4 Li'l Darlins

When Chris of 4 Li'l Darlins heard about the call for donations to the B4AK auctions, she dropped everything she was doing to create some wonderful Christmas accessories!!! Ok, maybe she was on a coffee break, because she whipped these beautiful bows and clips up in less time that it takes to check your Facebook status!

This one is my favourite . . .

And according to Chris the little bell on Santa's hat really does jingle. What a perfect idea for Christmas day, not to mention all the days leading up to it!


This next one is called a Christmas Korker and I have to say, I'd never heard of such a thing until Jodie from Love Mum explained it to me! And now that Chris has told me the 'secret' of how they are made I might just attempt my own . . . in my spare time, when I'm not busy packing backpacks or nappy bags, cooking dinner, playing with the dogs and the new kitten, watching Dr Who and Torchwood, the list is endless - I should just buy one from Chris!

And who wouldn't love these glamorous starry clips! These could really be worn any time of the year.

All these wonderful accessories are on Auction as a Christmas Bundle, with a starting price of just $10.00! Bidding commences Tuesday 8pm, but listings are available for preview now, with more being posted daily.

Who do you know that would look fabulous with these festive accessories? Maybe it's you!
Just click on the picture to look at the auction listing.

Online Auctions ready for preview!

Next Tuesday the Auctions for Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids will go LIVE!!!
Until then you can preview all the items at http://www.aussiecongo.com.au/category.php?SC=16

At the moment the auctions are saying they are 'closed', don't worry, they will be open next Tuesday at 8pm!

The length of the auctions will vary from 3, 5 and 10 days. The last day I can add a listing is the 6th of December, so if you would like to add something just email me at despinaparakas@yahoo.com.au

All the items shown here are random and should refresh each time the page is loaded. If you are interested in any of the items just click on them for more information.


So many WHAM's have donated items and I'll be blogging over the next few days and weeks. For now, here is a list of the business women who are supporting the project so far! Cllick on the banners to go directly to their sites.

Keep an eye out for blogs on each of these WHAM's businesses. I'm am honored to be supported by such strong and thoughtful people.

Support from online Op shops!

Online shopping for kids in need
AND

Long time supporter, Sophie from Optots and new supporter Kate from Echo Way, are both offering free postage to anyone purchasing items to send to B4AK!

This is such a generous offer and a great way for people to donate much needed clothing without having to pay postage as well!

Both sites have an excellent range of pre-loved clothing at great prices. I often shop online at Optots and am happy that I now know of another online store that sells recycled kids clothing.

Optots has expanded it's range to include "Mummy Wear" as well as maternity and other accessories, including toys and books for the kids.

Echo Way has new organic kids clothing for sale as well as the recycled items.

Both stores are great value and I've heard nothing but excellent reviews from happy customers.

If you are looking to help B4AK or looking for something for yourself or a special child in your life, you really can't go past these wonderful online op shops!

NB- Sophie, your continued support and little extras in the packages always keep me smiling :o)

Packing Day Nov. 8th 2009

Whistle while you work . . .

What a day!
We woke up to terrible weather, wind, rain, gusty blows . . . just perfect to set up on the back deck for our packing day (sarcasm!).

Jo was the first to arrive. She had to drive over 90 kms through the wind and rain to get here but she did, and with a car load full of donations as well! Tara turned up next , so we sat down for a cuppa while waiting for the rest of the crew.

Tracy and Jaala arrived not long after, so the organising began. Tracy suggested that we set the donations out in sizes and by category in a production line, so we all set about moving tables and unpacking storage containers and bags of toys.

I have to say, this layout worked extremely well and in no time we had packed almost 30 backpacks in sizes 4, 5 and 6 for both boys and girls!

In fact we eventually had to stop packing the larger sizes because we ran out of torches, undies, and activity packs! Which is great on one hand (because it meant we'd packed lots of bags) . . . but frustrating on the other,(because we had more bags we wanted to pack).

Undeterred, the team pressed on and decided to pack nappy bags. The production line was changed over to include nappies, bottles, bibs and some of the most adorable baby clothes you could ever see!

In less than you can imagine, the girls had packed a few dozen nappy bags and continued packing sizes 7 and 8 until we: a) ran out of backpacks and had to pack into plastic bags until more donations come in, b) exhaustion kicked in and we all had a cuppa and c) husbands started calling mobile phones to see if their beautiful wives would be home soon!

If you have ever wondered what 75 backpacks and nappy bags would look like when stored in a room . . . wonder no more! Just take a peep at the photo below.
Now all that needs to be done is deliver the bags :o)

Once again, thank you to everyone who is supporting B4AK. Without your generosity these bags could not have been packed . . .