AWARD

A big thanks to Julie from We've Got Paper who gave me this gorgeous award. It's so nice to know that these appreciation awards are still getting passed around, I always love it when I get one!

So now it's my turn to do the same!

Rules:
*Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
*Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
*Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are the blogs I've chosen to receive this nice award:

1. A Drawing Journal
2. Annette Quirke
3. Art Fan Ako
4. ArtMind
5. Avlor's Imprints
6. ChinkyMel's Corner
7. Clare's Craftroom
8. DeannaMaree Hearts
9. Elegant Bloggery
10. Grosgrain
11. Lilley Handcrafted Loveliness
12. Mithi's Creative Journey
13. take nothing but polaroids
14. The Candy Shoppe
15. Whimsy

Go check them out now! They're all very special!

Mel xx

Take One Minute

For the past couple of weeks, things have been quite stressful and sad for me, and the people around me. We've gone through some tough moments and will go through more tough moments in time to come. Diseases, sicknesses, hospital trips and tragic accidents have been a few of the things that have happened to good people I know and have affected a lot of loved ones around me. I think everyone out there has gone through some or most of these things, or know those who have.

I've grown to realise and appreciate every minute I am alive on this earth. Every minute you're able to breathe is so precious and I thank God that I am able to wake up tomorrow. And I'm thankful for loved ones around me who are also able to do the same.

I want everyone to do something for me right now. Just take one minute and text message or give a quick call to your partner, mum, dad, sisters, brothers, anyone you love in your life and just tell them you love them. Just spend one minute writing a simple "I love you" text message to those loved people around you. We don't say it enough to each other, and you never know when those people will have their last minute on this earth. Don't have any regrets, don't wait til tomorrow and don't hold any grudges. Time is precious.

Bobo in Neverland

It's been a while since I posted the next paperdoll outfit for Bobo. And since she's absolutely obsessed with the story of Peter Pan, what better outfit than a Peter Pan outfit!

Let's hope she never grows up!

Please note: this is only to be used for personal use and not for commercial use.

4th January 2010

A little while ago I told you guys that I'm designing a diary date page for the 2010 diary project which is run by the fabulous Lucy. Go here if you can't remember what I'm talking about.

Well, the design has finally been finished and here it is! The real one will actually be in black and white but I wanted to show you guys how I designed it in colour! It was so much fun designing this and I'm so excited to see the final completed diary with all the other amazing artists around the world!

The diary won't be printed until sometime in September though so I've got a while to wait!

Better late than never!

It's taken me ages to finally post this but hoorah!! I call this style of this drawing - light and fluffy because it's so incredibly cute in a quirky way! This drawing I did months ago inspired by the lovely tale of Billy Goats Gruff has finally been posted in my store! Apologies to all who has been waiting for this to come out!! You get 5 postcards in this posting - go to my store for more details!

Sorry that it's been a while for me to post something about my artwork! I've been thinking about getting more into doing stationery work and am in the process of doing up some cute designs for notepads, to-do-lists, note cards, letter paper, envelopes, invites and announcements. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM I've found however is how long it takes to print and ship each design/drawing I do!!!! (about 3-4 weeks - I get them professionally printed - I find my printer at home just does not cut it with the quality I want.) So, I've found a solution (which a lot of other etsy sellers have already started doing!!) and that's to sell PDF designed templates so that all you have to do is print it out yourself on what ever surface/paper/texture you want!!! I may decide to print some of the most popular ones later down the track though!

I'll let you guys know how I'm doing!!

xx

Something Special

The winner of my poster print giveaway, Linda sent me this gorgeous photo of her FREE poster print. It looks absolutely stunning framed and hung on her wall. This is what she said is the meaning behind the photo:

"My meaning behind this photo represents the old and aged, rather all the pain I've experienced in my life where it's taking it's toll on my body & mental state, but the rose represents my soul as strong with Faith despite the pain! I also love the textures and colors this photo shows. I think it's so beautiful in an artistic way with so much sentiment and meaning."

I absolutely agree with her! The different textures working together - brick, wood and flowers. It's like a snippet of a much bigger photo or story - Linda's story.

To read more about her story, go to her own blog here. It's fascinating and interesting and won't disappoint. She is incredibly talented and has her own esty shop. It's filled with cute handmade sculptures of the most precious animals. My favourite are the dogs! For every item that she sells, she gives 1.00 to Pet Smart. So what are you waiting for? Go check out her sites now!