Whoooo loves owls?

I've had this new one under wraps until after Christmas....hope you like it!

My First Blog Award

Thank you to the beautiful Chelle at Chelley Bean Designs for my very first creative blogger award!

So there are some things I have to do to receive this illustrious award - some rules to keep it growing:

1. Copy picture and post on your blog (check)

2. Thank the person who gave it to you and link to their blog (check)

3. Write 7 things about yourself we don't know (see below)

4. Choose 7 other bloggers to pass the award to and link to those 7 other bloggers.

So here's my list...

1. My Dad bought me my first sewing machine when I was about 15 (using money he'd saved to by himself some new CB radio equipment!!)

2. I left home to live with my grandparents for one year when I was 12 before going to boarding school

3. I met my husband via my brother - he was one of his mates!

4. My first car (keeping with Chelle's theme) was a PURPLE morris minor (1952 model)

5. I saw the demonstration AFL game at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth games

6. I have NEVER had Christmas away from my parents!

7. I didn't travel overseas for the first time until I was 42!

And my creative blog inspiration list ...

1. Sara Pearcy from Sassi Photography

2. Mel from Point Shot Play

3. Jodie @ Haby Goddess

4. Tracey - I Close My Eyes...

5. Leanne Stamatellos

6. Pip Prosser - love her outback family photos & scrappin'

7. Bris Style

Thanks again Chelle for selecting my blog :)

Made.X.Manda goes to Straddie

I'm excited to say my camera straps will be on sale at the North Stradbroke Island markets TOMORROW (Sunday 20 Dec). The lovely Julie (from Nourish Naturally) will be selling them for me - so as you check out her gorgeous skin and beauty products you can purchase a new camera strap as well!!! Thanks Julie!

First Referal

Excited to get an email this weekend for a strap order from a 'stranger'! Heard about my straps through a friend of a friend who had purchased one! Thanks for spreading the word!

I finally got the RAK prize to Ali (from our random November comments draw) --- here's the lovely little coin/card purse she won!

I also had a special order for a handbag this past week. I started out making handbags for friends and family before getting into the camera straps. Will be adding them to my blog soon on a made-to-order basis. I use the lovely Melly & Me patterns for most of my bags. This is 'Latte' which is approximately 40cm in height including the handles.

The Winner is...

The winner of the random November RAK is Ali12 (Alison Edwards) as drawn very early this morning by my eldest DD.

Congrats Ali --- I'll have your prize to you very soon!

Thanks for all the lovely comments I received over the month!

One for me...

Those who know me know how much I love orange...and I've also been known to cheer loud & proud for the Brisbane Lions...so here's a strap for me - yep - it's ORANGE & has lions on it!

Share my passions?? You're welcome to order a strap just like it ;) Or tell me your passions and I'll try and find just the right fabric to match them for you!

Don't forget to leave a comment on my Made.X.Manda blog before midnight (Qld time) tomorrow 30 November to be in the random draw for a coin & card purse RAK.

Coin & Card Purse

I'm excited to announce the introduction of the Made.X.Manda 'coin & card purse'. This little beauty is just the right size for a credit card (or gift card), your driver's licence and a few coins/notes. Approximately 9.5cm x 12cm with three pockets and a snap clasp with varying false button decoration - these little purses are being made using the left 0ver fabric from my camera straps.

If you are interested in purchasing one (or two) as great teacher/girlfriend/Christmas gifts (or for yourself), please email me with your colour preferences as these purses will be made to order. They are $10 + postage.


Don't forget to leave a comment before the end of November to be in the random draw for your very own coin and card purse as a thank you RAK for your support!

Straps on holidays...

I was excited this week to sell a strap to a lady from work (those noticeboards on every floor do come in handy!)...who is off to the USA and MEXICO tomorrow for holidays and is taking her new strap with her!!!

I'm also taking a selection with me to the Gold Coast for my bi-annual scrap retreat weekend with the girls from Scrap Chat - so that's kinda like a mini holiday!!!

Watch out after the retreat for a new lil' treat on Made.X.Manda!

Some "Neutrals" & a New Fav

Had a request for some more neutral coloured straps...hope you see something here you'd like!

Flannel Floral on Black is a flannelette type cotton - extra comfy!

But I'm still a bright gal at heart and have a new "favourite"...

Don't forget to leave a comment during November to be in the draw for a RAK from Made.X.Manda!

A few more straps...

I had a request for more PINK...so here's two more 'pink' straps + a couple of others!

Don't forget to leave a comment to be in the draw for a RAK at the end of November!

November Blog RAK

To celebrate the introduction of Made.X.Manda goodies...I thought I'd have a blog RAK!

So leave a comment (I hope my comment settings are right now!) during NOVEMBER and your name will go into the draw for a hand-made item from Made.X.Manda!

Spread the word ;)

I got the BLUES!

Some new blue additions...

First Sales

I'm excited to say I've sold my first 6 camera straps thanks to the lovely ladies attending the Scrap Chat Girls Night In crop last night. The "Pink Birdie" strap I donated to auction is going well - be sure to check it out http://www.scrapchat.net.au/auction/. It's still four days until the auction closes.

I've also received a personalised order - with the buyer provider their own fabric and another order as a birthday gift for a friend!

Mel from Point Shoot & Play will also be selling my straps - thanks Mel!

I'm still "playing" with the photography of the straps...to bring you the best image of them!

Thanks so much for your support.

Here are a couple more straps I have on offer!

Other Colours

As well as all those lovely reds/blacks/whites I have several straps in other colours. I have a few more on the cutting table to share in the next week or so!



Hope you see one you like! Email me to order!

The first 12 are ready!

These camera straps are a fun but an essential accessory for your beloved camera. Made with cotton fabric and padded for comfort, many are reversible. They measure approximately 124 cm (48.5 inches) long, and are adjustable to a longer or shorter version by adjusting the nylon strap ends if you like.


The nylon strap (part that loops through the camera) is 13mm (1/2 inch) wide- the widest part of the fabric strap is 4cm (1 3/4 inches).


Care: Hand wash, hang to dry. You may iron fabric part of strap, but do not apply a hot iron to the nylon strapping as it will melt!


At $25 each + postage they are a great buy for yourself or as a gift! Please email to order.


The first six are in classic red/black/white colours - many florals but a stripe one for the blokes! The "Cranberry Embossed" feels divine in an embossed velvet fabric.

October is...

October is breast cancer awareness month...and every year I've known her, Karen Calcutt (Gypsy), has worked hard to raise funds for breast and other women's cancers during October.

2009 Gypsy has a range of fund raisers happening including an online auction, GNI Crop (17/10/09) and a film night (showing New Moon - 21/11/09).

I'm proud to donate my very first padded camera strap (Made.X.Manda) for the online auction happening at the Scrap Chat Auction site (http://www.scrapchat.net.au/auction/) from 1 October for 2 weeks. Be sure to check it out!