11/21/2009
Zonta
10/5/2009
Handmade Expo
7/29/2009
New Baby products available
7/4/2009
Finishing the India journey
6/17/2009
More India
6/15/2009
Brand new web site
Brand new shop open
6/10/2009
India Continued
6/4/2009
back to India
Recommending a great baby site
Twilight series
4/1/2009
Coming up
Indian Orphanage
3/31/2009
baby products
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Date: 11/21/2009
Title: Zonta
Hi, it's been awhile since I posted anything. Today I wanted to bring the Zonta group to your attention. Zonta International is a global
service organization of executives in business and the professions working together to advance the status of women through service and advocacy.
As a member I am offering $5 of every large heart shape keepsake purchased to my club as a fundraiser for the club.
The money raised goes to several projects that we run in our local communities and overseas. Zonta is an international organisation.
One of our local projects is the breast cushion that we hand make and donate to hospitals. Women suffering from breast cancer receive the cushion to help with the healing process. It makes it more comfortable to sleep and go shopping without being bumped.
One of our overseas projects is the birthing kit project that goes to women in disadvantages communities overseas, to assist in the birthing process. They receive a black sheet, scalpel, string, soap, gloves and swabs, to give them an opportunity to give birth in a more sterile environment.
For more information please visit www.zonta.org.au
Date: 10/5/2009
Title: Handmade Expo
just writing to let you all know about the Handmade Expo which is being held on the 17th of October. Brisbane Rd. Ipswich. QLD 8-2pm for all things handmade. Every stall holder has unique products and all handmade, so if you are after something special for friends for Christmas or if you love handmade things, this is the market for you. Come see our products for yourself or if you want something specially made for you, I will be taking orders on the day. Hope to see you there for a fun day out. For more information visit thehandmadeexpo.blogspot.com
Date: 7/29/2009
Title: New Baby products available
Great new Baby's 1st year journal available now. Hampers with the baby journal also available, buy a pre made hamper or select your products. Don't forget a guest book for the baby shower, can be made to match invitations
Date: 7/4/2009
Title: Finishing the India journey
The days that followed were pretty much the same as the previous day. Couple of the days stand out as more memorable for me. First one is that I ran a craft class with one of the classes. We made book marks; they were given a piece of card the size of a book mark and some string. We had stamps and pencils, they came and got a stamp and then coloured it in. They loved it and laughed and smiled doing the exercise, after they finished they had to write their names on it, they then came to each of us to get us to write our names. So this is what it feels like to be a celebrity. Hehe.
Another day we took the tour of the grounds, where we were told there were cobra’s on the grounds. Just the day before they had killed one. They have a teacher at the school that just deals with the snakes. Wow, we are not in Kansas anymore, and no we never saw one, thank God, I think I would have freaked. That day all kids were in class so we set off for behind the buildings to see the dam and new dorms being built, next thing you know I have someone holding my hand. She is a little girl who has befriended me. She just held my hand as we did the tour, I don’t know where she came from that day, as all the kids were in class (or were suppose to be) but if I was there in the grounds of the school she would find me, she had a radar for me. I still send her a letter or a little present from time to time. All of us on the trip made one friend. One child that just responded to us and us to them. It was very special and blessed.
On the Sunday before we left we went to the village (3 hour drive) to see the new church being built and the orphanage, the 3rd one they run and the last one to see (we only briefly visited with the kids there) and then back into another town for a Sunday evening service. A huge storm came in as we arrived for worship. It was an amazing storm, very different to here.
Then it was time for home. We packed up and said our goodbyes and headed back to the train, for our long 4 hour train ride. What an adventure, what a learning and growing experience, what a country and what lovely people we met. Everything seemed to go a lot faster going in the other direction, probably because we were going home. We did a little shopping on the way to the airport. As we were flying out at midnight, so we had the afternoon. It was a rush to get in some shopping but we did it! In like an hour flat! One last story before I sign off. There are no crossings on the road for pedestrians, no lights, no medium strips, no stop signs, no give way signs. Keeping this in mind after our shopping trip we had to cross the road. 4 lanes going in one direction (which is about 6 -8 bikes and cars coming at you in a line) and then a little concrete curb, which is not a medium strip that you can stand on! And then another 4 lanes going the other direction (again 6-8 cars and bikes) Screaming all the way and thinking I was going to die, we formed a group all 9 of us (7 in the group and 2 guides) and stepped from the curb into the street, as one object and let the cars go around us. When we hit the curb, I nearly fell off and took some of the others with me, when we then ventured onto the other side of the street, this is where we seemed to de-group and make a bolt for our waiting taxi van, which of course was very dangerous as you have 7 of us flying off individually as fast as we can! We made it, completely to God’s intervention! I have to believe that!
So with that I will leave India for a while, thanks for reading along and sharing in my journey. Like I said I learnt a lot about myself, the world, God, another culture and my friendships. Maybe someday I will revisit India in my blog and share my reflections on the trip years later.
Date: 6/17/2009
Title: More India
We are woken up early, and after only a little sleep. Soon after we head into the centre of town to the big shop where they stock sari's and cotton shirts/products. I can hardly wait, I have been sweating in my jeans and polyester, you really need light/cotton products, that still cover you. It is a huge shop with the most beautiful materials and fabrics I have seen, so richly coloured and decorated. I buy a couple of pant suits both in green, I made the girls laugh, it is my favourite colour and they couldn't believe I would want everything I buy in green! They tried really hard at showing me red, purple even blue! With a little luck, 3 green and 1 blue! We managed to buy our gifts for people back home too. I also found a paper shop and bought a couple of sheets of handmade Indian Paper. I have made several books from it for the site. From here we drove straight out to the orphanage. The children just swamped us upon arrival. So may bright happy faces. I don't think there was a space on my arm left as so many little hands grabbed for me. I think I had at least 30 kids, hugging, touching, holding onto me and walking with me as I greeted the other kids. Seeing the kids makes me see how important family and affection are, I feel sad to think that these kids only have each other, no mothers and fathers to tuck them in and give them a hug and kiss goodnight. I start to think of my mum and I miss her, I am looking forward to seeing her soon and spending time with her. I started getting a rash today on my elbow and knee. Not only have I bitten by every mosquito here, they seem to find me, always me! I have been bitten on my eye lids, legs, ears, checks, fingers, toes and I have a mosquito net but now a weird rash that is itchier then mosquito bites have taken over my elbow and knee. Yuk! I pray that we will all stay safe, healthy and well. Same here as the smaller orphanage in town, we have an assembly and are introduced one by one to the kids as they come up and receive biscuits and pens. It is lovely to see the kids, I try and look at each one and take their faces in. Each one is individual and special in their own way. I hope they know how special they are. The next day we return and hand out presents to the kids that were donated from people in our church, head bands, hair ties, jewellery for the girls. I did feel bad as we had nothing for the boys, we had to pull the girls aside and give them there presents. I talked to the group and we will buy pencils tomorrow and hand them out to the boys. I have peace now.
Date: 6/15/2009
Title: Brand new web site
Great new website opening. This site is building an online gallery for handmade gifts that can be personalised or customised for customers. Check it out. www.personallypersonalised.com.au and www.blackboardartworx.com.au
Date: 6/15/2009
Title: Brand new shop open
Handmade Heaven Opened this week. Brand new store stocking only handmade products! Mine included :) Check it out. Shop 11, 231 Brisbane street. Ipswich. "The Old Flour Mill" For all things beautiful, unique and handmade.
Date: 6/10/2009
Title: India Continued
So the next day we are up early and head for the train station. The train is the longest I have ever seen in my life! We asked if we would be able to ride on the roof, our guides just laughed, pointed and uttered "electric"! Great train trip, the scenery amazing, the food also amazing, prepared locally and delivered on banana leaves. 4-5 hours later we arrive in Salem and are greeted by Pastor Jay (head of the orphanage) we are given beautiful handmade flower leis. We are ushered off into waiting buses and head through the city of Salem to the head quarters of the organisation, and the place we would call home for the next 7 days.
We arrived and were called to assembly to meet the 200 children that stay across the street from the head quarters and attend school nearby, there are 2 more orphanages. Boys only about 3 hour drive into the country and the big one "Promise Land" with 2000 kids. We would be visiting the others on other days. We handed out biscuits to the children and got to talk to them and ask them questions. They got to practice there English with us. We ask about their daily routine, they have chores and school work as well as devotionals, worship and prayer times. They get up at 5am everyday! It is amazing their determination and discipline. The children are so hardworking, to get somewhere as they have been given a second chance. They hang onto you and want your attention; they are the untouchables of India and look forward to westerners to visit, to receive attention, love and affection. A little boy finds my hand and holds it for the next ½ hour as we walk around the court yard greeting and talking with all the students.
Dinner is wonderful, the team plays a hand of cards before bed, and sleeping is hard because of the heat. The next day we are heading into town for supplies and to promise land where the 2000 kids live.
Date: 6/4/2009
Title: back to India
I did promise some thoughts from my India trip. So as promised here is the start my 10 day trip to India's biggest orphanage. 22.07.07 - arrived early at the airport. I don't like being late so I dragged my husband nice and early to the airport, we sat and had a lovely breakfast before we joined the rest of the team to check in. We are travelling with Michael, Ali and Glenn. I am excited to get to India and meet the kids, I am also just as excited as we get to sit at the back of the plane, my favourite place and so close to the toilets convenient, not too close but close enough to just get up and go! I have no expectation which is great, sit back and relax, enjoy the ride and I get to watch as many movies as I can handle! Fantastic my favourite pass time. I always wanted to act. I started my studies when I was 14 and continue til I was 21. I did small parts in student films and had extra work. Film has always been a passion, it still is. I am looking at getting back into some acting now. So sitting for 8 hours on a plane, while I am forced to watch movies is not a bad thing for me, just hope we get some good ones.
Arriving in India is a shock. Everything runs on Indian time, I can see that already, 2 hours to get our bags and get through customs. The heat is the first thing that hits you as you step through the doors, the smell is the second and then the poverty and people! People lying in the gutters, on the side walk, on benches. It is 1am in the morning and there are people everywhere as if a concert or a football game has been let out.
We meet our guides and they find a taxi for all of us to get to the hotel for our first night until we can catch a train the next day. I will never forget that drive as long as I live, I thought it would be my last, there are no lanes, traffic lights, roundabouts, nothing! You just drive and try to avoid everybody else, the sound of horns on every side blares loudly to alert everybody to where every vehicle is in relation to everyone else. They go fast too! Weaving in and out of all the other people on the road. This is 2am in the morning! I would hate to see what peak hour is like. A family on a bike drives past, Dad is driving, 2 year old sits between his legs, mum holds onto dad at the back and holds the little girl on her knee and baby is strapped to her back! Amazing.
Date: 6/4/2009
Title: Recommending a great baby site
I also have to let you know about www.tummytime.com.au a great site with wonderful products for baby and mum! Clothes and products, why don't you check them out! The wasabi kids range is 20% off while stocks last.
Date: 6/4/2009
Title: Twilight series
First I have to recommend the Twilight series of books by Stephanie Meyer! I finished all 4 books in 7 days, and yes I was completely obsessed to the point I couldn't put them down until I finished the story. The first movie in the series is amazing and they have kept very close to the story and dialogue of the books. It is a truly beautiful story between a girl and a vampire, the theme is universal and romantic. It is so well written, it just flows so naturally and I found some parts so amusing and funny. I honestly must have looked strange to anyone who saw me as I was smiling and laughing in my own little world as I read in the car, on the train, any place I had some time to fill. I can’t wait for the next movie in the series to come out. November 20th! I have entered into many competitions to win tickets to LA for the premier of the film later this year! Fingers crossed! I think it would make my year! I am not claiming to be the biggest fan on the planet as I have seen some scary things from diehard fans! But I am a BIG fan and wanted to recommend the books to anyone who would listen to me :) Lucky I have my own blog.
Date: 4/1/2009
Title: Coming up
Read about my trip to India, coming to my blog soon.
Date: 4/1/2009
Title: Indian Orphanage
Today I want to let people know about a great organization, working in India to help the orphans. I was lucky enough in 2007 to spend 10 days at the orphanage, along with some other beautiful people; we helped out where we could, played with the kids and taught the kids. I ran a craft class with one of the years, some of the others taught English. It was a life changing experience. I will be in the coming months run a campaign to raise money for the orphanage where 10% of the sales in that month will be donated. Sign up for newsletter to find out when this will be on offer. But in the meantime visit the site to find out more or contact them direct to sponsor a child today. www.icmcindia.org. I will in the coming months include picture pages onto my site from my trip to India.
Date: 3/31/2009
Title: baby products
Coming soon, Baby's First Year Journal, Completely handmade with Italian Silk paper. Beautiful hand stitched spine. Original art work on cover and throughout book. Compensation strip between pages, so NO bulking up of the book as you place those precious photos onto the paper. Sign up to Newsletter be the first to know when this product is available!!! A truly special one of a kind gift for your daughter, sister, best friend/friends, cousin, niece and work colleagues.
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