Pretty =Happy!

Some pretty things arrived in the post yesterday.
Miss Kerri-Ann from Loopi for you found this beautiful floral lino in her old kitchen hutch and was wonderful enough to think of me. It arrived in nice workable pieces from her house on the Mornington Peninsular (one of my favorite places). Thanks a bunch.
As you can see I wasted no time making a few feathered friends.
And my lovely Vintage Tin Mini Dress earrings came all the way from this Michigan Etsy shop.
I love the summery dress shape of them, the bits of wear on the edges, and how the "hangers" are actually ear posts.
And cleverly made from Re-cycled old tins.

But the most important reason I am pretty happy is that I've made it through "Blogtoberfest " with a post every day. I found some lovely new blogs and had a lot of new visitors.
So on this last "unofficial" long weekend of October, don't forget to enter the Lino Forest Giveaway.
Now I'm off to cut up an old white sheet for my son's "Mummy" bandages............I'll see you all in November.

Custom Cuckoo Clock

This Clock was created after a request from a talented Qld. fabric designer. I told her if she wanted a surprise, not to look at the blog , but I just wonder if she will have a sneaky peek........
I would.
And do have a little sneaky peek over at Design Files. The lovely Lucy has gathered some Betty Jo tit bits and presented them in a lovely post.

Black stuff

As everyone has been reminding me lately, Halloween is in two days.
Fine, I'll just get some goodies and have them ready at the door when the hoards of kids drop by.
But now I find that the big girl (who takes the little guy out trick or treating) has a prior engagement as Lydia Deetz, and I will be roped into accompanying the miniature "Mummy" door to door.
Any suggestions for a "Scary "costume for me.
The way I feel now, I'm thinking A Deranged Zombie would not be too much of a challenge.........
Here is my final colour collage. My Ode to Halloween.

Black and/or White.

What do you think of first when you read these words?
The whiskey, the song, the magazine, cabs?
Or do you relate it to photography, visual images or film?
Maybe it's more political- race, indigenous issues, immigration?Or maybe you like to view the world in "Black and White". Clear cut, no fuss or distractions. Good is Good, Bad is Bad, and there is no in between.
I like life to be full of colour, where there is no distinction made between skin tone, age, life style, gender or class.
A great big melting pot of cultures all mixed in together to create the myriad of colours that make life so rich.
Yesterday I discovered a Berlin based lighting designer who both embraces colour and recycling. Stuart Haygarth makes the most amazing lighting from man made beach debris washed up on a stretch of Kent coastline. Below is the "Tide Chandelier"And when I saw his neat and ordered Rainbow assemblage of Beach Plastic it was a weird feeling after posting my random effort yesterday. But the world is a small place and the problem of litter is universal.

Rainbow Flotsam and Jetsam

Collected while beach combing at the grungy, less fashionable end of Williamstown Beach.

Pink Ribbon Day!

October the 26th is Pink Ribbon Day. That's Today!

I'm wearing my Pink Ribbon, Pink tights and a Pink Betty Jo necklace.
I have just got off the phone to Breastscreen Victoria and have made an appointment. I feel it's the right thing to do for me and my family. I was spurred into action after hearing these stats. on the radio this morning- 1 in 9 women will suffer varying degrees of Breast Cancer.
All too scary for words, but so close to home for many of us.Little Pink Sparrow has now gone to live with Nikki at Hudson. I will be donating the proceeds of her sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Burgundy stuff

For Michelle from Loving The Vintage .... Major burgundy fancier!

Not too late to Vote!

You have one week left to enter the Lino Forest GIVEAWAY! -A Betty Jo Designs brooch or pendant of your choice!
All you have to do is leave a comment (just here is fine) telling me your four favorite colour collages.
At the moment Red is in the lead , followed by Orange, Green, then Yellow.
1. Puce (Purple really) stuff, 2. Blue stuff, 3. Turquoise stuff, 4. Green stuff, 5. yellow stuff,
6. Orange stuff, 7. Red stuff, 8. Pink stuff, 9. Tortoiseshell stuff, 10. Beige stuff, 11. Silver stuff, 12. White stuff
I will leave you with some pics. from four of my favourite flickerites!1. very vintage children's novelty buttons, 2. Curtain Tie-Back Holders, 3. Hello Weekend!, 4. Presco Type Cabinet - Drawer #1 - The Buttons.

Brisbane is Hot!

If you like buttons and jewellery, it's a good time to be living in Brisbane.
Next Month the Paddington Antique Centre is holding an exhibition "Fancy! Buttons"
There will be Betty Jo Jewellery to purchase as well as other arts and crafts that utilize buttons, and of course plenty of drool worthy collectibles.This show was on last night. Unfortunately my private jet was being serviced so I couldn't make it up there. Very disappointed not to see Liana Kabel's fresh new work in an ICECREAM shop!
Deliciousness x2And the very cool Artisan now has some Betty Jo "Lino Deco"in their retail store (m) art!

Gold stuff

Shiny, happy things....but not that valuable.
And don't miss out on The Betty Jo GIVEAWAY, one more week to enter!

Super Women

There are a lot of Super Women in this town.
Generous, talented, friendly, crafty, funny, helpful girls that do nice stuff.
I had to come up with a small list of inspiring, influential people for an interview yesterday and you know what, they were all women artisans, and only one was not with us anymore (Rosalie Gascoigne).
Yesterday I had a lovely catchup with "Crafty Girl with Ruffle" and was presented with a custom made, Map 29 purse as a donation for my sons School fete on Saturday. So lovely.If you look closely Ann Marie has made the fabric with the Melways Map of the school.It will be auctioned on the day, and I'm sure will draw a great response.
So just a reminder, The Spensley St. Primary School Fete is on this Saturday 24th at 10.00.
If you're into Live music Mr. BJ's band, The Clear Spacemen are on stage at 3.30ish!
I know Ms.Curly Pops asked for the Melways Map reference, so here it is -Map44 1G
Speaking of Curly Pops and Super Women, there is a challenge going on to create your own version of Curly Pops alter ego "SuperPops".
I like a challenge, and a chance to avoid the jobs I'm meant to be doing , so last night I was thinking of dressing one of Lily's Cupie Dolls in a little SuperPops outfit....well that wasn't going to happen.
So I thought I'd create a Lino and Laminex SUPER CUPIE POPS.She has a Red Laminex headdress, cape and pumps to Give her extra SUPER CUPIE powers!
She has on her Super Cupie Pops apron with the famous motif, and attacks her evil foes with pegs ...pinching them within an inch of their lives!
She chills out with her Cupie posse when she is not fighting crime or hanging out the washing.....
I think I'm meant to post the photos at the end of the month, but oh well, no waiting for this girl!

Clear stuff

I used to pull apart chandeliers. I have a lot of chandelier skeletons in my closet........!

Jumping on the Band Wagon.

There seems to be a lot of blog games or memes going around at the moment. Your blog could practically write itself with a meme a day!
When I first started blogging in 2007 I joined Three Button's "Flashback Friday" and "This Is" games and found they gave me an impetus to post at least once a week.
All the other days were usually full of Betty Jo chit chat , lovely crafty stuff by other artists or op shop goodness. Nothing much has changed there!
Here are my favorite pics. from those two memes. I like them because I chose the theme for the week , and they have images of my gorgeous Mum and daughter.

"My Stylish Mum"
"My Best Op Shop finds"
Now I have joined TinnieGirl's Blogtober festivities, and have chosen to post everyday in October (phew, it's tiring).
And I set my own little personal challenge. Posting my Colour Collages at least three days a week.
I have had some help along the way with some "interesting" colour suggestions by Debbie N. on Facebook.
I have another in the pipeline for tomorrow, but right now, because Blogtoberfest is more than half way over, I wanted to get on the GIVEAWAY bandwagon.
I have received quite a few comments here and on flickr mentioning how the Colour Collages would look good as cards. I'm planning to attempt this in the very near future, so I want you guys to choose the colours you would most like to see on the cards.
Look at the Mosaic and leave me a comment telling me your 4 favorite colour collages. You can click on to the flickr page to have a better look if you wish.

1. Puce (Purple really) stuff, 2. Blue stuff, 3. Turquoise stuff, 4. Green stuff, 5. yellow stuff,
6. Orange stuff, 7. Red stuff, 8. Pink stuff, 9. Tortoiseshell stuff, 10. Beige stuff, 11. Silver stuff, 12. White stuff
The random commenter I pick will get to choose a Betty Jo Brooch or Pendant of their choice, and later on if all goes to plan, a set of cards!
And with Christmas right around the corner, this is a great opportunity to score a gift for yourself or a friend.
At the moment on Flickr, Orange is winning in the popularity stakes, followed by Pink, Green and Red. Which ones do you like best???????
I give you till Sunday 1st November and announce the winner on Monday the 2nd.

Yellow stuff

I like coloured tights too.......even yellow!

Balloon Boy

It was fascinating how the media jumped onto the story of the Balloon Boy in Colorado. Totally reminded me of the Simpsons episode "Radio Bart" . Or "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"
All yesterday I listened to hourly updates, until finally the story unfolded and there was a happy result. Publicity stunt or not, I feel sorry for the kids in this family if ever they get into actual difficulty.

I love Hot Air Balloons, and was planning on going on a Balloon Flight in the Barossa Vally many years ago. It was with the same company that had recently had a bad accident with two balloons colliding in mid air.The night before I had a bad dream about Balloons and falling, so I decided not to go. I kind of regret it now.

Eco Innovators Showcase

You will find Betty Jo Designs at the Eco Innovators ShowCase from October 29th.
Retailing locally designed environmentally responsible products, gifts, and art.
In the old Newsstand pillar on the corner of Little Collins and Swanston St. City!
Check out the website to apply to have your products showcased in the pillar.

Silver stuff

Can you see the miniature Opera House and Harbour bridge in the top left corner?. One of the only things I have left from when I learnt Silversmithing in college.And I just had to put this photo up so you could admire it for as long as you like....if you like.
via Nerd Boyfriend.

TOP Fete!

If you like school Fetes and you live in Melbourne, mark this in your Diaries.....
Spensley Street Primary School "Tempting Fete"-Saturday October 24th.
I have been to many fetes over the years , but this is the fete to beat all fetes!!!!! Bands, food, craft, second hand clothes, bric-a-brac and heaps more!
I'll be hanging out at the Craft stall where there will be pretty brooches a plenty, as well as great handcrafted gifts for all ages.

Pink Stuff (for a good cause)

Like Pink?
Like Birdies?
Like supporting a good cause?
If you answered yes to all three questions you may like to support Breast Cancer Month by purchasing this pretty pink Betty Jo sparrow brooch hiding in amongst the pinkness.
Proceeds of the sale will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Send me an email if you are interested. And remember, October the 26th is Pink Ribbon Day.

For the love of Dogs...

These are excerpts from emails sent by Mr. BJ from Korea.

"food unreal but Chester would have cause to be nervous....."

And another "just ate the weirdest meal ever eaten by anyone".
No, I'm sure it's not what you're thinking.
We love doggies alot at our place so it was with great sadness that our old family dog Billy had to be put to sleep last week.
Here is Bill as a young boy. As you can see he was incredibly kind and patient with kids. My 2yo Lily in the picture is now 15!
You had a great innings Billy xxxx

Tortoiseshell stuff

No tortoises were harmed in the making of this........new challenge completed!

Here's a bit of trivia regarding the faux tortoiseshell guitar picks I nicked from Mr. BJ.
"Tortex" has been influential in replacing tortoiseshell guitar picks after an international ban was placed on the trade of tortoiseshell in the late 1970s.It imitates the texture of a tortoise shell and has a grippy feel, so players don't drop the pick while playing"....thank goodness for that !

Grate Craft......

If you need a good laugh for what ever reason, pop over to Regretsy and peruse the hand picked items available to buy on etsy where taste and style have been thrown out the window. Actually there was never any taste or style to begin with.
Beware! Leave any prudishness at the doorstep as you enter the world of "What were they Thinking".These BIG babies are stunnin' don't you think? Unfortunately no good for me as I'd prefer my lobes not to be touching my shoulders.
Don't get me wrong, I love tacky Craft. I just bought this book at Savers today and admit to having a delightful string art yacht on the wall at my place.But there's tacky and there's just plain wrong. I am glad there is a place were the line is drawn.

UPDATE : I've just stumbled across this site. A wee bit mean too, but funny. I think it's where we can meet the regretsy craftspeople in person!

Turquoise (Opalescent) stuff

I was set a very hard challenge by Ms. Debbie N. to create an "Opalescent" colour collage. Not much opalescent goodness around my place, except this beautiful opalescent glass bowl found in an op shop one fine day( made in France, very lovely). I absolutely adore opals though. I used to admire my Nana's beautiful opal ring when I was little, and remember distinctly she promised to leave it to me when she passed away. Unfortunately it didn't happen. I have since heard that it is bad luck to receive opals as gifts.
I guess I won't be asking for this ring for Christmas.So I picked my favorite colour that shimmers from opals.......and give you Turquoise stuff!