Five Blogs that Inspire Me

Image source - the joy of sceptisim 

Friggin' heck I am such a sceptic. Not about climate change...but I didn't look at the Kony dvd that went viral last month, I throw out unsolicited mail unopened, I delete forwarded group emails that folks send me and hang up when I hear that pause on the phone line and I just 'know' it is going to be a telemarketing company wanting money from me as I try and feed 3 kids at 6pm!!! 


So when I 'won' the 'Leibster Blog' award from The Orange Kitty Workshop last month, my sensors went into overdrive. It has nothing to do with Natalie, author of TOKW, in fact she said some lovely things about my blog. I just needed to know what it was all about. This week I received 2 Leibsters in the same day from Karen's Sewing Room and Amy's Crafty Shenanigans. So that was a kind of confirmation from the 'blogosphere' to acknowledge and do something about it.


I did some surfing and it seems that NO ONE knows when or where this award started. But I read a few other blogs and it seems there is a general consensus that, rather than being a sinister ploy, it is more like a nice 'Pay it Forward' award, that small blogs can give to eachother. I am all for that kind of encouragement.


So if you don't mind receiving compliments, and can put your scepticism aside for a wee moment, this is an explanation that I did find.


The 'Liebster Award' takes its name from the German word meaning ‘Beloved, Dearest or Favorite’. This award is given to small blogs that inspire you.

Accepting the award then requires you to:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Link back to their blog.
3. Copy and paste the Liebster award to your profile.
4. Pick 5 blogs that you feel deserve to be in the spotlight (they should have under 200 followers).
5. Blog about it and let the bloggers know why you chose them.

So here are my 5 choices...(wish I could give more)


Quiet Play - ensuring that I laugh about the parenting and quilting journey.
Goody Goody Gumdrops - keeping me ahead with the latest fabrics.
Suburban Adventures in Noumea - giving us a slice of paradise and culture.
Not Ever Sewing - new to sewing but not to witty blogging. See The Not Ever Still Life.
Fabric Mutt - someone else excited about discovering joy in sewing.


No pressure for these lovely bloggers to accept this award, but at the very least, let them know that I appreciate their writings.




Lovely Swapsies

Kristy and Jane

I haven't had a chance to share the two lovely and practical gifts that I received from fellow Quilt Club Australia buddies, Jane and Kristy, on the weekend. We caught up for dinner after the Saturday Mystery Quilt class.


Pin Cushion and Thread Catcher

This was a practical and clever gift from Jane. It now sits proudly on my sewing desk and is in high usage.


Needle Book

I may just have to learn to do embroidery or some other stitch work, so that I can trot out this gorgeous needle book often. It was foundation-paper pieced by Kristy in an adorable birdie print with a tea cup (she knows my penchant for tea sets) pattern. I love it, love it, love it. Oh and Kristy's gift to Jane was equally as pretty - with gorgeous quilting in 'Good Fortune' fabrics and selvedges. Go and check it out here.

Selvedge Zip Pouches

I made both girls a zip pouch out of selvedges. I have written a tutorial if you are interested in making your own version. It's my first 'sewing tutorial' so, if you use it, please let me know how you find it. You can find it here.


New Browns for Old Brown


When my husband and I were dating over 11 years ago, he was given a 'new' brown couch for his flat. I say 'new'  because it was passed on from family friends and it was in good condition. That brown couch has seen us through dating, engagement, marriage, countless Bible studies, 3 babies (2 of whom had had non-painful reflux), and 3 jumping toddlers.

old brown in cubby mode earlier this month

But lately 'old brown' has had a hard time of it. A few too many cubbies, accidental urine treatments and many many many biscuit crumbs and Lego pieces, have pushed him too far. The arm rips we could live with but now the cushions are ripping apart. Sadly 'old brown' has been outlived by our family.

Earlier this year I started using one of our linked accounts and set up an Emergency Fund. Now a new couch is not an emergency per se, however, the price was too good. I bought 2 new brown faux seude lounges for $400. They were delivered on Tuesday afternoon. I also bought a nice brown floor rug last week to ward off the winter chill on the tiles.

It took me a while to work out how to arrange the room with two couches, but then it finally took shape and looked great. The room was neat and tidy.

And then the kids came home and built cubbies again. Oh well!

Retro Barbie Bargains

It's funny how retro 70's and 80's is quite popular thesedays. I was a Barbie girl from way back. I used to earn $1 a week pocket money and it would take me 2 weeks to save enough to buy my Barbie a new outfit for $1.99.

I recently purchased a re-issued Malibu Barbie at a discount store. It was $24 but it took me back. My next-door-neighbour had this exact one because I remember the sheer yellow outfit with the flares! I had a Malibu Barbie from the 70's but she came with a surfboard/sailboard. Does anyone else remember that one?

So buying retro Barbie gear can be expensive. You can buy this groovy lunchbox for a cool $100 online! Cute but not THAT cute!

Or you can do what I mostly do and pick up some bargains at the Op-Shop (Thrift Store). They are rare but they do happen. I went into my local Vinnie's (Saint Vincent de Paul) store 2 weeks ago. Imagine my delight at finding this 'Jukebox Jive Cafe' for $3 and in it's original box!

and the pieces were all there...even the cues and snooker balls!

Other Op-Shop Bargains


This cruise ship for only $5 bought at the same Vinnie's last year.

Inside it features inter-changable movie screens.

deck party movie

romantic beach walk movie - check out Barbie's painfully thin legs even then!

sea life documentary

the 'Kids are all right' movie

Other features include the Buffet shelf selection

which folds out to double bunk beds

and then folds up to become the ship's Disco!

This Barbie carry box was only $2 and came with a retro picture on the front that my daughter's friends (unfortunately) ripped off.

I have a box full of Barbie and Sindy furniture that I have saved from my own childhood...but I will show and tell at a later date. Stay tuned!




If you blog about your old toys, then please share your link too.

Bloggy Friends


I am very fortunate to have a few new friends through the miracle of Blogland. We have similar tastes and humour and everyone is willing to teach me 'new' things to improve my skills. Kristy from Quiet Play sent me a link to the 'Small Blog Meet' hosted by Lynne at Lily's Quilts .


Whilst my blog following is small, I don't really mind. I mostly write for myself - like a virtual diary - so I can remember what I have been doing. I mean, if I want to, I can just link to a URL photo of the gorgeous Jared Leto.

or a link to my favourite Red Pepper Quilt called ' a la Grande Mere'.

But anyway, in the interests of 'going viral' (hehehe), I am linking in with this group. I might make some more 'bloggy friends'.