Bandaids for Smiles

I recently found out from a local family that visit the Royal Childrens' Hospital on a regular basis that "Character Band aids" are in short supply.

The RCH is funded for ‘plain’ band-aids but it is noticed that these character band-aids regularly bring a SMILE to a child after an injection or blood transfusion.

It is such a simple and easy gesture.  Many children visit these big hospitals whether just in for a trip to emergency or for a longer stay.

What can you do to help.

If your weekly shopping budget would stretch, could you please buy a packet of Character band-aids.  You can post them to me and I will act as a collection point and deliver them to little Elizabeth.  How great would it be if she was to walk into hospital in a few weeks with a big box worth of smiles for 100's of little friends.

Alternatively, you could do your own collection and deliver them to your own local hospital.  I'm certain that they would all get a kick out of receiving character band aids.

Another idea I thought was if you didn't want to spend the extra money on postage but still wanted to be part of bringing a smile to a little one, let me know and I can give you my paypal details and I will pop down to the shops and buy on your behalf or even just send me a strip of stickers.

I know when Baden had blood taken recently the nurses didn't have any character band aids. They did however have a strip of stickers and we walked out of the hospital with his arm full of them and a big smile on his face for being so brave (it is amazing how quickly he forgot the pain, crying, screaming and kicking that occurred only minutes prior)

Please leave a message on this post if you would like my address or paypal address.  I don't feel overly comfortable putting a street address out there on the world wide web.  I would love to have a collection together by the school holidays (September 21st).

Spread the word (you may link to this post) and lets bring a smile to a little sick one's face.

My Creative Space: tips for staying creative.

My biggest tip would be to just do it.

I am as bad as the next with getting lost in the wonders of the world wide web.  Blogs and then Ravelry and now Pinterest are all lovely to look at, but they are the biggest time wasters and suckers of time.  I love jumping on and seeing all of the lovely creations and ideas, but then feel guilty when I have not managed any actually creating of my own.

I have made a conscious effort over the last few weeks to actually turn off the computer. Hand the iPad over to the kids (or my darling beloved - he is a little hooked on FLOW at the moment) and actually knit.

In the past two weeks I have cast off two beanies, 3 Milo's, a little cardi, one sock for Le boy and the other foot is half way to being warm.  I have also cast on a Colour Affection and am up to the third section. Not a bad effort at all.

My other little secret is to always have a project near by.  I have WIP's all over the place. Under the passenger seat, on the bedside table and on the coffee table.  This week I have been working on the socks.  They have been spotted by the lake.

At the park

I'm hoping to have them on the boy's feet by the end of the weekend as there are a few family members who have put in orders for socks and I'm thinking that they might make good Christmas Gifts.
I'm joing in with Village Voices: Tips for Staying Creative

A trade of skills

You all know how I love knitting.  And if you have been around here for a while you will know of my dislike in sewing anything with a zip in it.

I know that it would just take practise and maybe even patience and I would be able to sew a garment with one it it (I have done it in the past) 

Whilst away in Canberra at SIT, I shared a room with Anna.  She pulled out a skein of wool from her bag that she had bought at Handmade Shop.

It was then and there that we decided on a trade of services.  I like these types of swaps.  I get to do something I love and in return give it to someone who has not got the skills to achieve it themselves.  In return of a little knitted goodness I handed over some material and in return now have a beautiful Anna made Polly Pratt *Wendy dress to add to my red one in the wardrobe.

Anna's cowl can be worn a few different ways.

Twisted and Buttoned up

Crossed over at the front

Buttoned up and allowed to hang and create a V shape at the front

or... If you are feeling really cold, wrap it around your neck.

Anna, I hope that you get lots of wear out of this and that it helps to keep you warm on your way to and from the studio.

 *now to wait until the weather warms up so I can put it on and take a photo of it.

A month...

Sorry about the deafening silence around these parts of late.  We have been busy driving across the county side and then heading up to my family to celebrate a very special milestone for my Grandparents.

We managed a few lovely days in singlets and thongs and time on the beach to fly the kite. Guppy collecting with Grandpa and a stop on the side of a busy highway to show the kids what sugar cane looked like up close.

There has been a little crafting in the past month.  But that can wait till another day.  I'll leave you with a few snaps off of the iPhone from our trip away.

Now home and as luck would have it we have come down with the flu.  Don't know wheather to blame the planes airconditioning or the wonderful 2 weeks of QLD weather that we had. 

A new dress

What is a mother to do when she realises that her daughter has (finally*) had a growth spurt and all her current dresses just cover her bottom.

Hit the sewing machine.  Cut out and sewn up in a day,  Amelia chose the fabric the last time that we were in Spotlight.  She has always looked great in hot pink so who was I to say no.

The pattern is the Cowl Neck Jumper Dress by the talented Heidi and Finn. The pattern comes in sizes 12months - 6 years. Amelia is only a small 6 year old and she is at the very end of the pattern sizing's, but I'm thinking that with a little alteration I should be able to up size it for at least another year or two and we still have two little nieces that will fit the size range for a while.

I have not sewn in months, actually this is the first time I have sewn since our move and the first time I have used my new (to me) Horn Sewing Cabinet.  I think I may be getting my sewjo back finally.

*Now measuring 112cm, she best keep growing before Baden passes her (he currently stands at 111cm)

For more creative spaces head on over to Creative Spaces: Vintage Voices.

{My Creative Space} Owlette

Look at who came home with me after a weekend away.

This cute little owlette.  Designed by the lovely Claire and using a sock, a little felt and material and a stich here and a cross there, it came together before our very eyes. Thanks Claire for you expert advise and tips on all things socky.

I attended SIT with 40 other crafty types for the second time.  Last year I spent most of the time chatting and meeting and not alot of crafting occured.  I am glad that I managed to get something achieved this time.
I had a great time and meet lots of lovely blogging friends and a few new ones. Being in the national Capitol which was once home for us for a few years. I also managed to catch up with a few friends and also gave the girls a quick tour of Canberra on the way to the airport.

Make sure you grab a cuppa and pop over to Vintage Voices and check out what is happening in the crafty blogging world. You may even spot a few more owls.

Another Milo

27 Blue Elephant, dancing around a little Milo

Another little Milo is off the needles and awaiting the arrival of the next baby.
This one will be for my brothers little man (the first in our family to carry on my maiden name into the next generation, as you can imagine we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this little man)

There will be a few more Milo's appearing over the next few weeks.  It appears to be breading season around here at the moment. For more creative posts, take a look over here.