5 days of gratitude: Monday

I read a short article when I returned home tonight - about the importance of gratitude. Therefore, this week...

today I am grateful for freedom

Image via Pinterest

blog blog

I have been feeling a bit remiss. A lot of socialising this fortnight and not much craft or blogging. Catching up with new and old friends. Interesting how you can walk away from such an engagement feeling refreshed, enlivened or completely disconnected. 

So, I have been catching up on my blog reading. Loving these photos via 16 House. Bloggers at Home.

 

 

Gabriela Herman is a fine art, portrait and lifestyle photographer. You can check out more work here.

Tiger Ball

Image by Tash

Giveaway winner: yarn round hook

Image via ...yarn round hook...

I feel like it is my birthday! I have just realised that we are one of the lucky winners of a giveaway over at yarn round hook.  Victoria was giving away two crochet books and our names were drawn out to receive Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts. Amigurumi. I am so excited as I have always wanted to try my hand at Amigurumi - now there are no excuses as a book is on its way.  
Ames :)

Update: crochet squares for Papillon Gold

Happy to see that the squares that we made (you can read about it here) have arrived safely.  There is a post over at Papillon Gold about our squares and the names that we choose for the competition. I cannot wait to see the finished blanket which will be donated to a worthy cause through Knit4Charities. It has been a pleasure to be involved.

Ames xo

Childhood Fun Stitch

Owly

I have been slowly sorting through boxes and trying to get organised... Well that is the aim for the year...  Anyway, I came across this fun stitch and had light in my eyes and a smile on my face. I cannot remember how old I was when I did this, but it was sometime in Primary School. My Owly. I think I will frame him - too cute to go back in a box!

Butterflies and Insects

Image via wit and whistle

Would love to have a wall of these...

Ames xo

Graphic Butterflies...

Image via apartment therapy

Love Chris Waind's Graphic Butterfly collection...

Ames xo

Love these: vintage cameras...

Image via oh deer vintage

Image via The Wright House

Image via The Wright House

Image via Ash Huang (ash) on Pinterest

Quote of the day..

At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet (Plato)

Image via thisneckofthewoods

Crochet squares for Papillon Gold

I signed up for a crochet square competition a little while ago at the Papillon Gold blog. Jane has organised the competition to honour her Grandmother and to collect squares to donate to Knit4Charity.

A few of my friends and I, from the Plain Tiger Butterflies craft group, decided to make some squares together. This is what Wendy, Liz, Kathryn and I created!

We have really enjoyed this project and I recommend that others get involved. So if you enjoy crochet, why not check out Papillon Gold to donate.  Also thanks to the lovely crafty ladies that joined me in making squares. Not only have we had fun, we have helped a fellow crocheter recognise the memory of her Grandmother and donate to charity. Happy smiles all around.

xo Ames

Hope Softies for Queensland

You might have noticed that a 'Hope Softies' button appeared on our blog over the weekend. Well, I have signed up to make a softie for Hope Softies. Planning on finishing off my softie this weekend and hopefully a few members from our Plain Tiger Butterflies craft group will make one too.

Image via mon petit poppet

Work in progress: baby blankets

Expecting twin nephews in the family any day now. I have been working on two baby blankets since the beginning of the year. The plan is to knit a centre piece and then crochet a border. Really enjoying the project and I will post some photos when they are finished. Hope you are all enjoying your craft projects! Ames xo

Book inspired - The Selby

Images via The Selby

Love these images - book inspired xoxo

More crafty support for Queensland

Here are some more links to fabulous people doing fabulous things to help out Queensland:

• more brooch designs via Sophie Isobel Designs or via Her Library Adventures
• pocket organisers over at kitty n' kitsch
• heaps of lovely items over at Australian Disaster Relief on Etsy
• raffle via Mon Petit Poppet 
• print auction via Facebook - check it out here
• BrisStyle Ark on Etsy
• 'Eclipse' drawing auction over at Lilly Piri dirt, silver and gold
• discount on My Sweet Prints

Image via Photo Art Gallery Blog

 

A glorious day for market craftiness..

It has been an up and down week. The floods in Queensland. However, Melbourne has turned on her shine and smile - a glorious day for a craft catch up.

Our craft group met this morning at the Abbotsford Convent - Maker's Market and I was so pleased to see everyone. Lovely conversations, some craft admiration and coffee at the Convent Bakery. Also some cute buying - some gorgeous handmade clothes and a few craft items were purchased.

A few of the group headed off, but the rest of us had lunch at the cafe at the Collingwood Children's Farm. A wonderful idea.

Thank you to all of the amazing women that joined us today. A talented bunch, down to earth and inspirational. Till next time....

Love Ames xo

Giveaway by Yarn Madness!

Image from Yarn Madness

This is an amazing giveaway over at Madeleine's blog called Yarn Madness. In fact I think it is one of the best I have seen in blog land. There is something for everyone and it includes a book! I will be entering. It is also a great blog to follow if you are someone that likes to work with yarn. The cat mittens and squirrel hat projects are particular favourites of mine. Go and check it out!
Ames :)

Crafting to help Queensland

Image by Alli Coate via Her Library Adventures via decor8

The flood watch for Queensland is not over. However some Queensland residents are beginning the big clean up. The recovery after this disaster is going to be lengthy.

There are an amazing group of people out there who have initiated a range of efforts to support those that have been affected by the floods. We also had the idea of trying to help in some way which you can read about here. We thought it would be nice to organise a market or maybe a craft auction in Melbourne. Still waiting to see if this goes ahead. If not, we support Craft Relief which you can read about here.

Another wonderful project is Hope Softies - a collection of softies to be donated to children that have lost everything in the floods.  Also, why not check out Quilts for Queensland.

Our thoughts go out to all Australians - those that have been affected by the floods and those that are doing something to help.

Ames and Tash xo

My island home...

Image via The Australian

Further to our post yesterday, there are many more generous bloggers and crafters starting giveaways, auctions and selling items online to raise money for those that have been affected by the Queensland floods. For updates see the Handmade Help blog or this post on Meet me At Mike's.

Don't forget the animals - they need help too. There are some amazing images of animals trying to escape the flood waters floating around on the internet. Poor little things. You can donate to the RSPCA QLD to help them.

Thanks everyone xo

Flood relief

Image from Homemade Romance via ninemsn

We are saddened by the news coverage of the floods in Queensland and our hearts go out to all of those involved. Fortunately, our family are safe and dry. However we have friends who are facing damage from the floods and know of some poor souls who have lost their lives as a result of this disaster.

We are wishing that we were in Queensland with our family and friends to lend a helping hand.

You can help Queensland by donating, if you are able. Please donate via the Flood Relief Appeal.

There are also a lot of bloggers out there that are doing their crafty bit to help the cause. You can also support those affected by the Queensland flood disaster by supporting them.

As Queenlanders, we say thanks to the following people who are doing their bit:

• Handmade Help
• Meet Me at Mike's
  
• Her Library Adventures
• Make it Perfect
• Vintage Ric Rac
• Handmade Kids
• Nic Hohn
• Teddy Bear's Wednesday
• Homemade Romance
• Foxs Lane

Thanks also to all of the other out there that are helping. Our thoughts are with you all. Love Ames and Tash xo

After the great drought, a big wet...

We come from Queensland, grew up there. Our family and friends live all over the state. We are sending our thoughts, wishes and love to all Queenslanders. Hang in there xo Ames and Tash

Homemade romance...

Images via Homemade Romance

These wedding photos from Homemade Romance are beautiful - I thought they should be shared. Nice to see that a spot of rain did not dampen the day and that there were smiles all around. Best wishes, Ames :)

The font of life: signs

Image by Ames (Fitzroy, Melbourne)

Blackbird Market, Fitzroy

Out shopping yesterday with our niece and nephew and stumbled across the Blackbird Market at The Workers Club in Fitzroy. Bought a really neat brooch and enjoyed looking at the cute wares. 

 

Images by Ames

Behind closed doors...

We all have a front door, maybe a back door or a garage door. Do you ever wonder what is happening behind all of these doors? Is a woman laughing or crying? Do children play? What is that family having for dinner? Are there troubles afoot or calm and peace? Take a moment to think of those around you. You are not alone xoxo

Images by Ames

happy cat

Elizabeth Street, Melbourne City (Image by Ames)

I love cats!

Image by meowadays

Image by meowadays

How could you ignore the cuteness of a kitten? Love them. Therefore, I wanted to share a blog with you. It is called Meow-a-days and is dedicated to all things cat. If you are a cat lover too, I suggest you check it out.

January 2011: time for craft catch up

Image via the Abbotsford Convent website

Hi crafty friends in Melbourne! It is time for another Plain Tiger Butterflies craft catch up and I am looking forward to seeing you all. This month, we are going to look at some craft to get inspired for a new year of making.

The Makers' Market at the Abbotsford Convent is held once a month on a Sunday. It is a delightful venue and I am sure that there will be lots of crafty treasures on display. For more information about the market or how to get there, see the Abbotsford Convent website or Makers' Market website. Further details follow:

What: Maker's Market
When: Sunday 16th January 
Time: 10am
Where: Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Entry: Free

I suggest that we meet at 10am inside the convent gates or at the cafe (which is directly opposite the convent gate entrance) and have a chat over a tea or coffee before we venture inside the Community Room to look at the market. Please comment on this post or contact me by other means if you would like to join us so I know who to look out for on the day. Feel free to bring family or friends too. Take care and see you on the 16th! Ames xo

Quote of the day..

Always remember that the future comes one day at a time (Dean Acheson)

Image by forever-insatiable via Love.Me.My

More crochet coathangers

Crochet coathangers galore. I have made quite a few over the last months - for Christmas presents and the most recent as house warming gifts. Time to put those away and start some knitting. I am going to start two baby blankets tomorrow and I will keep you updated as the project progresses. 

I am looking forward to lots of exciting craft projects this year! Happy crafting, Ames xo

The font of life: signs

Image by Ames

New Horizons

Image by Tash

The coming of a new year affords many of us the opportunity to reflect on times past and to dream of what is yet to come. In our minds, the chance to pause is as important as the healing of old hurts and the seeking out of another horizon. A moment of stillness between the old and the new to stretch into ourselves as fully as our breaths pull in the present.