Merry Christmas, everyone!

Image via Mapking on Flickr


So what did you get up to during Christmas?

I do apologize for the quiet and silence around here this festive period. My only excuse was that food, wine and good company makes me feel less like squirreling away into my room to type type type in front of the computer. I have missed blogging however, so I could only stay away for so long!

My christmas was filled with much joy, much food, and much wine. We went places like the Cuckoo Restaurant, Brighton Beach for a picnic, Yarra Valley for a wine tour with a stopover at Yering station for lunch. We also went strawberry picking down at Sunny Ridge and visited friends at their beach houses.

We even braved the Boxing Day sales!

Which led us to feel like this:



Image by Dalla via Flickr



But it's been a joyous affair. One that I enjoyed a lot more due to the constant presence of loving friends. I hope you had an amazing christmas too!


Oh and before I forget: due to the festive season and many people disappearing off from blog-land. I'm going to be extending the deadline for the previous Waltzing through with talent segment by another two weeks.

So please, if you haven't entered the giveaway yet (come on, a design idea can't be that hard right? ;p ) you still have time to do so quickly!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

And then more social events! Sew It Together 2010

Image by Cauzinha via Flickr


*hops with delight*

This morning I received an email confirming my spot in Melbourne's... nay, Australia's first sewing and craft bloggers convention to be held in 2010.

It's all going down at Sew It Together, spots are limited so if you want to be part of it, quickly quickly, get your act together and get yourself in! All details available on the site.

Oh this is going to be so much fun!

p/s: Photo of Hello Kitty Sewing machine is unrelated, but oh isn't it cute?

And then more social events! Sew It Together 2010

Social Event: Nuffnang Xmas Party (Melbourne Edition)

This adorable art was done by my dear friend, Violet!


Blogging can sometimes be a rather lonely path. You are sitting in front of your computer, typing out your thoughts and pouring out your soul, and you are never guranteed readers. At least I know I'm not as my blogs are still relatively new.

But Nuffnang put a stop to that. Together with fellow bloggers, they have been building (and still building!) a supportive community for bloggers and holding events to bring bloggers together. And with christmas round the corner, what better excuse than a christmas party?

To be honest I was reluctant to go. My partner in crime was stuck in work meetings all night long and I dreaded having to go alone to an event where I knew nobody. Forget that there'd be other people in the same boat, forget that I really should be making new friends. The fact remained that I was too shy. Too fresh in my mind, the days when I was snubbed at parties, too fresh in my mind, the days of me feeling absolutely lost and left out. So to be honest, I didn't want to go.

But with the encouragement of Celina and the desire to meet other bloggers, especially the ones whom I've been reading for ever so long! I decided I'd go. And looking back, I am so thankful that Celina pushed me to go. I'd have missed out the wonderful night otherwise. Here are some photos of the night, taken by Candice from Super Kawaii Mama if i'm not mistaken.















I'd tell you who all the bloggers were but unfortunately my short term memory is kinda that. Short.
I will try to ferret out who's who over the next few days, but for now let me end this social report with a:

When I wandered in, feeling terribly out of place, contemplating making a dash back to my car which was round the corner: Candice was the first person to welcome me in with a warm smile. It calmed my nerves and made me feel a thousand times better. So thank you Candice. And thank you to Nuffnang for being such a wonderful host. It was a really enjoyable night!

p/s: to those on my craft blog, we will resume normal crafting very soon!

Social Event: Nuffnang Xmas Party (Melbourne Edition)

Nuffnang's Xmas party for Bloggers (Melbourne edition)

Oh. Oh my poor feet.

I'm back from the freaking amazing Christmas party that Nuffnang (AU Branch) hosted for all bloggers.
And boy was it a blast.

Above, are the two memoirs from the night. Already it feels so distant, as though it were merely a dream. But the little sticker that sports Violet's adorable art, and my terrible handwriting is proof that I did it. I conquered my fears and I went to the party. Alone. Oh and the heels are there because... well because my feet hurt so much right now from standing all night in them but I will suffer, I must suffer for they are such gorgeous heels.

Even while driving to the city, I was constantly thinking to myself: "oh dear oh dear, maybe I shouldn't go."
You see, I do have quite the problem when it comes to meeting new people. People I don't know.

But boy was I glad I went. I'd tell you more but I'm awfully tired and awfully sleepy but so awfully happy too. So rest assured that I will tell you more. Just let me get some winks in first. See, Joyce? I do sleep.

p/s: This post actually belongs on my fashion blog: Let's dance a fashion waltz. But because my card that was handed out links to my Craft blog: Petitevalse instead, well... you get a copy here too!

Nuffnang's Xmas party for Bloggers (Melbourne edition)

Waltzing through with Talent: Karen from MooBeeTees

Did you have fun with the last giveaway? I know I did. Space Invaders was one of my favourite games when I was little and I still play it now! *blush*

But today is the day we come back from the days of Retro gamings. Today we come back to the present and I have yet another treat for you. This time we have a little something for the kiddies!





Karen is another fellow DUSTer. I know I talk about the DUST team a lot, but how can I help it when they are all so awesome people? Karen is a fellow Melbournite, and I had the wonderful opportunity to meet her while on a hot chocolate date with some of the Melbourne DUSTers, giving me first hand experience on how sweet Karen really is!





Who are you and what do you sell?

If only this question was as simple as it sounds!! I am Karen the owner of MooBeeTees, an Australian online shop that sells little designs for BIG imaginations. My specialty is appliqued t-shirts for children, but I have recently been trying to clothe and accessorise the rest of the child as well! I'm also doing my best to move into their environments (bedrooms and playrooms in particular)- I create lovely handmade bunting which can be personalised.

What are your inspirations and muses?

Now that is easy - my two children! MooBee and Hamster are my greatest inspirations and my biggest critics - nothing goes up for sale unless those two have approved the design first. I also have a desire to dress children as children rather than small adults, so I'm trying to create lovely clothes that parents want to put on their children and that children can wear without too much fuss.



Number Bunting - 1 to 10 in all Colours of the Rainbow


How does your creative space look like?

Hmm. Not sure I should reveal this. Where as most of my life is quite orderly, my sewing room is a Brett Whitely painting!! An explosion of colour, fabric, clothes, designs, patterns, buttons - you name it I have it close at hand (and usually out of it's container!!). I love it.

Tell us a little about what makes you, you.

My other life revolves around professional development. I have been in the learning and development field for the past 20 years and have only recently moved to part time hours enabling me to indulge in a sewing frenzy! My family and friends are a constant source of enjoyment to me and are my most ardent fans and critics - bless them! Moving MooBeeTees to a full time passion is what is really making me tick at the moment and it's certainly keeping me very busy.



The Tree Tee - featuring Little Hoot - Limited Edition


What are you most proud of in your crafting/art life and your personal best achievement?

I think that having the courage to sew again after quite some time away is what I am most proud of. A little tee that I made for MooBee - it will never see the light of day - turned my world upside down. My personal best achievement? MooBee and Hamster :-)

Complete these sentences:

* I love...ice cream (with ice magic on top).
* I cannot live without...my family.
* I hope...to smile at least once every day for the rest of my life :-)
* When I grow up...I still want to be a bit childish!

What do you like best about the crafting/art world?

I think the sense of community amongst crafters/artisans is what has struck me the most. I have been involved in many online and 'real life' communities and interest groups, but I have found the friendliness and helpful attitudes of crafters/artisans to be quite refreshing - particularly through Etsy.

Where can we get more goodies from you?

You can, of course pop in and visit my shop www.moobeetees.etsy.com. My latest designs and blog bits can also be followed on:
- http://twitter.com/moobeetees
- http://moobeetees.blogspot.com/





Want the little one of yours to have a little bit of MooBeeTees in their wardrobe? Well then, here's your chance to grab at one!

Karen has been very generous to offer to Little Waltz's readers a free choice of one of her fabulous Tremendous Tees. Shown below is one of the shirts you can win or you can choose your own!





How to win?

Winners will be judged with the best answers to this question:

What design should be on the next MooBeeTee Tee?

The winner not only gets to walk away with the a free shirt, they will also have their design made and named after them!

So why wait, let's get cracking on those designs now!

There are no limits, so enter however many times you want,
just remember to leave a seperate comment for each design you come up with!

Have fun!

This giveaway will end on the 12th January 2010: 10am Melbourne time. The winner will be announced with the next Waltzing through with Talent feature.



Would you like to be considered for this feature? Send me anemail at petite.valse (at)gmail.com and tell me why you'd like to be inthe feature!




And the winner of the last Waltzing through with Talent is:



Congratulations to Aik!
We'll be in touch shortly!

Waltzing through with Talent: Karen from MooBeeTees

Calling out to fellow crafters.

In Melbourne, that is.

Me, myself and I.

We are coming up with our own little trunk show that will be based in the South Eastern side of Melbourne. Oakleigh to be exact.
And while a jewellery trunk show sounds fab, I feel that it's a tad boring just by itself.

So this is a call out to fellow Melbourne crafters. Would you like a nice crafternoon with fellow crafters? Would you like the space to set up (FOR FREE), to have people come and browse and possibly buy your beautiful creations while you craft over a cuppa amongst other crafters?

A nice casual and cozy setting, the Oakleigh RSL have kindly donated part of their dining hall for us to set up and I'm looking for another or two other crafters to come join the rest of the team.
If you want to start selling at a craft market but have never had the courage to make the first step, why not try this one? There are no fees involved so you can test run your setup plus you get to spend an afternoon with other crafters, oh what fun would that be?

I'm looking for this to happen on the 16th of January, so hit me up latest by the end of the month to confirm your spot.
At this point in time, we are trying not to have any clashes in crafting fields so as to give everybody a fair go. So if you want in, and are given a spot, rest assured that you will be the only one of your field there. =)

At a glance:

Where: Oakleigh RSL
When: 16th January
Time: 10-4pm (Setup before 10am)

Want more info? Or would you like to book a spot? Send me an email at petite.valse (at) gmail.com.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Calling out to fellow crafters.

Secretly Shy.

Image by Meesho via Flickr


I've been to a fair few markets now, and have been chatting with a fair few of fellow crafty bloggers for awhile now. And even those who I don't often leave comments for (oh guilty!heart, be still!), I do know of your names and such!

Yet when I do come across people I know from the blogosphere or crafting world at markets, I hesitate to introduce myself. For the simple reason that really should have been dealt with a long time ago:


I am shy.


Oh, don't get me wrong. Once the initial niceties and greetings have been exchanged, I chatter quite easily (tho I really fail at doing small talk) and can be quite friendly. It's the initial hump, getting over that hump, that always fails me.

For example:
I saw that the incredibly talented Aunty Cookie was at the last Yarraville Markets, and though I walked past many times, hesitated countless of times, I just couldn't pick up the courage to say hi. Don't I just suck at being social?

Perhaps as time go by, I'll get better at this saying hi business. For now, I hope you overlook my little ... ahem. incapability to be a normal sociable human being, and come drag me out of my hole! I promise I won't bite!

Secretly Shy.

My 2009 Christmas Wishlist

1. Magazine subscriptions to : Real Living, Fashion Trend, Peppermint, Frankie. I really really want this <3

2. Any sort of craft books to do with sewing, softies making, crochetting, knitting , beading.


3. A Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro Lens

4. Gift vouchers to Borders / Angus & Robertson / Dymocks / any book stores really.

5. More vintage goodness! More handmade goodness!


Celebrating Green Open Weave Wrap by Leanne from Rainbow Revolution

6. Scarfs. One can never have too many scarfs.

what's your christmas wishlist?

My 2009 Christmas Wishlist

1st of December, can you hear the bells?

Image by Amy Adams

That breathless feeling..

The pounding heart..

Clutching your letter to my chest, I tried to stop my head from spinning so fast.

Could it be? Can it be? Perhaps it really is true?
Dare I believe.. that christmas is finally coming round again?

It's the 1st of December! The month of christmas! Are you ready? Are you set? Have you dug out the christmas decorations?

Christmas will be a quiet affair for me this year, but I'm going to make the most of it by living my life to the fullest for these 25 days. Just in case, I haven't done so for the past year or so *winks*

So tonight I'll be off to the drive-in with my friends, to watch a few movies. See you on the flip side!

1st of December, can you hear the bells?