The First Twenty

The first twenty Hottie Challenge kits are all packaged up and ready to go in the mail first thing tomorrow morning.

Thankyou so much to everyone who is playing along!

Keep an eye on your letterbox if you were one of the early sign ups. Fingers crossed the next batch of kits arrives super speedily so that I can send out them out. Craft On Hotties!

The Hottie Challenge - Update Number 1

Although Blogger tried to sabotage my attempts at getting the Hottie Challenge up and running, it's now All Systems Go!

I also have some wonderful news - I've had some very generous donations from Liesl, Sel, and Bron so that I can offer more free entries (the entry fee is donated directly to the Margaret Pratt Foundation) to anyone who would like to sign up.

I've packed up the first lot of kits to pop in the mail Monday morning..... so keep your eyes peeled for the postie if you've already signed up.

Please feel free to spread the word, and grab the button for your blog..... I'm excited!

The Hottie Challenge

The mystery envelope arrived yesterday morning and now I can finally reveal what I've been waiting for....

I really believe that sometimes things just happen for a reason..... so when Nic from Yardage Design put a little link to Open Drawer - Art Textiles and Learning Centre over on her Facebook Page, I was meant to click on that link.

Now normally I would have had a quick peruse of the front page of a website, and then be off on my merry way. But, on the front page of the Open Drawer website, on the bottom right side, I noticed that it stated:

Open Drawer supports The Margaret Pratt Foundation.

So you've probably never heard of The Margaret Pratt Foundation, but I certainly have.

From their website:

The Margaret Pratt Foundation Heart Lung Transplant Trust is a registered charity whose aim is to encourage, develop and maintain Australia’s world class expertise in the field of organ transplantation by supporting research that addresses the problems faced by children and adults after heart and lung transplant.

The aim of the research must be to improve the outcomes for heart and lung transplant recipients. 

The Margaret Pratt Foundation has donated $700,000 to date in 2011 to promote research into the causes and prevention of chronic lung rejection.

The foundation donates to provide funds for the researchers working at the Alfred Hospital, right here in Melbourne.

So if you've read this far, then I'm sure you want to know about the challenge, right???

The challenge is to create a Hottie Cover using any art or textile technique that takes your fancy.

It doesn't need to be a functional cover!

The rules and regulations taken from here :

Join the Hottie Challenge – it is a way that you can donate your time and a little money to a very worthy cause while having fun using your creative skills however great or small they may be.

The Hottie Challenge is Opendrawer’s first project to help raise money for the Margaret Pratt Foundation (Research for heart and Lung Transplants) our chosen charity.
www.mprattfoundation.com.au

• Entry fee: $5.00 – Opendrawer will not keep any monies raised from the Entry Fee, any surplus will go to MPF.
• The photocopied template should be used as a guide for size. We will not be measuring so close enough will be good enough.
• Group entries will be accepted and encouraged.
• Age is no barrier.
• The Only Rule: The cardboard cutout must be used, it can be covered and/or coloured but should be within your cover, the neck hole must be kept open as this is how your cover is to be displayed.
• The finished entry is to be donated to the MPF for sale.
• All entries will be displayed in Opendrawer’s Gallery from Friday July 1 to Sunday July 24, 2011
• Finished entries must be with Opendrawer by ***Friday June 24^th 2011. Please make sure your entry is clearly marked with your name and a short description of your masterpiece.
• There will be a public vote for the best Cover and the winner will receive an awesome trophy and much adulation.
• We will have a gala opening on Friday July 1st between 6 – 8pm

*** I will need to receive the Hotties by Thursday June 23rd, so that I can deliver them in person on the 24th.

I'm going to co-ordinate a group entry via the blog so we can all raise some funds together.

I've already donated $100 to cover the entry fee for the first twenty people who would like to play along (the $100 goes straight to the foundation), and have 20 kits ready to send out. After twenty, you can just paypal or direct deposit the $5 and I will pay for more kits to be sent out.

*Please note: the first 20 places have been filled now, so when you join and email me your address, I will send you the details on the $5 donation for your entry fee.

I've created a Flickr Group for everyone to add their pics, and will feature all of our lovely Hottie creations on the blog!

Of course, please take the button and pop it on your blog too (feel free to save the image above), or use this html code:

<a href="http://curlypops.blogspot.com/2011/05/hottie-challenge.html"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/5712038721_f886d4765d_m.jpg" />

If you would like to play along, all you need to do is add your name to this linky list, and then email me your snail mail address mscurlypops (at) gmail (dot) com and I will pop a kit in the mail for you.

My Creative Space....

I didn't think that I was going to play along with my creative space today.

Yesterday was a very emotional day. I don't know whether its something I'm willing to blog about or not. At times like this, I always feel the need to just DO something, and that's what I'm planning on.

Suffice to say, that lastnights creativity on the couch (the little scanned doodle above), is the begnnings of that something..... spurred on by an email convo with Megan (thankyou Megan).

I'm just waiting on a little envelope to arrive before I can spill the beans on my plans.....

The home of my creative space

Think Happy Thoughts - A Recipe for Pumpkin Bread

Last week, I popped into Leonie's on the way home, and picked a beautiful big home grown (in the backyard) pumpkin.

I'm sure everyone is quite well aware of my aversion to anything vegetable, but surprisingly, I actually LIKE pumpkin.

I made Pumpkin Risotto on Sunday night, and then lastnight I made Pumpkin Bread.

I didn't have chilli powder so I added a smoky spice blend, but I really think that it actually needs more spice. You could also delete the chilli powder and add your own blend of spices (think nutmeg, cinnamon etc).

Here's the recipe from Taste.com.au

Preparation Time

10 minutes

Cooking Time

40 minutes

Makes

1 loaf

Ingredients

• Melted butter, to grease
• 300g (2 cups) self-raising flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp mild chilli powder
• 450g (1 cup) mashed
• cooked pumpkin
• 125ml (1/2 cup) milk
• 60g butter, melted, cooled
• 2 eggs, lightly whisked
• 2 tbs pepitas (pumpkin seed kernels)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush an 11 x 21cm (base measurement) loaf pan with melted butter to lightly grease. Sift the flour, salt and chilli powder into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre.
2. Place the pumpkin, milk, butter and egg in a jug, and use a whisk to stir until well combined. Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture, and stir with a large metal spoon until just combined. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle evenly with pepitas.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven. Set aside in the pan for 5 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool

Notes

• You'll need to steam about 500g peeled, deseeded, chopped pumpkin for this recipe. This bread is great for sandwiches and as an accompaniment to a chargrilled lamb salad.

So guess what I'm having for lunch today with slatherings of butter?

Anyone for some red tape? Anyone? Bueller? or Acetylcysteine - Part 4

Image

Introduction
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

I received another update on the status of Acetylcysteine being listed on the PBS thisafternoon.

Although I would dearly love to be able to share the documents regarding the decision right here, I can't as it may jeopardise the appeals process.

So here's the current outcome in point form:

In April 2010, the PBAC recommended that acetylcysteine be listed on the PBS as a replacement for mucomyst which was no longer being manufactured.

On 28th Feb 2011, the TGA granted approval for the registration of acetylcysteine

The PBS Listing section advised that acetylcysteine would be listed on the PBS from May 1st

The next day, the Federal Goverment (under Nicola Roxon as the Health Minister) decided to change the rules and now Federal Cabinet reviews all PBAC recommendations under $10 million turnover (because the politicians REALLY ARE qualified to make medical decisions).... or so they think.

The latest news is that acetylcysteine has been knocked back the PBAC for a PBS listing due to 'lack of recent clinical evidence' and 'cost effective data'.

It would cost the government approximately $8000 per year for my treatment. The treatment allows me to stay out of hospital (saving them money), it allows me to keep working part-time (saving them money), and keeps me off the lung transplant list (also saving them money). Not only that, it also allows me to still have a quality of life.

Why does a beauracrat in Canberra get to decide whether my life is worth a measly $8000 per year?

Especially considering that its Budget night in Canberra tonight.... here's a few figures

I don't want to get all political, and I know every sector is important but here's just two where I could maybe get the $8000 from:

The government is going to spend $4.84 billion on Foreign Aid
They will also be spending $300 million to boost sports to an elite level

At this stage, I am still getting a specially authorised and funded supply from one of the major hospitals, upon the understanding that it would soon be on the PBS.

So now, I just wait.... again.

Getting Stitchy

It's definitely been couch weather this week.... which means that I've been sitting in front of the heater in the evenings hand stitching a few new brooches.

They're not quite finished yet, but certainly getting there.

In other news, voting in the first round of the Cosmo Fun Fearless Female Awards has finished.
There were over 218,000 votes in total!

I want to say a huge thankyou to each and every person who took the time to vote for me.
Finalists are announced on June 6th, so I have a nailbiting month to wait and wonder!

The Birthday Loot - Part 2

Part 2 of the birthday loot went on a little country detour before it made its way to my house.

You may remember that I visited The Big House a couple of weeks ago in Ballarat, and I was drooling over the selection of vintage dresses.

There was a particular vintage housecoat that took my fancy.... you can see from the photo where I've taken it from the rack and looked at it, and it put it back rather messily!

Well, my little sister very sneakily bought it for me after I left!

It's very large and very shapeless, but the fabric (and the buttons) are beautiful. In the interests of my sanity, I'm not going to try to convert into a shapely dress that I can wear. I think I shall make an a-line skirt or a wrap skirt instead.

She also included a beautiful vintage tablecloth and teatowel.

My mum went to Ballarat on Friday, so she took my pressie home to Beeac with her.

So, on Saturday, my older sister and I packed up all the kiddies (six of them in total) in her people mover, and headed off to visit Beeac for an early Mothers Day celebration.

There was lots of collecting firewood...

Feeding the ducks and chooks..

Feasting....

... and dancing while the band played 'Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red Car', 'Incy Wincy Spider', and 'If You're Happy and You Know It' a thousand times!

Little Zaney even skipped the visit to the lolly shop with everyone else because he wanted to stay behind and play his guitar. I think my sister may have a future rock star on her hands!

The Birthday Loot - Part 1

Gorgeous bundle of fabric from Ms Hoppo Bumpo (do you think she knows my favourite colours?)

Wonderful handmade Lavender Eye Pillow and Fragrant Lavender Sachet from the Wee Girl

I've been totally slack in showing off the lovely birthday pressies that I received last week.

I've been so busy every day that there hasn't been much time (or daylight) left for gathering things and taking photos.

I've been totally and completely spoiled yet again.

I've been coveting one of these ever since I first saw them on Christina's blog, but I thought that it was the sort of gift that deserved a special occassion.

So I waited a reeeeeeeeeeeally long time for my birthday to arrive, and my sister bought it for me.

It's beeeewdiful ....

Courting Fame

My PR Manager (errrr that would be my Mum, by the way) has been hard at work on the Cosmo Fun Fearless Female Campaign trail.

When she came to visit last weekend, she brought along the current issue of the Beeac Advocate.

Just in case you've never heard of Beeac, it's a beautiful little country town in Western Victoria, only around one hours drive from Geelong, and only 20 kilometres from Colac.

The Advocate is put together by a group of volunteers to provide information to the local community, so I'm honoured that they've included a little story about my Cosmo nomination.

Voting closes at noon on Monday (9th May)..... I'm getting very nervous!

Swooning

I really do like to keep up to date on what real estate is on offer in my local neighbourhood...

....you know, just in case I become an overnight millionaire.

I'm swooning over those real hardwood polished floors, the door frames and matching pelmets... and those lovely original cornices.

I'm wondering how it was originally furnished.

But this is the best bit.....

I know Carmel will love this one.

Photos blatantly borrowed from realestate.com.au

Animation Friday - Dream Sweetly

I'm still completely amazed by my beautiful birthday gift from Cathy..... so just in case you missed the process of  it being painted in various layers over at Tinniegirl, I thought it would make the perfect little slideshow for Animation Friday.

Pop on over to My Poppet to play along...

My Creative Space

A little bit of purple in my creative space today....

These were made using some of the lovely offcuts from Anna's Wendy Dresses.

I think the fabric may be this one from the Love collection by Amy Butler? I'm sure all of you Amy afficionados can confirm/deny!

The home of my creative space

A new crafty kit for the kiddies (or the kiddies at heart)

There seems to a distinct lack of making stuff at CurlyPops HQ at the moment, but I sincerely promise that the cogs are still slowly turning back here, behind the scenes.

Frocked (iPhone photo) - Testing by Brianna (or B-Fab as we like to call her)

When I have a little brainwave and come up with a new product, there's lots of testing and waiting and thinking......

 Owlie - Testing by Little Miss

and tweeking and testing and always the last little bit more waiting involved...

....and making sure that it really is suitable for the kiddies (of course).... (or just the kiddies at heart)

Kombi - Testing by Little Miss

.... and more importantly that they love it so much that they immediately want to colour in another one.

So, this is my brand new product - the CurlyPops Colour Your Own Fabric Panel Kit.

You can choose your favourite from the sweet little Owlie or the Kombi Van.

Kit Contains:

Black and White Owl or Kombi Van Fabric Panel measuring approximately 20cm x 20cm.
Design measures approximately 13cm x 13cm.
Fabric is a 55% linen 45% combed cotton blend.
Machine wash warm or cool using phosphate-free detergent.

Directions for Use:
Use appropriate fabric markers to colour in your fabric panel (Crayola brand fabric markers are recommended).
Follow the directions for heat setting and washing contained on the fabric marker packet to ensure that the colour will not run.
Use the panel in your favourite crafty project – frame as a piece of wall art, appliqué onto a t-shirt, stitch up as a cushion panel…. The possibilities are endless!

Little Miss took her completed Owlie panel home to stretch over a canvas.

I took the Kombi panel that she coloured in, heat set it, and appliqued it onto a little tee for a friends son.

It's super cute!

Cosmo Fun Fearless Female - The Final Week

There's only one week left in the first round of voting for the Cosmo Fun Fearless Female Awards.

I have my fingers, toes, and everything else crossed!

Apparently there have been over 150,000 votes so far in all the categories.... thats one big giant huge bucketload of votes.... I just hope that there's at least a trickle of them for my little blog.

I blog just because I love blogging. It's so much a part of my daily routine that I wouldn't know what to do without it any more.

To be recognised for blogging is just like a little dream come true..

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - blogging has changed my life for the better in countless ways, and making it through to the final of the Fun Fearless Female Awards would just be the cherry on top (or maybe the milo sprinkled on top because thay would be yummier).

You can vote for me here.

Dream Sweetly

Dream Sweetly

Acrylics on canvas

78 x 60 inch

I'm completely lost for words at the moment.... which is quite unusual for me!

Actually, words cannot even explain how much I absolutely love this painting. It's just ME. It's exactly what I wanted. It's better than I'd ever dreamed of.

Quite a long time ago, Tinniegirl and I had a conversation about the big boring expanse of white wall above my bed.

I have quite high ceilings for a modern built house, so I needed something that was going to make a statement. My only wish was that it contained pink and orange and had some sort of floral motif.

In the meantime, I'd completely forgotten all about it, but Tinniegirl was secretly working on it for my birthday.

She'd even been blogging about the different layers of the painting, and posting a little sneaky peek. The entire time, I just thought she was busily working away on paintings for her upcoming exhibition!

It wasn't until my birthday on Friday that I spotted a gift wrapped surprise...

So when I arrived at Cathy's house yesterday, this is what was waiting for me.

.....and when I unwrapped it...

....and to get an idea of the huge size of it...

I drive an SUV, and it took up the entire length of the car from the glove box to the back hatch with all the seats laying down to get it home.

I cannot wait to actually get it hung on the wall (hint hint little brother if you're reading this)!

Liesl also came over for the afternoon with a lovely pressie of fabric in pink and orange tones, which will make beautiful new pillowcases for my bed. Thankyou so much Liesl.

Oh and course, there was birthday cake.... a delicious chocolate cake baked by Cathy and Ms L (from this months Delicious Magazine), filled with an extremely yummy chocolate cream cheese filling (which I desperately need to get the recipe for).

I had such a wonderful day, and I've had such an amazing birthday weekend, well actually, I started celebrating last Tuesday, so I actually made the celebration last for nearly a week.

It's times like this when I love the fact that I have such wonderful family and friends, who make such an effort to make my birthday special.

Until next year.....

You Sew Girl - The Winner

Todays the day!!!

It's the official realease date of You Sew Girl by Nicole Mallalieu.

Not only can you find it in all good book shops, but you can also buy it direct from Nikki (which may be the perfect opportunity to get your hands on an autographed by the author copy)

Without further ado (and a little bit late).... it's time to draw the winner of my giveaway.

There were 234 official entries, after I deleted a double up and a spambot (I've never ever had anything remotely close to that many entries for anything - clearly everyone would LOVE to win a copy of this fabulous book).

The random number generator says that the winner is number 5.....  Carla from More Than Tuesdays

Thanks so much to everyone for playing along!

Mirror Mirror on the Wall...

Your mum is most definitely the fairest of them all.....

....and I'm quite sure that she would love a little pocket mirror for Mothers Day next Sunday?

These ones are in the shop and there's also a little package heading down to Big House Collective today.