riley and the curious koala on Bug in a Book!

The gorgeous Angela at Bug in a Book has been so lovely to have Riley and the Curious Koala as her featured book! She's done a really wonderful review, too - so insightful to read what other people see in my books, and Angela has such an inherent passion for literature and education... it's so inspirational.

I love Angela's site - thanks for having me, Ang!

Event: Sustainable Santa Story Competition

10am, Wednesday 8 December 2010

loop, Belconnen, Canberra

I will be judging the Sustainable Santa story comp at the opening of an enormous Green Christmas event. The event is run by loop, the new sustainable development at the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets and there will be loads of fun for the whole family. more...

What people are saying about handmade living

She's almost here... Handmade Canberra's stunning inaugural publication - handmade living: a designer collective. It has certainly been a labour of love - from the initial designer call out... to the myriad of cover options (can you now see how hard it was to choose the final cover!?)... and on 4 December, you can all see this magnificent book for yourself at Handmade Market and Shop Handmade, and Australia-wide from 6 December.

When you've snaffled your copy and pored over it with your creative heart in your throat, do drop us a line and tell us what you think!

The media have their review copies and are asking for interviews and excerpts (stay tuned for more info on that!), wholesaling designers are getting their copies, and the word is spreading - this book is like nothing Australia has ever seen before. Handmade designers rejoice... this is going to be big.

Here's just some of the comments we're receiving, and the book hasn't even hit the shelves yet...

The book is a real credit to you, Julie, Tina and all those involved. Just gorgeous! - Julie Samaras, Editor, Canberra Weekly

The quality of the book and presentation exceeded my expectations - it is just lovely and a credit to you and the team. I was also really impressed with the originality and cleverness of many of the projects - I think this will make it stand out in the marketplace. I'm thrilled to be a part of it. - Nic from Yardage Design

Congratulations on the book, it’s really something to be amazingly proud of, well done you!! - Jennie from Posie Patchwork

I have got to say the book has exceeded my wildest expectations. You must be so proud of yourself, the book is truly amazing. I have NEVER seen anything quite like it. I have quite a few craft books but they are nothing in comparison and it is truly inspirational! - Ali from Park Eden

The books arrived this morning... words almost fail me. You must be thrilled with the final product. Well done - it is truly stunning. It’s such an honour to be featured in this publication alongside my creative contemporaries. - Kirsten from Paper by Forget Me Not

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!! So beautiful, I am drooling over the pages right now!! LOVE! - Emma of Kidson Jewellery

The book is a winner....congrats. - Liz of Betty Jo Designs

Your beautiful book arrived today and it is amazing! It has so many inspiring projects – the hard part will be deciding which project to make first. It truly is a visual feast. {My daughter} has already identified some projects that she wants to make – I can see it will get a lot of use during the school holidays. I especially love the broad range of projects, as we love to dabble in lots of different crafts. With most craft books you may find one or two projects of interest but yours is full to the brim of lovely, inspiring ideas. - Lisa of A Spoonful of Sugar

Lou and I held our breath this afternoon and opened the box that held our copies of handmade living. The book is exquisite. I was expecting something great, but it is even better than I thought it would be. I am so thrilled and proud to have been part of something so wonderful. - Michelle of Poppy Bean & Bloss

My books arrived in the post on Thursday and I was so delighted with them, I have ordered 5 more for Christmas presents! - Amy of Happy as Larry Designs

I just finished looking through my copy of the book and I can honestly tell you that it's the most beautiful craft book that I have ever seen. I am so proud that it is Australian and all Aussie craft lovers need to buy this book! It's truly fabulous. Congratulations to all involved! I so want to be part of the next book. – Thea from Thea & Sami {Ed: and we want you to be part of it!}

Just as the Handmade Market and Shop Handmade store are made up of beautiful unique pieces by a range of creatives, so is the book, by Tania McCartney, Julie Nichols and Tina Snerling. In fact, it shares the creative love – crammed full of projects, inspiring handmade goodness and profiles on the designers themselves, it’s a must for all lovers of handmade and crafters. - Belinda from The Happy Home

Every page is full of inspiration! - Kristin from An Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

I've got one of my softies in the book and I have to say, it is divine. It's one of the best craft/handmade books I've had the pleasure of looking through with such a great variety of things to make and things to buy which are handmade. It's been so well compiled and is definitely a coffee-table-style book you'll be proud to have out. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have been! - Magdalena from The Craft Revival

Handmade Living is filled with tonnes of beautiful projects. It's like walking around a handmade market stall. You know that feeling you get when you're amongst such talent, and you wish you had just a teeny bit of what they've got. It kinda feels possible with this book. Let's just say I had a lot of bookmarks going on. I ended up putting together a batch of the most beautiful brownies I've ever tasted. - Fat Mum Slim

When the book arrived I drooled over the pages, bookmarking my favourites into a shortlist of which I'd pick 'the' item I would create. Absolutely charming, beautifully presented with lovely projects and pictures, Handmade Living book is now in my library! - Katia from Plushka Craft

Let me tell you this book is simply STUNNING!! the images, the information, the ideas, the inspiration - everything in this book is fabulous and I am more than honored to have Giggleberry Creations be a small part of it! Truly, this book is a beautiful read... I plan to grab a glass of red later tonight and sit in the comfy part of my couch and devour each and every page of this gorgeous book! - Amy from Giggleberry Creations

It's been a long and exciting wait, but Handmade Living has finally arrived... I picked up my copy at Handmade Market and had trouble putting it down to serve all the customers who had come to visit our stall. It's full of beautiful ideas and inspiration for lovers of handmade. - Kate from Please Eloise

Its like Christmas came early! I could hardly contain myself in the past few days as I have received the first copies of Handmade Living. I'm so excited about this book as one of my crafts (the spotty card) was accepted to be part of it! The book's pretty awesome, with lots of sections so there's bound to be something for everyone - from knitting, to baking, to sewing and even making your own spa soaks and masques! - Frances from FrancesCraft

So, I'm kinda sorta going to be in a book. A very lovely book. A very lovely book indeed. - Samantha from Samantha Hughes

Wow! Wow! Wow! I finally got to sit down and have a look at my copy of Handmade Living. An absolute stunning book and kasiabear's feature looks sooo good. OMG!! I'm in love!! - Kasia of kasiabear

I have just had my first look at Handmade Living and I am blown away!!! This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen-everything about it-images,colours, layout, etc combine to make one amazing collection.Congratulations to you and your team and thank you for allowing me to be featured. - Elizabeth Thompson of Knit Baby

If you would like to stock handmade living in your shop or online, contact Janet at Dennis Jones and Associates. Did I say this was going to be big?

handmade living Blog Tour Schedule



handmade living is on tour!

Handmade Canberra is thrilled to announce its handmade living Book Launch Blog Tour! The tour will commence Saturday 27 November and run until the book launch on Saturday 4 December.

We will be ‘touring’ a stunning line-up of blogs – and you can follow it right along. It’s going to be a lot of fun! and we hope to see you there, sharing a glass of virtual bubbles! Enjoy every glorious handmade moment.

Saturday 27 November
Posie Patchwork
What is handmade living?

Sunday 28 November
Thea and Sami
How handmade living Was Produced

Sunday 28 November
Tiny Concept
Illustrating handmade living

Monday 29 November
Australian Women Online
Handmade Is the New Black & book giveaway!

Monday 29 November
The Happy Home
Designer Interview

Tuesday 30 November
Lark
Designer Profiles - Kate Ward, Kidson Jewellery, Ivy Designs

Tuesday 30 November
Tania McCartney
Sneak Peek!

Wednesday 1 December
A Spoonful of Sugar
Handmade Christmas gifts

Wednesday 1 December
Perth Upmarket
Western Australian Designers

Thursday 2 December
made it
Book Profile

Thursday 2 December
Life and Other Crises
handmade living Choc-Fest

Friday 3 December
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Combining a Cottage Business with Raising a Family

Friday 3 December
Find Make Do
Designer Profile

Saturday 4 December
Fat Mum Slim
Project Recreation

Saturday 4 December
Handmade Canberra
Book Giveaways

Gift Hamper and handmade living Giveaway in the Canberra Weekly

I love the Canberra Weekly!

Thanks again to the lovely, totally supportive Julie Samaras for featuring handmade living again in her gorgeous weekly mag. And you could WIN a Handmade hamper (including $50 voucher to spend at the market)

Grab this week's copy of the Canberra Weekly and get entering!

Riley and the Curious Koala on Writing Out Loud

Riley and the Curious Koala has appeared on the blog of good friend, Kids Book Review partner and talented writer Megan Blandford. It's such an honour to appear on Writing Out Loud - Megan is such a fine writer and advocate of literature - her words were so well appreciated. Check out the entire review here!

Handmade Living Blog Tour Schedule



handmade living is on tour!

Handmade Canberra is thrilled to announce its handmade living Book Launch Blog Tour! The tour will commence Saturday 27 November and run until the book launch on Saturday 4 December.

We will be ‘touring’ a stunning line-up of blogs – and you can follow it right along. It’s going to be a lot of fun! and we hope to see you there, sharing a glass of virtual bubbles! Enjoy every glorious handmade moment.

Saturday 27 November
Posie Patchwork
What is handmade living?

Sunday 28 November
Thea and Sami
How handmade living Was Produced

Sunday 28 November
Tiny Concept
Illustrating handmade living

Monday 29 November
Australian Women Online
Handmade Is the New Black & book giveaway!

Monday 29 November
The Happy Home
Designer Interview

Tuesday 30 November
Lark
Designer Profiles

Tuesday 30 November
Tania McCartney
Sneak Peek!

Wednesday 1 December
A Spoonful of Sugar
Handmade Christmas gifts

Wednesday 1 December
Perth Upmarket
Western Australian Designers

Thursday 2 December
made it
Book Profile

Thursday 2 December
Life and Other Crises
handmade living Choc-Fest

Friday 3 December
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Combining a Cottage Business with Raising a Family

Friday 3 December
findmakedo
Designer Profile

Saturday 4 December
Fat Mum Slim
Project Recreation

Saturday 4 December
Handmade Canberra
Book Giveaways

handmade living in the Canberra Weekly

click to enlarge

Eternal thanks to the lovely Julie Samaras for this fantastic profile on handmade living in the Canberra Weekly this week! Readers can win one of three sensational packs - which include the book and a gorgeous hand-made sewing kit by our own Jennie McClelland of Posie Patchwork!



BOOK LAUNCH PARTY! Riley and the Curious Koala

click to enlarge

Come along, furry critter lovers, to the launch of Riley and the Curious Koala!

This fantastical event will feature:

• a book reading and signing
• illustrator demonstration by the superlative Kieron Pratt (who also happens to be very very funny)
• a spectacular Sydney-themed candy bar
• helium balloons
• goodie bags
• koala masks
• prize giveaways
• book giveaways
• lots and lots of fun!

Don't miss out! Places are strictly limited so RSVP now for your place. This party will suit kids aged 2 to 10, but other kids also welcome.

Sunday 21 November 2010

11am - 12.30pm

Cnr Marcus Clarke & Rudd Streets
Canberra City

RSVP to email or 0422 128 115

Riley and the Curious Koala: A journey around Sydney
21 November 2010
Tania McCartney Press
ISBN: 9780980475036
A$16.99PB, 32pp

The third book in the fantastical Riley travelogue series for young children, Riley and the Curious Koala takes this intrepid aviator on a trip around Sydney in search of a very elusive koala. Touring this magnificent city from the Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo, Riley is joined in his little red plane by characters from the first two Riley books – Panda, Dragon and Lion – who provide much comic relief and giggle-worthy shenanigans on Riley’s journey.

With only mere glimpses of this curious, leaf-munching and evasive critter, will Riley finally find what he is searching for? And what curiosities will we learn about this uniquely Australian animal?

With hilarious illustrations by Kieron Pratt and sweeping black and white vista photographs of one of the world’s most beautiful cities, this beautiful multi-media book is a travel-lover’s dream. Children will adore joining Riley on his search, taking in the sites and delights of Sydney as only Riley and his travelling band of fuzzy friends know how...

Don't miss Tania's sensational Blog Tour, which will commence 15 November 2010. Check back here for more soon.

All hail to my glorious launch sponsors...

A percentage of sales from Riley and the Curious Koala will be donated to the Australian Koala Foundation. Help save our koalas - donate or foster a fuzzy critter now.

Book Reading and Signing at Paperchain, Manuka

11am

Sunday 28 November 2010

Paperchain, Manuka, Canberra

Tania will be reading her new book Riley and the Curious Koala at Paperchain Bookstore in beautiful Manuka.

Come along and travel with Riley on this wonderful adventure around Sydney. There will be goodie bags, book giveaways and fun activities, plus your chance to have a book signed!

Perfect for kids aged 2 to 10, though other kids also welcome.

Contact Paperchain on 02-6295 6723 for more info or RSVP here.

All hail to my glorious launch sponsors...

A percentage of sales from Riley and the Curious Koala will be donated to the Australian Koala Foundation. Help save our koalas - donate or foster a fuzzy critter now.