Commuting and eco-design: Travel Card Holders

Going Somewhere?

It feels an age since I've hoped on a plane.

At one stage in my life it was a regular thing.

Shirley Flight
(who you might remember from previous posts)

got me researching and introduced me to a whole new era of travel glamour...

...and plain sexism,
 but I DO confess I love the outfit!
For now, however, my hot pants and boots
 are staying in the closet.


Of course I still travel though.
Of course!


To work!

I am a public transport freak!

I actually enjoy catching the bus
 and bypassing all those suckers
 stuck in the daily traffic jam.

I don't listen to music, read a book
 or play with my phone (well maybe sometimes).
I look around- taking in all the sights,
 smells and goings on.


Eventually though, as always,
 my eyes track down to my ugly travel pass.
Being a visual person,
 I need to look at pleasant things not government logos!

So I have been designing and making travel card holders-eco travel card holders.
I have paired micro-fiche sheets with retro papers and created a series of travel passes 

So I may not be stepping onto the tarmac tomorrow
but I do have a little bit of travel glam in my bag!

Ethikl and me: Ethical Consumer Marketplace

Ethikl + Elle and Lou 

 A couple of weeks ago

I let out a big sigh....

and then a "wow!"

I had stumbled upon Ethikl.

Stumbled, head first with a big eco-smile on my face.

Finally something for consumer conscious people!

It is fairly new, so to fill you in-

Ethikl is a fair trade,

 environmentally focussed,

 online marketplace.

It is based in Cabarita QLD, but is truly international!

I am really excited about this concept.

It is a relief to find like minded artisans and and naturally I wanted to be part of it.

Look at these fabulous vintage style bikinis from 

Miss Fancypants

 Lally's upcycled typewriter bracelet

really push my vintage lovin' buttons (ka-ching)

Earthfully is a truly original store.

I mean you can't get an Aboriginal Family at Kmart or Target

(although you should be able to)

and I love their baby charms- cutie pa-tootie!

So, inspired by stores such as these

 I opened an Elle and Lou store

and last weekend I had my first sale.

That IS exciting no?

Something as good as this is hard to keep to yourself,

so check it out and spread the word.

It can only be good for the planet and that means us!

Sharing this post here:

Elections and rummage sales

Sat night night was our big state election. 

Now while I am a little non-plussed
 about the result,
 I am grateful!

How lucky am I to be in a country
 where (as a woman)  I have a vote?

I did not have to travel for days to get to the polling booth,

 and my life was not put in danger.

I am grateful that my government did not rig the election
 as is evidenced by it being well
 and truly thrown out of office.

So while I am concerned at the environmental integrity of the newly elected party

(and I hope with all my heart they look after our wild rivers)
I am grateful to live in a democratic system!


There is another wonderful thing about democratic elections....

Where there is a polling booth there is often a super fantabulous rummage sale!!! 

We stumbled upon a beauty at the local church up the road.

Plastic jewellery isn't for everyone,
 but I've never been that enamoured by diamonds.
 I'm in retro love my new plastic orange bangles

These glossy red numbers will cheer up many an outfit!

But thats not all! No sir-ee!

We came home with 4 bags of cheap old, books
and this is my favourite....

The SUPER DICTIONARY!

for 50 cents!
Thats a lot to be grateful for!

Sharing this Elle and Lou ramble here:
http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2012/03/vintage-rooster-newbie-party-started.html

Facebook Page timeline changes: hints, ideas and a review

 Facebook pages
will switch to the new time line format on the 31st March.

Are you prepared for the change?

There are some real positives ( and negatives) about the new format.

This is my profile photo (many people have a snap of themselves)
But now you get to add a cover photo.


What is this?


Well, it is more visual 
space


All of this....

 this 

 this

and even this 

can be put together as a montage to communicate to your 'audience'.




That is pretty handy, you can montage a  theme,
 your products, other staff etc!
but
YOU  have to do it (no templates provided by FB)

It is quite easy to create a cover photo using photoshop
 (or similar programs) but keep in mind that the image
needs to be at least 399 pixels wide.


I added a little black square to my cover photo to help frame my profile name.

The other major change is the way posts can be highlighted.
This is useful but very basic and limiting. 
I am disappointed that the only choice you really have it to highlight or send to the top.




I guess I need to remember that Facebook is not a blog
 with the templates and the design features which I have come to expect.


 Facebook is what it is...
and it must be doing something right, as it is still a  business "must do"!

Linking up with:

http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2012/03/vintage-rooster-newbie-party-started.html

Communication in the Office - a true gift

Work dynamics are interesting to watch.

This probably explains the reason why "The Office"

 has enjoyed so much success all over the world.

I am so incredibly lucky to work with the best people.

Our office is casual, and happy, 

a place where you can speak your mind without fear of offending others

 or stepping on toes.

We laugh constantly and

I must say if you have a thing for political correctness....

it is probably best that you are not a regular visitor.

Maybe it is because there are are only 5 of us.

Maybe it is because we support each other,

and come to work with a positive attitude and are prepared to laugh at ourselves.

 I guess to some degree we are like minded-we are all about visual art.

In any case, 

when we began the term, I decided chocolate was in order!

So, I found a 1970's book,

sprouting outdated ideas about what an office involved

and how we 'communicated'.

I mod-podged the images onto the canister of chocolate

and placed it on our staff- kitchen table.

Like a good family,

I think work mates can come together around food.

What does your work place look like?

Sharing this Elle and Lou post here:
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com.au/

Cinderella and Prince Charming Luggage Tags

My love of retro papers, microfiche and eco-cycling have been a marriage made in heaven

at least I think so :)

His and Hers luggage tags for the Bride and Groom to be.

Can you think of a Cinderella and Prince Charming, planning a long haul flight?

Valentine's Teacher Gift: Heart Bookmark

If you are looking for a simple, super quick Valentine's gift idea

for a teacher, friend or lover...

this is it.

 It works with any type of paper all you need is a square shape.

Old atlas pages work well,

 but these are just

origami style prints.

 To learn how to fold a heart go here.

Then a square of cardboard holds the bookmark well

and gives you room for a message.

My children wrote a personal message to their teacher on the back too.

There it is in a nut shell.

All up it takes about 10 mins.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Linking Elle and Lou up with these sites:

http://www.vwbblog.com/search/label/%7Btalent%20tuesday%7D
http://www.SugarBeeCrafts.com/
http://www.hopestudios.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.homemakeronadime.com/