Wishing You All A Happy Christmas ...

A close up of my Christmas tree decorations

To all my lovely followers, those who drop by for a catch up, and everyone who has supported Paper Tree Design since my first post in March this year I would like to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.
All of your kind words, suggestions, and support means so much to me. It has been an amazing journey - I am doing something I never thought possible. I have met some amazing people through blogging, and am looking forward sharing in many more experiences with you all next year.

my tortured willow

I wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas filled with family, friends, fun, laughter ..... and of coarse bubbles (lots of bubbles)!

my 'noel' in the kitchen - the yummy looking rocky road

was an early Christmas gift from a friend (yum).

I hope that the new year brings everything you have been dreaming of!

decorations on a wall in my lounge

I will be taking a break over Christmas and New Year, but am really excited about where Paper Tree Studio is heading in 2011. Although I won't be posting for a few weeks, I will be checking in with you when I can.

an angel to watch over those who enter

Take Care Everyone.
Michelle

Paper Tree Studio

Hi Everyone, you may have noticed a little name change around here - I'm now Paper Tree Studio. Only a subtle change I know, but one that is important for me going forward.

I have tried to redirect my blog to the new name, but for some reason when I did this through Settings, Publishing none of my followers could 'click into' the new name - when you clicked onto my last post it simply said 'blogger unknown' :( so I am now back to the old paper tree design address - if anyone can help with this I would really appreciate it! Could it be because I needed to do a new post? Not sure, anyway I will sort it out (perhaps a google search is in order).

I know I usually post a Wicked Designer today but with all the pre-Christmas arrangements going on around here (and blog changes) I will not be posting on a designer today.

Hope all your Christmas preparations are on track and you are not too stressed.
Michelle

Twinkling Market Lights

mothers get inspired

Thought I would share an image of the Christmas Tree in King George Square with you. As always it looks absolutely gorgeous, and was a fantastic backdrop to the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets on Friday night.

We had a wonderful evening with no rain!

Everyone's stand looked magical with lots of twinkling fairy lights. Unfortunately I forgot to charge the batteries on my camera so I don't have any of my own images to share :(

As always, we met lots of lovely handmade supporters.

We were lucky enough to be next to KW Ceramics and Renee Treml - we had an amazing spot right at the entrance to the square. Both of these girls are so lovely. I treated myself to an early Christmas present, a necklace from Kim - I just adore her hand pressed porcelain jewellery. It is very similar to the one below:

Thanks to everyone who purchased, or simply dropped by to say hello.

Michelle

p.s. there will be some small changes happening around here over the next week - I'll let you know very soon

And the winner is ....

house to home

Congratulations to Karen Anderson!

Karen has won a bag of Christmas goodies from my little store including Christmas pegs, magnet pegs, cards, tags, a garland, and a set of vintage inspired magnets. Your gift will be sent via overnight post to you on Monday, so you receive it just in time for the big day!

Karen is a photographer who also loves to cook. Drop by her photography studio, Karen Anderson Photography, and have a look at her gorgeous images.

Thank you to all those that entered. I hope you are all having a great weekend.
Michelle

Wednesday Wicked Design

Hi everyone, sorry for my brief break - computer problems I'm afraid. All fixed now, as I type this on my new laptop!!

Anyway, enough of my rambling, lets have a look at today's Wicked Designers who I am very excited to be next to at this weekends BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets.

First up is established Brisbane Artist Renee Treml, whose work you may already recognise. I love the way Renee brings a sense of humour into her work. Rather than placing her subjects in predictable environments, Renee places them in very unpredictable ones. The idea of a Frogmouth nesting in a teacup is very humorous, but also has a very serious message challenging the viewer to think about where the Frogmouth will nest when all the trees have gone.

Renee's work can be viewed and purchased through her etsy store. Below are just some of Renee's gorgeous designs.

nested frogmouth

tea cozy - little roo

tea cozy - great horned owl


The second designer, Kim Wallace of KW Ceramics, creates beautiful jewellery, bowls, dishes and ornaments by making impressions with vintage doilies into clay. Kim is also the owner of Udessi a boutique online store for Australian art and craft. Kim's work is available through her etsy store, on her website, and also through udessi.

Below are just some of her beautiful designs ....




Looking forward to meeting these lovely ladies on Friday night.

Would love to see you all there too ....



Hope you are having a great Wednesday.
Michelle

p.s. don't forget to enter my giveaway - I'll be drawing the winner on Friday

Christmas Giveaway

salisbury festival

Yay! Time to spread a wee bit of Christmas cheer with a giveaway!!

The winner of this giveaway will receive a mystery bag of Christmas goodies just in time for the big day!

There will be some, or all, of these ....

And maybe some extra little gifts too ...

So to enter my 'Christmas Mystery Bag Giveaway' all you have to do is become a follower and leave a comment - simple!

I will draw the winner next Friday the 16th December, 2010 so start spreading the news and good Christmas cheer! Michelle

p.s. sorry, the giveaway is only open to Australian residents as there is not enough time for an o.s. follower to receive before Christmas :)

Wednesday Wicked Design

Yes, it's that time of the week again!

Some of you may already know the fantastic Brisbane designer One Craftee Mumma!
Tamara is a self confessed lover of all things craft. Her madeit and etsy stores are packed full of beautifully designed cards, chrochet doilies, paper flowers, and much much more - you can even buy just about any kind of punchie your heart desires.

Lets take a look at some of her wicked designs ....

Simply delicious aren't they? One Craftee Mumma Indeed!!

Now, Tamara is taking a short break from blogging as she is about to give birth to her second child, but I am sure she would still love it if you gave her a visit here. Wishing you all the very best Tamara.

By the way, all of her Christmas stock is on sale in her madeit and etsy stores until sold out!

Michelle

p.s. Don't forget to pop on over for a visit on Friday as I will be announcing my Christmas giveaway!

Selling in the rain, just selling in the rain ......

One of my artworks - 'an adventurous day'

Very fitting indeed

And I'm sure you all know the rest of this tune! Yes, unfortunately market day was a bit of a 'wash out' but as the song goes I just kept "singing and dancing in the rain" and had a good day dispite all mother nature had to offer!

Thank you to all those lovely people who popped by with their umbrellas in tow - you made it all worthwhile.

Luckily set-up was achieved prior to any downpours and miraculously pack-up (albiet early) was also achieved in the dry. Below is an image of my stand at the begininning of the day. Luckily no stock was damaged, I managed to keep it dry, but somehow I ended up looking like a drowned rat (no image of this I am pleased to say)!

Hope you all had a lovely (dry) weekend whatever it was that you got up to.

Michelle

p.s. Thanks for all the birthday well wishes for my youngest - she had a great birthday and was very spoiled like all two years old should be!

A Chat With ...

Just popped over to Shabby Art Boutique this morning to have a chat with Kerryanne about buying handmade - click here if you would like a read. As I mentioned earlier in the week Kerryanne is running Simply Christmas until the 24th December - all of her posts are aimed at "putting the homemade and homebaked back into the holidays"! Check out today's post full of fabulous 'festive tips' to make your Christmas a lot less stressful. Thanks for the chat Kerryanne, and congratulations to Anne-Lise form Rag, Tag, Bobtail who won my Christmas giveaway via Shabby Art Boutique.

Speaking of stress, I am trying to remain calm as the weather appears to be getting no better here in Brisbane. I have a stand at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market tomorrow, and will be very sad if this rain keeps up. I don't think there are enough people doing the happy sunshine dance right now .... fingers crossed it clears up for a fine one tomorrow. Would love it if you popped by.

My Christmas cards are ready....

My Christmas Garlands are ready ....

My Christmas Peg Magnets are ready ...

So lets hope the SUNSHINE is!!!

At our house this weekend my gorgeous little one turns 2! Can't believe it, she is definitely not a baby anymore. We are having a very low key celebration with family, and lots of chocolate cake!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend whatever you are up to.
Michelle

Wednesday Wicked Design

This week, at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market, I am lucky enough to be on a stand in between two lovely jewellery makers! Strat Designs and Bella Bjoux both stock gorgeous handmade jewellery so to be fair I had to shine the spotlight on both of these wonderful designers.

To the right of me this weekend is Strat Designs whose jewellery is primarily made of resin. With delicious names such as Lime Square Drop and Tutti Fruiti I know you will want to brighten up your party frock with one of their designs this summer! You can view all of Strat Designs jewellery at their etsy store.

Necklace resin bead all raspberry pink assortment


Liquorice Resin Square Drop


Lime Resin Tutti Fruiti Squares

To my left this weekend is Bella Bjoux whose designs are primarily made with stones and crystal. Conjuring up images of far off exotic places Bella Bjoux jewellery has names such as Zanzibar, Malabar, and Avalon. Their jewellery would be the perfect addition to that little black dress you plan to wear on New Years Eve! You can view all of Bella Bjoux jewellery designs at their etsy store.

Zanzibar Genuine Baltic Amber Lava Stone, and Smoky Quartz Statement Necklace

Serendipity Faceted Turquoise Earrings

Voodoo Sparkling Druzy Agate Slice and Silk Ribbon Necklace


With all this gorgeousness surrounding me I will have to show a lot of restraint and not purchase until the end of the day! Wish me luck!

Hope to see you all at the BrisStyle Indie Designers Market where you can see all this lovely jewellery along with many other fantastic handmade designs from other BrisStyle members.
Where and when I hear you ask?

See you there - Michelle

Giveaway

Some of you may already know the lovely Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique. She is currently holding Simply Christmas - "putting homemade and home baked back into the holidays". As part of this fantastic initiative she is currently hosting a giveaway of some of my Christmas goodies!

All you have to do to enter is check out her post here, and become a follower - simple! While your at it, I would love it if you became a follower here at Paper Tree Design, as I will be holding my own giveaway in a couple of weeks and would love you to join in.

If you haven't had the chance to pop over and see all the lovely Christmas ideas that Kerryanne and her guest bloggers have to offer for the festive season, can I suggest you do. Her blog is filled with everything from how to decorate your tree to home baking for the holidays. There is something for everyone! Michelle

p.s. I will be dropping by her blog on Friday for a guest interview.

p.s.s. oh and just a reminder to save the date, I will be there on Saturday ....

Bored With Your Ironing Board?

As all the little thing that need finishing off around our home start to speak louder as a collective, I turn my attention toward things I can control such as our ironing board cover. Okay, I never said I was completely sane!

Don't know about you but my ironing board hides in shame in a dark recess of our house. Although I would prefer it never come out at all realistically this is not the case. Sick of staring at my quilted Sheridan all white cover, I decided it was high time to update it. After flicking through an Inside Out magazine I came across this lovely ironing board cover by Sass Home.

Of coarse, I went straight to my computer to order one, when much to my horror I found I had to go into a store in order to purchase :( !! Now, with time being oh so precious these days I am mounting a search for one I can buy online, any excuse to not have to step foot into a Westfield Shopping Centre. Of coarse these ones from Sass Home are quite lovely - anyone know where I can purchase a similar one without pounding the pavement?

Hope I'm not sounding too lazy. Looking forward to the weekend this week as I have had my youngest at home with what they think may be the flu (in summer - I know), with my husband away during the week - I think the weekend is my turn for some down time. What are you getting up to? Whatever it is I hope you have a great one!
Michelle

* all images from Sass

Wednesday Wicked Design

Hi everyone, doesn't Wednesday seem to roll around quickly?

Today I thought I would showcase a designer I had the pleasure of sharing a 'pod' with at the BiTM last Friday night. Good Boy Cracky, named after the designers labrador, stocks handmade accessories made from recycled material.

From iPhone covers to hair clips, brooches, and earrings Good Boy Cracky's etsy store is filled with vintage goodness!

Check out these great stocking fillers:

Red Striped Earrings


Floral iPone/iPod Cover

Recycled Fabric Clutch

Red & Blue Heart Hairclips

Chocolate Cupcake Hair Clip

Camera Felt Brooch

Aren't all these designs just gorgeous?! I know a couple of little girls who would love Santa to put those divine hair clips in their stocking!

Hope you are all having a great week.
Michelle