Noosa my old friend

Over the last 25 years Noosa has been on my frequent destination list and after an absence of a couple of years we have returned. A little chillax was needed and a kick start to a fitness program for skiing early next year.
We walked every inch of the National Park and then ate and drank our way from one end of Hastings street to the other. Back to rations next week...

softies for mirabel

Over on Meet me at Mike's  blog, Pip is calling all crafters and willing hands to make and donate a softie for the Mirabel foundation.

Come on - get your craft on!  If you would like a little inspiration for a very simple softie here's a link to a perfect beginners softie - Fluffy Stuffy Bunny
A fantastic collection of resources for stuffie making can be found here at squido.com  
Your stuffie can be a simple shape made out of recycled (washed and pressed!) pajama fabric or a wool jumper.

Have a go and give a Mirabel child a little bit of love.

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Here's the softie I will be sending to a little person who deserves something handmade just with them in mind. Its Jimbo and he moonshines as a cushion!

And I might just have to make a softie bunny out of that beautiful pure wool felt I have hoarded...and an owl and maybe a mouse....

Etsy findings

I stumbled across an Etsy page for the most appealing handmade jewellery. Illuminance Jewelry.

I browsed her range and made a little purchase.
And now that I have it I thought I might buy a couple of early Christmas presents but she's on vacation and wont be back until November 1st. I will be visiting her page very soon.

You can find her on Etsy here and on Facebook here.

This is what I bought - love it!

 and I have these on my wish list...

my sustainable softies

As readers of this blog would remember - I make softies for anyone who loves a little cuddly, quirky fellow to make them smile.
They are made from recycled wool, angora and cashmere sweaters.
Well... I have now become even more eco friendly by using a stuffing made from recycled PET bottles. I know - very environmentally aware and responsible and all that. These toys are now completely made from recycled materials, leaving the smallest possible environmental footprint. (Always wanted to write that)

 Chloe is not quite finished but I'm doing that today.

These softies are for sale on my facebook page - Alice Blue Softies.
You can look at the page even if you don't have a facebook account.
If would like to buy one of my softies for $30 AU you can leave me a comment or go to the facebook page and reserve your softie by commenting under the photo. You can private message me on my FB page and then my people can talk to your people.
I can post anywhere for whatever it costs and I use paypal or bank transfer.

And as a little acknowledgement to the Australian company that makes the eco friendly toy stuffing here's their link and a pic.

these old things?

A few little items made their way into my shopping cart recently.

This denim shirt is soft and worn looking - just the way I like denim to be. I'm a chain store lurker -  found it in Just Jeans.
Oh and that 's OPI Mango Maven on my nails. Thanks Vicky at The Nail Room Mornington! I'm a convert to orange of late.
I know - frivolous,  but this is a happy blog about things that make me happy. I'll tackle world peace another day.

The Alexandra bag is from Witchery -  I couldn't resist 25% off this roomy bag.

I bought these two Country Road dresses to see me through all those lunches and other important dates in my calendar. That's me above ↑ on one of my catwalk appearances. Or maybe that's me ↓.

.... and finally a little light holiday reading to enjoy out on the deck when the Spring sunshine decides to arrive.

bloggy catch up

 I've been here, there and everywhere lately. So here's a massive catch up.
I wandered out of my tramping ground on the Mornington Peninsula up to Sydney town for a little family visit.

 A jar of sangria at The Flying Squirrel on Bondi Road got things off to a merry start.

 The Bronte to Bondi walk.

Proof of walk...

 Manly for lunch

 And ice cream after that...

 Breakfast at Favoloso - Belgrave St Bronte

 Bronte Beach

 Puppy sitting for a friend... he barked at the possums all night. Argghhh.

 Cherry blossom at the back door.

Panini and a coffee at Via Boffe in Mornington. The sunshine and a newspaper equaled perfection.

Irises for spring