A half starter.... and spreading some Hope

I seem to be having some attention deficit problems at the moment. I'm blaming the increased steroids.

I keep starting new crafty projects. I started five separate things on Sunday afternoon. I'm yet to finish any of them. What on earth was I thinking?


The ideas just keep swirling around in my brain. Getting those ideas into action is a completely different story.

In the meantime, I do, at least, have two nearly finished Hope Softies.

It's just a tiny little drop in the ocean, but it might make someone smile after the last horrendous week.

If you think that you could also make a softie, pop on over to see Steph at Mon Petit Poppet and sign up here. If you're looking for a free pattern to use, Fuzzy Bear can be found over on my tutorials page.

It was also announced yesterday that the Red Cross has launched an appeal for the thousands of people currently affected by the Victorian Floods. If you can help, you can make a donation here.

Come One, Come All

Head on over and check out the Silly Gilly auctions right here on Ebay.

All proceeds go to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal as part of Handmade Help.

My apron is right here!

The Golden Ticket

I'm really really really hoping that this is the golden ticket!

I would love to win a fabulous piece of artwork - check out the Kaotic Kraft Kuties blog where you can buy a ticket online with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. The raffle is being drawn Wednesday night and you don't need to be there in person to win, you just need to buy a ticket (or ten).

Bags for the boys

I didn't have the chance to make it to the fabulous bag making sewing bee on Saturday, but I did manage to whip up a few bags to contribute to the Rainbow Comfort Packs.

Four super simple drawstring bags that would be perfect for very little boys to keep their treasures...

....and two super simple tote bags for older boys. I wish I had time to make more, but I need to drop them into Nikki today so I've run out of time.

This is a before shot (I don't have an after shot), but I also have a few headbands that can be included in the bags for the girls, and I just need to have a bit of a rummage around to see if I can find anything else to include.

The next job is raiding the craft stash to gather some supplies for Re-stashing a Crafter. I'm aiming to drop a box of supplies off to Pip on Thursday, and then I'll keep working on some handmade goodness.... clothes, softies etc etc etc.....

I'm wondering whether I should give up on my crochet dreams and even donate my hooks!

I'ts so nice to be busy doing something nice for someone else!

One last thing - thanks to all of the lovely peeps who made purchases from The CurlyPops Shop last week. I was able to donate $110 to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal yesterday.
I'm continuing on with the same offer this week. I'm donating 50% of the value of all sales in the shop. Keep checking the Handmade Help blog for more ways to lend a hand.

Handmade Help

Just a reminder that 50% of all sales from The CurlyPops Shop will be donated to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

Thankyou so much to the two lovely generous girls who made purchases today.

Head on over to check out the Handmade Help blog (thanks Cindy & Pip) for lots of crafty auctions and ways to help....

I also forgot to mention yesterday that if you have books that can be donated, Juddie is organising a collection. Head on over to Flightless Boyds or email - juddie1 (at) optusnet (dot) com (au)

The Toy Society is also still collecting handmade toys.... so keep sewing and stuffing!

Head on over to Nikki's You Sew Girl blog for details of her sewing bee this (EDIT) Saturday. It's a lovely way to get together with like minded people for a lovely day out, while helping at the same time.

Eye Spy....something delicious

Eye Spy some delicious scones (made by Liesl) that I bought home from yesterdays Thornbury Craft Bonanza at Amitie....

I haven't felt much like blogging today. I spent the day packing linen and kitchen items, with Sky News on in the background, updating the Victorian Bushfire crisis minute by minute. It's now 9.20 PM, and the latest news is that 76 people have lost their lives, and there are still more missing.

Apparently, the best way to help is to send a donation of money, or to donate blood (as there are many burns victims who will desperately need it over the next few weeks). The Red Cross Bushfire Appeal information can be found here, and you can find out how to donate blood here.

As I was packing boxes in the afternoon, there was a woosh of wind in the tree outside the kitchen door and then a big thump. This poor little Mama possum had fallen out of the tree and landed on my concrete patio. She was still alive and had a little baby in her pouch who was sucking away trying to get some milk.

I tried calling all of the wildlife rescue services, but I'm sure that they have been inundated with the bushfires, so I called the local Vet hospital instead. I packed her up in a box and took her along to the hospital. The vet was going to have a look at her and then call someone who looks after native wildlife.

Apparently, she was the fourth possum taken to their hospital today.....