Aussie Christmas in July

Do these words conjure up an Australian Christmas for you??

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
(Torme & Wells, 1946)

No, not usually. Unless, of course, they refer to the Etsy Down Under Street Team (DUST) “Aussie Christmas in July” promotional weekend.

Etsy DUST members from all around Australia are coming together for one whole weekend, 12.01AM Saturday 25th July through to 11.59PM Sunday 26th July (AEST), to showcase their talents & stunningly handmade creations.

All stores participating will be offering a promotion to their customers - free worldwide shipping or % off sales; a selection of items at reduced prices or reverse auctions.

With so much variety, including jewellery, children’s clothing & accessories, art, supplies, vintage items, stationery & bags, you are sure to find something to suit each & every taste.

The DUST team will also be running giveaways for the entirety of the weekend, giving you the opportunity to win some fabulous prizes from Australian sellers. Poke your nose into the Etsy Forums during the promotion for your chance to win.

I encourage you to visit the participating stores, as well as our team website – http://www.dustteam.com/ – and support the handmade revolution sweeping Australia.

Stay tuned for more details as the weekend draws nearer, but for now here's a sneak peak at some of the stores-

Sculpey fun

Polymer clay is so much fun. Here are some of my latest creations.

Wishlist Wednesday

It's so wet and cold outside today I wish I could wrap myself in this shawl, put on these slippers and curl up on the couch with a good book.



Cape from amylarko
Ladies Slippers by handylittleme
Gone with the wind from theclassicfarmhouse

Wish list Wednesday

I spent the afternoon re-living my childhood in the vintage section of etsy. I didn't find what I originally went looking for but I did find some things I remember from when I was little, that I would love to own again. I don't really like to think of my childhood as being 'vintage' though-I don't feel vintage!

Sheer toddler dress from scarletbirdvintage (mine was blue)

Lamb on wheels pull toy from cottageprims

Kerplunk game from kittyBcreative

Wish list Wedneday

Just to spoil me this week-

Another gorgeous dress from Lyptis (I already have one)

Not your Nanas tote from Bobishi

Very cute Ellie (she measures a tiny 1") from TigerWings

Wish list Wednesday

I have lost my creative inspiration! While looking around for some I came across these baby cuties. I made a sale last night so my wishes might come true this week :)

uncut butterick pattern from BethToddCreates

Lace baby shawl knitting pattern from madcrafterboutique

Vogue nursery accessories from vintagevice


Felt dollhouse and furniture PDF pattern from buggabugs

Wish list Wedneday

I hate housework! It's one of those things that you do over and over monotonously every day of the year and no one but you appreciates it-unless they run out of socks or can't eat because the dishes aren't done. But it has to be done and I thought if I had these the job would be a little bit more fun-probably not but they look good.

Hand painted apron from adriennekinsella

Kitchen broom by broomchick

Crochet Dish cloths by RagsInRichness

Linen and Room spray from CrazyKHomeScents


And this is my reward for all that hard work

The Bensonhurst Blackout CakeCup (TM)

Wednesday Wishlist

My wishlist picks this week are all from the DUSTteam May sale-Mum will love it


Strawberries and cream coin purse from pocketcarnival

Rosebud bag by craftycrackpot

Landscape poncho by lizetfriitjers

Pretty posie of button flowers from hundredsofbuttons

Just for Mum

Thought I'd share some of the goodies I picked from my shop to put in the DUST sale this month. For the month of May all of these are discounted by %10. The sale title is Mum will love it.

Wish list Wednesday

It's been really cold here this week so I've been keeping warm by looking at these and wishing they were in my wardrobe

Socks by FiddleKnits

Jacket from ovejanegra

Wrist warmers from morava

Michaels new baby

Our adorable, much loved niece Gabrielle

Here's the new addition to our family-a brand spanking new Triumph America!! As you can see by his smile he's very happy with it and so am I-no more grumping about the smoke blowing from the old one.

Dollhouse renovations

I always said I was going to make everything myself when I renovate my dollhouse, the one my sister and I were given when I was 5. After looking around I think I'm going to give in and buy some of it. There are some very clever miniature artists around and some of them are on ETSY so I thought I'd share some of my special finds with you.Filled sewing table from pjjammers

Knitting bag with wool and extras from BlueKittyMiniatures

Gardeners Potting bench by MarquisMiniatures

Flowers In A Pair Of Handmade Bisque Planters

Wish list Wednesday-Birthday cakes

Frosted cup cake candles from The ClackHouse

Birthday cake knitting pattern from crazydaisy60

Set of three beautiful felt food cakes from DaisyDay Dreams

All Pink Square Cake from BlueKitty miniatures

There are so many cakes to choose from on ETSY but I've chosen these as my favourites today. I can have all of these and not put on a single calorie, and they would last forever too.

Wish list Wedneday

Gold and Lace

Eternal kiss

Pink Alice Wedding

Rose-bush

French rose

Heavens

I found this amazing store on ETSY.com and fell in love with everything!! They have shoes, boots, clothes and some jewellery. Amazing stuff.

Why I love Op Shops

Look at all the treasures I found today at our local Op shops!! The only fabric store we have is for quilting supplies so I took a look around the Op shops and came up with all of this. I spent less than $20 and have zips,bias tape,gorgeous vintage doileys and lace, lace and more lace-not all new nylon stuff either but some beautiful old crochet cotton. I was so impressed with it all I had to share.

Wish list Wednesday

Here are my wish list items- my birthday is at the end of the month so here you go family :)

Sweet Treats Cotton Candy Bath and Dreamsicle Bath Bomb Cupcake Set from Anitacraftcreations

Josephine dress from Allthingspretty

Audrey jacket from posiesboutique

To go out for my Birthday dinner I think I could soak in the bath for a while with this cute cup cake, then put on this beautiful dress and jacket(in case it gets cold). That's it with the clothes next week I'll find my shoes and jewellery :)


I stole the wishlist Wednesday idea from Carley from the etsy dust team thanks Carley :)

21 years

Today is our 21st wedding anniversary! I had a look through our photos and at first was embarrassed but now I just think they are funny. Pretty blue and pink eyeshadow was the go in the 80's why don't we ever look ahead and think that is going to look really stupid in 20 years time? Oh well at least we had a good day-and everyone said we wouldn't last!
The photo of Brett (top) is a family favourite. He's nearly 25 now but this is still the best and it sums up his mood for the day too.

Just playing with fun stuff

One True Media

Oz bushfire appeal shop at etsy

I joined etsy in July 2008 hoping to make enough money to be able to stay at home and not go back to work. I am on the way to achieving that goal and in the process have met some of the most amazingly creative, friendly and supportive people. I joined a team called dust(down under street team) and without them I don't think I would be where I am now. Two weeks ago, when the devastation of the Victorian bushfires started to become known, the dust team opened a special store to raise money for the victims. We all thought if we could donate items and raise about $1000 that would be a great effort and help . Now into the third week and having already donated over $13000 I think I can safely say the shop has exceeded our expectations. Donations have not only been from Australians we have had people all over the world donate the 1000 items in the store. The store will remain open until the 31st of March unless it sells out, and with only about 200 items left I'm sure it will be.
The shop was opened and is being run by the wonderful Emma from http://feliciafairy.etsy.com with help from other DUSTers especially Carley - http://vanillapixie.etsy.com Thank you all so much for making me feel proud to be part of such a wonderful group of crafters.