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Top Design :: looking for designers
27 January 2011
Image source: Jamie Durie
I wanted to wait until the raffle was over to start posting again, and I've been saving this up...
I received an email a couple of weeks ago from the casting director of a new design-focused reality TV show, asking if I would like to apply to be on the show. Now if you know me you'd know that it's not really my thing. So for various reasons I said thanks but no thanks, and offered to spread the word.
Maybe you might be keen? It sounds like fun. Here's the info:
Granada Media Australia is currently looking for designers, artists, creatives and decorators for a new design-based reality television show called TOP DESIGN. The show will go to air on Channel Nine and will be hosted by Jamie Durie. This will be an amazing opportunity for people at any stage of their design career as the winner of the series will receive a large cash prize and national exposure.
If you are interested you can read more and download the application form.
I can't wait to see the show!
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And the winners are...
26 January 2011
Firstly I have to say how amazing it's been to see our online crafty bloggy community pulling together to hold and donate to all the wonderful auctions and raffles to benefit the people of Queensland.
I am so thrilled to have more than doubled my original target of $1500. The total amount we raised here on the red thread was $3,260! Wow. I will update this post later today when I find out the total money raised from all the auctions and raffles. Thank you to everyone who made a donation and entered.
Edit: Collectively we raised $99,089!! WOW isn't that absolutely fantastic!
And a special thank you to Shelley of Sew Much Easier who so generously donated the Janome sewing machine. You rock Shelley!
Now, the winners...
First prize:
Kristy F (no blog), Nic - Yardage Girl, and Cassie (no blog) are the runners up and winners of the red thread sewing patterns. I will send you all an email today.
Have a lovely Australia Day. It's a hot one here in Sydney!
Big thanks again,
xx
Lisa
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Update on the Raffle and Giveaway
21 January 2011
Aren't we an awesome lot?! We - bloggers and blog readers - have so far raised $45,000 through the online auctions and raffles. Everyone deserves a pat on the back and a big thank you! But it's not over yet - the auctions close on Monday today and the raffles on Wednesday so there's still time to dig deep for the Queenslanders.
My personal goal was to raise $1,500 through the red thread raffle (see the post below this one), and we've already reached $1,570! $2,090!! Woo hoo! Thank you so much to everyone who has entered so far - you rock! So now I think we should aim for $2,000 $2,500. What do you think? Do you have $10 to donate, or can you forward the link on to anyone else?
Edit: Tuesday morning... we've passed $2,500! So awesome. Thank you everyone! Can we get to $3000 now? Given that there's only just over a day to go that may not be achievable, but let's try shall we?
I've just been to the updated raffles page to check out what's on offer now that the auctions have all closed, and I've made some more donations and entered a few more raffles. Click here to go on over and take a look.
I also wanted to explain my lack of posts this week. I decided it was more important to keep the Flood Relief raffle post front and centre on the blog. Normal broadcasting will resume here on Thursday.
x
Lisa
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Queensland Flood Relief Appeal Raffle and Giveaway
16 January 2011
Things have been so quiet on all the Australian blogs I subscribe to or follow. I think we are all feeling somewhat shellshocked by the enormous and widespread devastation the Queensland floods have caused. It's going to take billions of dollars and quite a few years for Queensland to fully recover.
We can all do something to help, and as I mentioned last week Toni from Make It Perfect has put the call out for the crafty blogging community to host online auctions and raffles with all money raised going to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal. So this is what's happening here on the red thread...
In conjunction with Shelley of Sew Much Easier I am so excited to host a raffle with an awesome prize and a giveaway to 3 runners up.
FIRST PRIZE
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*A BRAND NEW Janome 19110 SEWING MACHINE from Sew Much Easier,
RRP $899
*A range of the red thread sewing patterns and pattern kits, RRP $128
1 x Ooshka Babushka Pattern Kit
3 x Ooshka Babushka Fabric Face Panels
1 x Ooshka Boy Pattern Kit
2 x Ooshka Boy Fabric Face Panels
1 x Hello Birdie Sewing Pattern
2 x Festive Craft Kits
*A selection of 12 fat eighths of fabric and 2 badges from Posie Patchwork
8 Amy Butler prints and 4 boy-themed fabrics (thanks Jennie!)
*A selection of 6 fat quarters of fabric from Retro Mummy
Super cute Japanese fabrics (thanks Corrie!)
*A selection of 6 fat quarters from my fabric stash
Including Trefle and Heather Bailey.
That's a first prize with a value of around $1200!
I will cover the cost of courier delivery within Australia. Sorry international readers - I can't ship this prize to you, and the machine will only work in Australia and NZ due to voltage differences. You may only enter if you have an Australian delivery address (not a PO box) and you plan to use the machine in Aus/NZ.
GIVEAWAY
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3 runners up will each receive my Ooshka Babushka Pattern Kit and Hello Birdie Pattern. RRP $34
I will cover the cost of postage within Australia.
HOW TO ENTER
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All you need to do to enter is donate $10 directly to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal, then come back here and leave a comment with your receipt number. Please note: if you are the winner I will also require you to email me proof of payment (donation receipt).
*Please don't comment on this post unless you have made a donation and have a receipt number*
Remember, I need to be able to identify and contact you if you win, so if you don't have a blog you can leave your email address in your comment, or email me your name and receipt number and I'll leave a comment on your behalf. email: lisa [at] the red thread [dot] com [dot] au
You can enter multiple times for more chances to win this awesome prize. Just leave separate comments with receipt numbers for each $10 you donate.
Start donating now, and
Edit (19 January): Bloggers running raffles have been asked to extend the running time to midday Wednesday 26th January. All the auctions will be finishing on Monday 24th, and this will give time for people who are outbid to allocate their donations to raffles instead. A full list of raffles will be posted on Make It Perfect on Tuesday 25th.
Don't forget to visit Make It Perfect for the full list of auctions and raffles.
THE JANOME 19110
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Let me give you a bit of background on how this prize came about. When I posted last week about my upcoming auction I received an email from Shelley Hong of Sew Much Easier saying she'd love to donate a Janome 19110 to my raffle. How amazingly generous is that?! Shelley doesn't have a blog yet and wanted to get involved so am thrilled to be able to help her to help you to help the Queenslanders. Yay!
Not content to leave it at that Shelley is also generously donating the January sales proceeds from her ebay store to the Flood Appeal. So if you miss out on winning this auction and you'd like a new sewing machine please go and check out Sew Much Easier.
The Janome 19110 is the official Australian version of a popular model that was originally created by Janome for the US market, so it isn't commonly found in Australia. Spare parts and accessories for this sewing machine are standard Janome products and are readily available here. The Janome 19110 complies to our rigorous Australian standards and comes with a standard foot pack, standard accessory pack and a two year warranty (provided by Shelley of Sew Much Easier, as your "shop"). There are too many features for me to list, but you can read all the details here.
I'm more than a bit upset that I can't enter my own raffle to try to win this beauty! But I will be checking out all the other auctions and raffles at Make It Perfect and making my bids.
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Queensland Flood Appeal Auctions
13 January 2011
In the true spirit of community bloggers are rallying to help out the Queensland flood victims. Toni from Make It Perfect is organising blogger auctions.
There will be an auction here at the red thread, which will go live on Monday morning. I'm gathering lots of goodies to put together to make one big auction item which I'm sure you'll love. 100% of the money raised will go to the Flood Appeal (the auction winner will pay the winning bid amount directly to the official Government Flood Relief appeal). The auction will be open to
Edit: I have had some generous offers from others who want to contribute to my auction prize, including one really fantastic item - so exciting. The total value of the auction prize will be over $1000... stay tuned!
The master auction list will be up on Monday and I'll post a link to it, so if my auction items don't take your fancy I'm sure somebody else's will. International readers will be able to bid on other auction items, so make sure you check out the list on Monday if you'd like to help out.
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Queensland Floods
12 January 2011
The rains and flooding in Queensland continue and as we watch helplessly a national disaster has been unfolding. Brisbane is bracing itself tonight for the worst flooding in many decades. If you are up north stay safe - you are in our thoughts and prayers.
We can show our support for the victims by donating to the Queensland Government's Flood Relief Appeal or The Red Cross.
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Loving :: Vector Cloud
11 January 2011
This laser cut timber Polly necklace from Vector Cloud comes with a spare clip-on wig and dress.
Oh so adorable!
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Inspiration :: Maria Westerberg
Swedish interior architect, artist and designer Maria Westerberg creates these vibrant homewares using recycled materials. The T-shirt chair was made from the donations of 40 people whose stories became part of the project, and the light and rug were plastic bags in their previous incarnations.
all images: Maria Westerberg
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Sweet Wallplates by Chik
10 January 2011
Simple and sweet wall decoration with a vintage feel
by Australian company Chik Design.
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Shoes of Prey :: Affordable Bespoke Shoes!
Ok, I'm hyperventilating here...
let me tell you about Australian company Shoes of Prey.
Bespoke shoes: You design them - choose from seven basic styles then pick the colours, materials (fabulous range), heel style and height, and embellishments.
Affordable: AUS $195 to $350. For bespoke shoes I think this is really reasonable. Checkout the feedback they have received - well worth it I think.
A great range of sizes: This one's important to me with my rather large feet... they can make from a teeny size 2.5 / Euro 31, right up to 15 / Euro 49! And in varying widths.
International shipping: Flat rate of AUS $25
The range and options are almost overwhelming. Did I tell you I'm excited! I just wish I'd known about Shoes of Prey a couple of months ago. I have a friend's wedding coming up in a few weeks that I would have loved to order a pair of shoes for... although I'm sure I'll be able to find other reasons to justify a purchase.
Edit: Ok, perhaps I need to explain why I'm thrilled to have found Shoes of Prey. It seems like my enthusiasm isn't shared! With feet on the upper end of the size chart I can never just walk into shoe shops and try everything on. I don't have a huge amount of choice, and I'm usually settling for a pair of shoes that I like, rather than being able to choose from a range that I love. I don't even bother going into most shops as I know they won't stock my size. That's why I feel like a kid in a candy store when I visit at Shoes of Prey.
As an aside a lovely friend put me onto this great website - you might like to check it out if you share our frustration with finding shoes to fit.
If you'd like to know more about the process, check out this video.
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Cloud 9 Fabrics :: Designer Series
09 January 2011
Are you familiar with Cloud 9 Fabrics? The lovely Michelle of Cicada Studios and her business partner Gina have so far created five gorgeous collections of 100% certified organic fabrics, and they have recently collaborated with some of my favourite artists (and I'm not just saying that!) to create 3 new ranges in a new Designer Series.
The first in the series is by Heather Moore of Skinny laMinx. The range is called Cut out and Keep, which is based on Heather's paper-cuts.
all images: Cloud 9 Fabrics
Then... I can hardly wait until July to see what Julia Rothman's range will be. I have long had a major lust for her gorgeous Daydream wallpaper. And in October Cloud 9 will release the inspirational Gennine Zlatkis's fabric designs.
Awesome huh? I love seeing wonderful collaborations like this.
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This is what I've been...
05 January 2011
doing...
Packing away Christmas for another year.
reading...
Just My Type - a great book about Typography which was a gift from a friend who knows me too well.
You'd have to be a graphic designer or be really into type (ticks both boxes for me) to enjoy this book. It's actually quite a humourous read... not dry at all. Loving it too.
making...
New covers for some lounge cushions and I finished a big crocheted floor cushion which has been in the works for a while. I'm so proud of myself that 2010 was the year that I finally learned to crochet!
wearing...
A big chunky bracelet that Roxy made me for Christmas... something only a mother could love!! I do love it though, and I received it on Christmas Eve because Roxy just couldn't wait one more day to give it to me.
And a sweet little brooch from a lovely friend, which came from Tabitha Emma's Etsy shop. My surprise package also included some beautiful fabric.
revamping...
A lamp I bought from Vinnies for $20. I covered a shade I got on sale for $15 and now I have a fab new lamp for the lounge room. I'll show you some better photos soon as I'm after your opinion on whether to retain the timber and ceramic combo for the base or whether to paint over it.
A fantastic '50s/'60's cabinet to store DVDs and house our TV. It was exactly what I was after so I was thrilled to find it for $80. I'm halfway done revamping it, so for now all you get to see is the 'before' shot.
An old standard lamp a friend found by the roadside for me, which still works. I painted it white and added an oversized globe. Then I got a beautiful old lightshade and stripped off the fabric to reveal the gorgeous sculptural wire skeleton which I painted. Now I have a fabulous bedside lamp that cost next to nothing.
Two glass mineral water bottles which I painted (on the inside)... the cheapest vases ever! The small olive green vase was a bargain buy from Freedom for $7. You've also got a sneak peek of the TV cabinet in this photo too.
celebrating...
My beautiful girl's 7th birthday.
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