Hurrah!

Two

A birthday present for my lovely niece who is turning two!  What a wonderful thing to be turning two - it seems so little.  Such a nice age.  This was the first time I looked at birthday cards in the "Niece" section (there's a Niece section!!)!  I still didn't find a birthday card I liked but the cards in the "Two" section weren't great either.  Might have to make one I think - and just write 'niece' on it!!  I love being an aunty.  My sister has another bubby on the way too so I will be a double-aunty soon!  Hurrah!

This was the first time too that I've sewn ruffled bits (not sure if they have a term!) on the sleeves and proper little pockets. It was so nice sewing a little dress and nice not to have to stuff something after sewing it for a change!  Funny that a year has gone by since the mousehouse too...  The dress pattern is from this wonderful Japanese pattern book.  It's all in Japanese excpet for the measuremts so is not too hard to follow.

On a less cheery note, if you're in Australia (or maybe overseas) then you would have heard about or even know people whose lives have been affected by the bush fires.  I'm on the other side of the country but I know everyone here is sending all their thoughts to those who have suffered.  Two websites worth visiting: the Victorian Government has a list of charities to help out the people affected by the fires and other ways people can help and the RSPCA Victoria also has a bushfire appeal with 100% of funds helping bushfire affected animals - both domestic, wildlife and farm animals and cattle.  A senseless tragedy and it just baffles me completely how these fires were started.  At least it's a good thing to know that people care and more people will be on the lookout to make sure this sort of thing doesn't happen in the future.  Lots of good thoughts and hugs for all the people who have experienced trauma, and the furry (and scaley and prickly!) creatures too ox

Hot koala

Listening to the radio this morning I heard the weather in London and across the UK – so much snow that people can’t get to work.  I’ve only ever seen snow once – just last year in Switzerland

– and while it was very, very beautiful and lovely to be in, I can’t imagine living with it!  I’m a bit over living with heat though – poor Adelaide and Tasmania with temperatures over 40 degrees!!  - sounds more like Perthweather ;p  I’ve decided heat isn’t very conducive to crafting and I’m making very slow progress with some crafty projects.  I kinda feel like this koala…

  

This little koala wandered onto someone’s porch in Maude, north of Geelong in Victoria, looking for some relief from the heat.  The family gave it some water to drink and the clever koala decided the best way to cool down was to have a bath instead!  How lovely.

Koalas actually suffer quite badly when there’s extreme temperatures – and with bush fires and land clearing etc.  The Australian Koala Foundation has some great info on how people can help koalas.  Hurrah!

Happy February & Thank You!

Well, we've made it to February.  Hopefully it won't be too hot this February - we've done pretty well for Summer so far this year, which usually means we're in for a hot February and March... maybe the Eastern States and South Australia are getting our Summer???  I hear it got to 40 degrees in Tasmania!!

Thank you so much for leaving such lovely comments on my last post.  I know it's weird when people do give-aways and then do some random thing to pick the winners - random number generators or names in a hat.  I was trying to think of something fun like bingo numbers or something but really, whatever I do seems weird cos you're all not here while I'm doing it!  So, you'll have to believe that this is completely random (which it is - my husband picked the numbers out of a bowl!) and I really do wish I had a Jaunty for everyone but on this occasion, the Jaunties are travelling to:

Number One -  Anna Lloyd and

Numer Ten - Ivana (your English is very good!)

Anna and Ivana, if you'd like to email me your addresses, the Jaunties will pop into the post and travel your way.  Thanks so much everyone who left a comment and stay tuned for future Januties and friends needing new homes :)  I am now gearing up to make this month a more regular blogging month...  Hurrah!