Bellgirl.etsy.com sale for the Bushfire appeal- Handmade Help

Hi gang! I'm linking up to Handmade Help, and until the end of February I'm donating all the proceeds from my Etsy shop: Bellgirl.etsy.com to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal. There's nothing over $10 so have a look- bibs, Blythe doll clothes and pendants.

You can see other items being crafted for the appeal at Handmade Help.

Elves from the embers

Hey gang!

Yesterday I was feeling overwhelmed by the devastation of the fires. But now I'm energised and inspired! Why? I went to see Nikki's workshop!

Here's a pile of Rainbow Comfort Packs made by Nikki and her Band of Merry Elves (you know who you are!) on Saturday. The bags will be filled with goodies for the comfort and distraction of kids and families who are dealing with extraordinary stress.

So far Nikki's elves have made over a hundred bags, and with workshops all over the country this project is moving, moving, moving! Well done, elves everywhere! Nikki's published a pattern and instructions if you'd like to make some bags too: here's where to send them.

BTW, there weren't so many things to put in the packs for little babies and toddlers- maybe because it's harder to find safe things for people who put everything in their mouths! I've been trying to think of something to make- hand puppets, finger puppets- any suggestions?

Hoppo's Handmade Help: Crafting for the Bushfire Appeal

Here's how our crafty Hoppo Bumpo is contributing to the Bushfire Appeal.

Hoppo has made this gorgeous gadget case, and it's up for auction on ebay. It's just one of Hoppo's practical contributions to the Handmade Help project for the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

To contribute to the appeal by crafting, read Hoppo Bumpo's post and visit Handmade Help.

Good luck with the auction, Hoppo!

Bushfire Appeal

Over 200 people have lost their lives, over 7000 have lost their homes in the worst natural disaster in Australia's recorded history.

What can we do to help? I'll be posting links below in the next couple of hours. In the first instance, please donate money to the Red Cross. If you can't get through on line or over the phone, you can donate in person at Australian Banks and post offices.

A survivor from the Canberra Bushfire has written about what the public did that was the most helpful: http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090211-Tips-from-a-bushfire-survivor.html

If you're blogging, please blog these links to the Red Cross:

Donate money: https://www.redcross.org.au/Donations/onlineDonations.asp
Donate blood: http://donateblood.com.au/