My Christmas - Captain KK

image; captain kk

This girl is good! I first came across Captain's gorgeous blog when I was perusing the list put out by the Creative Women's Circle and I loved it. Captain's photos are always slick, she gives a little of herself away whilst maintaining a certain mystery and she has a great eye. She likes a laugh too, I could just tell. And she is super organised - I could tell that too! So I sent Captain KK an email to let her know how clever I thought she was, and the rest, as they say is history. I liked her, she liked me and now we're mates!

Somehow Captain manages to take care of her little girl, 'the husband' and her architectural skills - all at once! I am sure they are in for a rockin' and stylish Christmas. So here is Captain KK's take on the festivities...

i love, love, love, christmas time. i love the romance of it all. fairy lights, sending out christmas cards, decorating a real tree at home while christmas carols are playing (not the bing crosby stuff.. more new orleans party style) & generally lots of little design touches that i can share & indulge in. instead of wasting heaps of wrapping paper, we have an assortment of white boxes that we use & re-use for presents each year.. it's just the ribbon that changes. i'm a sucker for a beautiful ribbon. i'm not a big red person, but i don't think you can beat red, white & aqua for christmas.. with a little silver in there somewhere too. definitely not gold. never gold. we normally have a very relaxed christmas day, indulging in a few chocolates and croissants for breakfast, before exchanging gifts & popping a bottle of champers. after presents it's time for a casual lunch of cold meats, prawns with home made dipping sauce, lots of yummy salads & a pesto pasta that the husband makes that goes perfectly with everything. for dessert i bake a raspberry & almond tart on christmas eve & then serve it after lunch with cream & ice cream & gawd it's good! i've got no idea what i'm doing for gifts this year, but settlement for our first home is just before xmas so it promises to be a very special christmas.

My Christmas - Dearne Herrenberg

image; eucalypt flower (summer red tutu) via paula bray on flickr

image; mainichi design, one of the many fabulous pieces that dearne creates...her etsy shop is here

Hello! And so, another lovely Christmas journey, this time with Dearne Herrenberg, interior and jewellery designer extraordinaire, who just so happens to be founding member of that illustrious gang of lovely creatives, better known as Creative Women's Circle. Yet another can-do woman who just gets on with things, but judging from this little snippet of My Christmas, the girl doesn't mind a bit of party time either - and well deserved!! Dearne's blog is here, if you want to pop by and say hello...

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule, Dearne, to let us know about your Christmas - sounds like alot of fun...and happy birthday too!

Since our now two year old arrived and took charge our Christmases have been changing each year!

This year on the 1^st December we’ll be decorating a tree, which we plan to be an Australian native that can be planted in the garden afterwards. I have a big box full of lights and decorations, some of which have survived from my childhood, and quite a few treasured ones purchased over the years.

December is punctuated by my birthday (and hubby’s too, on the same day would you believe) a week before Christmas. So we certainly do have a month of celebrations. Then we really begin to feel like its Christmas when the huge Christmas ham settles in the fridge. This would probably be one of the first traditions that arrived in our house.

My family is not religious, so Christmas for us was always about catching up with relatives, a family day spent together, and enjoying lots of fun and good food. That tradition continues now in our house. When the 25^th arrives it always begins with early morning gift opening, and usually an early phone call or two from interstate or absent family. I always remember this tradition from my childhood too, growing up in Queensland away from most of our Victorian relatives.

After gift giving is over, we usually spend our day preparing and munching on yummy food (not too much of it though - have to watch the Mummy waist line) and indulging in some good champagne and wine. Lunch is our big meal, and we like to start with fresh seafood such as prawns and oysters (a Queensland tradition we have brought to Melbourne) followed by ham, of course, with a roast and all the trimmings, and always something sparkling to accompany it.

Christmas afternoon is spent lazing about after dessert of plum pudding or home made fruit cake. If relatives are visiting there is usually a bit of silliness and more wine to be enjoyed. An afternoon snooze is often on the menu, or watching a DVD that was gifted to someone. Early evening someone breaks out the sandwich toaster and our day is topped off with more ham, in the toasted sandwich form!

Our Christmas usually continues with a Boxing Day visit to friends or relatives to eat some left over Christmas Day food and indulge in more good wine.

Just Because...

image; via chez sucre chez

i'm pretty sure my new gift is the teensy little one!

This blogworld is a bit of an awesome thing - the people are so great.

Last night Galmont hosted the girls from Creative Women's Circle for their end of year break up, lots of bubbles and cheeses and conversation were shared. And some of my bloggy mates (thanks Susan and Dearne) helped me sort out why I am currently having some trouble getting certain posts together for you, which was quite a bonus!

My lovely Captain quietly sidled up beside me and said, 'I was down the rabbithole and thought of you when I saw this, so I got one for you, just because....' and handed me a beautifully wrapped little box.

A handwritten note and a gift 'just because', I am racking my brains thinking of anything better. Thanks so much, sweet Kate!

My Christmas - Tess McCabe

I like quiet achievers, you know the type, they just get on with things and don't blow their own trumpets, but are reliable and always come up with beautiful creations that deserve a bit of 'trumpet-blowing'. Well, Tess McCabe is one of those people, she has her own graphic design practice, her own fabric design company (just look at the gorgeous little number to the right!) and she heads up a wonderful group called Creative Women's Circle organising meetings and events for women here in Melbourne who have their own creative arts businesses.

This is Tess McCabe's Christmas;

Early childhood aside, I've never been a huge fan of Christmas. My family is neither large nor religious, and I spent my early 20s working in a suburban mall, which is probably the worst place to foster a healthy regard for general human kindness around Christmas time!

Currently, my siblings and I are hovering in the post-childhood, pre-parenthood ether, so Christmas for us these days is pretty low-key. But my favourite Christmas Day memories are from my tween/teen years, when The Treasure Hunt was a tradition.

Growing up, "Santa" would always bring us small gifts that would keep us amused early Christmas morning while our parents slept in until a respectable hour, after which the real gift-giving would begin. But come 11 or 12 years of age, in our stocking on Christmas morning we would find a short, handwritten piece of paper - our first 'clue'. From there my brothers and I would spend the next hour or so deciphering cryptic messages... which would lead us each to some place around the house or garden and the discovery of small gift, and our next clue. Sorting through desk drawers, upturning couch cushions, poking around potplants - this became our Christmas morning tradition.

One year, I spent a good half hour trying to figure out the location of a gift given the clue 'You would find this at a tiny beach'*. But it was all good fun, and definitely made the rewards so much better. To say my parents were pleased to have figured out a way to make their children really earn their sweets and other trinkets on Christmas morning was probably an understatement. I hope to carry on that tradition some day!

*A microwave, of course!

I love this memory - thanks so much, Tess! Oooohhh, I wonder which creative lovely will be next to share their Christmas with us?!

Creative Women's Circle - Monique McNamara & Jessie Fairweather

image; gertrude st association - artist; ian de gruchy

image; measure by the foundry

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed drinking in the creativity of some very talented women at Creative Women's Circle on Saturday morning. I mean, I was sitting between some lovely creatives before anyone even opened their mouths! (ie. shannon, susan and tess, better known in blogland as aunty cookie, spin spin handmade and metremade)

Monique McNamara started proceedings speaking about her eco-design business Up and Up Creative...now, there is eco and there is ECO, and this woman is definitely the latter, having set up her business 12 years ago when she realised that her concern for sustainability and eco-friendly practices were not being met elsewhere. There was a million things she said, a million notes I wrote, but really, this quote pretty much sums up where Ms. McNamara comes from "This is why we're here - we're here to innovate." (Oh, and if she isn't busy enough directing her company she is also a founding member of The Gertrude Association.)

Jessie Fairweather is all the things in a person I tend to gravitate towards, because it is so far from who I am (!) - calm, considered, organised, determined and calm. (oh sorry, did I say that already?!) This girl had a dream and ran with it, studying graphic design in Europe before returning to Australia, writing her ideas for three months and then creating her company 'The Foundry'. 'Measure' seems like an extremely apt title for Jessie's latest project, written in five languages, it consists of every conceivable measuring chart from seasonal foods through to the lunar calendar. I am predicting world domination from her little space in Daylesford, quite frankly.

Well done, Tess McCabe on another great meeting, keep the inspiration coming!

Creative Women's Circle - Dearne Herrenberg

images; 1. cwc blog; 2,3,4 mainichi design (the word 'mainichi' means everyday in japanese - something new to add to the vocab!)

It was time to fill the inspiration cup this morning, so off to Creative Women's Circle I went - and of course, was not disappointed. Dearne Herrenberg was the speaker, and a very special one at that given that she founded the organisation. Funnily enough, she didn't really speak about that aspect of things, instead she focussed her discussion on her interior design practice and the evolution into designing and creating jewellery. Fabulous, unique jewellery at that.

Of course, as usual, I sit intrigued and enthusiastic and bursting to ask questions or comment (!), but limit myself to one question to allow our speaker to both speak and others to be heard!! I find it fascinating, as a passionate business owner, to hear of the road others find themselves on, how they balance their personal and professional lives, their creative and business skills - not that I see any of them as being mutually exclusive. I always come away questioning my own practices, commitment, strengths and weaknesses and I love it.

Thanks to Dearne for sharing her story with us and thanks to Tess McCabe for organising another great event.

Awe-Summm Award....who me?!

Oh really, Kate, you shouldn't have - many thanks for my first ever award since I have started blogging. You are very generous, indeed, and gorgeous, as is your fabulous blog - Everyday Calm - which I turn to for both inspiration and peace.

Here are the rules and guidelines to the Awe-summm award:

* List 7 things that make you Awe-Summm and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers you love.

* Make sure to tag your recipients and let them know they have won!

* And finally link back to the blogger that tagged you.

Okay, so 7 things that make me Awe-summm....hmmm...feels like bragging or self indulgence or something, but what the heck!

1. I grew up with neither money or an entrepreneurial background, yet have created a business that pays the bills and keeps me inspired.

2. I am also a singer - having joined my first band at 16 yrs - and have sung professionally in venues throughout Melbourne.

3. I make decisions quickly and often the bigger the decision, the faster I make it! (ie. moved my whole life overseas within two weeks and stayed away for seven yrs.....met and married my partner within a year - you get the picture..)

4. I learnt early (after a disasterous audition) to trust my instincts and I am soooo grateful for that lesson.

5. I can make and maintain friendships and absolutely love nurturing my relationships. (Although since Petit Garcon and Petit-Petit Garcon, I've dropped my standards somewhat!) I am so fortunate to have such good, creative and interesting people in my life. I love people!!

6. I can see the big picture and somehow I seem to get there - eventually.

7. I am a recovering people pleaser; still something that I work hard at.

And now, the part that comes so much easier, choosing 7 Awe-Summm blogs and bloggers to join in the award winning 'look-at-how-Awe-Summ-I-am' fun!

1. The Design Files - lovely Lucy, beautiful and humble creative talent; she has no idea of her impact, which makes her even more special. x

2. Daily Imprint - Natalie is single-handedly responsible for my blogging addiction, the girl can write and unearths all sorts of interesting people on a daily basis.

3. Shannon Fricke - I love her style, her attitude and the fact that she has spent the past month in France to celebrate her birthday

4. In Search of the Real Captain KK - discovered her blog through the Creative Women's Circle bloglist and check in regularly to see how she's doing.

5. The Style Files - Danielle constantly inspires me, the homes she features send my head in a spin most days!

6. Inchmark - I find this blog completely unique, beautifully photographed and I love the library book posts.

7. Abbey Goes Design Scouting - possibly too busy, with the impending birth of her child, to do anything with this award. However, I've always enjoyed her blog....and she loves French vintage posters...(!)

Thanks for reading.

x shelley t

Creative Women's Circle - Shannon Lamden

image; tess mccabe

All was wonderful, once again, at Creative Women's Circle on Saturday morning.....could be something to do with stepping out of my usual weekend routine taking care of two gorgeous, boisterous little people (my Petit Garcon and Petit-Petit Garcon) while L'Homme De Montmartre plays shop-boy at Galmont. But I think it also has much to do with simply sitting with a group of female small business creative types as a speaker shares her experiences along the creative path.
I could listen for hours.

Shannon Lamden was terrific, very self deprecating with a wicked sense of humour. She spoke about the career path that led to her fabric design business. I appreciated her honesty and willingness to answer all our questions. And then, afterwards we had a fabric swap, which worked a treat for me, as I am finalising a design for Petit-Petit Garcon's patchwork quilt. (I'll talk about that in a future post; that's a whole other story!)

Congrats must go to Tess McCabe on another successful gathering. I'm hooked.

Creative Women's Circle - Lucy Feagins

image; Daily Imprint

image; The Design Files

You can blame the lack of posts this week - it is my intention to post every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - on the lousy flu that almost got the better of me...But I nipped that sucker in the bud and to celebrate my 'feeling better-ness' (!), I decided to go along to the Creative Women's Circle (started by graphic designer Tess Mc Cabe) this morning and listen to the lovely Lucy Feagins speaking about her creative life in set design/dressing and blogging.

The setting was Guildford Lane Gallery, a fabulous warehouse space in the Melbourne CBD, it was a beautiful morning and then to be surrounded by a group of inspiring, creative business women all thirsting for knowledge and inspiration was enough to tip me over the edge! Lucy was generous with her thoughts and spoke beautifully, answering all the questions and listening to comments raised. The walk back to Fitzroy via Gertrude and Brunswick St, was just as lovely, I dropped into a few of my favourite businesses (which you'll be hearing about soon) to say hello and generally felt a little giddy - maybe I just need to get out more!

PS. Be sure to check out Lucy's blog, it is becoming somewhat of a little Aussie Design hub, to say the least.