Musings

Our Frangipani - Finally Flowering

One of the things I want to pursue this year is my photography. I want to explore, grow and create. And I want to know if there is a future in this dream of mine.

I love to take photographs. To capture the world through my eyes. Through my lens. And, of course, I could endlessly snap away where my kids are concerned, however, I really want to be more.

I have a RedBubble account. I'm not sure how long it has been active; awhile and I've never had a sale. Rarely even a comment. I occasionally go there now to upload something else, but I feel so disappointed when I am there because I want people to want my photographs.

I want this to be my purpose outside of being a wife, mother, home maker. I just don't know if it is. I suppose that is what this whole year is about... I wish I had more patience.

I've created an album on the BeckyandJames.com FB page with some images I am soon to upload to RedBubble, along with some of my 52 Week shots, feel free to take a look and 'like' us while you're there.

What is your purpose? What do you want it to be?

Avon Calling... Again??

Just after I finished work as an Insurance Consultant, before Ellie was born, I had a wonderful plan to become an Avon representative. I figured it would bring in a little extra money and once I had a baby it would help me get back into shape. So, I started out, all excited about the prospect of this little enterprise.

So, I did my rounds and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, I ended up spending more money on the brochures than what I made - in fact I only got one order the whole time and that was because my mum was wonderful enough to 'need' something. In the end it was taking so much time and energy and costing us money so I gave it away.

From time to time they have sent me a brochure to look at and asked if I am interested in joining again, as nobody has taken over my territory. Each time I have politely decined. With the two girls and my previous experience I couldn't really see it working out.

But, now I am desperate to make some kind of money to help us along. Just a little. We need to get so much done to the house to have it ready to sell and we need to save whatever we can so that when it does go on the market we can be ready to move.

Back in July I revived my RedBubble account and started adding new content, hoping that a little money would come my way. No such luck. I have still not sold a thing. I suppose that's just not my thing. It's a pity because I really enjoy it and would love for it to be more than a hobby.

I have also started dabbling in designing digital scrapbooking kits (go here for my latest freebie, if you haven't already). I love it. I am currently halfway through designing my very first full kit. I am excited. And, again I would love for this to bring in a little money, but I don't know how exactly that can happen. I don't want to commit to a store time that I do not have to give and I don't want to feel pressured to meet specific deadlines which might interfere with my time with the girls. I don't know if there are stores out there with flexible commitment requirements who are willing to take on a newbie like me. I will have to do some research on that... But, currently, I am thinking this wont be what I want it to be, either.

Which leaves Avon or the like. I can't go out to work becasue we simply cannot afford childcare and I want to be with my girls. I honestly don't know what to do to bring in a few extra dollars. I keep telling myself there has to be something I can do, but everything seems to fizzle out or be a deadend. Maybe people want Avon products now?? Ideas, anyone??

Just because I can, here are my latest uploads to RedBubble







(Images are linked)

And for those of you who are interested in checking out my newest layouts, head over to my CT Blog. I was having WAY too much trouble uploading them here. Don't forget to leave me some love :)

xoxo

Frustrating Yet Soo Cute!

Ellie has started being interested in 'helping' me feed Kahlei her dinner. It started the other night as I was feeding Kahlei while cooking our tea. Ellie came up and picked up the spoon while I was stiring the chicken and that was it. Now, it's her job. If I'm doing it she's not at all happy. Mostly she does okay, but tonight she was all about pretending to chew everytime she got the spoon near Kahlei's mouth, so the food was going all over poor Kahlei and Ellie's standing there going "mmm mmm mmm".

How cute is it?

I have uploaded a few more photos to Redbubble that I would like to share, too.

Images are linked, feel free to click thru - take a look, leave a comment or buy ;) Okay, so I am actually avoiding getting into my BOTCT layout for week 3... so, I should get stuck into that.

Quick Post

Just wanted to show you the newest pics I have uploaded to Redbubble. I'll try and do a proper post tomorrow :)





Now I am off to bed to dream sweet dreams of Edward Cullen ;) Lol

*tap tap* Is This Thing On??

Hello?? Is anybody out there?? I haven't had any comments for AGES!! I love my readers and the little snippets you leave on my blog. I want to hear more from you, learn more about you dear reader... So, on Tuesday's I am going to ask a question about you for you to answer in a comment.

This week I'm going to start with an easy one. I want to know what your yummiest meal has been latelyand why? James recently made us pumpkin soup. It was delicious, nice and thick and tasty. I was left warm, full and happy. An orange bowl of happiness!! We have some leftovers in the freezer for 'later' but I already want to get it out again. Yummy scrummy.

So, come out of lurking and let me know ;)

Now, onto some of my most recent LOs:

Shabby Summer by Digi Overdose

Template by Mychl's Flights of Fancy available on the Digiridoo blog for Template Tuesday
The Sweet Shoppe by Jscrapbug

Serene Breeze by LDrag Designs
Created for A Challenge A Day hosted by Simply Sarah

I have also uploaded another two photographs to Redbubble:

Now, go on - Answer Me This :)

So Precious...

I love watching the girls together. As Kahlei's getting older Ellis is finding more joy in entertaining and playing with her and it's such an awesome thing to see. Often, when Kahlei's playing on her mat Ellie will get down on her tummy and play, too. Or she'll read her a book.

Yesterday, my favourite moment was when Ellie was telling me a dramatic story. Kahlei was playing on her mat when something Ellie said or did caught her attention and she started laughing hysterically. Ellie was a little put out at first because she was obviously trying to convey something very serious, but then she shrugged, turned to me and asked "What funny?" This made Kahlei laugh even harder and then it became a game.

This morning, while I was hanging the clothes Kahlei kicked off one of her booties and when I looked over I saw this

How amazingly adorable is Ellie trying to put Kahlei's bootie back on?? I love it. I am so incredably proud of my girls.

I have been uploading some more work to Redbubble. I have also created Becky's Bubble, which is a gallery linked to Redbubble that displays my work, hopefully it might bring in some customers...

My newest photographs:

I have also been working on some tees:

I'm going to start trying some new things as I really enjoy making the t-shirts. I'd love to hear what you guys think!

AND, I have a question for all you Twilight fans out there: Are you an Edward or a Jacob fan?? I think my preference is pretty obvious, hehe.

Oh! Check out the cool siggy the amazing Caryn has made me! Thanks, Caz!!

P.S. Check out all the fun stuff happening at Digiridoo Scraps this weekend! Take a look at the yummy I Want Candy kit for the July Progressive Blog Challenge - join in and have a great time!!

Back to the Drawing Board

It will probably surprise you all to find out James and I did not win the $100 million jackpot last night. I know, what a shock! You're probably having a hard time digesting this fact, so I will share some photos from today before I go on:

This is what happens when you let Ellie pick her own clothes. Tights under shorts with yellow gumboots. Fashionista in the making, hehe.

Are you over the shock? So, we bought our tickets, dreamed big dreams and won nothing. James was in serious planning mode; right down to the cars he was going to fill a large shed with and I suspect he even knew what kind of fish he was going to have in his massive fish tank. Honestly, we don't win  lotto all the time, so it shouldn't really be that big a deal. Yet, somehow it is. I didn't have the dreams of grandeur, the plans to buy and renovate whole streets or ideas of our own personal 'commune' (ie lots of houses for friends and family near us). For me it was the thought of moving, of getting out of this town and finally being close to my parents. We do plan to move, however, it is quite a while away... Unless we win lotto. Which we didn't.

I wouldn't be adverse to selling up and just going. Once there I could get a part time job to help out, as my parents could have the girls, but James is dead against this option. Getting a job here is out of the question as childcare costs would make the whole exercise pointless, so I need to find other ways to contribute to saving to move. I'm not sure, yet, what I will do. What I do know, is that I need to feel like I am doing something to make things go faster because I want to get out of here as soon as I possibly can. For now, I have decided to resurrect my RedBubble account. It's always been there but I haven't added any new content for a very long time.

I've not yet had any work sold, but I hope that something of my new stuff will catch somebody's eye and they'll want it. Today I uploaded these:

(Images are linked)

Shameless Self Promotion

I may have mentioned sometime before that James and I worked out that we can afford for me to not go back to work until our kids are at school if we have them relatively close together. We worked that out before at least two rate rises and long before we realised it was going to take longer than we thought to get pregnant. So, now I am looking at easy things I can do to maybe make a little bit of extra cash to give us a little bit more of a cushion. I really don't want to have to go to work and leave Ellie, that would absolutely break my heart. I feel very strongly about being here for these important developmental years for my children and the thought of not being here as much as possible makes me sick.

For now I am trying some things that don't take away from my time with Ellie, house work and looking after James. Basically, I am hoping my current hobbies, which I indulge in when Ellie's having naps and the house work is done, will create a little money for us. Realistically, though I am not holding my breath but while we're not desperate for the money it doesn't hurt to give it a go and see what happens.

Here, dear reader is where you can help!! Firstly, I have been writing on Helium and your articles are paid on various aspects and views of your articles count, so if you have the time and love to read I'd love you to drop by my profile by clicking the button below and check out what I have written.

Secondly, I have just joined redbubble.com where you can upload and sell art, photography and t-shirts.  I'm not asking you to buy my creations (though I wouldn't discourage you either ;), what I am hoping you can do for me is go to my profile, check out my art and t-shirts and give me feedback. I want to give myself the best possible chance to sell some work. Or maybe you have a t-shirt idea and would like me to (try) create it for you.

I am also open to any other suggestions you may have about making a little extra cash.

Maybe I will find something that will work enough to keep me at home with my baby girl.

Ellie's starting to wake up, so I had best get going.