Big Cat's Emporium

Are You Looking For Me?

2008-12-16T18:46:00.005+11:00

I'm over at Tinniegirl having a fabulous time. Come on over.

Psst! I'm over here

2008-12-11T20:17:00.007+11:00

Here I am. Well, sort of.

I've decided to spend more time over at Tinniegirl for a while . I hope you'll join me. Pop on over. The kettle's on.

Blogcation

2008-12-03T16:11:00.003+11:00

It's time to regoup. The end of the year is fast approaching and I don't seem to have left enough energy in the piggy bank to get me through.

Balance is such a tentative thing at best, and sometimes blogging really tips the scales.

I need some time to read, to craft, to hang out in the real world and connect with people. I need to think and plan and dream a little bit.

I'll be back soon I promise.

Love Fridays

2008-11-28T22:09:00.007+11:00

This weekend is all about the shopping. I'm getting on to my Christmas shopping and treating myself to a few goodies as well.

I'm starting my shopping with Handmaiden. Have you checked out her new Silver Soiree range? I'm getting a pair of earrings for me and a pair for our sister-in-law who's very hard to buy for. If you want to get yourself a little treat you should check out Sharon's giveaway.

I also plan to purchase some printable rainy day recipes for my other SIL.

You can get one of these packs from Little Brown Pen's shop. Her shop is full of gorgeous goodies. You buy them as a PDF and do the printing yourself. They make very economical gifts and you get to be part of the making. I really love the concept.

I'm also planning to buy some candles to give as gifts. Curlypops introduced me to Cupcake Candles. YUM!

Just to top it all off, on Sunday I'm going to the Bizarre Bazaar, the Melbourne Design Market at Fed Square and Nicole Mallaliue's open studio. You should come. It's going to be great fun.

Read All About It

2008-11-26T10:56:00.002+11:00

I've just done a Tinniegirl shop update. Read all about it over here.

I've Changed But I'm Still Me

2008-11-25T18:27:00.001+11:00

You might have noticed a few changes going on around here. Don’t be alarmed. I’m still my usual old self but I thought I’d have a spring spruce up. I really love the 3 column layout. More space for blog loveliness.

The other thing that you might notice is that I’ve changed my name. You’ll see me commenting around the place as TinnieGirl now instead of BigCat.

If you haven’t caught up with things around here for a while and are wondering why I’ve changed my name you should pop over and check out the new shop.

So what about the blogs you might be asking? BigCat’s Emporium and Tinniegirl? Well don’t worry. I love Big Cat’s Emporium with all my heart and soul so I’ll be keeping it going for a long, long time.

Tinniegirl is my new blog that goes hand in hand with the new shop and I’ll definitely be creating something special over there. At the moment you can check out all the things going on with the new business as well as a weekly “What Shall We Make Today” post to give you project ideas and inspiration. My vision for the Tinniegirl blog is to create a space that’s full of craft projects, ideas and tutorials, and a place to share your completed projects. If you haven’t been to visit, go and check it out.

You know, when I spoke to Handmaiden about starting a business she said something that has really resonated with me. She said that most people don’t think very far beyond opening their business. I found this to be very true. I was so busy and excited getting ready for the launch of Tinniegirl that I didn’t really think about what happens next.

The first weekend was so exciting and I was so delighted when I made some sales. The next week after that has been odd. I’ve been a bit lost really. Wondering what to do next? When do I update the shop? How often should I do it? How do I keep letting people know about it? What kind of marketing activities should I be doing? I have shifted constantly between joy at making a dream come true and the pervasive self-doubt and questioning that seems to be ever present in my creative life. What I know for sure is that I have so much to learn.

Another thing that has presented as a challenge over the last couple of weeks is finding places to fit all the different aspects of my life now that I am working, running a business, pursuing my own creative development, working on personal goals like exercise and healthy eating, blogging and trying to have a home life somewhere in there. I knew that it was going to be an adjustment and alluded to it in this post. I want to really enjoy this time of starting my creative business and take time to enjoy the fine details. I imagine at some stage that there won’t be as much time to take. I realise that there’s going to have to be time management strategies in place, that I’ll have to recognise some limitations in terms of not trying to do everything. I also think that priorities are going to have to be set and time out planned. It’s never easy to balance the many demands that life has for us, and I see how important it is to keep an eye on this. Again, the one thing I know for sure is that life-learning is a continuous journey.

So that’s what’s happening in my neck of the woods. That and some knitting.

What’s going on in your world?

Love Fridays

2008-11-21T18:26:00.003+11:00

Like CurlyPops and Badskirt I'm off to Spotlight with my VIP 40% off coupon. Craft shopping! My favourite.

Do you Love Fridays? Join the fun. Post on your blog about why you Love Fridays. If you'd like a button for your blog you can grab it here.

On My Desk Wednesday

2008-11-19T09:31:00.003+11:00

Lists and some more lists, the essential computer and a little bit of breakfast. Oh, and some packages getting ready to head off to new homes.

I love mornings in my studio. The light is so lovely and soft. Everything is quiet out in the world. It really is a magic time.

Visit Kootoyoo for more On My Desk.

Visit Tinniegirl if you haven't signed up for the giveaway yet. I'll be drawing it this afternoon.

You're In Business

2008-11-18T18:56:00.004+11:00

You definitely know you're in business when these arrive in the mail. No really, isn't that what makes it official?

Business Cards! I love them. I feel all fancy, and grown up and, and....business like. Stop me in the street if you see me. I'll give you one of my cards.

If you haven't caught up with things around here in a while pop over to my new blog Tinniegirl and you'll see what all the fuss is about. Hurry though if you want to be in the giveaway. You've got till midday tomorrow.

I Don't Usually Keep Things To Myself

2008-11-16T20:21:00.010+11:00

You know what? I've been keeping lots of secrets lately.

There was this gorgeous flossy-p brooch that I won. I absolutely love it and wear it all the time.
Have you been to her place lately and checked out her giveaway. It's a great one.

Then there were these beautiful bobby pins that arrived from A Little Bird Told Me last week. I can't wait to give these an outing some time this week.

They came so beautifully packaged too. I love great creative packaging. It's like getting an extra treat.

Many months ago I was the lucky recipient of a pay it forward gift of these fantastic bowls from Reenie-Su.

I also bought this sunnyboy from Quilting Mick months ago and kept meaning to share it with you. I keep it at work as a little toiletry bag.

Last but not least, I recently joined the Amitie VIP club. You get treats in the mail 4 times a year. How cool is that? Last week I received my first mailout. I love this fabric. It's definitely time to start planning some summer sewing projects.

So, there you go. I've really been keeping things to myself. It's not like me. I tend to be an over-sharer.

Then of course there was all the secret squirrel business that went on forever. If you haven't caught up on things pop over here. It's not a secret anymore. Thanks to everyone who has already visited for all the lovely feedback, ideas, wisdom and well wishes. It's much appreciated.

I'm In

2008-11-15T06:00:00.001+11:00

That Kootoyoo is a fun girl. The brains behind On My Desk, she's come up with a beauty this time.

My answer is Curlypops. I'm feeling pretty confident about my choice. Let's see if I'm right.

Down The Rabbit Hole

2008-11-14T16:23:00.004+11:00

Oh, how I love Fridays. No more secrets. Quick! Pop over here and you'll know everything you need to know.

On My Desk - Wednesday

2008-11-12T09:57:00.004+11:00

I'm very excited that these goodies are on my desk and about to head out the door. They're top secret so I can't tell you a thing about them. I'll let you know when they have arrived safely so you can pop over and check them out.

I'm on my way out the door too. I've got 5 days off work, a million things to do for the secret squirrel business, and a lunch date with Curlypops and Project Incomplete.

Help, I Need Your Help

2008-11-11T20:37:00.002+11:00

I want to do some jazzy things with my blog like put subscription buttons on it and keep track of some stats of who visits and and like. I need advice on what the options are and where to find information. Can you help me?

I've been playing a giant game of cat and mouse trying to find what I want. Now I give up and seek help from my trusty blogland possie.

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

2008-11-10T19:42:00.002+11:00

Thank you to everyone who joined in the giveaway. I'm yet to settle on the names I'm looking for but it was great to get lots of ideas and inspiration. Ms L assures me it will come but it's feeling like a watched pot just at the minute.

Anyway, a giveaway is no fun without a winner. I got Ms L to pick 2 random numbers seeing as there was no outright winner for a name. The lucky ladies are Comment 7 from Betty Jo, and Comment 13 from Potty Mouth Mama. I think you're going to like your surprises.

Don't forget to pop around on Friday if you want to learn all about my secret squirrel business. I know you're all hanging out. Me too.

I'll give you a little tidbit to keep you going through the week! There's going to be more giveaways.

Another Day, Another Box

2008-11-08T17:11:00.003+11:00

From the guy who brought you Little Box, Big Cat

Love Fridays

2008-11-07T21:39:00.005+11:00

I'm late posting cause I wasn't feeling the Friday love and was wondering what to post.

That was until I had the opportunity to spend an hour on the phone with Handmaiden learning tonnes of useful things about marketing. If you don't know her blog it's well worth a visit. It's full of fantastic posts about marketing, blogging, how to run a successful craft business as well as lots of interesting craft and day to day life. Sharon was so generous and giving of her time. It's another wonderful reminder of how incredibly lucky I feel to be part of this great blogging community.

Not long after that I received an email from Taccolina, whom I had the pleasure of meeting this week. Another blog friend transcends the internet boundary.

This week I've managed to teach myself some new tricks. I finally worked out how to edit photos in I-Photo and now my blog header looks so much nicer all stretched out across the top. Thanks to the ever clever Leni and Rose I've been working out some other tricks for my blog that are making me very happy. Check out her weekly Tips and Tricks for lots of great ideas.

The best bit about today is that I'm only a week away from announcing big news. Next Friday I'll be ready to tell you all about the super serious secret squirrel business that I've been working on. Are you excited? I am. I can hardly wait I'm so excited. Don't forget that you still have till Sunday to join my giveaway.

Yes We Can

2008-11-06T08:01:00.000+11:00

Yes you did USA. YES YOU DID! Thank you.

Greetings November

2008-11-03T18:26:00.009+11:00

Now that BLOGTOBERFEST is behind us and we're all left wondering what to do with all the spare time not spent in front of the computer it's time for a fresh giveaway. You'll have to do some work for this one though.

I need your help with names. You know I'm working on some super serious secret squirrel business which I'm hoping to launch very soon. I need a group of names to categorise sizes of things from mini through to extra large (including small, medium and large). It has to be a group of words that most people can relate to and understand. I'm looking for something that has international appeal too.

Some words that you might like to keep in mind are tins, fabric, vintage, collage, paper, books, buttons and notions.

What's in it for you? Well, you get to be the first to learn about my secret squirrel business. Before anyone else has the chance to know about what I've been up to you'll have your very own crafty surprise in your possession.

I'm giving away two prizes. One for the person that comes up with the names and I'll also do a random prize draw for everyone who enters their ideas. You have till this Sunday to try your luck.

Farewell BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 31 - What A Long Strange Trip It's Been

2008-10-31T10:17:00.008+11:00

My goodness. We made it. 31 days of blogging and not a single slip. It really has been quite a journey. In fact, I had a little moment this morning on my way to work thinking about this past month and how important it has been to me.

I've made some wonderful new friends and spent hours in front of the computer, still not having enough time to visit all the festival goers. I've ridden the highs and lows of creative energy and confidence on a daily basis, lost my balance and seemingly found it again. I've questioned and rediscovered what's important in life. I feel like in some small way I've given myself a glimpse of what it will be if I truly embrace the life I talked about here.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. If I haven't had the chance to pop in and visit you I will be around some time soon. In the meantime I'm giving everyone a spirit award because you deserve it.

I don't think I'll be blogging every day from here on in. In fact I am really feeling a strong desire to spend less time sitting in front of a computer and more time painting and collaging, gardening, reading, dreaming and creating. I've also been working diligently on my secret squirrel business and hope to tell you all about it by mid November.

I received this gorgeous bunch of flowers from Two Pink Possums today. Thanks Linda. What a lovely thought.

Grand Purl Baa asked me to spread the word about a great giveaway happening over at her place. Knitter or not, you won't want to miss this one.

What's a festival wrap up without some thank yous. To my fabulous assistants Curlypops and flossy-p thanks for all your generous help. To Bellgirl for the wonderful Blogtoberfest Blog Crawls? She's done this tasty one to celebrate the end of the festival.

How appropriate that it’s Friday for the last day of Blogtoberfest. I’m Loving Friday as always. Today’s its for two very simple reasons. The bus driver waited for me when he saw me running to catch my bus and I’m reading the latest edition of Mix Tape. I feel pensive like Patsy and at peace with the world.

BLOGTOBERFEST will be back in 2009 and I'll hope you'll join me again.

See you soon. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon my friends.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 30 - Op Shoppers Anonymous

2008-10-30T14:24:00.010+11:00

Hello my name is BigCat and I'm an op-shopaholic.

It's been less than 24 hours since my last shopping spree.

I can't stop thinking about op-shopping. It's all I want to do.

I worry constantly about all the bargains out there that I'm missing out on.

I can't believe I left that gorgeous chair behind yesterday. It was only $10. I'm sure it will be gone by the time I am able to go back on Saturday.

Not to mention the set of Golden Hands craft books in mint condition.

I fear I'm about to go on a massive bender. Is there any hope for me?

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 29 - Winners, Fair and Square

2008-10-29T17:13:00.009+11:00

I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the thought of picking winners given the need to go through the comments and divide them into categories according to preference, yada yada yada. I briefly entertained the notion of just picking 3 people off this list.

However, the thought police rocked up to my place and said 'no fair' so I got out pens and paper, wrote a list of who wanted to win which collage, got my random number generator to pick a number off each list, AND we have some winners. Phew!

Bex will become the proud owner of Ernest

Curlypops is now the proud owner of Florence

and Patsy will hereby be know as Pensive and will be flying off to live with Cooking My Life.

Take good care of my Three Little Birds. I really do adore these particular collages. Oh, and email me with your details so I can tell these birds where to fly.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 29 - On My Desk

2008-10-29T09:55:00.008+11:00

I tend to apply a very liberal definition to the word "desk" when it comes to playing along with Kootoyoo's On My Desk Meme. I always have so many projects happening around the place (just ask Ms L who will be sure to tell you how effectively I have taken over our house with craft and blogging and ideas for this and that). There's lots of things on various flat surfaces around the house today.

Some finished pincushions which I will gift to unsuspecting crafty people.

Some outbound packages. If you've been expecting a BLOGTOBERFEST package from me it will be on its way today. How exciting. I love sending packages.

I'm also posting a fabric swap off to No Life Without Wife. We arranged to have a swap a while back and my package arrived yesterday full of tropical French sunshiny goodness including a fabulous zine that she made.

It also included the most adorable softie. She's only about 6cm or so tall and has so much lovely detail. I think I'm going to take her to work to hang out on my desk. She'll be a little totem to remind me of my crafty dreams and goals.

There is also this amazing piece of fabric that I think I'll have some fun with. I might make a tote bag like this groovy one I saw over at Button Beauty.

I'm expecting my copy of Mix Tape to arrive in the post today so I'll have more goodness on my desk later most likely.

The one thing missing from my desk is winners for the giveaway. I hope to draw it later today. If I don't make it today I'll be around tomorrow.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 28 - North Fitzroy, How Exotic

2008-10-28T17:32:00.004+11:00

I've gotta be quick. I'm off to the Moroccan Soup Bar for dinner. It really is one of my favourite places in Melbourne. If I had my way though I'd rather be off to see the the real thing. Don't worry, I'll get there one day.

You've still got about 6 hours to sign up for my giveaway if you'd like to.

3 days left. See you tomorrow.

BLOGTOBERFEST - Day 27 - I'd Rather Be Crafting

2008-10-27T20:54:00.003+11:00

So that's what I'm going to do tonight. A little bit of craft and a little bit of TV. Can you believe there are only 4 days left to go?