red threads charlestown: this saturday

If you're in Newcastle this Saturday, 21 July, call into the Red Threads shop at Charlestown Square (top level, near the ABC shop) where I'll be the guest seller for the day. I'll be offering a selection of photographs and Good Will Bunting® (including some new and one-off designs) and would love to see you! The Australian Red Cross will receive a percentage of all proceeds. 

Yellow Polka Dot Good Will Bunting®

good will bunting® + australian red cross

Good Will Bunting® has teamed up with the Australian Red Cross and a selection of the range is available at their Red Threads shop in Charlestown Square. The charity will receive a percentage of all proceeds. Next time you're shopping 'til you're dropping, pop in and check it out!

Good Will Bunting® Sorbet Stripes photo: Heidi Adnum

koala hospital

Earlier this week Will and I visited the Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie. The Hospital rescues 200-250 injured and orphaned koalas annually. We were too early for the 3pm tour hosted daily by one of the volunteers, but it was lovely to see the adorable little things doing so well (or, rather, sleeping so soundly!) after experiencing trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a dog attack. Click here to see some of the cutest furry faces you have ever seen! It costs $50 to adopt a koala for one year.

Photos: Heidi Adnum

vintage creamers

Another thing on gathering lovely old things, my little ceramics flock is starting to take on a life of its own. I don't buy them very often but when I added the pieces found abroad to the ones I have here at home... I'm not exactly sure what it is - their shape, size, smoothness? - but I just adore them. My favourite of all are little creamers. Is there something special that you sort-of collect?

Oh, who's that cute little thing down there?

Photos: Heidi Adnum

vintage woollen fabric

For unknown reasons, I've recently started a small collection of vintage woollen fabrics. They're all from charity shops, are super soft and in perfect condition. One is a length of 'skirt fabric' and another is Harris Tweed. So far they have been washed and await transformation at some point in the future - I'm thinking cushion covers and scarves. Do you have any suggestions?

Photos: Heidi Adnum

vintage lace

These little darlings were sitting in a charity shop waiting for me to take them home (for 50c!). I'm not sure what to do with them yet. Any ideas?

Photos: Heidi Adnum

relief

What an awful 2011 it's been for the Asia-Pacific region. First the Queensland floods and Cyclone Yasi, then the Victorian floods, Christchurch earthquake and now the tsunami in Japan. For anyone in a position to donate, the Australian Red Cross is accepting contributions to help people affected by these disasters. Some crafters are also donating proceeds to their local relief funds via Craft Relief.

Origami Hearts Strand by JikiTs on Etsy

things

Here's a unique opportunity to contribute to Henry Wellcome's curious collection at the Wellcome Collection, Euston Road, London. Donate, loan or upload a photograph of an item no bigger than your head for possible inclusion in this intriguing exhibition from 12-22 October. Will you take part? What thing will you offer? 

Photo: Wellcome Collection

purses for pakistan

My friend Irrum has begun 'Purses for Pakistan'. She is making and selling coin-purses, each costing £10, and is donating all of the money raised to UNICEF to aid their emergency relief in Pakistan. So, I'd like you to meet my new Zazzy purse...

Photo: Fifi Flyaway

dswt at green days

Londoners can call in to Acton Green Common this weekend to visit the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust stall at Green Days Fete and Craft Fair. It's a great opportunity to learn more about the DSWT's work, buy things that are normally only available in their Nairobi gift shop, or even to sponsor an elephant! Find more information on the Fair here. 

This is a photograph of Kamboyo, an orphaned baby elephant that Will and I met in Nairobi in 2007. You can read Kamboyo's rescue story here. I make a donation to the DSWT for every sale of my Kenya for Charity prints, which helps to fund more vital conservation work and elephant rescue missions. 

nspcc at the bupa 10k

It was a pleasure to photograph the NSPCC's runners in the Bupa 10km run on Monday. Such a great cause and a really cheerful atmosphere, despite the clouds. It was good preparation for the Race for Life in July, too (well, mental preparation, at least!). You can view all the photos here.

Photos: Heidi Adnum

vintage photo frames

Beth Zeigler at Apartment Therapy shares Hilda Grahnat's tips on creating a photo wall using vintage frames. Hilda has used different mounting techniques (paper, card, etc.) and has positioned the pictures wherever she liked within the frame, which, combined, creates a informal look/collection. It would look great in a hall or living area, don't you think? You may already have a collection of old frames (and old photos) at home just waiting to be lovingly promoted to the wall. If not, you could take a look in your local charity store.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

giveaway!

My friend and La Isla Blogita sponsor Irrum has launched her new range of Fifi Flyaway designs in their new home on Etsy! The range includes fabulous accessories for gorgeous gals and specially designed tees for children. Proceeds from all sales will go towards a water sanitation project in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya. Irrum is personally funding the project, which is a huge task and every penny counts. To celebrate Fifi's launch, Irrum is giving away one of these gorgeous handmade clay bead necklaces. Every shiny, beautiful bead is hand made and painted in Kenya. To win, take a look at the collection and leave a comment here. This giveaway is open to everyone and includes secure shipping in the UK or abroad. The winner will be drawn at random next Tuesday. Hooray for handmade!

Update: The winner is Em from Hip Hip Gin Gin!
Photo: Heidi Adnum

race for life

My friend Elfa and I will be doing the Cancer Research Race for Life this year on 31 July in Clapham. I figure that if Paddington Bear ran 26 miles in the London Marathon yesterday in fur and his usual duffle coat, then Elfa and I can run 5 miles in Lycra. For more information on our fundraising, or to sponsor us, click here. Thank you!

Photo: Rebeccalouise

kristin davis visits dswt

Sex and the City's Kristin Davis is a supporter of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and she paid them a visit this week. Take a look a the pictures here.

Photo: Heidi Adnum

more kenya for charity and new spring

Over the weekend I added more prints from personal projects to my Etsy shop: seven new Kenya for Charity images and a new collection of pretty spring blossoms. I hope you enjoy them! Some to sample now; Clothes Line and Three Men and a Bike:

And for spring, Blue Moon and Pink Roses:

Photos: Heidi Adnum

hello darling! vintage

Hello Darling! Vintage is now open at Etsy! Mel and I have been working on a fabulous collection of vintage pieces from in and around London and it's now ready and waiting to meet you. The collection is an eclectic mix of clothing and accessories for women, men and children, and pieces for the home. We dispatch worldwide on Thursdays and will add more pieces regularly. Our bangles have already made their e-debut on LilithEvy.

Photos: Heidi Adnum

cards for a cure

Hallmark UK's 'Cards for a Cure' Mother's Day photography competition is open until 27 February. Submit your 'Picture of Motherhood' to win £1,000 of photographic equipment, your photograph featured on a card, and a special treat for the Mum in your photograph. Part of 'Cards for a Cure' includes a £250,000 donation from Hallmark to breast cancer charities.

Photo: Heidi Adnum

kidsXpress

Sydney-based charity kidsXpress offers therapy programmes for children aged 4-14 who have faced challenges, loss and trauma. Operating since 2006, a recent addition to their arts programme is photography and the exhibition launched this week at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. KidsXpress aims to expand their service beyond Sydney and welcome volunteers and charitable donations.

'When someone hurts my feelings I feel like this', Ethan, 11:

Photo: Ethan, kidsXpress at ABC News Australia

charity tennis exhibition

Roger Federer has just announced a charity tennis exhibition ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne to raise money for the survivors of the Haitian earthquake. 

Photo: Heidi Adnum