Stop. Reflect. Refresh.

(Picture Credit: Pinterest)

Recently I was fortunate enough to travel overseas - first time as an adult - and finally visit some of the places I had been dreaming of visiting for so long! Places like New Zealand, French Polynesia and Hawaii. To say it was 'memorable', is an understatement...

In just a few short weeks, I discovered the truth of what Danny Kaye said above and my perspective on life was refined. As we visited place after place, tasted one culture after another, spent quality time with my family, met new people, made new friends, did new things - I had the chance to stop and reflect:

Was my life, my work, my relationships, really heading in the right direction, or could things be better? Did I really have the life I wanted? 

When we finally arrived home again, I felt renewed. I knew the answer to those questions and was inspired to jump in and do something about it. I knew there were quite a few things that needed adjusting, but wasn't daunted by the task ahead. I was pumped and ready to go!

So, in a nutshell, that's what I've been up to these past few months - busily working away in the background, making things happen, getting things done. But it hasn't just been all about personal stuff either...

I've been working on plans - big, exciting plans for Minky Minx - but, as with many things in life, I've realised they're going take a little time to make happen...

So, after much deliberation, I've decided that I need to shut-up shop for a while to help me reorganise, revamp and refresh.

But before I do so, I've got a little sale planned for this coming week. So, if your wanting to make a purchase, this may be your last chance for a while. Further details about the sale will be announced on our Facebook page over the coming days - including how you can get a further 10% off + FREE postage - so stay tuned!

Till then! x

♥

So, have you ever had an experience that changed your perspective on life? If so, what was the result? 

Making Sure of the More Important Things...

'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.'

♥

I remember reading those words almost daily as a child as they hung on my parents kitchen wall. Never would I imagine how many times I would be reminded of them as I faced challenges growing up. And as a adult...

Once again, those same sentiments come to mind as another year begins. Why? Simply because they remind me that when life gets tough, that's when I especially need to realise what I can and can't deal with on my own, and that often a Higher source of wisdom is key in understanding this. And yes, my life has been tough lately...

Sadly, two cherished members of my family are facing serious life-threatening illnesses. One has terminal cancer. The other a rare brain disorder called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). And both are progressively getting worse.

Although I've had some time to get my head around what that really means, it still hasn't been easy to accept these diagnoses... 

To say it's hard to see those you dearly love gradually get older and sicker really is an understatement  The feeling of helplessness, at times, is almost mutual. The question of Why them? almost unanswerable. That's when a veil of sadness begins to overshadow you. It's the realisation of loss, the realisation that one day you will need to say the words most hardest to say and continue your life without them.

This realisation is not new for me. Both have battled bravely for several years now. But something about the last few months have left me feeling sick in the stomach, and made it clear that the end could come sooner then expected - far sooner than I'm ready for. Hence my decision to write this post.

The past few months have helped me realise that for my family and I to be better prepared for that that day, I must make certain changes in how I live my life now.

This is by far not an easy thing to do. However, it's something I simply must do to lessen the possibility of future regrets. (To lose them, will be hard. But to lose them and have the regret of not spending more time with them when I could, would be even harder.)

So in view of this, I've decided that it's necessary for me to especially make some changes to how I run Minky Minx Design Studio. 

But, don't worry. All stores will remain open and I will do my best to add new items as I am able to. I just wish to ask, though, that you please be patient with me. If an item is not ready to ship, it may take a few days longer to make and ship out then it might have done in the past. Also, please note that I will not be able to take on any new custom orders for the time being. As the situation changes I may need to make further noticeable adjustments, but that's all for now.

It's a big step to have just spoken about this (and yes, I've given great thought to it), let alone have to tell you about these unfortunate changes. But it's a step I simply had to take, not just for my family's sake, but for mine. I hope you understand...

♥

P.S. If you're concerned about me, don't be. As I mentioned at the outset, my firm belief in God's assistance helps me to keep going. Although it's still hard at times, He really does give me not only the strength needed to accept the things I cannot change, but also the peace of mind for the future. I am also comforted knowing that that although I may eventually lose these loved ones in death, our goodbyes will not be forever, nor will be our tears of sorrow.  : )

So, you coming??

Yeap. We're having another massive garage sale (and I really do mean MASSIVE!). Didn't exactly plan to, but after the success of last years and after an extensive clean out of my studio, we have decided it's time to have another. Plus, it's about time my parents down-sized...

So, here's your chance to find yourself a bargain from a whole bunch of garage sale treasures - including a heap of fabrics, patterns and other sewing & craft supplies from my studio - before they get listed in my Craftumi store.

PLUS, I'll be setting up my new look Minky Minx stall and reducing everything by up to 50% off the RRP  to make room for new stock!!

Ok, so I get that you can't all come down just for the sale. I know, not all of you live in sunny Melbourne, do you? So, in view of this, I'm planning something special, just for you, in the coming weeks - so stay tuned!

P.S. Oh, In case you want to find out more about the actual garage sale, click here.

When it rains, it pours...

I know, a completely over-used phrase, but it's true - sometimes it really does pour! Here's proof...

It all started about 6 weeks ago. We had just just parked our car innocently on the side of the road, when we heard a loud 'BANG'! A somewhat careless Tradie had just backed his ute into our car, its metal tray ripping a huge gash into its side as if it was made of paper...

If that wasn't enough of a headache to sort out, only about two weeks later, I came home to find someone in our unit. Yes, a man had jumped over our fence and broken in through our sliding door and was upstairs when I came home from walking our dog! Had our little Maltese Terrier, Melita, not sniffed him out and alerted me to his presence, I probably would not have known that someone had broken in, that is, until I noticed the missing kitchen chair he had set up outside beside the fence for his getaway or went upstairs and saw the mess he left going through our personal possessions...

So, yes, sometimes it does pour. The past few weeks are testimony to that! All going well though, we hope to fix the car - despite being written off due to additional damage to the suspension. Thankfully too, I've been able to lend various camera's from my family, so have been able to work around the inconvenience of having mine stolen just when I was in the middle of doing a product photo shoot..

We're also very fortunate that neither incident was worse - especially considering the fact that I was still in the car when our car was hit, and that the thief was still carrying the screw driver he used to get in when he came running down the stairs in front of me... The situation also would likely have been quite different had just a few small details been different - had my husband not got out of the car a few minutes earlier, had he not decided to come home with me instead of stop by the shops on the way, had I not come home when I did - all could have made a big difference in both outcomes. Makes you think, just how amazing things sometimes work out, how one insignificant decision can make such a world of difference sometimes...

Anyway, all said and done, we're all okay, no one got hurt. The car is repairable and I should, hopefully, get a nice new camera soon. So perhaps that's enough to be thankful for. But it certainly makes you realise how quickly life can change...

♥

Want to WIN a $50 Gift Certificate??

A few months ago I set the goal to reach 500 'likers' on our Facebook page, and guess what - WE DID IT!

So, to celebrate this milestone, I wanted to do something special to thank all my lovely followers and decided that it might be nice to give them all the exclusive opportunity to WIN a $50 Minky Minx Gift Certificate to spend on whatever they'd like from our madeit store.

So, here's the deal:

To go into the draw to win this fabulous prize, all you need to do is befriend us on Facebook,  subscribe to our bi-monthly newsletter, and then leave a comment on our page here. 

How easy is that!

Simply click on the image below to subscribe:

Plus, everyone who subscribes automatically receives an exclusive 20% off Discount Code to use in our Madeit store.

So, really, either way you're a winner!

But be quick - entries close Midnight EST 22nd of April!

♥

It's Official!

Do you find it sometimes hard to keep a secret? I know I do at times - especially when it's exciting news.

Somehow, though, I've managed to keep a very exciting secret for sometime now. Want to know what it was?? Yes?  I thought so. Okay, I'll tell you...

Well, let me first start at the beginning, and explain why, in part, I decided to keep quiet for a while.

It all began a few months ago, when much to my surprise I got an email from a fellow madeit seller. In her email she explained that she, Nicole, was in the process of setting up a new designer kids' wear store in Melbourne - except this wasn't going to be just any new kids' wear store. It was going to be a completely new concept in retailing children's products. Dedicated to all things kids (0-16) and maternity, it's aim was to support and nurture 100+ Australian and New Zealand designers. Yes, Australian and New Zealand handmade designers.

With an emphasis on getting designers the recognition and profits they deserve, this certainly was exciting news. But what especially got me, was that of the many hundreds of designers out there, she wanted me to be part of this - ME!

I was trilled, and, of course, quickly followed the links to her website to find out more.

This happened back in June this year - a little over 3 months ago - yet, in many ways it strangely feels much longer than that.

Since then I've joined Nicole on her journey to make this vision a reality. I've read her updates and emails, about her highs and her lows, and although I've yet to meet her face to face, I have to say I've been inspired by her energy, her drive to make this happen.

So why did I keep quiet about this for so long, you wonder?
Well, I guess, in part I have to admit, I wasn't sure if I was really ready for it. So, while I waited to announce it to the world, I got busy. I got ready.

Then came the day. Nicole made the big announcement. After searching for months, she'd found the perfect place in the right location and set the date for opening. Game on. Time to get serious.

That brings me to this week. After a few weeks to really think about the nuts and bolts of her offer, I officially accepted. I was going to be part of her concept, part of Kids Style Hub.