When I Think Of...

My sweet God-Daughter Stella Winter and her cute little face...

It reminds me of the inspiration her little presence in the world gave me for the last range of That Vintage - the graceful deers walking with their little wren friends, the sweet doves that have such strong wings and the delicate intricate patterns of lace and wrought iron - a dreamy garden that I would love to walk Stella around in one day.
What has inspired you recently?

Three Christmas Wishes.

A sweet treasury on Etsy at the moment: Love Peace & Joy.
What more could we want at this time of year?
I hope your day of festive goodness has been the best ever.
Merry Christmas to you all!

Picked By The People - Part Two.

So many cute treasuries on Etsy at the moment; a lot of them containing little woodland critters! Just another two of the many featuring That Vintage at the moment - click on the images above for a better look!

Christmas At That Vintage HQ.

This year saw the very first exclusive That Vintage Christmas Shopping Evening happen last week, on an unsettled (weather) Friday evening - tasty delights and thirst quenches were on offer and of course, the one-on-one shopping experience ...and boy, did my sweet That Vintage lovers shop up one heck of a storm!
At first, I wasn't too fussed about whether or not people bought anything - I was happy to treat my closest friends and admirers to an evening of Christmas cheer.
The living area of my home was chock-a-block with people - seats were snapped up quickly and the conversation volume shot up!
Such a buzz.
Many people have requested this to be an annual event - oh my goodness, how I would love it to be!

Picked By The People.

Two of a few sweet treasury lists currently on Etsy featuring a piece of That Vintage - people are so clever with their selections and curating! Be sure to check them out by clicking on the above images.

Sold But Not Forgotten.

This last couple of months have been a good kind of madness.
I have been running the two online shops, doing huge market events (which I am still reeling from) along with wholesale orders (in huge demand prior to Christmas - bigger than any other year before) and working my "bread & butter" job - it was a bit of a struggle to keep on top of stock levels, making, designing, general admin and relisting of items online.
I often found myself wishing I had a little "Inbox Fairy" to help me out - but I survived, fairy or no fairy!
Here are a few of the most popular pieces sold from the last few months:

Deer Darling Friend Necklace :: Pair Of Birds Brooch

Big Friend Little Friend Ring :: Winter Woods Part II Brooch

Oops.

It has er, been a fair few days since I last blogged. Oh dear.
But you know what. It's not because I haven't had anything worth blogging about, I actually have a very very very good reason. I have been busy.
You know that thing? Where you find it hard to cram so much into your already action packed days? You know how it is, juggling work life, social life, hobby life, love life, life life... I should just join a circus, because I survived my juggling act!

This year has been incredible.
I have experienced so much with That Vintage this year - and now I really am feeling the love from my following of lovers!
Thanks to each and every single one of you for loving and adoring That Vintage - see you in 2011, for some amazing new adventures!

Merry Christmas!

Sometimes, But Mostly All The Time, Sweet.

December is here.
Wow!
And with that comes the "Giving Season."
The gorgeous Danielle from the Sometimes Sweet blog is hosting a generous giveaway - one lucky person will win a bootie of goodies, including a That Vintage Deer Darling Friend Ring!
To enter, simply pop over to this link: Sometimes Sweet December Sponsor Giveaway.
Good luck!

Red Star Gingerbird.

bird cookie-cutter by biskart

I attempted my very first batch of gingerbread today using a recipe from Taste.com.au - let's just say, after a lot of kitchen mess and red-food-dye-washing-up-water... the end result is just above okay. (So tough on myself!)
They taste fine, but I prefer gingerbread to be a bit more spiced/ginger-ed, I think this recipe was "child-friendly" - so next time I'll be adding a bit more to the recipe.
I failed at the icing - I can never master icing - if anyone has a great recipe, please let me know - I ended up colouring some marzipan and using my mini-star cookie cutter, to patch up the terrible icing attempt.
At least I can now say - "I've made gingerbread before."
Might stick to fudge making though...ha!

Never Too Early.

...for rockin' around the Christmas tree!
Have you been bitten by the season bug yet?

Dainty Wren Has Flown Back To The Nest.

After being completely sold out... the Dainty Wren Ring is now back in stock online at the That Vintage Etsy and Made It stores!

Lucky Duck.

I am so lucky to have the cutest, most gorgeous and sweetest God-Daughter ever.
Stella Winter ... you rock my world!
(Stella is wearing custom headwear by Felix & Lily - cute or what!)

Anchor Me, For I Am Seeing Stripes.

This is Meg from Silk Sculptures.
Meg is not only a very gorgeous lady but one who has oh so many talents - namely with fabric, patterns, sewing machine and an eye for fashion...
Meg has her own Made It shop now - in which she has just added this gorgeous Nautical Strapless maxi dress.
I want!

We Pinched A French-Canadian.

This is Pamela.
Pamela has some awesome photographic skills and oh-so killer looks.
Check out these shots she took of herself, by herself (!!!) of the goodies that she picked up from the That Vintage stall at Niche: All Wrapped Up last weekend.
How talented is she?!
Oh, and did I mention that she isn't a native here in Australia, but that she has flapped her wings from the land of the red and white maple leaf, Montreal to be exact (home to many wonderful photographers) to be here with her lover (and fiancee!) Andy, who is also a photographer!
Such a sweet story!
Check out Pam's facebook page here.

To Market, To Market, Jiggity Jig!

Niche: All Wrapped Up - has been and gone.
Again.
What a whirlwind!
I have very little stock left over - and that's a huge thing for me to say because I made so much for this market! Wow!
Thankyou to absolutely every single person who waded their way through the crowds of market-goers ...your support was and IS fantastic!

Polly Put The Kettle On, We'll All Have Tea.

These little sweeties will be available at Niche: All Wrapped Up.
That Vintage Tea Party :: miniature necklaces - tea cups, dinner plates, sugar pots and milk jugs - oh how dainty!

Time For A Cuppa, Reflection.

One full day left before Niche: All Wrapped Up.
This morning I joined Liz Strange from St Giles on ABC Radio - plugging all things handmade, lovey-dovey-designer-support and the good-will behind this market.

Afterwards, it made me reflect a little more on the handmade world, the community and networking, we are a little family now - we are all doing what we love, and being a part of Niche: All Wrapped Up just helps to carry on the good lovin' vibes!
20% of the designer's profits go straight back to St Giles Tasmania; these funds are used to help purchase mobility wheelchairs which can vary in price, starting at $10,000 - a lot of money. For more information check out this link.

Hope to see you at Niche: All Wrapped Up!
Don't be a stranger - say hello!

Hold On, I'm Just Unwinding.

Another shot from the recent photoshoot.
I love this image; it makes me want to go and chill out on the grass.
Makes me want to not think about anything at all - not even make shapes out of the clouds, not even analyze why or how a bird flies like it does... just think about nothing.
If only!

Simple Smiles.

Where on earth do I begin?
The clouds have been oh so stormy in my mind and heart lately - stressed out would be an understatement!
But having the amazingly beautiful friends that I do, certainly helps during these times of chaotic madness!
The beautiful Lauren Burt (check out her blog) had a sweet smelling bunch of delicate flowers sent to my home this morning... how sweet! Definitely made me smile and feel happier, so beautiful!
The madness end is in sight, Niche: All Wrapped Up begins this Friday at 4pm - I have been itching for this market for so long! It'll be great to see everyone again... after that, I can sit down with a nice glass of wine and relax - for a short amount of time that is!

Morning Tea.

Something sweet and upcycled in the works...

Sweet Spring Afternoon.

Photography : Zakk Goodsell
Model : Madeline Huett
© That Vintage 2010

Drum Roll...

The winner of the Birthday Giveaway is...
Toni M!
Check out Toni's photography blog.
Congratulations!
Thankyou to everyone who entered and wished me a Happy Birthday... alas, no cake appeared - but maybe I'll treat myself today when I'm out and about running errands!

Giveaway: Where is my Birthday Cake?

Giveaway is now closed.
Follow the blog to stay in the loop for more giveaways!

Sweet Dove Necklace

I'm not sure where my birthday cake is this year, but I'll settle for a giveaway!
So to celebrate my coming of age ...I am giving one of you a present.

To enter all you have to do is...
Comment this blog entry with your name and email address.

Simple.
Winner announced Tuesday 9th November.
Quick!

Giveaway is now closed.

Seventy-Thirteen-Nine-Thirty-Ten-Twenty-Eleven

I just did a stock count of all the earrings that I have made up for Niche: All Wrapped Up.
Grand total of 433 pairs...
This does not include any of the wooden pieces...
Crikey.
No wonder I am semi-delirious!

Click. Click. Click.

A few behind the scenes snaps from today's photoshoot for the Spring range of That Vintage - lovely Madeline is the model and Zakk is the man behind the lens.
We shot a few of the pieces in my favourite Launceston cafe - "Fresh" - the decor is pretty incredible, retro and upcycled. As soon as Madeline walked in, I knew she'd fit the feel exactly!
We then crossed the street to Princess Square and utilized some of the greenest grass and leafy ceilings, old trees and clover patches - perfect!
Can not wait to see the finished photographs...

On Today's Agenda.

A little photoshoot this afternoon to capture the Spring range.
Very keen to snap these delights in some of the cutest locations in Launceston - stay tuned!

On Sweet Mute.

In love with this colour palate... oh so sweet!

(click for a closer look)

Birds on the Branches by moloco - flower garland by EmmaLamb - It's a Small World Embroidery Wall Art by ThreeRedApples - Dessert Bowls by refoundrelics - Vintage Tin & Brass Pendant by littleblackrabbit - Fabric Flower Necklace by StudioElenus

Moments In The Factory.

Busy.
Busy.
Busy.

On Track, I think.

I have now hand stamped nearly 500 bags ready for Niche: All Wrapped Up.
I officially have "stampritis."
All in the name of handmade-love!

Double Dutch.

So this evening, sipping on a giant cup of tea and talking to a far-away dear and special friend of mine all the way over in The Netherlands, I decided to use the "local" search on Etsy to find some Dutch creative souls - and heck, am I impressed!

(click for a closer look)

"When Will It Stop" illustration by lauraamiss - Sunburst Necklace by DropsOfLight - Feather Earrings by Stilltreejewellery - Rabbit Water Bottle Cover by squirrellicious - Green Wall Frame by GreenWallNL - Fleur De Lis Pendant by mooivintage

Doing It.

Roses from Paris.

Tomorrow, my friend Ella and I are heading to the travel agent.
Yes Sir, we have an appointment to talk travel.
E X C I T E D !