Made with love

In October and November, my husband's extended family celebrate many many birthdays. 8 birthdays in 8 weeks to be precise. This year I decided I would like to hand make some of the gifts for my sisters in law.

Beginning with some kits from Kaisercraft. This one was for my sister-in-law, Lisa. She's a graphic designer, so i wanted something for her desk!

 Cover the kit in paper- these are also Kaisercraft: Peachy Keen. I love this set. There are matching rub-ons and some really cute pearl stickers. 

Assembled

And edges painted

I also made a set of drawers for my other sister-in-law, Paige. Could be used for craft storage, jewellery, make-up. A really compact set but the drawers are quite roomy

By request

I have had quite a few custom orders for canvases lately. I LOVE the challenge of finding just the right paper and embellishments for a special little person.

Here are 2 that were ordered from me last week. One sister loves fairies and the other was into flowers and butterflies.

The hardest thing about custom pieces is worrying that the customer won't love them. When you put your heart into something, its a real worry. But I am finding it easier than I thought to take feedback from my customers- its usually just a change in font or the colour of a ribbon or flower- so my ego can handle that :)

I have sent these photos to make sure they are right and the customer is happy. Now I can't wait to give them to her!

Flower power

I have been having fun recently making cards with pretty flowers on them- made from a round scallop punch.

So here are the step by step instructions to make one of your own.

You'll need some paper (preferably double-sided), an emery board or distressing tool, some small scissors, double sided-tape and mounting tape or glue dots, and some buttons or brads for embellishment.

Punch out 2, 3 or 4 scallop circles, using different colours and patterns from the paper. Then distress the edges (the side of the flower that will be facing up).

Using a fine pair of scissors, cut in between the scallops- either single or double width.

Then fold the 'petals' up, pinching them with your fingers- this gives the flower dimension.

Finally, stick the layers together.

And you have a lovely addition to a card... or make a whole garden of flowers for a card or off-the-page project.

Enjoy!

Love Gubby xo

Cardigan? Ma-digan!!

Its so wonderful to be surrounded by talented people.
My mum is a knitter. She does beautiful work knitting for my girls.
She is our 'Ma' so when she made Beth and Francesca each a very special cardigan last year, we dubbed them the 'Ma-digan'

I get comments about the Madigan all the time and luckily Ma decided to knit them all a new one this year. She is still working on Francesca's one (yellow) and I don't have a photo of Penny in hers yet, but here's Beth in her latest- with matching beanie! Isn't she adorable?? And don't you love the pose??

Look at me! Look at me!

Isn't my new banner so pretty??

My wonderful friend, Crystal Devenish, is a graphic designer and designed all my marketing stuff- business cards, letter heads, banners etc. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful and talented friends :)

Just wanted to share the joy :)

Home again, home again... jiggity jig

I had a great time at the market yesterday. Learnt a lot and made some decisions about changes I'll make for next time!

To market, to market...

Tomorrow morning I have my first market to sell my personalised canvas art.
The market is at Tunstall Square Baptist Church in Donvale from 9am-1pm on Saturday 8th May- so come along if you have time and are around.

My wonderful, wonderful friend, Crystal, designed my new logo (will update my blog with the new logo soon) and printed my new business cards and letter heads:

Don't they look amazing?! I just love the simple, hand-written logo, but of course Crystal added all the little touches that take it from text to a real logo and brand- thank-you, wonderful friend :)

I have chosen a set of 3 canvases for boys and 4 for girls. I think it will be easier to prepare for markets and other sales if I have a limited number of designs.

I have chosen zoo animals, cars and robots for boys and ducks, pretty dresses, fairies and babushkas for the girls.

I have also created my first order form- in case I sell all of the pre-made canvases or people have specific requests.

Wish me luck- I'll let you know how I go when I get back.

Love Gubby xo