Giveaway time - Lovely Ruffled Scarf

Gorgeous scarf to be won!!!

I must say I have loved crocheting this beautiful scarf, it feels very Victorian/Steampunk to me and it could be part of your ensemble this winter!  Its made from a soft acrylic wool in a warm sophisticated grey.

To be in the running to win all you need to do is one or for multiple entries as many as like of the following. Please leave a seperate comment for each thing you do.

• Follow this blog (if you don't have a blog profile please leave your email addy)
• Become a Facebook fan 
• Visit my shop and post your favourite item here
• Tweet this giveaway.  Leave your tweet here
• Blog this giveaway.  Leave your Blog link here.

Entries will close on Mother's Day (May 9th) so you could be getting a lovely surprise come Mother's day.  Winners will be chosen by our lovely random number generator

This giveaway is open to everybody so international visitors feel free to enter. :)

Peppermint Magazine and the DUST team Ad

DUST is the acronym for Down Under Street Team a contingent of around 500 Australian Etsians.  Recently due to the hard work of some of our dedicated members we have scored a grant to advertise DUST in a national magazine.  There has been much excited forum chatter and a great deal of sprucing up around the DUST site and our respective shops all in readiness  to launch DUST to the Aussie public.

The fantastic culture and lifestyle magazine Peppermint will be running an ad featuring a few team members products and a link to a specially constructed DUST team promo page and .....oh I can barely contain the excitement.  I'm going to be featured in that Ad....wheeeeeeeee.

Based on a member poll my 'A Gothic Tale' journal and stationery set was voted No 1 in the vintage/recycled category!! I am so thankful to my team who nominated me, it was so touching, overwhelming and a huge buzz all at the same time.  It also confirmed my slightly nervous decision to branch out and go with my eclectic instincts by adding the recycled vintage books line to my shop.

I am excited to be amongst my other nominated fellow team mates so many deserving entries, made my picks really hard thats for sure.  They are such a talented bunch and so lovely to boot.  My local Borders shop will be inundated by friends and family come the next Peppermint issue which is expected May- June.   I've never read a Peppermint magazine before but I'm already in love with it.  It's ethos of eco friendly and green ticks all my boxes and I was happily surprised to find I knew many of the featured artists through my time at DUST so big shout our to our talented DUST members.

And now for the winners....

This is just my version from Etsy poster Sketch the real ad will look way cooler.  The above are all the winners in each section.... Congratulations everyone!   OK will now have to do a serious makeover on my shop before the guests arrive :)

Twas brillig!

                                                                                                             

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
  The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!                
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
  The frumious Bandersnatch!"

Ok went to see Alice in Wonderland and this is what I found there.....

Great movie, really enjoyed it but was left a little wanting... I love Jabberwock even the Monty Python animation.  Such glorious words by Lewis Carroll you can almost believe they are real.  I don't want to give away the story line to Alice for those who have not yet seen it but the poem is central to the story so it's quite mad!

Beautiful art direction and costumes (drool).  Not totally satisfied with the character development however my favourite character was the Red Queen... a bulbously BIG hats off to Helena Bonham-Carter.  I would see it again if only for all the eye candy it's really gorgeous.

In line with the movie I want to.... "Investigate today things that begin with the letter M"

1. Maps your Journey - by Terror Dome  2. M cutout - by Tamara Designs   3. Miniature Bunnies - by Julie Blanchette
4. Mittens - by Melp Designs  5. Medieval Heart Brooch - by Tractor Girl 6. Mini Monster no 5 - by Ben Conservato



Things that make you go Mmmmmmmm!  As we are coming into the cooler months I recommend you check out Melp Designs.  The gloves and ankle warmers are fantastic and all of Mels designs are eco conscious...love it.

Well I did enjoy my adventure to Wonderland and the 'Hubby' was suitably impressed as well, though possibly not enough gratutitous violence for him to say he 'loved it'.

On the Etsy front I have not created a thing in over 2 weeks but there are many projects simmering away on the backburner.  I've been away at a conference in Sydney and some of the things I learned there are inspiring me to try and lend my craft to more causes than just micro enterprises for developing countries but I wont divulge more until they solidify.  Needless to say we can and must do something to help bring relief to suffering humanity I am hoping to use what I have in my hands and I would like to encourage you to use what you have in yours too.

                                                   

Curiouser and Curiouser...

Ok so Alice in Wonderland has just been released in the cinemas and I for one am really excited about going..and then going again.. and then watching the DVD and finally getting said DVD for Christmas.


Not only is it one of my favourite childhood stories and oft quoted by me it also is directed by Tim Burton, master of the visual feast and stars the incomparable Jonny Depp.  Need I say more?


The Etsy community local and global are inspired this month by Alice and her curious adventures in Wonderland.   The DUST theme for this month is the March Hare so check out the the AIW themed goodies on sale.


I have picked a couple of items to feature

Nothing but a Pack of Cards - Alice spoon pendant

Del from DELicious designs has a whole range of these lovely pendants be sure to check out her shop to see them all.

DUST March Sale - Alice In Wonderland Inspired Bookmarks

Tiges and Weince have a set of bookmarks that would make great thank you gifts.  There are also lots of gorgeous Toddlers and Bubs  accessories to drool over.

Finally I add a couple of my own creations. Hand sewn felt brooches that popped into my head one night and had to be created immediately.  I made a couple of samples before I was happy.

I Heart White Rabbit Brooch - Alice in Wonderland handmade felt Brooch

A Grin Without a Cat Brooch - Cheshire Cat Handmade Felt Brooch

Lewis Carroll wrote one of the Children's classics of all time and I am certain it will be enjoyed for generations to come.   Now to see about booking a couple of tickets to the movie!!!

The joy of Treasuries and Front Pages.

I love logging in to my shop and discovering that over night people having been giving it lots of love.  Thanks to that nifty little site Craft Cult I found the source of all the love, this gorgeous treasury by Brandy Fisher which made the front page.

You can get a better look at it here.

I had a look at Brandy's shop and she is a re-purposer and recycler like myself using a fusion of new and recycled/repurposed  materials to make gorgeous jewelry and paper goods.

These are just 2 of the great finds in Brandy's shop.  She also does lovely paper tags and really unusual Christmas ornaments.

Take a moment to browse through Brandy Fisher I think it's a great little Etsy shop.

                                Repurposed Bingo Magnets - Set of 5

Recycled Papier Mache Tangerine Vintage Circles Necklace

Feeling the Love...

What a great week!  Received a lovely convo this week from Amanda of Calico and Co to let me know she had featured my Love Cards in her Blog.

 Calico and Co is described as an Indie and Handmade blog featuring a treasure trove of independent Artists, Designers, Crafters, Photographers and more..
I spent a little time reading through her Blog and found so many interesting artisans, some of which also work with an ethic close to my heart. the eco friendly handmade craft.  Amanda is a graphic designer herself which shows in the crisp and clean layout and engaging photos.

You can also find her on Etsy at Amanda Fuller Designs however she is vacation mode at the moment.  Why not give her some Bloggy love as she is a true champion of the Independent Handmade movement.


This feature contains quite a few Aussie DUSTers


More BLOGGY Love.... Yet another lovely convo from Violet of Artshus letting me know I had been included in her recent showcase of Aussie Etsians.  Violet should go into marketing she makes everyone sound fantastic!!!   This Blog is a feast for the eyes and the ears as you also get to listen to her great taste in music. C'est tres chic.

Now for anyone with a shoe fetish (guilty as charged) Violet has an amazing collection of shoe themed art and craft in her Etsy shop Artshus by Violet,  being a Bag Lady as well..I think this is my fave item

Black and Red Patent Artshu Canvas Bag

Violet is a talented lady and has another shop Paris Accent which is full of ooh la la fabulous tags and gift cards.  I have to say I was torn between these 2 lovely tags.

Oh so chic and romantic the Paris mannequin and roses and the Paris Cafe Sillouette Tags 


I hope you take the time to visit these wonderful generous spirited blogs.  To take a quote from one of Amanda's featured artists  Green Olive Design  "A handmade object is infused with the love and energy of the maker. Handmade has a story."  Amanda and Violet are tellers of the story and I am very grateful that they have taken the time to tell a little of my story.  For the week leading up to Valentines Day I have felt the Love and I gotta tell you... it feels real good. :)

Wuv, twoo wuv... and all that womance stuff

Princess Bride is my favourite movie so forgive my badly spelled title.   I first saw Princess Bride the night before our 1st child was born (which was actually only a few hours since he arrived in the wee hours).  This might have something to do with my strong attachment to the movie since I was quietly laboring all the way through it....you know those slightly longer and more uncomfortable "Braxton Hicks" thingys which I had been ignoring.
When anyone mentions the word Love my head immediately goes to that line in the movie.. sad but true, or should I say twoo!

With all things romance heating up this month I have added a couple of my favourite LOVE inspired items found on Etsy.   Mind you this was not an exhaustive search as there are about a billion 'valentine' items to choose from.

At the moment I have been inspired by the Victorian, Goth, Steampunk movement...everything old is new again. Have a browse through the stores featured in this mini, I know you will find something you WUV just like I have.