The Janelle Wind Collection

Has anyone seen February?

I can't believe how quickly the days are flying by. And I can't believe the last time I blogged was February 1. I am so sorry for my absence, it was not planned or intentional, life just seems to be super busy. Here is a little run down on what I have been doing...

* For a few weeks I was blogging HERE for my friend Kim Archer who was taking a much needed rest from work. The Support Team girls and I had fun setting some challenges too. Here is one of my layouts scrapped for the Sketch Challenge - this was also my very first layout of the year!!

* We have been adjusting to school life with drop off's and pick up's at different times and different places. Thankfully we have found our groove and everyone is happy. Our tiny highschool girl was also given her laptop by the school - she loves it and I am secretly wishing I were in year 7 too because I would LOVE a laptop.

* I started teaching my weekly classes for the year. It was great to see all my ladies again and to show them our new teaching studio too. I was very fortunate after my parents moved house that they decided they would convert an old workshop into a teaching studio for me. The room looks beautiful and the girls and I love being in there. A BIG thank you to my parents for their continued generosity. Here is a peek inside my studio - still more decorating to go but looking good...

And in the corner is a sitting area for those who want to hand stitch or just have a little chat during class.

* I have one new pattern almost ready for release and have started stitching a brand new design. I don't have any sneak peeks just yet but will share some soon. I am loving this new design!!

* One of the biggest things that has happened over the last 6 weeks or so, is THIS. For those who follow me on facebook or those who have noticed a few little changes in the side bar of my blog, you will see that I have opened my very own little etsy store. I have called my store 'The Stitched Bluebird' and have had so much fun making things to sell. Here are some examples of the goodies that have sold through my store so far.

Lots of Blythe doll clothes. I am designing and making little blythe dresses, skirts, tops, headbands etc - and they have been travelling all over the world to their new homes, something that is so very exciting to me.

Each of the dress styles have a name too - just to make it a bit more fun.

This is the 'Gypsy Dress - Bubblegum Bliss'
And the Alice Mini - inspired by Alice in Wonderland
Some of my outfits are made using Vintage fabrics that I adore. This is the popular 'Ivy - Vintage Green' outfit

The 'Poppy Dresses' were are popular too and I have plans to make lots more of these.

I have also been making some mini doll sized quilts. These are a LOT of fun and I have really enjoyed making them.

I have also been making and selling some of my ever popular iphone/ipod pouch from the design in my book, 'Pieces of Me'. These have been selling quickly...

As you can see, I have been keeping myself super busy! I do plan on updating my etsy store once a month however if I am busy with other stitching, then it could be further apart. So feel free to pop over to 'The Stitched Bluebird' and take a look. Here is the banner for my shop to show you...

FOR THE STORES who stock my patterns, I will be selling shop samples from time to time as well, so this is a great way to purchase a sample for your store, so please watch for my updates.

My next etsy store update is planned for this Monday (February 28) so if you would like to watch as I upload the things I have made, then pop by my store on Monday. Here is a sneak peek of a new style dress I have made for this update, this is the 'Lily Dress'. I must admit these are very fiddly to make with their tiny frills so these wont be in every update. I do love them though!

* In other news, this week my very first Blythe doll arrived just for me. You see, every single dress I make is individually fitted and photographed on a Blythe doll. Emily has her dolls so prettily dressed that I feel bad undressing them and changing them all the time, so I knew I needed a 'store blythe' just for me. So after MUCH saving, my girl arrived - and being the store model I have called her 'Bluebird'. She is so very pretty and a perfect model for my store too.

Meet 'Bluebird' - wearing her stock outfit (the terminology given to the outfit they arrive in)

And here is Bluebird and Poppy (Emily's Blythe) modelling some of my new Lily dresses coming to my etsy store on Monday. Aren't they pretty girls!!

There has been LOTS more filling our days this month, however this blog post is long enough already, so I will leave you with a photo of some switcheroo we had in our little home. My gorgeous boy agreed to swap rooms with me, so he now has a bigger bedroom, closer to the family and I have my own little sewing room - one that I can close the door on at the end of my day. I love it!! Thank you Buddy xxx

I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into my February and my life. I promise I will be back to share more soon. No month long breaks for me again... xx Janelle

A very special workshop...

Here is another wonderful way to be creative whilst helping the Queensland Flood Appeal. My lovely friend Kim Archer is running a fantastic workshop called 'Smile' through her site. I will let her tell you all about the class. I know I can't wait to make my layout. Hope to see you in class...

A very special workshop

Like most Australians, I have been watching in shock and great sadness as the Queensland flooding disaster has unfolded over the past few weeks. So much devastation and destruction and loss - it's just heartbreaking and difficult to comprehend the enormity of what has been happening just over the border there in Queensland.

I decided that I wanted to help - somehow, in some way.. and so I have created this online workshop "Smile" with ALL proceeds from this class to be donated to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal. Simply book into the workshop between 14-24 January 2011 and all monies raised will be donated to the Appeal.

The workshop itself is a step by step layered, stitched, painted and arty type single scrapbooking layout project using a single 4x6inch photo that makes you smile. This is an INSTANT class which means all information you need to complete the project is ready to go at your fingertips.

Help us spread the word and we hope you will join us in the classroom at the very special discount price of only $5.00 registration.

 

Don't forget to scroll down to read all about the three auctions I have running to raise additional funds. Together, we can make a difference to the lives of those who have lost so much. I am proud to be a part of this worthwhile cause. And BIG thank you to those who have already bid, thank you so very much xx Janelle

Handmade Christmas 2010 Workshop...

We Wish You A Merry Christmas.....

Come along for a merry good time in our Handmade Christmas 2010 Workshop..

 

Book here. Right Now. Or read some more.

Class starts today, and it isn't too late to join in the fun!! There are SO many gorgeous handmade and quick Christmas gift ideas, you will love every minute of this class. Hope to see you there xx

Make it...

I just HAD to pop in here to tell you about the brand new classes on offer at Kim Archer Workshops@home. They are absolutely fantastic!!! I loved stitching every single layout that Kim has designed for us and know you will too. To start there are three classes on offer - here is what Kim has to say about them...

I am THRILLED to announce our new series of Make It workshops.

Each class will focus on a particular technique or theme and feature one scrapbooking layout project. We wanted the classes to be fresh, fun quick and easy but still pretty and beautiful and inspiring...and we have THREE fresh new classes ready to go first thing tomorrow - 11 October 2010.

So. Introducing..

STITCH IT - yep, you guessed it..lots of machine stitching on this one..plus my new favourite string of things mini technique!

SHABBY IT - sanding, tearing and texture galore. Not just for pretty girl photos but adaptable for a boy themed photo as well...

and TEXTILE IT - combining fabic layers and soft tulle for a beautifully textured layout.

All three Instant Workshops are open and ready to go. Information, photos, instructions, gallery, handouts - ready instantly. No waiting. Kim is also offering a $5 discount if you book all three classes at once - what a great offer!!

AND we have PLENTY of other Make It classes on their way including Stamp It, Tell It, Paint It and Vintage It.

So help us spread the news...and see you in a Make It classroom very soon.

Are you sitting down?

Because I wouldn't want you to faint with shock when I tell you that I have actually scrapped TWO layouts. Now to any scrapper that may not seem like much, but I must confess I have really struggled with scrapbooking this year. The desire has been there but I just haven't felt that my ability was there anymore. I still wanted to record memories for my children, but just couldn't  get anything to work.

Thankfully after lots of coaxing, I think my mojo might be returning, ever so slightly. I think it was  helped HUGELY by a scrapping care package sent to me by my beautiful friend Mardi too. Thank you Mardi xx

So while I wait (patiently) for some delicious new fabric to arrive in the mail, I have had a little play at scrapbooking, and thought I might share the layouts here. As you could probably guess, I have started to scrap some of the birthday photos that I took of my kids, and I started with Emily.

The first is called 'Our Alice'...

 

And the second title was chosen by Emily - 'Party in Wonderland'... This layout was inspired by my friend Kim Archer - you can see her original layout in this post HERE. Thanks Kim x

I am about to embark on a BIG stitching project once my new fabric arrives, so might see if I can squeeze in a few layouts before I switch my brain back into stitching mode. Back soon with some sneak peeks of my new BIG project and to show you the delicious fabrics once they arrive too... x Janelle

Brand new class...

Did you know there is a BRAND new class about to begin at Kim Archer@home? Well this is one not to be missed - called Watercolour Chiffon. 

Kim has shared the story behind this classes inception, including a little inspiration she drew from a Frilly Dilly Bag I made for her a few years ago. Kim is SO clever and this class is one not to be missed. I know I am looking forward to having a play too. Read all about it HERE on Kim's blog.

Click HERE for registration details... Hope to see you in class, starting on Wednesday 11 August... xx

Crepe paper, ribbons and trims...

If you love playing with any or all of these, then you are sure to love the latest new class over at Kimarcher@home site. We support team girls have been thrilled to have a play with gorgeous layouts designed and made by the very talented Gigi Kennedy. Here is what Kim has to say about the class. I hope to see you there... x Janelle

Have you discovered Gigi Kennedy's fresh, textured and well balanced style yet?

Here @Home we LOVE her style and we're thrilled to welcome Gigi from New York City as a Guest Tutor in her first online class with us called Crepe Paper, Ribbon & Trims.

It's truly a beautifully designed class loaded with ideas, techniques, samples and style!

Gigi shows us how to incorporate trim and ribbons into our work as well as guide us step by step in how to add a crepe paper photo frame to your page.

This class is loaded up with content.

And we wanted to unveil each little tidbit progressively over a number of days so you have time to read and absorb and try the ideas rather than be confronted with a whole lot of content in one big hit! There's TWO step by step layout projects, mini projects, samples, tips and techniques and lots of Support Team samples as well.

The class will run from 22-26 June 2010 with daily uploads and the classroom will then remain open until 1 August 2010.

You can read more about the class here.

And more about Gigi here.

Oh and for blog readers we have a special EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT OFFER. Use the code GIGIFREE in the left hand side Redemption Code area as you go through checkout to receive a $5 discount on your workshop fee. The offer expires 23 June 2010 so hurry to take advantage of the discounted price.

 

I LOVE how Gigi's class has come together and how many beautiful samples and ideas she has to share and I can't wait to share with you guys too - hope to *see* you in the Crepe Paper, Ribbon & Trims classroom.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Photo's make me happy :-)

I really do love photos, all sorts of photos - and it seems my snapshots from the last two days both involve photos. Photos = happy :-)

Yesterday I happily finished scrapping a layout just for me, of Emily and her very special friend Bella. The photo on this layout was one that I took of the girls when they met for the first time at Bowral a few weeks ago.

Here is a non iphone photo for those that might like to see the layout properly. I have scrapped this in a vintage piece of sheet music - I just loved the picture on the top as it really suits our girls.

And today, I stared popping some family photos into frames ready for a photo wall that I plan on doing in the future. Photos really do make me happy...

A big welcome to those who are joining us for 'Snapshots of June' - so happy to have you play along too. I hope your photos are making you feel happy too xx

Catching up...

It has been SO freezing here lately that I have found it hard to sit at my computer, so I got a little behind in my 'Snapshots of June', so here is a little catch up. I will be back later to share todays snapshot and more...

June 9...

 

Today I was super grateful for my little car that helps me take my children where they need to be each afternoon. (I took this shot while waiting in the car outside dancing, I don't use my phone while driving)

June 10...

Now, don't fall off your chair! I actually did some scrapbooking today! It has been literally MONTHS since I scrapbooked and I really was beginning to wonder if I still knew how. It was lovely to get messy and play with paper and photos again. And mostly I loved recording some more memories for my kids.

I also had a bit more time waiting in the car so had some fun taking photos. I LOVE trees so much, and thought it would be fun to look up into the beautiful blue sky, through the branches of a tree. Have you looked up lately? There is so much prettiness to be seen.

And I also had some fun with self portraits while waiting. I had a bit of a realisation yesterday - I must confess that I often feel like I look old and tired when I look in the mirror, and long for the way I looked and felt when I was younger. I got to thinking that in 10 years time I will long to  be this age again, so I am going to try and capture more of me - the 37 year old me, because I am sure I will miss her when I am older. Have you taken a photoof yourself lately? Why not capture you as you are now...

Off to try and thaw out from this cold. Back later with more to share... x Janelle

Welcome and Mum's the word...

I just wanted to extend an officialy WELCOME to the two girls who were the successful winners of the competition run by Kim Archer to find two new support team members. So without further ado, please join me in welcoming Sheree Forcier and Lisa Pate to the team. YAY! We are so happy to have you both part of our little support team family.

It was a tough competition with the standard of entries very high, which made choosing the top two even harder. I want to extend a big thank you to each girl who entered, your entries were amazing!!!

As a special thank you to the top 15 girls from the competition, Kim asked each of the girls to be involved in a special Mother's Day class called Mum's the Word. Below Kim tells you all about it in her words...

Mum's The Word

MUM'S THE WORD - This is our Mother's Day workshop for 2010 and is a collaborative effort from fourteen of our very talented fifteen finalists we had in our recent search for a Support Team member for the @Home site.

The girls have created a wonderful range of projects and have joined forces with us here @Home to help fill our classroom to the brim with Mother's Day ideas. Running for the month of May and officially kicking off with our first project upload tomorrow, this online workshop is NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS.

Join in ANY time. The class is available for the entire month of May:) Make sure you check out the early bird pricing offer too!

So if you are looking for some GORGEOUS ideas of Mother's day pressies, then this class is for you. I am busily working on my contribution too. Hope to see you in class. x Janelle