Progress...

Sneaky peeky at one of the concepts for the new collection, tentatively known as 'geometric'.






**PLEASE EXCUSE MY OLD-LADY HANDS! CONSTANT WASHING AND LATEX GLOVES WILL DO THAT TO A GIRLS DIGITS**

This is just the first step in getting the new collection under way, and was more about playing about with a brand new technique. I'm so so so pleased with the results though that I just want to dive head-first into designing the entire collection RIGHT NOW, but of course can do no such thing.

Life inStyle is my current focus and today calls for:
- Picking up printing (catalogues, linesheets, order books)
- Finishing display design
- Finishing fact sheet to go with buyer's pack
- Tagging each item on display with price, code, colour etc

And I also found out during the week that I've been accepted into the quarterly Handmade Market in Canberra, which I've heard is a fantastic market for both buyers and sellers. The first for the year is on the Sunday 28th March (10am - 4pm), so I also have that to look forward to and plan for.

Aside from that, it's the weekend soon! Family days! Swimming lessons! Gardening!

Outfits

I don't know about you, but I've come to the realisation that I wear clothes. Not outfits.

I used to love putting together an outfit in my head - the right shoes, jewellery, bag etc. Now I usually put on a pair of shorts in summer (but I have made an effort this year to get into more skirts. It's been mildly successful) and jeans in winter. Various tops and a necklace or a ring if I'm lucky.

I miss wearing outfits, and I've resolved that this year I'll make some kind of effort each week to wear something a little put-together.

I have to admit, I'm frequently inspired by other bloggers who post their outfits (heart charlie, jena at modish, elsie at A beautiful mess) and would like to think I'll post some of my own outfits throughout the year. But I'm not making any promises. I am quite camera-shy.




But in light of this new-found sartorial enthusiasm, I went out and bought a dress. Well, it was an online purchase so I didn't actually go anywhere. But it was well on sale ($210 down to $40) so it's got that going for it! The label is Sophomore and I found it via Heart Charlie.



Good for autumn maybe?

We like to garden.

(Although not very well, by the looks of the sad, sad grass).




In my defence, this is the front yard which has remained virtually untouched since we moved in. In October. 2008.

The back yard is starting to look fantastic though. Really.

I have to plant some more perennial herbs (sage, mint etc) and put in some more native groundcovers before the end of summer. Then we plan to clear out the entire back section of the garden (if it's full of weeds and the dreaded rhus trees, I guess you can still call it a garden?), put down a slab of crushed granite in one corner, build a big frame to grow passionfruit or wisteria on, build a wood-fired pizza oven (or a fire pit) and convert the rest of the weeded garden into a mini orchard.

Not much really.

Current Challenge

The back is on the mend, thankfully, and after another session or two with the chiro and a couple of visits to the accupuncturist (who is on holidays. how rude!) should see me back to normalish.

So now that I can stay in the one position for more than a minute, my mind has turned to my display for Life inStyle.

The current challenge:

Fitting my entire wholesale range (three collections) into the First inStyle display space, measuring a whopping 108cm x 60cm.

That is approximately this size:



I am a very hands-on, visual learner/thinker (if I ever have to type something out, I first need to write it in full, by hand, and then type it out. Uni assessments were a bitch!) so I decided to get my head around the challenge in the only way I know - I spent a good couple of hours figuring out the best way to use the space by shuffling boxes about and imagining different props/risers that I could use.




Then I measured and drew it all out:




Then I tried to source risers that fit my requirements (probably should have done that first), then I discovered that said risers would cost a ridiculous amount, so then I had my own made up.

They arrived this afternoon and look fantastic, so I will show the set up tomorrow.

(I know I'm a massive nerd, but I have had a couple of people ask me about my preparations for the tradeshow, so I thought I'd show a little of what's been happening.)

Aside from that, I've been doing really boring things like getting my stock levels sorted out and documented so that I know exactly what's on-hand when orders are placed, as well as writing out my production process in full to develop accurate delivery times (info I already had stored in my head, but having it on paper will make the training process so much easier when I hire some help this year).

Rather excitingly though, I have also been working on the new jewellery collection (samples on their way) and the newer than new, very exciting home accessories line! Jewellery is absolutely my passion, but the techniques I use and the aesthetic of my work lends itself to bolder, more decorative uses too, and I've been working through the how's and the why's for a long time. It's great to be getting somewhere!

Ugh.

I have hurt my back. Bad.

And that means I can't sit at the computer (or anywhere for that matter) any longer than a couple of minutes at a time. So blog posts will be a little thin on the ground for the next while. Sorry!

This, of course, is fabulous timing. Sparky is flat-chat at work, Isy is STILL teething, I have a million and one last-minute things to do for Life in Style and I'm in the middle of building my inventory to an acceptable level after the Christmas Decimation.

Excellent excellent.

I hope you have a much better week!
Brooke x

Speaking of Gorgeous...

Sally has started stocking the most delightful range of little'uns clothing by Brusselsprouts and I have decided that this. dress. is. gorgeous.

Little Isy and her blue blue eyes will look scrumptious in this peacock dress.



Gorgeous, no?

Creative Overdrive

This year will be the year that I learn to sew. Something. Anything really. I'd be happy to sew straight. Just some straight lines in fabric. That would be tops.

The jewellery started out as a hobby but has passed that stage (rather significantly) and now I feel I need a hobby-hobby to stretch my creative muscle in another direction.

I'm currently inspired by Ruby at cakies and Rachel from Smile and Wave and their effortless crafty-mama chicness, as personified in these gorgeous sewn love notes from Ruby:




I'm also smitten with the chevron print that's popping up all. over. the. place. (I know, maybe a little late to jump on that bandwagon). But it's such a classic print that I can't help myself.

As I think I mentioned a while back, Sparky and I plan to paint a canvas or two to decorate the new living room and I'm thinking something like this, from Jess at Make Under My Life might be a go-er.




I think we'd go grey or *maybe* a matte silver though.

I'm feeling very creative at the moment. The timing is a little poor though as preparations for Life in Style are at a fever-pitch. I'm sure it'll stick around until March though...