2 Books and 1 Daring Adventures

Hey everybody, I got some big news!

I bought 2 books today! and they are mine! :D

I hardly spend money on myself since being a mum.

Most of the saving or money earned would have been

well spent on them instead of me.

Just probably one of the things any parents would do really :)

So this is somewhat big deal moment for me!

I get to know these 2 fabulous artist

when I was attending Lilla Rogers'

Make Art That Sells' e-course recently.
Will blog about the whole experience in another post..

 

Mati McDonough

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 Flora Bowley's work?

No? Ok, go make yourself a cuppa and sit closer.

pss..click on this video clip and be amazed!

I love watching Flora's clip. So free!

It makes me so happy watching it! :)

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I have signed up to this Daring Adventures with Mati. 

It's going to be a relaxing and therapeutic one I reckon! :)

My Creative Space - sneak peek

Thank God for we women are made to be able multi-tasking!

The time well spent watching my 10.5 months old daughter growing up,

did actually gave me the opportunity to reflect (brainstorming!)

what I should do with Missy Minzy (now & future etc) and myself.

conceptual drawing (doodle really ;) ) like this

my inspirations come and go

catch and jot it when you can

Sold out my Minzy Girl series

and now..working on some mystery print(s)

The frequent of having markets

help to understand your products.

Which products are your best selling.

How to have the perfect market displays.

Try to have as minimum conversation

with the customer because they tend to walk away

when you greet them and do the talking ;)

So I tend to look down and pretend flipping those magazine? lol

 Looks like April is a month

which will be filled with creation.

I have been having breakthrough for days.

working on my 5th illustration for the 2nd night last night.

Was thinking to share the finished ones with you.

But I guess you might have to wait until I have a title for each of them.

Interested to have a good browse on

what other talented women are up to at their studio?

Please head over to Kirsty's My Creative Space 

with your cuppa ready. Enjoy your Thursday!

Sneak Peek & Mini Sale

April will be an interesting month as am working on some

new works, new style and new theme (huh? hehe).

 

I am now focusing on Minzy Girl's series.

Now that I have sold out most of

the Minzy Girl's series at the market.

So am looking forward to showcasing what else

has Minzy Girl been up to in Missy Minzy's world.

 

Had some breakthrough doodling this by accident this arvo

I have to admit I haven't been very active on Etsy as a seller. 

I have made 2 sales so far. So, I have decided to have a mini sale

on my Etsy's store...hoping to increase the number of sales.

Please use code "MINZY15" to get 15% off your entire purchase!

All to celebrate my upcoming 2nd anniversary

(I missed out celebrating my 1st anniversary this time

last year cuz my parents were here to visit from oversea!)

since I have registered Missy Minzy. Offer valid till 6th April only.

Hey, any big plan for Mother's Day?

I have something ready. So stay tuned for more...

{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

December Challenge: Day 3 + Treasury Found

So was staying up late multitasking with a lot of things last night. Partly due to the caffeine too *uh hem*

Simple and Sweet

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Some very lovely Etsyian had included one of my items on her Treasury Find.

Here's the theme:- Have a colorful day Treasury Found.

And woke up this morning to receive another notification on another work of mine

was also included in one of the Treasury Found on Etsy too. WooHoo!!

Theme: - Pattern Treasury Found

For more of my work. To Look. To Buy. To Browse.

Click on my Etsy Store. Or my Madeit Store.

Not quite sneak peek shots

I have quite a bit of breakthrough this week. Hence, I have some new work to be unveiled and share with you. It looks this week has been a productive week. And am quite satisfied with the bright and vibrant colours!

One of my new work this week

No title at this stage.

Will soon list them on madeit when a title is given.

I have been spending heaps of quality time watching Peanut growing (sorry if I haven't write you back sooner). Gosh, don't they grow up quick?? 5 months she is now. I had to unwrap the christmas pressie dress set which I bought for her before she was born cuz she is getting longer. She is going to be taller than me. :) I came to realize whatever things does not matter. The most beautiful things is now. So lovely watching Peanut growing. So sweet! :)

Madeit's store frontview's banner ..lol

Thought I could have a little bit of fun ;)

Apart from Q time watching Peanut growing...

I have also spent a bit of time reflecting about the future for Missy Minzy.

love love love this print...it looks a lot better in real life :))

I have noticed that the only thing which I should,

maintaining my momentum is to keep creating and keep going.

That should be the ultimate goal for me.

I actually don't mind this print if it's in my original black and white sketching.

Just keep on doing what I love doing and enjoy the adventure ride while am on it. :)

There should be a few more new works on the way..stay tuned peep. xo

Minzy Girl - Playing With Balloons

Hey Hey!

Another new work of Minzy Girl

Minzy Girl - Playing With Balloons

Just so you know. You can actually purchase any of the Minzy Girl's series. Am about to list more of them on my Madeit store. Or, you could email me irene{!at}missyminzy{dot}com expressing your interest of which print you like (not necessary to buy) or to purchase (well, that would be great ;). I trust she will be loved by a lot of you and keeping you happy at your pad. :)

My Creative Space: Concept Sketching & Soft Toy

I have managed to draw some concept sketching awhile ago since my creative juice is running low sitting of the computer. Yeah, drawing and digital colouring are 2 different things to me :D

Some sneak peek of what I have been drawing...

More weird character coming :)

happy to see that more new illustration for Minzy Girl in this lot. :)

It's always good to do something different. So might hand stitch some soft toy since the creative juice is running low. Click here to see what soft toy I have done so far. :)

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Please meet my Minzy Girl..this is what she has been doing in Missy Minzy's world :)

Minzy Girl - WooHoo!

Head over to fabulous Kirsty's blog for more talented people participating the weekly My Creative Space. Enjoy your Thursday!! :)

Keep Calm and Carry On

This week has been challenging for me. I have lost my mojo. Not feeling very motivating to do any creativity. Any artist who involving in the creative industry will understand how I feel very well. You have your ups and you draw and admiring every piece of your work. When you are down and feeling low, you just don't know what to do to yourself.

A lot of time people might be holding back their feelings and thought towards what they do and not sharing it on their blog. Other time people might just updating you happy jolly post. Well, I reckon am the sort of person you get what you are seeing.

I guess part of the reason why am feeling blue is people are always talking about money. I lost my job almost 1.5 year ago before I had Peanut. So financial has always been an issue for me. Missy Minzy is my turning point as it gives me hope and lights when there's seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Writing blog about my adventure in Missy Minzy world is something I always looking forward. So you can see I have invested quite a bit of time doing all this.

The issue of being 'out there' is that you have to be aware of people might copycat you. They are observing what you are doing. I must have did something right then if that's the case, I think? I have received an email asking where do I get my supplier and ask to share my contact. In my honest opinion, that email upset me a lot. I know I have been helping people online and offline. I do it simply because am hoping one day people will help me when I ask for help too. In this case, I felt I was being taken for granted for being kind. Where is the business ethic?

As for the money talking. Unfortunately am not those sort of person. How bad is that? I need those skills to sell my work though. I would like to sell more of my prints and works instead of being asked to spend money on unnecessary things. Where are the so called help towards we the WAHM?? I reckon I will be packing up my piles if I were to spend all of the money before earning any.

It is very easy to get distracted. All I can do right now is to keep positive. I have to keep doing what am doing, making it perfect as it goes. Mr Minzy told me just treat it as doing it for passion and not for money (with or without sales). I felt like a poor artist when he told me that. Haha. Keep Calm and Carry On, peep.

ETA: (guess what? I just received an email asking to spend money [again] right after I clicked the "send" button. pfffft).

New ACEO Limited Edition Print

In The Woods Series (set of 4) - ACEO Limited Edition Print

They are now available to be purchased from Etsy store. :)

Busy Busy

It has been very full on at Missy Minzy's corner since the last post.

So many things to do, so little time to spare!

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It must be your lucky day today (:P) as I am showcasing my newest range to my blog's followers. ;)

An overview of my newest range ACEO Limited Edition Print at my shop

(still listing most of them...I cannot believe it takes up so much time!)

I've decided to tag along with Lauren Alexander's fun this month:

August is ACEO month!

So what is ACEO? ACEO stands for Art Card Editions & Originals. ACEOs are miniature original art at affordable price. It is only 2.5" x 3.5" in size. They are highly collectible. They are also good for framing, displaying, scrapbooking, giving as gifts and much more!

D for Duck is now available to be purchased.

I have included some of my latest illustration into the ACEO range in line to kick off the whole new range. As it is a new range and am only producing 10 pieces for each ACEO illustration print. So all of my ACEO prints are limited edition only! I am offering FREE SHIPPING for every ACEO Limited Edition Print purchase this month. And you are invited to wander at Missy Minzy's store for more details. :)

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Bright Forest will be available for purchasing v soon

I am currently working on MORE new works to be included into my Giclee Fine Art Print collection. It's about time to expand my work and hopefully they will go places! Looks like I might have to cut down time spent on Facebook and spend more quality time in order to produce MORE quality works to be sold.

New Print - Stems of Mushy Love

I have been feeling guilty for haven't been very active in my blog of late. I have written quite a few posts and they are all sitting in my drafting mailbox (always wanted by Peanut) awaiting for me to complete them. It can be tiring looking after a newborn for a newbie mum. I do my best, hop on here working on some creative works whenever she is asleep. That is the ME TIME I looking forward to dive into it on daily basis.

Had this done a week or so. Just needed to give a whimsical name to be completed. Glad to find a name for this masterpiece, finally.. :)

Stems of Mushy Love

is now available to be purchased here.

Name Searching+Cold Melbourne

Name searching for this design which I have done not too long ago. Any suggestion? :)

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Do you like winter? It is no doubt MORE grey and gloomy. I read some article from somewhere said that people tend to feel gloomy & depress during winter. So, are you really sure you like winter? I used to like winter but probably not so much this year. The arrival of Peanut really consuming a lot of my time..that including posting a post in here ;) Believe it or not. I am always wanted by Peanut whenever I clicked on "new post". As if it was a jinx to click on that button! Heh :) I hope to get out and do more things...hopefully not that cold.. :S

Speaking of which, I get the chance to tiptoeing do more things today again. I managed to look at some designs. Also spent some time do a bit of planning on how and when I want to reopen my Etsy's store (when am ready, of course!). Stalking some bloggers' blogs...some mates' facebook updates...also get the chance to make a proper meal. Slowly getting back on track.....it's all good :)

Challenge Day 104 Part II - 3 more Up for grab at Etsy

3 more masterpieces are up for sales ...only at Etsy! :)

Mushy World Series - Mushy Tower (8" x 10")

Mushy World Series - Mushy Gathering (8" x 10")

The background color of this Giclee Print is light blue green colour

Mushy World Series - Mushy Trunk (8' x 10")

It can be available in pure white background as an alternative option if desired.

Challenge Day 103 - My Creative Space

It has been quite happening in My Creative Space since Challenge Day 100 or day before. First, I upgraded my blog's domain name...then I have a new header banner.

To celebrate the successful of reaching my Challenge Day 100. I have decided to mark the day by launching my Etsy store. I knew about the price of listing but I do not understand how come took me so long to find the courage to list and sell my masterpieces online. So, I was and still overwhelming about the status where I am. Only thing is that I have to list more!

Below are one of the work I have been mucking around..which I will list them on Etsy very soon.

Showing you some Work In Progress' work...still some tweaking to be done though...

Before

After

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Thank you for all the lovely suggestion on what should I do with this hand printed fabrics which I made awhile back at My Creative Space last week. So I have decided to have a go by utilizing one of them on making a few 'element' since the fabric prints is on an odd size.

This is what I have came up with... Element #1

The Rubber Carving Block Fabric prints

A handmade picture frame which I did a long time ago....

The End result of Element #1

Not sure do I like the end result but at least I gave it a go. That's what creation is all about. :)

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My next task which am about to do (after the tweaking) is to apply some beautiful colors onto this masterpiece...

You liking my progress so far? :)

Alright. Enough of me now... ;) Head over to Kirsty's place for more creative talents lovely people out there... Here wishing you a Happy Thursday everyone! :)