Thursday, February 26, 2009

Being busy makes me dizzy

Actually the dizziness is more likely attributed to the alcohol I imbide to cope with the stress of being busy.

What I've been up to:
-Sold fundraiser items last saturday at a Comedy Benefit for Whittlesea animal sanctuary and raised $90 for the furries and feathery.

-Etsy goodies for the bushfire appeal which need to be sent to Norway and England respectively

-Polka Dot Rabbit was featured in The Age and as a consequence I have a zillion orders of my cassette wallets. Here's some works in progress:


-My day job is extremely busy with staff shortages and heavy case load. The last thing I feel like doing when I get home is crafting as I am so tired. It's difficult combining a day job and small business on the side.

I know alot of crafters don't really talk about this. We are meant to be doing it all 'for the love of it'. But it can be extremely hard when it becomes a little overwhelming. You just have to take a deep breathe and keep going as well as you can. It also makes relationships difficult. I've missed alot of social events lately as I am at home working on orders after work and on weekends and my husband calls me a 'craft widow'. This makes me feel quite lonely. I love being creative but I don't want to be a one woman sweat shop.

Things I would like today if I could be and do anything:

And of course, the company of my lovely husband....

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Teapots are very cool....

I've made various references to tea pots over my blogging adventures. Although I am (I must shamefully confess) a chronic tea maker of the tea bag variety, I have always adored tea pots, especially my treasured Clarice Cliff pale yellow pot. I was having a look on the internet for tea inspiration and here's some of my favourites:


















Yay for tea!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Book cover art!

To be honest, I am often more interested in the back text of books than the front cover. But I find these retro style artist depictions of Harry Potter simply charming!


They are designed by M.S Corley who also has depicted a variety of book covers. I'm also quite enchanted by this creative collective's collection of favoured book covers. Here's a few of my favourites:













Very nice, don't you think?

Shrove Tuesday ala Pancake Day!



I like pancakes, but I rarely eat them for breakfast. I'm talking *real* homemade pancakes, not something that comes from the supermarket to be popped in a toaster.I found this yummy recipe for ricotta pancakes which would be good for those of us who need a bit more protein in the morning. I think some almonds on top would be good also...

Some amusing pancake pics:

Sexy pancakes:


Chocolate overload:



One handed pancakes:


Spam cakes (eerrr ok)
Cleverly shaped pancakes:
And for the true fanatic:
YUM!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The most dangerous cake in the world!

The 5-Minute Chocolate Mug Cake (From threethousand.com.au)


THE 5-MINUTE CHOCOLATE, MUG CAKE by Vexta

4 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa

1 egg

3 tablespoons milk

3 tablespoons oil

3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

1 small splash of vanilla extract

1 large coffee mug

Directions:
Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well.

Add the egg and mix thoroughly.

Pour in the milk and oil and mix well.

Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little and tip out onto a plate if desired.EAT! (this can serve two if you want to feel slightly more virtuous).

And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only five minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night

Things of beauty






Shoes by Åsa Jungnelius, glass artist






Tea Hankerchief by Miho Kanek0








Places I would like to live (from French Marie Claire)





Cloth cups from Bobilina

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Fundraising for fire victims...


A huge thankyou to everyone who visited my stall at Craft hatch on saturday. I raised $160 for Wildlife Victoria through sales which is very exciting.


I'm a stall holder at a benefit this weekend with all proceeds going to the CFA (Country Fire Authority). Check it out here or below...


Sunday, February 22, 2009
5:00pm - 9:00pm

Bella Union & New Ballroom
Trades Hall, corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets, Carlton
Phone:
0396505699
info@bellaunion.com.au

In the aftermath of Victoria's worst fire season, folks are gathering at Trades Hall to raise funds to support the vital work of CFA Victoria.

Show your support alongside Scott Edgar & Simon Hall (Tripod), Lawrence Leung, Die Roten Punkte, Justin Hamilton, Geraldine Hickey, Kate McLennan, Casey Bennetto, Celia Pacquola, Courteney Hocking, Andrea Powell, Sam Simmons, Matt Kenneally, Geraldine Quinn, Oliver Clark, Aurora Kurth, the entire cast of Spontaneous Broadway (Julia Zemiro, Russell Fletcher, Genevieve Morris, Geoff Paine, Ross Daniels & John Thorn) and more.

And let's not forget to mention that we've got a Cake and Craft Sale, Silent Auctions, Raffles and Biscuit Readings.

Friday, February 13, 2009

From a Canberra bushfire survivor...

How to help
LIZ TILLEY (featured in The Examiner 12/2)

A Victorian bushfire victim surveys the damage.
A Victorian bushfire victim surveys the damage.

Canberra woman Liz Tilley and her husband John Flannery and children Patrick, now 13, Conor, now 11, and Rosie, now eight, lost their home in Warragamba Avenue, Duffy, in the January 2003 firestorm. They moved back into their rebuilt home in August 2004. She has penned the following "tips", based on her experiences.

As a survivor of the January 2003 firestorm in Canberra, my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, homes, pets, and a lifetime of memories in the tragic Victorian fires.

As I sit watching TV news coverage, with my heart racing and my body shaking slightly as I remember the fear, the flames, the heat, the smoke and the knowledge that I would probably not get out alive; I also remember in the days, weeks and months after the fires what support we needed and valued.

The victims of the Victorian fires are coping with the loss of homes, possession, pets and property as well as trying to cope with immense grief.

A great relief effort is one that is based on the experiences of previous disaster situations, and yet, after the Canberra bushfires, we were so often ‘re-inventing the wheel’.

I just can’t bear to see those victims in Victoria not benefit from what we learned in Canberra.

While the aid agencies will swing into action, and do what they do best, and the State and Federal government put their disaster planning into action, how can the Australian public, and the Victorian Relief Effort, help in the best way possible?

What the surviving victims need, both in terms of donations, and physical and emotional support comes will come in phases. Of course, the first weeks after the fire, in the immediate post trauma phase, these needs will be different from what they will need in six, 12 months or two years time.

So, for what it’s worth, here are my tips for a "great" relief:

Notes to the general public

Donate cash. Every little bit counts. If every person in Australia donated just five dollars, imagine what a difference it would make.

Basic essentials. Please only donate things that are new or of good quality. Don’t slow down the relief effort by having the team receiving the donations in Victoria have to sort through linen, clothing or manchester that is soiled, torn, buttons missing or otherwise damaged in any way. Better to donate one item that is new or in good condition rather than several things that you don’t wear anymore because they’re too out of fashion, have broken zips or are stained. Similarly with bed linen, towels, blankets etc, only donate what is good quality or new.

Think of all the things you need every day—pyjamas, toothbrush, toothpaste, face washer, soap, toiletries bag, deodorant, hairbrush, comb, shampoo, clothes suitable for work, casual clothes, belt, shoes, socks, watch, hair ties, wallet, handbag, keyring, hat, sunscreen, etc. These people have nothing. While they will receive immediate assistance in the form of cash and gift vouchers from charitable organisations for major retail outlets, I remember that every day there was something I needed and didn’t have. Within the first few days we needed notepads and pens just to deal with the paperwork and the insurance company.

Needs change over time, as people move into temporary accommodation they will need cooking utensils, pots, pans, plates, cups, bowls, kitchen knives, furniture, TVs, beds….the list is endless.

Cold weather will come in another month or two and winter clothes will be needed at this time – warm tops, coats, hats and scarves. Blankets, electric blankets and heaters will also be needed. I distinctly remember the day the weather suddenly turned cold in Canberra and no-one in the family had a warm top to wear.

Kits

If you’re thinking of what else to give, put together a first aid kit for the home, or an office kit (containing sticky tape, scissors, notepads, pens, stapler etc), or a toiletry bag (with toothpaste, toothbrush, nail scissors, shampoo, etc), or a make-up kit with make-up, eye make-up remover, lip gloss, mascara etc), or a hair care kit for a child with a brush, hair ties etc, or a sports kit for a child (drink bottle, hat, lunchbox, sunscreen, soccer ball), a kitchen kit (mixing bowls, cookbooks, cooking utensils, a good sharp knife, etc,), a tool kit (hammer, nails, screwdrivers, hacksaw etc) – these will be much appreciated.

Make something. Some of our most treasured items are the ones that were made, with love, by complete strangers. The quilt that was one of the hundreds that arrived from all over Australia, the hand-knitted rugs that my children like to snuggle under in winter. If you make jewellery, make a few pairs of earrings or a necklace. If you make toys, make something for the children who have lost theirs. If you knit, make a winter scarf. If you sew, make some table placemats or a beautiful table runner. If you’re an artist, paint a picture or frame a drawing.

I still find it incredibly moving that people cared enough to put time and love into making something that has now become a new family treasure for us.

Grow something. Those that remain, and those that decide to rebuild, face a blackened, denuded landscape. If you live in within reasonable distance of the bushfire area, pot some some seedlings and start growing some vegetation to help rejuvenate the gardens that were lost. Contact your local nursery, land care or conservation group to see what vegetation is drought resistant and/or native to the area. In Canberra, a very successful Garden Regeneration Scheme was set-up by volunteers and in the two-year period after the fires, they helped many, many people re-landscape their gardens. To see green, to see new growth, when we returned to our rebuilt home, was not only beautiful but gave us hope that we too could recover.

Kids. My three children were young at the time of the fires, so I remember well how grateful I was when we received toys, colouring-in books, pencils and textas, craft items, DVDs, books to read and pushbikes.

Friends and acquaintances. If you know personally know someone who was affected, every little gesture of help and support helps. Bake some biscuits or a meal and drop it around to them, offer to put their washing on the line, offer to do their supermarket shopping, offer to mind their kids. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and so busy answering phone calls and organising basic survival that I simply didn’t have time or energy to cook meals, wash, clean and do all the other things that keep a family going—this went on for months.

This help will be invaluable in coming weeks and months.

Notes to Victorian Disaster Relief Organisers

Counselling

Don’t sit the counsellors in a room at the recovery centres where people have to go to them. These victims are in shock and running on adrenalin. The women will usually talk about it, the men won’t. Men seldom seek out emotional assistance or counselling. Often the men will hold it all inside and release it in anger or violence a few days, weeks, months or years down the track. Years on from the fires, women were saying that their husbands “didn’t talk about it” and were withdrawn or showing signs of depression.

Put the counsellors and social workers in the field. Get them to go and help the men sort through the burnt out remainders of their homes. Get them to go to the pubs and clubs where the men are congregating. Get them to be there when the bulldozers move in to flatten what little remains of people’s homes. Often people just want someone to listen and to tell them that what they are experiencing is ‘normal’ under the circumstances.

Get the social workers to be there to act as advocates when victims have to deal with public servants, banks, and government officials in the next few weeks. Some of the victims will have literally lost their identities – they will have no wallet, no identification, no bank details. They will have to deal with insurance companies and government agencies. People working in these institutions don’t have training as social workers, and often are under increased stress themselves. I can’t tell you the number of victims who were coping pretty well up until they had to deal with a bank or other institution who were either obstructive or unable to assist because ‘our computer system won’t let me’.

Buddy system

Our children’s school (Orana School for Rudolf Steiner Education) instituted a ‘buddy system’ for the families from school that lost their homes. This was a fantastic system that could be adapted for use in any disaster situation. Hundreds of people were phoning, dropping into our temporary accommodation and offering help, but it was so overwhelming. People kept asking “What do you need” and it was very hard to say “Everything”. Our buddy removed this stress so that when people asked “what do you need?” or “What can I do?”, we referred them to our buddy. She had a huge list and would determine if we needed towels, cutlery, an ironing board, a fridge—and let people chose what they wanted to donate or buy. My husband rented an empty house and then went up to Sydney to collect the me and the three children. When we returned to Canberra four days later, we returned to a fully set-up house complete with beds, lounges, toys for the kids, bed linen, towels—to the level of detail of waste paper baskets, scissors in the drawers and pot plants. I find it hard to express our deep gratitude for this amazing coordination of assistance.

Women's networks

As well as dealing with trauma, pain and grief, women have to look after the needs of their family. This can mean they put their own needs last.

My greatest sources of support and friendship was a small group of women bound by the fact that our children all attended the same school and we all lost our homes. We started meeting for coffee a few weeks after the fires and, six years on, we still meet regularly for lunch. We call ourselves The Singed (as in “slightly burnt”) Sisterhood.

I don’t know how I would have got through the last six years without these wonderful women who have now become close friends.

Getting women together in an informal way allows them to support each other and share their stories. In the months to comes, as the victims are spread across the State, they will need avenues in which to come together and discuss what they, and their families, are going through. There is enormous comfort in knowing you are not alone.

Communication

The victims of the fires will be spreading across the State, and in some cases interstate, to stay with relatives and friends. It is vital that all victims stay connected to the network of aid that will be coming their way in the following weeks, months and years.

While I know a database of victims is currently being compiled, it is imperative that this database is updated as victims move from temporary accommodation into rental accommodation and then decide to either rebuild, buy or rent indefinitely.

Wonderful companies will donate goods and services, or offer wholesale or discounted goods. In the next 12 months to two years, as victims decide to rebuild, buy another home or rent, they will need to access these.

People who move interstate will not have access to the assistance and counselling on offer – they need to be tracked and supported. A friend of mine really struggled as she moved to Sydney and did not have anyone to talk with who had gone through the experience, she also missed out on most of the donations, assistance and counselling available in the period after the fires.

Often, those that had immediate help, staying in fully-furnished homes, or with friends or family for extended periods, miss out on some assistance in the immediate phase because they don’t need it, however this puts them at a disadvantage further down the track in a few months time, when this accommodation ceases and they then have to begin again with nothing. The aid will need to be ongoing.

Not everyone will have access to a computer, certainly not in the first few weeks, or even months. Post information to people – mail can be forwarded or passed on.

Shopping centres. Everyone needs to shop – particularly if you’ve lost everything. Distribute newsletters updating victims and survivors on what is happening and what help they can access via shopping centres around the State. Libraries, government offices, community centres, cultural and religious centres can also distribute the newsletters.

These newsletters can also inform members of the public how they can help.

Mobile phone bills

Most of us faced enormous mobile phone bills after the fires. In the weeks and months after the fires, our mobiles were our lifeline—to friends, family, work, the insurance company, to everything. In the weeks after the fires, I used my mobile more than I ever have in my life. In the months after the fires, when we were already under huge stress, we had to pay huge mobile phone bills.

At the time of the Canberra fires, I was not aware of any mobile phone providers who took this into consideration by negating or reducing mobile phone bills for victims (I would love to be proved wrong on this).

Survivors

Consider the survivors, who did not lose their homes so have to return to a devastated community. Please don’t keep saying to them “Well, at least you didn’t lose your house”. They are going through such mixed emotions after losing friends and neighbours, that they may have mixed emotions about being ‘spared’.

They have to return to the devastated landscape and try and rebuild their lives. Their children will play in ash and dirt, the amount of dust and debri flying through the air is unbelievable. They will spend the next year or so cleaning constantly and yet everything will still remain covered in a layer of fine ash and dust. They won’t be able to hang clothes on the line because they come in dirtier than when they went out. These seem like insignificant things, but when these things happen after a tragedy such as this, when you’ve lost friends and neighbours,and your support networks have gone, they make a very traumatic situation even more stressful. In the weeks to come, donations of play equipment, sandpits, soil, plants and trees will be much needed and appreciated.

Asbestos

Some of the homes burnt may contain asbestos. Asbestos fibres explode under intense heat. If the home was built before 1984 it is likely some asbestos would be in the wet areas (bathrooms and laundries and some kitchens) and the eaves. If these sheets have been broken up, small amounts of asbestos fibre would have been released. While some asbestos is present in some of the dust and ash from destroyed homes, the levels are not high and the large size of the asbestos fibres released from asbestos sheets means there is only a very low risk of it causing disease. (refer to www.health.act.gov.au and put in ‘asbestos’ under search)

So, the risk IS low, but there is still some risk. So reduce this risk, and the risk of dust inhalation, by providing dust masks with filters and sturdy gloves to those who want to sort through the burnt remains of their homes and belongings.

Note to the Victims

Learn to receive

Most of us are great at giving help, but many people find it difficult to accept help. Take the help when it is offered and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. For many people it can be incredibly hard to do this. While at the moment you have no choice but to accept help, it may be hard to keep accepting help months and years down the track. But you need to allow family, friends, and the wider community to give. It will make you stronger and, years from now, will be an incredible insight into what others need in times of trauma—because you’ve been there and you understand. The only way you can truly learn to help others is by accepting help yourself when you need it.

Community

When a disaster strikes, we are reminded of the amazing generosity, kindness and compassion of others. Humans have an incredible capacity to help others in times of need. I am forever grateful to the friends, relatives, work colleagues, acquaintances and strangers who did what they could to help us in the weeks, months and years after the fires.

No matter how small the gesture, it was appreciated. One friend gave me her copy of a cookbook she knew I used all the time and I bless her every time I open that book to thumb its familiar pages. A woman who worked with my husband knew that he had bought me some pearl earrings as a present before the fires, so she gave me her favourite pearl earrings as a gift, and I bless her every time I wear them. Another friend’s son gave my son his cricket bat and ball, and I bless him every time I see the boys playing outside. A friend and former work colleague of my husband’s donated furniture, a TV and cooking utensils, and I bless her every day.

At times, despite everything, I felt buoyed by the support of all these people, by knowing they cared. And now, six years on, I still feel an enormous faith in the human spirit, our ability to survive, and the compassion and generosity we can offer each other.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Crafty Fundraiser and more ways to help




I'm doing another craft stall with Craft Victoria's, Craft Hatch ( new and emerging designers) this Saturday.
Polka Dot Rabbit
City Library, 253 Degraves St Melbourne.
11am-4pm
All money I make will be donated to Wildlife Victoria and Red Cross.
I think we're all feeling quite helpless, and I just wanted to do something, albeit small...
________________
And from my mate Clem:
Hi all, I'm organising a collection of toiletries, women's sanitary items, disposable razors and shampoo/conditioner (and any other small bathroom/toiletry essentials) to be delivered to the major "base camp" refuges in the fire zone.
The command centres and volunteers have expressed a need for these items and what exists in the shops that remain won't last long as (obviously) there are no deliveries being made. In monetary terms it's not even a drop in the ocean (i.e. $10 for some pads and tampons, or a set of shampoo and conditioner, or some kids' toothbrushes - just pop them in the trolley along with your other groceries) but will make a huge difference to someone who has nothing and needs to restore a bit of humanity and dignity amongst the destruction.
The small relief of something as simple as having a preferred brand of tampon or the ability to have a shave in these circumstances should not be underestimated.
I will be doing a "drop-off"/pick-up at Triple R (corner of Nicholson & Blyth Streets, East Brunswick; end of 96 tram line) on WEDNESDAY of this week, during office hours:
10am to 6pm.
The time and day is non-negotiable but we hope this won't be an obstacle to people's charity!
PLEASE NOTE: we will NOT be able to accept food/perishables, or clothes/blankets. There are other drives doing so including the Salvos and Coles (etc).
What we WILL be glad to accept:
* pads and tampons (and maternity and incontinence pads)
* disposable razors (both "genders") and shave creams
* shampoo and conditioner
* nappies in a variety of sizes (and Pull-Ups, Goodnights etc)
* toothbrushes and toothpaste
* soap* sunscreen* hand sanitizers
* face washers
* toiletry bags (preferably stuffed with all of the above!)
Hope to see some of you there to fill some "Coles bags" for the bushfire victims.
Any questions (or if you'd like to be "on call" to volunteer/sort in case we get swamped - which we hope we do!) shoot me a message or email clembastow[AT]gmail.com with a relevant subject.
Thanks and hope to see a lot of you there on Wednesday x

Monday, February 9, 2009

Australian Bushfires-how you can help

MONEY - Because so many of these places are classified crime scenes only registered care workers, nurses, police etc are able to get in. So even though clothes etc are a good donation, they don't yet have the resources to transport them there yet. So they need money money money. Donate at any Commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ, National, Salvation Army or Red Cross. Salvos and Red Cross are credit card only, all bank branches accept cash.

MOBILE PHONE CHARGERS - people have their phones but no battery life left. There are so many types of phones so many types of chargers are required. If you have any chargers laying around from phones you no longer need, no matter how old or new, please send them to the Salvation Army

BLOOD - not just this week, but over the next few months. Blood donations have a kind of 'used by date' so while it's good to donate now, it needs to be kept up. Call the Red Cross on 131 495.

LAND - not sure many people have land on which to keep horses, but if you do happen to, call 0411 434123. I don't know who this number belongs to, sorry.

BLANKETING - to keep warm, obviously. Please take them to the Salvation Army

ANIMAL ACCOMMODATION - if you have room in your house for a dog, cat, rabbit, horse... phone 9739 0300. Some of these will belong to families in emergency care who can't take their pets with them, others belong to families who have passed away. They won't always know which category they belong to so be prepared to foster indefinitely. If you know anyone with animals that are injured by the way, see if you can get them to Lort Smith, they are treating all animals for free.
-----------------

I'm trying to organise the mobile blood bank to visit the University where I work. We're also organising some fundraisers.

If you'd like to put your craft skills to good use, The Toy Society will be collecting handmade toys over the next couple of weeks to be donated to children impacted by the fires. Many families have nothing but the clothes on their backs. Please email thetoysociety@gmail.com if you're interested.

Friday, February 6, 2009

More thirsty koalas....


You can see more pics here

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Creative fonts are fun...




You can find these fonts (and a few others) here

Life Magazine and Coles Phillips

I've always been a huge fan of Life Magazine and it's beautiful illustrations and photography. In particular the work of artist Coles Phillips. I have quite a few on my computer, and I wanted to share some of them with you.


Isn't his technique amazing?!
The Fadeaway Girl was the particular hallmark of COLES PHILLIPS (1880-1927). Phillips pictured fashionable young women, using the device of tying the figure into the background by either color, value or pattern. This approach produced an intriguing poster-like effect of great simplicity, yet it was based on the most careful preliminary planning of shapes to carry out the illusion of the full figure." From www.illustration-house.com:"

And here's a couple more:

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Some new crafts...

Vintage street directory coasters (custom orders):


Tea towels turned wallets:


Knitting needle bangles:


Tapestry purses ( I made quite a few but they sold before I took the pics):





I keep forgetting to put up pics...