And the winners are…

A big thank you to everyone who helped spread the news of my Make a Plan project.

The following names went into the draw:

SweetP – For telling her facebook friends

SweetP – For This Post and This one!

Leanne – For This Post

Jen – For This Post

Mother Me – For This Post

Carrien – For This Post And Please go and see what she’s up to for some orphans in Thailand! She’s an inspiration

Sarah Bean – For This Post

Sarah Bean – For the idea for me to start a Facebook Group

SS – a donation

JK – a donation

PV – a donation

KG – a donation

So, the names went onto little pieces of paper into this little box (that my friend J brought back from India for me),

and two names were drawn at random by my daughter E5.

And here they are:

The first name out says Challenged blog who will receive the set of four CutieBums nappies. (This is slightly ironic, because way back in the day Leanne sent me some hand made nappies in a swap for some home made chocolate sauce!) Leanne, I’ll be emailing you for your postal address.

And the second name out says Jen’s Page, who will receive a baby blanket which is also kinda cool because she has a new baby daughter. Jen, I’ll be in touch.

And a special thank you to Sweet P who not only posted twice, and told her facebook friends, she also auctioned off some hand dyed wool and some hand made (!!) needles in support of the project. This in turn inspired someone else called Fi to do the same. Thanks everyone for your support! You’re very much appreciated. To stay in the know with how it’s all going, check out (or subscribe to) Make a Plan.

Moving right along

So, where was I?…Oh, yes ahem. Moving on. This post is NOT going to be about.. ah… the thing I’m not posting about.

Right! Well, in other news. I bought a canvas yesterday and last night I set aside some time to not think about the you know what. I can’t draw to save myself, and can’t really paint either but it never hurt anyone trying and I just want to try. This is what came out of it.

I know it’s not very good, but I was ridiculously pleased with it. Don’t look too close though…it has some serious problems. It was fun to try and I was surprised to actually end up with something that does resemble something of what is in my head. I’m finding it hard to get the colours I want though. The sky is OK, but the sea should be more vibrant and less solid looking, if that makes any sense. ha ha ! You can tell I don’t know what I’m talking about! Sorry to all you artists out there.

Also, the overall thing looks a bit more child like than I imagined…..it’s the primary-ness of the colours I think.

Oh, and it’s all the wrong size. You see, although bought a stretched canvas, I actually painted it on a sheet canvas pad because I thought it’d be so bad it’d be a waste of a good canvas. Hmmm… positively exuding confidence aren’t I?

And tonight, I’m washing my hair with my new and deliciously natural Rosemary Shampoo bar! Oh, wow. Why didn’t I know about these before. I’ve tried being ‘poo free’ before using baking soda and it just didn’t last. Found that I couldn’t’ get my hair really clean because it was hard to massage through all my hair. My new shampoo bar is so lovely though! It’s a natural product made from Almond and Coconut oils and it froths really nicely without those nasty chemical frothers. (SLS?) I follow up with a vinegar rinse which I infused with rosemary from our garden. Here’s how:

1 litre hot water

3/4 cup vinegar

1 sprig rosemary

1 apple/chamomile tea bag for fragrance. (‘Cept I didn’t have any tea bags except Rooibos and ordinary old tea.)

——————————————————————————————————————————————

That’s it. When it cools of course. Just pour over 1/2 to 1 cup full over your hair as a rinse. I let most of it rinse out with water. Not sure if you’re meant to leave it in or rinse it out. Ha! Aren’t I the expert?! Anyway, my hair was manageable, no where near as tangly as I expected without using my usual 1/4 cup of conditioner, and doesn’t smell like vinegar at all! That’s a bonus clearly!

I’m not going to tell you where I got the Shampoo bar. Not yet anyhow. More on that another day. (Because I promised not to go on about the *whispers* you know what)

Updated the fundraiser post

I’ve edited The Post In Which I Beg because I forgot to put a closing date. I’ll draw two winners on the 28th August. I’m developing a complex because it’s going dismally so far… ha ha! ….but reality is probably good for me because I’m a bit of a dreamer! But still, you could get something for free for a little effort, and it’s a great project. Here’s a pic of the first pile of stuff we collected to send.

Click to Enlarge

This represents only a quarter of the total. The rest will be collected early next week. We have to hire a truck and evict our cars from the garage first!

So, if you can spare a dollar or ten, please consider a donation by clicking here. It’s easy. Thanks so much. (Don’t forget your address so we can send a receipt if you want to claim a tax rebate.)

Calling for help!! (and win Prizes)

(Alternative title: In Which I Beg)

Some of you may know that I have been collecting medical supplies for a hospital in Zimbabwe. What started as an idea to do something small (thought I might get a couple of boxes that I could ship over myself) ended up being four pallets (approx. 4-5 cubic metres) of goods. You can read about the story up to this point over here at Make A Plan.

Well that little project is suddenly on a whole new scale. I have now been given medical goods valued at approximately $50,000. That’s fifty thousand dollars in case like me you can’t quite believe it. These goods are all in perfect usable condition and consist of basic medical items like gauze, dressings, incontinence pads, gloves, gowns and drapes. They will make an enormous difference for people needing medical care in Zimbabwe where there is a shortage of all medical goods, pharmaceuticals and basic supplies in the hospitals due largely to the current political crisis.

I feel so incredibly privileged to be responsible for this resource, but I simply can’t administrate it on my own. Obviously there is a considerable expense in shipping all this to Zimbabwe. I am busy getting quotes for how much this will be exactly, but I am estimating it to be well….a lot. So I need your help.

I’m asking you to do two things:

1. If you have a couple of dollars you can spare please donate here. (It’s a paypal form all set up to make it easy). If you prefer to make a direct bank deposit in NZ email me at makeaplanworld@gmail.com and I’ll provide bank details. All donors will receive a receipt (please provide your address). The funds will be administered by Horizon International Church which is registered Charitable Organisation. This means that in NZ your donation is eligible for a tax rebate. Changes to the rebate system means that you can get 33% back as a tax rebate on your donations up to the level of your income.

2. Please could you link to this post on your blogs. Email it to your friends or anyone you know who has a heart for the poor. Join the Facebook group, post on myspace or wherever you want to! Please help me get this out to as many people as possible. (Make sure it’s this post specifically, not just the home page.)

And just to keep it fun and not all work, here’s what’s in it for you.

A Giveaway with a Difference!

I will be doing a random draw from all the participants. So, each donation you make gets you one entry. Each link on your blog gets you another and one entry if you email me and tell me you’ve emailed your friends, or posted on facebook or somewhere. (Trusting your honesty on this one) A random draw for what you ask? Here’s the great prizes.

Prize number 1. CutieBums Fitted Cloth Nappies set of four. Size Small. Made from Velour outer, Hemp and Microfibre inner. Stay dry liner and fastens with snaps. Valued at $80. Can send overseas.

Prize Number 2. Made to order Baby Blanket. Made to either girl or boy colours. Will be made with two layers cotton fabrics, either velour or sherpa, topped with a print or embroidered knit. Bound with satin. Value approx $45. Can send overseas

And, finally if you’d rather buy something outright, check out these beauties. Made by a friend and donated to this cause for free (Thank you Cathy!) A set of three Pasifika canvas art works. Hand made and one of a kind. The shell designs are hand woven and wired to the canvas for strength. You can bid on them at auction here. Low start to keep it fun. Please go and bid. (NZ residents only sorry)

Here are the important bits:

1) Donate here.

2) Link to this post and or email your friends

3) Go shopping here.

So, that’s it. Let’s see what we can do. And Thank you!

EDIT: Forgot to mention a closing date. I’ll draw a winner on the 28th August. C’mon people, don’t be shy. You could donate a dollar and have the chance to win something for free! Even free-er is to linky link and go in the draw too. You don’t have to write a whole post. Just a one liner will do and your visitors could win too. And don’t forget that you’ll be involved in sending FIFTY THOUSAND dollars worth of medical goods to Zimbabwe. It really will make a difference. (Are the prizes really sucky?)

For my little boy

Here’s a little blanket I made up for my littlest boy. It’s about 110 x 135cm, so is perfect for his cot now and will also make a nice throw for when he moves to a bed. (Click images to enlarge)

It’s made from a snuggly cotton sherpa on one side, and cotton knit with machine embroidered baby hippo’s on the other. Bound with satin blanket binding (which cost a small fortune!)

I bet you’ve all been waiting for this

A while back I bemoaned all the ‘petty annoyances’ in my home that were ugly and boring and all added up were getting me down. Well, here’s the improved loo. It’s not much, but it is progress at least. And what’s more, it was almost free. You can see the before photos here.

I made the roman blind from a beach mat which I picked up on Trademe, as well as the other bits and bobs. The shell was collected on a beach holiday. I have some mats to make a blind for the kitchen as well.

Tandia – Bryce Courtenay

Tandia – Bryce Courtenay

I have enjoyed all the books I have read by this author. This was no exception. It is the sequel to the more well known The Power of One, which was also made into a movie. It’s is set in South Africa during the aparteid regmie, and follows the story of Peekay as he pursues his boxing dream, but focusses on the story of Tandia.

Tandia is a young woman and a promising student who after being brutalised by the police, finds herself working as a prostitute. She is filed with hate for the white policeman who to her represents the brutality of aparteid. The book follows her journey to becoming a lawyer involved in the fight against aparteid.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the way it included in this fictional story, significant historial events such as the Sharpeville masacre. This helped me to understand better and appreciate the history of the struggle against apartheid, especially as the story also touches on the beginings of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed militant group of the ANC. It was labelled a terrorist group and banned by the aparteid government.

Tandia was a typical Bryce Courtenay tale. Graphic descriptions of the brutality but a fast moving story that kept me reading. Somewhere near the end, it did become a little fantastical and hence slightly less believable, but I’m so glad I read this book which lead me to read more about these times in South Africa’s history.

On all things creative

Aww gee, thanks Jen’s Page, (I still can’t remember how I found you!?) I’m so flattered. Jen has awarded me a little prize.

And while I hate deliberate misspellings, (not your fault Jen…being an orderly, fact driven, dare I say nerdy punctuation mark yourself, I imagine you can relate?)  I’ll post it here and pass it on to 5 other bloggers that I enjoy. In no particular order. Check out these creative people whose blogs inspire me.

• Mt Hope Chronicles: Heidi writes about a range of things. My favourites are her excellent book recommendations particularly the children’s books, and her home decorating posts called Project Heidi in which she gives you great ideas and helpful tips on beautiful home projects. She also writes about home schooling, raising her three boys, and life on her beautiful property in the country.
• Love Oh My: This is a new addition to my bloglines subscription after Jess left a helpful comment on a whingy post of mine. I’m a newbie on her blog, but she writes about Arts, Crafts and Kids! She’s also a home schooler. There’s a bit of a common thread going on here too.
• Kate5Kiwis: The lovely Kate is full of life and creative joyfulness. She makes the most gorgeous sparkly things and her posts are so colourful and so ‘Kate’
• From The Rubber Room: I’ve been a lurker on Hallie’s blog for a while. Check out the Stunning photography and even learn a thing or two about photography. (which you may have noticed I haven’t done….my photos are sadly lacking any creative or technical effort.)
• SweetP Knits: Knitting projects to make you feel snuggly and warm. Beautiful stuff that makes me drool. (Sort of.) (You know what I mean). Ok, well today there’s cake. That’s drool worthy for sure.

And even though my creative efforts pale into insignificance next to these lovely people, just to prove that I am creative, check out my first pair of socks:

The day I stirred the lemon curd

If you ever do a cooking demonstration in front of friends and strangers, and don’t want to feel self conscious and silly bear in mind that you may not want to choose a recipe that requires 10-15 minutes of constant stirring. Yes, well….talk amongst yourselves I said, this bit takes a while.

Stir until mixture thickens

And Still Stirring

Never mind….the cake turned out fine, and the tasting was a great success. Oh, and another tip. Always take a photo of the finished result preferably before it is cut into 25 bite sized pieces.

The recipe I demonstrated was Lemon Curd Krummeltorte, from Sophie Gray’s Destitute Gourmet.

It was him

It’s a picture of innocence isn’t it? What a sweet wee lad. Check this out:

You can’t see it clearly but this is B3’s response when we asked who did this. He’s pointing at his brother. Of course. Duh. Silly us.

Clearly this makes him happy. Applause and loud cheers from this boy who is obviously so proud of himself for getting himself something to eat.