6 sites I am totally diggin'

Colette Patterns
Shock Records
Blackbird Corner
Made By Hannah
Stephanie Fizer
and
Linnea Paulina

and thanks to all who left their favorite blogs - I am working my way through them :)

Melbourne Weekly

Yesterday I got an email from a friend saying,

You didn't tell me you were a cover girl!

Nice pictures in the melbourne times. And on the cover? I haven't managed that one yet. You're a star! Can I have your autograph?.....

and later that day from another friend, ...be glad you dyed your roots!

This one is for you mum!

The article is about the amazing zine store (and so much more) that we have here in Melbourne town called Sticky. Sticky have been very supportive of mixtapeZINE from the get go- there is a lovely picture of Luke from Sticky in the inside of the mag.

Oh and I am now known as "Justine Square in size", WTF? I was so nervous doing the craft sanity interview I came out with some doosies! You have to listen to the interview to know what I am talking about! Over exposure this week for sure - but it's fun ;)

mixtape monday (TUESDAY) GIVE AWAY!!

Not ONE but TWO giveaways this week thanks to Louise. Louise is one half of Audrey & Maude - I just love their easy to follow patterns. I can't wait to get started on my hippo...

PATTERN 1
Henrietta the Hippo - You will fall in love with sweet Henrietta, a round and cuddly girl with a great big smile.
PATTERN 2
Flirty Florence Apron - This flirty, full length, lined apron has fun frills, a handy pocket and a pretty, detachable flower brooch. Who says you can’t be practical AND look cute in the kitchen!!

Ok so what you need to do is
1. Tell me which pattern you'd like and why.
2. Tell us a joke - yep! make us laugh...

Winners notified next Monday AUGUST 3. I will ship to all 4 corners of the globe!


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LAST WEEKS WINNER

Wowza! What a response to last weeks fabric giveaway courtesy of Lisa from ThisandThatFromJapan. We had so many comments it was hard to choose just one!

The winner is :

Gina Oh, I'd totally get some fabric from the 'Waiting for the Train' line... story of my life. Think I'd make me a metcard holder out of it!

Gina please email me directly and I will put you in contact with Lisa!

It all started with an op shop ball.

I had a lovely weekend.

It started off with a big shoulder pad affair with an Op-Shop Ball. Then I woke a few hours later to embark on a job filming a play called Oklahoma. Then it was all aboard to the Mixtape/In.cube8r birthday party, then, tired eyed, I ate vego nachos on Brunswick Street in a café window, with 2 of my favorite people, before bed. I woke and spent some time meandering around an organic expo, which led me to buying a new journal. Lastly I swiftly fluttered home to spend the afternoon crafting.

At the Mixtape/In.cube8r Party

Along the way I was reminded of;

The importance of op shopping.
The importance of independent and locally made art.
The importance of being vegetarian.
The importance of loved ones.
The importance of organic consumer goods.
The importance of my journal.
The importance of crafting.

(Scarf and pin i made using water-soluble stabilizer, it was the most exciting thing i discovered this week)

Sometimes I lose my place, the world and all of it’s issue burden my mind, I cannot find my place and my head cannot rest. Thankfully I can have weekends like this that uplift my soul, clear my mind, reassure me I’m not the only one who is searching, and remind me not to lose my mind finding my place.

Don't forget about the small things.

Goodnight,

big love from the Intern

xxxx

what a trip!

I told you a couple of weeks back that I had a convo with Jennifer from CraftSanity. Well it is now available to download free from itunes - go here and get all the info

Yippeeeee!

Justinex

party action and inspiration

Last night mixtape & incube.8r had a joint 2nd birthday. We had a great turn out and the music WAS 100% spot on. When I got home and reflected on the night, I felt almost teary about the peeps that I have met/crossed paths with since mixtape begun early 2007.
The whole reason mixtapeZINE began was because of my obsession with craft/art blogs. After I had our first born (04) I found craft blogs and the transition from working woman to mother was a much gentler transition (thanks to blogging). I felt connected and inspired to try lots and lots of new things.

mixtapeZINE takes up alot of my waking hours and blog surfing has taken a back seat over the past year. I had a thought today that I want to take the time to go back to my roots (so to speak) and actively check out blogs for a short time each day, they are after all the life blood of mixtapeZINE.

(image taken from Hula Seventy's blog)

One such person that I have followed since I first started blogging in 2005 is Andrea from hula seventy. Andrea has written for mixtape and I have also profiled her in earlier issues. We got the latest issue of uppercase in the mail a couple of weeks ago and the whole reason I bought it in the first place is because Andrea writes for them! We subscribe to uppercase - it's worth every cent.


Tell me what your favourite blog/s are? I am looking for some newbies and would love your recommendations.

New mixtapeZINE Monday Giveaway in the morning...

a mixtapeZINE stockist

Raggedy Anne Burleigh Heads is Open!

Now you can get your Raggedy Anne fix in two lovely locations. They have just opened at Burleigh Heads! The same wonderful labels and accessories are now available in two places at once.

Raggedy Anne Burleigh Heads

Shop 6/40 "Big B ArcadeJames Street Burleigh Heads
Ph (07) 55082909

The importance of farmers markets.

Good evening!

Since I am an early riser, or rather, since I feel guilty about sleeping in, I use the wee hours of Saturday and Sunday mornings to travel to farmers markets that are spotted across Melbourne. This is possibly my favorite part of the week.

Farmers markets are important because:

1. The produce is often picked or made the day before the market, so freshness is guaranteed!
2. Due to the freshness there is no need for preservatives or chemicals to be used thus the food is better for you and the environment.
3. Farmers markets are better for the farmer. This is both in terms of being able to get a reasonable price for the their produce, as they are cutting out the unnecessary middle man, and also to see the support they are receiving from the community.
4. Farmers markets are great for bringing together people in a community who usually don’t communicate.
5. Your hard earned cash isn’t going to a big corporation, such as Woolworths or Coles, who don’t care about the farmer or you the consumer, but instead about making a quick profit at the expense of the environment, quality etc etc etc…..
6. Your food will rack up a lot less food miles.
7. Farmers markets promote a more organic and appreciative way of living not only is most of the food is organic or close to, but it reminds us that it came from a farm and someone else worked hard to produce it.
8. Farmers markets take us back to days of old when we had to go to the butcher, the baker and the milkman individually for our week’s tucker.
9. No plastic bags are allowed. Trolleys, baskets and calico bags are a fashion must at a farmers market
10. There is less to no cost for the storage of food because it is fresh, thus reducing your carbon footprint.

So this week visit your local farmers market, there’s no need to get up early they are usually open to 1 or 2pm or even later. Meet the people who are growing your food, and give some support to your local farmers, they are doing it tough and need your support, trust me, I come from a long line of them.

Check out these sites for your local market or links to one near you:

Regional Farmers Markets Victorian Farmers Market Association
Slow Food, Melbourne Farmers' Market Australian Farmers Market Association



Love from the Intern. xxx

Issue 10 is now avaliable for pre-sale!!!

You can secure your copy here for the next Issue (10) of mixtapeZINE.
We are going to get this out in time to launch it officially at the Stitches & Craft Show in Sydney.
I think I must be stark raving mad to attempt this BUT after a meeting today with my husband(mixtapeZINE designer) we have decided we are going to risk killing each other to get this out to you EARLIER than expected.

So what are you waiting for? head on over to our shop and get your mitts on a copy!! yippeeeee.

Subscribers, if you are unsure about where your subscription is at please shoot me an email and I will let you know.

Cheers & Excitement
Justine xx

mixtape - giveaway monday #7

Thanks to all who entered into last weeks "Pamper Package".

The winner is :
i never pamper myself and can never look after myself. i have tonsillitis at the moment and it would be nice to have a hot bath and be all pampered to make me feel a little bit better :)
Kelly

Kelly please contact us direct with your postal details!

This weeks giveaway is courtesy of:



Lisa is giving away a $25 gift certificate for fabric from the cotton or
linen/cotton blend section.
So go check out her store - leave a comment back here and tell us what you'd get if you won. We'll let you know if you have won next Monday July 27.

mixtape and whipup do dance - Issue 9 Thank-you

MixtapeZINE is made possible by people just like you and me making time to contribute/donate their work. So this post is dedicated to those who made Issue 9 possible.
Take some time out today and click on all the wonderful links below - you won't be disappointed.
So in order of how they appear in Issue 9, here we go:

Lisa Solomon COVER
Megan Young
Jodie Carleton
Ann Marie Holt
Valentina Sedda INSERT
Susie Fry
Beverley Laing
Shannon Lamden
Tracy Bell
Amelia
Leisl
Martine Booth
Penny
Richard/Kirsty
Kitty Speer
Tara Axford
Nichola Prested
Liz Parnell
Tina Tarnoff
Kathreen Ricketson
Meghan Bialk
Kylie Robson
Philippa O'Shea
Susy Pow
Margaret Nock
Catherine

Thank-you all from the bottom of my heart. Also a big shout out to my man Simon for making it all look so good xx

Issue 10 WIP

Issue 10 will be out in the first two weeks of September. We have the cover image to show you today! The image was supplied by Bola Cooper who resides in the UK, thank-you - thank-you!


We are getting ready for the Stitches & Craft Show currently and will have a few extra bits to sell at our stall - like the Weather Tree Poster, Day at a Time Tree Poster, Badges, Totes and Tea Towels! yipppeeeee!

This little Intern went to market...

It’s been a while hey?

I've missed blogging and have thought about it every day, everything in my life is now a potential blog, I feel like my life has a constant blog style narration to it. I’ve been in Sydney and computers with a good Internet connections have been few and far between, in fact in hostels they are extremely rare, like a Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat. I went to an environmental youth conference while in Sydney, but I’ll tell you about that later on in the week.


So, last week I spoke to the lovely Anna from Able and Game, who make gorgeous cards. I gave the ‘I’d go to zone two for you’ card to a friend who lives near Frankston , hilarious! These cards remind me of lots of different people in my life, and make me feel like sending them some love, in card form, for no reason. Which is good, because this world needs a whole lot more of no strings attached love floating around. Plus they are extremely witty, have that personalised touch, and are extremely cute.



So here are the questions and answers...

What is your business name? Able and Game

How long has your business existed for? Since February 2009

What do you make? Quirky Greeting Cards

How many Markets have you set up stall at? At the moment we do Rose Street in Melbourne every Saturday, but it will be soon opening on a Sunday as well.

What got you stared on the Market circuit? I was doing the market with my accessory label Anna Laura, my first one was Rose Street way back in January 2007. I thought it would be a good way to meet customers face to face and to get a reaction to the products.

Do you have a day job? I work full time on the Able and Game label.

What Makes your stall and the items in it special? What makes our markets special is our products appeal to different genders and age groups.

Where do you get your inspiration? Things that happen in day-to-day life, things I see on the television, things that friends have done, words that get stuck in my head. Something my boyfriend might have said, something I might have said to him, and I realised it would work on a card. Anything and everything, I love getting inspiration and then thinking how will that work in a card. When you get it spot on it is really a great feeling.

Is it inspiring to see other stalls of creative goods? Yes, I wish I had more money so I could buy it all. I love looking at all the beautiful products on offer at Rose Street.




So this week I’m sending you all lots of no strings attached love. You don’t have to return it just send it on to some one else who needs it in your life.


Love from the Intern. xxx

We are turning TWO and Ink & Spindle are ONE

The Ink & Spindle girls have been kind enough to let me have access to their print studio to screen print mixtape tea towels and totes. Yesterday I went and did a test run. We are going to do black and green. They will be up for sale next Friday and I will take them up to Sydney at the Stitches & Craft Show. I am soooo happy how they have turned out and the fact that I have also learned how to screen print - DOUBLE WHAMMY!!!

Happy FIRST Birthday Ginger & CO! I'm so glad we've met! Yippeeeee

monday giveaway time!

This weeks giveaway is courtesy of Luxurious Liquids and is open to all Australian Residents.

The pamper pack consists of:
luxurious body lotion
botanical hand therapy
pampering body wash

All you need to do is leave a comment and tell us: Why you should win this little package of pamper! Winner will be notified by email and on this blog on Sunday July 19.

****
The little lady took this photo of me earlier this afternoon and it sums up how I am feeling today! A little blurred and all over the shop...
I was on kinder duty this morning and had a ball but now I could do with a couple of hours to myself.

Behind the scenes of the mixtape tote/tea towel design:



Have a great week!

Thinking outside the square...

Issue 10 is being designed as I write and will be out in the first week of September, yipppeee!

We are now however taking submissions for the re-launch Issue 11 (out NOV 15) and the theme is:
"Thinking Outside the Square"

So if you would like to put forward an article or tutorial please send it on in.
submissions.mixtapezineATgmailDOTcom

1 Page = 300 words
2 pages = 700 words
Please send to us in a non formatted word document .doc (not just written in the email body)
word count needs to be adhered to and work needs to be original/ not published anywhere else.
images need to be 300 dpi

Cheers
Justine

Listening: Wilco & Jen Clother
Reading: Dead as a Doornail
Loving: Cold weather with blue skies

surreal

Last night I spent an hour on skype with the infectious Jennifer Ackerman Haywood of CraftSanity fame. CraftSanity is a labour of love for Jennifer as is mixtape for me. Jennifer has been a long time supporter of mixtape and I feel absolutely honoured to have been invited to chat with her about all things mixtape.

jennifer - craftsanity

We talked about how mixtape began, my life before mixtape, how I run mixtape and what the future holds. We chatted about our kids and what it's like to juggle a family whilst also trying to fulfil your own personal needs. We talked about taking a leap of faith and following your heart. I have no idea how the podcast is going to sound as I (as always) had so much to say and said it before I got my words together .
So we'll see. It should be up as a podcast by the end of July. I will link to it as soon as I get the details. While I am at it I will also put a link to the RRR interview I did with the grapevine chicks.
Check out all of Jennifers podcasts here - sooooo many amazing peeps to listen to on your computer, while driving or on your ipod whilst doing whatever else it is you need to do!

This little Intern went to market...

So hello lovely’s,

I’m not very good at sleeping in. If I sleep past 8am I usually wake up in a panic because I’m sure I’ve missed something or needed to be somewhere very soon or now! However, I’ve been making an effort, or lack of effort, to sleep in till 12pm this past week and it feels so lovely, especially since it is so cold. I think Mixtape is finally making me realize that I too need to make time for the small things. I also took time to bake this week. I made a lemon cake like the ones my mum used to make when I was small and carefree.

Master Chef styles.

I also did some sewing, fixing up op-shop dresses is undemanding and cheap! However I need sewing lessons, does anyone know of a good sewing school in Melbourne? So thank you Mixtape for making me take time for the small things this last week. I’ll be buying a tote to remind myself of it everyday.


Anyway to the blog...


This week is a Q & A with Theresa Evans from Rummage Style. DO DO DO check out her new online store! Her skirts and dresses are making me feel summery even in the dreary wintery cold. I think I had best buy one to remind me that one day the warm sun will be defrosting my bones in a few months.

How long has Rummage Style existed for?
Rummage Style has been going for about 2 and a half years now.

What does Rummage Style do?
Rummage makes women’s garments from recycled and salvaged vintage materials. They are generally one offs, occasionally a couple are made the same but you can be sure that you won't see someone in the street wearing your same Rummage dress!

How many Markets have you set up stalls at?
I only do Camberwell market each Sunday but have done other markets in the past...university markets and St.Kilda night market.

What got you stared on the Market circuit?
I started selling my old vintage clothes at Camberwell and then moved on the altering them and then eventually into designing my own garments and producing my own label.

What markets do you frequent with your store?
I'm at Camberwell market every Sunday in the same place which means that I have built up a client base that come to me every week so it acts basically like my own little shop front.

Do you have a day job?
I'm a full time mum and before that I was doing Rummage Style full time and still do really. I also have stockists in Melbourne that stock my label so I am kept pretty busy.

What makes your stall and the items in it special?
I think the reason that my garments sell is that they are one offs, and use sustainable practices. People are sick of mass production and want to be individual. But they also want this without paying huge amounts and being environmentally friendly.

Where do you get your inspiration?
I get my inspiration from all over the place. I surf the net a lot but also just look at what people like to wear right now...I follow the trends but put my own mark on them.

Is it inspiring to see other stalls of creative goods?
I love seeing other people's store of creative things. I love going to other markets and buying from people who hand make their own things.



love to all of you,

The Intern xxx

tote action - tea towels are coming also....

We finished the design today and have sent it off to get the screen made up.
We are aiming to get these baby's screened in the next two weeks.
They will definitely be ready for the Stitches & Craft Show in Sydney.
We are making up a small amount of both totes and t-towels. If you are interested in being notified when they are up for sale email us feedback.mixtapezineATgmailDOTcom and tell us~!

Big thanks to Sime & Ginger xx

whip up and mixtape do a dance!

Its been a busy week in some ways - last week of the school term - lots of social stuff going on for the kids - preparing for the school holidays. But its been quiet for me at work - I took a couple of days off to work on some projects at home. Didn't get much done - but its been nice anyway - some baking - I have been surfing the food blogs and my new favourite food blogs are joy the baker and smitten kitchen - I made the sugar cookies and the lemon cake - both turned out perfectly and we had chicken dumpling stew too - very very good.

Whipup has been busy too ... We have a story on recycled and upcycled alternative yarns from etsy sellers : Thinking of making yourself some lovely swimwear this summer - here's how (why not make your own knickers too while you are about it) : a new magazine on the scene for textile lovers : gearing up for the holidays - here are some activities to keep your kids occupied :

A bit of embroidery and paper: embroidery on paper : paper cutwork : tissue flowers : this paper flower for card making is super cute :

Doing some knitting and crochet : try this adorable froggy pattern : I love the ring tailed lemur : knitted crustacean is too cute : crochet stash basket is lovely.

For the littlies : little princess : we are gearing up for vintage baby knits blog tour - see the schedule and win a book : travel pillow for your darlings.

Have a lovely weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

Did you miss last weeks roundup? get them all here or subscribe to this weekly newsletter via email here - if you already subscribe why not forward this email to a crafty friend you think may enjoy it.

Get the whole blogging tips series here.

Get your featured on whipup button here.

Follow us on twitter: whipup: @whipup and Nicole: @craftapalooza

Ps. feel free to send in letters, ideas and links to whipup[at]gmail.com

QLD Love - Support Handmade!

WARM UP AT BRISBANE’S PREMIER WINTER MARKET

BrisStyle Indie Designers Market

What: BrisStyle Indie Designers Market
When: Saturday July 4, 2009
Time: 9am-2pm
Where: St Augustine’s Church Hall, Racecourse Road, Hamilton, Brisbane
Cost: Free

The BrisStyle Indie Designers Market on July 4, at the St Augustine’s Church Hall at Racecourse Road in Hamilton, is a chance for budding ethical consumers to buy local handmade goods from a group of very talented ladies.
The markets feature a wide range of quality, beautiful and unique goods – everything from bags, accessories, jewellery and clothing to art, papercraft, softies and homewares.

The weather has cooled down, but Brisbane’s hottest market destination is just about to fire up.

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The BrisStyle Indie Designers Market is run by members of BrisStyle, a collective of emerging and established artists, crafters and designers from Queensland’s South East.
In March 2008, 12 likeminded artists met to discuss forming a group with an aim to foster and support the local creative community, while also stimulating the local economy.
One year later, with an active membership of over 70, BrisStyle members meet regularly to celebrate their shared love of creating beautiful things.

Members sell their wares through online stores, and promote their crafty talents through the BrisStyle blog.