Bubba-licious Orange Balls of Fun!

Yep.... these are my latest soap 'play', Orange and Sandalwood Olive Oil soap balls.

It's been quite therapeutic to sit down at the table and just roll away - I still need to wear gloves as the caustic hasn't yet cured out of the soap, but it's always exciting when you see the batch starting to come together.

Next time I might have a play with adding a dash of orange colour somehow, perhaps even using fresh orange juice in the base? It was a bit of a challenge to get the orange segments to stick securely, and I will wait and see if any 'pop off' as they dry out! Ahh.... live and learn.....

Who knows? It's all fun and I am happy to see how each batch I make up turns out.

Sunday in Tasmania...

What do you do when you've got a few hours free on an autumn Sunday in Tasmania??
You make soap of course!!

I whipped up a new batch of cold process Olive Oil soap - this time I have scented it with Sweet Orange essential oil, Australian Sandalwood essential oil and a Vanilla infused oil. I hope the soft, citrus aroma lasts for me. Might need to put more in next time..... we'll see.

Thinking of how to add some 'jazz' to the soap balls when I roll them, I decided to oven dry slices of fresh orange and I will quarter them up, I think, and press one into each of the finished balls.

Hmmm... will keep you posted....

melt my heart.....

I have to say I am having some trouble keeping up with this year (and my emails, and my mobile messages, and my blog!!!!!!), but I have managed to squeeze out a new version of my very popular fragrant soy melts.

I have been making little individual melts for markets and will continue to make these as people can mix and match to their hearts content, but I feel these guys will make it easier for any retail outlets to sell and display.

I have also scored some yummy new fragrances (it's like an addiction I tell you!!), that I can't wait to try out at the markets and get some feedback.

Lavender Vanilla: an earthy, musky blend of herbal Lavender flowers teamed with the soft overtones of Vanilla. A soft, subtle fragrance, that reminds me of an old fashioned linen cupboard with crisp, starched linen and the aroma of yesterdays.
Mulberry Tree: a fruity, berry blend with cherries, apples, peaches, strawberries and tangerines, and a hint of vanilla. You can almost see the purple mulberry stains on your fingers!

Lime Spritzer: this tropical citrus and fruit blend begins with notes of tart lime, refreshing orange and crisp apple. The fruity floral heart is a rose and black currant fading to a sweet vanilla plum.

I've made up some of the new melts with these fragrances but haven't had a chance to do too much else.

I am back at the Civic Homespun Markets this Saturday (13th) from 10am till 3pm and am looking forward to catching up with the other stall holders and chatting to the people coming through.

See you there!!

Flood Update

Dear All,

Just an update and a thank you for everyone who thought about and prayed for my folks - very appreciated and very humbling.
I spoke to my folks yesterday and they are fine. The expected peak for the water at 14 meters wasn't reached and although there are countless houses that went underwater - my parents and brothers were spared.
I guess the big cleanup starts now - hopefully the rain will ease and there won't be a repeat.
Again, thanks to everyone who sent their concern, I am truly grateful. I hope to be able to get back to St George for a visit this year. It may be sooner than I had planned now.
Hope you all had a great weekend and a good week ahead.
Love

Annie and Family

Hometown Blues....

I have just finished watching an ABC News report on my home town of St George in South West Queensland. They are in flood and as of today are the major area of concern for that region. This shot of the towns' bridge doesn't give you the full sense of how high this water is - usually the water runs about 30 metres below where this truck is driving through!

I also saw an interview with an old school friend of mine - her house is about half a block back from the rivers 'normal' edge. They are evacuating their family and pets as we speak.

What is a bit scary too, is that since this whole region has been drought ridden since I was a small girl, how many of the people who live there will have insurance for flood cover? My parents, brother and his family have been trying to raise their household goods up today and we believe the water will be about a foot into my parents yard sometime tonight - if the water continues to rise as they fear, their house will have water inside it tomorrow. And their house is 4 blocks away from the river!! I know that they don't have flood cover. But you know, we will deal with that if or when it happens and as long as they are alive and kicking.... I don't care.

Send out a prayer or two tonight, though, if you wouldn't mind. Thanks, Annie