You're Tutu Kind

It's that time of the year folks when I turn a little batty and get the idea that I can make things. I know, it's funny isn't it? But I'm turning my hand to a tutu for my beloved baby girl. She loves dressing up. In anything. Including her brother's swimmers, my necklaces, swimming cap and goggles, a vintage fur stole, and skirts skirts skirts. And it's her second birthday in a couple of weeks.

The ever-delightful Cindy hooked me up with a link to a no-sew tutu that even I can make. These were my words, not Cindy's.

If you make this tutu, do me one favour and take a small piece of advice from me. Do not cut the lengths of tulle while on the phone to your sister. Don't do it.

And now that that's been said, here's my little tutu in progress. Hopefully will get it finished tonight. And will probably not be able to wait 'til Tiny's birthday so she can spin 'round and 'round until she gets dizzy.

Eye Spy:: My Favourite Corner of My House

Here's something I prepared earlier. In one of my cleaning spates. I took a photo as testament that I actually cleaned. AND as a bonus, moved things around. While it's not technically a corner, I've taken poetic license, and here is my favourite non-corner of the moment. Since you're still here, you can also play eye spy, can you spot the:

1) horse

2) donkey

3) birdies

4) spots

5) something vintage (that one is a cinch)

For more favourite corners, or to play along, head on over to Bug and Pop and give Cindy a high five while you're there.

Quiet Days

We're enjoying quiet, sunny Winter days with the smalls enjoying windows of time playing outside. Up and down the path on the tricycle. Tiny tentatively pushes the trolley. Up and down they go.

If you're at a loose end this Sunday, and looking for something to do, come along to Mathilda's Markets. I'll be working with Cindy from Bug and Pop. Make sure you say hi if you're around.

I May Be Sporting A Wee Hangover

So instead of banging on about anything, I'm going to send you off to other people. I'm tucked up under a quilt, sipping on lemonade, a box of tissues keeping me company. I'm sad like that.

Looking for an international man of mystery? Nan has some spectacular insights into French lurve.

Feel like a weekend trip to Tasmania? Fancy a seat on the fanciest red tractor? Go visit Michelle. She's been checking out the auctions.

Pip has a genius feline in her presence. As well as a piece in The Age (for some reason I can't link but definitely worth a read! - click over here).

Cindy's asking the big question - Why Do You Blog? My answer - because it's like my online diary, I am bollocks at keeping a written journal; and because I love to write.

And last of all, I'm sending you off to listen to some music. Put your feet up toots, sit back and enjoy one of my all time favourite songs. Have I shared this before?

Ahem. Image is yet another shameless hint for Matt. Pink Schwinn makes me go schawing!

Super (the) Doctor

A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I said I was going to make the Doctor a super hero cape. I bought the fabrics, I just never went any further.

This lady came to the rescue and sent me one of her cute little numbers that she and Caleb customised for the doctor. So cute, and a firm favourite in the dress-up box.

Monday arrived this week and I'd not had a chance to sit down and do my hand-sewing to finish my top. So I was coming up empty handed with anything to stitch. Maybe I could ditch the class for the week? No. I'm not that kinda gal. So I went through my stash and re-discovered the cape materials.

Off I trotted. My sewing teacher cut out a pattern for me, I sewed it - with that cute Japanese spot as the trim. Only after spending a whole lotta time stitching, I took it off, flipped it over to admire my handiwork and realised there was something wrong wrong wrong with the sewing machine.

My sewing teacher at the top of her voice screeched, 'Oh you've threaded the machine up wrong'.

Here's where it gets super good.

It was on this particular Monday evening that I had for once walked in to find my very favourite machine already threaded up - bobbin and all. It was my lucky night. Or so it seemed.

The lady who was sitting next to me piped up in my defence and said - 'No! She didn't thread it, it was already done.'

To cut a long story short - someone else jumped on the machine while I was stitching, and lo and behold it was only then that my sewing teacher discovered that it was not my fault. And that naughty minx of a machine is off for a service. And me, I'm going to re-sew the whole cape again, because as George Fisher said: 'When you aim for perfection, you discover it's a moving target.' Bring on the archery practice.

Ways to Help

Edit: I've just found this really great link listing all the different agencies and ways you can help. Click through, there are some really great, and practical things we can do.

I'm feeling a little edgy because I'm trying to think of more ways to help those in need right now.

The best way to help at the moment is with money. The Salvation Army has now said they are at capacity with clothing donations (they've got too much at the moment), and they are requesting money contributions for now.

ALSO - please be aware of the fraudulent appeal scams. These people do exist (I've come across them before) and they prey on people in these sad times. If you give money, please ensure it's via a reputable collection agency such as The Red Cross or The Salvation Army or the wildlife funds listed below.

If you've got itchy fingers like me there are loads of ways you can help:

Cindy and Pip are madly updating Handmade Help all the time. Go over there. Every time I log on there's something new that's been posted - which means that there are loads of generous crafters hosting their own auctions, Etsy sales etc in aid of the bushfire relief appeal. This is a great thing!

Georgie Love is contributing is generously contributing 10% of all profits for the month of February to the Bushfire Relief Appeal. Go forth and shop!

Rach over at Grandy and Baa has added more applique designs, and is looking for crafters to join her to stitch/crochet/knit/chat/stuff whatever it is you're making as a group. She lives just north of Sydney.

As well, you'll see on the left a new button - when you hit it, you'll be instantly teleported to Handmade Help HQ. Silly Gilly is the genius behind this button.

And finally, but by no means should you forget the animals who have been injured in this devastation. By now, I'm sure you've read about Sam the koala who was found by CFA volunteer David Tree (now how apt is that surname?). If you'd like to give money to help look after these animals, please call WILDLIFE CONNECT - 13 11 11 or log onto Wildlife Victoria. Koalas cost approximately $50 per day to care for (Sam will be in care for approx. 5 months), so they need funds to keep things rolling. These animals have lost their homes and many are suffering burns and have been traumatised. Please help if you can.

If you visit Holly's store HOKEY, she's donating 50% of all sales to Wildlife Victoria. Check out that beautiful swallow necklace.

first image via

second image via

Hello Friends

There's not much to say at the moment. So I'm just going to give you some new links of ways to help those who have suffered due to the bushfires.

Cindy at Bug & Pop has organised a new blog HANDMADE HELP exclusively for fundraising - eBay, etsy, or even how to send your goodies to someone in need. There are already lots of great things happening over here, so click over and check out what you can do.

Rach at Grandy and Baa has added a cute apple perfect for applique. It's easy - even I can do it. You can email Rach if you'd like to send her something(s). Also - she lists some thought starters of things people need - such as clothing, quilts, blankets, bibs, hats, wraps etc.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service had over 6,000 new people register to donate blood yesterday alone. Blood is used to make all sorts of products for burns victims. While their supply is adequate for now, they will need ongoing supplies to help in the recovery of these patients. Think about giving blood. I did. I'm booked in.

Here's something you can easily do - do your grocery shopping at Coles on Friday. They are donating ALL profits to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

And Pip of Meet Me At Mikes has done an incredible menu on her sidebar (see right hand side) which lists plenty of other ways to show our solidarity in helping these people.

Eye Spy... Something In My Garden

Cam of Curlypops fame chose this weeks theme.

Here's what I spied in our garden yesterday. Three monkeys playing.

Head on over to Bug and Pop and say hi to Cindy to check out who else is playing Eye Spy.

This Is...What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

I'm very late - apologies to Cindy at Bugandpop for my tardiness. This is such a great theme, and I can go so many ways. Many, many ways. I have had many dream vocations, and still to this day do covet one or two careers (if it's possible to covet a career?!).

When I was really small I dreamt of being a teacher. That fizzled out.

Then I really, really wanted to become a lawyer. I dreamt about this. I thought about all the crooks I would throw in the clink (this must also tie into my completely nerdy CSI obsession).

Then someone told me it was six years at uni - and that was that dream career's undoing. Kaput.

In high school I wanted to become an actress. But the careers advisor told me I wouldn't make any money (thanks for the confidence in my acting skills, I don't see Cate Blanchett starving). Another careers advisor made us do these computer surveys to find out which jobs would suit best. You'll never guess what mine came back with. A funeral director. Huh? Yes. A funeral director. Hmm, no thanks. For one thing, I don't dig on hanging out with dead people. For the other thing, those people are wearing bad suits and are on a first name basis with baby's breath. I don't do suits and bad flowers are just bad.

I also badly wanted to be one of the hosts on Playschool (John and Benita were always my favourites). My Mum is so good she even rang up to find out if I could do work experience, but alas, apparently there's a massive waiting list. And then some. I still have this fantasy.

So this brings me to the now. I've probably left out a bazillion dream careers in between.

Right now I am dreaming of becoming:

- a bookshop owner

- a forensic agent (though, I don't want to hang out with dead people, so this rules this one out)

- the best mama I can possibly be

- and this is the big one, that I haven't really shared with anyone because it's my little dream - a midwife.

I had two beautiful, memorable births. I am amazed by the female body and all that it can do. It's a splendid thing. I wish everyone could have such wonderful experiences I have been lucky enough to have.

In a few years when my babes are a bit older I am going to apply to UTS where you can study midwifery without doing nursing. Genius. Then I could be Pottymouthmidwife. How's that?

And if I can't be a midwife, then I'd love to write children's books. Maybe.

Failing that, I may have to become a funeral director. Look out for me in a hearse near you.

Thanks to Bugandpop for outing my dream job of what I want to be when I grow up.