Hi! I wanted to share a little background on Pretty Zoo, and becoming part of the Freckled Nest team, so here it is - a story for your Sunday :) Grab a cup of tea, ask the nearest person to you to pretty please make you pancakes, and settle in for some storytime! xo

On Blogging.... 

To be honest, I'm a bit of a blog baby…….as in, I'm kindof new to blogging :)

I'd been thinking about whether I'd start a blog sometime (for about a year) but never really thought I'd have anything interesting to write about! I thought you had to be a super-smart-specialist-awesome-pro at social media or computer geek stuff and write magazine style articles and tutorials.....

Then in mid 2010 I discovered a couple of cute blogs that talked about everyday life, craft, tattoos and other things I like, so I started reading them from time to time and following them on twitter. I discovered more and more cute blogs through them and gradually I became an addict! I got to peek into the lives of all of these fantastic people and the amazing things they do. And they blogged about totally everyday things- and it was fascinating!  

They inspired me to start blogging- but I still didn't really know where to start. I had a travel blog set up for my friends and family in New Zealand to keep up with our adventures, but I wanted to develop it into somewhere I could share anything I want- from everyday things I do to amazing adventures in European cities. So, as one of my 2011 resolutions/goals, I decided to start a new blog.

At the same time, I was trying to figure out what to do with myself. Alongside the 2.5 hour German classes each morning, I had a few bits and pieces of freelance design and illustration going on; but nothing ongoing or concrete. I'd done some half-hearted searching for design jobs in Frankfurt on the internet and applied for some; but my lack of German language and desire to join an ad agency held me back. I'd be totally prepared to work in a shop/cafe but needed to speak German to do that. I'd done some nannying for a few months and thought I'd probably have to find something like that again and just design on the side……. but I wasn't thrilled about it….

BUT then…… THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD happened to me :)

Hello Freckled Nest...

 In December, Kyla and Leigh-Ann from Freckled Nest put out a call for designers- they wanted to extend their team. I was pretty excited and immediately applied. Fast-forward a few weeks with fingers crossed, and I had a wonderful Skype call with Leigh-Ann and Kyla in early January; which simply blew. my. mind. 

They said some really amazing, super-nice things about my design work and……..*drum roll*…..
asked me if I would be interested in working with Freckled Nest. 

Um, YES! 

I nearly died of happiness (kept it together on the skype call (I think..?) but afterwards….. let's just say there was some dancing round the room, and a creepy grin on my face that wouldn't come off for weeks! (It's actually still there a lot of the time!)

We discussed some really fun ideas for Freckled Nest and I'm so excited- this is the kind of design I live for!

I seriously feel SO SO SO lucky to have found these guys through crazy blog land and that they've invited me to come and work with them and the other super talented kids on the Freckled Nest team! It's an honor and a huge opportunity and I'm very excited about…..pretty much everything.. :)

If you haven't come across Freckled Nest you can check out Leigh-Anns blog here, and make sure to visit the blogs of the other lovely designer ladies (links on her sidebar) I will be doing print and commission work so I'd love to hear from you if you're after any kind of print design or branding (logos/business cards), and the other girls will be making pretty online places for people like you! If you're interested there's lots more info here :)

A Pretty Little Zoo...

As for Pretty Zoo, Leigh-Ann and Kyla have supported me hugely with my little blog, as have Kelly-Ann and Moorea, and also one of the awesome Freckled Nest formatters Dan, so I'd like to send them all some big virtual hugs right now! Pretty Zoo has been a out in the internet wilderness (to borrow one of Kyla's metaphors I love!) for six weeks now!! I'm having SO much fun blogging regularly and connecting with new blogger friends- everyone has been so nice and supportive so thank-you ALL so much! Your comments and emails make my day :)

I have some really fun plans swirling around my head for Pretty Zoo and I can't wait to share them with you, watch this space!

Thanks so much for reading my blog story- I would love to hear any stories behind your blog or any exciting opportunities you've happened upon! Please show me the link if you've written one or if you're gunna write one :)

I like the idea of Story Sunday.....when I can I'd like to share some more stories, so keep an eye out on Sundays! 

Hope everyone's getting some sun action this weekend!!

Zoe xo