Merry Christmas

Wow what a year it has been for myself and everyone else. Don't know about all of you but this year seems to have flown and my head reels with what I have done and achieved and my family.

My elephants have been my support and passion lately and thrilled that they have gone to so many other happy homes. My hobby has grown bigger and better than I could have imagined and its all thanks to the great support I have had from Family and friends.

I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a safe one. And lets hope 2012 is a fantastic year for us all. xxx

New Work Area

I am usually spread from one end to the other with my sewing and craft and it made every thing look so messy. My husband and I couldn't stand it.  But our house is small and with no spare room to set it up. 

So we did some rearranging and this is so much better. I actually feel more organized and will be able to find everything as it all has a place now. Some pictures on the wall and I will have a cosy functional work area to create and make. xxx

Husband and wife are Kid Free for One Night.

Our daughter is on her first birthday sleep over and as excited as she was, she had her bag packed a week ago.

Us we were nervous, but eventually excited as we would be able to have a kid free night.  The first in many many years. What to do what to do. Yep go out and have a nice meal and a adult conversation with no one to butt in. Well we were both so exhausted from work but wanting to go out, couldn't do it.
How sad is that. But we ended up having a beautiful delivered meal and drinks with some adult conversation (although what we talk about was not important).

Isn't  it funny how you and your husband can forget how to talk to each other when you have a little one around to comment or just listening. Its like starting all over again, discovering and learning new things about each other, mind you we didn't learn anything new about each other like we probably should have. But all in all, we had a lovely meal and just good company with each other. What more can you ask for. Although we will be happy to have our daughter back tomorrow. Hope she is having a great time xxx.

Australia Zoo

What a beautiful and fun day we had at Australia Zoo with some of our friends today. We haven't been to the zoo since Bella was about 3. And we had to admit the atmosphere wasn't the same and also with the economy the way it is at the moment they are struggling. But we still had a great time seeing the crocodiles, and my favorite animal was the elephants and my daughters favorite was the piglets in the 'Kids Zoo'

A Love letter to Mum.

Don't you just love it when your child writes you a lovely letter. so touching, warm and makes you feel whole as a mother. Its priceless. xxxx

My Elephants.

I can't get enough of these. Love them. xxxx

Being A Mumprenuner

I have been asked by a few people to write about being a mumpreneur, in which I have done with a little editing from a friend. So here you have it. Enjoy. xxxx

I am a wife to a supportive and loving husband and a mum to a beautiful daughter.  I struggled academically at school, but always had a strong passion for creating. My first explosion of inspiration came to me as a child, as I spent endless hours with my mother who taught me how to sew. 

My sewing journey continued at boarding school where we were encouraged to participate in various events outside the school.  My biggest accomplishments were in 1992  in Textiles and Design, an outfit was entered into the Armidale (NSW) “Wearable Wool Awards” I was awarded 2nd for commercial pattern. In 1993 I won the design in category encouragement award at the Stanthorpe Wool Designer Awards.

Emma Makers Designs, you will find I have utilized my favorite drawings and transferred them to screen prints.  In my pass time, I enjoy doodling, and drawing, over the years I have tucked many away.  I am constantly working on improving and creating what I love doing best and that is providing the best product to my clients to enjoy over the years.  I have branched out to soft toys, baby mobiles and bags.  I am excited to say I have more products in the pipeline, and cannot wait to share with all my fans. I also find that my friends and family are behind my inspiration as they give me lots of encouragement to keep going and that my work is unique and an example of me and who I am.


Being a Mumpreneur.  I Love the fact that I have the flexibility to pick my daughter up from school, come home and be able to help her with homework and spend that quality time with her that most full time mums are not able to.  Our children grown up so fast and I want to be there for every precious moment, as I only have one.


What would I tell mums wanting to start their own business. – That is difficult as I know there are so many mums who would prefer to stay at home to be with their children,  but also have the ability to run a business from home, that would provide an income or to assist their partners financially.
If you are thinking of entering this creative domain, then I think if you have a dream and are passionate about that dream it needs to be a product that showcases your own individual talent that outshines the rest. Stick to your dream, believe in yourself and have a plan of action. You may have some difficulties, but never give up they are learning experiences.  Friends and family are great sounding boards, and provide the honest feedback and support to keep us motivated and positive to achieve the best we can.


Being part of a good networking group is also beneficial and useful as
It is a common place for like-minded people to express their concerns within the industry, but also for the amazing support and respect, they provide for you as an individual and for your product.

There are many contacts that you can focus on being a part of. Now with internet media it is much more accessible to find these at your fingertips or by word of mouth by networking.  I find by being a part of these networking groups I have the respect and acknowledgement from my peers in the community about my passion for creating beautiful products to clients, as I have the utmost respect and admiration to my fellow peers, who I consider my friends! 

Dear Tooth Fairy....

My daughter had been telling me for days that her tooth was almost ready to come out. Picked her up from school yesterday and on the way home she once again told me, and said today was the day, and I nodded agreeing (thinking that I wish it would hurry up).

Surely enough she comes in an hour or so later and bursts into tears as I asked what was wrong. My tooth fell out, and I said 'Halalouya, finally'. Then I had to ask why all the tears as I give her a cuddle.
'I swallowed it', she says. I burst out laughing and called her a silly duff and not to worry, but no miss serious here gets cranky with me and tells me its not funny, and how is the tooth fairy going to know? I quickly pulled myself into line and said the magical words that would solve the issue, which is to write the fairy a letter and explain it, she will understand, and they are magical and know everything you know. It will be OK.

I later went into her room and saw beside her bed the little fairy light on and all ready with her tooth fairy book and letter all set up, - so sweet I thought to myself.
                                  
                                          Next minute she tells me, 'I hope she leaves me $2'.

Shit, I think to myself, my purse is empty and I know there's no loose change around as I took that this morning. Must remember to ask her father when he gets home. Mustn't forget, mustn't forget..... and no I didn't forget and she did come during the night (lucky). And she was even more thrilled as the generous fairy left her $2.15, 'WOW' -  she says.

All is happy now in her world. Isn't it nice that even at seven they still believe in the tooth fairy. Hope your still kids do, xox

Made Me Laugh, Remember Kylie Mole.

 

Remember this Book, 

   
I was unpacking a box in the garage and stumbled across some old books I had read as  a child (1988). And this I know I loved. This typical normal school girl who writes a diary that's so simple yet funny and true to teenagers.   Anyone recognize her?  Giggling to myself as I read some of her entries I thought - This is what I  have to look forward to with my daughter, and hoping she doesn't think of me in he same way ( I'm  laughing)  as I know there will be a point in time where I am not cool to hang out with and know when to keep my distance.

Don't know about you, but I often wonder what my child will think of me when she's a teenager and still love and what to go shopping with me, but then I will have to learn and know when to take a step back and let her be a teenager and hang out with her friends when she wants too ( because its way more cool).  But hey - I want to be the cool mum, - don't you?  Will have find some tips or re-read this diary I think, just to understand a teenager all over again, mind you this book is one of a kind and wouldn't take it as a bible, if you know what II mean.

Check this though

This made me laugh as we would all want to look beautiful when were older. And to visualize it,  - well I don't remember what I thought I would look like when I was older, just to be married with lots of kids and a wealthy husband (well I lost out on the wealthy husband part) Bugger.

Anyway, here's some codes we can look for when we accidentally stumble and open our children's diary.

Cheers
Emma
xxx

Great Feelings

Well I had my first market stall and was very happy and proud of all my efforts as I now sit back with a glass of wine in hand after a buzzing day and to get my head around it all.  I didn't come home rolling in my millions but feel its the start of something small that will start to now flourish with love and hard work.

Did take some pictures but must say my dodgy old digital camera that takes terrible picks - as you can see, let my stall down. I learned a lot for next time in building my table up with more display props and colour. Everybody goes to a lot of trouble in this area of making their products look good and visual to the eye. (must remember this for next time) So I will be doing a trip soon to invest in a few pieces to make my goodies look even better than what I had.

Yes that's right, there will be more market days as I get the vibe for them. I guess its a matter of finding the ones that suits you most also. The whole experience has motivated me and given me more confidence that I can do it and will make myself do it as I enjoy getting out and meeting new people (mind you there are a few interesting stall holders out there). Don't you ever wonder how some people do it, and where they get their inspiration from? I know I do.

Anyway. Better dash to catch up on my sewing and prepare for more adventures. Sorry my pictures are not the best. There is plenty of room for improvement here. xxxx

Big Day 21st May

Big first day at the markets for Emma Maker's Designs tomorrow and I am actually looking forward to it. Meeting new people and finally getting myself out into the public eye. will let you know how it all goes. 

Fingers crossed. xxxx

Nervous and excited all at the same time.

 A few pics of what you will find at my stall on market day.

Well I probably should have been brave and started doing the markets ages ago, but something small in the back of my head is always putting me off. But no I am building my confidence up and sewing like mad to have my creations all ready to go.

I suppose what made me change my mind was I finally drag myself along to one of those social networking groups stood like a nigel and took a few samples and the response that I got - I was little bowled over. And all said that "I hope your doing the markets" and my reply was that I am doing my first one in a couple of weeks which is now only 7 sleeps away Yay.

What worries me is, all the what if's. What if I only sell one thing, or no one turns up at the markets (although I know that isn't true as these markets are always buzzing) This is where I need to be positive stand up and be brave and know that surely someone is going to buy and love my hand made loved goodies. Mums who stay at home doing like myself deserve more credit for what they are doing as they put their heart, soul and money into what they are passionate about and to get something in return so they can stay at home with their children etc. Also there is a lot of undiscovered talent out there.

Anyway, have many list's of what to take right down to safety pins, flask, pricing my goodies and of course myself. People have been great in giving advice on what to take, and how to make my stall look great, everything that I hadn't thought about. Just need to finish off afew last pieces and I guess I am ready to go. Fingers crossed guys. And a big thank you to all that has given my great advice. xxxx

Happy Mothers Day

To mum with Love.

A mother's Faith

It is a mother's faith

On our Father above

That fills the home with happiness

And the heart with truth and love!

Happy happy mothers day to all those lovely mums out there and also soon to be mums. Wish I was closer to home to be able to give my mum a big kiss and a hug. But we know how much we love each other regardless. Its a beautiful sunny day here so enjoy and be happy. I have a small pic of my mum who is witty and as beautiful to me as ever. 

One of my craft goodies I love.

Here goes as I am not a great writer. But I can't seem to get enough of these elephants that I am making. Love them even more when I stumble across lovely fabric that is bursting to become something.

Elephants have always been one of my favorite animals, I have many drawings, lino prints etc that I have done myself of these creatures and they bring me happiness and clamness. Don't ask me why as I am not sure why it is. I also had the chance to go to the elephant orphanage in Sri - Lanka after I left school. You could walk with them, pat them as they followed you and my goodness they are huge and beautiful.

 I have included here a pic of the elephants I at the orphange and one of may soft elephants I have made. I will have to stop at some stage I know, and it will be when I come across something else I find and get inspiration from.

A Little about Emma Maker

Where to start -  I have treacher collins syndrome, which affects my facial features, and deaf etc, but I am ok with it as I am sure it has made me a stronger person for it. I don't blame anyone or question why me (even though I
have certainly had my moments) As there are times when I wish I was beautiful like those other attractive women out there, but I am happy and also lucky that my husband accepts me for who I am.
 
I Enjoy sewing and creating cute things which you will find on my website. I relax when I can, but mostly when I take my daughter out for one on one time for a treat of a milk shake and cake and I have a coffee and wechat like two old ladies (she is only 7). When Isabella was born it was definitly the happiest day of my life as I thought I would never have children because I didn't want to pass on my genes to anyone else as I wanted them to be healthy and not go through so much surgery like I have. She was a gift.  I would have 20 more if I could, but I am blessed with what I
have.
 
I like that my daughter and I are best friends, shadows to one another and confide like mothers and daughters should and hope that it continues as she gets older and stills wants to hang out with me, as I didn't have it as much with my own mum as we went to boarding school (and yes before then my mum was/is my best friend) and still is.
 
 I don't like serveral things at the moment - but mostly at the moment I don't see my family enough as I would like too and also school bulling which I am afraid of and hope my daughter never has to put up with it.
 
Most of all I love and cherish everything I have here in life and gratefull for who I am, and the friends I have.
xxxx

New Adventures

This is going to take awhile for me to get use to and get the hang of how all this actually works. Starting a blog page is very exciting but also daunting as I know everyone will see and read about myself and adventures that I have been on and taking up at this present moment.
There are so many bloggers and great reads out there I hope that people will enjoy reading mine as I do theirs.
Going away for the weekend but will be back to start this adventure when I get back so stay tuned.
If you want to see more of my main intrest and hobby go to www.emmamaker.com

Cheers.