45/365

Grace in small things.

1. I think I've finally mastered the making of bias binding tape. I used to hate it, but I'm starting to like it, especially the part where my custom made matchy matchy tape makes the rest of the bunting look so good.

2. Spending £1.30 and getting four "new" books for Dhari at our local FARA charity shop, whilst also offloading a big bag full of Dhari's old stuff in the process. Out with the old, in with the new old.


3. Being inspired by Dana (yet again - jeez woman, your awesomeness might one day become irritating) to take my lame attempts at being eco to another level. I am now constantly on the lookout for new ways to follow my three R's (mainly the first two, because "recycle" is just too easy). Today I cut a couple dry-cleaning bags in half, tied them at the end, and made new little rubbish bags. So now I can reuse them, and reduce my use of actual bin bags. Hey, I didn't say it was groundbreaking. Just better than before. Dana, meanwhile, hasn't taken the trash out in a month - not because she's gross, but because she actually doesn't produce that much waste. Amazing.

4. I have completed every last item requested by Karen for the opening of Beanies Cafe in Croydon! And I did it in a pretty respectable amount of time, considering the snail's pace I usually work at. I'll be dropping it off tomorrow and I can't wait to see how the cafe looks now...yay!

5. I got a new steam iron! I sent the old one to be fixed, because the drain plug had rusted shut (probably my fault, shh) and they just sent me a new one. Woot! This is what excites us 'round these parts.

{handmade treasures} curated by waterpenny

If there ever was a greener being with greater taste in green things, I sure as heck ain't met her...

My friend Dana, aka Water Penny, did an Etsy treasury! And of course it's beautiful and green and lush. And as she is an awesome friend, she included me in it as well. Take a peek:

Dana made the lovely quilt that looks like rows and rows and rows of lush green mountains. 

32/365

Grace in small things.

1. Finishing my Red Nose Day bunting. I loved stitching Dana's (ahem, waterpenny's) super-cute protesting animals, especially as Dhari is going on the March For the Alternative with his papa next week. I like to imagine Dhari toddling along in solidarity with a turtle and a unicorn, shouting "Tories, Tories, Out-Out-Out!" By the way, did you know that COURTNEY LOVE is now a supporter of the Tories? She tweeted it, so it must be true.

"Tory now."

How completely random and bizarre is that? Nothing says rock'n'roll like conservative politics. I mean, look at Thatcher. The Sex Pistols loved her. I find this deeply amusing.

2. Meeting up with Claire and Hazel yesterday, and watching the madness that is four toddlers let loose on what would seem to be the greatest toys on earth. It was - and always is - an explosion of cute.

3. Being included in such a talented group of crafters at The Crafty Fox pop-up market. I'm really excited about this. I'm sure this is counter-productive, but I plan to save up some dosh from my weekly allowance (yes, it's come to this!) and pick one wonderful hand-crafted thing to buy at the market while I'm there.

4. Dana giving me a shout-out on her blog. Thanks Dana!

5. I raised £57.50 for Red Nose Day. I'm pretty proud of this as I have never been good at this sort of thing. Remember selling girl scout cookies? Or having to sell magazine subscriptions or those coupon books for your school sports team? Yeah, I pretty much sold some to my parents and that was it. And babybandito ended up donating a bit because a friend bought one of my stripy scarves.

If you're beating yourself up because you missed the deadline, not to worry. You can still donate here!

{red nose} day six

When do we want it?

pattern by waterpenny

Only three days left to donate!

{red nose} day five

Oh, I'm rubbish and I'm sorry. This is supposed to be yesterday's, but I forgot then. Anyway, hippo finished!

pattern by waterpenny

Please, please please support Comic Relief and your fellow human around the globe by donating a bit of money here!

31/365

Grace in Small Things.

1. A windfall of business for babybandito (much busier than what I'm used to anyway). Today was manic. Keep your fingers crossed that this might be a sign of what's to come! My aim is to one day turn a profit. Heh.

2. Dhari LOVES The Rumble Strips (oh hey, and so do I). His new favourite thing to do? Watch their videos and live clips on YouTube. Today, while watching the fantastic video for "Motorcycle", Dhari was really rocking out in front of the computer. We're talking a full-on head bobbing, fist pumping, teetering chair rock out session. Please remember that Dhari is two.
And for your viewing pleasure:


3. Daily Waterpenny embroidery sessions. Remember the tulips playing croquet? And how happy it made me to stitch on it every day? My Red Nose Day bunting is the same. Dana has drawn a collection of different, adorable animals, standing in solidarity for a cause; whether that's for cupcakes or the preservation of democracy in Wisconsin, it's wonderful.

4. Vaguely channelling a 1940s factory girl with my hair and make-up today. Okay, so maybe I just put a scarf on my head, but still.

5. Having a nice chat with my Jenny on Skype last night. That's always a treat!

Support Comic Relief with babybandito

I've decided to embark on a special crafting project for this Red Nose Day. Every day I will work towards festive bunting that demands proper support for mothers and babies in sub-Saharan Africa (using Waterpenny's adorable "Protesting Animals" design). In keeping with the spirit of Red Nose Day, I will post a daily picture of a red-nosed me and my bunting-in-progress here, on my blog. In addition to this creative endeavour, I will also be donating 50% of my takings from any red item in my Etsy shop to Comic Relief. 


Please support me as your cash really can make a huge difference to the lives of vulnerable people across the UK and Africa. I have chosen my target as £182 because that is how much it will cost to pay for a maternity nurse in Tanzania to attend a seven day training course on child delivery care to ensure the safety and health of many mothers and their babies. Did you know that 40% of all child deaths occur in their first month of life? With properly trained nurses, maybe the little bubs will have a greater chance of survival. 


To donate, visit my Red Nose Day page. Thanks!

29/365

Grace in Small Things.

1. Using the last episode of Skins to clarify a student's understanding of what themes actually are.

2. Dhari was really really excited to see his grandmuma and granddad. It was cute.

3. I started making Hazel's lavender door hangers this evening. I think they're going to be luuurrrrvely and might have to make some for my own home too!

4. I already posted this on Facebook, but as I was getting off the bus at Richmond Station, an old man with awesome sideburns let me get off the bus first and then told me, "Your hair colour is really pretty." It was sweet and totally made me smile.

5. I discovered a little shout-out for my friend Dana on the Made By Rae blog today. Dana's featured design is the Dinosaur Rock Band. It makes me happy that she is getting major kudos all over the place, because she is awesome, talented and hilarious and she definitely deserves it.