happy new year

happy 2010!
i didn't make any resolutions this year ~ but i am hoping to hang onto the priceless feeling that infinite fresh possibilities are just about to happen {not always real ones, but it's the thinking that counts!}.
here are some new beginnings/in progress {including my beautiful red diary} ~ more/clearer pics coming soon.
+ fingers crossed for great things happening for all of us this year :)

a treat arrived today

i felt really lucky today when i opened this package ~ sent to me by kristina {inaluxe}. just lucky to have 'met' such a sweet + generous person who makes really gorgeous work.
have a squizz at inaluxe shop + blog ~ it'll make you feel happy :)
big thanks kristina!

happy christmas

i know it's not til friday, but i thought i'd pop in to wish you a happy christmas + lots of relaxation!
i think that christmas day might feel like the actual start of the holidays here, even though they've started already ~ it has been busy and slightly stressful ~ due to my driving test, which i failed yesterday . . . it was a big nervy build up and even though i wasn't 'expecting' to pass i'm upset about the concept of being housebound during the hottest months of the year. my fingers are crossed for next time!
thanks for reading this year + happy beginnings for 2010 :)

giveaway winners!

we have 2 winners:

tractorgirl
+
clara

thanku for all the thoughtful {and useful} comments and entries :)
hope you are having a great weekend.

the Udessi gift guide

Kim has put together this lovely gift guide if you're still in need of some shopping . . .

the collaboration project!

i'm so excited to share these pics of the collaboration project ~ between kim wallace from udessi and i ~ porcelain 'dream' pendants on sterling silver chains.

i'm really happy with them ~ kim has done a beautiful job with the making {big thanks kim}.

they are limited editions: 30 of each of the 3 colour combinations.

available exclusively through udessi, go see :)

* images are ©udessi gallery.

a little inspiration: honeytree

:: flowers at the beach 8x10 fine art print
:: montmarte sky 8x10 fine art print

enjoying these photos by lupen grainne ~ honeytree
{p.s. they are on sale at the moment}

** don't forget to enter my giveaway :)

BOGO print sale + giveaway

my final sale/promo for 2009!!

i'm having a BOGO {buy one, get one free} print sale in my etsy shop this weekend {ends sunday night}! just in time for last minute christmas shopping . . . just leave the title of the print of your choice in the 'message to seller' at the checkout for the free print.

i'm also having a pre-christmas giveaway ~ as a way of saying thankyou for the blog love this year :)

i'm giving away this original block print that i finished today and this new print, 'camp site', which i hope to get into the shop before the end of the weekend {just need some bright photos}!

2 winners will be drawn randomly on friday dec 18 ~ please leave your contact details in the comment so i can let you know you've won! the first winner can pick from the 2 prizes {i think that's the best way to work it!}.

to enter:
* leave a comment {i'd love to know which print/series of prints you like best from the prints available in my etsy shop} = 1 entry
* follow = 2 entries
* help spread the word, either via twitter or your blog = 3 entries
{please post your link and/or include @gretchenmist in your tweet}

big thanks + happy holiday preparations :)

**don't forget to sign in to leave link your blog details!!

my creative space . a start

i think mid-december = a universal push for time!

i managed to start this cutting today ~ only had 1.5 hours up my sleeve . . . have had the idea in my head for nearly 2 weeks. it had gelled, but when i sat down it was mostly gone! hoping it will re-visit when i get a little more time

. . . i had a little help on the sketch/doodle with the trees!

. . . am getting more and more obsessed with these flowers :)

hope you felt calm + creative in your space today!
for more spaces, visit kirsty {big thanks to kirsty and you for making thursdays so fun + meaningful}.

a little inspiration: jennifer davis

here's a little inspiration which i hope you will enjoy!

:: high noon
:: pack
jennifer davis

it has been such a stressful week on the home front that just making this post has relaxed me a little! here's for a good day tomorrow :)

. . . a quick thanku to liss for including me in the daydreamlilly madeit gift guide.

stephanie's artist advent calendar

i wrote a post for stephanie's blog: a studio with a view, for her december artist advent calendar!
follow these little mits!!

i was trying to think of some typically australian christmas traditions, and i found it pretty tricky because i'm not overly traditional and also i actually couldn't think of any that are uniquely australian. apart from the salads and seafood option for lunch/dinner rather than the full roast . . . and the vegetarian options . . . due to christmas being in summer here.

can you think of any that are noteworthy? do you have any of your own unique traditions?

my creative space

i got kicked out of my creative space today! my husband came home sick + needed our room with the blinds down . . . so i relocated to the kitchen table and in a kind of panic {the one that happens when i have it sorted in my head as to what i want to work on/get done and i realise that i have less than a day in total to actually do any of it!} tried to remember and write down the ideas!

there's lots i could be doing right here on the computer really, but i'd love to be finishing these little paintings, and try out the triangle hooks i bought.

these beautiful things came in the mail at the start of this week, as part of the artist exchange email project. thanks to leah duncan {the first 2 pics} for the gorgeous cards and hand drawn note and letha colleen for the divine aceo :)

hope you are having a fun time in your space today! for more creative spaces, visit kirsty.

also, big thanks to kristina for this lovely post :)