A place called Eau-la-la......

There’s a place in Pretoria, South Africa.  A very whimsical place, filled with imaginative and caring people.  A place where you can see artist of all shapes and sizes, the work of crafters with nimble hands….a place where people can meet, breathe, unwind and just be themselves.

And this place is called Eau-la-la Art Café and Trends.  Nestled in a leafy suburb, inside a little community called Cape Connection, # 59 Garsfontein Road compels you to come around the street corner, with and old rusted, vintage car, with their name on the side, enticing you to come and take a look.

The atmosphere feels like home, the company engaging, and the actual Café and trends venue a sight to behold.  It would probably take a good week to actually see everything they have to offer.  Wonderful artisans, supporting South African people!  The names of the owners?  Ingrid Smit and Elitha Peachey.

Two very spiritual ladies, with a presence unmatched by anyone I’ve ever met.  Ingrid Smit is a professional graphic designer, fine arts aficionado, and interior designer.  Elitha Peachey is all inspiration, and a whole lot of class! She loves a good hearty chat, and has a feel for décor and design.

My BOO!beloobie range is featured in their venue, and I am so grateful to be affiliated with these ladies.

The accolades associated with Eau-la-la is astounding, the impression they leave upon strangers compelling! You can see them participate in most major Exhibits/Markets held in the Pretoria  and Johannesburg region, the latest being Tierlantynkies and heART in the Garden (featured in previous posts).

Just a little message to Ingrid and Elitha….may you’re blessings double, you keep on living your lives in the inspiring way that you have been doing, and we always stay friends!

http://www.eau-la-la.co.za/

 If I had to sum up Friendship in one word, it would be Comfort. ~Terri Guillemets

And that is what you get when you visit Eau-la-la……………..comfort, and a little piece of poetry pie!

Happy days to all…..

Mietjie

Thxthxthx…………………….for the gratitude, Leah!

I stumbled upon a Facebook page the other day, simple saying thxthxthx:  a thank you note a day.

Sound unassuming enough…..yet , when I read further, I was pleasantly surprised!  It’s about a girl called Leah Dieterich, whose Mom encouraged her from a very young age, to write thank you notes.  It seems about any random thing, be it positive or negative. 

This makes you wonder? We take almost everything in our daily lives for granted, from having a roof over our heads, having cars to drive, food to eat….and yet there are people living in the bitter winter cold, without a scrap of food to eat, clothing or blankets to keep them warm.  Our priorities are all messed up…..shouldn’t we, like Leah, in our own special way, start saying thank you for the unexpected and little things in life more often?

Maybe, instead of looking at the “bigger picture” all the time, start looking at the small ones too?  We might start feeling more grateful for what we have, for life itself, for our friends and family, our pets, our food…..I can go on and on!

Leah has an extensive, and impressive resume, but the one thing I think that brings most homage to herself, and maybe her mom the most, it that her thank you notes was published, in a beautiful coffee table book.

Go and have a look at Leah’s website, www.thxthxthx.com ......I'm certain you will be inspired too.  And above all, let’s try to remember the little things….when they start adding up, they might just end up being the big things after all!

Happy days and loads of gratitude and blessings!

Lielies

Mie

Mie - 1 Stuart Little - 0

We had a tussle of sorts this morning with a little field mouse I like to call Stuart Little.  He's been invading our living space for months now, only catching glimpses of him, and never being successful in catching the little rascal!

But this morning, when I saw him scampering away, I made a plan, a bright and beautiful plan, and then I called my husband!

After a lot of hockey stick action, ballerina moves, coaching and poking and prodding, and that was only my husband...........(hee hee hee), we finally had Stuart save and sound in a Tupperware container, which would later be thrown out!

Over the wall Stuart flew, as he was send into the neighbouring field with  a flying leap!  Unharmed, unscathed, no one with a scratch.......and me and my husband giggling as we went inside the house!  Savannah, the basset and Whiskey the spaniel, none the wiser.....and our little son Wian still fast asleep!

I hope you all have un unscathed and unharmed week, and may we all be just a little more patient and caring.....things can get done that way too!

Love and Happy days!

Mie

Mama Afrika!

I've been buys preparing for another market!  It just keeps on rolling, and I'm anticipating this one to be a doozy!  It going to be on the 11th June at Bryanston Pre-Primary, their annual fund raiser and Mini Walk/Market.  Loads of parents and lots of eager little kiddies! 

I've also been inspired to start a range inspired by the African continent, the literal continent!  So here's my first attempt, and I quite like it!  I call the little beginning "Mama Afrika", and I'm loving it!

It's a little bit time consuming, but it's worth it in the end!  Well, I still have lots to do before then, and I have a painting on commission that needs to be done at the same time, so busy..........busy........busy!

What does Dorie in finding Nemo say?:"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming............swimming!".

My Etsy shop has opened as well, starting to get a little bit of feedback, but it needs some hard networking to get noticed, and yes, I can be a bit impatient to see results.  I'll just have to wait, and see, like all the initial etsians do when they start out!

Otherwise, I hope the cold in SA is treating you all well, it's really nippy here by us, and I'm constantly fighting off a cold............and THE COLD!  Brrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Light the fire places people, get cosy, hot chocolate and some nice decadent warm goodies to eat!  Winter is the time to indulge, we'll worry about the extra couple of kg's when spring starts!

Happy days to all!

Mietjie

My new Etsy shop!

Just wanted you all to know that I've opened my Etsy shop!  Here's the link!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Mietjie

Ovations Group Carnaval Day!

Today I was at Ovations Group's Carnaval day for employees and their families, my hubby works for the company.

Had a stall for MIE Art, and it was a wonderful experience, having my husband and son there for the whole day.  They played and enjoyed the Carnaval, while I marketed my artsy fartsy stuff, got some more exposure, and met a lot of new people!  My next event will now be on the 11th of June at Bryanston Pre-primary's Mini Walk/Market and main fundraiser for the year!  Will be getting ready for that, but in the meanwhile I'm sorting out my new studio space/study!  Have to paint, sort out all the computer cables, which is everywhere, and then move all my art and craft supplies in!  Exciting!  Will keep you all posted, but while your waiting, here's some pics of today!  O yeah, check out my own handmade bunting!  I think it came out beautifully!  Lots of love to all!

heART in the Garden on the 7th of May was stunning!

I was very fortunate to have my BOO!beloobie range at the first heART in the Garden exhibition and Market for this year this past weekend!  It was a wonderful occassion, as Johan Alberts, an absolutely brilliant artist out of Pretoria, and his partner, Melt van der Spuy, hosted the event!  We will be having another heART this year, only happening on the 25, 26 and 27th of November 2011, so I'll keep you all posted!