Grace Gichuhi & Teresia Ndikaru Muturi

This year I became a first time mother of a darling baby girl. And my perspective of the world has greatly changed because of Gwen. When I hear about injustice done to other females, and by their own 'flesh & blood', I cannot fathom the heartlessness of people, who would treat their daughters like cattle. 

Today I read a blog entry over at Pocket Carnival written by Penny Eager, which drew my attention to a news article about two Kenyan girls (Grace Gichuhi & Teresia Ndikaru Muturi) trying, with no success, to achieve refugee status in Australia. If sent back to Kenya these two girls face forced genital mutilation.

When a single voice joins a collective we are more likely to be heard. You can send the following message to both Senator Chris Evans (Minister for Immigration & Citizenship) and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd:

Dear Senator Evans/Prime Minister,
I have just heard of the case of Grace Gichuhi & Teresia Ndikaru Muturi, two women from Kenya who have been denied status as refugees.
I believe that the torturous practise of genital mutilation is abhorrent, and that to deny these women refugee visas is to take a weak stance on this issue.
I urge you to intervene in this case, not only to help these women, but also to send a clear message to Kenya that Australia does not condone these practises.
Sincerely,
[insert your name]

Busy, Not Forgotten

No! I am not neglecting my blog. I have just been super occupied by other things.

• I am still trying to finish making finger puppets. I only have two to go. I will show a group photo when completed.
• Today I decided to clean up the back court yard. It is starting to look like the forest that grows in Max's bedroom (Where the Wild Things Are). And while this is a good look for a picture book, not so in a real life courtyard that already has finite space. I plan to pretty it up in the coming weeks. If it goes well I'll take a photo. But if it doesn't work out I will probably just not mention it again, and pretend the back space doesn't exist. ;)

Three Lil Puppets Made

International Women's Development Agency

Let me tell you a little known fact about myself...

In 1996 I participated in a production of an Australian Community Service Announcement. The CSA was for a non-profit organisation known as International Women's Development Agency (aka IWDA)

I was only 16 years of age when the CSA was filmed, (half my current age) and I remember that afternoon so clearly. That was the day I came down with the flu. It was also the day that I was involved in something important and also had the fit of the giggles for the most of the filming process. The only evidence I have left of that day is a letter of thanks from IWDA plus a screenshot of the televised CSA.

That is me, on the LHS (stage right).

Now, you might well be asking, 'what is it that the IWDA does?' Good question, now the IWDA already have a good answer:

International Women's Development Agency (IWDA) is an Australian non-profit organisation that creates positive change for women and their communities.*

Next question. So why does the IWDA support women? Simply put, the world is not always a balanced equal opportunity place. And often, in environments where education can be lacking there is a high degree of injustice directed at females. IWDA carefully  prepares programs for international women living in impoverished conditions, providing them with skills and a means to pass on their abilities and knowledge to help the rest of the community.

Looking at the IWDA website, I can see there are a number of different ways that Australian's can be involved in supporting these programs, whether it be through volunteer work, hosting a charity event or even bequesting, just to name a few possibilities. 

To find out more about IWDA you can visit their website:

www.iwda.org.au/au

* Quote referenced from the IWDA website - Home page.

Have Sewing Machine... Will Sew

When life throws you a mean curve ball, just pull out the old sewing machine, make yourself the sexiest outfit you can, then show the world whose in control.

Don't ya just love Selina Kyle's apartment. I love Tim Burton's visually imaginative films, and this scene is so theatrical.

This Little Piggy

Finger puppet project in progress: This is the second finger puppet, just completed. And it is a... yep, you guessed it - a little piggy.

The Rain in Spring

My Creative Space...

The weather here in Melbourne is Suddenly Spring. It was only a week ago that I was freezing my toes off. Now I've got to trade my sweats for slightly cooler garments. Which means I'll need to make myself some shorts.

On Tuesday I began making a finger puppet collection, for my baby Gwen. Follow this link to see my first creation.

Also I received word from Katharine, of Woolly Wotnots, that she had received the Japanese doll collection I had crafted as a Pay It Forward project. Follow this link to see Katharine's blog entry on the topic.

Earlier this week I delivered to Meet Me At Mike's my contribution to "Softies for Mirabel". I designed and had the doll made in just under a week. Not a bad effort, I think. The doll is named Genevieve, and to find out more about her creation, simply follow this link.

Piper the cat is asleep (not so creative I guess).

I am currently reading "New Moon" for the second time. Now that is a hard read because I will be feeling Bella's anguish all over again. But I can't help myself. No, I can't stop myself. I am head over heels caught up in the world of the Cullens family.

Shimmy on over to Kootoyoo to see other great creative spaces.

I ♥ Japan

Today I have the warm fuzzies. You know that lovely feeling in the pit of stomach, when you've eaten something lovely or someone has said something nice about you? Well, in this instance it is because I received a lovely email from Katharine of Woolly Wotnots fame...

Dear Melissa,

Today, I received a most wonderful surprise. I couldn't believe it. Your very generous and most amazing pay it forward parcel arrived today.

Thank you so so much.

I was absolutely overwhelmed by what you had made me. You are so kind. So much work and care.

I love love love the Japanese dolls.

How did you know I like so much, Japanese things? :)

I've really been interested in Japan culture, ever since reading Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Holden. Have you read the book? I recommend it as a top read.

The presentation with the compartments is so sweet and I love the little carpet they sit on and all the individual hair styles. They look fantastic.

I will treasure your gift forever.

It is so unique and special.

Thank you also for the zine and the little cute notebook.

I have enjoyed reading your zine and I'm going to think of something special for the notebook - perhaps some special poems.

I am off to take photos and blog about your wonderful surprise to me.

Thank you again.

You're so lovely and kind.

Cheerio,

Katharine

Katharine, I am so please that you like the pay it forward gift. May the rest of your day be as lovely.

The First Puppet

Following yesterday's project entry... Meet the first finger puppet, which I had designed and sewn yesterday afternoon (as modeled in the above photo).