Beckybean Double Giveaway!!

Just ducking quickly back into Blogland to announce the giveaway I mentioned was coming in the last post (forever ago - I know!!) Things are still crazy, busy and happy around these parts, and I am hoping to get time to get things a bit more updated in a couple of weeks.

But for now, Jade and I are celebrating the launch of a new retail outlet in West End (Brisbane, Australia) that will be stocking our Eco Market Totes. The very lovely Michelle (yes, she of Pedrosprout fame) has opened her very own shop call Nook, which is a treasure trove of quirky, handmade goodness - much of it eco too!


So to win the Eco Market Tote pictured above, simply leave a comment here, and then pop over to Jade's blog for a chance to win another Eco Market Tote there too! This tote is made from recycled fabrics, with a panel of hand screenprinted fabric by Hollabee, and two handmade wooden buttons (one on the front and one on the strap) that have been made by our Dad from recycled redgum offcuts. There is a handy pocket on the inside too.

And of course, if you're in Brisbane, head on over to Nook for a unique shopping experience. You can even grab a coffee and some tasty treats from one of the cafes in the street and make a nice afternoon of it :)

That's it folks. Short and sweet. Will be back on Monday 24th August to draw a winner, and try and get back into the ol' blog saddle. If I'm lucky I might get back on before then. But I'm not holding my breath....

Speaking of breath...time to draw a deep one and dive back into the crazy family madness that is birthdays, holidays and full-on family fun. I'll leave you with a few images of what we've been up to lately :)

Take care all XXX Bec

Productive

I have actually been pretty productive lately. I have a whole heap of new bags that I can't show yet because I still haven't taken photos of them, but I do have photos of a little gift pack I sent off recently to my Sister-in-law and Brother-in-law and their new little baby Angus. I really wanted to try and do a completely handmade pack of goodies to send them. Unfortunately with illness hitting the household at the time of the birth, it took me a little longer to finish everything, but I got there eventually. The pack included:

* reversible bibs for little Angus - made with a mixture of reclaimed vintage and new japanese fabrics.
* cloth ball rattle - pattern found here. It was so super easy, and lots of fun (although I used felt for the circles on the end, which made it even easier!). I can't remember where I got the idea of using a cat toy for the rattle bit inside (i'm sure I read about it on a craft blog somewhere), but it worked a treat.
* casual market tote - just a little pressie for the new mum, whose favourite colour is purple (fabrics used are reclaimed purple linen, reclaimed wool fabric, and new Hollabee linen/cotton blend fabric with hand screenprinted rubine swirls. Strap was a recycled fabric belt, with vintage buttons for detail).

(reverse side of bibs)
OK, so this is one short post (for me!). Look out everyone. I'm on fire!!!

It's not a wedgie dahrling, it's art!

I've had a long couple of days. Two kids down with fevers and a very work-stressed husband. I tried to grab a few minutes for myself when I attempted to do the photos of some new bags for my Etsy shop. I'd had the bags made for days, but just couldn't find time to photograph them.


I finally did it, and that night I got ready to upload them. And realised that all the photos of me holding the bags look like I'm trying to pull a wedgie out of my bum. Noice.


I looked at them. I sighed. And I thought "oh bugger it" and uploaded them anyway.


And then I found my sense of humour and decided to make the wedgie shots the main display photos. And I also made them my featured items. Because that's about where I am right now - what the hell, here look at me picking a wedgie. I just don't care anymore.


For the record, I actually have my hand in my back pocket.

For some reason, I thought it might look hip!


Apparently not...



Ok, so just to make sure you don't all go to bed tonight and have wedgie nightmares, here's a sweet chaser.


I made this last Sunday morning, just an hour before we had to go to a birthday party for a four year old. All reclaimed fabrics except for the giant ric rac - super quick and easy, and quite satisfying.


The brooch was a little something I'd prepared earlier (as in about 6 months ago) and seemed to add a little festivity to the number. Kate thought it was great - a twirly pink and purple polka-dotty party skirt. What more could a two year old want? Actually, what she did want - and insist upon - was pants to wear under the skirt. We finally agreed on some footless tights. Maybe she was worried about wedgies.......

Edited to add - I just realised I am wearing my "Isn't Life Great" t-shirt in all these photos. Somehow that seems fitting...