Hell on Earth

Doesn't come close to what it must have actually been like for those caught in the worst natural disaster Australia has ever seen - the bushfires in Victoria last weekend.

I spent last Saturday night listening to ABC radio, with frequent urgent threat alerts interrupting calls from those who were in the midst of the firestorm or those desperately trying to reach loved ones. All of whom were trying to make sense of such an unprecedented catastrophe..little did we know just how apocalyptic those fires were.

This was not a bushfire that happens somewhere in Australia every Summer - it was so much more than that. To date, 181 people lost their lives last weekend - all in sheer terror. The skies are still full of smoke, there are towns that have literally been destroyed. 7000 people are now without homes, communities have been torn apart.

Mr. B&C has been in the fire areas doing recovery work - I wish there was more we could do.

Please, please, donate to the Red Cross - it's a true reflection of community and humanity that the entire nation has been so generous.

Victoria will never be the same again.

All things nice

At some stage, I'm determined to balance the very unfair advantage little girls have over boys in terms of crafting. It's just that there can be roses

Gorgeous hair accessories

Including headbands and flower corsages (Mummies need to match :P)

Lovely spring inspired bunting in linen pouches

Lavender spotty trims

And sweet, classic names




But boys are fun too...more on that later!

I swear, I only just stepped out for cake...

So...2009 hey? Long time no blog.

All is well in the Brierley and Clover household - 2008 was at times, an emotional and exhausting year - 2009 looks set to follow in the same style. Blogging had to take a back seat but I think it might actually be handy as a distraction to other things.

There was a little of this happening in 2008

Which is still a WIP although it involves a lot more science and people than my usual craft WIPs!

Speaking of crafting, there's been a bit of bib action happening

And a bit of decorating planning (warning - gratuitous birdy style shot ahead)

Although with the sweltering weather, it's been too hot to do anything but settle down with the airconditioning and these

I'm hoping reading about and looking at pics of snow and chilly English Christmases may help drop our temperature by a few degrees!

Here's hoping 2009 will be the year for a little Brierley or Clover and lots of blogging goodness

Spot the difference

While browsing blogs, I came across Kim at True Up and her meme about favourite fabric designs. Constança of Saídos da Concha highlighted Mirabelle Tana Lawn from Liberty as one of her faves.

(Picture courtesy of True Up)

While wandering around Spotlight this morning, I found this -

I think you'd be safe in saying Mirabelle was the inspiration for this fabric. Again, as highlighted by the Moo (he's quite fond of Liberty and any loose threads!)

Probably ever so slightly cheaper than the Mirabelle at $5.60 a metre!

Happy Birthday Louise Brown!

The world's first IVF baby turns 30 today!

Over 80,000 babies in Australia have been conceived with IVF and it seems it will be the path Mr. B&C and I will take to try and create our family.

Infertility is the hardest challenge we've ever faced. I'm so incredibly grateful for the scientific miracle that is IVF. We're hoping beyond hope that we'll be one of the lucky 30-40% for whom IVF is successful. Please let 2009 be the year we see those two pink lines.

Blue and green should never be seen...

...unless there's linen in between! I finished my little WIP. It makes me think of spring, unfurling new leaves and the warmth of the sun.

I love blue and green and can feel a new obsession coming on...

The butterfly wasn't part of the original design however I made a little mistake with my embroidery but we'll keep that between you and me!

I hope they like it!

I've never noticed that before...

Houseworking tip number 1.

After washing the floors, always check for cute but spoilt cats being cosy on upturned chairs.