Sending Christmas Cheer

Well the silly season is upon us...so sending you some Christmas cheer for a wonderful festive season full of fun and laughter.

I am proud to say that over the past two months we have raised a total donation of $340 for Cure4CF.  When products are purchased from our online store, Messagemark makes a 20% donation to Cure4CF Foundation.

It is exciting to see this donation grow from small beginnings in 2009. Every little bit helps, so I thank everyone who bought our paper products from our online shop - you contributed to a great cause!

During the Chrissy and New Year period, the Messagemark online shop will still be open, however there may be a slight delay in delivery due to running on a skeleton staff member (me!) from 24th December to 10th Jan 2011. I will do what I can to deliver your cards within 7 working days, but do apologise in advance if there are any delays.

Wherever you are, however you celebrate your Christmas, I wish you peace, joy and happiness!

Substitute Tree

This is my substitute Christmas Tree. My real tree is currently sitting in the window at the Messagemark Studio, so I had to come up with an alternative for home. I had this mannequin standing in the corner of the lounge so thought I might as well decorate it! So one Christmas wreath, a few decorations and lights, and there you have it - our place now looks a bit more festive!

balsa wood mini tree

If you have a spare couple hours before Christmas and feel like doing something crafty, I discovered this ingenious balsa wood tree over at Design*Sponge. The full tutorial including photographic step by step instructions can be found here. (Thanks Design*Sponge, we love you!)

Unfortunately I have run out of time to make this myself, so maybe next year. My Christmas tree is currently sitting in the window at the Messagemark studio, so I have to come up with a quick alternative for home. Will post photos next week when I work out what to do!

Christmas Lights

Denis and I spent a bit of time at the studio today. We got a few niggly jobs completed - rearranged the layout in the studio, sorted and organised, mopped the floors, a quick product photo shoot, and finally put up some branding on the front windows (courtesy of The Alphabet Tree). My genius husband mounted some led lights in the window to create a soft ambient glow on my Christmas display. So now just a tad more external signage and the studio is finally complete.

Just planning my next window display. I think it might have to feature the new range that I'm launching next month.

Prop Envy

I had my friend Georgia over this week to do a photo shoot of her gorgeous linocut prints for some promo material. Many of Georgia's prints feature retro styled interiors so I delved into my wooden trunk full of retro goodness, and pulled out a heap of objects to use as props alongside the prints.

Georgia has a visual merchandising background and inspired me by the way she was arranging everything. I found myself looking at my random belongings through different eyes, and now am determined to find new homes for them around my lounge room. So the wooden trunk has a new name - the Prop Box! The props complimented Georgia's designs so well and she did say that she had Prop Envy!

Next project...we are going to do a photo shoot just for fun of all my retro collections to add to my Retro Delights Website. Maybe a fun task for the holidays.

Feeling Joyful

I'm having a joyful day today. I woke up to a lovely message from a customer who recently purchased a print and some Christmas cards from our online store. This is what they had to say...

Hi Kyrie,
I started to write out my Christmas cards tonight. I am not just saying this, but I am so impressed by the quality of the cards. They are so beautifully smooth to write on. I never buy cheap cards, but even compared to the expensive ones I have bought in the past, yours are a cut above the rest. I just wanted to pass on this very sincere feedback for a beautiful, quality product you are delivering. 
Thank you so much! With my best regards, Emma

That gives me warm fuzzies inside! Thanks Emma!

Shop4Kids Feature

Yay my friend Mardi from Little Luv and I (Messagemark) were both featured in the latest issue of Shop4Kids Mag! We feel the Messagemark retro inspired range of wall art really compliment Little Luv's Birdy Mobiles and Nonite Owls made from vintage fabrics.

Xmas Arts Market 2010

The inaugural West End Xmas Arts Market and Carnivale comes to town for one day only! We invite you to celebrate Xmas in the West End. (also your last chance to grab some Christmas cards from Messagemark!)

What: West End Christmas Arts Market & Carnivale 
When: Sunday December 19th | 12pm - 8pm (last Sunday before x-mas) 
Who: Adelaide West End Association and Casablabla 
Why: Because it's difficult to get a unique and interesting Christmas present!

The Adelaide West End Association, in conjunction with Casablabla, Flightpath Architects, Weathersafe Shades, Mojo Inc , La Bomba , Adelaide City Counciland ABAF, invite you to what is set to become an Adelaide institution, the inaugural West End Christmas Arts Market & Carnivale.

On Sunday, December 19th a beautiful cobbled street in Adelaide's West End will be transformed into a thriving christmas market place reminiscent of the alleyway bazaars of Sao Paolo and Marrakesh. Leigh Street will be closed to traffic for the day.

Historic Leigh Street will host the West End Christmas Arts Market & Carnivale, including 30 hand-picked stalls selling quality merchandise for the discerning Christmas shopper.

Shoppers will be treated to the sounds, colours and flavours of latin-inspired live entertainment with delicious multicultural cuisine inspiring and delighting every palate.

This is a family-friendly event, with The Stage Shop providing activities for the kids throughout the day, including live performances and even African drumming workshops for Mum and Dad.

With a highly unique and enjoyable festival atmosphere, the West End Christmas Arts Market & Carnivale will take the chore out of Christmas shopping. Get ready to knock off that special someone's gift and kick back and enjoy live music and delicious food into the warm summer evening! More details of the program are available from the AWEA website:

Entertainment for the day includes:
Brazza,
Akoustic Odyssey,
New White Sneakers
Tropico
Belly dancers, Brazilian show girls, Bollywood dancers, La Bomba salsa crew
and more....

Beautiful Visions

 

I've been drawn into this beautiful creation. Using animation, projections and her own moving shadow, Miwa Matreyek performs a gorgeous, meditative piece about inner and outer discovery. Do check it out and take a quiet 10 minutes and dive in.

Online Polaroid Maker

If you've ever wished you had a Polaroid Camera to play with then here is the coolest app. I found this via Little Paper Lane (thanks Jayde). It's a small application for Mac or PC that is so simple to use. Drag and drop your JPEG images onto the little camera and a little Polaroid appears on your screen. Be patient though, you have to wait for the image to develop just like the real thing!

The result, an authentic looking pic. See some more photo samples here or download for FREE at Poladroid.

Get Christmas Sorted

It's on again, Australia's pop-up shop and it's coming to Adelaide for the second time! Messagemark are all stocked up with their gorgeous Christmas card range, unique wall art, and a couple new surprise products. Magnolia Square is the perfect opportunity to stock up for Christmas with some Australian labels that you can't easily find in Adelaide stores.

Lollipop Debrief

It was a spectacular day yesterday at the launch event of Lollipop Markets... Nearly 2000 people through the doors, an awesome range of local product made by some very talented "Work at Home" SA mums, and best of all, they raised a total of $1646 for the Childhood Cancer Association through a gold coin donation at the door. Fantastic. A couple of Adelaide labels that I discovered yesterday at the market definitely worth a mention...

FOX & FEATHERS

PIPSQUEEK DESIGN

 

 BE LOVERLY

NEW! CD Cards

If you are 'snap happy' with your digital camera then you are likely to be the kind of person who loves sharing your digital photos. Introducing the CD Card - our unique card designed for sharing digital media - photos, videos, files and music.

I came up with the concept when I burnt photos to disc for a friend following a party, and then wondered what nice package should I put the disk in? And so the CD Card was born!

Of course the CD Card doubles as a greeting card so you can include your own personal message. Our CD Card looks more like a gift, so is the perfect package to share precious memories.

This weekend at Lollipop Market we will be selling CD cards for the special introductory market price of $5 each (normally RRP $7.00)

Some ideas on how you could use the CD card...
• Make a special present for a friend by creating a compilation CD of your favourite music.
• Share photos after an event i.e. wedding, birthday, anniversary, christening, etc.
• Send files to a client with a personal message
• Create your own short movie and send copies out in a CD Card
• Burn your creative portfolio to disc and package in a CD Card
• Burn your product catalogue to CD for posting to customers
• Have the CD card personalised with your business logo

CD Cards include a printable blank CD and a special CD dot to hold the CD in position. Buy online...

Please shrink me...

 

 

The Nov/Dec issue of Frankie Magazine features a gorgeous dolls house collection by Georgia Smith. This caught my eye being a lover of all things miniature and retro. Georgia has furnished her dolls house with a collection of furniture sourced offshore on eBay - unfortunately this kind of thing just isn't available in Australia. Maybe there is a market there...Mmmmm!

Please shrink me so I can play in this house!

Studio Eco

Studio Eco is definitely my cup of tea! All the products stocked in the studio have have passed strict guidelines for 'greenness' of a product. 

The fab product range includes paintings, wall hangings, cushions, furniture, lighting and jewellery. Studio Eco also stock a gorgeous selection of children's products such as paints, playdough, furniture, high chairs and room accessories. Messagemark is very pleased to be now added to this list of earth friendly products!

Studio Eco shares space with sustainable designer/maker Ben Manning (from Utopian Creations) who makes all types of jewellery from silver collections that are great for gifts, to ring remodeling, engagement and wedding rings. You may be lucky enough to see Ben hard at work in the jewellery workshop when you pop in for a visit.

Studio Opening Hours
Tuesday-Friday 9-5pm
Saturday 10-5pm

Online: www.studioeco.com.au
Phone: (08) 8331 2272

Christmas Window Display

I've been working on my Christmas display at the Messagemark Studio and ended up pegging a row of Chrissy prints together for the backdrop in the window. The Christmas tree is covered in lights and my 2010 range of gift tags...And presents, of course you need presents under the tree! Empty boxes wrapped in natural recycled paper, trimmed with a contrasting colour paper stripe and cotton twine wrapped around numerous times. Not forgetting a gift tag to complete the package!

And if you are looking for an alternative to framed prints, try using a wooden trouser hanger (from IKEA)  - a great idea for a display or signage at a market.

Lollipop Markets - Christmas Launch

 

Lollipop Markets is a brand new and exciting market for Adelaide showcasing unique, boutique and handmade items or of limited supply for expecting parents, babies, children, Mums and Dads.

Working behind the scenes to bring Lollipop to Adelaide's west, Bree, Nicole and Kaye have left no stone unturned. I have been totally impressed watching from the sidelines their attention to detail and creative ideas when organising this event.

The special Christmas Lollipop Market is opening it's doors for the first time at 10am on Sunday 14th November. Do come along, start your Christmas shopping, have lunch and watch the kids get involved in the free entertainment.

Messagemark will be selling their quirky range of Christmas cards made in South Australia. And you may find a few new surprise products too...

Hello Hestor!

 

 
I love cats, and haven't had one since I was a kid. The trouble is I am actually allergic to them! So for years I have always befriended the neighbours cats! The great thing is we have always lived next door to really cool cats with great personalities.

We decided it was time to get our own but wanted to wait till it felt like the right cat came along. I just knew there was a cat out there that would be needing a home.

Meet Hestor. I found Hestor via Facebook, a friend I met through facebook was moving house and couldn't take Hestor with them. I just knew straight away that Hestor was the one!

We brought him home last weekend, and after a few days of being a bit weary, Hestor has now totally settled in. He is such a sweetie, can do clever things with his paws (like open cupboards) and it has been wonderful to see his little personality develop as he has become more comfortable in his new environment.

It's only been a week but we really love Hestor!

Pic 1 - Big beautiful green eyes
Pic 2 - Hestor in stealth mode as he explores his new environment.

Good Honest Design

The Honesty Box is a new business delivering fresh fruit boxes to corporates around Auckland CBD. A cool business concept, but what caught my eye is their branding. Love the look and feel of their logo, the colour pallet, fonts and product display. Semi retro yet fresh! Of course good design coming out of New Zealand again! Absolutely nailed it!

 

As seen on NZ's Best Design Awards and The Honesty Box website.

Keyline Prints

My friends daughter Lucy made a special effort to carefully colour in her keyline owl print from Messagemark. What a wonderful job of keeping within the lines! I thought it was definitely worth a feature on my blog!

Keyline prints are sold with a wooden hanger at markets for only $15. A great gift for kids, or big kids alike. Retain the mono design or colour in to suit your own taste!

Follow the Little Paper Lane

Yay, Messagemark can now be found in NSW! The owner of Little Paper Lane, Jayde Leeder is completely obsessed with beautiful stationery, and for a long time it was her dream to have a shop that simply sells paper, gifts and cards. Jayde's dream was realised when Little Paper Lane opened its doors this year and she now happily spends time finding talented designers who create unique cards and stationery.

Jayde and I found each other on Facebook, so I'm excited and happy to now have Messagemark available in this gorgeous little paper shop. A must visit if in the Mona Vale area.

Opening Hours
Mon-Fri: 10am-5.30pm
Sat: 10am-4pm
Sun: Closed

Online: www.littlepaperlane.com.au
Phone: (02) 8407 9204

my new purchases

After all my hard work leading up to the Bowerbird Bazaar, I decided to treat myself to a couple of goodies from my fellow creative friends... after all, it is impossible to leave Bowerbird empty handed!

Delilah Devine cute retro wallpaper Kookaburra Brooch. Come on let's make our quirky Aussie animals the latest trend - I'm tired of does, rabbits, owls!

Sisken gorgeous and practical leather purse.

Naomi Murrell trio of birds to hang on my wall. These have been on my shopping list for ages!