It is what's on the inside that counts

I truly believe that on all levels.  Often a person may not look attractive until you get to know them.  Knowing what's on the inside can change how a person looks altogether.  

I also think that a purse lining should be as beautiful on the inside as the outer fabric.  Why would you bother, do I hear you ask?  Well, I like to think that a beautiful  Map 29  purse lining will make the owner smile every time the purse is opened.  It is like a secret between the purse and the owner that makes the owner feel special.

By the way, I haven't got around to taking down the sale sign on my the Map 29 online shop for all customised products with the exception of compact mirrors, magnets and badges.  If you would like some lining advice or would like me to e-mail you some swatches, just click the contact me link on the website.

Get Christmas Sorted Grand Sale

Map 29 is having a pre Christmas Website Sale this week.

Take $20 off customised products

excluding compacts, magnets & BAdges. 

Postage is free.  

www.map29.bigcartel.com

Frocks & Fascinators

There are some clever peeps in this world and I met  a number of them in a little photography workshop I ran as part of the "Make Craft your Business" at the Thornbury Women's Neighbourhood House.  

One of the attendees, Katie Marley  of "Frocked" makes Fascinators.   I couldn't resist this little white one to wear to a Ball.  I loved the piece for its true simplicity as opposed to the more flamboyant styles seen during the spring racing season.

Katie's talents don't end there.  She also makes stunning hand dyed and printed hoisery.  You can view more of Katie's work and shop here.

Not sure what to buy your guy for Christmas?

Map 29 have some great gifts for guys.  You can choose from a media case, spectacle case and GPS Case all for $50 or under from the Map 29 Generic Range.    If you want to buy something extra special, why not buy your guy a customised Map 29 product?  Map 29 can print almost any map in Australian Capital Cities and most country towns.  A customised Map 29 gift always creates lively conversation under the Christmas tree.

It is all about portion control & giveaway goodness

If you are like me and like at least one sizeable piece of cake when times are... well.. not so calm.  This little magnet or compact mirror helps me do the sensible woman check before the cake lives on my hips forever!

These words of  wisdom are now in the Map 29 shop in the form of a compact mirror for $8.00 or a fridge magnet for $4.00.

I also have three magnets to give away.  Just leave a comment on my blog about what you do to keep calm.

I can sew something other than a purse ......

I was starting to get a bit worried that I couldn't!  I bought a new whizz bang Janome sewing machine last year and all I ever sewed on it was straight stitch!  To make matters worse, I accidentally threw the manual in the recycling!  

This what the pattern looks like.    The frock is to wear to a ball tomorrow night.  I figured that what I saved on the frock, I could spend on shoes..... so I bought two pairs.  Just in case.

Meeeooow Pussycat Black have opened a new shop

I first discovered Pussycat Black in a Brunswick side street and it was love at first sight.   Pussycat Black is owned by the lovely Bettina. The shop stocks over 30 independent Australian designers and artists including Dot and Herby, Betty Jo Designs, Victoria Mason and Milk from a Thistle to name just a few. All products are made with love in Australia. 

Pussycat Black have recently opened a new shop in Melbourne City right near the Queen Victoria Market.

Hmmmm.. about here.  Just look for the black pussycat on the map....

Have you seen this cute little zine?

Bespoke Zine is a lovely little zine all about handmade, vintage, photography, art, micro-business, eco-friendly goodness and much more – all in a sweet little A5 sized package that you can take anywhere!

Issue 1 is been released on 18 October and has a great line up.......

Thrive – Rainbow Revolution

Beautiful Blogs - An interview with Liss Winnel of Daydream Lily

Crafty Up-cyclers Feature - Liana Kabel, Kitty Came Home, and Betty Jo Designs

Vintage Crafts - Macrame!

Tutorials - Mixed-Media Book and Carmelita Brooch

On the Rise – Jessica Ruisan

Art Feature – benconservato

Featured Creative & Art Giveaway – 74 Lime Lane (buyers of the print copy get a free mini-print from 74 Lime Lane to take out and put up on your wall!)

Crafty Business – Writing Compelling Product Descriptions & Branding your Biz

Well worth a good read I say.  You can order from the website or from a stockist near you.

Progress so far

I've been working on a cardigan for Isis for about a week now.  This certainly isn't a social project due to the lace pattern.  I've been knitting the cardigan on the couch whilst "watching" TV.  Well, Pete translates what's on TV because I can't look!  I'm knitting with Noro Silk Garden which is a mixture of silk, mohair and lambswool. Let's hope the tension is right.....You can get some great deals on Noro Yarns at Little Knits run by the lovely Fulay.  The thing that impresses me most about this store is that I always get a postage refund if I've paid too much postage. 

New Map 29 products for the boys (and girls too)

Do you find men hard to buy for?  I often panic in mid November about what to buy for Pete.  His birthday falls a week before Christmas.  Finding gifts that don't look like they are combined (his pet hate) is easier said than done.

I thought I'd make life a bit easier for everyone this year and introduce two new Map 29 products for guys at a nice price point.  Introducing the Map 29 Media Case and the squeezey spectacle case.

The top of the squeezey glasses case has a flexible internal frame that allows easy access to your glasses whilst keeping them secure at the same time. The case will take big bug eyed sunglasses (like mine) and the narrower reading style. It is well padded for extra protection. The case measures 18cm x 8cm. I can customise the lining to suit both sexes. The customised version retails for $70 with the same map on both sides or $75 for a different map on each side. 

The media case is well padded for extra protection and measures 13.5 cm x 10cm. The case has a special squeezey frame for easy access. The frame will also close securely enough to hold spare change if needed. The media case will hold an i phone, Blackberry, i pod or digital camera with ease. The customised version of the media case retails for $70 with same map on both sides or $75 for a different map on each side.

I almost forgot to mention that there is free postage on all Map 29 website orders until Christmas.

Thinking about starting a craft business?

Image remains the property of Betty Jo Designs

Thornbury Women's Neighbourhood House are hosting a series of seminars for women interested in starting craft business in September.  The course will be facilitated by local women who are successfully running their own craft business.

One of the guest speakers is the lovely Liz Jones the creative mind behind Betty Jo Designs and Find, Make, Do. 

Liz designs and creates unique, one-of-a-kind jewellery and time pieces.They are all crafted from funky vintage lino,recycled laminex, gorgeous pre-loved buttons and pretty embroidered doilies and tapestries that someones grandma lovingly stitched.  Liz transforms these forgotten pieces of domestic bric-a-brac into keepsake brooches, pendants and clocks with the memories loving attached. All handmade with LOVE in Melbourne, Australia.

You can find out more about the craft seminars, dates and times here.  If you would love a Betty Jo creation for yourself and be the envy of all your friends, you can buy a one off creation here or here.  Oh, and Map 29 will be presenting at the seminar too.

Election Goodness (and I don't mean the voting).......

I love an Election - not any particular part, but the whole shebang (is that how you say it?)

The voting is just a small part.  No election would be complete without the cake stall, sausage sizzle and a craft stall.  I was lucky enough to be in charge of the latter.  A big thank you to all the voters and parents who supported our stalls at Brunswick North PS.  It is so nice to see people loving handmade goodies.  Above is a selection of what we had for sale.  Now we wait for the result......

I thought that this was fitting under the cirucmstances?

Canberra City is rather a pretty map don't you think?  It is hard to believe that so much hot air could come out of a gorgeous map like this one.

On a more serious note, I'm busily expanding and designing my new generic map range which will be available on my website as of 1 September.  Also check the lovely Map 29 stockists for their special range.

A little reminder that customised Map 29 products increase in price as of 1 September.  So... if you have a special gift in mind, you can still order at the old price until 31 August.  Generic Map 29 products will remain the same price.

Have a splendid day :).
AMx

Map 29 in New York!

 The lovely Goddess Vita is enjoying a vacation in New York and she took something special along when dining in Little Italy......

You can read more about Vita's adventures here.

8 reasons why map love is good for you

1. They show you the way.
2. Maps now come in the form of a GPS that tell you where to go in a nice voice (if you know what I mean).....
3. GPS Maps tell you where to go before you turn the corner on a one way street.
4. Maps are a piece of art in their own right.
5. Old Maps (and locations) are a piece of nostalgia.
6. Maps come in many forms from treasure maps to a pocket street directory.
7. Following a map is an adventure.
8. Maps give you a sense of security in a foreign place.

Welcome to the new Map 29 Blog!

Welcome to my new map obsessed blog.

To celebrate, I'm giving the first six people who subscribe to the Map 29 blog a customised Compact mirror.

Thanks so much for visiting.  Please return soon....
Ann Marie xx