I was going to wait to all the softies were in...

Inspired by the rousing call of Handmade Help and The Toy Society I thought a little impromptu softie making craft night was in need. So the call went out and was answered by an army of 9. With the help of some cake, muffins and tea and some collective skill sharing, our limited individual experience in softie making dissolved and we got stuck in. Most of us had never made one before, some had never really sewn and sure, there were some concerns about terrorising small children with our wonky offerings but made with love was in no doubt.

Et voila - these are but only a few - the others are being finished and perfected and I will take their pixie foto before they catch the plane to Victoria...

And so to the craft posse...

More machines than a sweat shop, scissors akimbo and shut, stashes shared and cut.

Loz's eyesight failing from poor lighting.

Sustenance only an arm's reach away. Check out Suse's muffins!

Enthusiam and bad joke telling. (Not entirely Mrs Smith's fault ... she just always laughs so it just spurs me on on to new heights of bad humour)

and even those recent arrivals being swept up in the momentum - who said they'd come for moral supprt because they couldn't sew. I tell you if we can do it - anyone can! Get into it - Click here.

I think that we hear bad stories so often via the media that we forget that really most people have the biggest hearts. the kindest thoughts and care for all around them. Never have I felt so proud to be part of humankind than now - watching how we pull together to help out others whose lives have been forever changed by the bushfires that have raged through Victoria - it makes me feel inspired - a reminder that little people on mass can make big change. The world really is united in common goals based on love and will shine at the drop of a hat. I have been so sad watching the footage, hearing of former colleagues losing their homes but most teary at how much people give so effortlessly to help people in their dark hours.

Head to Handmade Help for a few avenues to offer a little help. I promise it will make your heart sing and give you a few options to make you feel a little less helpless and a little more connected.

Forget me not...

Loz and Dinny dresses are now hiding out here. So if you happen to be driving down Sandy Bay Road in Hobart, maybe you fancy stopping by number 169 in Sandy Bay, Hobart for a peek.

Happy Australia Day xx

Hope all the Aussie blog reading and writing contingent had a marvellous Australia Day. We spent ours in style with a picnic lunch at the beautiful Cataract Gorge - Gorge-ous! Steve my fine brother-in-law became an Australian Citizen last year (he is from the 'Motherland') - so this was his first Australia Day flying the green and gold. In honour of his new found nationality... he got to cut the Pavlova. We almost revoked his citizenship rights when he pointed out that the pav was from NZ... we had to set him straight by explaining that it is a great Aussie tradition to claim famous kiwis as our own (Crowded House, Russell Crowe and Pharlap)... get with the programme Stevie!After fighting off aggressive pav seeking peacocks we headed for the water. Edie donned her swimmers for a dip in the pool with Uncle Grae Grae...

and I got to finish these thank you cards for my sis and her beau .. you see they got engaged, had a party and now want to send a little thank you card... so I got lino cutting and came up with this...

But now the family from across the Straight have boarded and airplane and jetted back to their real lives in Melbourne. It all feel just a little bit empty in our wonky house...

May grey make your day

Guess what ... I'm an Aunty! I have a nephew. My sister-in-law has baby number one. Many say I can't be trusted in such a position but I did get so excited I made these bibs and a matching blanket. The blanket didn't photograph so well ... but it was backed with fleecy cotton and edged in ric rac and I was pretty darn pleased with myself. The bibs are made small ... for little ones. She said she was over the baby blue thing so when I saw this fabric I thought it may be a winner. I was excited. I made them weeks ago (Loz finished up the bibs) but couldn't put them here in case the secret got out. But they were posted off and now received so all's well.

I do have a thing for grey ... so I was stoked when I found this guy at the Mission Shop. He was sans saucer but I found one which I think was made for him. Complete again.

and continuing on the grey theme ... I was 'commissioned' (that's a posh way of saying 'asked nicely') to make an 'Event Belt'... you know ... somewhere to pop your phone, keys, notebook and pennies when you are on the job but not at your desk. Hope it worked - I was very nervous about it ... but was pretty happy with the result ... just a new spin on my kiddies aprons.

and in light of the pure delight I gleen from witty graffiti, may I leave you with this morsel of food for thought...

Wish the weekend was longer...

Having such a wonderful long weekend. The sisters and brother-in-laws have all crossed Bass Strait and are doing an Australia Day Long weekend in Van Dieman's land. It's all laughter, bbq's, wineries and eating ... oh and tree climbing. Edie is basking in the aunty uncle love fest. Tomorrow it's pavlova. Good times.

Matchy, matchy

Not sure if you remember this dress. The little red dress. The Blythe dress. My favourite dress. The one with the tricycle. Well I don't think I ever got around to showing you it in this colour. I love blue.Anyways. I have had the most gorgeous sun bonnet pattern sitting on my desk for goodness knows how long and staring longingly at me saying 'sew me sister'. I even got all the ribbon and cut them out. I wanted them to be ready for the hobart market but me stitchin' fingers could not move at the pace required. Enter Loz. Saviour of the sewing sisterhood. She took me in hand and ....ta da!

a beautiful matching blue bonnet... and in red and grey ... and one in red and pink coming soon. All for the 'Blythe dresses'.
Then why stop there ... a girl can't be flashing her knickers or nappies - but she can be free to let her hair blow back in the breeze and flash these bloomers! Especially when they have a handprinted tricycle to boot.

Now I am unsure whether I am a matchy matchy kinda girl. But I think I could be swayed ... Anyways... I am in love with the bonnet, it does it's job keeping out that sun ...and Edie keeps it on her wee head so that has got to be a winner. It was even present and accounted for on her first ever pony ride - on Monty, the seasoned campaigner pony!!! She was a natural - even was doing the rocking in the saddle and making the horsey clip clop noise. Come to think of it, she would make a fabulous jockey - I mean she's already light, small so she wouldn't have to spend any time in the sauna and by gum she's as keen as mustard. Look out Damien Oliver!