Mum Made This

I think I could almost make this a whole series, we have many beautiful things around our home made by my mum.

I've mentioned before that my mum is a quilter and she made the most gorgeous cot quilt for our little one.  I'm certain it's from mum that I got my fabric obsession.  After many years of my raiding her stash when I was growing up, I think she's happy to have my stash to raid now when she visits.

This quilt is one of the latest pieces of hers that I have seen.  She brought it over on her last visit for us to pass onto the Leukaemia Foundation as a donation and to say thank you for the support they gave our little family.

Looking at the quilt, you'll notice that I'm not the only one in the family influenced by Japanese textiles... 

When I was taking the photos (quickly before dashing out the door to deliver it), the little one wanted to be part of the action...

I love how on this detail on the back, it almost looks like the boys are playing with the dragonflies.

For many years I've resisted the urge to quilt.  Recently though I was shopping for a new doona cover as ours is starting to look rather shabby.  I couldn't find anything in the stores that  I really wanted but started seeing in my mind all the gorgeous fabrics I have at home... I think I can see a "handmade by Melanie" quilt there in the future sometime...

The Shave, the Full Shave and Nothing but the Shave

It's done. It's decided. It's locked in. On March 12th I'm shaving off all my hair to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, a rather rare form of lymphoma, in November last year, it was a shock to say the very least. I had no idea what to expect, what my role of carer was to be and how on earth I was going to manage it all with a new baby. Right from the start the Leukaemia Foundation stepped in. They offered caring advice and support, explained the treatment in much more detail that his doctor had time to do and were instantly like a new friend at our sides, one that I knew I could turn to at anytime. They continue to be there for us and have brightened up some very dark days. Through his treatment we continue to meet more people that have been helped by the Foundation in many ways including access to financial support and with accommodation for the families patients and their families.

So this year, I'm showing my passion for this cause and helping raise money by shaving off all my hair (down to a number two blade).

If you'd like to help and sponsor me, please click here to go to my sponsorship page. There is also a link to my sponsorship page on the side bar.

For more information about the World's Greatest Shave and the Leukaemia Foundation, click here.

And lastly, thank you to everyone for all their kind words and support when I was trying to decide if I was brave enough to do this. And remember, if you see a scary bald woman who looks like she just escaped from prison around Brisbane in a couple of months, don't worry, it might just be me.

Trying to Get the Courage

I'm trying to get the courage up to sign up to the World's Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation this year. The Foundation have been such a great source of support for my husband and I as well as more and more people that we're meeting through my husband's treatment. I'd love to give something back, something to help them continue their fantastic work.

1. cut 3, 2. AprilLucyME0124, 3. examination, 4. Untitled, 5. Distortion to Static, 6. tools

The thing is though, and I'm being vain, I'm not sure I can pull the look off. These gorgeous women are well, gorgeous. None of them have double chins, bad skin or eyebrows in serious need of some attention. I'm just not sure if I'm brave enough.