{booked}

If you follow me on Instagram {I'm @tinniegirl over there of course} then you'll already know that I've been obsessed with making books lately.  I'm really enjoying learning a new skill and indulging a different creative outlet.  It's one of the rewards of letting go of my business - I have more time for play.  And I love it.

Here's a few pics of my adventures with book binding.

I've also taken to a bit of guerrilla sewing action and made a pouch for one of them.  It's been a long time since me and the sewing machine have seen eye-to-eye, but I'm having lots of fun with it too.  Especially this fly by the seat of my pants, no rules kind of sewing.  I like it!!!

If you're interested in a fun course on book-making I've been taking Mary Ann Moss's Full Tilt Boogie.  I've taken one of her e-courses before and I definitely think she is one of the best online teachers around.  There's also no time limit on the course - once you sign up you can take your time working through the course material.  It's great.  It's always been one of my biggest disappointments with many of the e-courses I've taken - having to rush through content, trying to keep up with a ridiculous posting schedule and a limited time frame for completing the course.  Who wants to be harried and stressed when you're supposed to be having creative fun.  Anyway, Mary Ann has an awesome blog.  Totally worth checking out.

Speaking of awesome, momentum is gathering over at I Saw You Dancing in preparation for Blogtoberfest.  If you haven't caught the news, I'm taking a year off hosting and Kat is stepping up to the plate.  I'm so excited.  I know she's going to rock it.

Speaking of more awesome, have you seen the Blogtoberfest button that CurlyPops designed.  Love, love, love.  That chick blows me away with her talents.  Pop over here to grab your button and sign up.

{blogtoberfest news}

 I HAVE BIG AND EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE!

If you're new to these parts and have no idea what Blogtoberfest is you might want to pop over to the Blogtoberfest page and get yourself acquainted.  For all you regulars read on.

Last Blogtober I realised it was time to make some changes.

"Blogtoberfest will be back next year.  I love it and I'm committed to it, for it's longevity alone.  For the way it brings people together, for the new connections it creates, for the noticing it brings.  However, it's also time for me to let go of the reigns a little and invite some new energy into this space."

I've been thinking about it for most of this year and toying with different ideas about how to bring that new energy to Blogtoberfest.  I'm so excited to tell you that for 2012 Blogtoberfest is moving to a new space.

My gorgeous friend Kat and her delightful blog I Saw You Dancing will be hosting this year's Blogtoberfest.

Here's what Kat has to say about being the hostess with the mostess for 2012:

"It is a pleasure and a privilege to host Blogtoberfest in 2012, while Cathy takes a well-earned break.  I am really looking forward to reconnecting with seasoned Blogtober participants, as well as seeing new faces.  This year, as well as usual chance to sign up and meet other Blogtober bloggers -- and even host a giveaway, if you'd like to spread the love! -- there will be daily prompts posted on my blog to keep your blogging mojo up. I'm really excited that a number of wonderful guest bloggers will be joining me to offer you insight and inspiration over the course of the month.

I am so grateful for Cathy for entrusting me with her baby, and can't wait to meet you all and having some juicy creative fun during the month of Blogtober!

Any help you can offer me spreading the word will be greatly appreciated!"

Thanks Kat.  I'm absolutely thrilled that you'll be hosting Blogtoberfest this year and bringing your own special magic to it.  I know it's going to be amazing.

And of course the ever fabulous CurlyPops will be helping Kat out, and playing an extra special role in this year's festivities.  But I'm not saying another word.  Head on over to I Saw You Dancing for all the news and action.

{you must watch this}

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

I often get overcome by the question of "what can I as one individual possibly do to address all the crap that goes on in the world"  This film is such a great reminder that we are not alone, and that more than ever before we have the capacity to connect and act together.  It's a long one - almost 30 minutes - which in these days of shortest ever attention spans is asking a lot.  But you simply must, must, must watch this movie, spread the word and act.

{things i'm diggin}

Kicking starting my new year with the Soul Business Sessions co-hosted by Beth Nicholls and Kelly Rae Roberts.  For years I've struggled to create a business plan for myself using traditional notions of business and planning.  I'm so excited for what this course will hold for me and my fledgling enterprise.  It feels like the timing is perfect.

CurlyPops latest endeavour.  I'm going to post my answers to the questions tomorrow.  Please join in and help this important cause.

Andrea's trip to Mexico.  I can remember how long she's been talking about wanting to paint and I'm so excited that she's taking this bold step.

Hatching a stupendously cool new project with three awesome women.

Feeling strong and grounded and more certain as I make my way into this new year.

Putting my custom 'word of the year' paintings out there into the world.  I'm crazy proud of these babies.

Ok, I'm off to my favourite art shop to buy supplies.

Have a lovely weekend peeps!

{2012 YOUR AWESOME YEAR}

I've been absolutely busting to spill the beans on the super-secret squirrel business that Louise Gale and I have been working on for the past couple of months.

I first met Louise when I traveled to the USA for An Artful Journey Retreat.  By a stroke of good fortune we sat at the same table and spent an incredible 3 days painting, laughing, eating chocolate and connecting.  Louise is vibrant, funny, warm, engaging and full of the most fabulous energy.

We've been friends ever since the retreat and share a passion for art, for dreaming and for inspiring other souls in their journey.  When Louise told me that she was coming to Australia I was so excited.  I am so looking forward to soaking up some of Louise's amazing energy.

It occurred to both of us that it would be fantastic fun for Louise and I to organise special for Melbourne peeps {or anyone who can get to Melbourne to join us}.  I'm so pleased to unveil our very exciting project:

Are you ready to create your awesome year in 2012?

Vision your dreams and plan an amazing year ahead in this one day in-person workshop with artists and dreamers Louise Gale and Cathy Kirwan.  Join Cathy, Louise and a lovely group of creative souls to get 2012 off to a great start.  Through visioning, meditations and creative exercises you'll leave the workshop full of energy and focus.

{the details}

Saturday 28th January 2012

12 - 6.30pm (includes lunch)

CERES Environmental Park

East Brunswick

Cost: $125

Limited places available

The workshop includes:

• A beautiful day at the gorgeous CERES Environmental Park with instruction from Cathy & Louise.
• Guided visualizations and meditations
• A light lunch and sumptuous afternoon tea
• Time to explore, relax and let your dreams unfold
• Reflections on 2011 – celebrating success, farewell to the year
• Affirming ourselves – creating positive messages to carry into the new year
• Creation of your 2012 Vision Board
• A goodie bag of tools & additional resources to take home with you

 

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• A clear vision of your dreams and goals for the year ahead.
• Reviewed and celebrated 2011.
• A vision board to pin up at home to inspire you throughout 2012.
• Let go of any negative thoughts or feelings so you can move towards your dreams.
• Met other creative souls to be inspired, share and have fun with.
• Set the wheels in motion to see your dreams become reality in 2012.
• Found your truth, positive affirmations and courage to move forward and make 2012 Your Awesome Year.

What to bring:

• Poster board (A3 or larger)
• Glue stick
• A photo of yourself looking happy, that you really like. This will go on the centre of your vision board.
• Any magazine images, quotes, inspiring words you might have already gathered
• Additional magazines to share and use
• Any additional favourite art materials you may like to use (pens, markers, glitter, stickers) (please note: due to venue restrictions no paints)
• Any snacks or drinks you’d like in addition to what’s provided
• An open heart and mind
• Extra money for any café purchases
• A small item to contribute to a gift exchange (more details in the registration pack)

Payment Options
You have the option of paying in full for the workshop now, or making 2 part-payments, one now to secure your place and the balance in 2 weeks time.  Please note all payments must be made in full by Thursday January 19th 2012.

Join us to make 2012 Your Awesome Year?

To register and pay in full click here

To register for the installment plan click here

{lockets}

I finally managed to pop the lockets in the shop.  I am still absolutely smitten with these particular creations and hope you will be too.  They're in seriously limited supply until next year so if you're keen grab one while you can.

They'll also be making their debut, along with all the other {finkigirl} range, and my prints, cards and affirmation packs, at the Made n' Thornbury twilight market, 99 Leinster Grove Thornbury, this coming Friday.  More details here.

I'm really excited to be getting back to focusing on my creative work.  It's been a long drought this year and it feels so good to be coming full circle back to where my heart is.

I've also got my annual open studio coming up in a couple of weeks.  More details coming on that one.

Have a great day peeps!

{coming attractions}

I thought that the rings and pendants were my favourites of the new {finkigirl} collection.  That was until I saw the lockets!  These will be in the shop by the end of this week.  Get in quick if you want one.  We have extremely limited stock until next year.

In other shop news I'm extremely pleased that we've been able to reduce the prices on the earrings and bracelets.  They now retail at $30 for earrings and $35 for bracelets.

I'm totally getting to understand what it must be like for others who make their own wearable creations.  It is truly thrilling to put on an outfit and then choose a piece of my own jewellery to wear with it.

Oops, forgot to say they are also available in store now at Olive Grove!

 

************************************

On a totally different topic, there's a fantastic giveaway for Melbourne peeps going on over at Eat and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We Diet.  You can win a dinner for 2 to the value of $300.  I soooo want to win this one.

I've got another fun giveaway coming up soon too.  Stay tuned.

{i want you, i need you}

Betsy Mark II, please be mine!

Did you know you can win one of these beauties and copies of all of Pip's books over at Meet Me at Mikes.  What a seriously awesome giveaway huh?  Or check out Jelly Bean Bikes and build your own ride!

*****************************************

I'm going to leave my giveaway open for one more day too.  If you haven't left a comment to win a copy of Make Hey by Pip Lincolne and a fat quarter of fabulous Go Granny by CurlyPops hop-skip to this post here.

*****************************************

And just in case you missed my HUGE news Finki and I launched something ENORMOUSLY EXCITING on Tuesday.  You can read all about it right here. 

Thanks so much to everyone for the amazing support and interest already.  It's been so gratifying and totally affirms a major life decision I made last week {more on that very soon}.

{introducing finkigirl}

At last the time has come to fill you in on my super-secret-squirrel business.  I am bursting with pride, hope, gratitude, amazement and so much more.  It is with enormously great pleasure that I introduce you to {finkigirl}, a collaboration between myself and Jay of Finki Handmade.

This collaboration has been in the making since April.  I was fortunate to spend an amazing weekend with Jay at one of the Flora Bowley retreats in Australia earlier this year {more on that here and here if you’re interested}.

As well as spending our days immersed in painting we spent our evenings talking about business, about dreams for the future and tentatively about the idea of working on something together.  I’ve watched Jay’s journey over the years and long admired her courage and commitment to building a creative life and business.  When I thought about collaboration, as I have been for a number of years, she was always one of the people that I wanted to connect with.  We left the retreat with some very early ideas on how we might work together. 

Then as it does, life got crazy.  House moves, job losses, health stuff followed by one of the worst creative blocks I’ve ever had.  My creative life came to a complete standstill.  It was all so yuk.  

One afternoon I was riding home from work and I realised how stuck I was.  I realised the ways in which I was holding myself back.  Most importantly I realised the opportunities that were out there waiting for me to grab them.  And so I did!  And out of that {finkigirl} was born!

My Etsy shop is now open and full of gorgeous {finkigirl} goodies.  Please head on over and take a look.  This is just the beginning of something that is going to be absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to keep sharing it with you as it evolves.

You can also see the full range at Olive Grove Studios, 159 Sydney Rd, Brunswick.

*************************************************

PS.  It’s not too late to put your name down for the giveaway of awesomeness.  I’ll draw in winner on Thursday.

{a teaser}

Oh boy am I excited!  I am almost ready to spill the beans on the super-secret squirrel business I've been telling you about.

Tomorrow peeps.  Yep, tomorrow.

Happy, happy, happy dance!

{buzz, buzz, buzz - blogtoberfest day VII}

It's hard to believe it was April 2009 when I first made mention of a yearning to collaborate with other creative souls.  I've carried that yearning ever since.  There have been a couple of tentative steps, lots of reaching out and some intentful discussions, but nothing solid has ever come to fruition.  I reached a point where I knew I just had to let go of the longing.  But it never left me.

There is a shift taking place in my life at the moment that feels so much bigger than anything I could have planned or foreseen.  A part of me is both laughing at myself and wanting to reject the oh-so-simple truth that things do happen in their own good time and only when we are truly ready.  It's all the stuff that I know in theory, that we all know in theory, that I've written about for years, that I've studied in e-courses and read in books.  It's the tape reel that plays over and over in your head and the learning that you seem to have to learn over and over again.

I have a number of really, truly, ruly exciting collaborations in the pipeline that I can't wait to share with you.  Although they are in the early stages of development they are more solid than anything that's been on the table before and I know it's only a matter of time till they'll reach fruition.  And they're good.  Oh so good.

I am so grateful to share this journey with all of you who travel with me.  I am humbled and honoured.  And I feel blessed to see the path ahead for the first time in a long, long time.  And to see that it's sunny and warm.  And to see myself standing strong on it ready to break into a run.

Have a gorgeous weekend my friends.

*************************************************

I haven't forgotten the giveaway I mentioned on Wednesday.  It just has to wait a wee bit longer.  It will be worth it though.  Trust me.

There's still time to join in with the Blogtoberfest goodness.  If you haven't signed up yet just pop down here to add your name to the list.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 4 - Make A Little Birdhouse In Your Soul

To be honest I've been a little overwhelmed by the response to BLOGTOBERFEST. It's incredible to see so many people join in and I'm so delighted that people want to be a part of it. I've loved all the comments about how much people are enjoying themselves, connecting with new blogs and feeling really inspired. I never in a million years expected it to get this big.


I'm a little overcome too. Why is it that when the things you really want for your life start to happen you feel inclined to shy away? On only Day 4 I'm already feeling challenged with the idea of being enough that I wrote about here.


So today I put on some great soulful music and got busy in the studio. And then the tears came. Lots of them. Tears of joy and celebration, hope and fear, and grief, all thrown in together. All the newness and excitement and change of the past couple of months catching up with me. Gosh, when's the last time you let yourself have a really good cry? I think sometimes you just need to let it all out.

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The collages above are a collaboration with CurlyPops
They'll be making their debut at the inaugural
Northside Maker's Market
Saturday October 10th
Northcote Uniting Church
251 High St, Northcote
10.30am - 3.30pm

If you're a Melbourne gal, or inclined towards a holiday, come along and say Hi.

If you want to know more about me and my crafty ways read the interview I did over at Northside Makers.

A Photo a Day in August

I'm joining Megan at The Byron Life for A Photo a Day in August. I've been needing a little inspiration kick, and this seems like a nice one.


These are backgrounds for a new series of work called 'Suburbia'. They're the collaborative pieces that I'm working on with CurlyPops and will eventually be painted and then covered in beautiful bright flowers and other lovely things you might find in a suburban garden. They'll be ready for Made n' Thornbury next month.

*******************************************************

You might like to know that the last of the Tinnies, and the limited edition Woollies, will only be hanging around until Sunday 23rd August. After that time is going to be limited for a while so I've had to prioritise things. Besides I'm feeling like I need a nice sense of closure on the Tinnies. Anyway, now you've got a timeframe. Get yourself a Tinnie or a Woollie before the 23rd, or before everyone else gets them.

Right, off to check out some markets with my crafty-partner-in-crime.

It's Better Together

Collaboration keeps popping into my mind. Everywhere I glance there are signs. If I wasn't looking I'd trip over them. People painting together in the park on my way home. Posts or blogs about women collaborating. Everywhere, people are doing it together. All these signs make my heart sing a little tune. I know I want to collaborate with others creative souls, on something. I just don't know on what and with who.

I'm excited by the prospect. I've got a few thoughts floating around but nothing solid. There's some amazing women out there who I'd love to team up with. Writing seems like a possibility, collage seems like another. Perhaps those are just the things I know though. Perhaps there's another totally new idea just waiting to surface.

I'm sure it's just a matter of time till an opportunity presents itself. I'm letting the universe guide this one.