20.12.13

giveaway winner and cute christmas gift tags!!

Hiya guys, I'm so sorry, I was supposed to announce the winner of my little giveaway last week, but we have had no internet connection!! Congratulations to Bec who received my little giveaway prize. If you are keen on downloading the Christmas album I was part of (which was the giveaway prize!) click here to download from ITunes.
 
Anyway, hope all your Christmas preparations are going well. My December has been much more hectic then I had hoped, and I feel like I've been squeezing everything in, rather then enjoying it, but I think it's just one of those years, and I just need to roll with it. Don't get me wrong, everything I have been doing has been great, but I'm definitely looking forward to some serious down time in January.

If you are after some last minute creative ideas, check out all these gorgeous gift tags that were handmade and posted around the world as part of the Christmas gift tag I put together.... How cute are they!!!?? Thanks to everyone who participated!! These are juts some of the tags that were made and shared...


 
 
 
 
...and these are the gift tags I made, upcyclng an opshopped Richard Scarry Christmas book....I was pretty happy with how they turned out.
 



lots of love, Mezz xo

5.12.13

Make a really easy and super cute Christmas Decoration!

Here is a cute little Christmas decoration I thought up. Its fun and easy to make!! Inspired by all of the Dream Catchers made with embroidery hoops and thrifted doilies I see everywhere, I tweaked the idea to make it a bit more Christmassy...
 
 To make your own you will need: an embroidery hoop, crocheted doily (they remind me of snowflakes!), ribbons, craft bells and needle and thread. I found all of my materials second hand, except for the bells.
 
 
I simply choose a few ribbons in different lengths and hung them over the bottom of the embroidery hoop. Placing a crocheted doily in the embroidery hoop and then tightening it ensured the ribbons stayed in place. Once the doily was in the hoop as I wanted, I cut off the parts of it that didn't fit. I then sewed a few Christmas bells on the bottom of the ribbons, and added a little hook on the top so that it will hang. This one is quite small and could hang on a Christmas tree.
 
I loved making this, and am now doing more! This new one I'm working on is much larger, and I'm using vintage Christmas fabric instead of a doily, so while essentially I'm making the same thing, the effect will be quite different.

 
Happy making, I'd love to know if you give this a try!!
 
Mezz xo
 
PS don't forget you have until next Wednesday to enter my little Christmas giveaway.

4.12.13

ENTER MY CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY (music AND craft!!)

I have been busy working on all sorts of creative things this year. One project in particular which I was very honoured to be a part of was recording a few tracks to appear on a compilation Christmas album for the Salvation Army in Australia. Titled "We Have Heard on High' the 10 track album features traditional carols recorded in an acoustic- pop- chilled out -kind of way...personally, I find it festive yet quite relaxing to listen to! Yours truly arranged, performed and recorded three tracks...."God Rest ye Merry Gentleman" "Ave Maria" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

The album is available on iTunes, I encourage you to go buy it!!

Click here to go forth and buy!

I am lucky enough to have a few hard copies of the album (CD) available, and would love to give one away to a reader!! For your chance to receive a copy, please leave a comment below, and I'll pull a name out of a hat next Wednesday December 10th.

I will also throw in a pretty handmade upcycled Christmas Garland, similar to this, but made out of a vintage Christmas Children's book.

oh, and a copy of the Starter Issue of my little zine I put together with my sis in law Taz, "Hundreds and Thousands." If you've not heard of my little magazine before, head on over here.

Enter no matter where in the world you live, will post anywhere!! You have a week to enter peeps.

Mezz xoxoxoxo

1.12.13

My little pic on Mollie Makes website...

Totally chuffed to see Mollie Makes liked the crochet bow brooch I made!! They included my little pic from Intsagram on their website...check it out!! http://www.molliemakes.com/inspiration/mollie-makes-your-month-in-pictures/

24.11.13

creative mojo is back!!

I'm slowly finding my creative mojo again..here are a few things I've been getting up to....
 
 
1. upcycling a cute book to make gift tags for my swap.
2. wonderful thrifted vintage red flower coasters.
3. baking bread
4. putting bits of inspiration and pretty up on the wall
5. a few little crafty projects on the go!
6. making cute things to post off to the UK for my newest nephew, Isaac.
7. working on a granny square infinity scarf
8. starting to feel excited about having a lovely handmade Christmas
 
Have you got your creative mojo on? Back on?? I'd love to know what you have been up to!
 
Mezz xoxo
 
 

18.11.13

vintage sheet joy!!

I love vintage sheets!!!! So much!! Here is a colourful vintage sheet patchwork I recently made. (please excuse the fuzzy pics, my camera wasn't happy with me today.)
 
I recently received a lovely parcel in the mail of these wonderful vintage sheet fat quarters (thanks Zara for organising this wonderful swap!) My heart is singing, and I'm wondering what I should make with these babies....any ideas??
 
Oh and the lovely Zara added in a cute upcycled road map garland. Cute!!
 
They definitely don't make sheets like they used to, hey!
 
Mezz xo

13.11.13

Christmas Gift Tag Swap Partners!

Thanks to those who are joining in the Gift Tag Swap!! It shall be jolly fun. I popped everyone's names in a hat, and pulled them out by two, pairing us all up! Very technical, I am!
Your swap partners are::

Mary and Katy
Siobhan and Raylee
Kersandra and Tammy
Mezz and Fiona
Beth and Marianne
Hannapat and Rebecca
(special message at the end of this post just for you 2!)
One of our swap participants, Rebecca, has a 7 year old daughter who would love to do the swap with another young person!! How lovely! If you have a little person who would like to do a swap with her, please let me know via comments and I'll pass on the info to Rebecca!! And yes, that is giving me ideas for the future!! A crafty swap for little people!!
 
Each of you should have an email in your inbox with a few more details.

Mezz xoxo
 
PS- Hannapat and Rebecca, I have paired the two of you as you both would like to make a few less tags. Perhaps you could make 5 for each other?? I also have neither of your email addresses, so please email me mezzcoleman@hotmail.com so I can help the two f you get in touch!!

12.11.13

let's get physical!!!!


There are lots of barriers to exercise for many people.....I certainly have a few. One 'exercise barrier" I have is a super shallow one....ready for it?? I hate sporty clothes. I HATE them. As a vintage dress wearing type of lass, the thought of putting on a pair of Nikes, or Lorna Jean gear makes me feel yuk. I just don't like sporty fitnessy type gear!! I know it's a nuts reason to not exercise, so I've decided to pretty up a few things for my new early morning walk/runs, and get over myself.

Using vintage fabric scraps I sewed a little pocket onto a sweat band so that I can carry my house key while going out for a walk. Cute, and handy! I love the bright pink flowers, they make me happy.
On another sweatband I attached a vintage fabric pocket for my phone, so I can wear it and listen to my Couch to 5km App while exercising. Win.
Paired with a Beatles t-shirt and a vintage head scarf I feel a bit more like myself. Of course, I would prefer to be wearing a pretty dress and red lippy, but I think even I can admit that I would look a right twat running around the neighbourhood at 6.30 am like that!!!

Mezz xox

7.11.13

Indulging versus Nurturing...

Indulge:  to enjoy something desired
Nurture: cherish (a hope, belief, or ambition)
I was very challenged earlier this year by a wonderful book called "The Divided Heart" by Rachel Power. In it, she speaks with many artists who are also mums and reflects back on her different conversations in each chapter. It's a must read for any mother/artist, whatever art form you may create in! I remember one of her interviewees said something along the lines of "women are really good at indulging ourselves, but terrible at nurturing ourselves" and that has really stuck with me these past few months. I think I often confuse the two! 

For instance, sleep. I'm not a morning person...of course I'm not, I'm a muso!! I like staying up late and totally hate waking up early. Yet the reality is I have two kids, including one who needs to be at school at 9am every morning. When I indulge in a sleep in (which I do quite often!) then our mornings are frantic. I get stressed, I rush the kids, sometimes I turn into a crazy screaming lady, I don't have time to deal calmly with the little hiccups that occur between two kids, we forget to return school permission forms and get to school late. You get the picture!! But, on the rare morning when I get up a little bit before the kids, have a quiet cuppa and just a bit of time to myself before the kids wake, it is ALWAYS Good. No exception. Always. Good. So I have to learn that indulging in an extra 40 minutes in bed is no way near as great as nurturing myself and my family by giving myself those precious moments to my self, no matter how much I think I hate mornings.

Here's another one: Food!! I like to indulge!! In fact, this past year has seen me invent my very own diet. I call it the "CH" diet...that is where you generally only eat things starting with a "CH"....cheese, chips and chocolate. It's not a very good diet, I know, and for the first time in my life (as quite a small person who has never had to think too much about my weight,) I've noticed a couple of kgs creep on, and a few favourite dresses not quite fit any more! I know it's because this year when I've been stressed, tired, overwhelmed, in need of some sort of comfort I have indulged myself with food, rather than nurtured myself with food! So what would a nurturing diet look like, I wonder? I have a feeling it would include many earthy foods..lots of things straight from the garden, things that give me energy, things that are full of vitamins, things that make my body and mind feel good!

I have also recognised only recently that I over indulge in technology!! Up until this year, I had resisted things like facebook, twitter, smart phones...I had never heard of Instagram and pod casts! I avoided social media for a long time, but felt that I was starting to "fall behind", so found it important to include some of these things in my life in order to remain connected in. Using social media has actually been great, and more enjoyable then I expected. I feel connected to loved ones, I've built up a larger following for my music and blog, and I can totally see how my recent creative venture "Hundreds and Thousands Magazine" would not have happened at all without the use of social media. But like many people who find a new thing that's kinda fun, I have indulged.... and indulged a lot. I have hardly been able to switch my smart phone off since I got it. I forget to actually enjoy moments, because I'm trying to take photos of them and then I'm busy choosing one to crop, filter and post on Instagram..and when I look up the great moment I just posted online has passed me by. I am often with my kids but not really "with them" because I'm checking something really important like my facebook page for the third time that morning. I have even been known to feel like sewing, but then think "Oh no, I can't because my camera and phone aren't charged", as if creating things is only of any benefit if I can share on the internet what I have made. This is madness!!

But. I know that when I put limits around these things, they can nurture my soul. Sharing things that I really care about with you guys on my blog, checking into facebook occasionally to remain connected, sitting down with a cuppa once the kids are asleep and enjoying all the lovely pics everybody posts on Instagram, rather then constantly looking at it all day!

So, to indulge or to nurture. That is the crossroads that I am currently at. I hope with all my heart that I can day by day consider more ways in which I can nurture myself, rather than indulge. There are so many things I know I can do to nurture my mind, my heart, my creativity, my body, my family!! I need to daily remind myself to choose to nurture, even if it isn't as quick, easy or as instantly gratifying as indulging myself!!

I don't normally write like this on my blog, but I know many of my readers are mums, creatives, women, partners, and I'm really keen to share my thoughts on this with you all, and to also hear what your thoughts are on the matter!!!????

Mezz xoxo

PS Still a few more days if you want to join in with my Christmas gift tag swap!!

4.11.13

A little Christmas gift card swap!! JOIN ME!!


Hello!! Just announcing  a little swap I've decided to host, rolling off the success and fun of the handmade card swap I hosted a few months back.

It's November!! When did this year happen?? I can't believe Christmas is in less than 2 months. I love celebrating Christmas in a handmade kind of way, so I need to get cracking!!

I thought it would be nice to do another "paper craft" swap, but instead of normal sized greeting cards, we could make each other small gift tags to use this year. If you are interest in joining in this Christmas gift card swap, you will need to make and send 15 little gift cards/tags to somebody. That's it!!

Please leave your name and email address below in the comments (or you can email me mezzcoleman@hotmail.com) to let me know if you want to take part. You will have one week to do this. Entries close strictly on November 12th.  I will then pair you up with a  swap buddy and you will need to make 15 gift cards/tags and get them in the post by November 31st!! Sorry to be so tight with the dates, but time is of the essence here, people! Postage shouldn't be too much of a big expense as the tags are quite small and light, so please enter no matter where in the world you might be!

Below are a few images I found online to inspire you and give you an idea of what the swap will be all about!! Please feel free to get thrifty and recycle/up cycle, I think that's great!!

 
 

Speaking of Christmas swaps, I have just signed up over at the lovely Ladybird Diaries blog for her Christmas Decoration Swap. It looks lovely, and if you are a Christmas freak like me, I'm sure you'd love it.

And, if you haven't ordered a copy of my handmade magazine yet, why not do it now!!??? My lovely sis in law Ash has just started writing a great new blog, and she featured a write up on our mag! check it out www.thesquee.com

And below are a few links you can follow to purchase "Hundreds and Thousands"
www.hundredsandthousands.storenvy.com
www.hundredsandthousandsmag.blogspot.com

Mezz xoxox

NB- I'm a bit sad to hear that one or two people who sent cards as part of my handmade card swap never received anything back. These swaps are just a bit of fun, yes, but they also take a lot of time to organise, and a lot of time for each participant to sit down and make things for their partners. I think it's only fair that they receive something nice back!! Please only sign up for this is if you definitely plan to participate!!


30.10.13

Starter Issue of our little handmade mag OUT NOW!!

Just a quick post to let you know that finally the little handmade mag that Taz and I have been working on is ready to buy!! Woohoo!!



Head on over to our online store www.hundredsandthousands.storenvy.com or our blog www.hundredsandthousandsmag.blogspot.com to get your hands on a copy hot off the press!!!!

Hooray for handmade!!

Happy reading

Mezz xoox

28.10.13

eeeeek!!


Can't wait!!

Our little handmade magazine...out on October 31st!!



Taz and I are getting very excited!! Only three more days till our little handmade zine "Hundreds and Thousands" will be ready for the world!! Stay tuned for more details (including how to purchase your very own copy) over the next few days!!

Mezz xoxo

21.10.13

cute op shop finds

Hello!!

I went to a cute little Op Shop in the Western suburbs of Melbourne today (for those who are interested it's called "Lighthouse" and it's in Laverton) and found.....

2 sweet little Vintage dresses,
 
a cool jacket,
 
a cute shirt,
 
very PINK shoes...
 
oh, and another vintage sheet!! Can't resist!!

It's been a happy thrifting day.
Mezz x