I'm a mean green machine!

Lately I've been discovering some absolute gems that have sprung from the world of green. And I'm considering it my environmental duty to share :)

Firstly, I recently chanced upon the discovery of a new publication called Peppermint Magazine - a mag devoted to fresh green fashion. And I can't rave about it enough. It is a slick, classy, 'fashion forward' (can you tell I've been watching Project Runway) magazine that was put together by a one-woman show in Brisbane. From big name labels to local SE Qld designers (djbebe's recycled fabric brooch and Rebecca Wards' shark shards recycled glass necklace are paired with Gorman and del forte's organic ranges of clothing in a gorgeous fashion shoot spread) this magazine has it all. Great articles (I SO want to get to a Clothing Exchange event now), a visual art/design competition in every issue, and all printed on beautiful glossy 100% recycled stock and printed with vege/soy inks. The first issue is free if you pick it up at one of their stockists (Meet Me at Mikes fans in Melbourne can find a copy there) or you can order it only for only $5.95 inc postage. I know I sound like I have some sort of vested interest but I really don't. I just really enjoyed this mag - even the ads were interesting to me!

Happy green news number 2. Check out these vintage lovelies!

The wonderful Meika from Meika's Little Treasures hosted a vintage sheet fat quarter swap, and these are the lovely fabrics that I received. Can't wait to make some more fabric bookmarks with them. In fact, this segues nicely into my next bit of green news, as the reason I have to make more bookmarks is that I have been accepted into the Reverse Garbage Christmas Exhibition. So very exciting!!! I will be displaying some bookmarks, some reversible handbags, and a shoulder bag - all from recycled, reclaimed and reused materials. I've never taken part in anything like this before so I was very chuffed to have my submission accepted. Now I just have to get to work!!!

Photo by Jones.Emma

And the last of the green news is of the cleaning variety. In an effort to reduce the chemicals and toxic substances around the house we have trying out various 'green cleaning' methods, so I thought I'd share some of the crackers.

1. Leather conditioner (used on our couch) - 2tbsp linseed or flaxseed oil to 1 tbsp white vinegar. Mix in bowl and rub into leather with a soft cloth, then buff with another dry cloth. Seriously - this is AWESOME!!! It actually worked heaps better than the proprietry leather conditioner we had from Freedom.

2. Bathroom cleaner - sprinkle bi-carb soda over surface, dip cloth in white vinegar (or pour a bit over the bi-carb so it fizzes) and wipe with a cloth. Using this and an old toothbrush to clean around the taps and other tricky bits was just the best. Worked so well, and for once I wasn't worried about getting nasty bathroom chemicals or bleach on my hands or clothes.

3. Clothes whitener - in an effort to whiten up some of my greying white clothes, I soaked them in a bucket of water with a cup of white vinegar, then put them out in the sun. Awesomely white. Napisan eat your heart out!

4. Personal care products - I've been trying out lots of different brands, and am SO happy with the following. Trilogy hair care products (natural, organic, no creepy stuff), Trilogy hydrating toner (again, organic, yummy rose, geranium and lavender oils), Jurlique cleanser (natural, non-creepy, smells great - expensive, but lasts for ages), Jurlique sunscreen (now I don't know how 'green' sunscreen can really get, but I can say that this facial sunscreen is 30+ and absorbs so well, and best of all smells really really nice - not like sunscreen at all!!)

And that's it for my mean green tips today. Do you have any special green cleaning tips products or general news you'd like to share? Because I'd love to find out more.

Gifts, Gifts, Gifts!!!!!

Happy mail day today! First parcel from the postman included these gorgeous Babushka softies from Adds (The Humming Cat) which were part of the EB Softie swap. Thanks so much Adds, they are really gorgeous and so well made. Kate already has one sleeping in her doll's cot.

The second parcel was from the very lovely Florence (Flossie Teacakes), as I was one of the lucky winners of her dishcloth giveaway, and it included a pack of delicious dishcloths, and a sweet little cylinder filled with mini-sparklers, for the kids.


I think that our Customs officers must have felt the cylinder to be a little suspicious, as they had opened the package to check through it. I must admit though, I was quite impressed with the way they re-wrapped the present quite nicely. Thank-you so much Florence - it was such a lovely package.


Even Matt thought the cloths were pretty cool - especially as they were excellent for wiping down our induction cooktop (and he's quite anal about the keeping this shiny black reflective surface gleaming at all times!!)

And on the subject of gifts, I have not only been the receiver of gifts lately, I have also been doing some giving myself.


Yesterday was Mum's birthday, and my sister and I got her an iPod. So of course I had to also knit her an iPod holder. This is a great example of my terrible knitting skills, and I really didn't know what I was doing - but I am actually quite drawn to the idea of a slick, perfect, cutting edge piece of technology being housed in something rustic, imperfect and a bit old-fashioned. I guess I find it somewhat amusing!


I also recently gave this baby quilt/playmat to my sister for her new baby Jett. In fact, it was a few weeks ago that I finished it, but I forgot to take a photo before I gave it to her. So here it is.


Another imperfect object, but made with love, and also with gorgeous japanese fabric purchased from Retro Mummy (Little French Kids fabric on the front and Wizard of Oz, and Gingerbread Man on the back). I have actually also given my mum another bag lately, but again I forgot to take a photo of it before I gave it to her. So I will get around to it...sometime...but until then.....yay for gifts!!!!

Bon voyage, Snoozy Woo

This little doll was sent off last week for a surprise softie swap. Now that she has been received I can introduce you to her.

A long time ago I had an idea for a basic design for a doll, based on my daughter Kate. Kate is almost two, and since she was only a few months old, she has had very little hair, except for a long snow white tuft in the middle of her head that curls straight up. So when the opportunity came to take part in the EB softie swap, I figured I would try to bring the idea to life.

And so Snoozy Woo was born, amidst a lot of swearing, unpicking, and finger-pricking. Previous to this I have made a couple of Moopies (after buying the pattern from Nest Studio), and have also made a very sorry looking sock elephant. So perhaps a little more softie-making experience would have made the construction process a lot easier. But hey, I got there in the end.

Her name is Snoozy Woo, and she is a girl who likes to take time to smell the roses. She is daydreamy, enjoys poetry by the Romantics, and knows the value of a nice midday nap!


And so she was shipped off last week, with a little flower clip in her hair (which is actually a detachable brooch) and her little handbag, in which she is carrying a handwritten note of her favourite poem - (and amazingly, it is also one of MY favourite poems :P)

The lovely Adds (aka The Humming Cat) has already taken a photo of Snoozy Woo in her new home, having a nice kip while leaning up against a tree!

Hhhhhmmmmm, an outside snooze in the shade of a tree - how perfect xxx

A parcel full of smiles :)

Yesterday I received a package in the mail. Due to being out all day, and everything being very hectic, I didn't open it until very late. I was tired, I had lost my voice (yes, another lovely cold) and was feeling very blah at the end of they day.

And then I opened the parcel. (This is where I should have a photo off some beautiful packaging, but I was so excited to see it I ripped in without even thinking about my camera, so shut your eyes and picture this instead - two parcels, with tissue paper wrapping, all tied up with gorgeous yarn and held together by a big funky black button!!!).


The goodies above are what was contained inside. It was my swap present from Sherrin (aka Starashan). I can't remember the last time I had this much fun opening a present. I thought I was getting a few handmade bangles - and to be honest I would have been absolutely stocked with those alone! And by the way, they are absolutely gorgeous, and they fit perfectly!


But no, that was not all by a long shot!


In each of these three beautiful handmade envelopes (made from 1950s cookbooks - complete with great food photography and recipes for cooking sole!) was a collection of bangles made from vintage knitting needles (see above), two gorgeous big brooches pinned onto handmade cards (I already have the brooches attached to two of my favourite tops - and they look great!)



And in the third envelope was the most beautiful green vintage buttons sewn onto another handmade card.


This photo doesn't do these buttons justice. They really are spectacular!

And that's not all, Sherrin also gave me some stunning vintage fabrics. This yellow one makes my heart soar every time I look at it!


And lastly, she also made a beautiful handmade card with a lovely message that put a huge smile on my face.



Thank-you so much Sherrin!!!!! I really am so overcome by your generosity, and the time you put into these beautiful handmade goodies. To everyone else - if you haven't checked out Sherrin's handmade goods then I strongly suggest you check out her shops at Etsy and Ozebaby. The quality of her handmade goods, and the detail and care that goes into her packaging, is really something else. I can personally guarantee it will be impossible to open up her packages without a big smile on your face.

So yeah - I still have a very husky voice today, and now Matt is coming down with the cold too (which is bound to be 'man flu' right?).....

.....but I'm smiling :)

XXX

Brown paper packages...

Tied up with string and all!


Finally got this little bag off to Leah today. I did mean to get it sent off early this week, but Kate had a little setback with her virus/croup, so it has been difficult leaving the house. Until today. Seems like everyone has turned the corner and today I had two happy little munchkins who were as desperate as me to get out of the house and have a change of scenery. Even if it was just to the post office!!!


And with one bag going off out into the world, I have actually managed this week to bring one into it as well. This little number made it into the shop a couple of days ago. Another little reversible bag - this one's called 'Binkle', and she feels quite lovely. Very vintage and grannyish on one side, and a bit more sleek and modern on the other.


Or maybe it is 'Summer flowers' on one side, and 'Winter cosyness' on the other. Either way, I love the duality of the reversible bag. They're really fun to make too!


And I've just finished another bag that I've made for a swap, but I won't show that one until the receiver gets it, as I think it would be nice for it to be a bit of a surprise, even if she does have a vague idea of what has gone into the bag :)

Sometimes I think sending off packages is almost as fun as receiving them...unless they are packages containing buttons and chocolate. Then I'd DEFINITELY rather be receiving them :P