For the next 10 days I am discounting all ad slots by 10% – use this coupon code when booking your ad pre-holidaysxweEBn valid until 18 November.

Leading up to the holidays ad rates have increased – up to now they have been super duper cheap cheap cheap – while I have been trialling the new system (have you tried out the new system yet – just click on the ‘advertise here’ in the sidebar to give it a test run) (if you want to use this on your website to run ads I use igloohq.com)

While I have increased prices in the main ad section – I have also added a new section (lower sidebar) just for indie businesses – the smaller ad sizes will only be available in this slot.

I would like to invite you to join us at flickr + enter our calendar competition. We would love to include one of your images in our annual crafty whipup calendar – all the details are here .

Readers have recently sent in some letters – let me share them with whipup readers – perhaps you can help…

Jeanne writes with a request for art supplies for a homeless woman’s shelter:

I am a Social Work intern at an 18 month transitional living facility for homeless women many of whom have substance abuse and/or mental health issues. They have a beautiful art room where I am responsibile for an art therapy class. With the current economy there is not a lot of extra for art supplies and I was wondering if I could appeal to Whipup readers to go through their supplies and pass on what they aren’t using. Pressing needs would be art paper of all kinds (blank and printed), pastels, charcoal, art markers, chalk, watercolors, clay, notebooks, journals, hot glue guns. We have a lot of yarn and fabric so we’re set in that area.

Please contact Jeanne if you have items you can donate jmhiggs[@]gmail.com or for more information. [the previous email was incorrect - this one now should work. ed]

Susan writes in with a pattern request:

I’d like to find out if whipup readers know how to make a certain craft from my childhood. During Christmas, my mom would drag me to all manner of church fairs and the thing I liked most was when she would buy me a pin for my winter coat. Each year would be a different design, knitted (or was it crocheted?) by one of the church goers as a fundraiser. My favorite was a set of two red bells with a holly leaf, two tiny real bells inside the knitted part and a clasp on the back. I’d love to make that bell pin if only I could find instructions. …

If you can help Susan and know of where to find this pattern please leave a comment on this post.

Khira, an Intern at Cancer Council, wrote to me about ‘Girls Night In’.
During October, Cancer Council encourages women to spend a night in with their girls, and donate what they’d spend on a night out to Cancer Council instead. All money goes towards women’s cancer (breast and gynaecological) research, prevention, and information and support services.
You can organise any sort of event but what about a crafty get together with the gals – let us know what you decide to do…

come join whipup at flickr in our new flickr group

While you are there - enter our 2010 calendar comp - upload a fabulous photo of your amazing handcrafted creation – give it a tag so we know you are entering the comp – “whipupcalendar2010″

What will you win – there will be 13 winning entries – one for each month and one for the cover. Each winner will get profiled on whipup – and will get their gorgeous picture and website published on our 2010 annual whipup calendar.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges to be announced later.

Entries close 1 October to upload your image. So get photographing your gorgeous craftyness. Winners will be chosen and announced during early October and the Calendar will be available late October.

Images can be pics of your creation in an artistic arrangement, or in practical use – see our 2009 calendar for some ideas of photo quality and content.

You must have a hi-res image (10mb) available if your photo is chosen to be included in the calendar.

come join whipup at flickr in our new flickr group

While you are there - enter our 2010 calendar comp - upload a fabulous photo of your amazing handcrafted creation – give it a tag so we know you are entering the comp – “whipupcalendar2010″

What will you win – there will be 13 winning entries – one for each month and one for the cover. Each winner will get profiled on whipup – and will get their gorgeous picture and website published on our 2010 annual whipup calendar.

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges to be announced later.

Entries are open for 3 weeks - closing date is 1 October to upload your image. So get photographing your gorgeous craftyness. Winners will be chosen and announced during early October and the Calendar will be available late October.

Images can be pics of your creation in an artistic arrangement, or in practical use – see our 2009 calendar for some ideas of photo quality and content.

You must have a hi-res image (10mb) available if your photo is chosen to be included in the calendar.

Due to popular demand you can now grab a ‘As Featured on WhipUp.net’ button – available in different colours to coordinate with your website’s decor.

Download the button to your computer and upload onto your website – linking to whipup.net

Pikaland was recently given a chance to curate their favourite items from Dawanda. Readers can vote for their favourite item in Pikaland’s 20-item collection and win a €35 voucher to spend in that shop! The winning artist receives a free paid showcase spot as well, which makes the deal even sweeter!

A sweet giveaway at a tiny house.

nominate your favourite blog in the 2009 bloggie awards –

mama to mama final count for the hats for haiti babies is incredible – great job Amanda – you are in inspiration.

Don’t forget to get your whipup 2009 calendar - featuring 13 amazing works from 13 fantastic makers. Purchase through redbubble – international shipping is very reasonable and calendar quality is excellent.

Two stitching artists work are included: pimp stitches bat, and Kimberly’s stitchery wall.

Don’t forget to get your whipup 2009 calendar - featuring 13 amazing works from 13 fantastic makers. Purchase through redbubble – international shipping is very reasonable and calendar quality is excellent.

Alice’s felt flower tutorial is featured as is Neta’s sock camera.

Don’t forget to get your whipup 2009 calendar - featuring 13 amazing works from 13 fantastic makers. Purchase through redbubble – international shipping is very reasonable and calendar quality is excellent.

The calendar features makers whose work is incredibly detailed – jodie’s selvedge dress, Shula’s baby wedding jacket and Helle’s crochet experiments.