My Gift

This is me, taken 11 years ago, I had just turned 30. I was on a crazy wild snowboarding trip in Wanaka, New Zealand and I decided to have a random photo in the snow in my bikini - like you do! (and yes it was freezing)

One month after this photo was taken I was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. My whole world as I knew it changed forever.

I was just saying to someone yesterday how I was given the 'gift' of having cancer at 30. "Wow what a statement" was the response! I was on the wrong life path and this was the only way I was going to become aware - something big had to happen to stop me in my tracks. 

Cancer - an experience I am now grateful for, an experience that I am proud of and would never change, an experience that continues to link to the daily choices I make, and my core values. 

Today I celebrate 11 years of being cancer free! So here I am with my original boobies out (well sort of) for breast cancer awareness month!

OM,



PS: I was a bit hesitant to post this photo coz it is a bit out there, but it is a good representation of the crazy cat I was prior to cancer, and I'm happy to say that part of me hasn't changed! I even have a pic of me topless from this spot too! LOL! At least I have one photo of how I used to look in my natural state before I was reconfigured!!

Messagemark Instagram Love

Polyhedra "Kite Print" - perfect for a boys room.

"Retro Mod" Prints hanging in Moyra's lounge.

Nigel the Kookaburra having an afternoon siesta!

Polyhedra Garland Kit  - Well done Kristy!

At Three Card Trick

Polyhedra Garland in white at Council of Objects

I just did a tag search for "messagemark" on Instagram and found these posts from my customers! I love seeing where my products end up! Thanks for sharing lovely people! 

Toodle-pip,

A fresh face for E for Ethel

I've just completed a brand refresh for my lovely friends Dan and Amanda from Adelaide cafe and gift store "E for Ethel". The design brief was to retain some text elements from their existing logo, and also compliment the look and feel of their newly handpainted window and street signs.

I included a pattern of knitting in the logo set, and kept the tea cup element to link the visual message back the two distinct sides of the business, cafe and hand made products. View all elements of the brand set here>. An enjoyable job to work on with the most gorgeous couple. Now onto the E for Ethel Website!!

Toodle-pip,

New work digs...

After spending the last five years working from home, I decided it was time to mix things up and look for a new environment to work from. Ok that is not totally true... if I am to be 100% honest here, my main motivations to work away from home were:

+ I was starting to feel a bit trapped within the walls of my house
+ I was needing a clearly defined separation between my work, study and home life
+ The days would roll by, weekends would come and go, and I started to feel like I was stuck in one long continuous day
+ Conversations with my cats were becoming more and more interesting - was this a sign of madness or was I simply craving more human interaction?

For those of you who have done the whole work from home thing, you will totally understand it has many benefits, but at the same time can become both challenging and stifling.

I was starting to feel like I was lacking structure and also discipline in my life. There were too many blurred edges - for example, weekends were not weekends anymore, and work was way too accessible and I would catch myself after dinner checking on something or answering an email. I was also beginning to allow clients to contact me after hours as if that was ok too. Over time this kind of balance, or should I say imbalance between work and relaxation time started to take it's toll. Throw full time study into the mix and you have the potential recipe for a complete break down.

So when the opportunity to work in the most awesome creative space with Bek and Tim from  One Small Room was presented to me, I pounced on it! They recently set up business in a character church hall for their overflowing creative endeavors (interior design / architecture, styling, vintage furniture restoration etc) and were kind enough to offer me a corner to work from all styled up and ready to go!

And the best part, when I leave I can totally leave work there and I now have a more balanced home life. It is incredible what this simple change has done for me. I am even enjoying jumping in the car or jumping on the train with work as the destination. The time and space between home and the hall gives me a moment to clear my head and prepare for the day. So different to walking from the kitchen straight to the desk! I have also discovered that I have so much more free time for study and the things I enjoy the most - like chatting to my furry friends.

It is amazing, and quite possibly the coolest creative space west of the city! More central for client meetings too! So it now seems timely to point out when you will find me in my new work digs ...

Business Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 9 – 5pm
4A William Street, Croydon (by appointment)

Here are a few happy snaps of the amazing collection of vintage goodness also sharing the hall space with us...

Toodle-pip,

Published in the UK

Last year I was approached by Sage Publications, a London based publishing house who asked to use one of my illustrations for a book cover. If being paid to use an illustration for a book cover wasn't enough, the title of the book certainly grabbed my attention. I am currently in my second year of studying counselling and psychotherapy! Crazy!

A copy of the finished book arrived in the mail today! The really spooky part... this week at college we will be studying the same topics found in this book. Is the universe trying to tell me something? The way this book has landed in my lap, there are just too many synchronicities to ignore! It's now on my must read list!

The image used on the cover was from my 'Polyhedra' range.

Toodle-pip,

Messagemark at home with Ethel

"Denis the Platypus" |  Photo credit - elle ds Photography

"Balloon Print" | Photo credit - elle ds Photography

A Birthday gift to Ethel from Messagemark | Photo credit - elle ds Photography

Our little 'Denis' the Platypus is hanging out in style at the home of Amanda and Dan from E for Ethel. Check out the home feature by elle ds photography - such a bright and cheerful vibe in each and every room (a reflection of Dan and Amanda's personalities!) Beautiful pics Elle! 

See the whole shoot on Elle's blog here >

Toodle-pip,

My Home

Our Retro Abode

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of meeting Elle from elle ds photography. She popped over for a photo shoot for local publication Dear Eleanor. We hung out for a few hours sipping tea, talking retro finds and camera gear! Here are snippets of our home through Elle's lens.

Always time for Tea

Polyhedra Garland & Nigel the Kookaburra in our Bedroom

Nigel the Kookaburra waiting patiently to be stuffed!

Details in the Messagemark Studio

Hestor the Studio Cat

Our Lounge - Great Vibes!

For more photos of our digs check out Elle's blog post about the shoot, or my Retro Delights Facebook page. 

I really love Elle's eye for photography - do keep her in mind if you are planning a wedding or any other event that you would like beautifully and uniquely recorded.

Toodle-pip,

Christmas Cheer!

Sending Christmas Cheer to you and your loved ones. Thank you for supporting my little business Messagemark throughout 2012. It's been a hoot! Looking forward to bringing you more papery goodness in 2013.

Toodle-pip,

The Do-Gooder

Really happy to be associated with "Do-gooders" in the December 2012 issue of Shop Til You Drop magazine. Don't forget 20% of our online sales are put toward research to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. (Proudly supporting Cure4CF Foundation)

You can shop for our featured "Geometric" print here >

Yay,

New D.I.Y. Cut & Sew Kits...

There are bubbles of excitement in the Messagemark studio as we prepare for the launch of our new product "D.I.Y. Cut & Sew Kits".

We are very much into crafting at home, so we decided to expand our D.I.Y. craft range to include cute sew yourself Dinky-Dye softies. Something a little different again from the Messagemark studio, but this time working with fabric.

To continue the theme of providing human and planet friendly products, our designs are printed onto 100% super soft organic cotton sateen, and the fluffy toy fill provided is made in Australia from recycled plastic water bottles!

 

The toy fill looks, feels and performs in the same way as a high-grade poly fiber, but is completely recycled and non-allergenic. For every 1kg of fiber used, we save around 70 water bottles from ending up in landfill, which puts a smile on my dial! I am so happy that there are suppliers out there coming up with these incredible ways to recycle our rubbish and turn it into a useful product! Awesome!

Keep an eye on the shop for our cute Dinky-Dye characters... available first week of November!

Toodle-pip,