Collaborate for a Cause

Over the last few months I have been working on a few projects for Collaborate for a Cause - a charity auction held on Facebook.  The aim of 'Collaborate for a Cause' is to promote friendship, understanding & fun throughout the facebook handmade community, while raising money for worthy causes.

I have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic women this year and I absolutely LOVE the items that we've created.

My first collaboration is with Lucid Doll and Schooled Up Hair Accessories.  We have each created a butterfly inspired piece, with all proceeds going to Mums Like Me.  I just love how they all look together.  :)

My next two collaborations are with Liz from Emit Photography and Design... all proceeds from these auctions will be going to Ronald McDonald House - Newcastle.  These collaborations were a little different. I took this canvas design....

and turned it into fabric!  Liz then made a satchel and notebook cover with it... I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time, but when you can't sew like me, it's a bit hard.  I think this has definitely motivated me to learn though!

And here is my second collaboration with Liz from Emit Photography and Design...  it also features a canvas design of mine which has been put on fabric.

The auction starts this Friday night (27th July) at 8pm and goes until 8pm on Sunday night, so there is plenty of time for you to bid.  Make sure you stop by and check out the Collaborate for a Cause Auction album as there are some absolutely FABULOUS one-off items up for grabs.

July 123 Challenge

Time for another 123 Challenge!  Now you could say I'm a little bit late, but I could also be a bit early... more Creative Team examples (including mine) will be on the 123 Challenge blog on the 15th.  Winners for last month will also be announced then so make sure you check back!

This month's criteria are:

WORD: MY

COLOUR: PURPLE

TECHNIQUE: USE CHEVRON!

And here is my example..

I've seen the chevron pattern used just about everywhere the last few months but had never used it myself.... I must say I'm liking it.  I think I need a chevron stamp... I might even have a go at making one myself.  :)

Catching my breath

The last couple of months I seem to have a recurring thought going through my head each day - "I didn't get much done today".... it seems like my "to-do" list never gets any shorter.  There are always so many things I want/need to get done... some things have been on the "list" for a long time now, but new more exciting/more important/NEED to be done things keep popping up.

But when I take a step back and look at what I have actually achieved over the last 3 months, it's actually quite a lot.  I've created over 25 new original paintings, sourced and made bracelets and pendant necklaces, designed and printed my own greeting cards, even created a few other one-off items.  I've been a stall holder at The Mummy Tree Markets (my biggest market so far) and lined up even bigger opportunities and events.  I've done all of this while the kids/myself have been sick and still adjusting to this big move of ours, we've also found a house to buy and been researching everything we need to renovate it.

So I've come to the conclusion that I need to stop being so hard on myself on a daily basis.  Even if I just manage to do one little thing each day... all those little things eventually add up.  I am REALLY looking forward to the next couple of months.... it's going to be crazy busy and a lot of work, but I can't wait for the end results.  I can't wait until the end of the year when I can sit back and really enjoy all that we have worked towards.

You will notice a few changes happening on my blog over the next few weeks as I update a few things and add an online store!  Keep an eye out on my Facebook page for the official launch!

And I'll be back soon with this month's 123 Challenge! :)