Sunday Stock Clearance

It's finally time to start clearing out some of my CurlyPops stock...

I don't know if I'll ever have time to do a market again, so I'm just going to mark down a few things when I have time and clear them out via the shop.

Today, I've marked down my Poppy and Harry Cloth Doll Kits by almost 50%. They're down to just $12.

There are not many left and once they're gone, they're gone forever.... so get in quick!

CurlyPops Two Hearts - The Production Line

**This is not a sponsored post, but I did receive the Phillips Perfect Care Aqua Iron as a gift to keep.

It's safe to say that this poor little blog has been very neglected lately....

A combination of full time work, living a whole new life, and then a bit of a stint in hospital has meant that I haven't had the time or energy for blogging... but I wanted to update everyone on the outcome of the CurlyPops TwoHearts Teatowel fundraiser.


I only have iPhone photos from the production line, so please excuse the photo quality!

There was much excitement in my office, when the giant box full of printed CurlyPops Two Hearts yardage arrived....

The stack to be cut, ironed, hemmed, re-ironed...

In completely serendipitous timing, I was contacted out of the blue to see whether I would like to test the new Phillips PerfectCare Aqua Iron...... ummmmm YES!!!

My iron was about 15 years old, and I was completely dreading the task of ironing 100 cotton linen blend teatowels.

Photobomb by Foster Cat

It's soooo good!

I was able to iron four teatowels at once and steam them like you wouldn't believe. Even after 100 teatowels, there was still plenty of water left in the steam reservoir.

I have friends who have raved about these type of irons, and I never GOT it. Now I get it! I'm a convert for sure.

All cut and ready to hem

The most exciting part is seeing how much money we raised for the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (Vic)

In other wonderful news, that I haven't been able to share until now. One of my TwoHearts friends has received his new heart and is doing really well. I'm so happy for him!  My other friend is still waiting and I'm hoping and praying that his call comes soon.

An extra special thanks to all my lovely instagram friends who let me use their photos, and to everyone who supported the project by spruiking or purchasing a teatowel. Crafty peeps rock!

The CurlyPopsTwoHearts Teatowel

Oops it seems to have been a month between blog posts.... but I have fantastic news

Following on from the #CurlyPopsTwoHearts project that was running over on Instagram during DonateLife Week 2014, we now have a teatowel featuring some of the gorgeous images.

This is a very special project that was inspired by two friends who were both on the transplant waiting list waiting for new hearts.

During DonateLife Week 2014, I asked all of my instagram friends to post a pic of a heart and tag it with the official hashtags #DonateLife and #HaveTheChat along with #CurlyPopsTwoHearts.

The idea behind it was to create awareness, and to inspire discussion with family and friends about organ and tissue donation.

Then my lovely creative friend Belinda had the brilliant idea of creating a teatowel. The teatowel could hang in kitchens in Australia, and around the world, to inspire everyone who enters your home to Have The Chat.

My photographic assistants

We now have a fantastic teatowel filled with beautiful heart images, along with the IG usernames of those who provided the them.

The teatowel is now available for pre-order with 100% of the profits being donated directly back to The Heart and Lung Transplant Trust (hlttv.org.au) based at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne (where I received my lifesaving double lung transplant last year).

The Teatowel will be professionally digitally printed onto a 100% natural fibre light-weight blend woven from 55% linen and 45% combed cotton, and then hemmed and packed so it's ready to come to your place!

Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery (sorry but it takes that long for shipping and printing and then cutting and hemming).

You can pre-order your very own right here -

More Awesome Handmade Goodies

Handmade Jewellery by Orange Sherbet Designs

When I started my little fundraising shop for the Tour de Transplant, I'd only planned on selling my own handmade goodies...

Newborn Cardi in Organic Cotton by Bloma 

But then all of these amazing crafty friends started asking whether they could donate handmade items...

Toddler Dress by Cath Roberts Handmade

And now there's an absolutely stunning range of items on offer!

 Giclee Art Prints by Tinniegirl

So a huge thankyou to everyone far and wide

Wooden Geo Necklace by Mad Stitches

The crafty community rocks!

Cap Sleeve Wendy Dress by Polly Pratt 

Check them all out!!!

DonateLife Week 2014 - Two Hearts

Today marks the beginning of DonateLife Week 2014 in Australia, so I'm setting a little challenge to all my lovely bloggy friends that are also on Instagram.

I have two wonderful friends who are both on the waiting list for new hearts, so this challenge is inspired by them both. 

These two gorgeous boys and their parents have had to move away from their home in Adelaide, to relocate to Melbourne while their dad waits for a heart. They've already been here for a really long time.....
 

When it comes to organ donation, the most important thing you can do is to have the chat with your loved ones and make sure they know your wishes.Then register your wishes online...


To encourage everyone to discuss organ donation, here's your challenge (if you choose to accept it)!

• Post a pic of a heart on Instagram any time this week and tag it with the official DonateLife Week hashtags #donatelife #havethechat and also add #CurlyPopsTwoHearts so that I can find your pic. I'll create some beautiful photo mosaics for IG and for the blog for everyone to enjoy.

You could save a life, just like mine was saved a little over a year ago. Please feel free to repost and share #donatelife #havethechat #curlypopstwohearts DonateLife

New goodies in the fundraising shop!

I know I've said it a million times before, but the crafting community are the most generous people you will ever meet!

I've had so many wonderfully generous donations for my Tour de Transplant fundraising shop.

I hit the $700 mark thismorning which is very exciting! You can check out all the donations received on my offical Tour de Transplant fundraising page.

The photo above is just a small selection of what is available right now, and there is still more to come.

Thanks so much to everyone who has made a donation or a purchase so far. You guys rock!!! 

Happy Liverversary Peter... and welcome to Donormate!

Social media may get a bad rap sometimes, but it really can be a blessing. You just never know who you might meet online...


I'm don't quite remember just how Peter and I met up on twitter, but we had an organ transplant waiting list in common.

Peter lived like this for 15 months while waiting for transplant. The gut pipes were draining bile because his main bile duct was blocked due to an autoimmune condition. The chest port was 24/7 IV antibiotics to get rid of bugs.

While I was waiting for new lungs in Melbourne, Peter was waiting for a new liver in Perth. We both made a pact that we would private message each other when the call finally came.

In serendipitous timing, we both received our lifesaving phonecalls within two weeks of each other. I was still in hospital recovering when I received the wonderful news from his wife.

Peter 6 months after transplant - competing in a 40km off road mountainbike race

Peter has been a wonderful advocate for organ donation and has achieved some amazing feats in the last year.

75km off road overnight bike ride

Today is not only Peter's one year anniversary, but it's also the day that he is launching Donormate.

Donor Mate Inc is a registered Australian Health Promotion Charity.

''Donor Mate is trail blazing new, upbeat and fun way of raising awareness for organ donation amongst 16 to 35 year olds. Donor Mates, best mates.''

You can pop over and visit the Donormate website, and you can also follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Anniversary Peter, and cheers to many more!

I Still Make Stuff

 Made by Rae Washi Dress

You'd never know it from reading this blog, but there's still some crafting going on around these parts!

Being short on time means that it mainly only ends up on Instagram rather than the blog.... but I thought I'd have a quick catch up here today.

One of the things that I really wanted to do this year was to make more clothes for myself.

I've already had heaps of wear from my Washi Dress. It's been lovely and cool for the 40 degree weather we've been having!

This is a quick summer top whipped up from a Vintage Simplicity 5007 pattern. Nice and cool and comfy.

This one was a WIP for a few weeks... the bodice was drafted using the same Vintage Simplicity 5007 top pattern (as above). I just shortened the bodice and then drafted a skirt to match.

I didn't even bother with a zip in this one. I just made it loose enough to slip over my head - the perfect lazy summer dress!

Have a super fab weekend all.... and make sure to check out the gorgeous goodies in the fundraising shop!

It's Novelty Brooch Friday at Tunabake!

Pop on over and visit Claire at Tunabake today, because it's Novelty Brooch Friday...

You can read a little interview, and find out how to play along on Instagram and win your very own CurlyPops Rainbow Brooch.

If you are playing along on Instagram, make sure to hashtag your pics #noveltybroochfriday

One Year On...

One year ago today, a very brave and generous grieving family made the decision to donate their loved ones organs.

That decision saved my life.

There are no words to explain the gratitude that I have for being given a second chance at life. This year has been one like no other that I've ever lived through.

Physically and mentally getting through a transplant is really difficult and very emotional. I could never have made it through without the support of my family and friends. I can't even imagine not being around to see my nephews grow up!

I was able to celebrate another birthday, and help with another successful Hottie Challenge.

Amazingly, I've now been back at work at my day job full time since October. I been to Sydney twice for work.and I've been to Brissy and had a stall at Finders Keepers.

I took part in the Melbourne Marathon and the Great Strides Walk.

 But the best thing is that I can now get out and just ENJOY living!

None of this would ever have been possible without my beautiful shiny new lungs and that amazingly selfless gift...

I think about my donor every day. While I'm able to celebrate today with my family and friends, my donor family will be marking a different anniversary. I hope that they can find comfort in knowing how truly grateful I am.

Last year, I was still in hospital recovering during DonateLife Week. This year, I'll be taking part in the FilmLife Film Workshop Weekend, and also promoting organ donation via the Tour de Transplant and Tour de Chat.

I have a very good friend who is still waiting for a heart. I truly hope and wish and pray that his call comes soon... and please, whenever you can, make sure you have the chat with your family and friends.

New Fundraising Shop for the Tour de Transplant!

Very exciting news today....

In March this year (22nd to the 30th) the Heart and Lung Transplant Trust Vic (HLTTV) is running the Tour de Transplant.  In conjunction with the bike ride, there will also be the Tour de Chat to encourage everyone to discuss organ donation with their families.

The tour is an 1100 km bike ride around Victoria - 1 km for every heart and lung recipient whose life has been saved at the Alfred Hospital.

Although I can't ride in the tour (Oh how I wish I could though), I'll still be supporting on the sidelines and doing a little fundraising.

 To kick it all off, I've opened up a little CurlyPops Fundraising Shop. 100% of the sale price (excluding postage and paypal fees) will be donated to my fundraising page for the tour.

I'll be adding more goodies once I've had a little stocktake and worked out what I have!

But for now, if you're looking for a rainbow brooch, head on over!!!

....and a Merry Christmas to all

Whoah! What a year...

I just wanted to write a really quick post to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas this year. I've been quite overwhelmed with everything that has happened, and it's very difficult to put it all into words.

But, I really need to thank everyone who sent me a message of support during and after my transplant, and cheered me on during the hard times (and trust me... there were some very hard times during recovery).

Thankyou also to everyone who supported my little business this year by making a purchase or spreading the word about my little brand.

I haven't really kept the blog up to date with everything that's been happening around here, but one of the biggest changes, is that I went back to work permanent full time in October.  So, for fourty hours a week, I'm back in the office, doing what I used to do for many years before CurlyPops was created!

I'm absolutely loving being back at work (apart from the early mornings of course)... but it means that I really don't have much spare time to spend blogging. I'm trying to keep up with my fitness program after work, instead of spending any more time at a desk.

Tomorrow is my last day at work before I head down to the beach for a week. It's the first Christmas in years that I can spend time actually joining in the activities and having fun with my entire family, instead of being unable to do much at all, being connected to oxygen 24 hours a day, and being unable to leave Melbourne in case the phone rang.

While myself and my family are so very lucky to be able to celebrate Christmas this year, I'll also have my donor family in my thoughts and my heart. It will be the first Christmas that they will be spending with a member of their family missing. I will always be so forever grateful for this amazing new life that they have most generously given to me.

In that thought, I hope that wherever you are this Christmas, that you take the time to truly appreciate what a gift life really is, and if you're getting together with family and friends, please have the chat. Let everyone know what your wishes are when it comes to organ donation. There are so many of us who would no longer be here if those brave and generous families had not had the chat with their loved ones.

I'll be back here next year... Merry Christmas!

Cam x

Maribyrnong Makers Market

Come one, come all.... it's my last market of the year and a perfect opportunity to pick up a bargain.

Everything has been reduced to clear as I'm downsizing the product range now that I'm back working full time.

Market starts at 4.30PM and the weather is going to be absolutely perfect. See you there!!! 

Santa Sacks on Sale!!!

Just a real quickie today!

It's not long til Christmas and I still have some Santa Sacks available, so they're now on sale at 25% off. That's an absolutely bargain for a unique handmade Santa Sack. Postage is also FREE

Get in quick!

Free Christmas Gift Tag Printables - edited (technical problems solved)!

Download the PDF

Download the PDF

I popped these free Christmas Gift Tag printables on the blog last year, and Jenni reminded me about them yesterday when she posted a pic on Instagram.

Download the PDF

Download the PDF

You can either right click and save the JPEG file, or download the PDF version to print. Simply cut out, punch a hole and adds some string and you're all set!

They're sized for an A4 sheet.

If you don't want to use them as gift tage, you can also just cut them out to make an advent calendar like Jenni has done - brilliant idea!!!

Enjoy

Santa Sacks now available!

Santa Sacks now available!, a photo by CurlyPops on Flickr.

I had big plans for my stall at Maribyrnong Makers Market the weekend, but there are just not enough hours in the day to achieve everything I want to do, so unfortunately I've had to pull out.

Of course that means that I have lots of stock to sell online instead.

I have lots of lovely and completely unique Santa Sacks available via my Facebook Page. Theyre an original CurlyPops design printed onto a lovely cotton/linen blend. They're fully lined with cotton drill and have a drawstring closure.

If youd like one just pop on over to FB and comment!

Thankyou Brissie, Thankyou Finders Keepers, Thankyou Yardage Design

Photo pinched from Anna

Well what a whirlwind of a weekend..... and in the blink of an eye it's all over!

I headed to Brissy on Friday and Nic organised a lovely dinner in the city with Jennie, Selina, Kylie, Steph and Anna. It was a great night - plenty of laughs and delicious food overlooking the river, with such great group of girls!

It was an early start on Saturday morning to get everything set up for Finders Keepers. I dragged around 50kgs of luggage to Brissy and Nic was the organiser extraordinaire, desigining and setting up my stall with her props. I could never have even imagined doing this without her help!

In extremely unfortunate timing, my phone decided to completely fritz itself, and so I have hardly any photos. All of these lovely photos are courtest of Nic.

My favourite part of the weekend was meeting so many lovely bloggers / crafters / instagrammers. Everyone was so welcoming and so helpful.

If there was a prize for the most colourful stall, I would have won hands down!

If there's anything you see that you like, most things are in the online shop, but I'm aiming to add more as the week goes by (I arrived home after midnight lastnight and had to go straight back to the day job thismorning so I haven't gotten around to that yet)..

 Thankyou to Helen from Brisstyle for this lovely photo of Nic and I (I may have been a bit delerious at the time)

I received so many lovely goodies - a brooch and a care package from Jennie, and a gorgeous pincushion and pins from Caroline. I also bought a couple of things and swapped a couple of things which I'll have to blog later on.

I have to give a huge shoutout and thankyou to Nic - she worked tirelessly all weekend and helped me with absolutely everything. Next time, I visit, it'll be a holiday and we can go and do something relaxing!

For all the Brissie peeps - make sure to visit Nic at the upcoming GOMA Christmas Design market