{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

{instructions to self}

detail on collage

These words feel like a mantra, a message from the universe and a hope all rolled into one.

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Pssst, Blogtoberfest is only 10 sleeps away.  Are  you excited?

{collage one, two, three}

Had lots of fun at the Katherine Hattam workshop on the weekend.  It was a change for me to stay mostly away from the paint and instead work primarily with paper and glue.

I enjoyed it but I don't see myself racing off in a whole new direction.  It's all a bit minimalist for my tastes.  

I loved hearing Katherine talk about her journey with art and her processes.  It's always fascinating to get insight into to the ways in which other artists work.

I did also very much enjoy sketching with my eyes closed and particularly with my toes.  This last piece isn't finished yet.  Not sure when I'll pick it up again though.

 

{channeling katherine hattam}

Man's World, Woman's Place

Katherine Hattam

Well, I very much plan to be.  I'm taking a workshop with her today at Gasworks Art Park.  I'm sooooooo looking forward to a day of creativity, inspiration and play.

What are you up to?

{it's a game...}

...of Rock, Paper, Scissors

without the rocks...

Dream Girl

She Wore Raspberry
Collage papers, acrylics, oil sticks and stuff on Canvas
12x16 inch

I Am

I am trusting and dreaming
I wonder what my future looks like
I hear birds singing, always
I see giant fish swimming through coral reefs
I want to make beautiful pictures
I am trusting and dreaming

I pretend to be sure
I feel change coming
I touch the future
I worry about having enough money
I cry for the passing of my friend
I am trusting and dreaming

I understand that I cannot control things
I say that change is the only constant
I dream of living a creative and simple life
I try to trust the universe
I hope that we will all find our paths
I am trusting and dreaming

Make your own 'I Am' poem here. Found via Mrs Spotts.

Out Of Office Assistant

Hello. You have reached the blog of Tinniegirl. I am currently having an out of this world experience painting, collaging, laughing, connecting, relaxing, unwinding, drinking Coke, eating peanut butter M+M's, staying up too late, living in a cottage in the woods and just BEING! I look forward to being in touch when I return to earth. At this stage I am not quite sure when that will be.

Things I'm Diggin'

This amazing collage that Kat from I Saw You Dancing made for me. Kat's made of the good stuff I tell you. She's super talented and big-time brave. Go and check out her Mondo Beyondo list. Talk about knowing how to dream big, live large and put it all out there. I felt so inspired reading her list.

The Northern Craft Bonanza. Our crafty group is really growing wings. Such good people and such a lovely, relaxing time. I'm already looking forward to being back there soon.

Finishing work today. I am officially a free woman for 3 whole weeks.

Ms L. I wouldn't be going on my trip if it wasn't for Ms L saying 'go for it, no seriously go for it'. She's encouraged, coaxed and supported me every step of the way. I'm going to miss her so much while I'm away. It's been a long time since we've spent a big chunk of time apart and I'll miss sharing this adventure with her first hand. Gina at Clutterpunk wrote the most beautiful post about the vulnerability that comes with being in love. It's stayed with me that post. Gina always gets me thinking.

Anthropologie, Gap and Levi's. Hello America, I'm ready to shop.

The cool change. I am so washed out from a week of not sleeping properly.

Counting the sleeps. We're down to 4 peeps.

How about you? What are you diggin'?

Can't Wait To Meet You

Did you know it's only 25 days till I'll be sitting on a plane. 25 DAYS. Oh my goodness, that's so wonderfully, fabulously close. Don't worry I've already got a few lists in the making - things to pack, travel arrangements to organise, places to visit, gifts to take, things to buy and bring home for Ms L.

What's more, in just 27 days I'll be checking-in to An Artful Journey, I'll be meeting Monica and Chrissy and Mrs Spotts for the first time, I'll be introducing myself to the amazing box of art supplies above, that I ordered through Dick Blick and shipped to Monica to transport for me. I'll be meeting Kelly Rae Roberts, and spending 3 days learning her painterly, collaging ways. In 27 days I'll be living a dream.

I love remembering how I got here. On a whim and a prayer I signed up for the retreat and was allocated a spot. If you have a moment go and read what I wrote at the time. There is so much to be said for intention, for putting it out there, for trusting.

My next wish is to work out a way to take the laptop away with me, so I can blog along my journey. Apple, you don't want to give us one of your fabulous, shiny, new 21.5 inch iMac's by chance?

Did you know that I'm collecting wishes and dreams? You can pop over to this post and deposit your wish. I'll keep it safe, and warm, and well fed for you. Oh, I love wishes and dreams. I like being the keeper of such important things.

There's even a collage up for grabs for anyone who drops a wish in the comment box before Sunday night.

In The Nick Of Time

I'm back. Just in time to say come and visit me tomorrow at the Made n' Thornbury Market. I'll be selling original collages and 'Messages from the Universe' affirmation packs. Not that many though. I haven't had any time to make anything, but it's such a lovely day out that I decided I'd go along anyway. Lucky for me I'm sharing my stall with the fabulous Betty Jo, so it doesn't matter that I don't have that much stock.

Do you know it's only 8 more working days till I get to have a holiday. I am so excited by the prospect of leisurely days crafting and catching up with friends, lying around the house watching movies, staying in my PJ's till dinner time, cooking, eating, reading, resting. That's all I need. A little bit of time out from this crazy fast world.

Anyway, enough of my rambling. If you're in the vicinity of Thornbury tomorrow, pop in and visit us.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 22 - Where I've Been

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
Anais Nin

I've been in a strange and lonely place. Unable to go backwards and too afraid to move forward. Armed with my newly created Mondo Beyondo list full of my deepest dreams, I completely freaked out when faced with the reality that I could make them come true. Over the last 48 hours a wave of fear and self-doubt so enormous swelled around me that I was completely knocked me off my feet.

But the time has come. So much for so long has been leading to this moment. Deep breath and here we go...

I am very excited to share with you that in April next year I am running my first art retreat at Sewjourn. Join me from Friday 23 - Monday 26 April 2010 for a weekend of collage, creativity and connecting.

The program for the weekend goes something like this:

• Friday night - we'll spend the night getting to know each other starting with dinner at a local cafe or pub as well as settling in at Sewjourn. Bring a hand held project to work on in the evening.
• Saturday - the morning will consist of explorations in paint techniques and background effects for collage. I'll also work with each individual to design your main collage piece that you'll complete on Sunday. In the afternoon we'll be stitching and trying our hands at different textile techniques. The evening will be free and will be an opportunity to play around with new techniques and ideas learned throughout the day, or spend some time on a project of your own.
• Sunday - we'll spend the whole day on Sunday working on a signature collage piece. This will be a woman/angel that we've designed the previous day (don't worry if you're a complete beginner, I'll help you design something that you'll be delighted with). Sunday night will again be a free night. We'll have a fabulous dinner party together and work on personal projects in front of the fire.
• Monday - we'll spend Monday morning on any finishing touches for the signature pieces and then move on to making a mini-collage using different techniques. After a late lunch it will be time to head home feeling renewed and energised, armed with lots of creative works and new ideas.

There'll be plenty of extra surprises, lots of time to connect and get to know each other, sleep-ins and pampering. The cost is $400 which covers accommodation, meals and the collage and mixed-media workshops. Additionally you'll need to purchase some art materials (list to be supplied) and pay for your own dinner on the first night.

If you'd like to join me on this adventure email me at tinniegirl(at)optusnet(dot)com(dot)au with April Retreat in the subject line. I'll send you all the fine detail about registration, deposits, etc, and of course answer any questions you've got. There are 6 spots available.

If you can't make it for this weekend don't fret, this is just the beginning. When I think about being an artist this is the stuff that makes my heart sing. I'm planning some one-day workshops in the near future, and Megan K and I are planning a super special retreat for later in 2010. More to come on all those things.

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I'll announce the winner of the wallpaper giveaway tomorrow so if you haven't put your name in and still want to, then go right ahead. The post is over here.

I'll have a new giveaway starting tomorrow as well. It's going to be a beauty.

Gosh, there's still so much news and thoughts to share. That will do for now I think.

OK, here goes, pushing PUBLISH POST and bringing a dream to life...

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 19 - Colour My World, And Yours

I'm not sure if it was the light in my studio or the dreary Melbourne weather last week but these colours just sang to me. That blank canvas might have just found itself a hot date, or in this case something on the softer pastel scale.

How about you? Are you looking for some colour in your world? At last I bring you the belated Friday Giveaway. A bumper pack of vintage wallpaper pieces for your creative pleasure. I'll pop some other lovely bits and pieces in there to add to your stash too. Just leave a comment by midnight on Wed and I'll announce the winner sometime on Thursday.

I wish I could get the words out of my head. There's so many of them. Tumbling all over each other in there, but refusing to budge when it comes time to type.

"Sometimes the words flow freely and smoothly, like a lovely treacle. Not today though. It's more like some kind of sticky spill that you feel like you have to clean up." (13/5/09)

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 13 - Just For Me

The beginnings of my SuperPops Joy Doll. I'm really excited about this creation. It's been a while since I've made something just for me and just for the fun of it.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 12 - Taking Stock

Tell me my friends, are you enjoying BLOGTOBERFEST? I have to apologise and say that I feel like I've been an absent host. I think I've had a little bit of stage fright over the amazing response to BLOGTOBERFEST, as well as being a super busy chicky for a couple of weeks.

I predict smooth sailing from here on in and more time for me to pop about the place and say Hi. I'm hoping that's the way it goes.

There's some really exciting BLOGTOBERFEST events taking place that I want to make sure you know about. The Creative Beast is having a Follow Along Craft Project where you make your own Joy Doll. I love, love, love this idea and I've already started brewing ideas for mine. CurlyPops has announced the SuperPops Challenge this morning, which is going to be lots of fun. I'm thinking I might multi-task and make myself a SuperPops Joy Doll.

What else is going on out there in festival land? Oh, I know, make sure you visit Punky & Me if you want to nominate someone for the 'Best of the Fest' giveaway.

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And now, without further ado, I think it's time we announce the winner of the Friday Giveaway. The random number generator picked number 11 and the winner is What You Think On Grows. Get in touch Donna Lee to pick out a collage of your choice.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 11 - Where Tinniegirl Finds Herself With Nothing To Say

All photos courtesy of Melbourne Epicure

Luckily there's plenty of market wraps that you can read around the place.

Oh, and there's plenty of collages left over so make sure you put yourself in my giveaway before midnight tonight and one of them might be yours.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 8 - Just Like Starting Over

I love a blank canvas.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 6 - The Shape Of Things To Come

Some more collages to make their debut at Northside Makers Market on Saturday. These two measure around 12 x 24 inches.


I go through phases with my canvas shapes and sizes. I've been into rectangles and small pieces for a while now, but just last Friday went and bought some square canvases for some new ideas. Sometimes I go big with my work and sometimes I go small. It's funny how it chops and changes and I love just rolling with it. I love how the size and shape of the work is part of the creative expression of it.


I got a phone call yesterday to say that an order of large canvases I've been waiting on have arrived in store. I'm very excited. I haven't done much large scale work. It's both liberating and intimidating all at once. I have special plans for some big works that I've been dreaming about for a long time.

You know despite having some days filled with self-doubt and overwhelm, overall I feel really good about what I've achieved and where I'm heading in my creative life.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 5 - From Me To You

We have ourselves a winner for the Friday Giveaway. The random number generator chose comment number 34 which was made by dillpickle. I'm off to check out your blog to start thinking about your prize. In the meantime get in touch with your address details.

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What do you think of the new signature for my collages? It's taken me ages to find a mark that I really love and feel happy with. This one is the one. It's my initials. The funny looking flag is a 'P' for my middle initial.

The first person to guess what my middle name is will win a collage. GO!

EDIT: One name per guess, one guess per person friends. I'm not going to count anyone who makes multiple guesses. Gotta give everyone a fighting chance.

UPDATE: We have a winner. Bels wins with a correct guess of Priscilla. Bels, get in touch to claim your collage.

Thanks for playing along everyone. See you tomorrow.

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.

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.