Thursday, January 14, 2010

The road ahead...


It's been a hectic start to the year!  I'm trying to tie up loose ends and prepare for the year ahead, before I plough headlong into a very big, exciting new project.  Given the timeframe, I won't have time for much else once it's underway.


Hot on the heels of completing the aforementioned project, I have Stitches and Craft Shows to attend (with stock and a display - perhaps the odd workshop or seminar? - to prepare). 


Then there's a trip to Sewjourn (YIPPPPPPEEEEEE!) and the Sew it Together bloggers convention in Melbourne.  I'll be hosting a Friday Night champagne-swilling-shindig thing. (We could call it a cocktail-hour soiree... but that sounds a bit fancy.  I'm thinking of a more cosy, doesn't-matter-what-you-wear kind of get-together where we can talk about buttons, ironing board covers and fabric shops).  More details later.


I'm also harbouring secret wishes to visit a show further afield later in the year. Fingers crossed.


In between I'll be doing family things.  Trying to get out to spend time with my parents when I can.  Spending quality time with my wee girl.   (Gosh, I may even have time to have a conversation with the man of the house....!?).  Dealing with grief - and the frazzled emotions of myself and my siblings - as we face the toughest of journeys.


My little assistant is off to kindergarten (with aftercare) this year so I have quite-possibly-unrealistic expectations about how much can be achieved without her "help" in the studio.  When I think about how much was done while working around her these last four years, I feel like I can achieve anything. 


There are still a few other wild-card events that may spring up and change circumstances again.  Perhaps the odd spanner in the works... that's to be expected, too.


So far, I can't see the space to schedule classes or workshops until the latter half of the year.  Stay tuned to the blog and join the mailing list (making sure you add info@nicolemdesign.com.au to your "allowed" list in your spam filter or address book!!).  I'll let you know as soon as I know anything. 


The photo above is of me - aged 4 - and my brother aged 3.  That's my Dad underneath the family VW Combi. (He spent a lot of time there). We're somewhere on the road to (or in?) the Queensland outback.  On that particular journey, the Combi had to be push-started EVERY TIME it stopped - from the Victoria-NSW border to the Gulf of Carpentaria .... and back.  We persisted.  We got there.  And we got home.  Mum, Dad and seven kids.  I survived a broken leg and we all survivied a treacherous mountain drive on a dark and stormy night with a broken windscreen (and a child in the back with a broken leg).


I don't expect this year to be smooth sailing, but I feel that it'll be one of transformation in many ways.  I'm taking a big breath..... and getting ready to push.

25 comments:

Jodie said...

If this means what I think it means - I am thrilled for you . I am happy to bring coffee , spend days inthe studio sewing for you , blowing rasbperries at said child - anything at all I can do to help...and i seriously mean it ! I'm emailing !

Annie said...

Nikki, what a fantastic post- I adore your honesty and vision - what a great outlook and projection on the year ahead. Suck it all up, and I'm with Jodie, I'll drive her down there to help you.

Tanya said...

Ha ha, because, from what I have heard, Jodie and Annie are really quiet and retiring tpyes, so with their 'help' you are practically guaranteed a productive afternoon- or a sanity break with lots of laughter! Hmm- the big project, huh. Big 'very best of luck' to you.
I wonder what it will be like without your little assistant? I really missed mine, still do when they are at school at times (stress on 'at times!).
Heart comforts as you learn to love your mum as you haven't known her before.
Yey, stitches and craft- I am there!
Tanya

Nikki said...

Yell out if you need help pushing!

I hope this is a wonderfully happy, successful and exciting year for you in lots of ways, and that you are able to survive the tough parts with lots of help, support and love.

Cindy said...

What a fantastic no fear world of the parents. I so couldn't even contemplate that with my 2! Best of luck with the year and the changes and all the bits inbetween

rachelmp said...

What a huge year ahead, and with the assistant off to kinder too. Well, you know us Ballarat girls, happy to help with anything and everything. Looking forward to sewjourn too x

Jodie said...

oops, and I also mean to to say well done and congratulations ..and bring it all to sewjourn so the Ballarat crew can help.... (you know we love you )

trash said...

Hang tight to your hat and get ready to ride the waves. I reckon if you can survive that road trip then this coming year will be a doddle!

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Goodness, sounds exciting!! Come to Stitches & Craft in Canberra, they are launching in April.
Hmmm . . . i thought when my last baby started school, after running a business from a home studio for 9 years around 4 children, i'd have so much time on my hands. Um, no, never been busier with school runs, athletics, volunteer work, readers, canteen. THIS year i am cutting back, sorry school, but i'm all about the craft!! Love Posie

Gay McDonell said...

You certainly CAN achieve anything! Sounds like you have a good plan, and the big project sounds exciting. That photo and story - wow - tenacity plus! God luv yas all!

Betty Jo said...

Great inspiring stuff Nikki!
I don't know what gets me the most-
all your energy, or your little Skippy windcheater!
I wish you luck with the BIG year ahead. xliz

Anonymous said...

Just let me know if you need any help pushing Nic.
Kerry

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

Wow Nicky! That really is going to be a year and a half! It all sounds fabulous and totally exhausting at the same time. Come to think of it, I need a good lie down just from reading this post :)

All the best and you know you have us all cheering you on!

Unknown said...

It looks like 2010 is going to be a big year for you. The after kinder care should make a big difference, though it will be quiet around the studio without your little assistant. I'm sorry things are getting worse with your mum. I wish there was something I could say or do to make that better. That trip sounds like quite an adventure.

ambette said...

Good luck for the year ahead, Nikki. Hope the big project is a big success!

Unknown said...

Wishing you a smooth road with no traffic jams and happy rest stops , all the very best with all your plans .

Cheryl from Brisbane said...

Best wishes for the year ahead and my thoughts are with you on the family matter. The year looks like a busy one. I'm looking forward to that 'big project'. I'm hoping it is what I think it is. But I have to put a vote in for Brisbane if you trying to work out where to venture to for an out of Melbourne show. We need to get your patterns in the stores up here.

Fer said...

My head is spinning! (or is that just my head cold...!!) I admire your determination and drive, I wish I had your stamina! I wonder if you'll miss the wee girl in some ways, or will you be too busy to notice? :D

I LOVE the photo, and the adventure that went with it.

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

I think you have lots and lots of collective push behind you, and of course I'm adding my weight to the team.

I love this post Nikki. You are a realist and an optimist at the same time, and a great inspiration. You have a fabulous energy, which I am very grateful to be around.

laura said...

I don't know how you do it, and one day you'll look back and wonder the same thing yourself! You and your brother are adorable and I love the bare feet. I think we'll all get a kick out of kindergarten updates as I'm sure your wee one will keep things pretty lively on that front.

Michelle said...

Ahhh the VW combi....what memories I have riding in the back of my Grandparents combi with my sister, while travelling between Vic and Queensland. And yes, we had to PUSH everytime it stopped and we had to rock back and forward to get up the hills!! Those were the days where fun didn't have a screen and a controller attached to your hand!!

Anonymous said...

what a fabulous photo!! Can wait to see what gorgeous goodies you come up with this year

Pinktulip said...

Wow, I love hearing such stories and seeing old pictures! Amazing what our parents faced and managed in those days. Not sure if our pampered, modern kids will survive (or appreciate) such experiences! My kids complain when the holiday destination does not have satelite TV, or heaven forbid, cellphone reception!

Anonymous said...

Wow sounds like a full on year but good on you for following your dreams! Can't wait to see 'the' project.....! And I'm glad that Sewjourn is up there on the highlight list.

prashant said...

What a fantastic no fear world of the parents

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