Stuff Sharers - Bendigo

I thought I would share a little something about a group I became a part of about 6 months ago. It's a facebook group called 'Stuff sharers - Bendigo' which is exactly as the name suggests, a group of people who give away, loan and share 'stuff'. It's a little bit different from a site like freecycle or buy/swap/sell, as I'll discuss below.

It began as a group of friends, expanded to friends of friends and has now grown to have around 700 members. Members are free to ask for items, or to post up items they are willing to give away. First to comment with a 'yes please' or similar, gets the item. There is no 'NIL' or next in line, but if the item doesn't suit, whoever received it can re share. Stories about the item being given away are encouraged, and photos of the recipient enjoying the item, or comments of thanks are sometimes posted on the group page.

So what is shared? During my time as a stuff sharer I have seen several families with urgent needs inundated with offers of household items and clothing, pets re-homed, chicken sheds built from scraps, ski gear lent out, 80's and Harry Potter party costumes gathered, surplus fruit, concert tickets, and advice shared. Recently a car was even borrowed for a weekend. Sharers seem more willing to let go of items of sentimental value knowing that they will be enjoyed by someone else, even if they are not personally known to them. Many items that would have otherwise continued to languish in sheds gathering dust have been given a new lease on life for this reason.

It has evolved into a community of like-minded and caring individuals, who largely do not know one another, but are willing to share rather than throw away or buy new. Sometimes friendships can form over shares, such as a much coveted haul of fabric, but sharers largely move about unnoticed, collecting items from pick up locations.

Here are a few photos of my recent stuff sharer experiences.

The boys in their 'new'  sleeping bags. I posted this as an appreciation photo.

Some wool for my granny squares.

And cute note that came with it.

A vintage suitcase the Mr D now uses on nights away. Well it used to belong to a Nun!

Miss J Parted with her beloved pink wardrobe (photo cannot be found now), in favour of a dusty (but more grown up) old desk as featured in this post here, where I repainted it and added the cotton reel handles. We've also shared our toys, baby items, and clothing, and have loved the joy others have taken in recieving it.

Just this week this pile of magazines, much loved and read by me, destined for the recycle bin, were eagerly recieved by a stuff sharer, who vowed to reshare them after reading. 

Perhaps you have a group of friends with stuff to share. Would you consider starting your own stuff sharer community? Or are you in Bendigo and feel this community could be for you? Come and find us on facebook.

DIY Rainbow Crossing

I don't know if you are all aware of the peaceful movement of drawing chalk rainbows across the streets as part of a protest against the removal of a rainbow pedestrian crossing in Sydney. The crossing has been painted as part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

It's a beautiful way to show that we can all learn to love one another and live in peace. It has touched my heart, and I think it's kind of awesome. People all over the world have been contributing in their own ways, and each contribution makes me smile and lifts my heart.

You can find out more here.

Aidan and I made our own little rainbow crossing this morning, and this wise little 3 year old remarked 'Dad's going to be so proud of us when he gets home and sees this'. Little A rocks!

Easter Madness

Having made something every day for a year and blogged for almost all of those 365 days, 6 days without a blog post seems extraordinary to me. I have to admit that I have missed the excitement and especially the challenge of a daily creation.

The last week for me has been crazy. The kids are now on holidays and Easter was MAD. This was our first Easter spent in Bendigo and I have to say it's kind of a big thing here in my home town. Big would be a massive understatement. It's huge. Gynormous is how the kids would describe it.

There has been a big Easter festival going on and we've been right there running amok inside it.

We simply had to begin our long weekend with a beautiful family breakfast using some of Nana's old plates.

Followed by some rides and running in the park.

Isn't this the most stunning herb garden you have ever seen? Our town is looking gorgeous for autumn.

Night time action was just as much fun.

Here's Aidan and Juliet watching their first ever fireworks. WOW!!

And Dylan was absolutely fascinated by this.....

And that was all just Friday!

Juliet and I were helping out on Saturday to make vegetable jewellery for the Bendigo Community Farmer's Market parade float. It was loads of fun.

The next morning I got up and made a couple of carrot t shirts for the boys to wear.

I made some home transfers and then embellished with wool and felt carrot tops. Forgot to take another pic.

And off on the float we went. What an awesome time.

We spent an hour waving to these gorgeous people in the crowds who came to see the parade. What a fabulous vibe.

The weekend continued, there was more fun, and a trip to Melbourne, but I'm exhausted now just thinking about it all. It was fabulous. All of it. I wouldn't change a minute, but now I think I'll hibernate for a while.