Rain, Rain Go Away

Come again another day.....when we've dried out the brollies.
Lashings of tea and cupcakes would be nice today though!

The Bone Collection

Some of my favorite boney creations from past posts........Tiny Little Girls tiny little skulls,

Madeleine Stamer Limited edition Print

Skull illos by Sunny Buick

Just a reminder that the excellent Sugar Skull GIVEAWAY on Find, Make, Do ends on Monday midnight. Cool skully goodies including a Betty Jo Day of the dead Skull brooch.

All the cool chicks have one!

This is my Excuse!

This is one of my excuses for taking the good scissors to a handful of embroidered doilies!
There are other reasons for doing it too (too many to count), but here are a small portion of them.....


Over the past week I have been using Mr. BJ's MacBook while our PC is in the fixit shop. All my pics have been taken on my iphone and then I am faced with trying to negotiate photoshop (thus my pics are a bit average). I am going to persevere, because it seems to be becoming a Mac orientated world out there, but I am a novice and all the wiz bang stuff is confusing.
AND blogger is not the same as what I'm used to. I can't add links or do anything fancy..can anyone help out there?

Giving Doilies the Chop!

Today I brought home this big armful of doilies and tablecloths from the op shop. Having recently evolved into a trendy eco-friendly style funky kind of op shop, it was staffed by a trendy eco-friendly funky kind of girl. The Nana's had long gone (probably in shock) and when she asked what I was going to do with the doilies, I didn't mind telling her I was going to CHOP them up! This is some thing I never bother mentioning to the Nana's.
To illustrate my point, the opshop girl told me about a cushion cover she crotched for her Nana as a gift. When she saw it next , it had been undone and "straightened up" by Nana.
Obiously she couldn't live with WONKY! I also don't think many Nana's could live with CHOPPING. When I'm a Nana I will be Wonky and Chopping's biggest Fan!

Going, Going, Gone Cuckoo

Top: Maybe going to a crafty home. Bottom: Gone to a crafty home

Thanks...and a Winner!

A big thanks to all who left lovely comments and well wishes for my Mum on my "Think Pink" post . She is receiving positive vibes from all over the land and I let her know of all the good bloggy vibes you've sent. I have chosen the winner of the Giveaway at random and it was commenter number 20. So hooray for Cathy from Melbourne Epicure. If you could let me know your address I'll get your goodies to you!

Bluey the Blue Owl.

Bluey the Owl is feeling blue.

She didn't quite cut the mustard in the eyes of the person for whom she was made, so now she is sitting all forlorn in the window of Curious Oyster. I'm sure someone will fancy Bluey and her funky eye lashes!
There's a full page spread featuring Curious Oyster in the Summer edition of Fashion Journal. I spy a Betty Jo Teapot Clock in amongst the delicious handmade and locally made goodies.

I will be announcing the winner of the Betty Jo"Think Pink" giveaway tomorrow. You have until midnight tonight to enter. Happy Pink Ribbon Day!

Good (ish) Weekend!

Ooops, it seems like I missed a Bogtoberfest post yesterday. I did try, but my desktop is back to being on the blink after a trip to the doctor to get a whole new hard drive...nothing but hassles that's been!
I jumped on the laptop right at the end of the night after wresting it from daughter, but it is a stubborn beast and basically wouldn't work either.Today it's playing nice (so far) .......
Nope, spoke too soon, but tried the desk top and it's working now...but the printer has stopped *insert Marge Simpson throat grumble*
Saturday was Wet in Melbourne town. I spent all day at my son's School fete getting quite damp, and feeling a bit cheated as the day before had been practically summery. I don't think the kids minded and of course the sun did come out at the END of the day.My friend was taking portraits all day and I had to get one to have a record of the gorgeous velvet backdrop. I'm looking quite pleased with my $3.00 jacket from the fete that was a LIFESAVER as I sat on the Craft stall in the Wintery chill, while Charlie is looking kinda glum, as I had just put a stop to him consuming a whole packet of chewy at once.Now for a game of "I spy". Madeleine from Little Birdsville sent me a link to a house for sale in Yarraville. And who should be hanging on the wall? Green and yellow Owl clock!

And speaking of cool emailed links...Sally from Georgie Love sent me link for these edible Sugar Skulls, and Grace from Little Black Crow linked me up to this etsy shop FULL of Mexicali skull jewellery.
Don't forget there's lots of skully action and giveaway treats on Find, Make Do at the moment!

Giveaway Update!

Just reminding you about the "Think Pink" Giveaway I'm running as part of Blogtoberfest and Breast Cancer awareness month.

This little collection of pink Betty Jo goodies are up for grabs, and I am pledging to donate either as many dollars as there are comments or the value of the giveaway....which ever is highest. At the moment I'm up for the market value of the goods which is approx $65.00.

So you have until next Monday night to comment and to be in the running to win two Betty Jo brooches and two colour collage gift cards.
AND over at Find, Make, Do there is a triple decker giveaway I've just kicked off. There are three Day of the Dead fancy sugar skulls to giveaway. So leave a comment to be in the running for one of the skulls!

RawBone Studio Tin can skull. Re-Sew-Cool Sugar Skull coin purse kit
and a Betty Jo Designs Day of the Dead Skull brooch.
Enter here....and don't forget to tell your friends! Ends November 1st.

Redesign Roundup

Have you been following Lucy King's brilliant guest posts on The Design Files? It's not too late to catch up on this weeks inspiring "Redesign Roundup" and today you can spy some Betty Jo teatime inspired brooches sandwiched between Lucy's own gorgeous Me Old China vintage plate jewellery and Roseanne Bartley's cool ring pull pieces.

Thanks Lucy.

Studio Shots

For Wordless Wednesday

To MARK it!

It's that time of year. Markets and fetes and festivities every which way.
Betty Jo will be having a stall at MARKit in the Federation Square Atrium on November 28th. Visit the website to check out the other great designers appearing on the day.
The always AMAZING Spensley Street Primary School Fete is on this Saturday. They have a Facebook page...and didn't I just hear an ad on 3RRR...not to be missed!
BUT first you have to swing by The Made'n'Thornbury Craft Market also on Saturday.
Phew, this weekend is going to burn a hole in my purse.

Spooky Time.

Pretty Skull Clock from Betty Jo Designs.

Skull fairy lights from Aldi.

Woooooooo

Cute Little Things.....

Little cuties by oso polar

Little Black Crow's sweet little critter dolls are on sale on etsy. Meet Betsy, my newest donkey friend!The craftiest little store in Melbourne's C.B.D. the Eco Innovators Showcase Shop " is open for Spring. With some fresh Betty Jo on the shelves.

Think Pink

As well as the month of Blogtoberfest, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The pink ribbon merchandise has become a common reminder of a very good cause, and one that is very close to me.
Once again my Mum will have to pull on her fighting boots and battle it. At the moment she is radiating positivity and determination, two strengths that have help her beat it before.

For the last two years I have made pink Betty Jo goodies to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

This year I will just have a giveaway, but I pledge to donate either as many dollars as there are entries or the value of the goodies, whatever is highest.
So to be in the running for this little package of Betty Jo stuff (including two brooches and some gift cards), and to help a good cause, enter here for a chance to win!

Winner announced on Monday 25th October- "Pink Ribbon Day"

Friday Faves- Earrings

I love earrings. I go through different crazes, sometimes preferring cute little studs, and sometimes bigger dangley numbers.

I finally got me some cute Victoria Mason earrings. I mixed and matched a teacup and a Nice bikkie....... and I received my free "hello"studs too!

Up cycled biscuit tin earrings by Katrina Freene. I swapped a Betty Jo skull for the lovely pair on the left and just so happened to spy them (before they became mine) in a great set of pics from Finders Keepers. Other gorgeous goodies on Katrina's market stall from here.

I don't make many earrings these days but I had the urge to whip up a pair of sugar skulls for my ears this morning....

I think I'm going skull crazy.

Skulls

I'm a bit in love with making skulls. Not Halloweeny type skulls, but my decorative Mexicali style Sugar Skulls. They were certainly the most popular design at the recent Finders Keepers market, and many went home with ace new owners.
I thought it was time to make a skull clock. He's a wee bit evil looking, but remember it is a skull, and not just a pretty face !

The lovely Megan from "Gone Dottie" in Bris Vegas (my newest stockist) sent me a link to her website and blog. She has some fresh Betty Jo goodies just in and it looks like they are right at home in her lovely shop. I spy a Skull!

More Presents.....

I was lucky enough to score these dreamy A4 prints and sweet gift cards from the talented and super down-to-earth friendly Madeleine Stamer.

Our trade agreement meant Wilma* the Owl Clock and a Sugar Skull brooch went home to live at Little Birdsville.....

Owl in her new home and the gorgeous Wilhelmina with girly skull. Pics. from Little Birdsville.
*Names can be changed after adoption if desired.