GETTING STARTED

Finally plucked up the courage to get started with a blog - I think I am pretty much the only person I know who doesn't have one ... well I do have one, but it is not relevant now. I will explain ... I had applied (if that's the right word) via Nivea's Channel 7 and New Idea promotion back in October last year to be a volunteer in Thailand, an opportunity to work for a month in a school in Chiang Mai, helping to teach English to students. I had to submit a written application explaining why I wanted to volunteer, why I thought I would be an appropriate volunteer, and filling the Nivea people in on my background in volunteering. I have done volunteer work for quite a few years now, mostly during time spent in Asia - specifically in Thailand and the Philippines - I have done Lifeline counselling here in Sydney, and have spent time working in op shops. I currently work in the Cancer Council op shop in Katoomba. I did make it to the final 8, which was a great, and quite unexpected, honour. Apparently close to 1000 applications were received. The 8 finalists met on December 15 with a panel of judges, as well as Yahoo 7 and New Idea staff - the judges had the difficult task of choosing the four most appropriate applicants out of the final 8 - two would go to Chiang Mai, and two to Pedwa in South Africa. I thought the idea was fantastic - women over the age of 50 were encouraged to apply, to show the world that we mature women still have what it takes to go out there and make a difference.

I am enjoying reading the blogs of the women who went ... the two Chiang Mai blogs are particularly interesting, as that was my chosen destination, mostly because I have spent quite a lot of time in Thailand - love the country, and love the people. The two women in South Africa are so far away from a township that they can only write their blogs once a week - from memory it is a one hour trip to the nearest internet cafe - the things we tend to take for granted!!

My point was ... Yahoo 7 provided each of us with a blog, so that we could tell the world of our adventures - my blog is still there, but as I said, hardly appropriate now.

So ... back to the real world. My focus now is my online boutique - www.julesandme.com - selling baby and infant clothing, toys, handmade quilts and nursery accessories. I love to sew, and have done so for myself and friends for many years. The arrival of my grandson in 2004 however redirected my focus to baby clothes. I bought him plain white t-shirts, onesies and PJs, and embellished them with retro fabric appliques, and made co-ordinating pants, bloomers and shorts. I tested the products on friends, who loved them. I then sold into a couple of boutiques in Sydney, as well as Bondi and Mosman markets. When I felt confident that I was on the right track, my son in law, who is a graphic designer, built a website for me. I love what I am doing, I consider the site a work in progress, and it probably will be for quite some time, but that is very ok!!

Once I work out how to post photographs to this blog, I will show you some of my favourite things. Worked it out! I didn't expect the photographs to show at the top, but there you go. You can see the latest quilt I have made, my gorgeous grandson, and two of the toys I sell - hand knitted by a very clever lady from Newcastle.