Friday Fives... Christmas Decorations

I'm getting into the festive spirit so todays five is a collection of some beautiful contemporary Christmas decorations I've come across online...

Yarn Wreath Felt Handmade Holiday Door

Gingerbread House

Ok, I know this isn't really a 'decoration' but I just love it!

Christmas Series Merry Christmas Burlap Pillows

Felt Christmas Tree

DIY Advent Calendar

V xx

Absolute and complete technical meltdown!

It has been an eventful 24 hrs at Buttercup Ink HQ... Yesterday afternoon, my lovely Mac decided to go into full and unrecoverable meltdown! There was some freezing and then suddenly nothing. No warning. Just instant disaster!!! When I tried to re-boot I experienced what I've always dreaded... the 'click of death'!

I immediately rushed her down to the local Mac store in the hope that they could perform CRP and resuscitate her but it was no use. It was too late.

It was a harrowing 24 hrs but she's now back home having undergone a full hard drive replacement. Lesson learned? Back up more than once a month and back up email!

I've probably lost about the last 6 weeks of work and ALL email! It could have been so much worse though as I just delivered a big wedding invitation job to a client on Wednesday night!

I know I can link my Mac mail to a gmail account so I think I'm going to do that. Seeing as my lovely girl was 'going under the knife' I decided to give her a bit of a 'nip and tuck' and upgraded to the latest Mac operating system which comes with Time Machine - automatic and constant back up! Perfect! Only thing I have to do now is reinstall all my software which I'm sure all you fellow designers know can be a rather 'tricky' job!

So for all of you who are like me and keeping meaning to back up... DO IT TODAY!!! Don't do as the poster suggests. My recommendation is to take action now and save yourself from panic later!

V xx

I'm back!

Hello my lovely blog readers! Well, I'm back from Noosa. What a lovely break! It was great for G to spend some good quality time with his grandparents.

I can honesty say I did not touch a computer for 5 whole days. The break was much needed. I'm now back, feeling refreshed and ready for the busy Christmas period.

Has anyone started their Christmas shopping yet?

V xx

Blog break

Just to let you know that I'm going to be away for the next week - relaxing on the beach with my parents and baby boy - so there will be no posts until I return next week. I plan on being technology free (iPod's don't count, right?) for an entire 5 days with my book in hand. Bliss!

Have a great week! I'll share some pics on my return.

V xx

New online home and lifestyle mag!

I've just come across Adore Home magazine. It's a new Australian online mag and is full of beautiful products and interiors!

V xx

Christmas Collection now online!

My Christmas collection of cards, gift tags and notepads is now online!

I've decided to just list on my Etsy store as I've been finding it hard to maintains both the Etsy and Madeit shops. The vast majority of my sales come via Etsy so I'm going to be phasing out the Madeit store and will not be renewing expired listings.

Head on over and have a look! I'm really happy with how the collection looks as a whole. I feel that it's definitely something alternative and a little different from what is currently available out there.

V xx

Custom print

I love getting photos from happy customers!

A girlfriend asked me to create this print as a gift her friend who was moving out the area. She wanted to create a custom bus roll print that named some of the places they frequented with their girls when they were tiny babies. I think it's such a lovely idea - I know all too well how tough those early days are and this print is a really nice reminder of the more pleasant times adjusting to being a new mum!

V xx

Friday Fives... Geek gifts

I'm a bit of a geek at heart and would love to receive any of these fab gifts from Christmas! Take notes family and friends!

App Magnets - so much prettier that all the free magnets from the vet, pizza shop, fish and chip shop, etc that currently adorn my fridge!

Giant Lego Storage Boxes - I love how they have used them under the bed here.

HTML Earings - very cleaver!

Big Bang Theory Quote T-shirt - One of the best shows on TV at the moment and Sheldon is just too funny!

Harry Potter 'Weasley is our King' Necklace - I just love Harry Potter!

V xx

Friday Fives... cameras

It seem like cameras are everywhere at the moment! Both vintage and new. I've just recently got a new shiny SLR and am determined to learn how to use it properly!

Today's Friday Five are some great images of cameras!

Happy weekend everyone!

V xx

A little routine in my life...

I've always been someone who enjoys the unknown, the excitement of adventure. But what I've come to realise lately is that I actually function better and am happier with a little routine in my day. Having a baby doesn't allow for constant spontaneity! I'm not saying that we have every minute of our day planned - I tried Save Our Sleep and lasted less than 48 hrs! - but I've found that my little morning routine really sets me up mentally for the day ahead.

During this 30 days of yoga, I've been getting up before G wakes and on the mat for my daily practice. I find it's almost like a reset button for me. An anchor gently pulling me back and helping me focus on what is important for me and for the day ahead. As hard as it is to drag myself out of bed some mornings, I'd much rather get up when I decide as opposed to shocking my body and mind into the day and having to immediately attend to Gabriel.

V xx