Mid Month Mutterings (Feb '09)

More ramblings from the keyboard of yours truly

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Firstly, I must mention this: Because of my blogging habit I am much more aware than I perhaps otherwise would be, of the subject and extent of the horrendous bush fires in Australia this month. I read lots of Aussie blogs, and those bloggers have all been complaining of the recent extreme heat over there, so I knew the country was pretty 'dry'.

Not being a country well-endowed with 'bush', we in the UK don't witness the phenomenon of 'bush fire' so can only imagine how terrifying it must be to have one's home under threat, or consumed by an advancing wall of fire. There is an appeal being co-ordinated by the Australian Red Cross to aid those affected by the fires, and now the British Red Cross has launched it's own appeal (just click over to either place if you'd like to help). The Wrinklets and I watched some reports on the news, and both those lovely children asked if they could send some of their pocket money, bless them. For those of a crafty persuasion, The Toy Society is organising the gifting of soft toys to those in need. Over at Beyond Pink and Blue, a lovely project called Rainbow Comfort Packs has been set up. It's another way to help, for those who are so inclined.

The sublimely bonkers but wonderful blogger known as Mrs Trash is organising a raffle of handmade 'stuff', and one of the prizes will be a sock monkey made by moi. Please click over to Trashy's place and help her raise a whole lot of dosh for the people of her homeland. People who have lost everything. Whole towns have been burned to the ground - it really doesn't bear thinking about. The fact that some of these fires have been started deliberately beggars belief. Why? Why? Why? would someone do something like that? :-(

My thoughts are with the people affected, and their loved ones.

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On an altogether less shocking note, this month started on an uplifting note for me personally, when I got a parcel from Ginny of The Flour Loft. She has wound up her blog, and as a last 'goodbye' ran a giveaway. The Flour Loft was one of the first blogs I ever 'found' and got brave enough on which to comment, over 18 months ago. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I was lucky enough to win the giveaway. My goodness me, I received a bumper bundle:

Two beautiful flower brooches made from recycled fabric; three sets of ceramic buttons - one of flowers, one of hearts, and one of footballs. I shall, at some point, be making something special to warrant the use of those! A really gorgeous handmade card, and not one, not two, but three bars of Milky Bar! :-D But there's more ... those lovelies were all packed inside a bigger lovely ... look at this!:

Isn't it wonderful? A handmade bag with the prettiest appliqué in velvet, and embellished with beads. I was really touched by Ginny's generosity, but very pleased to have something bearing her (and Alice's) 'stamp' of style. I bought their book 'Sew Fabulous' at Christmas, so now I have plenty of 'Alice & Ginny' stuff, including the directions on how to make some of my own. Thank you so much Ginny - x - it was very kind of you. I am glad we will still see you in Blogland via your photos at Sweet Myrtle, and hope that one day you will resurrect your craft blog. In the meantime, I wish you and Alice all the best for the future success of your business (and books).

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Now, I got tagged by the lovely Trish of Menopausal Stoners to post the 4th picture from the 4th folder in my Pictures on the poota. OK then, here you go:

Georgie-cat when she was Georgie-kitten. She's like all cats in trying to get into any box or bowl, even if it's teeny-tiny and plainly too small for her. In this instance she was only around 14 weeks old (that would make it the summer of 2005) so the bowl wasn't too small for her. I'm glad I had the camera to hand because the photo makes me smile.

Thanks for tagging me Trish - x. If any of you don't know Trish's blog, go and visit her. She writes beautifully on life, work, family and especially on the subject of men. I learn loads from reading her posts.

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This month was the one of Katy's FQ Swap. My swap partner was Emma at Bagladee - which suited me just fine as I know her blog well, and therefore know she is as addicted to fabric as I am. We decided we would both send our parcels on the same day; we also decided that as we are well blessed in the fabric department(s) we would send 4 fat quarters each instead of the 2 Katy suggested in her guidelines for the swap. My parcel arrived very early one morning. "Can I open it?" asked No.2. "No you can't ... it's fabric for me" I said. So after the school run, I had the pleasure of opening my package and finding this lot inside:

Did you see? Did you? Fabric with sock monkeys on it! How brilliant is that?! Along with the delicious fabric, Emma sent a pretty card, some really nice ribbons, some sweeties for the kids and some wonderful buttons. Buttons with spots and checks on! Thank you so much Emma - x - I love the contents of my swap parcel.

Emma had said she loved 'happy brights and dots' so I rummaged through my stash and found her some very bright brights, along with some dots. I also sent some heart ribbons, and a brooch:

I'd like to say a very big Thank You! too to Katy - x - for organising the whole swappage, it was a good one.

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As I was chopping carrots the other night, I wondered - do you, dear reader, chop the ends off before you peel (assuming you peel at all)? Or after? I generally chop before peeling, but is there merit in peeling before one chops? And how do you chop them? In rounds or lengthways? Perhaps diagonally for a change? (Can you imagine how tiring it would be to be encumbered with a brain like mine?!)

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I'll leave you with a photo I took of a morning sky at the start of this month just before the snow arrived. I especially love the graduations in colour:

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