Sweet Fabric:
good links

I love a can do attitude.
I like people who make stuff happen.
I like folks who enable other people.
I like a generosity of spirit.

A couple of items have come my way this week (via great girls with "can do" attitude) & I thought they might interest you guys...

YOU CAN help someone else...

Help raise much needed funds for young cancer sufferers.

How You Can get in the Christmas spirit
It’s simple for the public to get involved this Christmas. You Can’s primary fundraising mechanic calls on Australians to recycle their old mobile phones – turning trash into much needed funds.

You Can Post It!
Simply log onto www.youcan.org.au and request a Reply Paid mobile phone recycling envelope to include in your gift-giving this Christmas. Redundant mobile phones can also be dropped into You Can bins located in a range of retailers nationwide: Sony Centre, Best & Less, Harvey Norman and Leading Edge Computers

How does You Can work?
It’s simple! You Can’s chief fundraising mechanic calls on Australians to recycle their old mobile phones – turning trash into much needed funds. It’s estimated that there are anywhere between 15 to 20 million unused phones in Australian homes!

Sony Foundation has partnered with Folamh, an Irish recycling company, to swap old mobile phones for cash to raise money for the development of youth cancer centres. All donated phones will be recycled for reuse. That means, once collected, phones will be refurbished and resold. Any mobile phone that cannot be resold will be broken down into its constituent parts and responsibly recycled. So simply by donating an old mobile phone, Australians can directly contribute to You Can’s fundraising appeal, whilst also contributing to a greener planet.

&/OR

YOU CAN help yourself...

Learn to screenprint right here in Melbourne.

If you book into a class in the next two weeks Laura is offering a FREE hand printed tea-towel! - you can find out more here for class dates

You just need to do is get in touch with Laura via email learn2screenprint@gmail.com to express your interest.

High 5 to Pip for this.

5 favourite thoughts, which turned into clicks, which turned into more thoughts from this week.

1. It's all about the pincushion & as a result I've found...
2. Namolio ... just beautiful, beautiful pieces.
3. Crochet doilies. I'm really quite obsessed - I think it was the refashion of the chair...
4. which leads me to wood & specifically the burning of wood.
5. I've been thinking about cushions for my couch too. Check out this lovely space.

mean it.

I like it over there - they get me thinking & just at the moment I'm really enjoying the free flowing thoughts & ideas at make & meaning.

More faux wood embroidery. I'm obsessed...I'm breathing, dreaming, running & "zoning" this stuff. I love it!

I love these teeny tiny pieces of art by clever unbecoming lily.

It's prompted me to drag out my little embroidered swing coat from last year & do something with it.

I've been so loving sharing in jeanamarie's homework assignments for her course. I mean just look at this lemon ...so good!

I'm pretty seriously considering enrolling. That's my kind of school work.

Our kids are masterchefing it with the best of them. They love it!

The Date & I prefer UK but are both enjoying the enthusiasm from the kids. We all watch together each night. The whole experience is much more pleasurable if watched in conjunction with this.

The small boy has been very patiently waiting for chocolate souffle. I'd promised for last night so had to deliver.

I used this recipe from the cook & the chef.

It didn't rise above the ramekins but I think that's because I followed the instructions & only 1/2 filled. Next time I'd do 2/3 full for this recipe.

Needless to say they were a huge hit.

image source

Evie has shared her softie making process over the last couple of weeks. I've really enjoyed her posts & I thought you might too.

She's super clever.

image source

while you're awake.

I don't remember my night time dreams often & I really wish I did.

So, I've done my best to recreate the dream during my waking hours & I thought I'd share.

Many of you know that I run (& run & run & run). I get up early & I don't miss a day.

I have my best ideas when I run & often if something has me stumped then the problem will be solved on the run too.

Serious athletes call it "The Zone". I don't care about peak performance or improving my time. I run to dream. What's more I don't think you need to run to dream awake.

Here are my tips:

-You need to make time.

-Get out in the fresh air.

-If you can run - do. If you're not a runner then walk.

-Unplug. People can't believe I don't listen to anything while I run but I reckon you need to let your mind go blank.

-Push it. I need to have gone about 5kms before the dream kicks in. For you it might be shorter (or longer).

-If your dream starts to turn into a nightmare...stop!

Are you moving it like mike?

OR maybe running with and/or supporting Jhoanna and Anna - they are both raising funds for their charity of choice?

You've got to know when to hold them....
Know when to fold them...
Know when to walk away...
Know when to run...

OR just because you "can" doesn't mean you should!

I made this little guy for Craft Hope found via Loobylu.

The idea really touched me & I so wanted my doll to be utterly gorgeous & super squishy & cuddly. In an effort to make him "perfect" I decided to follow a pattern (this was mistake number 1). His arms & legs are way too long & his head is way too small & I had to stuff him too firmly so that his neck didn't flop. The only thing I like about this doll is his hair treatment which I made up!

My second mistake was using super soft expensive looking (but op shop purchased) stretch fabric which I then had to retrospectively interface! YIKES.

My obsessive, competitive nature won't allow me to be beaten (I prefer to think of it as "never say die").

I know I should run & leave this sort of thing to super clever people who actually have some talent (& for the time it's taken me I'd have been better purchasing from them & posting):

Jhoanna :: her shop
Fiona :: her shop
Victoria :: her shop
Michelle :: her shop

I've already cut out & interfaced & started the embroidery for my "no pattern" doll. I really hope he works!

I'm clean slating at kootoyoo.

I've made myself a new banner & am considering a move to Typepad. It seems like it's easier to keep everything under control over there? I'd appreciate your thoughts if you've experience in both blogger & typepad.

I've been feeling that things have gotten a little stale over here & am enjoying the friendly banter over at twitter. I want to make things a bit more friendly here too. We'll see how it goes...

This is the current blog roll. All well loved blogs I visit but I'm needing to shake things up around here.

• 13 mimosa
• 62 cherry
• assemblage
• aunty cookie
• bricolagelife
• craftapalooza
• curly pops
• dear fii
• design for mankind
• earl & cookie
• hop skip jump
• made by girl
• nikki shell
• nomad mother
• one red robin
• pia jane bijkerk
• potty mouth mama
• ric rac
• teddy bears wednesday
• thornberry
• whip up
• you SEW girl

• allsorts
• angry chicken
• boobook sausage dogs
• elsie marley
• kaotic kraft kuties
• loobylu
• maya*made
• meet me at mikes
• pigeon pair
• three buttons

Rummage

Still more from the Meet me at Mikes book. Apparently Readings Bookstore are shipping internationally, so if you're not local you can still get your hands on this fabulous book.

I had a wonderful time making up Nan's project. I even used french seams as a little nod to The Frenchman.

The skirt and the Obi are made from a thrifted curtain. It's a Sheridan design. My Obi is reversible. Wonky piecing on one side & wool & ribbon on the reverse.

If you don't know how to French Seam then you should visit Hoppo Bumpo ... her seam along is fabulous.

Finally, I blogged this image with the help of a great tool called Flogger. This application helps you blog multiple images from Flickr. You can read all about it here.

at this Avon sampler box of soaps. I just love the colours.

& at this gorgeous blog.

Cam & Jess are living an enviable life ... vegies, chooks, each other & a sweet as anything little boy.