...and the winner is

There were 57 entries in total for the $250 Bunnings Voucher Giveaway thanks to Turf Australia.

The random number generator chose comment no 12!

So the winner is Rachel from Four Wise Monkeys - Congratulations Rachel - get in touch and I'll organise for Turf Australia to get your voucher in the mail.

Thanks to everyone who played along. I loved reading about all the things you would buy at Bunnings (I'm a bit nosey like that). It probably helps that I LOVE shopping for hardware.

That was fun - hope I can do it again one day!

Win a $250 Bunnings Voucher thanks to Turf Australia

My backyard when I moved in

A little while ago I received an email from Turf Australia asking whether I was interested in a backyard makeover consultation.

 My backyard now

It just so happened to be perfect timing, as after living in this house for around four and a half years and not really being able to go outside and enjoy the garden, it's high time I made the most of it.

Bruce from ANC Turf (my local supplier) came to visit on Friday, and I told him what I needed in the backyard. My number one priority was a concrete patio which can also double as a basketball area (I used the nephews as an excuse for needing the basketball ring, but really it's for me)!

He suggested sticking with the geometric theme and building garden beds around the perimeter, as I already have the bottoms of the fences re-inforced with wood (that was to prevent Mr Limpy Houdini Dog escaping).

Then he suggested filling in the areas around the patio and garden beds with turf - specifically Buffalo as the garden is in part to full sun for most of the day, and it's also hardy and can withstand kids and pets!

I can re-use all of the concrete pavers on the side paths and even do some planting around those areas too, which will soften the look and provide a nicer view out the windows.

Here's the plan of what I'd like to do (not to scale yet).

Bruce suggested that Spring would be the best time to lay turf and to plant the garden beds, so if I can get all of the hard landscaping done by then, then I just need to give him a call and order the amount of square metres that I need. I can lay the turf myself, or they can provide that service too.

I'm really happy with my plan and now I need to start saving to get it all done!

Now if you're a bit of a fan of DIY like me, this is the best bit - Turf Australia have given me a $250 Bunnings Voucher to give away to one lucky reader. All you need to do is leave me a comment and tell me what you'd spend it on (I'd love to know)!

Entries close at 8PM AEST Sunday night 14th July. I'll draw a winner and Turf Australia will send you out the voucher in the mail.


*This is not a sponsored post but I did receive the garden consultation as a gift

I need your help!

This is a project that I've been working on for a very very very long time....

Over 5 months to be exact! Oh well, at least I have a very good excuse for being so slack.

Well then, I guess you're wondering what it is exactly? Currently in her fourth incarnation...

It's going to be a Make It Yourself Cloth Doll Kit!

The kit will contain the Cloth Doll fabric, and fabric to make a reversible halter dress and reversible cape (thanks to Michelle and Deb who suggested that she needed clothes... eeeek no naked dollies allowed)!

She's still in the testing phase at the moment, and she'll also have a twin brother.

Now the bit where I need some help - for the life of me, I can't think of a set of cute names for them both. I need a girls name and a boys name that will suit a funky, colourful and very patterned doll.

I'll pick two winners - one boys name and one girls name, and the person who suggested the name will receive a kit of their choice (once they're available).

Fire away!

Happy Halloween and a Winner

Happy Halloween!

I've been out trick or treating with the nephews (which is code for watching them go trick or treating, and then sorting through their lolly stash and eating my bodyweight in chocolate and lollies).

 There was much excitement on the way out....

.... and a bit of dawdling on the way home

Did you know you can still buy sherbet straws? They even still taste the same! Yum.



Anyway, it's time to pick a winner.

Random.Org tells me that the winner is comment number 3

Tanya from Tanya Today

Congratulations Tanya! I'll be in touch to organise your prize.

It's the final countdown - Blogtoberfest '12

Today's the day.... we made it!

31 days of posting each and every day for Blogtoberfest.

A huge thankyou to Kat from I Saw You Dancing for picking up the reigns and filling in for Tinniegirl this year as the hostess with the mostess.

Thankyou to each and every blogger who signed up for the challenge (there were 334 of you) Yikes!

Thankyou also for the 54 giveaways (some of which are still running so quick sticks).

I'll be back later thisevening to draw the winner of my giveaway. But first, I have veeeeeeery important trick or treating to attend to with the nephews.

Blogtoberfest Halfway - Time for a Giveaway

What better way to celebrate the half way mark of Blogtoberfest than to have a giveaway!

A few lovely peeps suggested a pink and orange themed giveaway, which I think is a brilliant idea.

So, all you need to do to be in with a chance to win a Funky Flower Pendant Necklace and Earrings Set is to leave a comment on this post.

The winner will be chosen by random.org at 8PM on October 31st (of course, please make sure that your email address is enabled in your ID so that I can contact you if you win).


There's also a matching set available as a charity fundraiser for Team Ruby which is an organisation that raises awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. Just pop on over and 'like' the Team Ruby page on FB.  The auction will take place in November.

While you're there, why not 'like' my CurlyPops page. It's the best place to get up to the minute info on the latest happenings, and access to special FB only sales.


How are you faring so far? Have you managed to post every day? Is blogging becoming a habit? Are you loving it, or is it driving you stark raving bonkers? Spill!

A Change is as good as a Holiday... right?

Well, that's what I keep telling myself... it's been a loooooong time since my last holiday, so I chopped all my hair off.

This is how little the Bubbas and Moo were back then. How things have changed....


Anyway, there was actually a point to this post.

I was going to tell you about the awesomeness that is the Blogtoberfest Giveaway list.

Make sure you go over and check it out and visit some of the lovely blogs that are having giveaways. I need to sort out my own giveaway too, but I need some ideas.

What would you like to win?


***apologies - the Linky Tools site seems to be down so you can't see the giveaway list. Fingers crossed it will be back up and running ASAP!

Blogtoberfest Day 1 - It's the beginning

Welcome to Day 1 of Blogtoberfest!

You may remember in previous years that there have been lots of lovely bloggy giveaways. Well, the same thing is happening this year.

If you would like to host a giveaway on your blog as part of the festival, then just pop on over to the Blogtoberfest Giveaway page, and add the details so that all of the other participants can find you.

Please try to stick to the same format (it just makes it easier to read):

• Blog Name - What you're giving away - End Date

Of course, if you have any problems, just email me and I'll try to sort it out as quickly as I can. Go forth and be festivalled!

The Retreat Woodend

Forgive me for this blatant piece of advertising, but trust me, I'm doing it for your own good...

You see, I can't actually enter the giveaway, because I can't leave Melbourne for the weekend.

But, I'm quite sure that there are plenty of crafters out there who would love to win a weekend away valued at $950 with 9 of their crafty friends at The Retreat Woodend.

Pop on over to Copper Patch for all the details.

*International and Interstate peeps who can't make it to The Retreat can still enter to win a $100 fabric voucher from The Fat Quarter Shop.

Melissa's Treasures

As well as the yummy jam, last week, Melissa from Melissa's Treasures also sent me this beautiful giveaway gift.

It has a beautiful Thea & Sami Linen Screen printed teatowel, some lovely beeds, two gorgeous zines (written by Melissa), and some cards.

Thankyou so much Melissa..... I have plans for that lovely teatowel already!

You Sew Girl - The Winner

Todays the day!!!

It's the official realease date of You Sew Girl by Nicole Mallalieu.

Not only can you find it in all good book shops, but you can also buy it direct from Nikki (which may be the perfect opportunity to get your hands on an autographed by the author copy)

Without further ado (and a little bit late).... it's time to draw the winner of my giveaway.

There were 234 official entries, after I deleted a double up and a spambot (I've never ever had anything remotely close to that many entries for anything - clearly everyone would LOVE to win a copy of this fabulous book).

The random number generator says that the winner is number 5.....  Carla from More Than Tuesdays

Thanks so much to everyone for playing along!

You Sew Girl - The Giveaway

Well, what an exciting couple of days it has been!

Along with my Cosmo Fun Fearless Female Nomination on Monday, I also received a signed-by-the-author pre-release copy of You Sew Girl.

I've been watching Nikki toiling away over the last year or more, putting her heart and soul into the making of this book - writing, editing, making samples, testing, taking photos, getting everything perfect.

I was so proud to be able to help along the way by testing some of the patterns, and heading along to one of the photo shoots.

It's so wonderful to see the end product - an amazing craft book by a fabulous Australian author!

There are so many projects inside that I can't wait to make, and all of the patterns are in an envelope at the back of the book.

It's also full of all the best tips and techniques to improve your sewing skills.


Now of course, there's absolutely no way that I'm giving up my copy (and it already has my name on it)..... but I do have an extra copy which I'm giving away to a very lucky blog reader. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. The giveaway will close on May 1st (the book release date) at 8PM, and the winner will be chosen by the random number generator.

If you can't wait that long, you can actually reserve your very own copy and pre-order You Sew Girl.

After May 1st, it will definitely be available at all good bookstores, and directly from Nikki's shop..... a little bird might have also whispered that there *may be some copies available to buy from the Nicole Mallalieu Design stand at the Australasian Quilt Convention?


*Please don't hold me to that, just in case the planets don't align and they're not quite ready in time!

And the winner is.... and whoops!

Thanks so much to everyone who left a comment to join this lovely giveaway, and a huge thankyou to Jess for donating two copies of *bespoke* to give away to two wonderful winners!

After checking my giveaway post, I've only just realised that I was supposed to draw a winner lastnight... whoops - sorry about that!

So without further ado - there were 65 entries. Winners were picked by the random number generator:

Winner number one is number 32 -Carolyn from Clenbar Cottage

Winner number two is number 9 - Jennifer Rose from Fuzzy Dragons

Thanks ladies, I'll be in touch to get your snail mail addresses and your copy of *bespoke* will be on it's way!

A Bespoke Giveaway

Have you heard about *bespoke* Magazine?

It's a sweet little full-colour Australian print zine which is also available in digital download form.

*bespoke* is published by Jessica Van Den from Epheriell Designs.

I bought myself a copy of Issue 1, and will also be buying myself a copy of Issue 2 (especially with that beautiful cover)!

Issue 2 of *bespoke* features a huge array of Aussie and international crafty types, and has articles including:

• Vintage crafts - rag ruggin'

• How to find your vintage era

• A tutorial on how to carve a sweet birdie stamp

• The stories of 3 women who gave up corporate careers to launch thriving creative businesses

• Thrive - an interview with a crafty lady making a full-time living from her upcycled kimono jewellery

*bespoke* is written totally by the community, for the community and is always on the lookout for submissions from artists, photographers, handmade and vintage business owners etc.

The good news is that Jess has very generously donated two copies for me to give away on the blog. All you need to do is leave a comment. Please make sure that your email address is enabled within your blogger id so that I can get in contact if you win.

I will draw a winner using the random number generator at 8PM Thursday 17th March..

Good Luck!

Time to Pick a Winner

Thankyou so much to everyone who entered my bloggiversary giveaway.

Here's hoping that I can find something to keep blathering on about for another three years!

Without further ado, there were 40 entries in total.... and the random number generator chose number 23

It's Lisa from The Princess and The Monkey

Congratulations Lisa - I'll be in contact so that you can choose your favourite pouch as a prize!

Missed it....... by that much!

I was just sitting here reading Leonie's Bloggiversary post, when I all of a sudden realised that I'd totally missed my very own 3 year Bloggiversary last Saturday (15th January).

From my very first post, until today.... it's certainly been an experience!

There have been 1335 posts so far, and life is absolutely nothing like it was just three short years ago.

Anyway, I think that after sticking with it for so long, I should have a little celebration and a giveaway.

The rules are super simple:

• Pop on over to my Big Cartel Shop, or my Made It Shop, and choose your favourite iPhone/Gadget Pouch, or Sunnies/Specs Pouch. 

• Come back and tell me which is your favourite.

• The random number generator will choose a winner, and the winner will receive the pouch that they've chosen.

• Entries Close - Tuesday night (25th Jan) at 8PM AEDST

Good luck!

It's a finale and everyone's a winner (including me)

Sheesh, what an amazing Blogtoberfest month it has been - 270 bloggers aiming to post each and every day for the entire month of October. I hope everyone had lots of fun with the challenge.

I had a wonderful month trying to write posts myself, and keep up with hundreds of posts in my google reader each day. I also finally returned to work, and to markets, after my trio of setbacks earlier in the year.

I participated in Home is Where the Craft Is, and had a few crafty giveaways to celebrate..... but I think the thing that I'm most excited about, is having my own fabric designs printed.

Which of course brings me to the very important business of choosing a winner!

Dragster Dominoes was the most popular choice hands down. I had this original sample printed in cotton, but it will look even better in a cotton/linen blend.

There were 57 entries.....

.....and the winner is number 29 - Tartan Kiwi

Thankyou so much to everyone who entered and picked their favourite swatch. The good news is that I couldn't decide which ones to print as yardage, so I've ordered all of them!

As soon as it arrives, I'll pop some in the shop for anyone who is interested.

Happy Blogtoberfest...... 'til next year Blogtoberfestians

PS - You can still check out the Blogtoberfest Giveaways Page because there are still lots left to enter!

Now for the fun stuff...

1. Random Santa
2. Dragster Dominoes
3. Owlie Oracle
4. Turtle Allsorts
5. Reindeer Row
6. Owlie Oblong

I finally received my last lot of fabric swatches in the mail yesterday, and so the time has come to make some decisions.

I'm saving some of my designs to be used exclusively for my own crafty goodies, but I'm also going to print some yardage of other designs and have it for sale in my little shop.

Now comes the fun part, as this will be be my final Blogtoberfest giveaway for the year!

All you need to do is to choose your favourite design from the mosaic above (click on the links above to view the much better quality photos in Flickr - for some reason the mosaic maker shrunk all my files).

Leave me a comment telling me which one is your favourite, and once I have them printed, the winner will receive a fat quarter of their choice. I haven't quite decided whether I'll be printing them on 100% cotton, or the linen cotton blend, so please tell me which you would prefer too.

The winner will be chosen by the random number generator on Blogtoberfest finale night  - October 31st at 8PM

Good Luck!

Finally.... a winner

I'm two whole days late drawing a winner of the SuperPops giveaway.

Sorry about that, but sometimes life (and markets) take priority!

So without further ado - via the magic of instant Facebook chat, I got my BIL from Clunes to read the comments and pick a winner:  and he chose Luvvie

Ooh - super powers - I would like to be like Dr Doolittle and be able to talk to animals. Particularly if I get to live in that great big pink snail shell thingy. 

Congratulations Luvvie! If you would like to email me your snail mail address, I'll package up a box of craft goodies and send them on their way.

Thanks so much to everyone who played along - I haven't thought of anything for this weeks giveaway just yet, but I will eventually!

She's Baaaaaaack!

Well, we're now well and truly over the half way hump of Blogtoberfest. How is everyone faring???

If you played along last year, you may remember the journey of SuperPops. I had a little creative competition where I asked everyone join in and create their own version of the character. I also managed to publicly humiliate myself on the www.  It was so much fun, that I now have an entire bloggy page dedicated just to SuperPops.

This weeks giveaway is following the SuperPops theme....

The prize will be a B2 size mailing box jam packed full of crafty goodness.

I'm making you work for it this week - to enter, just leave me a comment answering the following question:

If you had a superpower, what would it be, and why???

Just to keep it fair, I'll get my sister to pick the funniest entry as the winner - entries close Friday 22nd October at 8PM.

***Oh, and if you like SuperPops, you can find her in the shop!