How’s this for a dinky little Chrimbo idea? Vodafone has teamed up with the crafty types at Cubeecraft to bring us Christmas Clones – construct your clone online and slap your own face onto a little icon of an elf, angel, reindeer or Santa. There’s 10 exclusive little buddies to choose from, including a few distinctly “Aussie” ones (test cricketer, anyone?). Then you can email them to your mates, who print them out, stick them together and have their very own Christmas decoration starring your good self. Cubeecraft is the distinctly lo-fi invention of a guy called Christopher Beaumont, whose build-them-yourself cuboid characters (“Cubees”) can come from anywhere: classical literature, cult films, computer games. Even Barack Obama has one. Each character is reformatted into a simple papercraft design that can be downloaded, printed, and then folded into shape without using any glue. It’s like pop culture origami for those who can’t be bothered with complicated instructions. And Chris seems to be a man after our own hearts – he’s convinced arts and crafts are making a comeback: “They've definitely always been popular, but like anything they have found a wider audience and better distribution via the web.” It took Chris over a year to fine-tune his Cubeecraft model, which was inspired by a course he took in packaging design. Initially the little widgets were meant for family and friends, but outside interest has turned it into something a little more than a backyard project. “I get email from all over the world.,” he says. “I have heard of [Cubeecraft models] being sold illegally in Thailand and Mexico. Teachers have been using them in their classes, students have been using them for projects.” Over this holiday season you can nab yourself some cash with your Cubee as well. Every time you send a Vodafone Christmas Clone you’ll be entered into a draw to win 5000 bucks. Craft, Christmas giving and cash. Not too bad for a few minutes work, eh?

Everyone likes a good cover version. And none more so than the good folk at PUMA, who are putting on an homage to all things cover-related with their new Uncovered series – two nights only of live mash-ups from some of the slinkiest bands around. It’s on in Melbourne on December 28th at the Hi Fi Bar with Children Collide, Boy + Girl, Cassette Kids and Hot Little Hands pumping out their favourite covers. Then on January 5th at the Metro Theatre in Sydney with Children Collide, Boy + Girl and The Hives. To nab yourself a ticket you can either get some for free when you buy PUMA Archive stuff from PUMA, Hype DC or Glue stores, win them online at or enter the special frankie draw by emailing your details This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , along with which city’s gig you want to see, then crossing your fingers and seeing what happens. PS – It’s strictly over 18s, so you’ll be needing to show an ID at some point.

Our lovely gift wrap from issue 26 inspired a lot of nice words and deeds from readers, and none more so than Brisbane jewellery lady Jane Peacock from Girls Made This. Jane specialises in miniature, handmade, vintagey goodies in resin and silver, and liked the look of our artist papers so much that she’s made five one-off pendants out of them. If you’re keen on a bit of frankie-meets-Jane hanging around your neck, email your details This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with Girls Made This in the header and we’ll see what we can do.

Some of you may remember a past featured artist of ours – Zara Wood aka Woody. Well, she has the good life of being based in both England and in Oz. While in the UK this year she provided a new eight-piece capsule collection for Topshop. There is a mixture of skinny fit and loose-cut tees bearing her illustrations, and before you ask ... yep – Topshop now deliver to Australia. Zara is also running a comp where three randomly picked winners will receive a signed, limited edition print – very cool. Head to her website for more details.

Here’s your chance to re-enact your favourite Gidget / Beach Blanket Bingo moments. (Pointy-boob bikini and genuine 1960s surfing hunks not included.) Rip Curl and Ford Fiesta are running a competition to win a trip to the Rip Curl Pro 2009 and meet with the 2007 and 2008 ASP world champion Steph Gilmore. The Ultimate Beach Trip prize is for you and a pal and includes airfares, transfers and accommodation in Torquay plus the winner gets a $1500 Rip Curl shopping spree and an Alba Hawaiian care pack for your skin. Head here to enter.
 

Back from being on the road with Ben Kweller, the lovely Whitley is getting ready this week for his 2009 national tour, which frankie is proud as punch to be presenting. Plus, we have a few of treats for you here. First there’s a special download just for you from Whitley. And we’ve got tickets to win to each of his shows – just This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with ‘Whitley’, and your preferred city and show, in the subject line. Winners will be drawn Tuesday 6th January. Plus, just in case you don’t win, we are happy to announce there are some tickets left to his shows and new Melbourne and Tathra gigs just announced. Make sure and catch him before he toddles off to record his next album!

See the man we call Whitley here: Wednesday 7th January – Tathra Hotel, Tathra, Thursday 8th January – Oxford Art Factory, Sydney. Friday 9th January – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle. Saturday 10th January – The Zoo, Brisbane. Friday 16th January – Republic Bar, Hobart. Saturday 17th January – Karova Lounge, Ballarat. Tuesday 20th January – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne. Wednesday 21st January – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne. Friday 23rd January – Jive, Adelaide. Saturday 24th January – Fly By Night, Perth.

This sounds like fun times. Every Thursday night through February (that means it’s starting this Thursday, people) Roar Sounds presents live music at Melbourne Zoo – a good excuse to pack some night-time picnic goodies, a few cold ones and ogle the animals before settling down to watch some fine open-air gigs. Starting with Kate Miller-Heidke and The Verses on February 5th, Roar Sounds then kicks on with Wolf & Cub and Van She on February 12th, Eddy Current Suppression Ring and a secret support act on February 19th, then Resin Dogs, Phrase and Alexx the Kidd on February 26th. You can get in early at 5:30pm to say hello to the zoo’s inhabitants till 7pm, and you can BYO. Ace! Tickets are on sale now through www.zoo.org.au or 1300 ZOOS VIC. But wait, there’s more! We have a double pass for each show to give away. Email your details to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with Roar in the Header, and don’t forget to tell us which week you want to go...

Hands up who wants to win an all expenses paid trip to Melbourne to attend Semi Permanent on September 17 and 18. If that’s you then hop over to Eckersleys to learn more. The fabulous arts and craft store has put together an inspiring two-day experience for two lucky ducks. (Picture by Sydney Semi P speaker Jessica Hische).