My efforts for the kids...

My dad leaves tomorrow morning. So yesterday I was frantic trying to get together all the stuff for the kids. I've found 2 orphanages for him to go to, because they only have from age 0-3 and then they go to another place until 18 or 17. So I've managed to put together 2 separate packages:

This is for the babies

A little case with crayons, I think there's about 100 crayons in there!! Plus some balloons.

Some board books with a nice bag to keep them together.

2 Flannelet blankets and 10 pairs of socks.

And a bag filled with toy happiness...


And then for the older kids:

A pencil case filled with textas and crayons, then it opens and has 2 colouring books inside.

A Bag with foam finger puppets and balloons

And all these books in their own little case.



But seeing them all piled up like that, I am a bit disappointed that I didn't put together a few more things. It looks like not much when you think of how many kids will be using them. It's a start though, my Dad will get me the addresses of both places and I'll continue to send packages to them. I know that the baby's orphanage needs money for nappies, so I may try to do some sort of fund raiser. If anyone has ideas about what I could do please let me know.
Also my Dad is a member of Rotary, he has spoken to others in the club and they think they may be able to help me and possibly fund a trip to Bulgaria to see the kids. (This may be just a pipe dream though).

Something I made:

Okay, this is my very first go at doing a swap. I really wasn't so impressed with my efforts. It's my first try at a toad stool and I've done my best to make it appealing to my partner who likes black and red and is into music. I was happy that it can actually stand up, thanks to the flatish stone in the bottom. But it's a lot smaller than it was meant to be and to make up for it I also made some clips to match. I was up against the clock though because I am also trying to make all these toys for the orphans in Bulgaria before Monday, when my dad flies out.
I'll be so excited to see the pictures of him giving them the toys!! I really hope they bring some joy to those little faces...

And this is just something I had to put on here because it's so cute:

Big one...

The weekend is almost over... several things to share:

I've decided to start doing 'this is'... as started by Three Buttons this week is best op shop/garage sale finds:
I got this at a garage sale for $5. I love it! My mum saw it when I brought it home and offered to buy it from me. Hah! Fat chance! This baby's mine! I don't have a picture of it but on both sides it has a pic of a large shell burned into it, with a name. So I think someone pulled apart some sort of produce box to make it. It looks pretty old though.



I also have another small find that I just think is really cute: I don't know why but I love this when I saw it. It's a tiny tree with a little Japanese table set under. It has a small bowl of fruit and a little pillow on top, with some cool shoes below. I just think it's divine.

Also: I finished one of the toys I am making to send to Bulgaria, to an orphanage

This is pretty much my first stuffed toy, but I'll get better. Promise. Yes that material does have little blue and purple boats all over it! So gorgeous.

I made something else, yet again for my sister. She was going to a masquerade ball and needed a mask. So I hastily knocked this up. Black velvet, mmmm.... She was going to curl the ribbons when she got home.


Yesterday we went outside, even though it was horribly cold and played around for a bit, I took some good shots as it was starting to get dark:J shows us all how dog training is done.

And some lovely photos of the winter sun set and my boys. The bottom right photo is possibly the best I've seen of Aussie Bob. Click to see a bigger pic.

Ok... I'm exhausted! Oh and a *Big* thank you to greenolive who gave me my first comment. Very exciting! Ta!

Gifts for orphans...

My dad is off to Bulgaria in a few weeks on a holiday. By himself. I know, weird isn't it? Anyway, I have been thinking a lot lately about how I want to help some children who have little to no joy in there lives. So I asked him if I made some things like toys and games, if he could go to an orphanage and give them to the children there. He said yes and now I'm on the look out for things I can make for him to take, they can't be too big or too heavy so that he can get them there. So if you read this and have any suggestions please leave a comment!

....

Since having Aussie Bob I get terribly upset at anything sad to do with children. All kids should be given the chance to grow up in safety and love, with clean water and food in their bellies. So many don't have these basic things and I want to help them some how, so I've been thinking more and more lately that I would like to volunteer to go overseas where they most need help and do what I can. Though my first duty is to my own child and partner so it will take some planning and will most likely be a few years until I can do it. So until then I'll do what I can from home.
It really does make my heart bleed at the things that are done to children. To those who cannot defend themselves. So I hope the things I'm going to make bring at least a little bit of joy to a kid who needs it....

Also if you have something you would like to send with my dad, please email me and I'll do my best to organise it. Thanks!