'TIS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

To you, whoever you may be, where ever you are, we at Missy Mao Mao wish you peace and good will. May 2010 bring you love and laughter.

I have lot's to blog about in the next few days so please pop back,

Bye for now.

A GARDEN OF THOUGHTS

I've been working away the whole weekend trying to get though all my Christmas orders for shops. I had a very large order form A Garden of Thoughts in Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia.

This is one store you have to visit if you're in Gippsland, very stylish, I highly recommend it.

Here's the pile of bags, finished and ready for labels and packing. Believe me they look so much better on display in the shop.

I was very happy with these two pocket bags featuring the wonderland fabric from Momo.

I think the mother bird feeding her chicks is just adorable.

The wonderland fabric range is inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

This bag is also available in a satchel from:

A Garden of Thoughts

120 Graham Street

Wonthaggi

IN THE COMFY ZONE - NEW SHOES

I work from home, my studio is a large room at the front of my house which was previously a bedroom. Often I wake up and just pull on my comfy zone clothes and work for a few hours before breakfast. Problem was that over the past few years I've been putting on the comfy footwear as well. Comfy footwear = old worn out slippers. So for the past few years I've been less in shoes and more in old worn out slippers. Not good for the feet and to be honest I was feeling it. So when my parents came to visit with the purpose of finding Dad some better footwear that helps posture and knee problems, we set out to visit Bridge Mall, Ballarat.

We ended up at the Athletes Foot. While they were measuring and sorting Dads footwear out I spotted these cute clogs being unpacked. I was thinking that they looked whacky and comfy, ummmm, could they be a comfy slipper substitute? so after a couple more ums and urs I tried them on. Well, comfy alright and with the right support. So home they came.

Here are my legs and feet in my comfy zone gear, ready for work in the studio.

Look at those cherry socks.

Here they are, my new favourite shoes minus the feet. I love them.

Technically they are Papillio by Birkenstock

Dad ended up with a pair of MBT's

My partner and I are saving for a pair of MBT's as well, which means I have to get back to bag making.

What sort of footwear do you use in your comfy zone?

DO YOU LIKE THE COLOUR PURPLE?

There's something about the colour purple and theres something about birds. Both are featured in this lovely Oriental print. I made two satchels especially for Jacqui Fernandes, a fine boutique in Collins Place, Melbourne.

Small satchel

Large satchel

Purple cranes bags are available at

Jacqui Fernandes

Shop 7

Collins Place

Collins Street

Melbourne.

TODAY IN THE GARDEN - GARDEN UPDATE

I've been a bit quiet on the blogging front this week. I'm getting very busy with Christmas orders for bags, so it's up early and finish late for the next few weeks. Every day I routinely walk around my garden to see how it's growing. Today I took some photos to share with you.

The herb garden I planted a few weeks ago. See here. Herb Garden.

The revised vegie garden. Remember we fixed the fence and extended the vegetable bed.

Last week we planted a new strawberry patch.

This rose has grown so quickly, it must be nearly 6 foot tall although it doesn't look it in the photo. The marigolds at the base of the plant need to be removed, so much work to do.

Like everyone else we are moving into "survive summer" mode with our gardening.

We spend a lot of our morning making sure the plants have enough water to survive the sun during the peak heat of the day. Today it's going to be very hot, 35 degrees C and it's not even summer yet.

THE UPHOLSTERY GALLERY - CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Yesterday, while we were having coffee in the cafe section of The Upholstery Gallery, Owner Liz was around the corner setting up the Christmas display.

When I peeked around to take the photo, I've got to admit, I felt a little excited. Christmas is coming and the shops are starting to sparkle with all this seasons new decorations.

Here's a few of them. The upholstery Gallery has a fantastic range, use them in your own home or give them as a gift.

I'm allergic to real Christmas trees and I spotted a few trees on this table that could happily replace the real thing. What do you think?

There's lots more to see at this gift shop. If you are in Ballarat it's worth the visit. If your not here then it's worth visiting for a day trip. Oh and did I mention the coffee is to die for.

BALLARAT MEMBERS OF THE DUST TEAM MEET UP - NOVEMBER 2009

Every month the Ballarat members of the Etsy Dust Team meet up for coffee and a chat. It's a good chance to exchange business ideas, craft resources and to find out what we are all making. It's usually and hour and a half of chat over the best coffee. After all our hard work making things we feel that we deserve to relax and enjoy each other company.

Our favourite place to meet is at The Upholstery Gallery in Mair St Ballarat. Not only is this shop an inspiration but the owner, Liz Green has a fantastic eye for design. It's such a pleasure to sit in the coffee corner leaning back on cushions made from original vintage fabrics and sipping coffee up tables with retro tablecloths.

Here we are: I'm on the left and next to me is Sue from Hathowne Cottage, then Pia from

Giant shoots and Kylie from Blue Ginger Design.

Here's our favourite coffee corner. I just love those fabrics.

The writing on the wall says it so well.

Oh and while I was there I dropped of these cute toiletry bags that Liz had ordered. They make great pencil cases as well. Good for Christmas presents, yep Christmas presents, not that long now. In fact Liz was preparing the shop for Christmas with gorgeous decorations, I took some photos, I'll show you those tomorrow.

Bye for now.