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.