Handmade with love

This week I have been surrounded by wonderful crafts and gorgeous people. I have only recently learnt how to crochet, starting with just basic granny squares, but I adore beanies so early this week I started to play. Playing with wool, playing with colours. Life was good.

I started making a baby’s beanie in an array of bright colours. I love colour. I taught myself how to do a scalloped edge and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I then set out making a watermelon hat. I was amazed by how quickly crocheting can create wonderful little items. I think I may be hooked, pun intended. With uni and life getting in the way, it was nice to get back to crafting and to create something.

For me this week has been a truly crafty week, even while working. Everywhere I turn I am surrounded by beautiful things being handmade with love. This just makes me so happy.

At Encompass, a youth service for people with a disability, I am based in the textiles room. It is bliss. We have made quilts, bags, dresses and recently learnt cross stitch but our current project is just so fun. We are making stuffed toys which they are going to donate to the children at Geelong Hospital. With many of the clients having spent a lot of time at hospital themselves, making these toys is such a special project. From spotty dinosaurs, kooky aliens and green horses there are some truly gorgeous, colourful toys being made. I love my job.

Then on Friday I was asked to look after a friend’s delightful little shop. Frank & Dolly's is a sweet little shop where each piece has been lovingly handmade and holds a soulful story. 

I was very happy to sit in amongst the handcrafted, fair-trade pretties while working away on my own craft. What a wonderful day.

Now my fingers are itching to finish off a present for my little nephew. I can safely say my crafty bug is back and I am loving it. 

You don't have to be a hippy

It's true. You don't need to be a hippy to care for our Earth. 
You don't need to be a hippy to be passionate about climate change.
You certainly don't need to be a hippy to create change in this world of ours.

Yet many people have this preconception that if you want to look after the Earth, you must be a hippy. Chris Van Ingen has shown Geelong otherwise. 

Last night, I attended an amazing display of talent and creativity at the Reel Change Film Festival. The night was designed to showcase films created by the youth of Geelong that shared a message of 'Climate change, be the change'. 

I am truly in awe of the amazing talent, passion and dedication that the youth of Geelong have for climate change. From the young people who organised the film festival to the film makers, I am privileged to be a part of such an inspiring movement to create change. 

Chris Van Ingen, my cousin, was one of these film makers. He wrote, directed and produced a brilliant short film entitled 'Just Good Business'. Chris wanted to highlight the fact that you don't need to be a "hippy" to care about our environment. He simply wants to look after the world for his nephew and by growing your own vegetables, having chickens, solar power and catching public transport...it's just good business because in the long run, living with the earth is a more economical way of living. 

Chris wanted people to understand that anyone can be the change and I totally agree with him.

We can be the real change in our world.

Chris received an award for 'Best Actor' at the Reel Change Film Festival