Kim Archer | Mindful Living

yesterday my very first Etzcetera newsletter went out

..and that made me so very happy.

The Etzcetera newsletter will come out every second Friday and will have a few crafty tidbits, a tutorial here and there, some behind the scenes Etzcetera news and the all important news of when each issue is ready for viewing. It's just a little way for me to stay in touch with all our lovely readers in between magazine issues.

I know we had a flurry of newsletter signups AFTER the first newsletter went out yesterday. And you guys will start getting the newsletter from Friday 17 June UNLESS you would like me to forward yesterday's little newsletter to you. Email me if you do want a forwarded copy.

Well it's now JUNE which means that the 1 July is looming fast which means theres SO MUCH going on behind the scenes to get Etzcetera ready to go. I'm so happy with how it's all shaping up. To see an idea go from this little seed of "can I actually do this?" to becoming a reality is well, pretty cool really.

Over this coming week I will introduce you to a couple of lovely people who have come on board regularly to write or curate lovely collections to share or create projects for Etzcetera. They're all wonderfully creative, enthusiastic people and it's been a pleasure to work with them on this first issue and to know they're sticking around for subsequent issues too.

Have a crafty weekend everyone.

a little Friday morning shop, shop, shopping

Just wanted to share with you a lovely little Etsy store called The Greatest View, run by Gail Lindner. It's a store filled with the cutest embellishments...like this

these

and the loveliest little paper banners like these...

and for a splash of colour..how about these

or these..

Find Gail's shop here or learn more about Gail and her craftiness here on her blog..

Happy shopping.

crazy for colour

Support Team girl and lovely friend Lisa Pate sent me this gorgeous little embellishment pack the other week from her Etsy shop Crazy For Colour!

 

Source.

And it's been sitting here begging for me to play for several weeks!! Lisa has cleverly created some mini mixed media tags loaded with colour and texture and stamping and a fun litte house and flower. Plus some other bits and pieces!

So I scrapbooked a layout..just for fun. Terrible morning lighting..but you get the idea.

LOVE the little package of goodies you gave me Lisa!! Check out Lisa's ETSY STORE here. She has stocked up on some great new things!!!!

Meet The Support Team - Mardi Winen

------Mardi Winen------

1. What craft do you like to do curled up on the sofa in front of the tv (if any).

I always have my crochet alongside my chair, so if I'm not finshing off handstitching on a stitched project, Ill usually pick up my crochet.

In winter I love to crochet hats. But a few weeks ago I started a crochet bag - and I'm currently working on that.

2. Is there a craft you would like to try?

Like most of us crafty souls, I've tried just about everything known to mankind.
I have never really played in mixed media art though so perhaps down the track I'd love to have a play.

I'd also love to try my hand at beading. Although my previous attempts have all ended dismally as I'm not very patient with fiddly little things.

3. What's your earliest crafty memory?

I remember in my early childhood spending time with my Grandma Grace. We lived on the same farm so I had plenty of opportunity to spend my days with her.
She was very crafty and created the most beautiful fine crochet and tatting.

Grandma Grace sewed beautifully on her old tredle sewing machine...and I remember her making me little dresses from leftovers of floral fabric she had made her blouses from. I used to love to dress in matching clothing with her.

She was also very  involved with floral art and her sewing / craft room was full of wonderful and exciting things. I think my love of craft was instilled very early on and I have no doubt she would be thrilled to see me enjoying craft as muich as she did.
 
Just a little more on the topic...
I feel so very lucky to have the most gorgeous crochet table cloth crocheted by Grandma Grace. In fact the story f how I came to have that crocheted table cloth gives me a lump in my throat every time I think of it.

Grandma Grace had started and worked on the crochet cloth as a gift for my 21st birthday for many years but then very sadly, during my teens, she became unwell and she knew she was going to run out of time to finish it for me. So she contacted my other Grandma - Grandma Lorna (who was an amazing knitter but had never crocheted) and she asked if Grandma Lorna could finish it off for 'their granddaughter'. So my Grandma Lorna taught herself how to crochet and she finished it off on 'their' behalf....and gifted it to me from both of them at my 21st ..9 years later and after Grandma Grace had passed away.
 
4. Have you always been crafty?

Absolutely. I think I was born that way BUT if you asked if I liked to cook, you'd get a totally different response though...lol

5. What other crafts have you dabbled in?

I learnt to knit and crochet as a child. My Mum taught me to sew and in my teens I sewed a lot of my clothes. As my own kids grew up I continued to make clothes for them, often with appliques on the front.

I also tried pottery, and still have a few pieces which I love and I dabbled in oil painting even exhibiting at our local art exhibition a few years in a row and selling some of my paintings as well. I was obsessed with paper tole at one stage as well as cross stitch and tapestry...and almost every other craft I can think of.

6. Do you consider yourself arty or crafty or a bit of both?

I'd have to say I'm more crafty. I have dabbled in art but I have a lot more confidence in my abilities with craft than I do with art.


7. Where do you get your craftiness from? Does it run in the family or are you the only crafty person in your family?

It runs in my family. Both my Grandmas loved their craft and although my Mum can sew beautifully, she chooses not to. My gets her enjoyment from spending time in the kitchen....I certainly didnt take after her in the cooking department.

8. Finish this sentence.."I am most happy surrounded by...."

Like minded crafty people.. warmth...good coffee... yummy food....and great music.
 

9. What crafty or arty projects are you working on right now?

Right now I'm handstitching fabric owl bums shut and working on some notebook covers. I'm crocheting a shoulder bag and playing with some gorgeous papers and photos for a scrapbooking commitment.

10. Besides the Suport Team girls, who would you love to sit and chat and create with ..if you could choose three people? Ok....seeing as the Support Team girls would normally head my list, I'll have to say my Grandma Grace (who passed away when I was about 12 years old....and I miss her), Ashley Campbell of AshleyAnn photography - I'm always amazed by her photos..not posed...just capturing real moments and Jennifer Johner....love her scrapbooking style....and knack of home decorating.

Mardi's @Home gallery   
Mardi's Blog
Mardi's Dudley and Grace Etsy Store

Meet The Support Team - Lisa Pate

------Lisa Pate------

1. What craft do you like to do curled up on the sofa in front of the tv (if any). 

I am not much of a TV watcher.... BUT my husband travels quite a bit for work so when he is away and I am trying to get the kids to settle for the night I often pop in a DVD and prep canvas backgrounds at the coffee table.

2. Is there a craft you would like to try?

I think I have tried most art/craft activities.  I would love to try my hand at pottery, it just looks like so much messy fun.  Wet felting is another craft that appeals to me. I have all the supplies here ready and waiting, it’s just a case of finding a little more time.

3. What's your earliest crafty memory?

My mum teaching me how to sew by hand with a giant darning needle, wool and an old hankie. I would have been about four years old.  The memory still makes me smile because my mum is not a crafter at all, and that was the limit of her ability.  I was so  desperate to learn she grabbed what she had on hand and taught me.

4. Have you always been crafty? yes!

5. What other crafts have you dabbled in?

Cross stitch, sewing, knitting, card making, art stamping, latch hook (as a child!), drawing, painting and general mess making

6. Do you consider yourself arty or crafty or a bit of both?

Both.  I think the two can co-exist quite happily.  Most of my friends sho scrapbook would definitely label me as arty.  The same friends would also label me as messy.  Somehow they arty/craft and mess making go hand in hand.

7. Where do you get your craftiness from? Does it run in the family or are you the only crafty person in your family? 

My Grandmother is an amazing sewer.  I remember her making most of my dresses as a young girl, and she really inspired me to start sewing at an early age.  My mum is not arty/crafty at all.  My family is very creative though.  My dad and brother are both exceptional musicians and my brother is a web designer.  Besides my darling mum, we all play instruments, sing, and generally love anything creative.  So yes I do come from a creative family, but not really a crafty one.

8. Finish this sentence.."I am most happy surrounded by...."

My family, good food, good wine and a giant pile of arty mess.

9. What crafty or arty projects are you working on right now?

I am really busy working on a series of artworks based on the theme of “home”.

The series currently has small mixed media canvases, but the whole series will also include larger art works, embellishments for crafters, cards and smaller miniature canvases too.  It’s all coming together so well and I couldn’t be happier.

10. Who would you love to sit and chat and create with ..if you could choose three people?

Ok this one is so tricky.  My first choice would be a small group of girls I call my besties Helen, Marg and Melinda. We all live in different States and we get together once (or twice a year) to create. They are the most wonderfully supportive and fun girls.  Other than them I would love to spend a whole day with Donna Downey, Emily Falconbridge and Christy Tomlinson – such creative souls, hopefully a bit would rub off on me.

Lisa's @Home Gallery
Lisa's blog
Lisa's Etsy Store

Meet The Support Team - Sheree Forcier

------Sheree Forcier------

1.      What craft do you like to do curled up on the sofa in front of the tv (if any).

Lately I’ve been hand stitching hexagons and doing a little crochet…both perfect ‘on the couch’ projects that I love to do.

2. Is there a craft you would like to try?

I’ve always wanted to try quilting and I’ve recently started on my first ever quilt.  It’s a simple design but I’m learning a lot along the way!

3. What's your earliest crafty memory?

I think it would be making my own Barbie clothes out of scraps of fabric and old t-shirts. 

4. Have you always been crafty?

Definitely!  As a little girl I loved playing with a toy sewing machine that I got for Christmas one year…and I’ve tried a few different crafts since then.

5. What other crafts have you dabbled in?
I did cross-stitch for years before I discovered scrapbooking but I’ve also had fun with tapestry, embroidery, sewing, knitting and crochet.

6. Do you consider yourself arty or crafty or a bit of both?

I don’t think I’m very arty so I’d have to go with crafty.

7. Where do you get your craftiness from? Does it run in the family or are you the only crafty person in your family?

I remember both my Nannas creating the most beautiful crochet blankets, doilies, etc.  My Mum has always sewed and now loves stamping and dabbles in scrapbooking too.

8. Finish this sentence.."I am most happy surrounded by...."

...family, friends and something crafty to work on.

9. What crafty or arty projects are you working on right now?

I’ve got a few things on the go at the moment…crochet squares for a blanket,  my first ever quilt and I’ve got an unfinished scrapbook page sitting on my desk.

 
10. Who would you love to sit and chat and create with ..if you could choose three people?

Oooh that’s a hard one!  I always love a good chat and craft session with my close friend Melanie, but there’s quite a few online friends I’d love to catch up with again or finally meet in person.  I don’t think I could narrow it down to only three!

Here's a peek at Sheree's FIRST ever quilt..beautiful!!

Sheree's @Home Gallery
Sheree's Blog

School hols, catching up and meet Dex

Well I can't believe SIX days have gone by since I last blogged. I was being so good there with my daily little posts and thought maybe one or possibly two days had gone by but the times flown and I was shocked when I checked and realised its almost been a full week.

Its been busy here in the Archer household.

Brandt's well and truly moved back in. We're all settling back quite nicely into a routine for a family of five again. Term 1 has finished already and we have officially kicked off school holidays. We're getting measured up for carpets tomorrow morning and I am *almost* finished painting the bedrooms - just some glossy white trim to go in Brandt's room. AND our new leather lounge is arriving on Tuesday. Its been a LOOOONG wait and I hope the sofas are as nice as I remember way back in February when we ordered them!

And I bought this little guy.

Meet Dex. He's on his way to us from Mardi's lovey new Etsy shop Dudley and Grace

from us..to Cherie

Of course you remember this..

Well I am pleased to say the lucky recipient has received her parcel of goodies from us here @Home and I can announce just WHO it was for and WHAT was inside.

Way back in January we got the sad news that one of our lovely regular @Home participants, Cherie Walsh who we all got to meet at the @Home|Away retreat, and her lovely family had been badly affected by the devastating Victorian floods.

Sparked by an email from Cherie's friend Marlene, I rallied the Support Girls around and decided I wanted to do something special for Cherie from us here @Home.

So, together with Yvette, Mardi, Sheree, Lisa and Janelle, we created a collection of scrapbook layouts for Cherie to let her know we were thinking of her.

I must admit I had GREAT fun exploring Cherie's blog and choosing photos and stories to scrapbook about. Here's the pages I made for Cherie.

and finally, this one, without photos so that Cherie can add her own photos and stories when she's ready.

I don't have photos of the other girls' layouts so keep an eye on their blogs as hopefully they will share what they made too.

Glad you liked our little gift to you too Cherie:)

 

 

Happy Day Passes

Feel like a little drive in the country?

If you live nearby the lovely little town of Wingham (my birthplace), and you feel like getting crafty with us at the Scrapsidaisy Retro retreat, Leisa has announced we have FIVE PLACES left and you can just come on up as a day student and attend the class only.

I have some giveaways organised and a few other little surprises for class attendees so if you want some more info or to book one of those seats, visit Leisa and the lovely scrapsidaisy girls on their Facebook page.

 

just sharing

I stumbled across this quick and more importantly, EASY step by step tutorial for cute paper flowers on this blog.

Can't wait to make some. They're a bit too dimensional for my layouts BUT I love the idea of them for cards and gift packaging.

Visit Nicole and her lovely blog here for the how-to!