Owl Finds.

Thanks Flickr! (click on image for the source)
Aloha kitchen Owl reminds me a bit of mine. Cast from the same mold!
When I cook I follow the wise words of my Kit(s)chen Owl..... it makes for a happier household!
All the best for the New Year, hope your households are happy and healthy!
Notice I didn't say "Hooty New Year" like I wanted too!!!!!

Day at the Beach

Had a lovely time at Seaford beach yesterday. Swam, read, strolled along the shore.......and picked up more plastic litter!!!
Mr BJ commented (with just a hint of irony) "They'll be good for the blog!". Bless.

Flying South for Winter.

But where are your ducky friends? They will be catching up soon............

My Year in Craft

I'm joining in with Northside Makers reminiscing about the year that was.............

1. In my twelve months of crafting, my crafty self made all these...
-Too many Betty Jo goodies to count. More than last year which was seriously close to 2,000!
-Fun and colourful 'Stuff" collages.
-Two new ranges "Lino Deco" and "Lino Royale" and a few exclusive collections for special customers.

2. If my year was a colour it would be... Lolly shop brights!

3. This year I spent way too many craft hours... adhering stuff. One thing I'm not fond of is gluing!

4. This year I wish I'd had more craft hours for... just designing new things and mucking around with my collection of "stuff".Planning on doing this in the summer break.

5. My proudest craft moment of the year was...
I'm always proud if Betty Jo gets positive feedback from respected arty/crafty peeps. This interview was super nice.6. My biggest craft disaster was...all the brooches and pendants that ended up on the cutting room floor (all way too Wonky for even my normal Wonky standards).
7. This year I had stalls at/visited this many markets...
I visited /checked out quite a few markets over the year. I loved the market at the Convent in Abbotsford mainly for it's gorgeous surrounds.
I had a stall at the Made n' Thornbury Market a few weekends ago, which was fun.
But my first market type experience this year was at The Stitches and Craft Show and that was a whopper for Betty Jo. 8. My most enjoyable market was... Made n' Thornbury.
Friendly , local, not pretentious!
9. My best handmade purchase/present/swap/acquisition was...
I seriously can't say, BUT these earrings have garnered the most comments since I bought them from this Etsy shop!

10. After this year I swear I'll never again... avoid tidying my studio for so long. (Massive cleanup commencing for a photo shoot in a couple of weeks). So soon I will have this.......

11. Next year I'm determined to...
-Design at least two new ranges/products.
-Have more market stalls (the first being Sisters Market in February!)
-Continue blogging.
-Get along to some regular Crafty Blogger events.
-Keep riding the handmade wave and create cool products that I would be happy to buy!

12. But I'll probably do this instead... All of the Above!!

Thanks for your support , feedback and finding the time in the manic world we live in to read Lino Forest. It has been fantastic to meet so many great creative people online and in the real world! See you in 2010! (if not before)

Hoppy Christmas.

This little bunny heralds my last Betty Jo creation before Christmas!
After a slightly concerned email from Ms Sally from Georgie Love this morning regarding slow mail, postie strikes and bunny orders maybe not arriving in time , I made this guy just in case.
Luckily (once again) Australia Post didn't let us down, so he is going to hang on our tree with the blokes in red.
Speaking of trees, I didn't quite find the time to get super crafty with a button/lino tree, but instead decorated my big potted succulent . No needles, no watering, no tree disposal dilemma!
Now all orders and deliveries are done I'm going to breath.......in......release!

Life's Rich Tapestry

I like a Good Tapestry.....made into something else!
Tapestry Sparrow

Pouffes by Penelope Durston

My new bag by Beccasaurus and the Rockin' tapestry near the ladies at the Thornbury Theatre (maybe too good to transform, even if it was somehow mine! )

Betty Jo Babushka Postcard and Tapestry Bunny.

Crossing the Tasman!

I was relieved to see this Twitter post this morning.
"Look what just arrived @missbettyjo Aren't they so cool! Brooches made from recycled lino."And a picture attached to prove it!
The parcel of goodies arrived safely at Small Acorns in Wellington NZ.
Our Australia Post came through! Sorry I ever doubted you!

Christmas Bonuses and Hiccups!

Playing along a day late with Loobylu's Hot and Not. Today I give you Bonuses and Hiccups.

BONUSES!

-First up a Christmas Bonus!
These Owlie brooches told me they didn't want to be hanging around in the bottom of a box this Christmas. They want to fly free to new surroundings. So I am offering a Buy one, get one Half Price deal. A quick and easy stocking filler, and a present for yourself as well.
Get in first for the pick of the bunch. There will be free postage in Australia too. Just drop me a line.

-I only have one more order to ship out, then I shall take a breath!

- I think I have avoided any extended family Christmas shindiggs, thanks to having already done the relo thing only two weeks ago at my parents 50thAnniversary do.

-As for a real $ Christmas Bonus $- we're not counting on one. So we won't be doing a Clark Griswald and putting the down payment on a pool!

HICCUPS
-In my mad rush to get parcels out before Christmas, I didn't realize Australia Post haven't been delivering for a few days due to a badly timed strike! They might be delivering now. No one is sure. Oh well, maybe some people won't get their goodies before Christmas after all.

-Boy home with a wobbly tummy today..that will slow things down considerably.

-No joy at Toys are Us . How do I tell Charlie that Santa has "Sold Out" of Night Vision goggles.....?

-Parking ticket giving out people that appear from nowhere. ME NO LIKE!

Oh, Christmas Tree

I noticed someone had left their little pink Christmas tree out for me to notice today (daughter).
I haven't got us a proper tree as yet, so maybe it was a hint! I'm resisting the boring option of a pine tree, especially after seeing these beautiful non-needle dropping festive delights.

Market Fun!

It was fun and jolly at the Made n' Thornbury market yesterday. And so lovely to spend the day with CurlyPops, Map29 and TinnieGirl. There was gourmet sustenance from Cathie, friendly stallholders, visits from wonderful friends and gifts and swaps aplenty. I scored a great CurlyPops shopping tote, some lovely Map29 soaps and a sweet "Messages from the Universe" affirmation pack by Tinniegirl.Ms.Becasaurus presented me with my funky finished bag. She did a wonderful job mixing my thrifted "Three Little Kittens" tapestry with this pretty vintage fabric. Bella has given it her tick of approval!
It is my new favorite bag, but I will have to hang on to it tightly if I'm around Tinniegirl!

Shopping for Christmas

Ok, there's two more weeks of Christmas shopping time. One super cool place to stop and visit is The Eco Innovators Showcase in Melbourne's C.B.D. Pick up a hand made, environmentally responsible gift from local craftspeople. I know I mention this shop a lot, but I think it's such a cool idea, and it wont be around for long.
And don't forget to come and visit us at the Made n' Thornbury market tomorrow.
This will be one stop Chrissy shopping heaven!
Mention my blog and I'll give you a 10% discount on all Betty Jo goodies, and throw in a colour collage greeting card!
As I'm feeling Christmassy, I am also going to offer a 10% discount and free card over at my Etsy shop. Just mention the blog in the buyers comments.

Twinkle, Twinkle

Lucky me! Michelle sent me a lovely gift for Christmas. One of her gorgeous "Grandma Twinkle Garlands".If you are a clever crocheter, she has instructions for you to make your own.

There was some lovely extras as well. A string of Grandma Hearts, two tree decorations, and a cute teacup and teapot brooch set, all beautifully wrapped!

Thankyou Michelle.

Yay & Sheesh!

It's time for another Yay and Sheesh, joining in with Loobylu's Hot and Not.

YAY!
- Looking forward to sharing a table at Made n' Thornbury market with Tinnie Girl this Saturday 12th December. I will be selling Betty Jo goodies of all shapes and sizes!


-A lovely family reunion was had on the weekend for my folks 50th wedding anniversary.Relos and friends from all over the country. Some I hadn't seen for 20 years! Held in my cousins beautiful gardens in Upwey. (yes, that's their garden path!)- Great T-Shirts by Mel Stringer on Red Bubble (thanks for the alert Sarah)- The purchasing of some gifts for a lovely girl from Sarah McNeil.
SHEESH!
- Trying to organize a holiday this summer is proving to be a logistical nightmare. Maybe I'll just set up our tent in the backyard!
- Worrying about my big girl on camp at Wilsons Prom. as it rained all of yesterday and was freezing. I can picture me still worrying if my kids are warm enough well into their adulthood!
- Dreading a visit to Toy's are Us at Norfland. Nuf said!
-The on going saga of Tradesmen not turning up....am I jinxed?

Happy and Bright!

Thankyou Le Blog De Nelly for the lovely post (in French) about Betty Jo.
Her Happy and Bright illustrations like these can be found on her website.

© Nelly Charbonneaux
*The Winner of the Happy Greeting Cards Giveaway is Kellie from 74 Lime Lane. And I agree,
" lovely inspiring people make me happy" too!