Hello 2010!

Wow, another year has passed... and what a year it was.
So much has happened in 2009, happy things, sad things, eventful things, difficult things, scary things. I can't say that '09 has been an easy year with a break up, a move and one of the most diffucult decisions right at the end. I might write about this one day, when I'm ready.

I'm definitely looking forward to 2010 and started the year in an amazing way. Through my job I got in touch with a fellow Dutchy, who's daughter works for ID&T, the company who has been organising 'Sensation' for years.


Image credit: Sensation

It's a Dutch organisation which puts on some massive events, such as Sensation. I have been to Sensation before, in 2002 in the Amsterdam Arena. I absolutely loved it back then, but didn't think that I'd ever go again because the tickets are quite expensive. Anyway, I'm drifting off... the girl who works for ID&T lives in Holland whilst her parents have been here for 28 years. During my work Christmas dinner we got talking about this and he thought it wouldn't be a problem to get us free tickets... he text his daughter et voila... free DELUXE tickets to Sensation! It was amazing, the show was spectacular and like last time I was excited to see everyone dressed in white, it's really something special. At midnight they had a sensational show with fireworks and the famous Sensation megamix, I had the best NYE ever!

The only negative was that I got a throat infection the day before NYE. I'm still fighting it and it's probably a good thing that I have a few days to myself (i.e. nobody to talk to) before going back to work. I've been keeping myself busy with...


reading magazines


decorating my apartment


looking after a friend's vegies in my kitchen


baking a pear upside-down cake

I'd like to say thanks to everyone for visiting my blog and the ink & spindle blog, for supporting our little business, for sharing their handmade creations, for visiting us at shows and for being our dedicated fans.

Happy New Year everyone, cheers to a great 2010!

the year is ending...

As the year is coming to an end it's time to think about what has happened over the last year...it's amazing how many things happen in a year and what you can achieve in such a relatively short period of your life.


pelicans at The Entrance, NSW

Last year I was still working full-time. I had only just started Hollabee and only printed two patterns. Now I have printed multiple patterns and am part of Ink & Spindle... printing my own patterns :)

I have been very fortunate in the past year. I'm especially grateful for meeting Tegan & Lara... my friends and business partners :) Girls, you rock! (but you knew that already)


Nobby's Beach Newcastle, NSW

I would also like to thank you, my readers, for all your support and lovely words. Even though I cannot always find the time to reply to your comments, I definitely read and appreciate everything you write. Thank you!

The ending of the year is also a time to make plans for the new year. For hollabee this will mean more patterns and more outlets from which you will be able to buy hollabee fabrics. For Ink & Spindle it'll be an exciting year as we will start printing for all designers out there who would like their patterns printed on fabric.
We will keep you up to date through the Ink & Spindle blog... but now we're enjoying the last few days of our holiday :)


Marcel & I at Coogee Beach, NSW

I wish everyone a Happy New Year! Cheers to a crafty 2009!

ps. the pictures are from our recent holiday to the NSW Central Coast & Sydney, where we spent our Christmas with Marcel's family.

a new start...

I hope everyone has had a great NYE. We spent a hot night in Melbourne city to see the beautiful fireworks. This was actually my first NYE in Melbourne as the other two years I have been in Australia we were in Sydney for NYE. Of course nothing beats the fireworks in Sydney with it's amazing Opera house & bridge, but Melbourne is home and I really enjoyed the fireworks.

Now we're off to Torquay for a day at the beach. It's quite exciting as I haven't been there for a long time, I can't wait to take the boogie board out and catch some waves.

Have a great day, where-ever you are, and whatever you're doing :)