Start Your Engines

Are you ready for the fun to begin? I'm getting more and more excited everyday about BLOGTOBERFEST. I think this year is going to be so big and fun.

As well as your daily post there's going to be memes and giveaways and other fun surprises. If you'd like to have a giveaway as part of BLOGTOBERFEST and you want the world to know about it you need to head on over and see CurlyPops and let her know about it. CurlyPops will keep a list of all the giveaways somewhere on her blog. Just think of her as a festival hub if you like.

Make sure you visit Badskirt in the next couple of days too. It's looking like she's going to be a hub with something super-special she's got planned. Super-special I tell you. She also wrote a fabulous post about BLOGTOBERFEST right here.

And here my friends is your festival pass courtesy of the fabulous Myrtle & Eunice.

If you'd like to put it on your blog here's the code:

<a href="http://www.tinniegirl.blogspot.com/" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387115698880781874" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 115px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG6fwPsqVOZUG5ZsPtD42p_ArHceAthEnavejI3TIPFuhUd9jqfusceyuTf4qiUT8RQwHOO24p3e50qrXl1UMEx3UqHleQ6bt4hrS0y0r07DAf-tLwecht9ntJ4dNVdGGOYH5J5s4Zhu2/s320/blogtoberfes%20t.png" border="0" /></a>

To add it in blogger go to customise and click on add a gadget. Choose HTML/Javascript - add third party functionality to your blog. Copy and past the code into the content area, save it and you'll be all set. If you have problems shout out and we'll see what we can do.

Don't forget to get in touch if you've got a special event planned and let Curlypops know if you're having a giveaway.

See you tomorrow for the official opening, and make sure you pop in Friday for the first Friday Giveaway.

OK, so if you're playing along it's time to sign on the dotted line. Sign up. Sign up now. You know you want to.

The Best Of Intentions

Having a few problems with getting the BLOGTOBERFEST sign up post happening the way I want it to.

I'll be back later with the scoop, the whole scoop and nothing but the scoop, OR SO HELP SOMEONE!

I Can't See The Forest For The Trees

I've had a few people ask what's BLOGTOBERFEST all about. My response is to say "oh it's simple, you just have to post everyday for the month of October, and you're a festival goer". I suppose there's more to it than that though. Bellsknits did a great post all about it here.

Here's a little exert:

"Blogtoberfest involves the ... task of blogging daily for the month of October and anyone can sign up. You agree to:

• really give yourself permission to spend time on daily blog posts
• sink your teeth into posting stuff you never thought you'd write about
• come up with ways to keep yourself interested and motivated - after that the interest by other people is just a flow on effect
• find yourself looking with fresh eyes at the world as each moment of each day may contain an image or a conversation or an idea that can be shaped into a blog post."

It was such a great post and it really got me thinking. Sometimes we understate our creative endeavours, we underestimate our creative selves, we miss the bigger picture. So thanks Bells for helping me see myself and my creativity in a bigger, brighter light.

OK, see you tomorrow. I've got something a little bit exciting for you.

Not Long Now

Only a couple of days until BLOGTOBERFEST begins. I'm very excited, and hope that you'll be joining the fun.

I'm pacing myself at the moment. Saving up all my ideas for posts until October begins. You know, just in case things get a little desperate some days.

Come back on Wednesday to pick up your festival pass. I'll look out for you then.

Enough

One of the things that is really speaking to me at the moment is the idea of seeing myself as whole and knowing that I am enough. In a world dominated by speed, the principles of paced living and considered action that I like to live my life by, often feel challenged.


I'm finding it hard to imagine that I'll be able to hold all the pieces together over the next month: family, exercise and health eating, work, getting ready for markets, BLOGTOBERFEST, time with friends, being creative, and generally doing things that are good for my soul and help in maintaining sanity and balance.


So I have a goal. To trust that I am enough. To shift from a place where I so easily start to feel powerless and sorry for myself, to seeing myself as whole and wise and capable. I wonder what might happen if I start to see myself in this light? I don't just wonder for me, I wonder for you too.

A Story About A Skirt, A Handbag, Friendship and Longing

Some stories are simple to tell. I thought this one would be too. The simple version goes like this: CurlyPops made me a fabulous handbag out of a skirt, and you can read all about it over here. However, there's a great deal more to this story, much of which only came back to me this morning. Pull up a pew and I'll tell you a tale.


I bought this skirt in 2005 at an op-shop. I was shopping with Ms L and my friend Jane. I don't know what possessed me to go into an op-shop because at the time I didn't even like op-shops (I know!). I thought they were smelly and full of junk, and I was one of those people who assertively proclaimed "I can never find anything good in op-shops". I can only suspect that it would have been Jane, a keen op-shopper, who lured Ms L and I in.

I was searching at the time, and not for thrifted treasure. Something was missing in my life. There was a longing, a wishing, an aching that had been with me for years, and yet had no name.

So, in this op-shop, on this particular day, I came across the skirt. And I instantly knew that it should become a bag. I remember declaring that I would purchase it and make a bag. In fact, not only did I declare that I would make a bag, but that I wanted to make a living from my creativity and that this bag was the beginning of a dream. I knew in that moment of clarity that I wanted to be a "famous sewer".

I took the skirt home, put it in the cupboard and there it stayed for over 2 years. The longing stayed with me through all that time too.


Fast forward a couple of years and the skirt that was destined to be a bag has finally come into its own. The longing has been named and I am on the path to making a living from my creativity. Whilst I am not, nor do I intend to become a "famous sewer" my dear friend CurlyPops certainly fits the bill. It's almost as if all those years ago I was given a glimpse of my future, all muddled up in symbolism and mystery.

As I popped the bag over my shoulder this morning and headed off to work, these are the memories that came to me. Memories of friendship and longing, of finding treasure and glimpsing an unknown future.

Today Was A Great Day

to indulge in some of Melbourne Epicure's fine cupcakes

to play

without any expectations

just for fun

How was your day?

Sssh, It's A(nother) Secret

Nope! I'm not telling.
Not even if you bribe me with Melbourne Epicure's cupcakes.
Well maybe for a cupcake, I could be swayed.

This is one of the new ideas I'm working on.
I don't think I'll be able to keep it to myself for long.
I am excited about this in a 'heart on my sleeve','totally putting myself out there' kind of way.

Why I Love Birds

Birds on the Wires from Jarbas Agnelli on Vimeo.

This is the story that goes with it:

"I saw a picture of birds on the electric wires. I cut out the photo and decided to make a song, using the exact location of the birds as notes (no Photoshop edit). I knew it wasn't the most original idea in the universe. I was just curious to hear what melody the birds were creating."

Found via the fabulous Andrea Scher

Are You Counting Down The Days?

BLOGTOBERFEST is coming.

Everyone's favourite festival is back in 2009.

Image by flossy-p

Get your creative skates on and get ready to post everyday in October.

This year's festival is going to be bigger and better than ever. Familiar favourites like the Friday giveaway and spirit awards will make an appearance, plus there'll be a few surprises to keep things fresh. There might even be some more super-serious top-secret squirrel business coming again. And of course everyone wants to know if the elusive and reluctant blogger Ms L will make another appearance? Only time will tell.

If you're reading this and wondering "what on earth is she talking about" pop over to Big Cat's Emporium (my old home) and check it out. You can get the low down right here.

I'll do a sign up post on Sept 30 and look forward to see you in festival finery on October 1st.

If you've got a great idea for a festival event, want to make a blog button or help out in some other way, email me at tinniegirl(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au and we'll talk.

Doesn't Play Well With Others

I'm having one of those funny weeks. I seem to be bumping into people. On an emotional level, not a physical one. It happens periodically. I get all out of sorts and can't negotiate the intricacies of relationships. Can't work out where I end and other people start, and have to completely withdraw.

It makes perfect sense. I think any period of personal growth is always going to close you off from others to some degree. For the most part I'm OK with it. I need to learn to truly see myself without the shadow of others in the picture.

I can't help but laugh at something I wrote in my journal earlier this week:

"I want to find a way to express the true contents of my heart and soul in a way that invites others into my story...I want to open my heart more, be more vulnerable, more alive."

A bit hard when you're coming at your interactions with people like a bumper car. Don't worry, if you see me in the street and decide to run I'll understand. Sort of!

Big Happy Sigh

I've been a wee bit busy. Not good enough I know. Have you been waiting for my post about the Made n' Thornbury market on Saturday?

Photo blatantly stolen from CurlyPops

It was a wonderful day. Butterflies were overcome, sales were made, people were seen, chats and cupcakes were had, and a new part of my journey was begun.

Sisterhood

It's almost Saturday and almost time for Made 'n Thornbury market and these girls are ready to go. If you're looking for a lovely outing I highly recommend this fabulous little market. It always seems to have a lovely energy, not to mention all the great craft and delicious tasty treats that you'll be able to pick up. Make sure you say Hi to me if you stop in. I love to meet people face-to-face.

You know what else? It's official. I'm a twit. I've been thinking about it for ages and finally took the plunge. Of course I've got no idea how or why to use it. Maybe if you're a twit too you'll look me up and follow me so I can follow you. Or something like that!