Donna Downey Sculptured Flowers have arrived....

The Prima - Donna Downey Cabachons - Sculptured Flowers have a arrived in 3 different colour schemes.  They are SUPER cute and I can't wait to open my own pack and play.  These would even be gorgeous on little hair clips for girls, oh the ideas are endless.

You will find them on site here in the Embellies Dept.

Such a beautiful, warm, sunny day here in Melbourne and these flowers depict the feeling a happy, sunny day bring so well.

Enjoy!!
Anna xx

Inspiration Monday

Happy Monday Everybody!

Yay I finally did some scrapbooking on the weekend.   I haven't done any scapbooking for a while, I just cant seem to get into it, but as Saturday afternoon was a little quiet, hubby was off to the Grand Prix with my son and the girls were home with me, they decided to watch a movie I decided to just do something for me and be completely indulgent and a do a layout.  I put aside all the million of other things I could have been doing that list can wait. To make it double indulgent I did a layout on myself.  here is the result (edited to add - Supplies List for this layout is at the bottom of this post)

Be You Scapbooking Layout

Love, LOVE this quote, found it on the donna downey blog on one of her inspiration journal pages

typed it up in word, printed it out and inked and distressed the edges and then added some Basic Grey Paper Doily ribbon down the edge, complete with some pearls from Kaisercraft.

Can you tell I am loving anything doily at the moment

Supplies List for this layout

My Minds Eye Lost & Found Portobello Rd "Looking Glass Paper" Glittered
Heart Mirror Embellishments
Prima Marketing Polka Dot Paper Flowers
Prima Marketing Say it in Pearls and crystals-swirl pewter
Bloomers Trim Aqua
Martha Stewart Monarch Butterfly Embossed Punch
Basic Grey Curio Ribbon Paper Doilies Trim
My Minds Eye Penny Lane, Tiny Dancer, Pirouette, Frame
Miniature Paper Doily
 
Okay I am off to gym now, bit of a late one today!!
 
enjoy your day
Anna xx

Ruby Road Card Making Kit

hehehe! second post for today.... I am being sneaky I didn't get through my to do list but I did get the card kit finished and a newsletter out.  So for those of you not on my newsletter list here is the newest card kit now available for purchase.

enjoy xxxx

Ruby Road Card Making Kit

purchase here

Happy Friday Everyone!!

It's Friday again, the week just flies by.

I have a huge to do list today may I indulge and share:

1. Finish and photograph the latest card kit

2. Type up a newsletter and send it out

3. Load a whole lot of new supplies in store including some Easter Supplies which also need to be photographed (not great with a cloudy and overcast day)

4. Pack some orders and get them sent.

5. Do a proper blog update complete with samples.

6. Shops to purchase a couple of birthday pressies for parties on the weekend.

7.  Do a really quick house clean before the weekend you know bathrooms, general tidy up, that sort of thing, just so the kids can trash it again tomorrow and Sunday only to clean it again on Monday.

All before about 2pm because my eldest finishes early today.

Do you think I have high expectations or I am just completely not in touch with how long things take to complete.  Oh well whoever said Women-Mums can do it all and do it well, were completely off their rockers.

Hope you have a happy Friday and hopefully I will get to number 5 at least today and you might hear from me again. 

Anna xx

Making Memories Je t'Adore Collection

Has just arrived.  I ordered this collection way back in early Jan to arrive in time for Valentines day, but it certainly didn't arrive by that time.  It is such a shame that we get supplies here in Aus so long after they are released in America.  Anyway these papers are divine for any occasion not just valentine. I fell in love with this collection as soon as I laid eyes on it.  Very French and very beautiful.  Accompanying is some gorgeous rose trim and vintage tickets

Making Memories Je t'Adore Collection

Patterned Papers can be found in store here

Dark Pink Ribbon Rose Trim can be found in store here

Vintage Tickets can be found in store here

Anna xx

I just had to share this image

I remember having a conversation about left and right brain with my life coach last year some time.  The focus was about encouraging myself to use the right brain more which is our creative brain as well as the intuitive side of the brain to make decisions, the one that instinctively knows what to do, whereas the left brain is the more the analytical mind the one that rehashes things around and around before making a decision.  I also call this the ego mind and the one that keeps throwing up lots of self doubt.  Obviously we need to be some of both but usually are one more than the other.  I know which one I am.  There is a desciption below the picture of each brain.  I just love, love image. it will remind me to stop overthinking and just do what feels right before the left brain has a chance to get in and anyalse it to the point where I procrastinate and then do nothing. 

Left brain: I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am.

Right brain: I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feat. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.

Happy Sunday Everyone
Anna xx

Vintage Sewing Tags and a sneak peak.....

Finally and I say finally becuase it feels like forever since I have made the time to sit in my studio and create and design some new products.

So firstly here are some new yummy new vintagey style tags.  These feature sewing manequins which seem to be popping up everywhere on scrapbooking supplies.  You can purchase the ready made tags here or alternatively purchase the stamp set from My Minds Eye Madison Avenue here with the image of the manequin in it.  The tags were cut with a sizzix die which I don't keep a stock of but if you are interesting in purchasing it I can order one in for you email me at kokovanilla@live.com.au it is the Ornate Frame die.

French Vintage Inspired Sewing Mannequin Gift Tags - 2 pk

Here is a sneak peak of an upcoming kit I am working on.  This kit has a  different concept.  It will be ideal for both adults and kids.  I am loving working on it and just needs a little more fine tuning some more samples and its good to go.  A little hint it involves some divine cake making except that indulging in these yummy cakes results in zero calorie consumption.

New Kit Sneak Peak

I actually started writing this post yesterday and then had to run out the door to take kids to bball and soccer.  OMG I have to say its 5 weeks into the term and I am already feeling the affects of running around all week playing taxi driver as well as the other various rolls I have as a mum.  So am up early this morning and finished it so I could post it here.  So officially its Friday morning 7am.  Okay post done, off to make 4 lunches, breakfasts and try and get these kids up and out the door on time.

Have a lovely day everyone
Anna xx

Easter Free Mini Craft Kit

Yes I know, I know, easter already, well it is still a few weeks away.  So I thought I would make the next free mini a little easter themed.  Introducing...

Easter Bunny and Friends Free Mini Kit

Click on the link above to take a closer look at the kit and read how to have it added to your order for free.

I am having a gentle day today, no intense exercise as I am feeling a little run down, so yoga is on the cards instead.  I am definitely going to carve out a couple of hours to do some pure creative fun, which will hopefully bring my energy levels back up.  

Whatever you do with your day today, I hope you take a moment to listen to what your body trully needs and honour that even if it is only for 10 mins!!

Anna xox

A Sunday Quote

Oh clearly I am on a bit of a quote fest so bare with me.  I couldn't read this one and not share it here on my blog, perhaps this is more of good advice than a quote.

Found this quote courtesy of this blog Le Cose Belle 

which I can translate becuase I speak Italian it means Beautiful Things

Have a Fun Filled Day everyone and do something today that makes you super happy!!!!

Anna xx

I love a good "quote" !!

Working at home today in my studio.  I have had a run of sick kids home off and on from School, and so much happening here and there with school appointments and events so its nice to have a quiet day with no rushing around to spend time on a few ideas buzzing, no actually whirling around in my head.  Maybe actually more than just a few, 100s.

Anyway I came across this amazing quote that is actually on a stamp which I would love to stock in the store, but that would mean having another supplier on board.  Anyway we will see.  The stamp comes from Leavenworth Jackson and I actually just saw it on Donna Downey's blog.

Oh this quote is written for me I just love it.  It has inspired me today.  We all have good and bad days in life where we feel what we are doing is worthwhile and then there are other days where we have a seed of doubt.  Is it worth it, is it the right thing???  It doesn't take much for people around us who may be negative to jump on that bandwagon and amplify that doubt and try to convince us that yes what you are doing is really not worth it.  But seeing a quote like this made me realise that there will always be people like that around and I am not the only one who has one of those people in my life.  Often you can just remove yourself from the company of those sorts of people, except that I just happened to be married to someone like that.  I often call my husband my biggest critic sent to test everything I stand for.  I can certainly see why I have attracted him into my life.  They say opposites attract, and now I know why, it would just be too smooth sailing if you agreed on everything and there was nowhere for any growth or development as a person.

So I will forge ahead and keep doing what I think is the right thing for me, which often may not be the right thing for others.  I love these little reminder quotes that jump into my life just when I needed it.

I hope this quote inspires you today as well.

Anna xx