Motivate Me Friday #3

3 weeks gone, 14 weeks to go till the Craft Show!

I can't believe it's the 30th of October already. One more day then it's November, the second to the last month of 2009. How time flies super fast!
I am quite disappointed at myself because I seem to be progressing slower than a turtle. I've been cutting for a few days now and more supplies have arrived. I have no more excuses. I really need to be more productive if I want to achieve what I want to do by January 2010.

This week's motivational quote is all about self discipline. It made me realized that if I keep on procrastinating, there's only myself to blame if I don't get to where I want to be in the next 14 weeks. These oneliners really hit me, argghhh!

If I had only done today what I set out for yesterday I'd be free tomorrow.

~ Andy Munthe

If you put off everything "till you're sure of it, you'll get nothing done".

~ Norman Vincent Peale

The Brothers

It all started with the "Lil Bro" which I originally bought for my daughter who asked me to buy her one because she wanted to make her own dresses. Well, that was the plan. This lasted a little less than a month. So while it was gathering dust, I decided to sit down and give it a go. 

Then things got a little too serious that it was time to get something, well, more serious! So the "Indie Bro" was adopted. 

For a little while, Indie Bro and Lil Bro were doing well but as things got too hectic, it was time to add a new addition to the family, so "Lock Bro" came on board.  

So now there are 3 members in the "Bro" family and they all work together as a team to create handmade Kikay bags!

Green Grass of Summer

We finally have grass in our front yard ... yay!
Laying it yesterday was good timing because it was cloudy so it wasn't too hot and today it rained the whole day. It should give the new grass a well deserved soaking.

I hope it doesn't get too hot in the next few days. Martin the grass expert said, as long as we water it everyday until it starts to grow roots it should turn green and beautiful. It remains to be seen ... will give an update in a month's time.

P.S. There were a few square meters of grass leftover. So where did it end up? Yes, you guessed it right! The leftovers landed just outside my studio.  So yeah, the area outside my studio got new grasses too! Will post pictures next time.

      

Motivate Me Friday #2

TGIF ... the week went by so quickly!

I have given myself this week to finish at least 2 designs and the prototypes. Time to gear up for a weekend of "fun" so here's my motivational quote for the week -

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

His and Her Messenger Bags

These are made to order messenger bags for him and for her.

The Large Messenger Bag for him measures 13" x 13 1/2".

The Medium Messenger Bag for her measures 11 1/2" x 10 1/2".

Both are made of navy corduroy fabric and inside is a 100% cotton stripes.

What a cute pair!

Motivate Me Friday #1

For most people, Friday is the end of their week but for me it is just starting. It is when I turn the my motivational switch to the highest rating it can get to prepare for the weekend. Since I work full time, it is these 2 days that I need to be very productive.

With a show looming in 17 weeks, I am calling Fridays my 'motivate me' Fridays. So from today and in the next 16 Fridays, I am going to post a quote that will give me inspiration to succeed in my goal.

Without further adieu, I am kicking off my motivate me friday quote with a personal favorite:

When you are not practicing (... sewing for me!), remember someone somewhere is "sewing" and when you meet him he will win!
~ Ed Macauley

The Countdown Begins

After much contemplation and deliberation with me, myself and I, a decision has been made to finally launch Kikay Designs in 2010. It's been a long time coming from the day I first sat on a sewing machine for the first time in 2007.
  

After over a 100 sales and orders from Tinda, Etsy, Dawanda, Ebay, Made It, and all the other online venues, the time has come to formally introduce Kikay Designs. And so in Feb 2010, Kikay Designs will exhibit for the first time at The Stitches and Craft Show in Sydney for 5 (exciting and nerve wrecking!) days.

Appplication to exhibit in the Indie Section of the show has been accepted, approved and booked. And yes, planning is offically now in progress.

In the next 17 weeks from today, it's all systems go ... the countdown begins!

Can't Get Enough of 'My Hobos'

My obsession with these bags is not fading.

I love the size, love the straps, love the pockets inside!

In short, just love them!

I just can't get enough!

This Little Pig is Going to the Arts Market

10 days ago I had a surprised email from an etsy member asking me if I was interested in going to an Arts Market. It turned out that he was the events coordinator for the Blacktown City Council Arts Centre. It actually caught my attention because I didn't want to go to just any markets. I wanted to make sure that the other stallholders were also selling handmade.

This event coincides with the 2009 Blacktown City Art Exhibition. It is going to be the 2nd Annual Arts Market which is going to be held outside the grounds of the Arts Centre. So I thought why not. 

The last 10 days was my most productive days in my entire "kikay" career. Up to now, I am still preparing for this market which is going to be this Saturday, the 10th of October. Hence, my being "quiet". That is, if anyone even noticed (haha!).

Although the stalls have waterproof covers, I hope the weather is going to cooperate. This is my first market and I am excited. Whether I sell or not, I think it is going to be fun for a change!

Good luck to Kikay!
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Summer is already here!

When I hear Floriade, I know that summer is just around the corner. Flowers are blooming and the cold is cover. Today is the start of daily savings time in Sydney and I love how DST this year is earlier than usual. Although summer officially starts in Dec 1, as far as I'm concerned, it is already summer!

Now to back to Floriade ... In spring, Canberra, the nation's capital hosts a display of over a million (yes, a million!) stunning bulbs, annuals and other plant varieties. A majority of these though is tulips, one of my favorite flowers! 

If you're wondering, the name Floriade, comes from the Latin word floriat, which means to design with flowers.

So 2 weeks ago, we had a short trip to Canberra (it's about 2  1/2 hrs drive from Sydney) to witness the spectacular display of tulips and blooms. This year, the Floriade 2009 theme is mind, body and spirit.

Australia's biggest flower festival did it again. What an amazing display of flowers!