I received a message last month about this beautiful grandmother who was tragically taken in a car crash, her husband, Pop, not doing too well without her, so her granddaughter contacted me to order him a cushion.
I could really feel her pain ...
“She was a beautiful lady, inside and out, and more of a mother to my sister's and I than a grandmother. It's been heartbreaking for us all.”
So, I made Pop an extra little cuddle one from me, I just wanted him to know I care. One to have on his chair to see first thing when he wakes up and one to pop in at night to hold tight.
“The cushions finally arrived yesterday. I love them so much. I took the cushions around to Pop’s house and he was speechless, started tearing up. He rang me again this morning to say thank you, he loves them. Thank you so much.“
This is not an ad, this is a story, every cushion has a story ❤️
....and I’ll say it again, I get way more back, than I give. X
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Nailed it ...
“Hi Lib. Just gave mum the tea towels. There were many tears and “I think this is the most beautiful gift I have ever got” and she will never use them and is thinking of framing them! So big hit, thank you”
Did I mention I love my job? 😘 x
]]>Hope one of you wins the 60-second shopping spree!
]]>Shop local, shop small business.
Last week Miss Billie announced at 8 am she needed quick drying clay for school. Great, thanks for the notice. I was going to teach her a lesson that Mummy needed more than 5 minutes notice for these things but "mummy guilt" kicked in and I said "okay we'll whizz past Humphreys on the way to school and get some" as I had remembered seeing some there, lucky!
Much to my horror when she returned to the car I looked at the receipt and realized the payment was declined? I said, "oh honey, this didn't go through, Oh my god, I gave you my expired card by mistake, did they realise?"
She said "yeh the man said it was okay", he said, "I looked like I really needed the clay and just come by another time and pay". (sigh).
Of course, I immediately sent her back in with the right card (which she thought was soooo embarrassing, I assured her it would be way more embarrassing NOT to) but gosh I thought that was lovely. He didn't have to do that.
Small business cares. X
& the finshed result is, pretty gorgeous if I do say so myself :-).
]]>Today I realised who am I kidding, I am not a business woman, I am just a Mum. Some days I want to give all this up, the toll it takes on the family and all the copies of my best selling designs but then I get "that" order and I know I can never give this up. I made some cushions today for a boy in palliative care, a boy not much different in age from my Luke, did I cry most of the day, yes. Hubby and I decided at the beginning of the year I had to be a bit tougher, when my client approached me on the weekend I said I would do a couple of little ones for nothing as I just felt so bad but when I received the pics I knew there was no way I could charge anything for these. I am just not comfortable. I made them just in time to get to the post office, I feel bad as some other paying clients orders went to the back of the line (sorry) but after that time of making those cushions for that beautiful lady in palliative care that never got there in time, I just wasn't risking it.
A spirit came into my bedroom last night, no, I hadn't been drinking. I was asleep and woke up and felt a child spirit. I was worried i was going to hear this child had passed today, but no, thank god. I honestly believe it was another spirit who I have done something for their mum or dad just letting me know they are around and I should do these ones today. I know I might sound crazy but I only feel these spirits when I'm working on these cushions so I know it's not a coincidence.
I was on Instagram today and saw a young mum I follow who recently lost her daughter had had a troll say something awful on her page, what the hell? Who does that? What is wrong with people? What is wrong with just supporting each other? I don't understand?
I am no saint, I have lots of faults (just ask my family and friends) but I definitely know with all my heart, if you can do something for someone (only if you can) do it.
Another small business posted my glam-ma cushion recently, a client let me know and I messaged them asking her if they wouldn't mind adding our name to it as it was our image. She had over 1.3 k likes and 2.3k comments (which is a lot of comments) did she just pop on and edit her post, no, she sent me a thumbs up symbol waited till the next day and then deleted the post? I messaged her saying, I didn't understand why she thought that was a nicer thing to do than just add our name to it? and that the world would be a lot better place if we all just supported each other. She never messaged me back? Another small business owner who knows how hard it is..... I was gobsmacked.
That really funny lady whose posts I shared last week about "Married at first sight" messaged me straight away to thank me for sharing her posts, I said "of course, why wouldn't I, you are very clever and deserve credit for your work". It's not that hard.
I suppose the moral to the story is, choose kind. Life is short people, it's not that hard to do the right thing. X
]]>My Courtney and I were in Bunnings (god I love Bunnings), much to my family's horror I have a bit of a habit of singing. A great song came on the radio (yes this is how sad my life is) and I started singing along. Courtney said "Shhhhh" but next thing we knew a man about 60 came over. "I just heard you singing in the next aisle, you have a really beautiful voice", she cracked up and said "No, that was Mum", he looked at me horrified, said nothing and kept walking. Oh OK, come back, let me sing for you... Courtney and just cracked up, but honestly, thanks mate! What you don't want to tell me I have a nice voice? What the? ;-)
Sadly Court has moved out today, 2 weeks of sleeping on the lounge, billie's bed, my bed, has finally worn thin and she's taken a lease. I feel so guilty there's not enough room at the inn :-(. I had to giggle tonight though when we went to Coles to do a shop, she couldn't believe the prices. Ummm, yeh, bit different when it's not Monopoly money ;-) She's been spoilt living on the boats as she has never had to pay for food etc so I think it came as a bit of a surprise. When she was putting her cash in the sucky thing at the self register I could see her wanting to pull it back out, hehe, I laughed and said "I so want to get a picture of this".
Seriously though, it is so sad that we become invisible the older we get. We were next a very elegant old lady the other day @ the registers in Coles and she was really struggling to do the zip up on her purse, I didn't want to embarrass her but I so wanted to help. She said "I'm sorry, I'm very slow" I replied, "there's on rush, it's the weekend, would you like me to help you?" So I zipped up her purse and we did our shopping but as we were walking out behind her I noticed how beautiful her hair looked, she'd obviously recently had it done and made a real effort with her appearance. I said to hubby, I have to tell her how nice she looks, he looked at me "what for?" I just gave him the look! So I chased after her and said "excuse me, I just want to say how beautiful you look" She said "for an old lady?" I replied, "No, for a lady" of course I walked back to hubby with tears down my face. I didn't want her to feel invisible, we're all just doing our best aren't we. X
It's all about giving back and wow won't these teachers feel special today. Yr 12 graduation gifts from a student to her teachers. LOVE x
Oh and just incase you thought everything looks so perfect and so lovely, it isn't always the case getting to this point. I had a girlfriend over for dinner Monday night, we went into my office so I could print them as I knew I was going to be pressed for time the next day to get them all done. Printer down, OMG, she sat and talked to me for 2 hrs whilst I fiddled, took things apart, took things down, turned buttons on, turned buttons off, unhooked a spring that went flying across the room, had to stand on the table bend over to try and get down this fiddly bit to reach it, lucky I had my undies on as it wasn't a good look.......TRIED EVERYTHING.
Poor Miss Billie couldn't get to sleep as the lights from my office were keeping her awake so the poor bugger went and slept in the loungeroom as she didn't want to be up in my room by herself. My girlfriend left about 10, I gave up about midnight. Couldn't sleep worrying how I was going to get it going, tried again 6am, nothing. Rang my friend who has the same equipment he generously said I could use his, got kids to school, raced over there, couldn't get his going. At this stage I'm thinking.... I'm cursed!. Remember my client is picking them up at 2pm!! Rang my technician, every time he has to fix anything it's approx. $500 so you can imagine how nervous I was. He is in TASMANIA mmm, that's not going to work, he gave me a tip on how he fixed it last time, I raced home, got the screwdriver out, did what he said and "voila"
OMG printed like a mad woman, sewed like a mad woman and then took these pics with a big sigh of relief. The joys of small business and thats a good day! X
REASON
Because when you wake up on day 2 feeling very fragile and emotional and the sweet little flower lady pops her head in to fix your flowers and you have to say "I don't have any ?". So then your mind starts playing tricks and you text hubby "thanks for the flowers". Have to admit he said that's when i knew you must be feeling better. haha
Contrary to yesterday's post, I clearly have not evolved that much.
NUMBER 3. (The most important)
LEAVE SMART PHONE AT HOME
REASON
Had to call and be on hold to the taxation department for 25 mins. My fault for not dealing with last quarters activity statement before I came in.
Miss courtney currently in India suprised me with the news she's coming home on the weekend for a couple of weeks. So excited but hubby and I had to then coordinate all her flights on staff travel and let me tell you that's stressful even after a glass of wine! Of course due to my state of mind I gave hubby the wrong dates he booked it all and then I realised and he had to start again from scratch, not happy Jan.
Then, Miss Bronte called last night to tell me she and her partner have two weeks till they can move into their new appt but have to be out of this one on sunday, f#@%rrrk! O...Kay, so I go into "mummy can fix this" mode. Ummmm, who has a big house? "Hi, uncle keith, you know I'm a very very sick woman, well I need a favour ..... (Phew, lucky I had that one up my sleeve) haha, only joking he knows me well. Thank god he said yes, another disaster diverted, Jesus I feel like a traffic controller, not a woman recovering from a major operation, oh that's right, I'm a mum !!!
No need to wonder why my blood pressure reading was through the roof last night. Should have spent a bit longer in that healing garden I think.
NUMBER 4.
Do not tell your 78 yr old mother you are going in to hospital
REASON
Because it then becomes YOUR problem to get her there to visit you (God give me strength).
NUMBER 5.
Get some bloody rest.
REASON
Because all of the above is exhausting.
I can't wait to go home x
Post note: I am going home with beautiful flowers
I can't believe I'm doing this (why don't I just relax and enjoy my weekend??)........LAST SHOUT for orders before I go in for my Op on Monday. As you know, I'm not quite sure what they are going to do to me....'hoik' some bits up, spit some bits out, tighten up a few bits...hopefully ;-). I'm going in for a full 46,000 km's service. Of course in true, typical, catastrophizing Libby style I am imagining dying on the slab (operating table) and should I write letters to my 5 children before they wheel me in? .... I'm only joking (I think?)
So, as I'm not quite sure how long I'll be out for anyone wanting anything for the next couple of weeks please please please order today and I will make it this weekend and hubby can post it next week. If I do die on the slab and you place an order after Monday, don't worry hubby will reimburse you, that reminds me, I have to write down all my passwords and pin numbers!
One has to maintain a sense of humour in these situations ;-).
Have a wonderful weekend. X
I found this little gem in the most gorgeous vintage shop in Braidwood on the weekend. My parents had one in our dining room when I was growing up and I can remember changing the date for Mum and Dad. I haven't had a chance to change this one as Miss Billie keeps beating me to it everyday, I love that she will remember this when she is older. I wish my parents had kept theirs, did anyone else have one? I absolutely love buying pieces for my home that evoke memories. X
Yes, they are still available, I did a bit of research when I got home....
For those unfamiliar with this calendar which has become famous and historic piece of furniture, here is a brief history. The legendary '70s are the years where design, fashion and architecture come to everyone, with a breath of freedom and unconventionality. The normal everyday objects are colored with bright colors and polymers began to be widely used to produce various objects. The research and technical solutions have begun to "dictate" artistic suggestions to Italian design, erupting in the so-called “boom of the polymers” of '60s and' 70s. Years in which the Euroway debuted in the market with the first successful products. Designed by Giorgio Della Beffa in 1970 the "Ring a Date Perpetual Calendar" was immediately appreciated around the world, crowning success with several years of exposure to the "Museum of Modern Art" in New York (MoMA ). Then seeing the great success, as you can see in these photos dated 1971 were produced versions table and a middle measure version.
Today, this Timeless design object can be Yours.
I attended a funeral yesterday for a girlfriends Dad who is now at peace after being in a home for 9 long years after suffering a severe heart attack. His wife has visited him everyday, ensuring he got the best of care, feeding him, wiping his brow and holding his hand. To see all the love in the room yesterday was beautiful, the little and big grandkids wiping their tears and a wife who stood so proud as she played this song, his favourite after she had spoken of her deep love for him. I listened as two kids, not his children (now in their 50's) speak of their immense love and respect for a man who made a massive difference in their life. As they say, it doesn't matter what wealths you die with, it's what you meant to other people, did you make a difference, did you care? I really really don't like funerals, (who does?) but I do love learning about the people who have passed's achievements and what impact they had.
My girlfriend asked me to make this for her Mum, her reaction was something I'll never forget, we go back a long way, I have the utmost admiration for her. Of course as usual I made it last minute (the night before) and my girlfriend said she wanted me to crop it and make it square but I rang her at 9pm and said, sorry honey, I've taken over, I'm making it rectangle. I really want you to be able to see your Dads arm around your Mum, I want her to look at it and see how much he cherished her at that time, young, carefree and happy, so happy. RIP Alan X
Well I'm back on the horse today, determined to beat them, working on some new designs and fabrics.
I was in tears on sunday morning beating myself up because I sent some 'comfort' cushions on Thursday but didn't send them express :-(. I got word from her best friend who had organised them it looked like she was going to pass quicker than we'd expected, I felt so bad I hadn't sent them express.
Our usual orders for the Glam-ma and Dictionary cushions are down due to all the cheap copies. The internet is amazing but due to the global exposure these designs have had, the copies out there have taken most of my business. So sad that I made something up and it has been cheapened by the ugly (yes I said it) copies. They are printed on Made in China covers, they are not made from scratch, they do not come with inserts, beautiful ribbon, gift bag and a photograph of each design and I'm sure their postage is a lot less than the $18 per cushion I have to pay and that's just in Australia. I am sure they think they are very clever just scouring the internet seeing something popular and copying it but little do they know the ramifications. I couldn't afford to send this lot of comfort cushions express, we aren't rich (unfortunately). Although our sales last year were over 100K, yes (my orders are massive for a home business and I definitely consider myself very lucky) my income was $49K (may sound a lot but if you knew the hours you would realise it's not).
I've done this post and deleted it a couple of times, I don't want to sound like a whinging cow, but I figure what haven't I shared with you guys? why should I hide this? I'm just angry, I really really wanted this lady to see her cushions, I wanted her to know they are going to be sitting in all her kids rooms forever and that another Mum who she has never met really cared about her. I rushed making them so they would get there in time, I even rang Australia Post to see if there was anything they could do but they couldn't, not their fault. I received word she passed away this morning. I sent her friend a message on where they were tracking wise and she told me the sad news. I am so sorry for their loss, I remember the morning my dad died, I wanted the world to stop, but it doesn't, it can't, it just goes on, it has to.
A lesson learnt for me, express next time (regardless of the cost) but if you are following my business just to copy my designs, please think before you do as it's not just my family you are hurting. X
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(WARNING: men stop reading here).
My little "issue" is STILL not fixed, mostly due to my trying to ignore the whole situation and also not having time to deal with it. Well, I finally went and saw a new gyno and he was so lovely. I was hoping he'd be 70 but he was young and kinda hot, pre-requisite for all gyno's should be old and unattractive I think as it's even more mortifying for us when they are not. He had his beautiful family photo on his desk and we started chatting about life and kids and then he asked me what I did for work. Big mistake…huge! I said, am I being charged by the minute cos how long have you got? wink emoticon Well you know me, I started telling him all my sad stories, welling up over some but also the happy ones and he ended up wanting to place an order! Only I could go in to the Dr's to talk about my bits and end up with an order for a cushion! wink emoticon.
Had to show him the one we made for my father-in-law last weekend, it was so lovely. All the kids gave me in their words what they think of their grandfather. It was so special and apparently he's raving to all his friends about it. Hubby is the most unemotional person in the world (I suppose it wouldn't work if the kids had two blubbering parents) but even he admitted he would like one of those when he's a grandfather (tick).
I hope you're all getting sorted for xmas, I am really looking forward to it this year, only 15 more sleeps X
]]>Think I'm on top of all my orders, going to have them all out mid December. Please remember any orders received AFTER Dec 1 will not be able to go out until February as I am going to be spending time with my poor children who have actually stopped asking me to do things for them and are now going direct to Dad (which isn't completely a bad thing).
We went to hubby's uni reunion last night which was fun, hearing all the stories and the strong friendships they obviously still have even though they don't get to see each other often. I worked all day so couldn't get to the shops so made the hosts a gorgeous wreath family initial cushion, think I'll have to make myself one, I love it :-).
Can't believe last week at my brothers for dinner I offered to do Christmas day at my house……what the hell was I thinking !!!! Yikes!
Bronte has offered to help (well she has to as she's going to be the only big one here) so secretly whilst dreading it I'm also looking forward to it, going to go all out. Haven't done one since I had all the ex's family over one year. I remember finally sitting down to my lunch, got stuck up the kid end of the table, someone said "Is there any mustard?" I said, "Sure, let me get it" grrrrrrrr, by the time I got back to the table one of the kids had spilt their coke all over my plate of food….kill me now!
It was also the year Aimee my eldest woke up and said "I love christmas Mummy", me: "Oh do you darling, why"? her: "cos you get to eat all day!!!" (she was about 6). Anyway she did …….and about 5 o'clock after I'd finally cleaned up after lunch she puked everywhere! Just worked out in my head that was nearly 20 yrs ago and I've finally plucked up the courage to do it again…..I have no doubt I'll be saying to myself on Xmas eve "not doing this again for another 20!!!". Ohhh it's all good fun isn't it :-). X
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We decided otherwise and organised a lunch with all her besties from her 'working in the city days', 'sons primary school days' and 'nowadays'.
I was there when both her children were born which is an honour I'll never forget. She had a frightening birth with her son and I actually called the Macquarie Street Gyno out of the room and abused him for manually getting her to 9cm but that's a whole other story..ouch! Thank god she and he was fine, that was nearly 18 yrs ago. We've got a lot of history, she used to go out with my twin when we were 17 and was with us through my Dads illness and passing, she worked with my Mum and we lived together when my 1st marriage broke up, we've pretty much been through it all.
I was worried she'd be angry at me for organising it but once she got over the shock a great day was had by all. Happy Birthday Jac, here's to the next 50! X
]]>So now, whenever she's missing home she can look down at her hand and know her mum and dad are with her always, bless.
Oh and she's on strict instructions not to flog it when she's broke! X
]]>"I follow you on Instagram and I must admit I'm envious of your life"
I smile and shake my head in bewilderment cos as we all know Instagram only shows all the "pretty" stuff not the reality of my life which at times seriously isn't all that pretty.
Today was one of those days .....
Certainly wasn't posting Instagram shots at my Bladder Test today, although I did mention it to the Urologist as he had my legs in stirrups and I didn't know what other casual conversation to come up with ??!! OMG NEVER AGAIN. There was no information when I booked but I tentatively asked the receptionist "what are they going to do to me?" she handed me a pamphlet and said "read this". Oh lord I wish I hadn't. I wanted to run out screaming, I'd been dreading it and put it off 6 months but thought what's the worst thing they could do? I might have to drink a bit of water and do a few star jumps. Well, they shoved tubes everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE!!! One up my clacker and as she was (very gently I may add) inserting another one god knows where (which seemed to go for miles) I could'nt help but ask if it was going to come out my mouth! The Dr was lovely and strangely a bit handsome (again I think I may have a thing for Dr's) He was very touchy and kept rubbing my arm (not in a weird way) in a caring way, but I just felt completely mortified. He asked me just to think about something else, I said, "I know what I'm thinking about, a bloody big glass of wine after all this". I had to wee on a toilet that wasn't a toilet (more like a toilet in Bali, you know where there's no plumbing?) haha. Honestly, you do a wee, they measure it and then they pump a full bag of water into your bladder to see how long you can hold it. Mmmmm, I'm sure I just explained my nightmare car trip a month ago to him, what part of "not long" don't they get! Dr asked me in the pre test interview how long I think I've had a problem. I mentioned when I was in nightclubs (pre kids even) I would join the ladies toilet queue, do my wee and just join the end of the queue again as I knew by the time it got to me I would be busting, so yes a LONG time! I made some of my best friends in toilets in nightclubs.
Anyway, after an extremely humiliating experience and I'm not even telling you half of it, I put my gear back on. I asked the lady at reception, "Do I pick my dignity up here or at the door?" she smiled and the best part......... it cost me $300 to find out I have a weak bladder, no shit sherlock, I could have told them that for NOTHING! The things we do :- X
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