Donate Life Week 2012

Today is the start of Donate Life Week 2012.

This year it's a lot more up close and personal.

Since I've been blogging, each year, at this time, I've written a little bit about organ donation, and how at some time, in the future, I would need a double lung transplant.

Well, that time came, and today marks my 172nd day on the waiting list.

I think about it every day.

From the Hottie Challenge

I know that I'm preaching to the converted here on the blog, as I've had so many messages and comments from everyone who has signed up to the national register, and has discussed it with their family.

So this year, just for something a little bit different, I'm going to issue a challenge....

The challenge is:

At some time during Donate Life Week (Sunday 19th - Sunday 26th February), have a discussion about organ donation with someone whom you've never discussed the issue with before.

It could be a co-worker, the checkout operator, the lady at the post office, your neighbour, one of your kiddies schoolteachers, the lollipop lady, or the person in the queue next to you at the shops.

Feel free to use me, or this blog to bring it up in the conversation. Maybe you could start with... Do you know its Donate Life Week? I have a friend/read a blog by someone who is waiting for a lung transplant....

If you do take on the challenge, I'd love it if you could come back and leave a comment to let me know!

Also feel free to pop this pic in your sidebar for the week and link it to the Donate Life website.

If you'd like to learn more about organ donation, or you would like some resources for your family, so that you can discuss the issue, the Donate Life website is a fantastic resource, jam packed full of everything you could ever need to know.

No matter what happens, your family will always need to give the final consent, so it's vitally important that they know your wishes, and that you sign up to the national register.

Thankyou... from the bottom of my poor overworked, enlarged, moderately pulmonary hypertensive heart and bronchiectasised lungs!

My Posts:
Donate Life Week 2011
Donate Life Week 2010
Donate Life Week 2009
Donate Life Week 2008


Lastnight in Sydney, the premiere screening was held for all of the short films that were created as part of The FilmLife Project.

I wanted to share a couple of the films.....

The first one was made by Jess Sparks. I would love it if you could spare 5 minutes to hear Jess's story.



The second one is by Josephine Lei, and it's actually really quite amusing... and less than 2 minutes!



All the short films are also available online here

A Weekend of Exhibitions

So many exciting things are planned for this weekend!

Tonight is the grand opening of the first ever solo gallery exhibition by Cathy Kirwan (Tinniegirl) at Red Brick Gallery in Ballarat.

Unfortunately, I'm totally bummed that I can't make it to opening night, but I'm heading down on Saturday to meet up with my sister, and Cathy, to see it.

I haven't even had the chance to take a sneak peek in Cathy's studio (like I would normally do), so I really really can't wait to see it!

There's an excellent little cafe just around the corner from Red Brick, so it's the perfect spot to meet up with friends for a visit!

If you're in the city, then make sure to get along to Outre Gallery and check out the very talented Jess McCaughey (Teddy Bears Wednesday).

Opening night is also tonight, but luckily both exhibitions run for two weeks until March 1st.

If you've never been along to check out an exhibition, then I can highly recommend it!

A Blog Chicks Feature

I'm totally chuffed to have a little feature over on Blog Chicks at the moment.

The directory is a celebration of the diverse range of Aussie Female Bloggers and covers categories from craft, to fashion, to lifestyle, to travel.... and soooo much more.

I've answered lots of questions about blogging and a few personal ones as well, so I hope you'll pop on over for a read, and while you're there, add your blog (if you haven't already).

The interview has ended up being perfectly timed as we're heading into the start of Donate Life Week beginning this Sunday, February 19th, and running until February 26th.

Thankyou so much Leigh!

Framing Part One

I seem to have had piles upon piles of pretty things stacking up around the house that just need framing and hanging.

I kept using the excuse that I was waiting for someone to take a trip to Ikea to buy me some frames.... then luckily one day a few weeks ago, B-Fab tweeted from that very place.... and so I bombarded her with my very own personal shopping order!

First on the list was these very beautiful vintage playing cards that Madeleine from Little Circus Design sent to me, along with some fantastic postcards featuring her original artworks.

Funnily enough, this frame has been collecting dust in the garage for years....

It seems it was just waiting for that right moment.

Now... where is that perfect spot?

And then there were three

Thankyou to my Oppy Officionado....

*One and Two

Sunday Snippets... via Instagram

Another week seems to have flown by, so here's a little snapshot of the week that was!
 

Monday - Moo Moo's first day of school

Monday night - my SIL made me Donna Hay Chocolate Fondant Pudding

Tuesday - Part 1 of my Doily Exhibition piece

Wednesday - Day out in Ballarat

Thursday - Transplant Clinic

Friday - Part 2 of my Doily Exhibition piece

Friday - Mr Limpy Houdini Dog watching the after school chaos (Yes - my Christmas Wreath is still up)!

Saturday - Part 3 of my Doily Exhibition piece

Sunday???? Who knows what I'll get up to!

Playing Sunday Snippets with Tinniegirl

Mini Fabric Swatches

Do you ever wish you had a cute little fabric swatch to make a zip pouch?

Or maybe a flex frame pouch?

Maybe you'd even like to applique a t-shirt for a little one...

Well it's your lucky day as I've just added a range of mini fabric swatches to the shop and at only $3 each, they're a bargain too!

The Red Brick Gallery Group Show - A Mini Virtual Tour

I couldn't make it to the Friday Night opening of the Red Brick Group Show, so I was looking forward to travelling down during the week to see my Flight of The Ducks artwork on display.

It looks lovely hanging at the top of the stairs (if I do say so myself ha)!

The two beautiful paintings on the far wall next to the window are Cathy's

More lovely paintings and ceramics

I'm pretty sure this one was Sel's favourite - aptly titled 'Dogs In Space I' by Tam Jones. The piece next to it is 'Sun Flower' by Rosie Skilbeck, created using recycled junk mail - brilliant.

But this one was my absolute favourite. My iPhone photo does not do it justice at all.
The title is 'Hand Tree Three' by Megan Fromholtz.

You really can't tell from the photo, but all of those pieces of wire have been shaped into hands with five fingers and twisted together to form a tree. I think it's completely brilliant, and after working with wire to create my scultpured flowers, I'm fascinated with how Megan has achieved this. Wire is a really difficult medium to work with.

This is just a tiny bit of the entire show....

If you've never ventured out to see a group show, then I can highly recommend it. The range of artists and mediums is amazing.

It runs for another week, so make sure you pop in for a visit if you're in Ballarat!

The best bit about crafty blogging...

...is most definitely the people that you meet.

Red Brick Gallery

Where else can you find so many likeminded souls who'll spend an entire day chatting about craft and fabric and blogging and op shopping?

Thankyou so much to Brianna (my personal navigator), Vic & Punky, Bianca, Abbe & Harvey, Jodie, and Sel for coming along for a slightly forgetful and disorganised day out in Ballarat.

Ballarat Patchwork

PS - I'll be back tomorrow with some photos from the fabulous Group Exhibition at Red Brick Gallery. Can't wait to show you my favourite piece!

I Say Doilies, You Say Doyleys

This is the next upcoming exhibition at Gleaners Inc.


You could probably say that I'm a bit of a fan on the doiley... so I have my thinking cap on at the moment.

I had a few ideas floating around in the brain, and a little bit of spare time yesterday afternoon, so I made a little start on something.

It may not make it into the final edit.... but we'll wait and see.

PS - The exhibition is scheduled for late March, so there's plenty of time to get cracking for anyone who is interested in joining in.

Another exciting CurlyPops / Shiny Happy Art Collaboration

I have something else super exciting to announce today.

I've collaborated with Anna from Shiny Happy Art again, to create these gorgeous iPad Sleeves

There are three different designs to choose from in the Shiny Happy Art Shop.

Can someone please buy me an iPad???

Sunday Snippets... via Instagram

A random selection of favourite shots from the week...

Playing Sunday Snippets with Tinniegirl

Everyone loves Vintage Bunting... right?

Things have been busy around here.

I've been pottering, cleaning, organising, sorting, finishing up long put off administrative jobs, and even sewing.... while trying to stay offline as much as possible.

Behind the scenes... camera tripods have a multitude of uses!

I was working on a custom bunting order this week, so I took the opportunity to whip up some extras and pop them in the shop.

These are the same ones that I make for Gleaners Inc, so if you're anywhere near Brunswick, you can also pop in and visit and pick some up.

Now I'm heading offline and making a concerted effort to use my time more wisely.... well, after pulmonary rehab anyway...  Wish me luck!

The Red Brick Gallery Group Show

Tomorrow night is the grand opening of the Red Brick Gallery Group Show.

I'm exhibiting my Flight of the Ducks piece, so if you'd like to see it in person, take a day trip to Ballarat and check it out!

The exhibition runs from February 3rd - February 16th 2012

Red Brick Gallery

218A Skipton St

Ballarat 3350

Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm.