Collaborate for a Cause Charity Auction, raising awareness & funds for Beyond Blue

Time to time, I have taken part making an item for charity. Various items of the years such as bunting, aprons, illustrations, etc. It's important to give back to community. Especially to raise money for important & worthy charities.

I was contacted by Jade at Findis Designs. She makes beautiful kids fashion and made a beautiful girls dress.
Jade was wondering if I would like to part & donate a custom bunting.
Yes, I made a vintage bunting from vintage floral fabric & vintage embroidered tablecloth.

Annette from Rainbow Lane making a gorgeous matching doll & Julie from Crazy Lyka joined us to make a lovely collection of hair accessories.

The final result, was amazing, as you can see! The collaboration looks stunning.

Beyond Blue was chosen as the Charity.
If you don't know what Beyond Blue is, it's a charity working to address issues associated with depression, anxiety disorders and related mental disorders. beyondblue works in partnership with health services, schools, workplaces, universities, media and community organisations, as well as people living with anxiety and depression, their friends and family, to raise community awareness of anxiety and depression and reduce associated stigma.

The organisation that holds the charity auction is Collaborate for a Cause
The annual Collaborate for a Cause Auction for Charity is back for a seventh year! To find out all the details visit the website collaborateforacause.weebly.com

Please view the items available in the auctions, there are many handmade crafters / artisans that have collaborated towards this great event!

2017 - Collaborate for a Cause Charity Auction Album


This year's charity auction will run from 28th July to 30th July 2017.


I would like to thank the lovely Lis from Lolly & Me for the wonderful photography.

Sustainable Handmade Collective - Showcase * A Winter Woodland Adventure 31st May 2017

I just love the Sustainable Handmade Collective.
It's been a little while since I have been part of these fun and eco - friendly handmade showcases, it was about time I joined in and present some items in the this winter showcase.

So what is the the Sustainable Handmade Collective?
"Sustainable handmade creations...where handmade pages come together to showcase their creations. We pride our selves with using upcycled, reclaimed, recycled, sustainable fabrics, fibres and materials."

A number of times a year, you will find the Sustainable Handmade Collective will have a themed showcase. A maker will handmade items, often, one of a kind, just for the showcase that are made available for purchase for a just a short time.
This showcase is featured on the Sustainable Handmade Collective facebook page.

This Wednesday night is 'A Winter Woodland Adventure'. Starting at 7.00pm.
31st May 2017

"A showcase to begin Winter bringing with it the beautiful earthy tones of Autumn.
Think those sweet little florals, forest animals, rich earthy tones, sprigs of forest mushrooms, colours of the leaves, textures and warmth."

 Here are the images of the handmade items I have made for the A Winter Woodland Adventure

Vintage Upcycled Tea Towel Apron - One size fits most.
'Rabbit loves Carrots' Vintage Tea Towel - Linen Tea Towel, Cotton Vintage Panels & Cotton Vintage straps etc.

Vintage Upcycled Sarah Kay / Holly Hobbie style Flag Bunting.
Doilies that I have used are vintage with a history and a past, some showing slight signs of age and possible minor imperfections.
This truly adds to the charm of this ‘one of a kind’ vintage bunting.
Nine (9) flags, 2.5m in total length (end to end).

Vintage Upcycled Tea Towel Half Kitchen Apron - One size fits most.
'ANTIQUES Shop' Vintage Tea Towel - Linen Tea Towel, Cotton Vintage 'skirt' & Cotton Vintage straps etc.
Has a small 'hidden pocket' under the linen apron (on the 'skirt - opens to the right hand side).

Vintage Upcycled Tea Towel Apron - One size fits most.
'Rabbit Cooks' Vintage Tea Towel - Linen Tea Towel, Cotton Vintage Panels & Cotton Vintage straps etc.

Vintage Embroidered Doilies & Fabric Flag Bunting.
Doilies that I have used are vintage with a history and a past, some showing slight signs of age and possible minor imperfections.
This truly adds to the charm of this ‘one of a kind’ vintage bunting.
Nine (9) flags, 2.8m in total length (end to end).

Upcycled 'Denim Jeans' Utility Work Apron -
Best Fit: Adult - size 10 -16
Made from Men's Denim Jeans, Cotton Vintage Fabrics (three different fabrics).
Use: Cooking, Craft, Gardening.

You will find and can purchase these items and MANY more at  Sustainable Handmade Collective

Facebook page -  'A Winter Woodland Adventure'. Starting at 7.00pm.
31st May 2017

 Sustainable Handmade Collective Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sustainablehandmadecollective/

Do you love upcycled handmade items? We will be one of the participants in the Sustainable showcases. May 27th

 We will have some bunting & apron entries in the Sustainable showcases facebook showcase.

"Sustainable showcases...where handmade pages come together to showcase their creations. We pride our selves with using upcycled, reclaimed, recycled, sustainable fabrics, fibres and materials."

✿ ❀ An online showcase ✿ 27th May ✿ 7pm AEST


Featuring many handmade crafters, just an example:

Lil' Popet
Penélope
Fabric - Scissors - Hook
Upcycled Princess
Nancy Jeannie Handmade
Apple & Rose
Ziggy High Design
Vintage Glorybox
Tootsie Handmade
Aunty Nat's Knits
dream a little
Vanja's Design
MelyndaMade
Anahata Handmade
Tamsart
Pea Green Sea

 and MANY more!!!!!


 oh, and me! Merry-Go-Round handmade :)

I love to upcycle and give a new life to something that had an intended previous use.
For example, some of my tea towels are brand new but many are retro vintage - that is 20-40 years old! They are in excellent condition as they have never been used for their original purpose.

Metro Retro Aprons are all OOAK - that is, One Of A Kind.
Each one is never to be repeated, never to be exactly the same as another.
All of these aprons are handcrafted originals and unique!
The ideal handmade gift for someone special or for spoiling yourself.

Metro Retro Aprons....Fun & Funky Designs - Expect the unexpected!
Vintage, Retro Design with Modern & Practical Use.
Unique, One Of A Kind - just like you!  One Size Fits Most.
Most of my Metro Retro aprons have a 100% linen tea towel front panel and the side panels,
straps & binding are vintage cotton - usually 100% Cotton.

Vintage Retro Floral Upcycled Fabric Bunting

Cheer Up your favourite space, a study, craft room, etc - all year round!
'Colour your world' with this lovely bunting decoration of rainbow colours!

RETRO Vintage 'Multi-Colour Garden Party' Flag Bunting adds charm and style to any room!
Total length is Three metres (3m) / about 9.9 feet approx.
Twelve (12) flags in various new & retro preloved fabrics
This set of flags is a lovely combination of Multi-Colour Florals, retro new & preloved upcycled fabric - Just Divine!
This Flag Bunting is double sided/reversible - can be viewed from front or back.
There are no unfinished edges on these flags.

I am often asked....Do I make custom flag buntings?
Yes, I do make custom bunting in requested colours / lengths.
It depends on the fabrics you request & what I have in stock, etc
Contact me, to discuss more.

 www.facebook.com/MerryGoRoundHandMade2
www.madeit.com.au/merry-go-round
www.etsy.com/shop/MerryGoRoundHANDMADE
http://merry-go-roundhandmade.blogspot.com/
http://instagram.com/mgrhandmade/

My Upcycled handmade 'Tea Towel' Aprons in 'Upcycle' Showcase. Also..... The difference between Upcycling & Recycling

Upcycle Showcase starts tonight at 8.00pm.
It's a collection of Upcycled Handmade items made by a collaborative of sellers to showcase their creative talents on Facebook.
All items are available for purchase (while the showcase is open).

I have entered two of my 'Tea Towel' Aprons.
As you have guessed, made from tea towels & vintage retro bed sheets!

Please head over to 'Sew you say - The Heart of Handmade' to have a look.

Click here for link to showcase.

The difference between Upcycling & Recycling:
Upcycling is: “The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value.”
Recycling is: taking old materials and making them back into their original form.
Re-cycling is redoing the cycle; in other words, reprocessing paper so it can be printed once again.
Up-cycling, is removing something from that process, eg  This includes taking an old tire and making it into a swing, old vintage plates into a cake stand or a bed sheet made into a dress.
Upcycling gives an item a better purpose.
eg. To use vintage fabric straight off the bolt, is not upcycling but fabric from a sheet, tablecloth, pillowcase and making it into something better for reuse is Upcycling.

Recycling is: a practice that takes an item and targets it for reuse, returning it back to the cycle of daily contribution to society rather than discarding it.
Recycling is the process of making or manufacturing new products from a product that has originally served it's purpose.
It often means taking consumer materials such as plastic, paper, metal and glass and breaking them down so their base materials can be remade into a new consumer product, often of lesser.

Upcycling is described by some as reusing a material without degrading the quality and composition of the material for its next use.
There are no breaking down of the materials, just possibly refashioning the original item.

Simply: Upcycle is reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.

Upcycling is eco-friendly. It makes a positive impact on the environment as you are reusing the same item and saving it from the global garbage stream.
It’s converting waste materials or useless products no longer wanted or needed into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value

I love to upcycle and give a new life to something that had an intended previous use.
My ‘Retro Metro’ Aprons are made from Tea Towels and the added fabric to the ‘sides’ and straps are made from vintage / retro bed sheets!
Some of my tea towels are brand new but many are retro vintage - that is 20-40 years old! They are in excellent condition as they have never been used for their original purpose.

Also, my vintage retro flag buntings are made from bed sheets and sometimes includes lace doilies!
Made to last & eco friendly, they can be used for many joyous occasions ‘time & time’ again.

Creating handmade upcycled items means (to me) making items that are often One of A Kind (OOAK), unique - as much as the intended buyer/recipient!

Holly Hobbie girls Aprons using all vintage fabrics - Vintage Playground Showcase 1st Sept

My Holly Hobbie girls Aprons have been completed for a few weeks now and just recently been uploaded to the Vintage Playground Facebook Page.

Recently I mentioned my Holly Hobbie Vintage flag bunting was made & posted to the Vintage Playground Facebook Page.
So now I have two items in the showcase - using different HH fabric.

This time around I was looking for something 'different to make for the showcase yet not too different to what I currently make & sell in my handmade online stores, Madeit & Etsy.

I have plenty of the HH fabric and I thought of doing these aprons many months ago but as usual I was not to motivated to make them until I heard about the Vintage Playground Facebook Page.

I have to say, making these aprons are VERY time consuming. They will not become regular items in my stores. They are all One Of A Kind.
I have made five Holly Hobbie vintage aprons, each with a different HH front 'panel'.
I'm pleased with the result. I'm loving the bright & cheerful contrasting colours of the vintage floral fabrics used. They all have a little white lace apron front which looks rather sweet.
Best fit is girls: 6 - 9 years old, approx.

I have decided to only showcase two of these aprons, the other three will either be sold on my FB page or in my stores.

I hope you like them!

The showcase starts on September the 1st at 8.00pm EST
It will run for a week but you will need to be quick to 'snap up' a divine purchase.


Click here for a direct link to the showcase of vintage handmade items made for the showcase.

The following two will be available in the showcase

The following three will be available AFTER the showcase 

www.facebook.com/MerryGoRoundHandMade2