fight it. I chose instead to relax and spend some time enjoying the blogosphere. It obviously worked because the following day my zippity-do-dah crafting mojo was right back where it belonged.

While the implementation of the new Woodberry Designs concept store is keeping me very busy, I also feel incredibly inspired and enthused. I believe that being actively creative rouses even more creativity from within. . . my mind, which is a scary place at the best of times, is in over drive and seems to be generating new designs quicker than I can make them. I’m not saying they are all winners. . . just that one idea seems to sprout off several more ideas. In a desperate act to prevent my head from exploding, I’ve been documenting all my ideas in an art journal. . . I guess it is kind of like my external hard drive. Some ideas are just thoughts that get scribbled down, while others are expanded and thought out more thoroughly. It feels exhilarating!!

Would you like a little sneak-peek of what was on the worktable today?

Black is not a colour I usually work with, but the black linen was perfect for this project.

Have you guessed what it is?

Last week I was lucky enough to review the My Memories Suite v3 digital scrapbooking software and those kind folk at My Memories also gave me a free copy of the software to giveaway. Congratulations to Toni Hainsworth Johnstone who is the lucky winner of the My Memories Suite v3 software.

Don’t forget, you are welcome to use my coupon code: STMMMS22529 to get a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store – that’s $20 value!

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Anything is Possible

2012-01-20T17:55:00.001+11:00

What a CRAZY day yesterday turned out to be. . . which is not surprising given I held the ‘Crazy $1 Sale’. I couldn’t believe the speed at which the orders were coming in. You guys were submitting your orders quicker than I could update the website and we sold everything within a matter of hours. Sadly, lots of people missed out on the opportunity to grab a bargain, but it was first come first served and we processed the orders as they came in – you just had to get in quick!

Now that we’ve moved all that old stock I can get on with rearranging the studio and making room for the new goodies that are coming in every day.

When I checked my Creativity Planner today there was quite a list of jobs to choose from, but what I really felt like doing was painting. It’s been awhile since I’ve put paint on my palette and my mind was overflowing with ideas. Unfortunately, today’s hot and humid weather wasn’t really very accommodating for painting, so the session was short lived. Nothing lost though. . . I’ve made a start and will get back to my painting later.

After that I was really finding it hard to get my mojo into action. . . hmmm, perhaps it was just the summer heat and humidity that had zapped my energy!

Having very little motivation I decided to give myself an ‘afternoon of possibilities’. Some people take ‘sickies’, others have ‘mental health days’. . . me, I prefer to seek inspiration when I’m feeling uncreative. Lucky for me none of the tasks on my ‘To Do’ list today were urgent . . . so my afternoon was spent recharging my mojo. A leisurely jaunt around Pinterest, then hopping through the Blogosphere. . . taking new paths that I’ve never taken before . . . calling on old friends and discovering new ones . . . all the while drinking in creative inspiration. I let my thoughts wander unheeded and allowed for possibilities to develop.

Do you ever do this?

Playing ‘hookey’ worked wonders for me today. Sometimes you just have to give yourself a leave pass and spend time enjoying other people’s creative endeavours. I’m feeling completely rejuvenated now and look forward to getting back on task again.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend filled with ‘possibilities’.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

The ‘I must be CRAZY’ SALE

2012-01-19T13:53:00.001+11:00

There’s lots happening at Woodberry Designs this week. . .

As you already know, I’ll be introducing a new concept store in the coming weeks. Not only will it will be filled with lots of new patterns and handmade treasures, I’m very excited to be introducing a gorgeous collection of unique imported crafting supplies as well.

To make room in the studio for all these lovely new things I’ve had to do a massive clean out. That’s good news for you because I’m having a Crazy $1 Sale with everything going out at $1.

Yep, that’s right, everything is selling at the ridiculous price of $1. Of course you’ll have to pay the postage costs but who cares when you are getting paper patterns, kits and raw wood cut-outs of all the retired designs at $1 each. Please be aware that prices are in Australian dollars and postage is from Australia.

Also, just a reminder that the current collection of patterns will be retired next week too, so make sure you get any patterns now that are on your ‘Wish List’.

Creative hugs ~ Kerryanne

View through the lens

2012-01-18T16:37:00.001+11:00

Hmmm. . . contemplation. . . thinking, deliberating, reflecting and considering.

Yes. . . these are some of the things I’ve been doing.

For certain, none of them were on my ‘To Do’ list today. . . do you have days that pan out like that?

Take right now for instance. . . I’m sitting here taking random photos around my studio. . . I like looking at everyday items through the camera lens, but we all know that is not what I should be doing.

I started off on the right foot this morning before a mishmash of unplanned things completely derailed my day. Just when I thought I was going to get back on track my eldest daughter came to ask for some advice. Hmmm . . . well that is a strange turn of events.

You see, we’ve reached that stage in parenting where my first born child is almost an adult and she thinks she knows it all. I on the other hand according to the laws of the universe (apparently) ‘have no clue’ because. . . well. . . I’m OLD!!

So, there we were. . . the ‘almost an adult know-it-all’ trying to explain her major body of artwork for her final school certificate to this ‘clueless mother’. Initially I was a bit chuffed that finally she was ready to discuss and share it with me. I totally get that she feels intimidated discussing her art with me; it’s what I do for a job and it’s an area I feel completely comfortable in. I’m also acutely aware that any outside assistance could jeopardise her final marking, so I’ve stepped back leaving her under the watchful eye of her art teacher.

Now right about here I need to tell you that my Jess is a bit of a dreamer. She has lots of fanciful ideas and can be quite creative. I listened intently as she outlined what she envisaged for her theme. . . it sounded quite amazing. . . . umm, so AMAZING in fact that I queried how she might be planning to execute such an idea. Apparently she hadn’t really worked that bit out yet, nor was she overly concerned.

Not concerned. . . NOT CONCERNED!!! It was right about there that this ‘clueless mother’ had several heart palpitations.

Seriously. . . is she trying to kill me!!

I had visions of that age old scenario where the child comes to the parent the night before a major assignment is due and says “by the way, I have a big assignment to do…. BY TOMORROW”. Except this isn’t just any year. . . this is THE year. . . the one they spend 12 years working up to. . . the one that determines their future and which Uni they go to! This is it!

Uuugh . . . I feel a tingle of stress.

Life was so much easier when she was just a kid. . . she knew less and I knew more – lol.

And failing that, there was always the naughty corner. . . I could always hide out there because the kids weren’t keen to hang out there.

Until next time (when hopefully there’s been a break through), hugs ~ Kerryanne

Sharing the LOVE

2012-01-16T16:29:00.001+11:00

The lovely folk over at

asked me to try out their My Memories Suite v3 software . . . well, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it . . . right!!

Now ‘m not what you’d call a scrapbooker as such, but I definitely dabble in many types of paper crafts from card making to journaling and varying construction crafts. I also do a lot of digital work, so this software immediately sparked my creativity.

With over 1,500 papers and 1,000+ page elements to play with. . . I was in a state of creative euphoria. There’s so much on offer, including adding video, music and narration to digital scrapbooks. . . plus heaps of FREE graphics and page sets to download. . . oh gosh, I’m not sure where to even start with explaining it all, so the best thing to do is pop on over and read about it here.

Anyhoo, I’ve been here playing around with this program all weekend and created 2 cards for you to download and print off.

Starting with a little vintage Valentine . . .

. . . and also some Paris love.

But that’s not all. . .

Those very generous folk at My Memories have also given me a software package to GIVEAWAY to one of my followers. . . isn’t that fantastic!!

I can honestly tell you that I have thoroughly enjoyed creating with this very easy to use software and if you like scrapbooking, making your own cards, calendars or digital creations. . . you will love it too.

The competition is open to all my followers here at the Shabby Art Boutique and entering is easy. . . simply pop over and like the My Memories Facebook page, then come back here and leave a comment on this post. Make sure you leave an extra comment if you mention this giveaway and link back on any social medias. . . you know the usual, blogs, FB or Twitter. I will draw a winner by Random Number Generator on Monday 23rd January at 11:59 am AEST.

But wait. . . there’s MORE

Not only have the My Memories folk given me a software package to GIVEAWAY they have also given me a special code for my readers to use, that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store – that’s $20 value! To take advantage of this amazing offer use the coupon code: STMMMS22529

Thank you My Memories. . . I loved reviewing your product and I know one of my followers is going to love winning this giveaway.

Homemade happiness in a jar. . .

2012-01-13T15:37:00.001+11:00

Today I’m sharing a fabulous recipe for making your own [super easy] body/hand lotion. If you are like our family of dry skinned girls, you’ll be thrilled to try this.

My eldest daughter has a continuous battle with allergies and severe eczema. I’ve found the key to success with keeping it all under control is adequate moisturizing and hydration, which decreases itching and formation of eczema. . . so we are always seeking good moisturisers.

When I first read about this homemade lotion I thought it sounded interesting. Then it popped up again in a link party and then on numerous other blogs. . . and everyone was raving about it, so we gave it a try.

There’s only 3 ingredients, but you can add scent (like rose water) if you wish.

The making of this body/hand lotion couldn’t be easier.

Add all 3 ingredients to a bowl and whip with beaters until it resembles icing.

Transfer mixture to bottles and jars.

We think this lotion is a winner . . . and we’ve tried plenty. . . so give it a try and let me know what you think!!

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Le Journal. . . for the French at heart

2012-01-11T21:05:00.001+11:00

The gathering of supplies. . .

New A4 diary. . . pretty fabrics, ribbon, lace and sweet embellishments.

What I was suppose to be doing today was updating my new diary with all the dates and appointments contained on scraps of paper and numerous post-it-notes, which are floating haphazardly around my desk.

What I actually did today. . .

hmmm, well I made this pretty French inspired cover for my new diary.

Now doesn’t that look better than the plain boring looking black diary!!

Everything about it is a perfect fit for ME. . . and my creative space.

It will be a pleasure to check its pages each day and write myself little notes.

There’s already a reminded to follow my dreams. . . for who knows were they may lead us.

For 2012 I’m dreaming of a triumphant year ahead filled with new and exciting challenges.

Perhaps tomorrow I will get around to actually filling in the diary. . .

and then (fingers crossed) I might even happen to write pattern instructions for this project.

. . . or I may get distracted by pretty fabrics again!!

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

I’ll be partying with these gorgeous girls week.

Studio days. . .

2012-01-09T15:03:00.001+11:00

As much as I enjoyed my holiday, it’s so lovely to be back in the studio today. . . I missed my little creative space!

I desperately needed a break after my busy pre-Christmas period, but after a week or so of relaxing I started to get that creative urge again. . . you know how it is. . . ideas start forming in your head, you start planning and scheduling for the year ahead.

I completely filled my ideas book while hanging out in the hammock and can’t wait to get started on all my new projects. The beginning of a new year always feels like a fresh start to me. . . a time to reassess and make changes.

I’ve been SO busy in the studio today . . . but have nothing to show you. My first day back has been filled with cleaning, re-organising, condensing. . . And yes, even some throwing out. My creative clutter had become . . . well, a tad messy and invasive!

A new year meant there were important dates to be added to the calendars, a new diary and even some more inspiration for my Creative Planner. Thank you to all of you who purchased the Creativity Planner last week. . . I’m pleased to hear that it was so well received and expect to see some exciting results.

Finally my studio feels just right. . . it’s clean, tidy and ready for a new exciting year ahead.

Now that’s done I can move on to the fun stuff. . . this afternoon I’m tea staining some fabric and ribbon in readiness for a shabby project tomorrow.

I look forward to having you follow along on my creative adventures in 2012.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Organising Creativity

2012-01-06T15:07:00.001+11:00

Hello everyone . . . I’m finally out of the hammock!! In fact, I got out a couple of days ago and promptly dashed off to the ‘big smoke’ for some REAL shopping. Yes my friends. . . one of the pitfalls of living in a coastal paradise is the lack of real shopping, so off we all went for some retail therapy.

Now that I’ve had my R&R and shopping expedition, I’m ‘hot to trot’ to jump right into 2012 – what about you?

For my first project of the year I’m sharing something special with you. . . . a little something I use to plan out and organise my year of creativity and blogging. Organising creativity. . . now there’s a strange concept. Creative, innovative and imaginative people often organise in a different way. . . we prefer things to be more informal. . . colourful and fun and out on a desk where we can see it. . . none of this hiding it away for us!! As creative people we are quite visual, so I’ve designed a year planner with a creative twist.

I am excited to announce my latest self-paced online workshop

The 2012 Creativity Planner

. . . designed especially for creative people.

(special price of just $15)

Actually this is not a new concept for me. . . I create one of these planners every year. This is how I organise my studio, plan my creative events diary and my blogging schedule. It’s my place to set my creative goals, make wish lists, store ideas and plan my projects.

This is not like a store bought diary or planner. . . no, no, no. I’ve designed the planner with 40 hand drawn whimsical pages. The pages are printed on A4 paper, so easily slip into clear sheet protectors and then get stored in a binder. How you decorate the binder is completely up to you.

So here’s the fun part. . .

I’ve designed a quick online workshop. . . just 8 lessons that you can work through at your own pace. The lesson plan guides you through the process of putting your planner together. I’m there to answer any questions and give you advice on how I stay organized for my creative business and my blogging schedule. . . but you don’t have to be in business to reap the rewards of this type of planner. . . it’s for anyone who is regularly creative and wants to customize an innovative planner that inspires their imagination.

The Planner templates include:

· Planning pages with a calendar and daily and monthly action plans.

· There’s a place to store all the contact details for creative businesses and friends.

· There’s a goal chart to stimulate your creativity

· Wish list projects and completed project pages

· Material wish list and shopping lists

· Pages to record your internet shopping orders, fabric swatches and paint samples.

· A place to store warranties and receipts for creative supplies and tools.

· The final section deals with planning and scheduling blog posts which includes a blogging calendar, plus there is also a template to document blog swaps.

The workshop is designed to produce a planner that is customized to suit your individual creative needs. . . no matter what crafting pursuit you enjoy. When you enrol in my 2012 Creativity Planner Workshop you’ll receive access to a private blog where you can work through the lesson plans at your own pace, plus download all of the beautiful planner pages. If you’d prefer to just download the planner and set off on your own creative journey without the workshop, you are free to do so – it’s up to you.

The 2012 Creative Planner Workshop will remain open for enrolments all year, but January is the perfect time to get organized for the creative year ahead.

So here’s the best part. . .

I’m offering the 2012 Creativity Planner workshop for just. . . $15

If you’d like to join in this fun and innovative workshop and make your own Creative Planner,

enrol here.

View from the hammock. . .

2012-01-02T15:11:00.001+11:00

Hello twenty-twelve. . . and hello to all of you.

Imagine this. . . you’re relaxing in a hammock while swaying to a breeze rolling off an indigo-blue sea, shaded from a tropical heat, sipping an ice-cold beverage. Isn’t that what holiday dreams are made of? Well, here on my stay-cation (the holiday you have at home). . . I’m doing just that.

Laying here in my hammock. . .

. . . I’ve been pondering how blessed we are to live in our gorgeous little tourist town on the coast.

Normally we curse the tourists that invade our town at this time of year. . . but this is day 12 of swinging in the hammock, so I’m nice and relaxed. I’m able to look past the nuisances of the tourist invasion to appreciate that not only do I live in a beautiful part of the Australian coastline, with an ideal climate. . . I don’t have to travel to get here or pay big bucks to have my vacation here.

I have everything I need right here in the backyard. . . hammock, pool, bbq and my family. Add to this a morning beach walk and the sound of crashing waves at night and it adds up to the perfect beach holiday destination. And the best part. . . I get to sleep in my own bed at night!

Soooo . . . I’ve found that you can do a lot of things in the hammock apart from sky gazing; I’ve read lots of books and magazines, filled a sketch pad full of new design ideas, added all our event dates to the 2012 calendars and diaries, painted my nails, chatted on the phone to friends far away and even had a few nana-naps. . . although I told Miss Aimee I was just thinking with my eyes closed!

My Stay-cation has been . . . well . . . quite relaxing! I feel very enthusiastic about 2012 and can’t wait to share with you all the new things happening here in the Woodberry Designs studio. . . hopefully I’ll be out of the hammock in the next day or two!!

Until then, Happy New Year.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Ringing in the New Year!

2011-12-31T08:37:00.001+11:00

On this last day of 2011. . . I’m thinking about the year that was and wondering what the New Year will have in store for all of us.

It frightens me how quickly the months fly by and then another year has passed. . . is it a sign of getting older or are we all busier these days?

I have to remind myself sometimes to slow down and. . .

I’ve enjoyed my week off. . . I’m certainly feeling rested and relaxed, but I’m not good at this doing nothing caper. Hmmm, might have to wander down to the studio next week . . . just to check everything is okay of course [smile].

Anyhoosies, here’s a wrap up of the second half of my year in the studio with a few of my favourite projects.

The French theme continued with some gorgeous clock making.

Then there were romantic bears. . .

ballerina cats. . .

and love birds.

In October the market season started and my store was decked out with shabby wares, including some industrial chic. . .

coastal chic. . .

. . . and French inspired wares.

In the studio there was some exciting repurposing and up-cycling going on. . . starting with this mirror that became a blackboard.

. . . cute wall shelf that was transformed into a sewing caddy

. . . and a chest of drawers into a lavender chest.

In October I celebrated my 20th year in business and to celebrate, released my first e-book – The Creative Mumpreneur

In November we started Simply Christmas which was chock full of tutorials, guest posts and giveaways.

The shabby French handbag organiser tutorial was a big hit for gift making.

I also continued stocking the market store with more shabbilicious gorgeousness. . .

. . . and French inspired wares.

December was all about decorating for Christmas. . . it took me days to make these vintage paper trees.

The vintage paper rose tutorial here was a bit hit. . .

as were the sharpie pen and stencil cushions.

We finished up 8 weeks of Simply Christmas again last week. Did you enjoy it?

Will we do it all again next year?

Well, I think that’s 2011 done and dusted.

Wishing you all the blessings of the New Year. . . the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

And on that note, I look forward to sharing more creative adventures with you in 2012 ~ Happy New Year to all.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Studio snapshots of 2011

2011-12-29T13:22:00.001+11:00

So, how’s your ‘in-between’ week been so far?

I’m still chillin’ in my hammock. . . looking up at the sky and daydreaming. There was a little hiccup yesterday when our old hammock. . . which was a bit worse for wear, finally surrendered, ripped away from the support ropes and collapsed. Thankfully, it was hanging down low and the only thing hurt was my dignity. After a quick look around to see if any neighbours had witnessed my humiliation, I decided to move the relaxing indoors for a nana nap. . . as you do on holidays. Later on I ventured outside to find that my lovely hubby had slipped away during naptime and purchased a new hammock. Ahhh. . . this is the life. . . holidays!

Hmmm, just between you and me . . . I’ve enjoyed the first four days of holidays . . . I’m all relaxed. . . but now my mind has now turned to all things creative. I promised myself I’d stay out of the studio and have a complete break, but I’m itching to get back in there already. So today I’m reflecting on the year that was and taking a little wander back through my bog posts. Here’s a little of what I did in the first 6 months of the year. . .

I started 2011 with a studio clean up and a new diary cover.

I harvested my own lavender for lavender sachets.

Then in Autumn I released a new collection of patterns, incorporating new mediums and techniques. . . like the pencil rendered face of Willow.

There was of course Bunnies for Easter. . .

. . .and some Tilda bunny magic added to our tea making in the studio.

The Fabric Flatties were a big hit too.

April saw a big swing towards all things French inspired.

This Vintage Sewing Box tutorial was fun and proved to be my most popular post ever!

Plus I shared with you my thrifting adventures and all my handmade, up-cycled, and repurposed vintage creations.

Throw in some recipes and my general observations of the world and that about covers the first 6 months of 2011.

It’s good to look back occasionally. . . to see where we’ve been and what we’ve done. . . it helps formulate where we might like our adventures to take us next.

I’ll be back soon with a wrap up of the rest of 2011.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

The ‘in-between’ time. . .

2011-12-27T12:33:00.001+11:00

This is my week of ‘balance’.

It’s a peculiar kind of week really. . . just a group of days between the excitement of Christmas and New Year. For many, it’s a holiday week. . . a week to relax and enjoy the season. I’m using this week to find my equilibrium. . . seek peace and harmony and become balanced again before the start of my busy year.

When I say busy. . . it’s not that crazy kind of busy where we have way too much on and we start to get a tinge of anxiety creeping through our system. . . it’s more the tingly, fun type of busy. For several months now new opportunities and events have been in the planning stages, dates booked on the calendar in advance, many new projects in blueprint form. . . all combining to produce a sense of escalating excitement about the future. I think 2012 is shaping up to be a brilliant year!

While I’m almost bursting with anticipation, I don’t want to share with you too many of the details just yet. . . mainly because I want to take you along on my creative adventures as they happen. What I can tell you is this. . . my business Woodberry Designs is undergoing a transformation in the coming weeks.

Do you remember the Enid Blyton book The Magic Faraway Tree? As a child I loved reading this series of books with the magical ever changing land at the top of the tree. My business is a bit like that tree . . . every now and then magic happens . . . [the land at the top of the tree rotates] . . . and one concept moves on so a whole new one can arrive.

The first obvious change at Woodberry Designs will be an overhaul of the website in January, then the introduction of several new initiatives. To make way for the new, I’ll be retiring a lot of the current patterns . . . it’ll be a fresh start to 2012. If you have any of my original pattern designs on your wish list I suggest you get them now before they are gone. And yes, the web-store will remain open during the holiday period.

My mantra for 2012 is ~ Follow your heart.

It comes from this quote by an unknown author: Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel the answer. Learn to trust your heart.

I think 2011 was definitely my year to sit quietly and take it all in. The year entailed many highs with the biggest one celebrating the 20^th anniversary of my business and release of my eBook. Unfortunately, it was the eBook that also caused the biggest low. . . but I’m putting that behind me and moving on. I’m trusting my heart!

It's time for a change and to follow my heart. In 2012 I'll be concentrating on one style in many varied forms. You can expect to see lots of new and exciting patterns across several mediums. There's a new creative book ready for release, I'm working on 2 e-course ideas, arranging workshops and. . . there's a 'secret' project underway for early in the year. Hmm. . . yes, I think you will like it!

But for now, I’m taking a week to ‘balance’ my mind, body and soul. . . this entails beach walks, shopping, lots of reading (woo hoo, Santa brought me an E-reader) and lots of lovely family time. Soooooo, whatever you are doing on your ‘in-between’ week – I hope you enjoy it.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

And then it was Christmas. . .

2011-12-24T17:45:00.001+11:00

After eight weeks of preparations. . . making, baking and of course creating. . . we’ve reached the final day of Simply Christmas. Once again it has been a fun filled journey, made all the more special by all of you out there in the blogosphere.

I could never have undertaken this on my own, so please join me in thanking the 7 delightful and creatively inspiring ladies who joined us each week to guest post:

Clare of Clare’s Craftroom

Becky of Beyond the Picket Fence

Fee of Designs by Fee

Christy of Sweet Tidings

Linda of Lilly Cottage

Kris of Tag Along Teddies

Vikki of Sew Useful Designs

Their creative skills were greatly admired and their generosity in the giving of their time and providing giveaways shines through as the true spirit of Christmas. A big ‘thank you’ to all of you gorgeous girls!!

It was a pleasure to see many old familiar faces joining in with the link parties, along with welcoming scores of new friends. Together we’ve shared our decorating tips, gorgeous home tours, scrumptious recipes and fantastic gift making tutorials. . . there was definitely something for everyone!

I hope like me, you’ve enjoyed putting some homemade and home baked back into your Christmas. The link parties were full of creative inspiration. . . so much so, that my ideas book is already full in readiness for next year. Righto. . .so that last comment probably sent many of you running from the room screaming. . . [smile].

As our children grow up we lose some of the magic of Christmas. . . sadly, in our house we no longer put out carrots for the reindeers or search the night sky for a glimpse of Santa’s sleigh. . . so we’ve started new traditions. Today my girls and I finished up some final preparations in the kitchen and then made matching sets of Christmas PJ’s. They will add a bit of fun to our Christmas morning frivolity. For us, Christmas is all about family and as long as we do it together we haven’t lost the Christmas Spirit . . . tonight we’ll all be singing along to Carols by Candlelight . . . which I love, but for some strange reason the neighbourhood dogs don’t appear to enjoy my singing.

May beautiful moments and happy memories

surround you with joy this Christmas.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Inspiration Friday

2011-12-23T15:56:00.002+11:00

I’m not sure where that last week went, but I don’t mind telling you that this week’s Friday Inspirations snuck up on me without warning. To be honest, I’ don’t know what day I thought it was today. . . gosh I really must be in holiday mode!!

Did you pop around and visit some of the amazing participants in last weeks Simply Christmas Inspiration Party?

I truly can’t believe the amount of talent that is out there in the blogosphere. Thank you to everyone who linked up this past week. I’ve scribbled down some of these wonderful projects as must do’s for next year. So let me show you a few that caught my eye this week.

Here’s a lass who like me, doesn’t mind hanging a branch indoors. . .

totally love Salvage Savvy’s Tree Branch Candle Chandelier

Connie even gives a full tutorial on how to make the candle holders and install your tree branch chandelier. . . well worth checking out.

Kristina from Re-made Simple has made some repurposed fabric rope bracelets. . . love the shabby edges!

Kristina shows several examples she has made herself, plus gives a link to the original poster who inspired her creations. Another ‘must do’ project on my list for the holidays.

I adore these vintage stamp and brown paper package ornaments by Carolyn of Desire Empire

. . .actually I adore Carolyn’s blog because just like me, Carolyn lives in a beach house on the NSW coastline and she does coastal chic so well. Check it out here.

So with only 2 more sleeps to Christmas this will be our last Inspiration party here on Simply Christmas.

By now you know the drill. . . sign up, link back and show us what Christmas inspired things you’ve been making, baking and creating this week.

A homemade Christmas

2011-12-22T17:40:00.001+11:00

Simply Christmas has been all about putting the homemade and home baked back into Christmas and it has given me great joy to not only give homemade but to receive homemade too. I thought you might like to see some of these gifts. . . both given and received.

This is a gift I gave to some friends this week and as it has already been opened I can show you. . .

. . . a set of Faith Blocks for a Christian family.

I received this gorgeous green linen stocking yesterday from my beautiful friend Vikki at Sew Useful Designs. It was full of crafting goodies too!!

If the stocking looks familiar it is because Vikki gave a guest post tutorial on how to make this stocking right here at Simply Christmas on Wednesday. She also has one to give away over on her blog Sew Useful Designs, so pop on over before the GIVEAWAY ends on Christmas Eve.

Also in the post this week was this very sweet ad useful lingerie bag from my blogging buddy Kris from Tag Along Teddies. It is SO me too!

How’s this for an original homemade gift. . . Kelly who is one of my students makes her own ice cream every week, so she made a tub for us and put it in a Christmas tin. We’ve already done a taste test and I must say it is the creamiest and yummiest ice cream I’ve ever tasted. . . .mmmm.

Another one of my students, Kylie, made this lovely prim style lavender bag for me. Kylie also makes her own aromatherapy oil blends and this sachet came with one of her lovely bottles of oil.

How happy am I . . . something made by hand and given from the heart is the best and most treasured gifts to receive.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the wrap up of the Inspiration Friday party.

3 sleeps to go! . . . . Hugs ~ Kerryanne

All lit up for Christmas

2011-12-21T16:57:00.001+11:00

I’ve finally finished work for the year and celebrated last night with a studio Christmas party.

The mood was set with 40 candle jars. . .

and a canopy of twinkling fairy lights.

Together with a small group of gorgeous girlfriends we were content to. . .

Eat drink and be MERRY.

Candle light is brilliant for setting the mood for such an event and these candle jars couldn’t be simpler.

All you need is clean washed jars, tea light candles, Epsom salts and an all purpose clear glue.

If you’d like to add salt to the jar rims, apply a bead of glue around the top of the jar then sprinkle with Epsom Salts. Pour some more salt into the base of the jar before adding your tea light candle. Tip: You will need extra long matches to light the candles.

Just 4 sleeps to go!!

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Sew Useful . . . provincial Christmas stocking

2011-12-20T08:04:00.001+11:00

Hi everyone! My name is Vikki from SEW Useful Designs and I’m delighted to be a guest over at this glorious Shabby Art Boutique, sharing a cup of cheer with our gorgeous host, Kerryanne!

It’s getting really close to the big day… are you getting excited?!

Are you all organised with just a few last minute details to initiate? Or are you still frantically making, creating and wrapping up presents? I fall in to the latter category!!

If you’re still seeking out a last-minute hand made gift that’s appropriately intended for Christmas Eve – I have the perfect project for you!

This provincial Christmas stocking takes just a couple of hours to whip-up, and if you have more time to spare I have included some ideas for embellishment a bit later on!

The completed stocking measures 23 in (58cm) from hanger to toe.

You will need:

Half a yard (50cm) duck-egg blue linen

One vintage napkin measuring approx. 11½ins (29cm) square

10in (25cm) heavy-weight dense batting

Two rustic metal bells

Sewing threads to match fabrics

Rotary cutter, ruler and mat

General sewing supplies

Fabric marker (or tailor’s chalk)

Getting started:

Print the two stocking templates from THIS pdf file. Match the templates at the join and cello tape in place. Cut out template on the outline.

Fold the linen fabric in half along its longest edge and position the template on top, leaving a ½in gap around it. Trace around the template with the fabric marker and cut out ¼in outside of traced lines.

Place the template on top of the batting and trace once. Cut out directly on traced line. Now place the pattern on reverse and repeat this process one more time. Set the batting shapes aside.

Fold the napkin in half on the diagonal with wrong sides together. Fold under each pointed end so they are of equal length.

Ensure that the top edge of the napkin is approx. one inch longer than the top edge of your linen stocking shape. Finger press.

Unfold the two sides of the napkin and place on the cutting mat with the top folded edge parallel to one of the lines on the mat. Now make a vertical cut ¼in out from the finger-pressed line you made on the right-hand side of the napkin. Repeat this process for the left-hand side of the napkin.

Cut ¼in IN from the top long edge.

You will now have two pieces of napkin for the top front and back of your Christmas stocking! Set them aside for the time being because now we’re going to cut the remainder of the napkin and use (almost) every little bit of it!

Unfold one of the leftover triangles and place it on the cutting mat. Cut down the middle to yield two smaller triangles of equal size.

These triangles will decorate the heel and toe of the stocking.

Take the remaining folded triangle and, keeping it folded, place it on the mat and cut ½in IN from the lacy edge.

Open out the corner piece and discard the smaller fabric triangle. Turn over the raw edge by ¼in, and pin. Clip ¼in IN to the corner.

Sew a line of stitching along the folded edges to create a neat seam. Then fold the fabric back over on itself with wrong sides together. This will become the stocking hanger.

Putting the stocking together:

Position one batting stocking shape centrally on to one linen stocking shape. The linen shape will be marginally bigger than the batting. Pin around all edges to keep in place. Repeat with the other stocking shapes.

Decide which way you would like the stocking to face – with the toe pointing to either the left or the right. If your napkin has an embroidered motif on it, ensure that this piece is ear-marked to be stitched to the front of the stocking.

To do this; place the napkin piece right side down along the top edge on the wrong side of the stocking:

The napkin piece will be longer than the top edge of the stocking as intended. Ensure it has equal lengths overhanging each side and then pin in place.

Sew along the top edge using a ½in seam allowance. Repeat this process for the other side of the stocking and the remaining napkin fabric piece.

To add the heel and toe patches:

Position one of the small napkin triangles right side up on to the front right side of the stocking toe. Turn the stocking shape over and trace around the toe, then cut out on traced lines.

Sew the napkin toe piece in one straight line to attach it to the stocking shape.

Repeat this same process to create the heel patch on the front side of the stocking.

Place the two stocking shapes right sides together and pin around the edge, leaving the attached napkin pieces on the top edge untouched.

Sew around the stocking shape from point A to point B using a ½in seam allowance.

Clip curves and turn the stocking right side out. Use a chopstick to ease out the curved edges.

Now place the top napkin edges right sides together with raw (side) edges matching.

Position the ‘hanger’ in the seam on the side of the napkin that is parallel to the heel. Ensure that raw edges are matching, then pin in place.

Sew down each side, from A to B, using a ¼in seam allowance.

Turn the top napkin part of the stocking over to face the right side and give it a gentle press with a warm iron.

To complete the stocking, sew one of the rustic bells to the pointy end of the napkin on each side. You are done!

If you want to go a step further and embellish or personalise the stocking, here are a couple of ideas!

Do you have any special Christmas buttons in your stash?

I attached this gorgeous red robin button with red DMC thread that coordinates with the bird. I then used the same thread (all six strands) to thread through the lace on all areas of the napkin.

I top-stitched this version of the stocking which gives it a much more defined shape and encloses the raw seams on the inside.

With this next stocking I personalised it with a monogram of my friend’s name. I had another napkin the same as the first, traced my chosen monogram on to the right side and adhered a stabiliser to the reverse. After satin-stitching the design in a charcoal coloured DMC thread, I trimmed it square and sewed four cut strips of the remaining napkin lace to each side. To finish it was slip-stitched on to the front of the stocking, and then I threaded the same colour DMC thread through all of the lace sections. This takes a few extra hours to do but its well worth it if you have the time!

Well I really hope you enjoyed my tutorial! It has been an absolute pleasure to share some Christmas magic with you in this final week of advent!

To our darling Kerryanne I say a big Thank You for your fantastic tutorials, inspiration and beautiful sense of spirit! She is the star on the top of the Christmas tree, don’t you think?!

Happy Christmas everyone – wishing you a safe and happy season!

Vikki xoxo

Thank you sweet Vikki for popping over to Simply Christmas to guest post today. . . your stockings really are super gorgeous!!

I have some exciting news for my followers ~ Vikki has very generously offered this beautiful bird stocking as a

giveaway.

If you follow my blog and would like to be in the running to win Vikki’s beautiful stocking on Christmas Eve, pop on over to her blog Sew Useful Designs and follow her instructions on her giveaway post. While you are there, make sure you check out all her other gorgeous original designs too.

All wrapped up for Christmas

2011-12-19T08:44:00.001+11:00

It doesn’t matter whether you are super organised or a last minute shopper, one thing is for sure. . . at some point we all have to wrap gifts, so today I thought I’d share some creative ideas to make your wrapping as special as the gift itself.

From simplicity at its best. . .

[source]

to elaborate white and neutral. . .

or make it bright and colourful.

[source]

Hang onto your empty foil and cling wrap boxes for this clever idea!

[source]

And while you are saving things. . . here’s a nifty idea for using those paint sample swatches.

[source]

How about a gift tag and wrapping all in one with some clever stamping.

[source]

And for a final touch. . . make a little wreath out of fresh greens and pop it on white card for a quick tag.

[source]

If you have a creative gift wrapping idea to share, pop it my current Christmas Inspiration party here, so we can all check it out.

Merry Christmas ~ Kerryanne

Inspiration Friday

2011-12-16T12:45:00.003+11:00

I have a little something of my own to share today. . .

. . . and where do you suppose I got the inspiration for my gingerbread man wreath?

Why right here on Inspiration Friday of course!!

Carrie at Saving 4 Six linked this wonderful wreath in last weeks party

Thanks Carrie. . . I was so inspired I made a wreath of my own using Carrie’s recipe.

Pop over here if you’d like to make one too. . . and don’t forget to say ‘hi’ and thank Carrie.

Inspiration Friday was amazing last week. A huge thank you everyone who participated . . . there were so many fantastic creative projects from home decor, to gift giving and yummy recipes.

I’m loving all this creative sharing and wishing there was just a little more time before Christmas so I could try out more of these great ideas. I’ve also been thrilled to meet lots of new people and find exciting blogs that I may not have come across otherwise in this big place called ‘blogland’.

So now. . . how do I pick just a couple of favourites. . . it’s really hard again this week!

First off, a touch of shabby which is close to my heart

Andrea from The Cottage Market showed us her ‘shabbilicious’ (oh yes this is definitely my word for 2012) birdy ornaments

Another thing I’m drawn to living at the beach is anything with coastal chic and Miss Beachcomber ticks all the boxes with her alternative to a Christmas tree. . . an old ladder. How divine is this for coastal Christmas decor.

And finally, I’m definitely making Randee’s Strawberry Shortcake dessert sticks for a friends get together this week. . . mmmmmmm!

The most viewed link this week was Feral Turtles dried fruit Christmas trees. . . aren’t they amazing!

Okay ladies. . . it’s time to show us what you’ve got. What did you make, bake and create this week?

Simply add a link to your blog post (not your main URL) in the linky tool below. . .

and link back to the Shabby Art Boutique with http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com so others can join in too.

Make sure you are following so you’ll see who gets featured next week!

Now all that’s left to do is pop around and visit a few of these creative blogs for inspiration ~ don’t forget to leave a comment for them!!

Scent-sational

2011-12-15T07:19:00.001+11:00

Breathe in. . . 1. . . 2. . . 3. . . 4. . . breathe out

Now tell me. . .

What does Christmas smell like to you?

Perhaps its the fresh woody scent of a real Christmas tree. . .

or the aroma of Christmas baking. . .

and warm gingerbread straight from the oven.

Could it be the smell of peppermint candy canes?

For me, I think of Christmas when I smell a bouquet of Christmas spices. . .

cinnamon, citrus fruits, star anise, bay leaves and cloves.

Today I’m making lots of scented things . . . starting with my Simmering Pot Pourri.

Here’s my recipe:

3 cinnamon sticks
3 bay leaves
1/4 cup whole cloves
1 teaspoon ground cloves
2 lemon slices, fresh or 2 tablespoons dried lemon peel
2 tablespoons orange peel or dried orange peel
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 litre water.

Mix all ingredients in medium saucepan. Simmer on low heat and add more water as needed.

After that I’ll be making a gingerbread man wreath, cinnamon ornaments and dried citrus fruits (my recipes are here at Simply Christmas 2010) . . . which for us has become a Christmas tradition that infuses our house with the

scent of Christmas

I can ‘bearly' wait for Christmas

2011-12-14T06:58:00.001+11:00

Today’s Guest Poster is the ever lovely Kris from Tag Along Teddies. If you’ve been following Shabby Art Boutique for awhile now then you’d already know Kris. . . she’s been a regular contributor to my blog over the years. She was even kind enough to step in and keep the posts coming during last years Simply Christmas when my internet server went down for a week or so.

Kris and I were friends in business long before we discovered the blogging world and I’m honoured to say that she is one of the lovely gals that makes up my business mentor group. Soooooo. . . I’m really pleased to have her pop over here again to do a guest post and share her love of all things fabric.

G’day All!! Kris from Tag Along Teddies popping in to wish you all a Happy Christmas! I’m so very EXCITED to be part of the lovely Kerryanne’s “Simply Christmas” program once again … haven’t there been some wonderful craft, decorating and cooking ideas shared so far? Now if only I could get my butt into gear and do something about it! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Well … if you’re like me and beginning to run around the house, waving your arms around like a lunatic, gibbering things like … “Must get gifties in the mail! Must get gifties MADE to go in the mail!!!!” … then I have something that might help you. I’ve got a quick, simple, low-fuss kind of Christmas craft project to share with you today, so grab a cuppa (I’m not known for my SHORT posts! Tee! Hee! Hee!) and we’ll see if we can’t get a step closer to being ready for Christmas.

Christmas Pillowcase/Santa Sack

You will need:

· A plain coloured pillowcase

· A piece of Christmas print fabric with largish pictures on it

· Fusible webbing (vlisofix or Easy-Appliqué work well)

· 22” (56cm) giant rick-rack or pom-pom braid

· 10” (25cm) wide ribbon (to hang Santa sack)

· General sewing requirements

As you can see from the photo, I’ve made two versions of this Christmas pillowcase/Santa Sack, so will explain both as we go through. Ready?? Here we go!! :0)

1. Choose a section of your fabric’s print you want to use and iron your fusible webbing onto the BACK of it.

2. Cut out your shapes … I cut out baubles of different colours and sizes to make it more interesting, but you could make a scene if you like (with the cut out shapes, not by throwing a tantrum or anything! Tee! Hee! Hee!) depending on your fabric design.

3. Give your pillowcase a really good press to get rid of any wrinkles that would cause the webbing not to stick as well. Lay the pillowcase right side up … ie. The side that does NOT have the inner flap should face up. My pillow cases had a pleated cuff, which helped me keep things straight! :0)

4. Peel the paper backing off your appliqué shapes, then play around with the layout of them until you’re happy with how they look … I put my appliqué shapes across the short side of the pillow case as a Santa sack, but if you just wanted to make this a pillowcase, you could turn the design around so it runs horizontally. Press in place to attach shapes.

5. For this stage, you have two options as to how you secure your appliqué shapes … well … there are MORE than two, but only two that I used! :0) The first is stitching by hand.

Using a number 5 or 8 perle thread, running stitch around your shapes about 1/8” from the edge … I then stitched ‘strings’ from my baubles that they are ‘hanging’ by. Option two to attach the shapes is by machine …

Using either a straight stitch or a very close zigzag stitch, sew around the edge of your shapes … I used a straight stitch about 1/8” from the edge of shapes to attach them, then a close zigzag for the ‘strings’.

6. Measure across your pillowcase, then add half an inch to the length (1cm) and cut a length of giant rick-rack or pom-pom braid that length. (mine was 19”+1/2” for ends to be folded under) Fold the ends of the rick-rack under ¼” to avoid fraying. If you use the pom-pom braid, cut a pom-pom off each end first to give you enough braid to tuck ends under. Pin rick-rack/braid in place along the cuff. Machine stitch in place.

7. Fold your 10” length of ribbon in half to form a loop, sitting ends on top of each other. Pin doubled ribbon to one side seam of the pillow case, with cut ends the same distance down from the top as the width of your ribbon so that where the ribbon overlaps the pillowcase forms a square. Set your machine to a close, small zigzag stitch and stitch around the square, then across diagonals as per the photo …

8. Et Voila! Your Santa Sack/Christmas Pillowcase is FINISHED!

It’s now ready for you to hang on your bedroom door knob ready for Santa to fill with goodies, or to slip onto your pillow for sweet Christmas dreams. :0)

You can play with this basic concept to create personalized gifties. For a little girl, you could choose a pillowcase colour to match her room, then sew a number of different colour, width, textured ribbons and braids across it in the same way as the rick-rack. For a little boy, you could appliqué a truck or car along with the first letter of his name like so …

OH!!! The possibilities are endless! And it really does make for a quick, simple giftie.

I hope I’ve helped you emerge a little from your Christmas tizzy and that you have fun playing with this idea … I’d love to see some photos! :0)

Thanks again to Kerryanne for allowing me to come and play on her blog. I wish you all a safe, happy and holy Christmas and a New Year full of family, friends, fun, FABRIC (Tee! Hee! Hee!) and lots of exciting new adventures!! :0) I hope you’ll ‘tag along’ over to visit me some time! :0) Til next time …

CHRISTMAS BEAR HUGS!
CHEERS!
KRIS

Thanks again Kris for another fantastic Christmas tutorial.

How gorgeous are those pillowcase come Santa sacks? If you perhaps can’t make your own or are running out of time then I have some fantastic news for you. . . yes, it’s a GIVEAWAY. Kris is very generously gifting both of these bags, so there’s two chances to win. To enter the giveaway you’ll need to pop over to Kris’ blog Tag Along Teddies where she is doing a GIVEAWAY post later today. . . I’m saying later as I know she has a big Christmas breakie thingy happening this morning, so she may not get her post up until the afternoon. Good luck everyone!

Simplicity

2011-12-13T12:00:00.001+11:00

Today is all about keeping it. . .

SIMPLE

glass jar + candle + Epsom salts = simple snow magic

Trees made from fresh greenery. . .

Candy canes all in a row. . .

fresh greenery + ribbon = a simple entrance. . .

strips of paper + stapler = a childhood memory that lives on

brown paper + bakers twine + doily = crafty wrapping

foam ball + buttons + pins = Christmas craftiness

simple. . . old-fashioned appeal

Hope you were simply inspired today!!!

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

The spirit of Christmas

2011-12-12T14:03:00.001+11:00

Welcome everyone to the Shabby Art Boutique

. . . especially to all my new followers; I’m slowly making my way around to visit you all.

Also a very warm welcome to anyone visiting for the first time today from the Decorating Forum. I’m humbled and thrilled to announce that the Shabby Art Boutique is being featured at the Decorating Forum this week. I highly recommend a visit to check out all the amazing things they have going on over there.

So, it’s week 7 of Simply Christmas and with only 12 days until the big day, can you feel the magic in the air. . . the Christmas spirit?

This is a busy time of the year for most people. . . with a mix of hectic work schedules and end of year activities it wouldn’t take much to stress out. . . but there is something magical about this season that makes people more selfless, more friendly, more kind, and generally much nicer people.

It’s not hard to spread Christmas cheer. . . a simple greeting of ‘Merry Christmas’ will bring a smile to most people’s faces, singing along to Christmas carols is always very infectious. . . and what about volunteering to help others. Even if you only have one hour to spare, every bit helps.

One of the ways I like to spread cheer is with baking and today I’m sharing my super quick, but very impressive ‘cheats’ cake pops recipe.

You may remember them from back here when I served them at my Crafternoon Tea. I got a lot of emails following that post to tell me how super easy and yummy they were. Even though I used the Australian Tim Tam and Mint Slice biscuits, overseas readers tell me they found alternatives that worked just as well. Really, you just need a good quality fancy chocolate biscuit.

So here’s my new take on an old favourite. . . Easy Christmas Truffles. . . or cake pops if you use the sticks.

You will need just 4 ingredients: a 200g packet of Arnott’s Tim Tams or Mint Slice biscuits (or equivalent biscuit), 80 g of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, good quality cooking chocolate (milk and white), glace cherries.

To make the pops, you simply crush the packet of biscuits in a food processor. Add the 80 g of cream cheese and mix again until combined.

Roll balls (about 1 tablespoon each) from mixture and pop in the fridge for a bit to firm. Insert sticks in top of pop using a little bit of melted chocolate (if using sticks). Dip balls in melted chocolate. To make little puddings, add some extra melted white chocolate to the top of each ball and drop a 1/4 of a chopped glace cherry on before the chocolate sets.

I made this cute little basket for my truffles from one sheet of scrapbooking paper following the instructions from this post over on Amy’s ‘Then She Made…’ blog. Amy has very graciously allowed me to link to her tutorial for two paper baskets, so please pop over and check them and Amy’s other creative projects out.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Inspiration Friday

2011-12-09T12:44:00.002+11:00

The celebration of Christmas is a joyful mix of friends, family, food and festive cheer and most of us have our traditions and favourite fares to be enjoyed at this time of year. My girls and I do a lot of baking in these last couple of weeks leading up to Christmas. . . it’s what we’ve always done. . . I did it with my mother and I hope my girls will go on to do it with their children one day. We like to make edible gifts for our neighbours and friends, plus lots of decadent sweet treats to share with friends and family for all those festive catch-ups.

This year we’ve put a different spin on an old family favourite. . . White Christmas

Can you guess what the surprise ingredient is?

Yes. . . gone are the glace cherries and dried fruit and in their place is Turkish Delight!!

This is my recipe for White Christmas bars, which are great for a neighbour or teacher gift. Recipe makes 7 - 8 large bars or 14 small bars.

White Christmas ~ with a twist

Preparation time: 15 mins, plus 3 hours chilling time.

250g Copha, chopped
3 cups puffed-rice cereal
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup icing sugar
1 cup powdered milk
300g Turkish Delight, chopped (I used a mix of rose and lemon flavoured)
1/2 cup toasted flaked almonds.

1. Line base and sides of a lamington tin with baking paper. Put copha in a small heavy based pan over a low heat until melted. Remove from heat and stand until lukewarm. Combine cereal, coconut, icing sugar and powdered milk in a large mixing bowl. Add Turkish delight and almonds and stir to combine.

2. Make a well in the centre, add lukewarm Copha and stir until mixture is uniformly moist and coated in Copha. Spoon into prepared tin and pack down with the back of a spoon. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 – 3 hours or until firm.

3. Using the bake paper, lift White Christmas from tin and cut into bars. I’ve wrapped these bars in baking paper and tied with red and white twine. An alternative which I’ve also done before is to spoon the mixture into Christmas patty cases before chilling.

Congratulations to Kirsty from New Zealand who won Christy’s giveaway last week

Today is of course Inspiration Friday where we get to share what we are making, baking and creating for Christmas.

Thank you to everyone who linked up last week. . . wasn’t there some wonderful inspiration there!!

Here’s my picks. . . I adore the The Cottage Market's white doily ornaments

. . . and what about this coffee filter light from Fleur Cottage

. . . another favourite of mine which turned out to also be the most viewed link were these vintage paper trees from Keeping up with the times

Okay. . . time now to get inspired. Linking up is super easy

Simply add a link to your blog post (not your main URL) in the linky tool below. . .

and link back to the Shabby Art Boutique with http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com so others can join in too.

Make sure you are following so you’ll see who gets featured next week!

Now all that’s left to do is pop around and visit a few of these creative blogs for inspiration ~ don’t forget to leave a comment for them!!

A carolling we go. . .

2011-12-07T07:32:00.001+11:00

Today’s Guest Poster is the always gregarious Linda from Lilly Cottage. . . famously known as Lilly Linda.

For a great many years Lilly Linda has been the owner of the most gorgeous little shop ~ Lilly Cottage at Old Petrie Town on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. This year she opened a second Lilly Cottage on Bribie Island, where she lives with her husband and 3 children. Linda sews, paints and creates a great number of different crafts. . . all while battling MS. . . she is an inspiration to us all. You can visit Linda’s blog here for all the shop details, or pop in and say ‘hi’ to her on Facebook. . . she has a plethora of pretty vintage/shabby eye candy to show you.

Won’t you come a carolling with me??? Bring back Christmas carolling I say...well it probably never went anywhere in some parts of the world. . . so perhaps I should say. . . lets start Christmas Carolling!

I love to sing and what better time to be allowed to sing than Christmas. . . you can sing along in the department stores from about August just to get into practice and then by the time you are playing Michael Buble Christmas album in the car, you are in key and ready to go.

For years when at high school and then when house sharing with my two oldest friends, I would try and coerce them into singing Christmas carols as we walked along the streets. . . hmmm never had a lot of luck with that one, I could get them to sing along with me. . . as we drank champagne decorating the Christmas tree. . . as we drank champagne wrapping the presents (you might recall my fondest for champagne in my Simply Christmas guest post last year). . . there was always a lot of Christmas carolling then, but no street walking singing was to be had. . . I could get them to sing joyfully and loudly as we drove around the streets looking at the Christmas lights (could have been a little champagne then too...for us passengers..or tour goers. . . not the ever dutiful darling husband driver) and the one or two years we had a mini bus with a sun roof that opened right up to allow fantastic Christmas lights and firework viewing if you stood up, was the closest I ever got to traipsing the streets singing. . .

So what is the next best thing to walking in a large group singing Christmas Carols? I am thinking it surely has to be joining a large group of people in the middle of a field, plonking your bottom on the grass, trying to light a candle with its flimsy little anti wax dripping bit of paper and singing your heart out at Carols by Candlelight!! Oh they were fun, even with mosquitoes. . . the smell of the Aeroguard mixed with smoke from the cheap candles somehow set the scene perfectly. I loved the fact that sometimes you were handed sheets with the words to all the carols written on them, or sometimes you brought the print out from the local paper but no matter whether you had the words in front of you or not, there were some carols that everyone knew the words to and the night would fill with one voice. . . lucky sometimes it wasn’t the one voice of the lady who always sat behind you that even though she was a trooper joining in the carolling fun, she obviously hadn’t been practicing too much and was singing in a key all of her own.

Of course my favourite Christmas carol is a tricky one and not everyone knows the words to it, but I do and I love it and will sing it for anyone on any given opportunity. . . . my favourite. . . . Good King Wenceslas of course.

These days however, the candles are battery operated mostly and there is always some sort of glow stick that has to be purchased by the youngest members of the family, along with a sausage sizzle from the queue a mile long. Three things remain the same however, the community spirit, the lusty singing of favourite Christmas carols and the really hard and sometimes damp ground that we plonk our bottoms on. . . . this my lovelies leads me to my tutorial. . . . How to make a Sit-upon. Now those of your who were in the Brownies or Scouts (no prejudice here) may well be familiar with them...something a little bit more comfortable to sit your bottom upon for such events as Christmas Carols by Candlelight or songs around the campfire (can you tell I wasn’t a Brownie).

There are tales of making these out of newspapers and the like but of course we are going a little bit more upmarket and making ours from oilcloth and a foam seat pad....which I have done and have photographed but it will be 2020 by the time I make sense of my photos and it would be a 10 page tutorial so instead I am going to send you to some links to make a basic situpon. . .

[Click photos for links]

This is also a great site to read about the oh so many creative ways to make a situpon. . . love the old jeans too.

Have fun making your own situpon. . . . and have a dry and comfy tush next time you go a carolling.

Merry Christmas and Kiss Noises, Linda (Lilly Cottage)

Holiday trimmings. . .

2011-12-05T14:31:00.001+11:00

It’s the simple things in life that give us the greatest pleasure. . . so today I am sharing some simple, quick and easy ideas for Christmas decorating.

This is my entrance hall table. . . simple red, white and silver theme. The hanging white stars are clay tags, which I gave a tutorial for here in Simply Christmas last year. This is a fun project for the kids to help out with too. All you need is some air dry clay and cookie cutters!

What about jazzing up some cushion covers for the festive season.

Here are several examples from my own home – a stencilled reindeer burlap cushion cover and handwritten sharpie pen covers.

For the reindeer cushion I simply used a reindeer design I liked from a Christmas card.

I traced the design onto a piece of old x-ray and cut out with a sharp craft knife. Using some white fabric paint I stencilled the design several times across the cushion.

Don’t we all love the sharpie pen cushion covers – super easy!! Create a word in a fancy font on your computer and print out. Put the print-out on a light box and trace the word onto calico/muslin using a black permanent marker. Yes. . . it’s that easy.

Short on time. . .

. . . whip into the nearest supermarket, load up with red and white candy and display with generosity around your home.

See. . . it’s pretty easy to spread the Christmas spirit throughout your home with a few handmade touches!

Here’s one final handmade project for today. . .

Click here to download a Santa wish list for the kids to colour. . . or maybe it’s just for your to leave lying around for Santa to see!!

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

The naughty little blogger

2011-12-03T06:33:00.001+11:00

I started writing this post a week ago. . . then I stopped!

Sometimes when bad things happen to you. . . you just need to stop. . . take time to reflect, consider and contemplate.

This is my sad tale of the naughty little blogger.

First I have to take you back to (here) in October when I released my first ever eBook – The Creative Mumpreneur. My 100 page, nine months in the making book that was released to coincide with the 20^th anniversary of my business – Woodberry Designs. It’s 20 years of business experience all rolled in to a how-to book on getting a creative business up and running; including everything from researching your product to business basics and all the legal kerfuffle, through to all the fun stuff like branding, logos, advertising, selling and networking.

I was thrilled when my friends and followers got behind me. . . they read, reviewed, purchased and promoted my book. All of you lovely ladies are simply amazing!! Thank you.

This is where the naughty little blogger comes into the story. We’ll call her a ‘mega blogger’ on account of her many thousands of followers. She was someone that I greatly admired and followed. I was so chuffed when she wanted to be an affiliate for my book that I sent her a copy to read. . . but instead of signing up as an affiliate the naughty little blogger wrote her own book several weeks later. . . a book that. . .well. . . it shared alarming similarities. [sigh]

I confronted the naughty little blogger who at first denied having read my book and then proclaimed she was in desperate need of money and did what she needed to do to create an income. . . sooooooo, I wished her great success for her new eBook - clearly this naughty little bloggers need for money is greater than my own to have such little honour or integrity!!

I suppose to the naughty little blogger I’m just a minion. . . a nobody in blogland with a small band of followers who lives on a different continent far, far away. No real threat!

So thus began a week of emotional turmoil, where at my lowest point. . . I seriously considered closing my business and my blog for good (what was the point). . .

. . .then the craziest of moments fuelled by pink bubbly when I thought it would be hilarious and kind of ironic to join the naughty little bloggers affiliate program for her eBook (seriously, that is kind of funny). . .

THEN. . . the magical moment when my posse of staunch supporters got behind me and lifted me back up. You were all there when I really needed you . . thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart!

Sometimes life sucks and while this really hurts and infuriates me, it’s not the end of the world.

A meeting of the ‘Bored Housewives Club’, (a tongue-in-cheek name for the very talented and close knit group of creative ladies I belong to) was held and aptly put everything back in perspective. In the midst of great frivolity and merriment (and lots of bubbles) I laughed till I cried, guffawed and chuckled and perhaps. . . maybe. . . even a tinkle in the panties episode!! Oh where would we be without our beautiful friends!

So before I sign off on this unfortunate episode. . . here’s one last shameless plug ~

If you want to read the ‘bestest’ ever how-to book on running a creative business, check out MY eBook,

The Creative Mumpreneur

For this weekend only it will be available here for just $10 – that’s a whopping 50% off!

Oh what the heck. . . let’s go all out. . .

If you want to become an affiliate and link up to my book, earning yourself a 30% commission (that’s $6 for each book sold) it’s super easy and costs you nothing. . . just read this.

Righto then. . . got that off my chest. . . so now let’s get back to the joy and merriment of Christmas,

Hugs ~ Kerry

Inspiration Friday

2011-12-02T14:11:00.002+11:00

Little by little. . . room by room. . . I’ve transformed every nook and cranny of my house into a Christmas wonderland.

There’s baubles, garlands and twinkling lights. . .

there’s Santa’s, reindeers, angels and quite a few SNOWMEN

WHAT!!!. . . now that is really out of place for a shabby little cottage by the sea in the middle of summer!!

My family think I’ve gone nuts. . . and maybe I have. . . but I’ve always loved the quirkiness of these little snow characters. We live in a year round warm climate where snow is never going to fall, so these guys would look out of place even in winter.

This year I decided that it was my time to have a snowman theme and have dedicated my kitchen to a red and blue winter theme.

But that’s not the only reason my family think I’m crazy. . . just ask my youngest daughter who asked “what family has a tree hanging in their kitchen?”

Hmmm. . . I kind of liked the white branch with blue baubles and glittery icicles!!

As you can see I’ve added a few more handmade red and blue items which had given our normally shabby white coastal look a fresh and colourful make-over.

So now I’d like to know how you have decorated. . . it is after all

Inspiration Friday here at Simply Christmas

So let’s get the ball rolling with a few of my favourites from last week

I adore the tiered platter by Jenn from Clean and Scentsible . . . I’m so making one of these. Don’t you love the bowl idea at the top!

What about this Santa suit inspired cushion by Under a pile of Scrap. . . too cute!

Did you check out the fake Christmas Krinkles Table by Heather at Fake It frugal? Amazing transformation.

. . .and the most viewed link was Barb from ‘Keeping up with the times’ gorgeous dictionary wreath.

I love anything made from paper so obviously one of my favourites too.

So here we go everyone. . . we are all in the mood for Christmas,so let’s get inspired!!!

It’s easy to join in, simply add a link to your blog post in the linky tool below. . .

and link back to the Shabby Art Boutique http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com so others can join in too.

Christmas Whimsy

2011-11-30T07:39:00.001+11:00

Today’s Guest Poster is Christy from Sweet Tidings.

Christy is one amazing crafter. . . she has a great blog full of inspiring tutorials and recipes. Not only that, she also has not one but two Etsy shops ~ Sweet Tidings and Rose and Lotus. There’s lots to see and make over at Christy’s so make sure you pop on over and say ‘hi’.

Hello there! I'm Christy from Sweet Tidings Handmade blog.

I'm happy to join Kerry's Simply Christmas craft-along celebration. Just like her, I'd love the holidays to be as handmade and homemade as possible.
My handmade craft contribution is an easy and whimsical handmade ornament project that you can create in less than 30 minutes. Ready?
Read on!

Little Red Riding Hood Doll-head Ornament Tutorial

I love the idea of a fairy tale Christmas! This Little Red Riding Hood ornament will add a touch of whimsy and woodland magic to your holiday tree.

Materials:
Red felt scraps
Natural twine
Black fabric paint
Red embroidery thread/floss
Medium weight muslin
Needle and thread/Sewing machine
Yarn
Red gingham ribbon

How to make:
1. Download pattern here.
2. Using pattern, make two circles from medium weight muslin. Sew around the edges and turn inside out. Press the fabric with an iron. Hand sew opening.

3. Make doll hair from thick strands/bundle of yellow or brown yarn (9.5" in length). Braid both sides of the yarn.
4. Attach doll hair to muslin fabric circle. You can glue or sew the hair into place.

5. Cut two pieces of red felt for the hood. Blanket stitch red felt pieces together. Attach by hand sewing both sides of the red felt hood to the sides of the muslin circle.
6. Using fabric paint, create a sweet doll face expression. Add a dab of pink powder blush for the cheeks.

7. Attach a piece of natural twine loop for hanging ornament.
8. Sew a red gingham ribbon at the bottom of the ornament.

How would you like to have Little Red Riding Hood for your very own tree decoration?

Simply leave a comment on this post to enter. A winner will be drawn next Wednesday.

The winner of Fee’s $30 Book Depository Giveaway was drawn by random number generator today.

The 5th entrant who met the giveaway conditions by answering the question asked by Fee was

Fiona at Bubz Rugz

Congratulations Fiona, We’ll be in touch to organise your giftie.

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. . .

2011-11-28T15:16:00.001+11:00

And what about the Christmas tree? . . . yes, it’s that time again!

Last year I did a Simply Christmas post on how to decorate a Christmas tree and having worked for many years as a visual merchandiser for a big city department store, I’ve dressed hundreds of trees. You can check out that post here if you’d like a few pointers.

Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes these days. . . from pretty little decor items for vignettes right through to great big freshly cut trees that almost fill a room. I’ve made quite a few new trees for my Christmas displays this year and have them dotted all through the house.

This little trio is vintage paper inspired.

I love book paper roses and decided to use them to make a tree. . . if only I hadn’t gone for such a largish tree!! The roses for this tree took approximately 8 hours of cutting, rolling and gluing to get a fully covered cone.

So worth it. . . I love the final result and have combined it with a couple of other vintage inspired trees for an all white/cream vignette in my family room. I even gave Santa a new take on the old red suit!

The paper roses are pretty easy to make. . . I used this template

and printed it several times at various sizes on a word document. I made the word document page size the same as my music sheets and then printed them off. I combined sheet music pages and old book pages together for a nice mix of colours.

Start by cutting out the rose shape so you have a continuous coil. Start rolling the coil from the outer edge. When you get to the middle there’s what looks like a 3 petal flower, hold the rolled flower in one hand while adding a little hot glue to the base. Then push the rolled flower down on the glue and support until it dries. When you’ve made enough roses, hot glue to your project base. . . it could be a tree, wreath or even a gift card.

. . .and there you have it – my vintage paper rose tree!

Added 1st December: These trees were awarded this button at 36th Avenue

Don’t forget. . . there’s still a day or two to enter Fee’s Giveaway here.

Just before I go. . . just letting you know I have a limited quantity of personalised stockings available on my Handmade page of my website while stocks last.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

I’ll be partying with all the link party girls this week

Inspiration Friday

2011-11-25T11:55:00.002+11:00

Hello crafting friends and a great big welcome to all my new followers here at the Shabby Art Boutique.

Are you all enjoying Simply Christmas?

I know I am. . . and there’s still lots more coming up over the next 4 weeks. . . lots of tutorials for gifts and decorating, recipes, guest posters and lovely giveaways.

Have you entered Fee’s Book Depository gift voucher giveaway yet? If not, pop down to here to do so.

So today is Inspiration Friday here at Simply Christmas and before I kick off todays link party I wanted to showcase a few of the wonderful and creative offerings from last week. I felt so inspired when I popped around to visit you all. . . it’s so hard to pick just a couple. . .

I loved these gorgeous burlap stockings by RitaJoy at Harbour Breeze

Stevie from Garden Therapy has a tutorial on making your own soap. . . great gift idea!!

and while you are over at Garden Therapy, check out Stevie’s candle making tutorial too.

and finally, the most visited link was Anna Rosa’s hand painted card tutorial.

Time for you to share with us what you’ve made for Christmas. . . maybe something homemade for the home, a gift or even a terrific Christmas recipe.

It’s easy to join in, simply add a link to your blog post in the linky tool below. . .

and add this button

and a link back to http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com so others can join in too.

I’ll be showcasing my favourites next Friday, so make sure you are a follower so you can see if I’m featuring your inspiring project.

Studio news. . .

2011-11-24T12:39:00.001+11:00

It’s been an extremely bust time in the Woodberry Designs Studio this past few months. Thankfully, I only have a couple of events left before Christmas.

This Saturday I’ll be selling my shabby wares at the St Peter’s Ladies Christmas Shop-a-thon.

Ahhhhh. . . Shop-a-thon. . . now there’s a word that excited all of us ladies.

I’ve got lots of up-cycled, revamped and vintage goodies. . . .

. . . a collection of lovely shabby crafting accessories ~ ribbon boxes, shelving units, button jars. . .

plus a whole table of beautiful shabby vintage Christmas.

If you live locally and want more details click here

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

PS. . . don’t forget to enter Fee’s Giveaway in the post below!!

Guest Post Wednesday

2011-11-23T07:47:00.001+11:00

It’s Guest Post Wednesday and I’m delighted to have my gorgeous friend Fee from Designs by Fee popping in today to share one of her lovely stitching projects. In the true spirit of Christmas, Fee came bearing a gift for one of my lovely followers. . . but I’ll pop back later in the post with the details.

Hello, I am Fee from

I live in lovely rural Brighton in Tasmania's midlands. I design quilts, bags and pretty home decor items under my own label. 2012 will be a year full of change for my little business - I will be launching my first book, I will be hosting some wonderful swaps and I will be attending a few events. I am so very pleased to be a part of Simply Christmas with the lovely Kerryanne and I do hope that you enjoy making my Lavender Heart Sachet for those special ladies in your life.

Hugs - Fee XXX

Monogrammed Lavender Heart Sachet

Requirements

30cm Ribbon

Template Plastic

Satin Flower

Fat 1/8^th of Linen

Embroidery Thread

Needle

1 Cup of Dried Lavender or Potpourri

Brown Pigment Pen

Marking Pen

Pinking Shears

Print off the Pattern Sheet – You will find it HERE

Choose a Font from your computer (I use Edwardian Script), Make the size 200 and print the Initial off that you wish to use on your sachet.

Trace the heart from the pattern sheet onto the template plastic with the black marking pen. Cut out with normal scissors on the black line.

In the top right hand corner of your linen place the heart template down and trace around with the brown pigment pen.

DO NOT CUT OUT

Using a light source trace the initial that you have chosen into the centre of the heart.

With 2 strands of embroidery thread stitch the initial using chain stitch.

Fold the fat 1/8^th over so that the embroidery is facing up and there is a second layer underneath. Pin in Place.

With the pinking shears cut out the heart shape just inside the traced line.

Thread the needle with 2 strands of embroidery thread. Put the needle through the middle of the front heart from the back. This will hide your starting knot.

Start stitching a running stitch around the heart about ¼” from the raw edge until you get approximately ¾ of the way around

Open it up

Fill with Lavender

Flatten Out and Pin closed

Continue stitching until you get back to the starting point

Do not tie off but instead poke the needle through the centre of the dip in the heart where you finished stitching.

Fold the ribbon in half and criss cross the ribbon at the raw edge.

Place it over the needle and stitch in place.

Place the satin flower over the raw edges and stitch in place.

Congratulations you have finished your own Lavender Heart Sachet.

Thank you Fee. . . the monogrammed lavender sachet would make a gorgeous gift for someone special, not only for Christmas but anytime of the year!

Fee is very generously gifting one of my followers with an AU$30 gift voucher for

Yay. . . we all love our books, so if you’d like to be in the running for this lovely GIVEAWAY you need to pop over to Fee’s blog ~

Designs by Fee

and look up the dates of the” Let’s get Stitched in Tassie” weekend, which Fee is hosting next year. Then, come back here and leave a comment on this post. The winner will be drawn at 11:59am EST on Tuesday 29th November.

May I suggest that if you like stitching and beautiful fabrics . . . and who doesn’t!!. . . then you should also pop over to Fee’s Online Shop and check out her wares.

Shabby French handbag organiser

2011-11-21T11:01:00.002+11:00

Week 4 of Simply Christmas. . . can you believe it?

With just 33 days left in the Christmas countdown we need to be ticking some more handmade gifts off our list. This is one I completed over the weekend.

If you are anything like me, then you know the frustration of having a plethora of ‘needful things’ floating around in the bottom of your handbag. I sooooooo need one of these and I know many other women who need one too. It might be a practical project, but I’ve jazzed it up with some shabby French flair.

This is definitely a project that you can personalise and adjust to your own requirements. The measurements given are for the organiser I made. I added a strap with a press stud at one end so things like hair ties and safety pins can be stored for emergencies. I also added an extra pocket in coordinating fabric for storing business cards.

Fabric requirements:

Outer fabric – 16 cm x 45 cm
Lining fabric – 16 cm x 45 cm
Medium wadding – 16 cm x 45 cm
Pocket fabric – 20 cm x 38 cm
Non slip drawer liner – 9.5 cm x 37 cm
Strap - 14 cm x 3 cm

Outside of organiser

I wanted to keep the overall look very neutral and chic so used a combination of osenberg, calico, muslin and various neutrals in dots and stripes.

The outside of the organiser is cut from osenberg. I decorated the front panel with one of my favourite French graphics from the Graphic Fairy using the printing on fabric technique. Start by ironing a piece of Reynold’s freezer paper to the back of your fabric and trim fabric to required size. . . I made my sheet of fabric A5 size. I then made a word document in A5 format and inserted the graphic I saved for the front panel. I had enough room left on the page to print out some other graphics too. Simply load the fabric paper into your printer and print as you normally would. The freezer paper makes your fabric less flimsy, so allows it to feed though your printer. When it has printed out and dried, peel off the backing paper.

Note: Reynold’s Freezer Paper is available from Patchwork stores

Cut your graphic to size and fray the edges. I added another layer of frayed white muslin under my calico layer before attaching them to my front panel with a zig-zag stitch. I also added some vintage buttons and a strip of cotton lace. I basted the edges of the lace to the fabric 1 cm in from edge - the lace will be stitched in place later.

Lining and pockets:

Fold the pocket fabric in half, right side to right side, so you now have a strip of fabric measuring 10 cm x 38 cm. Sew the seam on the left side of the pocket panel. Turn right side out and make sure you have a neat point at the outer corner. Press.

Handy tip: Using a strip of non slip drawer liner as a lining on the pockets keeps everything from slipping out of the pockets. Place your drawer liner fabric on the back of your pocket and stitch to the top edge of pocket only.

Position your pocket panel on your fabric as shown. This is where you can adapt the organiser to sit your needs. I added the extra pocket on the front of the pocket panel and added another printed French graphic to it. Pin the pocket panel to your lining and mark vertical lines where you want to divide the pockets. Sew the vertical seams. The base of the pocket will be sewn when the organiser is assembled. To make the strap, fold fabric in half along the long edge and press. Turn edges in again so you have a long thin trip. Turn under one end to neaten edges and sew along folded edge. Stitch strap to edge of lining panel. Attach press stud to the other end – I also sewed a button to the other side of strap. . . purely for aesthetics.

Attach bag closer. . . I used a magnetic bag closer as I had some already but you could use a large press stud. I positioned mine centrally, a couple of centimetres in from the outer edge. The other half of your bag closer will need to be attached to your outer fabric. I found that the best position for it was about a third of the way in from the left hand edge – your graphic is on the right hand edge.

Now lay your inside panel on your works surface facing up. Lay the outer panel on top of the inside panel with right sides facing each other. Place the wadding layer on top and pin all three layers together. Sew around the outer perimeter, leaving the end with the lace cotton open. Clip corners and turn inside out. Fold under the seam allowance at the open end and sew seam closed – take care to avoid the closure on the lining panel. Sew another 1/8” seam all around the perimeter.

There you have it!!

A Shabby French handbag organiser. I’m joining in with Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy.

Now that you have a gorgeous handbag organiser, what about a cute little something extra to go inside?

The lovely Sherry from ‘Sherry’s Simple Blog’ in the UK has designed these gorgeous emery board holders.

This is such a sweet project and Sherry gives a full tutorial here.here

Thanks for contributing to Simply Christmas Sherry.

Don’t forget, you can link up your Christmas projects all week on my Friday Inspiration posts. Don’t be shy. . . everyone loves to visit and be inspired by what others are creating for Christmas. I’ve already picked up some amazing ideas to add to my incredibly looooooong ‘To Do’ list [giggle]. I’ll be choosing a couple of favourite projects to showcase next Friday before we start another Inspiration Party.

I’ll also be joining in with the link party girls this week.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Inspiration Friday

2011-11-18T14:56:00.002+11:00

Yay. . . it’s the day of the big draw. . .

A lucky someone is going to win a $100 VISA card to go shopping with.

Drum roll please. . . . .

and the winner is. . .

Toni from My World Sort Of in the UK.

Congratulations Toni, I’ll be posting this off to you straight away and hope you enjoy shopping for Christmas!!

Next it is on to today’s Simply Christmas Inspiration Party.

Did you visit the girls that participated last week? Weren’t there some amazing projects. . . I’ve picked a couple of my favourites to highlight today.

How amazing is this DIY mercury glass project from Miranda and Jamie over at A Pinterest Project?

So loving this. . . it’s definitely on my ‘To Do’ list.

Sandy over at Sandy’s Space shared a great tutorial for making these sweet angels.

Then there was Kirsty’s kids Christmas PJ’s that have inspired me to make my own family Christmas PJ’s to wear on Christmas Eve – thanks Kirsty

Please pop over and visit little Sophie at Glitter and High Heels. Sophie is an ‘up and coming’ child artist who has her own blog to record her creativity. These are her first tags. Oh so sweet!!

. . . and finally, the most popular link was Barbs gorgeous pinecone map ornament. . . isn’t it divine!

Thank you to everyone who participated in last weeks Inspiration party.

Okay, so are you ready to join in the fun of today’s link party?

Time for you to share with us what you’ve made for Christmas. . . something homemade for the home, maybe a gift or even a terrific Christmas recipe.

It’s easy to join in, simply add a link to your blog post in the linky tool below.

and add this button

and/or a link back to http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com so others can join in too.

I’ll be showcasing my favourites next Friday, so make sure you are a follower so you can see if I’m featuring you.

Book it for Christmas

2011-11-16T06:21:00.000+11:00

Today's Guest Poster is the lovely Becky from Beyond the Picket Fence.

While Becky is a relatively new friend of Shabby Art Boutique and Simply Christmas, I'm sure many of you will know her already from her fabulous blog and those wonderful Thursday Link Up parties. Becky loves hunting for junk that she can repurpose, build with or paint on. . . gosh, she sounds just like me!! So please welcome Becky to Simply Christmas and make sure you pop on over to Beyond the Picket Fence to say 'HI'.

Hi all, thanks so much for having me! If you don't know or haven't met me, I have a secret or a confession to make: I love and collect way too many old books. I love their yellowing pages, musty smell, their inside cover pages, and oh, those fabric covers and fabulous colors just melt my heart! But a year ago I realized that I had better start doing something with some of those old book or open up a library. Since I was a little rusty on the ol' Dewey Decimal system (honestly, Dewey was never one of my favorite people anyway), I chose to get creative with my growing book coIlection and have made decorative tags out of the covers,

and wreath ornaments,

a message center or stocking holder,

and a Christmas card or letter holder (see those ideas here!).

This year I came up with another fun Christmas decoration using an old book. I started with a red book--choose a color that matches your Christmas decor. Cut the insides out to save for other projects (see how cute the inside covers are?!).

Next choose a word you want to put on the book. I chose JOY because it is short, my daughter's middle name, and a good word :). You can use a Cricut or similar thing to cut the letters out, freehand them, use a stencil or print them out on the computer in outline style to cut out, like I did. I am using a page from a music book, but pages from a Christmas book or even vintage pictures from a Christmas book would work.

I wanted a little sparkle, so I brushed a thin layer of Modge Podge on the letters and a sprinkle of glitter.

Then you should be more patient than I was or spray the letters with a clear sealer. Decoupage the letters on the book (see the glitter spread a bit, oh well).

I decided it needed a little embellishment and something to cover the book repair tape on it. I was going to add some greenery or bells or something, but chose to stick with the book theme and made a little paper rosette. To do this I cut 2 strips 12"x 1" and fan folded them. Had I used a paper cutter, they would have been straighter.

Staple them at the bottom,

glue them together (remove the hot glue spider webs). Add a button and glue it to your book sign. Then add a ribbon and voila, a quick, inexpensive Christmas decoration--these make great, calorie free gifts for the neighbors, teachers, and such.

Thanks so much for letting me guest post and I would love it if you come visit me at Beyond the Picket Fence!

Thanks for bringing a little 'JOY' to Simply Christmas Becky!

Twirling Trees

2011-11-14T07:54:00.001+11:00

Hello everyone. . .

Welcome to the Shabby Art Boutique and our 3rd week of Simply Christmas. With just 41 days until Christmas, are you beginning to feel that Christmas spirit?

I started preparing my Christmas decorating over the weekend in readiness to decorate my house in a week or so. When do you start putting up your decorations?

Today’s tutorial is for a quick and fun project for a nifty decoration. . . Twirling Trees

I made these little twirling trees from scrapbooking paper and clear faceted beads. They twirl around in the breeze, so I plan to hang mine from a few branches in a large vase, interspersed with some baubles.

Here’s the pattern. You will need to save it to your photo file and then re-size it in a word document, before printing. I made my tree 10 cm high, but you can make it any height.

Next you need to trace the tree onto some tracing paper.
Using a sheet of graphite paper and a stylus, transfer the tracing onto the back of your scrapbook paper. You will need two trees to assemble each tree.

Note: if you don’t have graphite paper for tracing, you can use the old school way of scribbling over the back of your tracing with grey lead pencil and then draw over the top of your tracing to get an imprint.

Using a sharp craft knife and a cutting mat, cut the trees out on the outline. Then cut all the internal horizontal lines – we are discarding the dark segments on the pattern tracing, so you end up with 6 pieces per tree.

To assemble the tree you will need:

some fine jewellery wire or several strands of embroidery cotton,
5 small faceted beads for between your tree branches and two larger beads for the tree trunk,
either double sided tape or craft glue.

Cut a length of wire and make a small loop in one end, using your jewellery pliers.
Thread the two beads for the trunk
Apply tape to the longest (base) segment of your tree and place it on the wire in the centre – see photo. Place the corresponding piece from your other cut out tree over the top and press firmly to adhere the two pieces of paper.
Thread on the first of your small beads.
Repeat this process until all segments of the tree and the beads are attached to the wire.
Make a small hanger at the top of the tree out of the remaining wire. Cut off any excess wire.

. . .and there you have it, a pretty twirling tree!

There are so many beautiful Christmas papers available. . . imagine the possibilities!!!

If you haven’t already entered the $100 VISA card giveaway, there’s still time. Pop over to here to enter.

Have you joined the Simply Christmas Inspiration party?

There are already some amazing and beautiful projects there. Come on ladies. . . we all want to see what you are making or preparing for Christmas. I’ve already had quite a few of you email photos of your lovely completed Christmas Planners. . . so don’t be shy, link them up to the

Simply Christmas Inspiration Party in the post below. I’ll be picking a few favourites to showcase on Friday.

Inspiration Party

2011-11-11T13:09:00.006+11:00

Hi everyone and a big ‘welcome’ to all the new visitors and followers of Simply Christmas and the Shabby Art Boutique.

WOW. . . what a week!! Averaging over 2,500 visitors per day has meant lots of comments and emails to reply to. I’m certainly not complaining. . . I want as many people as possible to join in and play along with putting homemade back into Christmas. . . and today you’ll get to do just that with our Simply Christmas Inspiration Party, but first of all I have another quick gift tutorial for you.

I’m continuing on with my quest to make as many homemade gifts as possible and it’s the men gifts that I find the hardest. We have one branch of our extended family that exchange a small ‘token’ gift under the Christmas tree for everyone. Having such a small price range to work in makes this task even harder, but I’m pretty happy with this one I made today. . .

I really love this hand scrub and it is super quick, easy and cheap to make. So if you too have a gardener on your gift list, give this one a try.

You will need:

Some kind of container either plastic or glass
Enough sugar to fill the container
Liquid hand soap
Essential oils to scent – I used Lime for a fresh citrus scent.

Fill the scrub container with sugar to get the required quantity. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl. Add a small amount of liquid soap and start stirring.

Keep adding liquid soap and mixing until you have a mixture that is combined, but still fairly stiff. Add a few drops of your essential oil and mix again.

Pour soap into your tubs and decorate container with suitable embellishments.

I made both a female and male version and kept the look natural. I printed two labels onto an A4 piece of scrapbooking paper and then cut out to fit the circular inlay of the lids. For the female scrub I added a coordinating strip of paper around the base and a pretty punch flower for the lid. The male version has a strip of burlap and a jute tie around the base.

That’s two more gifts to tick off my list this week!

Now the fun part. . .

Time for you to share with us what you’ve made for Christmas. . . something homemade for the home, a gift or even a terrific Christmas recipe.

It’s easy to join in, simply add the link to your blog post in the linky tool below.

I’d be really pleased if you added my button above to your post and link back to http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com so others can join in too.

I’ll be picking my favourites to show you next week, so make sure you are a follower so you can see if I pick you.

Tutorial ~ festive bunting

2011-11-09T07:49:00.001+11:00

Today I’d like to introduce you to the first of our guest posters. . . the lovely Clare of Clare’s Craftroom.

I’ve been lucky enough to have known Clare for many years. . . first through business, then blogging and now as a valued member of my mentor group. . . those of you who have read my book The Creative Mumpreneur will know the importance I place on that.

I think Clare’s business name ‘Clare’s Craftroom’ sums up her business perfectly ~ she’s the eternal ‘Queen of Craft’ and you never know what inspiring technique or medium she’ll turn her hand to next. Many of you will already know Clare from her daily crafty titbits on her Facebook page or perhaps you follow her blog, but if you haven’t already met Clare, please pop on over and say ‘hi’.

Thanks for guest posting today Clare.

How great to be part of Kerryanne’s Simply Christmas again.

Thanks so much for for having me here. My small contribution for this years festivities is some very simple bunting.

I was lucky enough to find some Christmas tablecloths in my local op shop, but you could sort through your stash and use up leftover Christmas fabric to make multi coloured bunting .

I first made a template from cardboard 7" sides x 7.5" top.

Trace around the template on doubled fabric.

Cut out on the lines.

Stitch around the sides using 1/4" seam allowance leaving the top open.

Trim the pointy bit.

Turn your flag right side out and trim the little triangles that poke out.

Use a blunt skewer and push the base of your flag to make your point nice and sharp.

Press all your finished flags.

Make yourself some binding in a contrasting colour. The length is determined by how many flags you would like to make or where you are going to hang your gorgeous bunting.

I made my binding about 3m long. For this bunting I cut strips of white fabric about 2.5 ". Press them in half. Open them out and fold over and then press the edges into the centre, press again.

Pin your flags with the open tops inside the binding. Leave about 60cm at end end for hanging your bunting. Stitch along the whole length.

Hang your beautiful bunting and enjoy !

Wishing you all a simply beautiful Christmas.

If you haven’t already entered the Simply Christmas $100 VISA giveaway. . . you can do so here.

Studio news. . .

2011-11-08T13:52:00.001+11:00

I know you’ve come to expect all things Christmas from the Shabby Art Boutique now that Simply Christmas is in full swing. . . but occasionally I’ll insert a quick studio update. I’m sure you don’t want to miss any of the other creative projects coming out of the studio!

Take for example this cute little Lavender box I whipped up yesterday. . . It started life as a throw away lime green, 2 drawer jewellery chest. I rescued it from the bottom of a filthy pile of rubble on a recent thrifting venture. . . I really wasn’t sure what to make out of it as it was pretty scratched and knocked around, but for 50 cents it was worth hanging on to.

With no real plans for the little chest I decided to shabby her up and see what eventuated. It was only when I was making some fabric lavender sachets for this weeks market that I hit upon the idea of making her into a lavender chest by filling her drawers with dried lavender.

The graphic I used for the top of the chest is one I adapted from a Graphics Fairy label some time ago and have used it on many different lavender products since.

The drawers were missing their knobs so I attached some facetted glass beads with jewellery wire, after covering the drawer fronts with some pretty scrapbooking paper.

The lavender chest project is just one of many ‘shabbilicious’ re-do’s that have come out of my studio this week. . . I’ve revisited the cupcake theme on a collection of wood products including blackboards, wood platters and home decor items too.

I promise we’ll head back to all things Christmas tomorrow on Simply Christmas.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

I’ll be partying this week with these party girls.

Gift card holder tutorial

2011-11-07T09:01:00.001+11:00

This week at Simply Christmas we are going to jump straight into preparing our handmade gifts and home decor with some fun tutorials. Don’t forget my talented friends Clare, Becky, Fee, Christy, Vikki, Kris and Linda will be popping in as well to share their creative talents for preparing a homemade Christmas.

Now, we know not everyone appreciates or wants a handmade gift. . . and we all have those really hard to buy for people on our gift list. . . mine is usually the teenagers. I’ve found the best gift for these guys is a gift card. The only problem is. . . they are a little scrawny for gift wrapping. What we need is a little fabric magic and a few embellishments to pretty them up. These could then be gift wrapped, boxed or even hung on a Christmas tree branch.

The best part is they are super quick and easy and a great use for those tiny fabric scraps.

You will need:

2 pieces of backing fabric measuring 8.5 cm x 12 cm.
2 x fusible interfacing for backing fabric, measuring 8.5 cm x 12 cm.
2 x pieces of fabric for front measuring 8.5 cm x 9.5 cm.
Embellishments for decorating – ribbon and trims, bells, tree ornaments, flowers etc.
Normal sewing supplies.

1. Iron the fusible web to the wrong side of the backing pieces.

2. Place the two backing pieces together, with right sides together and stitch all the way around. Leaving a 5 cm gap along one of the shorter ends. Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance and then clip each of the 4 corners.

3. Prepare the front panel the same way, without the interfacing.

4. Turn both the back and front pieces right side out and press flat, making sure to tuck in the raw edges of the openings.

5. Decorate the front panel with your chosen embellishments.

6. Keeping the openings at the bottom of your gift card holder, place the front piece on top of the backing piece. Line up the bottom corners and stitch all the way around the perimeter of the rectangle shape using a 1/8 seam allowance.

The options for fabric and embellishments for this project are endless. I’ve used Christmas fabric for these holders, but you could make them anytime of the year with all sorts of fabrics.

I’ve decided to gift this gorgeous poinsettia card holder with a gift card inside, to one of my lovely followers. . . woo hoo!!

You’ll need to read the post below to find out how to enter the giveaway.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

A gift for you!

2011-11-07T09:00:00.001+11:00

Simply Christmas is all about putting the homemade and simplicity back into Christmas and our first gift making tutorial is for these quick and easy fabric gift card holders. In keeping with the giving spirit of Christmas, I’ve decided to gift this one to one of my lovely blog followers and have slipped a little something inside for you. . .

A $100 VISA gift card for you to go shopping with!

VISA gift cards can be used anywhere, so this giveaway is open world-wide.

How to enter: To enter this contest you must be a follower of this blog and leave a comment telling me what your favourite decorating colour scheme is for Christmas.

Extra entries: Want extra entries in this exciting giveaway? Simply post about it on your blog, Facebook or Twitter with links back to the Shabby Art Boutique (an extra entry per action). Add extra comments to this post for each action.

Contest deadline and rules:

Only comments from this post will be in the draw.
Contest ends at midday on Friday 18th November, when the winner will be drawn by random number generator.
Please leave your email address if not visible on your profile.
I will notify the winner on the day the giveaway is drawn and they will have 36 hours to respond.
Giveaway is open to all countries.

Good luck everyone!!

Making a list… and checking it twice!

2011-11-04T07:53:00.001+11:00

Oh nooooo. . . I think that post title just had the ‘not-so-list-friendly’ folk running away screaming.

Did I scare you off with the holiday planner?. . . [giggle]. . . I realise some people just can’t do the list thing and all the planning this far in advance. . . and that’s okay. It’s not something that has to be rigid. Even if you just get one element of your Christmas planning underway it will alleviate some of the stresses of that final countdown period to Christmas.

I know that lots of you DO love the idea of a Christmas planner and making everything simpler because my little stats counter was whirring around uncontrollably on Wednesday when I released the downloadable planner pages. Thank you to everyone of you who have decided to join in, to those of you who have popped my Simply Christmas button on your blog sidebars and have posted about the event on your blogs and Facebook pages. Let’s share the magic of a simple and homemade Christmas with everyone!

This first week of Simply Christmas is all about planning and getting organised so you can sit back and enjoy the festive season. I don’t know about you, but personally, I loathe doing Christmas gift shopping at the last minute. . . having to shop under pressure. . . with tons of other people all jostling to get served and standing around waiting in huge queues. That never makes me feel ‘merry’!

As someone has already asked me - Where do you begin?

Well, it’s no surprise that I’m a bit of a list girl. . . some people write lists in their heads, others make it up as they go along. . . me, I like to write it down as I think of it. So lists are a part of my everyday life. . . hmmm, I think it’s a visual thing. . . it kind of makes more sense when I can see it in black and white – is anyone else like that?

Soooooo, I begin with the Master List. . . oh yeah, sounds impressive doesn’t it!!

In reality, it’s just a big list page. I make one like a strip calendar. I start by writing in the main events that I already know of. . . like family outings, get-togethers with friends, dinner dates etc. that I’ve got in my diary for this period.

Next I add the tasks that I want to complete by or on a certain date; posting of overseas/interstate parcels, sending of Christmas cards, putting up the Christmas tree etc. By doing this you now have a visual timeline of when things need to be done.

Then all that is left to do is break down all those tasks into smaller components so you get them completed on time. One quick glance and I know when I need to have shopping, household cleaning and prep work done. I like to get the great majority of tasks completed in November, so I can cruise through the Christmas month of December calm and relaxed and free to enjoy any last minute invitations.

Now that we have a plan and lists all that is left to do is the fun stuff!!

Starting next week, my troop of creative elves and I will be providing you with lots of tutorials on making and creating homemade gifts, home decor and festive baking. Make sure you are here on Monday as we will be kicking off the week with our first BIG Simply Christmas giveaway.

I hope you all have a fabulous list making, Christmas planner creating weekend,

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Christmas Planner 2011

2011-11-02T13:21:00.001+11:00

So, did you enjoy yesterday’s tutorial on making a Christmas Planner?

Would you believe I’ve had emails from ladies who have already whipped one up? I look forward to seeing some of them for the Simply Christmas Inspiration party.

Now your new ‘go-with-me-everywhere’ Christmas planner will need some pretty pages.

I’ve designed 16 pretty and quirkyA5 pages for you to download and print off.

Included is a title page, checklist, 2 calendars, weekly planners for November and December, a budget page, lists. . . oh so many list pages. . . cards, gifts, wish lists, shopping etc. There’s even meal planners and grocery lists. . . everything you need to plan for a simple and organised Christmas.

All you have to do is print off your pages, trim to size to fit in your planner and paste in position. Some of the pages like lists and weekly planner pages you’ll need to print off multiple times.

Here’s a tip: Make a few pocket pages in your planner to pop loose list pages in eg the Christmas wish lists and shopping lists.

I also added a few pages with envelopes. . . kind of like secret compartments. . . everyone has a few secrets at Christmas!!

Now all that is left to do is download your pages.

If you have enjoyed the Simply Christmas Planner tutorial, how about passing the word on? Let your blog friends know, so they too can get organised for Christmas.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Simply Christmas

2011-11-01T10:56:00.001+11:00

Once again I invite you to join me for

If you joined in last year, ‘welcome back’. . . if you are here for the first time please play along with the rest of us as we simplify this busy season with a little planning and put a homemade touch on everything we do.

To help us celebrate I have invited some wonderfully talented guest posters to share in this event; Clare, Becky, Fee, Christy, Vikki, Kris and Linda will be popping in to share their creative talents with us. Each week during ‘Simply Christmas’ there will be free craft, baking and decorating tutorials. . . And, keeping with the spirit of giving. . . there will be exciting GIVEAWAYS for my followers to win too.

I’ll be encouraging lots of reader participation this year with ample opportunities for you to join in and link back to your own Christmas posts. We all like to see what everyone else is putting together for Christmas, how they decorate their homes and what they are making and baking. . . so be sure to join in when the Simply Christmas Inspiration Party begins in week 2.

There’s a button on my side-bar if you’d like to help promote Simply Christmas. . . make sure you let me know when you have added the button as I will be out in blogland looking for them so I can surprise someone with a GIVEAWAY giftie.

I don’t want you to miss out on one iota of this fun Christmas experience, so make sure you are following my blog to catch each instalment and enter the giveaways.

Okay. . . right now I’m throwing on the apron and getting warmed up for what is going to be a really super old fashioned and simple Christmas. The best way to simplify what is traditionally a chaotic period is to be organised. . . and to be organised we need a list. . . in fact, lots of lists.

That’s why I’ve put together a new Christmas Planner for 2011. It struck me last year that I needed a planner that was portable. . . one that was big enough to hold all my plans and lists, but small enough that I could throw it in my Christmas shopping bag. So, this year I have designed an A5 sized Christmas Planner. . . and once again I have designed all the internal pages for you, so all you have to do is download, print them off and paste in your book. It has a calendar, weekly/daily planner, lists for all sorts of necessities, plus places to store receipts, online order tracking and ideas. Now when you are out shopping you can simply open your planner and check your diary, plans or lists!

For my planner I used a spiral bound A5 visual art diary (available at newsagents, discount stores and stationary suppliers), but any A5 sized book will be fine. To make my planner more festive I used some pretty scrapbooking papers for the cover and some of the internal pages.

I also downloaded this gorgeous Victorian Santa from the Graphics Fairy. He just seemed to be the perfect symbol for Simply Christmas. I love his vintage look which takes us back to an old fashioned era when the holidays were simpler and you have to commend his BIG list. . . yes, he’s the perfect cover model for our Christmas planner full of lists and plans.

Here’s how I made my planner:

I cut my paper to fit the front cover by tracing around the book cover, directly onto the patterned paper. I trimmed it so it edged the spiral holes.

I attached a strip of ripped music manuscript horizontally using red cotton and a zig-zag seam on my sewing machine (totally optional). Through the centre of that I adhered some red ric-rac and a pretty button sticker.

I printed my Santa on matt photo paper and trimmed to size (6 cm x 9.5 cm) and mounted on blue and then red paper. I wanted a vintage look for my planner so sanded the edges of my paper with a little sandpaper. You may prefer to use ink.

For that extra bit of festive pizazz I attached an assortment of ribbon ties in red and green to each spiral. My ribbons measured 10 cm each and were trimmed to size after the were knotted.

I always divide my planner into 4 sections: Planning for calendars, diary dates and budgeting; Giving for card, gift and shopping supply lists; Home for all the decorating and baking pages; Receipts for record keeping and order tracking. You may prefer to use different divider headings that better suit your style of Christmas.

To make my dividers I used more of the coordinating paper and cut rectangles 5 cm x 4 cm. I scored a line across the centre on the longest side, so when I folded it in half it measured 5 cm x 2 cm. I headings are hand written with a black felt tip pen and I attached them to the book pages with double sided tape.

My planner will be out and about with me over the next couple of months, so to keep my lists private and to safeguard any loose papers, I made an elasticised band to hold it tightly together. You will need about a half metre of elastic lace to make this band. To measure length, wrap the lace around your book and stretch to tighten. Trim off excess and stitch the ends together (hand or machine sew). Now you can slip it on and off with ease.

Okay. . . that was a pretty basic design and just one option. I’m sure many of you will create gorgeous planners and I look forward to seeing some of them next week when we begin sharing our Christmas creations.

I’ll pop back tomorrow to finish the planner and provide the internal pages download link – so see you then.

Festive hugs ~ Kerryanne

Shabby sewing caddy

2011-10-31T13:31:00.001+11:00

With us all gearing up for Christmas, I thought I’d slip in a little bit of shabbilicious gorgeousness today before we turn all red and green for the festive season.

I picked up several plain pine pieces whilst out thrifting last week, that I thought would make some great sewing room storage.

We all love to be inspired by pretty decor while creating and I think this piece combines functionality with aesthetics – don’t you?

I started with a good sanding for both pieces, before using a charcoal undercoat with resist wax for the next layer. This was followed by several coats of an antique white acrylic, then some flyspecking in charcoal and a final distress with sandpaper.

To give the storage unit a touch of French shabby appeal I turned to an old favourite – The Graphics Fairy.

I used this graphic as a reverse transfer for the top of the unit.

I played around with a couple of Karen’s other graphics to make button labels for the tops of the glass jars and to make some cardboard holders for some antique lace.

A string of pretty faceted beads make a dainty handle for the little drawer. . .

and there you have it. . . shabbilicious storage units.

Both of these will be available at the Foreshore Artist market.

I’m joining in with Brag Monday at the Graphics Fairy and partying with all these lovely ladies all week.

See you all tomorrow for Simply Christmas!!

Hugs ~ Kerry

Exciting news. . .

2011-10-30T14:47:00.001+11:00

I’ve honestly been blown away by the reaction to my new eBook – The Creative Mumpreneur. I’ve had loads of feedback. . . wonderfully good feedback that has filled me with joy. It’s lovely to see my creative friends inspired and enthusiastically pursuing their creative business dreams.

Sadly, I also received a few emails from disappointed mummies who are just starting out and can’t find the funds to buy the book. This inturn makes me immensely sad because they are exactly who I wrote the book for.

What to do?

Well it’s simple. . . find a cheaper way to do it. . . and I have.

My eBook The Creative Mumpreneur is now available as an instant download from e-junkie. . . but here’s the best part – not only can you purchase and download instantly, but the price is now reduced to $19.99

Everything else is still the same. . . you purchase it from my website here and a link will take you directly to the e-junkie shopping cart and e-Book download.

Would you like to read some of the fabulous reviews before you buy? Check out these links here, here, here and here.

But wait, there’s more exciting news. . .

If you enjoyed reading my eBook The Creative Mumpreneur and would like to earn a little extra cash, I’m setting up an an affiliate program where you can earn 30% for every sale that comes through your code – how easy is that!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I’ll be back tomorrow to share some thrifty up-cycling of the shabbilicious kind.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Can you hear it?

2011-10-28T13:30:00.001+11:00

Listen carefully. . . . . now can you hear it?

Do you hear the Christmas bells ringing?

Christmas is just 57 days away. . . but for me, Christmas isn’t just a day. . . it’s a season.

The Christmas season has already started for me. I’m preparing for my Christmas market dates and my studio has become a sea of reds and greens, pretty glittery things and some old familiar friends. . . Santa’s in all shapes and sizes, whole herds of reindeers, penguins aplenty and even a few angels, snowmen and gingers thrown into the mix. You can’t help but feel happy when you are surrounded by such merriment.

I have to admit to feeling a little un-nerved though, when I turn around in my chair to find these guys watching me. This Santa stands a little over 120 cm tall. . . I made him for my market stall. If you are coming to the Foreshore Artist market, look out for this guy. . . he’ll be hanging around at the entrance to my marquee.

So who’s your favourite Christmas character?

I asked my Facebook friends this question yesterday and there wasn’t a clear favourite.

Don’t forget. . .

today is the last day of my 20th Anniversary pattern offer. Buy any 3 patterns and choose a 4th pattern for FREE. That makes it the perfect time to buy up on E-patterns. . . even if they are for next year!

Simply Christmas starts next Tuesday. . . make sure you are following so you don’t miss one day of fun.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

A rainbow with 72 colours

2011-10-26T13:33:00.001+11:00

Christmas has well and truly arrived at the Woodberry Designs studio, so I’ve officially entered that magical time of the year that puts us all in the happy zone. . . yay!!

So why am I showing you pictures of shabby gorgeousness?

Well. . . I had to take a small break from making Christmas ornaments earlier in the week to whip up this pretty cover.

My niece is quite the budding artist and on a recent visit I let her have a play with some grown up art supplies.

She was quite taken with the watercolour pencils.

Seeing as it is her 8th birthday this week I put together a gift box of big girl art supplies. . . watercolour paper, an art journal, brushes

. . . and her own pencil tin carrier.

I hope she likes it.

I remember when I was about her age I loved art supplies too (I still do!). There was a girl in my grade 4 class who had a 72 pack of Texta Colours. Can you believe SEVENTY-TWO!!!. . . I so badly wanted to use or even just touch those Textas, but she wouldn’t let anyone have a turn with her prized possession. She wasn’t a particularly likable young lady – truth be told, but we let her hang around with us in the hope she’d one day share her pretty pens. She didn’t!!

We all grew up of course and I remember in secondary school Miss 72 Texta’s was still a fairly unlikeable person. . . in a cruel twist of fate, during puberty acne invade her face like ants at a picnic. . . I mean like really, really bad. Hhmmm, perhaps she should have shared her pretty pens – just saying! lol

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

The Creative Mumpreneur eBook Giveaway

2011-10-25T17:22:00.001+11:00

Just giving you the heads up. . .

I’m having an eBook giveaway over on my Facebook page today, so pop over there if you’d like to be in the running to win a copy of my new book

The Creative Mumpreneur: how to take your craft addiction from the kitchen table to creative business

With a little help from my friend. . .

2011-10-24T12:39:00.001+11:00

Chalkboard or blackboard. . . depends where you are from. . . but one thing is for sure, everyone loves them!!

So here’s the story. . . girlfriend (of the non thrifting kind) phones me and says:

She: Kerry, I’m looking out of my window and across the road on the neighbours lawn is a broken mirror. It has a sign on it that says ‘FREE’. Is that the sort of thing you look for?

Me: Hmm. . . what sort of mirror?

She: Well, it’s kind of really big and made of wood. A bedroom type of mirror, but the mirror parts not there.

Me: Okay, put the phone down. Now run over and grab that mirror before someone else does!

So, I’m expecting from her description that it is perhaps the top of a dressing table sort of mirror. . .

and then she walks in with this.

What a score!! A cheval mirror – minus the mirror of course. I was ecstatic!!

My friend is dubious. . . but she is of the non thrifting genre, so we can excuse that.

After some sanding, several coats of putty coloured paint and a good distressing. . .

Ta da. . . my new market blackboard.

Perfect for the market updates, news events and sale prices.

She comes apart for easy transportation. . . and when she’s not in use at the market, I’m sure I’ll find lots of places to put her around the house.

Here’s a little tip for you too: to clean a blackboard pour half a cup of vinegar into a bucket of warm water and wash with a squeegee.

I’ll be partying with these girls all week. Make sure you check them out for inspiring creative ideas.

This weeks studio news:

Last week of my 20th Anniversary sale. Buy 3 patterns and get a 4th pattern FREE. Get your Christmas patterns now at Woodberry Designs.
Thank you for the fantastic response to my new book last week. To find out more about ‘The Creative Mumpreneur: how to take your craft addiction from the kitchen table to creative business’ click here.
woo hoo. . . one week until Simply Christmas starts. Become a follower of the Shabby Art Boutique so you don’t miss all the fun.

Until next time, I’ll be in the studio.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne

A thankful heart and peeing my pants. . . in that order!

2011-10-21T13:10:00.001+11:00

Thank you, thank you, for your overwhelming support of my book. I’m humbled by the attention and response.

I’ve already seen some very complimentary book reviews popping up in blogland like here, here, here and here… even spotted a couple on Facebook too.

To top it off, I found out last night that Australia’s finest textile magazine, (in my humble opinion), are reviewing it in an upcoming issue (shhh… I think I am suppose to keep that a secret, but I’m nearly peeing my pants with excitement). . . so don’t be telling anyone.

Along with a bevy of congratulatory and supportive emails yesterday I also had some questions posed. . . most were similar, so I thought I’d address a couple here today.

Q: I’m not a mum but I’d like to start a small business, is this book for me?

A: Yes, most definitely. The book is generalised in all areas of constructing a business, but also addresses the role of mums/moms taking the next step with their creativity.

There were quite a few questions with a similar theme, but same answer applies.

Q: I’ve already established and online business, but after an initial good response it has now become stagnant. I’m not sure what to do next to improve/boost sales or how to market it. Is this in your book?

And

Q: I have lots of likers on my Facebook business page, but I’m not getting many orders. Do you address this?

A: Yes I do. The Creative Mumpreneur is broken up in to 6 parts:

Taking the plunge - business preparation
Business Basics – everything from registering a business and legal requirements to time management and organising your workspace.
Brand, Logo & Product – must knows about your product and branding
Selling
Marketing
A happy Mumpreneur.

I think The Creative Mumpreneur just about covers everything from start to finish of creating a successful small or micro business. . . whether you are a mum or not!

I’m pleased to announce the winner of the giveaway is Carol E in AZ

I hope you enjoy your copy of The Creative Mumpreneur Carol.

Also, don’t forget there’s only one week left of my 20th Anniversary sale over at Woodberry Designs – so don’t miss out on a FREE pattern.

With only 10 days until Simply Christmas starts I have lots of prep work to do this weekend. If you plan on joining in and putting the homemade back into Christmas don’t forget to follow the Shabby Art Boutique so you don’t miss any of the festive fun. Mark it on your calendars now – 1st November.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Hugs ~ Kerry

The Creative Mumpreneur & Giveaway

2011-10-19T13:42:00.001+11:00

Well. . . the week long birthday bash continues. Thank you to everyone who has joined in the celebrations and for the beautiful comments and emails I’ve received on my blog and Facebook. Together you’ve made me blush, tear up and smile. . . so thank you!

It’s not a party without goodie bags and the first bag is being gifted to one of the lovely ladies who joined in the party on Monday.

Congratulations and thanks for celebrating with me Anna of Anna Rosa Designs

So on with the party girlfriends. . . grab yourself a glass of bubbly or a yummy cocktail and gather around for the next event.

This one is very close to my heart and has been a labour of love for the past 8 - 9 months. . . oh no, that’s sounding suspiciously like a new baby. . . no, no, no I’m not having a baby. . . but this project has very much felt like my ‘baby’. . . it’s my first eBook

Let me explain how the idea for this book came about. At the beginning of the year I received an email from a long time customer Trish asking for some advice and guidance. Trish is an avid crafter and was keen to take her crafts to the next level. . . from her kitchen table out into the business world. She had a great many questions for me and really wasn’t sure where to start, but there wasn’t a simple answer to her query. It’s a whole lot of things that work together to make a business succeed.

While I was flattered that Trish had asked my advice, my problem was that Trish is just one of many similar enquiries I receive all too frequently. I think this is because running your own business from home while raising a family is the new mummy fantasy and one of the fastest growing sectors in small business.

There are even new buzz phrases to describe these businesses ~ ‘Mumpreneurs’ or ‘Kitchen Table Tycoons’. . . and I totally get why the ‘mums working from home’ trend has taken off. . . it allows mums to balance motherhood and work with flexible working hours, while doing something they love.

Anyway, Trish got me thinking and I decided that rather than keep answering individual emails on the topic I’d put it all together in a book, so I started writing it all down. . . and I kept on writing and writing and then realised there was a lot of information to give. Then it dawned on me that this was the perfect way to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of Woodberry Designs. . . so I got organised and finally finished it.

So here you have it. In this book. . .

The Creative Mumpreneur; how to take your craft addiction form the kitchen table to creative business

I share all the knowledge I have gained from having my own creative business for 20 years.... the good, the bad... and even the downright ugly!! I give my simple recipe to building a successful business in easy ‘mum speak’. I share must know secrets that others try to keep to themselves and give practical advice for running a ‘work-at-home- mum’ business.

While the book is aimed at women and mums in particular who are ready to take their creativity to the next level, it will also prove to be a suitable resource for anyone thinking about starting their own small business. It covers everything from the first business ideas to setting up and running a business, right on through to coping with the balancing act of working and being a mum. I’ve even included a creative project for the new business mum to help get her on her way.

So if you are ready to take your creativity to a new level and move your crafting beyond the kitchen table, then I think this book is for you. There’s more info over on my Woodberry Designs website here.

But that’s not all my friends. . . it’s a party after all, so let’s have another giveaway

To be in the running to receive your own copy of ‘The Creative Mumpreneur’ eBook just leave a comment telling me what your creative interests are.

The giveaway will be drawn on Friday. . . so I look forward to hearing what type of creativity makes your heart sing.

Hugs ~ Kerryanne