Nothing to Say

My mind is blank and I can't think of anything to say.

Let me just show you some pictures of my creations.

I hope you enjoy as much as I enjoyed making these bags.

Uni Tote - 'Leaf'

Mini Messenger Bags in Stripes

Orange Dreams Wristlet

Wristlet in Laurel Burch Tapestry

Yellow Morrocan Carry All Bag

On Being Creative

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace, the slaves of the ordinary." ~ Cecil Beaton

"Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live." ~ Mae Jemison

"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will." ~ George Bernard Shaw

Thank You

Thank you for McDonalds sundaes

Thank you for our garden gnomes

Thank you for blue m&ms

Thank you for funny sitcoms

Thank you for annoying hair that sometimes curls

Thank you for vanilla ice cream

Thank you for my friends

Thank you for chocolate

Thank you for comfy doonas

Thank you for red smarties

Thank you for bean bags

Thank you for books that can be hard to finish

Thank you for door handles

Thank you for ads that don't make sense

Thank you for my purple Doc Martens

Thank you for black and white films

Thank you for sugar cubes

Thank you for jokes that make me laugh

Thank you for butterflies and their pretty colours

Thank you for coke

Thank you for yellow daisies

Thank you for the sun

Thank you for music that sounds so sweet

Thank you for boring maths lessons

Thank you for leather seats

Thank you for colourful umbrellas

Thank you for bruises and grazed knees

Thank you for silky pyjamas

Thank you for roses that smell so sweet

Thank you for disco balls

Thank you for happiness

Thank you for romance

Thank you for broken hearts and heartaches

Thank you for old pictures that make us laugh and get embarassed

Thank you for fond memories

Thank you for pink balloons

Thank you for parents that nag

Thank you for rainy days

Thank you for my life, joy and pain

Thank you for me.

by Danie, age 9

Featured Artist - Gallerie Marie

Meet Marie, the multi talented artist behind 'Gallerie Marie'. She can make the most perfect soy candles, luscious handmade goatmilk soaps, cute Raggedy Ann dolls, trendy Bags, yummy Cakes and more ... now that's what we call 'Jill of all trades'!


Tell me something about yourself?


I am a mother first of all to a 28 year old girl and a 15 year old boy who’s turning 16 in August next month. My husband is so understanding with the things I love to do that oftentimes I love it when he sits in the corner of my studio, just reading a book while I’m sewing. Then when I ask his opinion, he would just make any nice comment for the sake of it, I love that!



Some of us Moms would just love to sit in front of the tv or maybe read a book to relax after a hard day’s work, but not me. When I’m not sewing, I pour candles, when I’m not pouring candles I make soaps! I can’t imagine myself not doing anything other than my craft.



What are your sources of inspiration?

I really don’t have any sources of inspiration with my creations, but what I do have is my imagination. I just keep going as I create, they are all unplanned.



Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?

I consider myself as a self-taught crafter or shall I say artist? If there was something that I don’t understand, I relentlessly do my own research and find the answers. I’m very perfectionist and I’m glad I have the patience to be able to accomplished something perfect!


I guessed every family home has a sewing machine, and when I was little, my Mom’s sewing machine was always open. It was so inviting, I couldn’t help myself but sat down on it and started sewing just for fun! I made my first handbag when I was 12 using a recycled denim fabric. That was my first accomplishment and no one even showed me how, not even my Mom! But I thank her for her sewing machine!



Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?

I enjoy baking cakes, experimenting with recipes until my cake is perfect! If you don’t see me in my studio, you know where to find me!



What piece of advise can you give to other artists?

Be very patient with whatever you do, if you think you’re going nowhere with your current project, just leave it for awhile. There is no need to concentrate any more than what you’re doing, it will just frustrate you even more. Turn off the lights and go to bed!

As for those aspiring artists and crafters, my advise is to believe in yourself that you can do anything. I believe that each one of us has our own talent, we just have to find it.
Vincent Van Gogh quotes – "If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint', then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced".



What are you plans for the future?

I hope I will still be able to do what I love doing now, sewing and more crafting!

Check out Gallerie Marie at Dawanda and follow her Blog.

Carry All Bag - Simply Black

Simply Black with Khaki Brown Piping details

... this bag has spacious interiors and will match any outfit!

OUTSIDE:

- BLACK SUEDE Fabric

- 1 FRONT POCKET with MAGNETIC SNAP Closure

INSIDE:

- Fully lined with 100% COTTON in KHAKI BROWN

- 2 SMALL OPEN POCKETS for you Ipod, Mobile Phone or other Gadgets

- 1 ZIPPERED SECRET POCKET

MEASUREMENTS:

- WIDTH - 30 cms (11 3/8")

- HEIGHT - 21.5 cms (8 1/2")

- Gussett - 14 cms (5 1/2")

STRAPS:

- WIDTH - 4 cms( 1 1/2")

- LENGTH - 35 cms (13 3/4")

- Drop - 15 cms (6")

Now available at Dawanda and Etsy

Take a Break

I took a break from sewing, grab my camera and went out to do some shooting. Trust me, out of so many shots (180 shots to be exact!) these are the only ones that turned out to be worth posting.

Enjoy the photos!

Aeonium Tri-color

The Silhouette

Jacaranda Tree Fruit

Succulent Flower


Meet Assamat
The cranky statue who sits in my garden

Have you ever ...

... broke a sewing needle? so far 25 and counting!

... sewn your finger on the fabric? almost.

... lost a scarf while wrapped on your neck? uhmmm 2.

... broke the handle of a hand blender while mixing? once.

... cut your finger with a rotary cutter while cutting fabric? I'm really careful now.

... typed something, well, 2 pages of document on a (single space) and when asked to save you quickly click on 'No'? oh no ... always!

... drank fish sauce thinking it was apple juice? not me, hubby did... haha!

... gone to work in full business suit only to find out you had your slippers on because you forgot to change it after the drive to work? no comment.

... missed your train stop because you fell asleep? once ... okay ... twice ... fine ... 3x!

... forgotten an umbrella? that's why it's not a good idea to give me an umbrella as a present

... lost a bracelet? countless times, including precious ones ... huhuhu.

So I guess I'm the clumsiest person alive, haha!

5 Things I don't leave the house without!

1. Myself - duh!

2. My Blackberry Bold - I'll be lost without my best friend, my personal assistant, my entertainer, my info getter, my help desk, my daily paper, my personal weather forecaster, my navigator ... in short everything is in this nifty gadget!

3. My Super Obese Wallet - all-in-one container: from money (I wish there was more of it!), train tickets (current and expired!), lots and lots of receipts and dockets, paper of any kind, a missing button (?), stamps, notes from kids, pictures, fabric swatches, I wonder who invented the wallet ... must be a genius ?!!

4. My D&G Glasses - as they say, 'Eyes are the Window to the Soul'!

5. My Keys - gateway to the house, to car, to mailbox, the garage door, plus hanging keyrings of all sorts! ... i think you all know what it looks like so there's no pix!

So there ... A little more about me!

Top 100 Kikay Friends on Facebook

Just hit the Top 100 Funky Kikay Friends on Facebook. Yay!

But what now??? hahaha... well I guess I am assured I have claimed my username, which is of course, KikayDesigns, and I don't have to type a string of words, numbers and characters and most of all, I can simply tell everyone that they can visit Kikay on facebook.com/kikaydesigns.

Phew, that was a tough race. I almost did not make it to my self-imposed deadline which was this weekend.

Well, I'm thinking of rewarding this Top 100 Fans but I'm just not sure what, when, where and how...

Just for Laughs

Stop being serious, take a break and have some laughs!

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A judge was punishing three men because they had committed a crime. Their sentence was a few years in the desert. He said that they could each take one thing with them. The first guy decides to take an umbrella, so that he can have shade whenever he wants. The second guy decides to take a water bottle so that he won't get thirsty. Finally, the third guy decides to take a car door. The judge asked, "Why in the world would you want to take a car door?" The man replies, "Just in case it gets hot, I can roll down the window."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Actual Instruction Labels:

ON A KOREAN KITCHEN KNIFE:
Warning keep out of children.

ON A HAIR DRYER:
Do not use while sleeping.

ON A BAG OF FRITOS:
You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.

ON A BAR OF DIAL SOAP:
Directions: Use like regular soap.

ON A FROZEN DINNER:
Serving suggestion: Defrost.

ON A HOTEL-PROVIDED SHOWER CAP:
Fits one head.

ON TESCO''S TIRAMISU DESERT:
Do not turn upside down. (Printed on the bottom of the box.)

ON MARKS & SPENCER BREAD PUDDING:
Product will be hot after heating.

ON PACKAGING FOR A ROWENTA IRON:
Do not iron clothes on body.

ON BOOTS CHILDREN'S COUGH MEDICINE:
Do not drive car or operate machinery.

ON NYTOL (A SLEEP AID):
Warning: may cause drowsiness.

ON A STRING OF CHINESE MADE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:
For indoor or outdoor use only.

ON A JAPANESE FOOD PROCESSOR:
Not to be used for the other use.

ON SAINSBURY''S PEANUTS:
Warning: contains nuts.

ON AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PACKET OF NUTS:
Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.

ON A SWEDISH CHAINSAW:
Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fun Things to do in an Elevator:

-- Make race car noises when anyone gets on or off.
-- Whistle the first seven notes of "It's a Small World" incessantly.
-- Collect DNA samples.--
Shave.
-- Peer into your briefcase or purse and ask, "Got enough air in there?"
-- Stand silent and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
-- Meow occasionally.
-- Walk on with a cooler that says "human head" on the side.
-- Start the Wave.
-- Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
-- Bring a lawn chair.
-- Say "excuse me, excuse me" while continuously pushing around a mop.
-- Exclaim in a demonic voice, "I must find a more suitable host body."
-- If anyone brushes against you, recoil and holler, "Bad touch!"
-- Hold your cell phone to your ear the entire time, repeating, "Hello? Did I lose you? Hello? Did I lose you? Hello? I'm in an elevator. Did I lose you?

Do What You Love

"I think people who are creative are the luckiest people on earth. I know that there are no shortcuts, but you must keep your faith in something greater than You, and keep doing what you love. Do what you love, and you will find the way to get it out to the world." ~ Judy Collins

Featured Artist - Over the Top

Check out Corline, a talented artist who makes groovy aprons. It's so OTT!


Tell me something about yourself


I refer to myself as a Grandmaprenuer ... an 'over70', young at heart and attitude, married for 51 years, 2 grown sons, 4 grandchildren. I have a love for fashion, color, design, and style. I appreciate everyones God given talent and am amazed and greatly admire the creativity of other women. My designs are a new twist on the aprons of the past, designs that are new and fresh for the 21st Century woman and toddler. They are pretty, romantic, classic, elegant, fun and a bit funky - all the while being functional and practical (they are all washable and tumble dry). Any woman can feel pretty and look pretty in the kitchen whether she is preparing family meals or entertaining her favorite guests, she will always look just a little 'over the top!'




What are your sources of inspiration?


I am inspired by everything around me; God's beautiful color combinations in flowers, animals, sky, water, all that surrounds us. I love keeping up with the latest fashion trends and reintreperate them in my apron designs. It is fun to see how the young people put their eveyday looks together.




Where and when did you learn your craft? Who taught you?


In a sense I am self taught. But I must give credit to my mother who was a very talented woman, beautiful seamstress, china painter,decorator, loved the arts. I think I picked up things from her just seeing her express her own creativity and love for fashion.



Aside from your craft, what else do you enjoy doing?


Friends, working 2x a week in a very nice boutique and being involved with our church. My husband teaches the College/Career class - we love being around young people.


What piece of advise can you give to other artists?


Go with your passions - you may not always get the encouragement you may desire from others but trust your self from within. Tomorrow comes quickly and you really only have today which turns into another day ... go with your instincts, enjoy your talents, express who you are and the results will come.


Check out Corline's aprons at: www.overthetopaprons.com

Follow her blog: http://overthetopaprons.blogspot.com

A wristlet just for the necessities

My daughter hates bringing a bag. She just wants a wristlet that can hold just the necessities. Back in 2007, she chose a fabric and asked me to make her a wristlet. Her only request was to have a pocket on the front and, I know it's weird, but she didn't want to have handles.

This is the original wristlet I made for her.



I re-created this wristlet and sold it on etsy. This time I've added the handles.



Just recently I made one for my friend Julie and another one available for sale on Dawanda and Etsy.

Made Especially for You

I have been "unofficially" accepting custom orders for some time now. I say "unofficial" because I don't advertised it, only if I get asked.

But I have now taken the plunge and I am excited to announce that I will now formally accept custom orders.

As always, it will be made especially for you!

One of my most popular custom order is the wristlet below. Most people just can't get enough of this cute wristlet made from limited edition Laurel Burch tapestry. For those who doesn't want to bring a bag, this is great for just the essentials. You can have a a small wallet, lipstick, your phone and ipod or camera and even your keys can fit in. This wristlet is so versatile, no stress when matching it with an outfit. Take a look at the photos, how cute is that?

Facebook Fans Exclusive Giveaway

Do you want a US$50 shopping spree from Kikay? Plus we send your gift from our Sydney studio to you for free. Interested? read on ...

But first of all, I'd like to say thanks to all Kikay Designs Facebook Fans for all your love and continuing support. And as my way of saying 'Thank You', here's another exclusive Facebook Fans giveaway. Yes, this competition is exclusive to all facebook fans only.

Here's how to enter:
1. Browse Kikay Bags through facebook and blog photos, or check out kikay bags at the following shops: Etsy, Dawanda, Artfire, Made it Myself, Made it and even on eBay.

2. Simply write on the wall and tell us which is your favorite Kikay Bag (please describe so we know which one) and why? (it can be because of the style, colour, functionality, size, practicality, uniqueness or what have you!)

That's it ... easy as 1-2-3!

Now for the rules:
1. We know you have more than 1 favorite Kikay Bag, so you are allowed to join up to 3 times provided you enter once every week. Yay! you get more chances to win.

2. We understand that you can not be on Facebook everyday, so we are giving you more time. Competition will run from July 2 to July 31, 2009. Entries will close at 11.59 pm AEST on July 31.

3. All entries entered must be posted on the Facebook Fan Page Wall. No other entries will be accepted.

4. All entries will be verified and assigned a number. The winning number will be chosen using a random number generator through Random.Org. The decision is final and the winner will be announced on Aug 1, 2009.

You can use your US$50 Kikay Gift Certificate anytime even on sale items. You can even use it to send as a gift to a friend or love one.

Remember you have to be in to win it! So if you're not a fan yet, now is the best time to join. Invite your friends too. The more, the merrier!

Good luck everyone and enjoy!