Australia Day/Survival Day/Invasion Day?

On the 26th January, Australians celebrate Australia Day, marking the arrival of the first fleet.

But be aware that Aboriginal Australia does not celebrate with you.
To us, this day signifies the beginning of the end to life as we knew it.

When you celebrate this day do not forget to remember the thousands upon thousands of Aboriginals who were massacred, pushed off their land and herded like cattle (in chains) to be placed on Missions and Stations.
Remember the Tasmanian Aboriginals, who after the arrival of the first fleet were decimated to a mere 12 survivors.
Be aware that we never gave up our land or our culture, it was cruelly taken from us. No Treaty was signed or beads exchanged.
Remember that until 1967 we were not even classed as Citizens of this country that we had occupied and cared for for over 50,000 years.
Remember the "White Australia Policy" in place from 1907 and officially overturned in 1973 that did not allow blacks of any race to enter this country as migrants. (that included darkish skin Europeans)

So while you are having the traditional Aussie BBQ on Australia Day keep in mind that Aboriginal Australia does not, cannot and will not celebrate this day with you.
For on this day we will mourn our ancestors, remember their struggle and try to make sense of injustices.

.....................Kerri

Domino Magnet Tutorial

As this is my very first tutorial, I'm going to make it an easy one (mostly for my own benefit lol) I've been playing around with dominos for a little while now, covering them with nice paper and also stamping images. I've made them into both magnets and pendants.
In this craft tutorial I will teach you how to make Domino Magnets using scrapbooking paper and embellishments.

Materials :

• Domino's (this really goes without saying right lol)
• Scissors
  
• Mod Podge, or some type of decoupage glue
• Scrapbook papers (or any type of paper really, even magazine cuttings will work)
• Embellishments of your choice
• Magnets (I use the free calendar magnets you get with your junk mail, they are perfect for the job)

1. Firstly you will need to lay a domino over the paper of you choice and trace around it with a lead pencil.
2. Cut the paper out
3. And glue onto your domino (make sure you glue this on the flat side)
   
4. Add embellishments
5. And seal it with a few coats of Mod Podge
6. Cut the magnet into strips (this is only if you are using the free ones) and glue magnets to the back. I find that a hot glue gun works perfectly for this, but you can use whatever strong glue you have on hand.

When you have finished, you should have something like this...

Wardrobe Refashion 4mth Challenge

Hi Crafters,

I've joined up with http://nikkishell.typepad.com/wardroberefashion/ for their 4 month challenge.

The rules are as follows........

The Rules

• 1.
  No buying new! (handmade is excepted; So this allows for Etsy purchases etc!!) All clothing must be Recycled, Renovated, Preloved or Thrifted, or Handmade only for the term. Employment related and special needs clothing (ie sports, school), shoes and undies are excepted from the rules, although you are encouraged to have a go at making these.
• 2.
  In extreme circumstances, maybe a special event, or the worlds greatest and most amazing never to be repeated sale that you simply can not pass up, you may use the Get out of Refashionista Jail Free card. You are able to use this card once during the 2 month part of your contract; ie 1 for 2 months, 2 for 4 months etc. Of course you need to fess up on the blog and display the button!
• 3.
  You must post on the blog at least once a week to let the community know what you've been up to. This will not only give you brag points, but inspire and encourage others! Of course you need to display the button on your blog and have copied the pledge in at least one post, and provide a link to your pledge under the button.
• 4.
  You need to be honest and admit when you've fallen off the Refashionista Wagon! Go directly to Refashionista Jail, do not pass GO and do not collect $200! Apply for parole once there.

I've only done a few minor refashions before, so wish me luck, theres a good chance I might walk around looking like an idiot for 4mths lmao

I've bought a gorgeous 70's maxi dress from the thrift store and plan to start refashioning it into a summer dress tomorrow.

The Pledge

I Kerri, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 / 4 / 6 months. I pledge that i shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed, ME :)

Happy New Year fellow Crafters!!!

I started the new year off organising my craft space. Sharing 2brm house with 3 males makes it really hard to have some space just for myself. But I succeeded!!!

Mum bought Mike and I a BBQ for our family Christmas present. At first I thought, oh how unfair, a new toy for Mike buttttt (and yes that's a very big but), he's been cooking on it every single night since Christmas Day. So in all fairness, I got the best gift EVER!!! NO COOKING FOR ME!!! Thanks Mum, bestest Christmas present in the history of Christmas presents I think :D
Soooooo....I've moved our old dining table and chairs outside under the Gazebo. AND TAKEN OVER THE DINING ROOM for my crafting purposes. Ok, not really the best idea in history, but it works. I now have a space, all to myself and away from fighting brothers and the noise of teenagers and the playstation. Do I rock, or do I rock???!!!! (Ok, that wasn't really a question lol)

So, here in all it's glory is my very own crafting space. I know it's not the grandest, nor do I have expensive crafting doodads or fancy furniture, but it's all mine :D And I love it!!