Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Hello New Year. Nice to meet you!

The start of a new year is such a lovely time. Full of promise. A clean slate. All that. And yet I still haven't said a bloggy goodbye to 2008 yet. I guess there's really no such thing as a completely clean slate - there will always be something on the 'to do' list to be carried over to the next day. Or the next year, as the case may be.

Christmas present from Matt - phone brooch by Betty Jo. Can't tell you how much I LOVE this.

So goodbye 2008. You were great. You were the year I decided to stop thinking and start doing. I have a great habit of thinking myself out of doing things. And last year I just stopped. And great things happened. I met some truly wonderful people, I had fun making stuff. I did my first market and my first exhibition, and got my first bit of media attention. In addition, I had lots of fun with my family, made some great birthday cakes and yummy treats, and had lots of big extended family get-togethers.

And the ending of the year was no disappointment either. During our Melbourne holiday I was lucky to finally meet Sherrin from Starashan in person, and she was every bit as nice, interesting and lovely to talk to in person as she is online. Thank-you Sherrin, I had such a fabulous time wondering around Fitzroy with you. Very cool that I recognised you by the brooch you were wearing, and that you recognised this gorgeous piece of fabric you sent me so long ago.


I totally love the purse I bought from Meet Me at Mikes (by Haruka)


and really, it was so nice to see Mikes in person, when I have been reading about it for so long.


Our Christmas was a fantastic affair with the Melbourne contingent of the extended family, and we even managed a ride on Puffing Billy on New Year's Day.


The weather could have been a little kinder (it was FREEZING) but it was a lovely day out.


And I was SO glad that it was me who was the designated driver at the New Year's Eve BBQ we attended the night before (even though at the time I was not so happy about it). Somehow I think riding on a stinky steam train in the freezing cold with a hangover might have been a less than smashing experience!

Lastly, I'm leave you my favourite pic of the holidays. Taken on Christmas day. Kate in one of the many dress-up costumes she received, and desperately trying to ride her older cousin's bike.....of course she had to ride it...it had streamers, and it was PINK!!!


Looking forward now to settling into the new year. It will be a whole new world with Lee starting Kindy, BrisStyle really starting to happen, and (hopefully) my sister joining me in my bag making adventures. Whheeeee what fun. Bring it on!

23 comments:

vanessa said...

2008 was really quite your year!! glad you enjoyed the holidays with your family and hope 2009 has as much wonderful-ness to offer! happy new year!! v

Sharon said...

Looks like it was a great year! Happy 2009 Bec!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

It sounds like a fabulous time on your holidays. Nice to have you back in Blogland.

Cass said...

Sounds like a great time. Happy New Year

Anonymous said...

Hi Bec, a delightfully positive post! I'm so pleased you have had such a fun and eventful 2008! Bring on 2009! As Frank Sinatra says 'The best is yet to come'. I love that song (one of my wedding faves).

That photo Kate is too cute! My daughter is obsessed with climbing onto big blue bikes. I think she would be beside herself if she saw that one!

Anastasia said...

sounds like a FAB year and here's to an even better one in 2009! your Melbourne trip sounds like fun...i think i need to head down there this year!

Bird Bath said...

what a cracker of a year...and the festive season looks special too. Here's to more success and happiness for the new year!

very cute phone brooch too.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you Bec!

Glad to hear that you had such a swell time in Melbourne. Wandering around Fitzroy? I'm jealous! My fave place in Melbourne! That phone brooch is adorable. By all acounts, 2008 was a great year for you. I hope that 2009 is even better :)

Cheers Tracy (Harriet) - I'm not signed into blogger right now so thought I better say who I am ;)

Levin said...

oooh i have a tendency to talk myself out of trying things too - but a new found friend pushed me to quilt, sew and craft and there's no looking back. well, to be honest, i still do procrastinate, but overall i'm much more inclined to create.
here's hoping 2009 takes to even greater heights!
l
x

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

Happy New Year! It looks like it was a great 2008 and now geared up to be an even better 2009!

Ali said...

Great post Bec - happy New Year!
Your Melbourne holiday sounds great! especially the Puffing Billy and Fitzroy bits - very excellent :)
Matt has excellent gift-giving abilities too - I love your new brooch, it's gorgeous.

2009 is going to be grand!

djbebe said...

Happy New Year - and here's to a top 2009!

Nicole said...

Happy New Year Bec. That purse by Haruka is great, I love the spotty fabric on the inside too!
Looking forward to our next BrisStyle meet up.

Sherrin said...

Your year does sound pretty good!! I head fun wandering around with you too! :o) It was lovely to meet you in person :o) - you're pretty nice, interesting and lovely yourself!!! ^_^

Hot Fudge said...

Happy New Year Bec. Glad you had such a great time in Melbourne. We were there last Christmas and it was really HOT one day and COLD the next. I love Fitzroy, by the way.

Matt's brooch is gorgeous - I'm very envious. And what an adorable pic of Kate almost reaching the pedals!

Can't wait for BrisStyle 2009.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Bec! Wow - 2008 was a big year - you've done so much great stuff and made gorgeous bags at the same time. Looking forward to reading about your adventures in 2009. Can't wait to see what amazing things you and your sister make!

Unknown said...
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Betty Jo said...

Your man Matt has excellent taste!
Your post reminded me a trip on Puffing Billy is way over due.
I'm enjoying Melbourne's cooler weather, as I know we are probably in for some scorchers.
Have a great 2009 full of crafting fun. xxLiz

Lin said...

Happy New Year Bec! I hope 2009 is even better for you than 2008. Cheers!

Paula Weston said...

Can I just say again how much I love this blog. It is my favourite 'happy place' online.

Happy new year Bec.

We really will catch up soon!
x

Rachel said...

Such an eventful year! And what a sweet brooch!

Little Mary Moo said...

Bec, its sounds as though you had such a great holiday. Lucky you. I hope 2009 has heaps of great things in stall for you!

bubbachenille said...

welcome back, Melbourne is always good isn't it? Good luck for the year ahead. It's going to be massive!