cleansing... I'm chucking out a lot of stuff, it's hard rubbish in our neighbourhood.
north sun... My favourite time of year in the family room.
earl grey... A gift from someone nice.
homemade... A fabulous little cookbook put together by a group of very dedicated people to benefit those affected by the Black Saturday bushfires. You can purchase a copy here (all proceeds to the Salvation Army).
I told Lara I was going to put this on Flickr "for her eyes only" to say thanks for being super specially good. BUT this girl said she'd post it on her blog if I did! You know she'd do it too. Safer here where I have some control!
It seems my big fat bogan wedding has been an item of interest to a few lovely folk.
This is me with my "I really (insert expletive) hate you" fake smile. My beautiful friend thinks that they taught fake smiling at my school. One of my very good friends from school is on Melbourne Radio & Trace reckons we have the same fake smile!
Reason for fake smile: Casual, relaxed, natural photography brief. Photographer turned up with an ironing board & tulle & made me do this!
Points to consider when critiquing the event.
1) I was 23 2) I was 23 3) I was 23
Thanks!
See more bogan shots here & here.
PS: I'd be pretty happy to trot the wedding dress out if anyone wants to host a wedding dress party!
PPS: I'm going to get the wedding video out - that's a real comedy!
I’ve become very emotionally attached to him - we’ve been through a lot together.
He began life as left over wool suiting & a remnant from an after 5 number…I’d been patiently waiting for the silver since November last year & I’m pretty sure he’d been waiting for me too.
Together we’ve struggled, fought & made a more than a few mistakes but we’ve dusted ourselves off and made firm friends.
I knew it was all going to work out because he never stopped smiling. Now he’s here and he is going to be hard to say farewell to. I’ve poured my heart & soul into this little fella.
You know…he’s a bit rough around the edges, he’s had his share of knocks & he’s got a few battle scars to prove it. But look at what those tough times have revealed…
a silver lining - it has made him who he is, given him character and fleshed out his personality.
He’s a good sort
He’s off to have his 15 minutes of fame in the Meet Me at Mikes window & then I know he’s going to make some somebody a very good friend.
You can find out more about the Softies for Mirabel appeal here.
I'm normally not that fond of the sewing machine - it's a means to an end in my opinion. But...I've had so much joy in the making of my silver lined cloud!
He'll be residing at Meet Me at Mikes for a little while - don't let him be lonely! Make a Softie too - you can read about it here & see pictures here.
Thank you Pip & Cam & mini Mikes for all your hard work in organising this wonderful appeal.
- In the foreground are projects 1, 2 & 3 of 5 speedy quick things to make with pillowcases from the Week of Pillowcases I'm hosting at Meet me at Mikes this week.
- The start of my 2nd Softie for Mirabel & the teddy bear that the small made for Mirabel. The kids have really embraced the appeal. I think because the Mirabel Foundation supports children. I'm so thrilled ot be taking part in this again this year.
- Paperwork for a school event I'm organising. If you are in Melbourne & organising an event of any kind I can't recommend Action Events highly enough. They are a highly professional & most helpful.
- Gorgeous pin cushion I picked up at the Op Shop last week.
My lovely friend is walking this. I've done it - it's the hardest thing ever! If you'd like to donate to her team of go-get-em girls and support OXFAM go here. I'll be tracking her progress over the next 20 hours or so.
I'm off to support another of my lovely friends tonight. She is doing live stand-up - that's gutsy!
I responded to a request from Kami this week & it really got me thinking & then I found this...
The value of the collective and the community in the continuation of successful practice
Presenter: Carole Hanson Epp Verge: 11th National Ceramics Conference Brisbane, Australia 10th - 14th July 2006
"I have found that working within a community of artists or collaboratively can be a means, in particular for emerging artists, to gain valuable experience, access to opportunities and an awareness and understanding of the role of the community in support and critique of ones work. When we leave our academic environments to set out on our own as craftspeople we are still in need of a community of like-minded, inspirational, challenging and active producing artists around us. Academic programs can instill such skills as self-criticism and personal motivation, but it is through the community that we evolve and build upon that foundation...
...Only through active involvement will we as practitioners see the growth and development of these organizations and the artists they support. Attendance at events, membership, financial support, volunteering of skills and time, are all means towards common goals."
Complete article here
What does this mean for me? How can I nurture the relationships I've been building with this craft community & particularly the Melbourne girls?
Support the community in which you hope to prosper whether financially or otherwise. Get around - have a chat.
If you enjoy a blog, admire a piece (or collection) of work, got inspired, had a laugh, shed a tear, made your day, touched your heart - support them!
Buy their work, leave comments, shop in their store, celebrate their wins & take an active interest in their journey.
Everyone has to buy stuff sometime. Before you head to a nameless, faceless, bigger than Ben Hur store owned & run by a man in a suit you'll never see - consider buying from someone you "know" & who you KNOW will appreciate it.
Put back what you take out and then some.
I'm trying really hard to live this rather than just think it. A community is a powerful & wonderful thing. So to all who take the time to post, make, create, share or care - thank you.
This post has been rather more deep than my usual drivel so I'm going to finish on a totally tacky low note...
Mike Brady in the Brady Bunch Movie: Alone, we can only move buckets. But if we work together, we can drain rivers.
This gorgeous purse was thrifted at my favourite Op Shop.
It's so lovely & I was thinking it would make a good "coffee money" purse but I've decided on a much better use.
I've spent a lot of time the last couple of days at You are beautiful. Found courtesy of a link from this girl. It's nice. I like nice and it makes me smile.
So, if you haven't been stuck by me - you might be soon. Print yourself some stickers & get sticking too.
the fat guy has made his list, checked it twice & he's packing the sleigh right now.
If your fat guy is anything like ours he is getting just a wee bit frustrated with the constant changes to the "Please Santa, may I have...." list.
I posted about my December giveaway a while ago but it was buried in amongst the 12 days of Christmas. So I thought I'd better issue a little reminder as I'm going to draw the winner first thing Monday morning.
Let me assure you that the fat guy will be HUGELY popular if one of your kids pulls this little baby out of the sack on Christmas morning. It's a v-smile & 6 games. All the games have an educational element.
The giveaway is open to Australian residents. Comment on this post before midnight 16 December to be in the draw.
