Just a Minute.....in February

Well, February is nearly over already. Time flies when you're a busy bee! Just enough time for Just a Minute. Head over to visit Jen to play along.

Reading:

The Nanny Diaries - I'm almost finished but now I can't find the book. It's probably packed in a box somewhere.

Eating:

I'm about to have some brekky so I'm thinking about vegemite toast. I'm having a BBQ for tea tonight....yum.

Making:

Absolutely nothing at the moment. I'm about to go back to my old house to pick up my sewing supplies after breakfast. I can't guarantee that I'll actually use them in the next couple of weeks, but at least I'll be able to look at the pretty fabrics and dream.

Watching:

Series 2 of Dexter, and Brothers and Sisters, which are both on at the same time, and now I don't have Foxtel IQ anymore so I can't watch one and tape one..... huge dilemma!

I must also add that I'm extremely happy that Channel 10 came to their senses and moved The Bold and the Beautiful back to it's original timeslot. Of course, I'm addicted to The Biggest Loser again this year too.

Reminding:

Everyone that today is the last day of Organ Donor Awareness Week in Australia.
If you don't already know why I'm so passionate about this issue, then you can read my story here.
Just remember, that even if you register as a donor, your family has to make the final decision. You need to ensure that all of your family members are aware of your wishes.
You can visit the Medicare website to find all of the information that you need, and there are links to lots of other organisation as well. You can register online here.

Love Fridays ...... love handmade shopping

I saw this beautiful Mellimoomoo Storybook Journal on the Handmade Help blog last week, so of course I just had to snap it up quickly. After all, the proceeds were all for a good cause!

I'm saving this to give to a friends little boy for his second birthday next month, with a packet of crayons or coloured pencils, so that he can scribble away to his hearts delight.

The ever so lovely Megan also sent me this beautiful bright floral teatowel. I'm having visions already, of a gorgeous tea towel apron and some cupcake baking!

Megan also included this stunning card which was made by her friend Kelly, who is another Byron Bay local. Kelly doesn't have a blog but she does have a website here with her contact details. If you're ever around the area, she has a stall at the Byron Bay and the Bangalow markets. The colours are just magnificent.....

38 degrees celsius forecasted for today.... moving van arrives at 8.00 AM - ugh what a day to move house!

The home of Love Fridays.....

My Creative Space

Not much creativity in my space this week. This is the remnants of the baby card that I managed to whip up for my girlfriend who had a little girl named Cate last Wednesday. She was two weeks earlier than expected, but luckily, I already had some handmade baby girl pressies pre-prepared in the stash for just such an occassion.


I gave her a cute little flannel buggy wrap and some sweet little bibs in girlie prints. Once I'm settled, I'm going to attempt a patchwork floor rug. Does anyone have any tips for making these? I'm thinking of doing a cotton patchwork top, maybe a couple of polar fleece layers in the middle, but then I'm not quite sure whether I should just use cotton for the bottom layer. I just need to keep in mind that it must be really easy to wash and dry.

For lots more creativity, visit Kirsty and play along...

A call for help

Well it's now only 14 days until the Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show.... not that I'm trying to encourage anyone to get a little panicked!

Martine from Greenolive is going to be at the Stitches and Craft Show but needs some help from fellow sewing bloggers. She has these gorgeous new hand printed fabrics, and needs some feedback on what you would use them for.

If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a greenolive textiles not-quite-fat quarter, what would you make?
I say not-quite-fat quarter because these original hand-printed designs measure 35 x 45 cm, a smidge less than a traditional fat quarter (35 x45 cm = 13.7 x 17.7 inches for those of you who aren't metric).

I'm thinking softies, tote bags, cushions, small quilts, notebook covers, zippered purses...

The best bit is that you can win a 'not so fat quarter' of your very own!

Head on over to this post and leave a comment to be in the draw.

Photos courtesy of Martine

The New Made It

The new Made It website has now been launched - head on over and check out all of the Australian handmade goodness on offer!

There won't be much stock in The CurlyPops Shop over the next few weeks as I'm moving out of my current house, and moving in with my sister, and then moving out of there, and into my new house. I'm also helping Tinniegirl with her very exciting preparations for The Stitches and Craft Show.

I'll be back into the swing of things in a few weeks time.

The Golden Ticket

I'm really really really hoping that this is the golden ticket!

I would love to win a fabulous piece of artwork - check out the Kaotic Kraft Kuties blog where you can buy a ticket online with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. The raffle is being drawn Wednesday night and you don't need to be there in person to win, you just need to buy a ticket (or ten).

Eye Spy.....Love

This weeks Eye Spy is a tricky one....

Now that I'm a thirtysomething single, the things that I love in my life, are the things that I can't live without. My family (even when they drive me crazy - and yes family members, I know that you will read this), my friends, a morning coffee, chocolate on demand, my car, the internet, blogging, and of course my biggest obession...... craftiness!

Head on over to visit Cindy to play along.

My heart has been rescued

You can read all it about it here on The Toy Society blog.

Oh how I love a happy ending!

Love Fridays....

Today I'm loving Friday because at some stage today, I will be eating this lovely vanilla slice.
I'm very tempted to eat it for breakfast. I'm just not quite sure if that would be a wise move.

I'm also loving this lonely teacup that I found at the oppy on Wednesday. How could I resist a retro pattern in my absolute favourite colour combination? It was definitely my find on the day.

Visit the home of Love Fridays at Tinniegirl!

My Creative Space

I'm not being very creative today.... too many things to do and people to see - you know the drill.

I'm hoping that this box of goodies that I'm going to drop in to Meet Me at Mikes today will inspire some creativity as part of the Re-stash a Crafter project. I've inlcuded yarn, knitting needles, sewing needles, pins, fabric, buttons and a little bit of floss.

I've searched the house for my crochet hooks because I really want to donate them too... but I can't find them anywhere. I'd better keep searching!

Watcha Wearing Wednesday

It's going to be a hot one again today, so I'm wearing something light and cool that I found at the oppy a few weeks ago - as usual, I'm wearing it unironed and crinkly.

Shiny shiny handbag ring and a piece of leather cord to make a necklace.

Now I just need to find my thongs (of the flip-flop variety)!

Bags for the boys

I didn't have the chance to make it to the fabulous bag making sewing bee on Saturday, but I did manage to whip up a few bags to contribute to the Rainbow Comfort Packs.

Four super simple drawstring bags that would be perfect for very little boys to keep their treasures...

....and two super simple tote bags for older boys. I wish I had time to make more, but I need to drop them into Nikki today so I've run out of time.

This is a before shot (I don't have an after shot), but I also have a few headbands that can be included in the bags for the girls, and I just need to have a bit of a rummage around to see if I can find anything else to include.

The next job is raiding the craft stash to gather some supplies for Re-stashing a Crafter. I'm aiming to drop a box of supplies off to Pip on Thursday, and then I'll keep working on some handmade goodness.... clothes, softies etc etc etc.....

I'm wondering whether I should give up on my crochet dreams and even donate my hooks!

I'ts so nice to be busy doing something nice for someone else!

One last thing - thanks to all of the lovely peeps who made purchases from The CurlyPops Shop last week. I was able to donate $110 to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal yesterday.
I'm continuing on with the same offer this week. I'm donating 50% of the value of all sales in the shop. Keep checking the Handmade Help blog for more ways to lend a hand.

Handmade Help - Quilting Bee

Quilt on bed at Sewjourn - handmade by Jan

I received a lovely email thismorning from Jan at Sewjourn.

Jan is organising a quilting bee next month to make handmade quilts for the bushfire survivors. Even if you're not a quilter, there are many ways that you can contribute:

Quilting Bee

It’s almost impossible to imagine how it must feel to face the task of rebuilding after losing your home in the Bushfires. But we are hoping to contribute in a small way by making and donating quilts for people who have lost their homes. So please come along to our Quilting Bee. There are lots of ways you can contribute:

• Come along for all or part of the day to sew
• Donate fabric, batting or backings for use
• Make any 12 inch block and send it in and we will make them up into quilts on the day
• Make a Scrappy Log Cabin block - Emma has a good tutorial here
• Offer to machine quilt one or two quilts for us
• Offer to hand quilt a quilt
• Offer to hand sew a binding or two
• Come along to make calico bags for the quilts
• You might have a half-done quilt top you are happy to donate to be finished off
• Spread the word - please pass on to all of your crafty friends
• We particularly need more batting and backings though and are happy to list down the businesses that support us so if you think of anyone you can ask please let me know.

When: Saturday 21st March 9.30am - 4.30pm
Where: LightHouse, Ashburton Uniting Church, 7 Ashburn Grove, Ashburton, 3147

What to bring: Your sewing supplies, fabric, lunch. Morning and afternoon tea provided.
Contact: Jan Joseland on 0409 964 755 or info@sewjourn.net.au

It would be great to see as many people come along as possible so if you are free please consider joining in.....and the bonus is not only are we helping out in some little way but it's sure to be a really fun day!

You can also find the information right here on the Sewjourn blog. Please pass on the link to all of your friends who may be able to help out.

Toy Society Valentine

I finally finished my Toy Society heart that has been languishing in my creative space for the last few weeks. It actually found it quite relaxing to sit on the couch for a little while each night, and stitch away until all the individual hearts were finished. I was even having second thoughts about giving it away after all those hours of work!

But.... it's purpose in life was to spread the love on the Valentines Day


I took a break from my packing escapades on Saturday and hopped in the car with a couple of helper elves, and we headed down to the beach.

The weather was perfect and there were people everywhere, so it was a bit difficult to find somewhere to leave it that wasn't too suspicious.

I really hope it finds a nice new home.

You can check it out on The Toy Society blog here.

Eye Spy....my secret (food) shame

It's a funny theme today from Jade over at Just Needs Salt.

When it comes to some foods (particularly anything sweet and chocolately), I just never grew up. I still drink my milo like this.... 1/3 milo and 2/3 milk - and I eat the milo from the top with a teaspoon.... just like I always did! I also still like to just eat milo straight out of the tin, but I've tried to curb that behaviour. Luckily, I'm not trying to set a good example to any little kiddies.

It's all gone now and it was delicious.

Head on over to visit Cindy to play along.

The rescued quilt top

You may remember this quilt top that I rescued from the oppy in November last year.....

Someone has spent hours and hours lovingly constructing it......

Quilting Mick let me know that it's a bargello quilt (I had to google bargello .... sorry but I have very little idea about anything regarding proper quilts).

Anyway, it's been sitting amongst a pile of fabric ever since I bought it. But then yesterday, I saw this post over on Handmade Help calling for quilters and / or quilting supplies. I emailed the Waverley Patchworkers - info(at)waverleypatchworkers(dot)com(dot)au , and the fantastic news is that I can send them the quilt top, and one of their fabulous quilters will transform into an amazing quilt to give to a bushfire survivor.

Alls well that ends well.....

When boredom sets in....

Instead of packing..... you build a leaning tower of boxes, right up to the ceiling!

Two weeks and counting.

Edit: these are all still empty.... I haven't actually packed anything at all in them yet!

Sixth in the Sixth

I was tagged by Buttons By Lou Lou earlier in the week for the sixth in the sixth tag.

I decided to go with the 6th photo in the 6th folder from 2005 (I file all of my photos in date order, starting with year). This photo was afternoon tea at the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne on February 27th 2005. If you haven't been, then I highly recommend it.... just try not to eat lunch before you go, and leave enough room for the desserts (after the sandwiches and scones).

I was lucky enough to meet Lou a couple of weeks ago at a meeting for the Made'n'Thornbury Market. It was one of those things where you introduce yourself (with your real name), and then ask the normal crafty question, "So, do you have a craft blog?", and all of a sudden realise that you've been communicating with other in cyberspace/blogland.... it's all quite amusing!

If you're really quick, Lou has a fab giveaway ending today for a pair of her gorgeous button earrings. You can enter here....

Love Fridays...

Today I'm Lovin' Friday as I received an amazing package in the mail from Jess at Button Beauty.

I've had knitted washcloths on my 'I want to make' list forever.... I just never actually got around to it. Now I have these gorgeous washcloths (in my absolute favourite colours), and they're so soft and lovely.

There were also some fab vintage tea towels and hankies, a vintage pattern book, and some wonderful crafty bits and bobs that I can incorporate into my crafty creations. Thanks so much Jess.

I'm also lovin' all the updates over at Handmade Help..... so many crafty bargains for a great cause..... I just wish I could buy them all!

Check out the home of Love Fridays over here at Tinniegirl.

My Creative Space

Okay now, just stand back and take a deep breath..... I've been debating whether I should actually publicise the state of my creative space....aka my kitchen!
There's nothing like a bit of worldwide public humiliation to make me clean up.

I've been far too busy trying to whip up some items for Handmade Help. There's a little basket of baby clothes on the chair, and some kids t-shirts that I'm appliqueing on the ironing board (that all came to a standstill when I ran out of vliesofix).

The bench is covered in piles of fabric to make bags for the Rainbow Comfort Packs. I can't make it to Nikki's amazing sewing bee in Brunswick on Saturday, but I am going to use any spare time that I have on the weekend to make some bags, and then drop them off next week.

If you look even closer, you'll notice that even the Milo and the breakfast cereal didn't get put away thismorning...eeek!

....and on my ottoman, my poor neglected Toy Society Valentine. There's been a little bit more stitching (while watching So You Think You Can Dance) and a few more hearts added. This will definitely be finished tomorrow night so that I can whip up some softies for Handmade Help and The Toy Society.

You can find lots more creativity at Kootoyoo....

An Update and a Thankyou

A huge thankyou to everyone who has supported Handmade Help.

With my shop sales from yesterday and today, I have raised over $100 to donate to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal so far.

I've also bought some lovely craft things, including one of these gorgeous Itti Pouches by Lisa from The Princess and the Monkey , from which the proceeds will also be donated....

...and of course I've been furiously bidding on all of the handmade loveliness from the Handmade Help Ebay Auctions. I wonder if I'll eventually win one!

Handmade Help

Just a reminder that 50% of all sales from The CurlyPops Shop will be donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

Thankyou so much to the two lovely generous girls who made purchases today.

Head on over to check out the Handmade Help blog (thanks Cindy & Pip) for lots of crafty auctions and ways to help....

I also forgot to mention yesterday that if you have books that can be donated, Juddie is organising a collection. Head on over to Flightless Boyds or email - juddie1 (at) optusnet (dot) com (au)

The Toy Society is also still collecting handmade toys.... so keep sewing and stuffing!

Head on over to Nikki's You Sew Girl blog for details of her sewing bee this (EDIT) Saturday. It's a lovely way to get together with like minded people for a lovely day out, while helping at the same time.

A Crafty Community

Wowee it hasn't taken long for the entire crafty blogging community to get involved in offering some help for the victims of the Victorian bushfires.

There's a great post here from Pip regarding Childrens Comfort Packs:

You can drop any Handmade Help items at Meet Me at Mikes or Amitie Textiles to be passed on to relief agencies:

Silly Gilly is holding a charity auction (and is looking for handmade donations). I'm going to whip up a softie and send it south asap!

Cindy from Bug and Pop is also holding a charity auction (and is looking for handmade donations)... I think a tea towel apron might be heading her way.

Missie Krissie has just opened her new online shop and is donating 50% of the proceeds to the bushfire appeal until at least Wednesday.

Hollie from Hokey and Vegan and Vintage is donating 50% of the sales in her Etsy Shop to Wildlife Victoria for February

Liz aka Betty Jo from the Lino Forest is donating the proceeds from a gorgeous lino clock here

10% of all proceeds from Georgie Love for the month of February will be donated to the bushfire appeal.

Rach from Grandy and Baa is collecting handmade kids clothes (I have some tees which will be appliqued asap).

I hope I haven't missed anybody who is offering help.

Finally, I'm donating (to the Red Cross Appeal), 50% of any sales in the CurlyPops Shop from now until Sunday (15th Feb).

A little way to help - updated

It just gets worse each time I turn on the news.

There is a small way that we can use our crafty skills to help. Sarah from With A Cherry On Top and Bianca from The Toy Society are going to try to find an organisation who will take handmade toys to distribute to children who have lost everything in the bushfires. Rach from Grandy and Baa had the same idea too.

If you think you can help, please email thetoysociety@gmail.com

Updated: Rach from Grandy and Baa is collecting handmade clothes (appliqued onsies, t-shirts and skirts etc) - head on over if you can help out.

Sparkly Green Knickers is going to donate the proceeds from her Etsy Shop to the Bushfire Appeal...

Eye Spy....something delicious

Eye Spy some delicious scones (made by Liesl) that I bought home from yesterdays Thornbury Craft Bonanza at Amitie....

I haven't felt much like blogging today. I spent the day packing linen and kitchen items, with Sky News on in the background, updating the Victorian Bushfire crisis minute by minute. It's now 9.20 PM, and the latest news is that 76 people have lost their lives, and there are still more missing.

Apparently, the best way to help is to send a donation of money, or to donate blood (as there are many burns victims who will desperately need it over the next few weeks). The Red Cross Bushfire Appeal information can be found here, and you can find out how to donate blood here.

As I was packing boxes in the afternoon, there was a woosh of wind in the tree outside the kitchen door and then a big thump. This poor little Mama possum had fallen out of the tree and landed on my concrete patio. She was still alive and had a little baby in her pouch who was sucking away trying to get some milk.

I tried calling all of the wildlife rescue services, but I'm sure that they have been inundated with the bushfires, so I called the local Vet hospital instead. I packed her up in a box and took her along to the hospital. The vet was going to have a look at her and then call someone who looks after native wildlife.

Apparently, she was the fourth possum taken to their hospital today.....

The forgotten one.....

I'd completely forgotten all about this until I read this post over at Kitty's Kaboodle.

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned that I'd left something behind at the op shop and regretted it as soon as I arrived home?

Lucky for me, I went back 2 days later and it was still there. Sorry about the photo which is showing the underside of the tv in the kitchen (lovely I know).... but I think the mirror is beautiful.

Hmmm now where to put it....

Pay It Forward Update - Updated

Thanks so much to the six lovely bloggers who signed up for my Pay It Forward:

Amity Ville Boronia
Prue - Citrus Daisy
Dee - Dee in Da Light
Sharon Y - Roman Young
Jan - Sewjourn
Michelle - The Super Monkey Blog

When you have a chance can you please email me your postal addresses so that I know where to send your suprise parcels sometime in the next 365 days! My email - mscurlypops (at) gmail (dot) com

If anyone else would like to sign up for a Pay It Forward, there's another one right here and right here too: and another one here

Love Fridays......Love Mail

I love when the mail man delivers pretty packages to my door....

....like this beautiful Itty Pouch from Lisa at The Princess and The Monkey......

I was soooo excited about the pending arrival. It's just perfect to fit lots and lots of my business cards (no more cluttering up my purse), and it was wrapped up in a lovely piece of fabric too!

Lisa has an Etsy Shop and a Made It Shop where you can find these gorgeous Itty Pouches. They would be a perfect gift for someone special.

Just to make the day even better, I received an email last week from Peta.

Peta's grandmother Pearl had received these tea towels from a friend who went to Malta. Peta had no use for them so she offered to send them to me. How sweet is that?

A huge huge huge thankyou to Lisa and Peta for making my Love Friday

Pay It Forward - Edited

The most amazing Pay It Forward gift arrived on my doorstep last week.... all the way from sunny Queensland. I signed up on Bec's The Small Stuff blog a while ago, and then had promptly forgotten all about it!

So many little brown paper packages tied up with string.... but what was inside?


Vintage tea-towels, a relaxing oil blend, and my favourite chocolate (luckily it arrived just before the heatwave hit and the chocolate survived perfectly)..... although it's already been eaten now of course!


There was also this gorgeous market bag which is the perfect size to sling over your shoulder and head to the shops. I've always been a huge fan of the way that Bec takes unusual / reclaimed / recycled items and uses them in her bags. This is definitely a favourite as the bag has been embellished with a mens tie.

But there was even more....

I saw these beautiful little purses on Bec's Flickr and commented on them a little while ago....

.... and now I have one of my very own. It even had 20 cents inside for good luck!

Thanks so much Bec for such a wonderful Pay It Forward gift. Bec's new range of bags are available in her Etsy Shop.

Now it's time for my own Pay It Forward.

I'm sure everybody already knows the rules but: The first three people to leave me a comment will receive a handmade gift from me sometime in the next 365 days. I can guarantee that you definitely won't receive anything in March or April.... but sometime after that! The only other rule is that you must have a blog and you must agree to spread the love by paying it forward to three other people sometime in the next 365 days. Simple really!

Edited: I actually need 6 people to sign up because I've signed up for another one over at Thousand Threads!

My Creative Space.... and Mikes Felt-a-long

More heartfelt creations (bad pun intended).....


My creative space - me on the couch - my creation on the ottoman - lots of hand stitching to be done.... hmmm wondering what's on telly tonight?

This is going to be my Valentines weekend drop for the Toy Society.

Mini Shop Update

Made It is upgrading the website very soon so I've just popped a few new things in The CurlyPops Shop.

Watcha Wearing Wednesday & Mikes Felt-a-long

It's a two-in-one meme special today!

I've been playing around with lots of felty bits and pieces for Mikes Felt-a-long, and this is my latest creation - a felty beaded heart brooch with a bit of crazy stitching.

Today I'm wearing the brooch, along with the Elk necklace that I bought at the Design Market.