Recap of Year 2012 for us :)

Hello and welcome everyone!

I hope you've all had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

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Our first trade show - Baby & Toddler Show
via Mini Me and You recently last September

Our newest stockist - Mini Me and You's exhibition booth
at the recent Baby and Toddler Show in Sydney.
Did you spotted our illustration art prints? :) 

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Collaborated with Bookoola Ink - "Learning Childhood" poster series

We were very blessed being invited to collaborate with one of the publisher in QLD.
An opportunity to being part of their poster series named "Learning Childhood".
Best part of this great opportunity is Debra was lovely to deal with.
The whole experience working side by side with her was amazing! :)

One of my dear friend spotted our poster at her son's kindy :)

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So our first press appearance was in late Y2011. Click here for more detail

1 year later.....We did it again but this time is on print!

Tickle The Imagination's Magazine

The Gallery Wall's Spread

 2 of our illustration art prints are amongst the author's favourite artworks

I say.."sweeeeeet!" :)

In the Wood Series No.4 (Mushroom World Series)


Feather (Happiness Series)

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Working experience at the Ink & Spindle end February 2012.

These, has to be one of my highlights for the year!

I waited for almost 3 years to make it happen.

I blogged about it over here :)

 With Lara and Teegs' help..tada!

My 1st cushion utilising my own screenprinted fabric

at the Ink & Spindle.

and I made this cute little tote bag! :)

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It has been very silent for the past 3 months and here's why....

Photo of my eldest and my latest addition :)

An absolutely big news! A fruitful production after our recent miscarriage 1.5 years ago.

Life was miserable during the silent grief. I have also lost my creative mojo back then until bub #2 came along last November. How am I feeling now? I'm feeling complete and life is somehow more content..a feeling which I can't quite explain how but yeah :)

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Y2013 is going to be big

1. Am moving on from drawing not just the quirky mushroom and Minzy Girl. Yes, am heading different direction and new mission for how I want to run Missy Minzy. So stay tuned if you like to know more :)

2. Different material. New range. New style.

3. Thinking of entering homeware & textile or probably jewellery area. Something very different from what you have seen me working on :)

4. Spend more quality time with my young family. I have came to realize that anything can wait but my family will always come first. My 2 girls are only be this little once so I really want to enjoy being their mum as much as possible!

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3 big reason why you should check our massive sale!
a) 40% off on the entire range (existing stocks).
b) Great chance to snap up our large size (12x16"). There are only available at our downthatlittlelane's online store.
c) Am moving on from drawing mushroom and Minzy Girl (most likely). So there will only be a selection of illustration art prints made available by limited edition run once sold out.

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This year am going to spend MORE time enjoy creating

instead of sweating what others are doing and how come not me :)

Here wishing you an amazing fabulous Year 2013 in advance and

remember to slow down and smell the roses. Irene xx

Hello

Hello. How are you?
I posted something here early September on my mini break but felt awkward and took it down. I then meant to follow up another post right after that but my days been carried away with my 17m/o and of course, my break has since begun. Thank you some of you who spent time writing emails and left me comments right after the post. It really warm my heart knowing that people do care and the supports from like minded like you!

So here's a little update what I have been up to while I was looking for my creative mojo (self seeking really) during the time I was away. I have spent many quality time looking after myself. I am feeling alot better now. I strongly recommend everyone should do that some time! Have a good break and feel recharge!

I have been to Creative Women Circle's recent talk at Frankie & Swiss' venue.

 everyone is getting ready before the talk starts

 Guest Speaker: Shelley Panton!

Look at the crowd. So concentrating!

Click here for more on what Tessa got to say on CWC's blog! Yeah, I know this is such a late update but it's better than never being blog ;)

My parents who are living o/s came to visit and stayed with us for 3 weeks. We had made a plan traveling to Tasmania for holiday when they are here. These are some of the beautiful Tassie shots we have gathered.

 Sheffield

 Enchanting Garden, Cradle Mountain

Will hopefully be back for more walk at Cradle Mountain when Peanut is older. Mind you, we did the Dove Lake (2 hours walk) with her. She was so tired and fell asleep on her dad's shoulder.

 Ross

 Hobart - Please note this is not Salamanca Market

Get to visit the infamous Salamanca Market. It was a pity the 3 of us had gastro when we were in Hobart. So we ended up staying low key throughout the 4 days stay here. On the positive note, I think I like Hobart. :)

 First experience of snow at Mt Wellington! :)

 The view on the way back from Mt Wellington. How stunning!

 Street Art? at Elizabeth Street, Hobart ;)

A visit to Mona Museum

It was a quick visit and may I say. Do Not Miss This if you ever have a plan visiting Hobart!!

I think I will finished off this post here. Will hope to write a few more posts in regards some news. Once again, thanks for hearing me out and supports! Enjoy the sun especially if you are from Melbourne :)

Oh, before I go. My Madeit's store is offering FREE POSTAGE for any giclee prints this month. Don't forget to visit my BigCartel's store too. I have finally made the plunge, pay the monthly fee just so I can get more products listed with them. So, Happy Shopping will ya! Irene xx

The Creative Talk Wrap

Spent a bit of time having some fun
with the camera on my way to
 Creative Women Circle's talk
at RMIT Brunswick last Saturday.

 Flinders Street Station Melbourne

Flinders Street Station Melbourne

 talented women in action

Nic MacIsaac, the founder of Magnolia Square

It is always nice to put a face behind the name.

Nic was a great speaker. She shared about her passion.

She talks about her journey when she first started.
Some to do's and dont's tips.

I have learn that Nic is a strong mind woman.

Her determination to succeed.
She knows what she wants.
Its truly a goal get it girl.

That could explains how
she gets to where she is now.

 RMIT Brunswick Building

 Heading home looking forward

to give Peanut a cuddle snuggle!

Oh, for those who were unable to make it to CWC's talk.
Tess, the even organiser was so kind.
She had jot down some of the words of wisdom from Nic.
Click here for the notes.
Or join their Facebook's page for more details.

{long update} where the hell have you been?

ahhh...finally get the chance to come on here after my previous post from last year!

It's a long update but will promise to keep it simple.

1> Hello! Hope you had a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Made this for Christmas dinner

Mr Minzy and I had a cooking challenge recent Christmas..we cook a dish ourself. Most of our family are not living in the same state. That gave us a reason don't have to spend too much time in the kitchen. Given am from a background where I get those amazing food like Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Yum Cha, Curry Laksa, Popiah..this is an effort from me.

It actually taste better than it looks.. ;)

I baked this sour cream cheesecake..yum

2> So the December Challenge was unsuccessful..was stucked on Day 12 and was busy (still do) watching over how Peanut growing up. She will turn 8 m/o this coming 19th. How time flies!! To those who know me well will knew that am a low key person who would prefer to keep personal life away from my business. Well, I happened to be the sort of person who don't feel comfortable showcasing my family picture or mentioning their names on blog (that's consider public, yes?). I like to know I am protecting them as you will never know what other people will do and use it to against you in the future.

Peanut's attempt to being creative..like the mum

3> You can imagine my ME TIME has been diminishing as Peanut grows older everyday. She basically started crawling and chewing everything she could in the house. I even saw her trying to self-support standing..of course ended with crying (poor girl not strong enough yet). Mr Minzy and I were discussing how a determine girl she is even when she is so young! I can keep on going with my Peanut talk and it might bored the hell of you. So I won't! ;)

It's so hard to hop online to just spend a minute here. I sometime felt that as if a jinx to even touch the keyboard cuz Peanut will cry..she wants mummy. Aww, sweetie. Looking at so many business posting what they are doing on FB can make you feel depressed (to the point considering shutting down the whole thing) especially when you are having ZERO creativity. Seriously.

Sometime it's good to walk away get some fresh air..have a bit of thinking what need to be done and all. I thought I should be concentrating creating and not spending so much time on updating the FB's page. I think I will spend some of my ME TIME on blogging from now on. Being an artist/illustrator like me, inward thinking cap helps the creative juices flows..and the inner soul. And when that happen..inspiration sparks and voila!

Love receiving useful parcel! :)

4> Remember one of my earlier post was saying I like all things wall plaque?

 oh WOW!!

Guess who had made it to the doorstep recently?? :)) 

little instruction leaflet

this is the end result..

and is hanging on our fireplace wall

It's my deer!! :)) Groovy ain't it?

one of the concept drawing

 5> I started Year 2011 with a bang. Seriously. Happiness & New Hopes and wishes. I knew this year is going to be a very different year for Missy Minzy and my personal life. Of course I hope for more opportunities and supports from everyone! 

aha! spend some ME TIME doing some of this of late!

Having said that, I will be going away for a long holidays end of the month. Both of my online stores will be closed while am away. So do pop by my online store if you want to purchase anything, especially my early work. Just leave a message on the comment box stating "where the hell have you been? and you will have 15% off from your purchase order. I believe my style and ideas on how I want to run this business will be very different once am back from the holidays.


ETA: addition description underneath of the Christmas dinner

Flood Appeal Auctions - QLD

Hi. I was away for too long and I do not know how to make the come back with a bang like I wish I could. So I thought I should just do it!

You would have known there was/is a flood happening in Queensland, Australia. According to the local news reporter that almost 75% of QLD was flooded. How sad. Some lost their home..that can be replaced. But how about the love ones? I can't help but to feel sorry and worry for those who affected in QLD. Meanwhile, the rain has been pouring here in Melbourne too. Look at what had happened, click here.

Minzy Girl - What A Day

That said, I was very happy to see a few business pages are doing the Flood Appeal Auctions for the affected people in Queensland. I felt my contribution seems small after winning a bidding auction from one of the FB's page. I wanna help, more than this. So I have decided to donate one of my work. Hopefully Minzy Girl will make raise lots of money to help those affected by the floods. Click here for more information.

This will be added once the bid reach AUD50 or/and more!

Given I am a full time working at home mum. Money is always an issue for us. Mind you, am eating my saving doing all this Missy Minzy's business. But this is the little achievement of my dream. To some, they need to start all over again. So if you have the time sitting in front of the computer reading this..why not duck over have a look at other albums and do some bidding, help a cause. Together we make a difference. x

Sneak Peek shots on what I am up to

Hello and welcome to my sneak peek shots!

Sorry it has been a while since the last post.

I have been being a good mum to Peanut while juggling stocking up my stocks at Missy Minzy's corner.

I have been being busy expanding my current range. Yeah, you can say so. Busy Bumble Bee.

Minzy! :)

print and test print like there's no tomorrow

Busy making a mess on the floor

Preparing some of my prints to Sydney

Challenge Day 117 - My Creative Space + Dribblex2

This might be the last week of me participating the weekly's My Creative Space. As my EDD is next Friday. Given am a gestational diabetes..the doctor & midwife are advising me and my husband that I am most likely to be induced on that day itself. My parents will be flying into Melbourne next Monday. I would like Peanut to be born when they are here. As Peanut will be their first grandchild. So, it is a big deal! :)

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Part I: My Creative Space

These have been what happening at my creative space today..

These colours are stuck in my mind since last night...

...and my mind is fills with this question: What are you going to do about this?

I bought this ribbon over the weekend thinking to replace the twine rope I did for my Mini Party Buntings (series #2). But then I thought, hrm...that would means it is going to boost up the price of my goods then. Hrm..Still thinking what to do with this.

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Part II: The Dribble Dribble Part ;)

So today is my Challenge Day 117. Time flies hey! Today also marked my 1 year anniversary me being made redundant by my previous employer (which I was loyal to) during the global recession. I still remember very clearly that I was finding it tough to look for a new job cuz of the high competition and not much of job vacant out there. Honestly, it wasn't the happiest moment for me. And then I fell pregnant few months after that. Then followed with more imbalance emotions going on....then I decided to take the plunge to be serious (after numerous of encouragement from Mr Minzy and mates) on what I do best, which is put my creative skills in good use! Then I had to put my big plan for this on hold for a bit due to my road trip to WA and oversea. So it took me awhile to get back to these creative loop - being serious on Missy Minzy once again.

Love the Mushy Mini Party Buntings

As I have mentioned 2 days ago that Missy Minzy's custom handmade arts and designs will soon be available for purchasing in AUD. Please visit my little store at BigCartel here. It's not a big store cuz I knew I will be offline for awhile once Peanut is born. So if you happened to like what you are looking from my Etsy store but it's not in AUD. Please leave me a comment here or convo me at Etsy if you are already a buyer/seller.

Just listed this at Etsy...ready to be purchased. :)

Let me tell you. I am truly getting the hang of doing all this creating and listing of late. I SO wish I started doing all this a lot earlier. So that I can have my baby (Missy Minzy) on going a lot more stable. Cuz I would like to go around having my market selling my masterpieces and meeting with all you lovely people like I do now. I guess it will take me awhile once Peanut is born hey. :) But hey, one of the achievable dream! Am positive about it! :)

So, thank you very much to all of you who have stopped by and left some really lovely comments in my blog since the day I met you in blogging land. Your supports, your friendships, your encouragement are part of my main day-to-day drive which keep me going to this far!

Head over to the mother of My Creative Space to find out more inspiring stories, more creative inventions which I believed would truly inspired you to be one of them too. Enjoy your Thursday! :)