Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 Giveaway

This is something that I've never ever done before - something absolutely brand new!

I sometimes receive random emails offering freebies to promote things on my blog, but it's always been just a little bit too 'cash for comment' for my liking. Although I am kicking myself that I didn't trust the universe a little while back, when I missed out on free zoo tickets...... but that's a whole other story.

This time, I haven't been offered anything for myself, instead I've been offered a super fabulous prize to give away to one of my readers. It's a copy of the brand spanking new Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010 software.

The software is suitable for Windows Vista or Windows XP. It includes Word, Excel, Powerpoint, One Note and Outlook.

There are heaps of fabulous new features (which I'd love to play around with).

To enter, all you need to do is fill in the contest entry and tell me why you want to win, and add your link to the magical linky list at the bottom of this post.

Entries close at 8PM Melbourne time, Friday 23rd July 2010. The winner will be chosen by the random number generator.

If you'd like any more information about the software, you can download a free trial to check it out!

Note: for some reason, the previous entries on the list are not showing - but I can see them in my Linky dashboard, so keep entering away, and I'll provide a list of all the entries before I draw a winner!

My Creative Space

I've finished off a couple of little projects this week, and the next things in my creative space are just in the planning stages.

First on the list is a custom camera bag for Michelle from Leni and Rose.

Michelle has sent through some lovely fabric, and detailed instructions of what she requires for her camera. So today, I get to play around and draw sketches and work out how to construct it.

While at Sewjourn on the weekend, Liesl was testing Nikki's brand new Beret Pattern. I absolutely adore beret's and after trying it on I was hooked..... so now I have grand plans to whip up my very own too.
There are beret's popping up everywhere it seems!

Don't forget to visit the hostess with the mostest to play along too!

Late Stitchy Mail

Better late than never!

I've finally managed to send off my creation for the Stitched Postcard Swap.

I've been working on it slowly over about four weeks now. When I began, I actually completely forgot that there was a time theme. So, I ended up taking my original idea, and tweaking it to make it fit.

The doily and sequins are supposed to represent a clock (work with me peeps... can you see it?). Just don't count the number of sequins - I completely failed with the representation of the numbers...whoops!

I tried to embroider the quote, but I've decided that I'm just really really bad at embroidery. I don't have the patience, and it ends up looking like it was stitched by a pre-schooler (not really the look I was going for on this occassion, and not meaning to offend any pre-schoolers).

I used some printable canvas for the back of the card (which my printer really did not like). It kept jamming up inside the rollers, but I eventually ended up with something useable and readable (as opposed to messy and smudged).

To make it nice and stiff (like a cardboard postcard should be) I used a layer of Vilene S520 interfacing on the back of the canvas.

On the back of the postcard, I wanted to give an explanation of  the meaning behind the quote (thankyou google).

I really liked what I found because it's actually a great little motto - a timely effort will prevent more work later.

My little postcard is heading over to Kristin in the USA. I'm sure she doesn't read my blog, so I'm safe in posting photos while still keeping it a surprise. I'm not going to add photos to the Flickr group just yet.

I was actually chuckling to myself while filling out the customs declaration at the post office today. How do you describe what you're sending??? Are the customs employees going to wonder what on earth a Stitched Postcard is??? Hmmmm something to ponder todaay....

Creative Peeps Interview - chunkychooky / My Bearded Pigeon

  All photos and creations remain property of chunkychooky and have been used with permission

Name

Cath


Blog/s

Chunky Chooky

What is your favourite creative pursuit?

Hhmmmm it would be a toss up between sewing, stitching and hookin' - of the crochet kind...but my new and exciting passion is...........  I can't tell you yet - it is a surprise!

What is your earliest creative memory?

After attending a pantomime as a child where one of the characters was in a skeleton costume- you know the black body suit with the white skeleton painted on.  I decided to replicate this on my 2 year oldish naked body with permanent marker.  But I do remember constantly wanting to "make something" as a child -  I remember spending hours making outfits for the Barbies with scraps of fabric and rubber bands.

Who inspires you?

Initially when I started making softies I was inspired by artists like ninon, and in awe of soft sculpture like Abbey Glassenberg, and excited by the modern twist of artists like Beci Orpin and tons and tons of illustrators... and all the stitching seen on the Feeling stitchy blog.

But mostly now, I am inspired by the amazing work I see via blogs, and going on in peoples homes. The lovely sense of community amongst crafty bloggers is my biggest inspiration. At least once a week I see someting on a blog that inspires me to have a go at something new - like mastering the zipper, or the french knot.

 What are you currently working on?

I am moving away from concentrating on chunkychooky for a moment, I have a small list of regular stockists now and it seems to flow along very nicely. I am concentrating on the more grown up My Bearded Pigeon. 

I have plans, that are taking a frustratingly long time to be finished, particularly for someone with the limited patience I have. Readers of my blog will be the first to know all about it when it is finally ready (now I am going to worry, having built it up that you will all ask - is that it? when I finally tell you what it is, so humour me OK??)

I also had plans for a large embroidered piece which I was going to enter in a local art prize in October, but alas, there is no category for me...no contemporary embroidery section... I would really like to enter an embroidered piece in an exhibition but I am too shy to approach any galleries or anything like that....

But at the moment I am crocheting a blanket, doing some stitching and making lots of lists/ sketches in my notebook.

What is your ultimate creative dream?

To have my work in Inside Out magazine. There! I said it out loud! That is it. Really. That's all I really want....for now...

Is you work for sale, and if so, where can I buy it?

But of course:

chunkychooky website: for links to my online shops.

My Bearded Pigeon (Made It Shop) and soon to be launched My Bearded Pigeon on Etsy.

If you are in Brisbane, I am just about to post a load of rattles to Nook.

Do you have any upcoming events planned (exhibitions, markets, interviews, courses etc)?

* sigh* nooo....

I would love to do a photography course so I am looking into that at the moment.

Do you have any advice for others who would like to follow their creative dream?

Start today, but move slowly. Don't put pressure on yourself by spending huge amounts of money on tags/ busines cards etc these things can wait- or you can make your own for now.

I keep a simple list of money coming in and money going out- which I am pretty sure I saw Curlypops do a blog post about.. and this keeps me on track, spending more as I make more etc. chunky chooky is growing all the time but I am now at a level where it works perfect for me- you need to decide where it might stop being fun...for example if I got an order for 100 rattles I would initally see $ in my eyes then go into a complete stressed panic...

Stay true to yourself, don't let retailers talk you into lowering your price. Often handmade has to compete with similar items, made badly overseas, but made to look handmade, and these items make "real" handmade (and made in Australia) look expensive.

See yourself as an artist- (not that I would EVER DARE call myself this out loud mind you), but look at what people who paint/ illustrate charge for their work? ( With good reason I think).

A friend of mine is a artist and she is always nudging my prices up when I tell her what I am charging for something. Why do us crafters think our work is not so worthy? I feel strongly about our need to stand together on this one.

When I see people selling things on etsy/madeit for prices that are so incredibly cheap, when I have a rough idea how long the item took to make etc, it puts all of us at a disadvantage... often I hear people say - but its just a hobby for me, and that is great if it is, but you are inhibiting people from charging fair prices who are making a living from their art. (stepping down from soap box now...ahem.. )

So my advice is: Start your creative dream now. Go on! What are you waiting for ?


Thanks so much for such a wonderful interview Cath. It's been wonderful to find out just a little bit more about chunkchooky, and I can't wait to what comes next with your new venture, My Bearded Pigeon!

A very important decision

I read Abbe's very sad story about the passing of a work colleagues' husband over the weekend. It immediately made me think about subject of organ donation.

Today Abbe has written another heartfelt post.  During such a sad time, his family have given the ultimate gift and decided to donate his organs.

Please discuss organ donation with your loved ones, and sign up on the national register. You just never know when you or one of your loved ones may need the generousity of that ultimate gift.

Thankyou Abbe for letting me share your story...

...and now for something crafty

The pockets look mismatched in colour but it's actually the sun glare coming in from the side.

Sometimes it's seems like forever in between crafty posts..... this is, after all, supposed to be a Craft Blog!

I've been working on this project in dribs and drabs over the last week. It's another pinny for my cousin's little girl, Ava. It was supposed to be included when I sent the last one, which was a more summery version.
This is a wintery version which will be perfect over a long sleeved top and woollen tights.

It's made from my absolute favourite op shop find of all time - a vintage bedspread (which also features on my living room wall)

I even made the pockets from the matching fabric in the middle canvas on the wall!

After the little glitch with the armhole binding on the last pinny, I modified my method a little, and I'm much happier with the finish. It's nice and neat. I'm still not sold on the neck facings on this pattern, I think that they should be larger so that they sit more flatly against the dress. I think I'll re-draft that pattern piece for the next one.

For the final finishing touch, I added a little bit of vintage ric-rac at the end..... the print is so loud that it probably doesn't need much more bling!

I'm popping it in the post today so I hope she likes it.

Oh Miranda!

If you squint through the fog you might spot Hanging Rock in the distance

I decided to check Where Is to get directions before I headed off on my day trip to Sewjourn yesterday.  I have a vague memory of taking a wrong turn last year, so I was trying to be diligent and organised this time.

I  plugged in my start address and my end address, and asked it to provide me with the shortest route to my destination (thinking that surely it would mean decent, sealed, dual carriage roads).

 It got worse than this - but this is a spot where I felt safe enough to stop for a photo.

The answer to that question is a big fat HELL NO!

I was absolutely scared witless, driving through mud and potholes in the middle of the bush during a windstorm and in the pouring rain, thinking the whole time that I was going to get swallowed up into the abyss just like poor Miranda. Either that, or a big gum tree was going to fall right on top of my car!

The only saving grace was that I knew I had a packet on mint slice biccies and some jelly snakes, and boiled lollies for sustenance....phew.

So the moral of the story is - the shortest route is not always the smartest (oh, and don't trust Where Is)!

Sew Not Fair

I was supposed to be having a relaxing, girly, crafty time at Sewjourn this weekend, but alas, my best laid plans went ever so slightly awry.

I refuse to miss out completely so I'm heading down for a day trip instead.... I just hope all those girls haven't cleaned out the Lancefield oppy before I get there!

Just like Magic

I post a recipe for chocolate crackles..... and they magically appear!

Hand delivered by two sweet little munchkins who are partial to giant pancakes with ice cream.

Thanks Cathie.

My Creative Space

Not much creatively happening at CurlyPops HQ this week.

There's been just a little bit of tidying up, and a little bit of re-arranging so that I can finally get back into the swing of things. It seems that no matter how long I spend cleaning up this little space, it still looks like a huge mess! I'm taking consolation in the fact that at least I can see the cutting boards.... which is a start.

In the meantime, I've been enjoying all of the lovely things that have arrived in the mail lately.

Pip has lent me series one and two of the original BBC version of Life on Mars to keep me entertained while I'm recuperating on the couch. Thanks so much Pip! Somedays I wish I could travel back to the 70's... I just love the fashions.

Oh, and if you haven't entered Pip's Super Duper Crafty Night Off giveaway, it's being drawn at 6.30 PM tonight AEST (or maybe don't enter because I really want to win).

Liesl sent a lovely package of goodies with this knitting book, lots of chocolate (some of which has disappeared already) and a bathroom pamper pack. The knitting book has some really lovely large diagrams which may actually help me to get over my fear of knitting something other than a scarf for once in my life!

Another suprise package was waiting on the kitchen bench when I came home - full of gorgeous colourful goodies from Cherrie. I can't wait to make something with the floral tea towel.... just waiting for the perfect inspirational project to hit.... and after having a little chat with Cathie yesterday, I think it may be destined to be a cushion cover.

Thanks so much for brightening up my week ladies!

Of course, if you'd like to see some actual creativity (rather than just planned creativity), make sure to pop on over and visit Kirsty's ginormous list!

Flo's Golden Syrup Dumplings

I was trawling through blogland yesterday evening, and came across Screamtress's post where she just happened to mention Golden Syrup Dumplings.

From that point on, I just couldn't resist, and went in search of a recipe and the ingredients.

Back in my younger years at uni, it was standard fare for dessert in our share house all through winter (being cheap and stodgy to fill us up).

I always check out my Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen recipe book first. If it's something traditional and basic and easy, then the recipe is just about guaranteed to be in here..... and of course, if you have a spill or a stain while you're cooking, then you just flick through to the handy hints in the back to fix it!

Some of the recipes that I've looked at include egg in the dumplings, but these are just flour, butter and milk.

Dumplings

2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Cup Self Raising Flour
1/2 Cup Milk (approximately)

Rub butter into flour, and then add milk a little at a time, mixing to a stiff dough.
Form into balls.

Sauce/Syrup

1 Tablespoon Golden Syrup (I used 2 instead because I love golden syrup)
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Water
Juice of 1 Lemon (I didn't have one so I left it out)

Bring water, syrup, sugar and juice to the boil in a saucepan.

Drop the dumplings into the boiling syrup - cook for  10-20 minutes.

I made quite small dumplings so they only took about 10 minutes to cook through. If the boiling syrup is getting too thick, just add some more water.

Then the best bit - place a couple (or 5 if you're me) of dumplings in a bowl, spoon over some syrup, and then add cream or ice-cream, and EAT!

Creative Peeps Interview: Kylie from Chasing Purple Dreams

 

All photos and artworks remain property of Chasing Purple Dreams and have been used with permission

Name

Kylie Stevens, but I sign my artwork with “Kylie Marie”.  Marie is my middle name.  My high school art teacher wouldn’t let me sign with just my first name and I didn’t want to use my surname, so I chose to sign Kylie Marie.  I don’t like it as a “signature name”, but I feel with more than 13 years worth of paintings behind me I can’t change it now.

Blog

Chasing Purple Dreams

What is your favourite creative pursuit?

It so hard to choose one, I have so many creative obsessions!  I love to paint, especially in oils.  But if I had unlimited time, space and all the tools I desire, I would spend my days carving stone….I’ll get back into it one day, but for the last few years I have been on a self imposed ban from stone sculpture.  Without a dedicated space and pneumatic tools it is just impacts too much on my lifestyle and on my poor old hands.

 

What is your earliest creative memory?

I remember when I was eight, drawing a picture of some hills with the sun behind them, the kids at school thought it was great and I was hooked on the adrenalin rush of “art”.

Who inspires you?

Too many to name them all, I collect fine art books so I find a lot of inspiration in the lives and work of artists.  But to name a few of the favourites, William Robinson, Tim Storrier, Brett Whiteley, Margaret Olley, Van Gogh, Turner, Rodin…Ok I’ll stop now I could spend weeks listing favourites and go into detail about what in their work or lives inspires me, but you would all fall asleep! 

Just let me add, I met William Robinson, one of my artist hero’s.  I went up and gushed at him like a groupie, about how much I loved his work and how fabulous his retrospective exhibition was.  A very rock star moment for me! It still gives me a rush when I think about it. 

What are you currently working on?

I just finished the third painting in my “Adrift” series, it’s a big oil painting and I am absolutely thrilled with it.  I also have a small copper sculpture underway from the “Adrift” series.  I am experimenting with a verdigris finish on part of it and brainstorming ideas for the base. 

What is your ultimate creative dream?

It’s a big one….  I only just found the courage to voice it very recently.  I want to continue to grow and develop as and artist and one day see my works hanging in public collections.  The MMOA or the Tate would be good for a start!!! 

Is you work for sale, and if so, where can I buy it?

Yes a lot of my work is for sale.  I have an Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChasingPurpleDreams it’s a little neglected at the moment, but expect some changes there over the next few weeks…

I have made quite a few sales recently through my facebook fan page http://www.facebook.com/ChasingPurpleDreams people have just contacted me directly about pieces that I have posted there.  I am also happy for anyone to contact me about works they see on my blog.  Most of them are for sale and I have also taken commissions through my blog and facebook.  Locally I have some pieces on consignment at Handmade Heaven and Finicky Furniture.

Do you have any upcoming events planned (exhibitions, markets, interviews, courses etc)?

Nothing concrete at this stage, but plans are in the pipeline…I’m putting in an application for an exhibition this week, it will take a while to be processed but I have my fingers crossed.  There is also a new gallery opening in town and I anticipate exhibiting there in the future.

Do you have any advice for others who would like to follow their creative dream?

Do it! Start now, take that first baby step, it is what will set you on your way.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions Kylie. I always feel a renewal of my inspirations when I'm able to read interviews from other creative people who love what they do!

While CurlyPops Was Away....

Those little mice did play!

My sister came over to make sure my house was nice and clean before I came home.... and bought those rascally little twin nephews of mine with her.

This is how they helped to clean up.

By having wheelie stool races, and jumping and dancing on my freshly made bed trampoline.

It sure is nice to be home....

Completely Over It (and a recipe for Chocolate Crackles)

Gorgeous brooch made by Cathie - Blurry mobile phone photo by me!

I'm a fairly placid and easygoing and patient person these days, but I've REALLY had enough now. I just want to go home to my own house, and sleep in my own bed where it's nice and dark and quiet and peaceful and private!

I needed a change of scenery today, so I spent the entire morning in the coffee shop, reading the Sunday paper back to back.

I found a very interesting Donna Hay Chocolate Crackle recipe in the Sunday Magazine which I'm definitely going to test out.

Chocolate Crackles

200g dark chocolate, chopped
100g butter
1/3 cup golden syrup
4 cups puffed rice cereal

Place the chocolate, butter and golden syrup in a suacepan over low heat and cook, stirring, until melted and smooth.
Place the cereal in a bowl with the chocolate mixture and mix well to combine.
Spoon 2 teaspoons of the mixture into 48 small paper cases.
Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set.
Makes 48.

Now that sounds much yummier than the old school version which uses copha.

To fill in the rest of the day, I have a crossword and my knitting.

I'd better be getting out of here tomorrow.... I really can't take much more!

The 10:1 Ratio

After yesterdays healthy post, today I'm making up for it using Cath's truly scientifically accurate 10:1 ratio rule.

Apparently, for every one healthy thing I eat, I'm allowed to eat ten junky things to make up for it!

So I've emptied out the current contents of my drawer to choose from.... and by my calculations, the consumption of just one banana, now necessitates the consumption of all of this to make up for it!

Wish me luck!

An apple a day

Liesl will never believe me (come to think of it, anybody who knows me won't believe it) if I don't provide documentary evidence, but I actually took Kitty's advice.

Instead of buying myself a chocolate bar at the cafeteria...... I actually bought FRUIT.

Now of course, just buying the fruit is only the first piece of the puzzle. Liesl wouldn't believe it unless she could see documentary evidence that I would actually eat said pieces of FRUIT.

So Liesl, I give you an empty banana skin.

I'm just wondering whether this makes up for the Honey Cakes, Honey Jumbles, Twisties, Fruit and Nut Chocolate, and Crunchy Caramel chocolate that Cathie treated me too???

My Creative Space

Please excuse the photo quality - I only have my mobile phone on hand

In my creative space today (errr well yesterday anyway)....
I finally finished Susan's long delayed camera bag (sorry Susan)!

There were a few things that I forgot to pack and bring along with me, but I'd finished the machine stitching on this Monday morning, and I knew that I only had the finishing touches of hand stitching left to do. It's actually one of my favourite things to do right at the very end. It somehow makes it feel more handmade to me, when the last little bit is finished off by hand.

It's now on it's way to Susan, via Cathie (thanks so much Cathie)!
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that the camera fits.

Also in my creative space - two very cute little munchkins came to visit yesterday and kept busy with lots of lovely oil pastel drawings. Just in case you haven't guessed it, on the left is a Hippo, and on the right is a very scary Lion!

A huge thankyou must go out to everyone who sent me get well wishes, and who took me up on my challenge to write extra blog posts to keep me entertained. I've hardly even had time to watch tv... I've been up to my ears in crafty reading on the internet instead!

Make sure to pop on over and visit Kirsty and check out all the other wonderful creative spaces on the list!