Closing a chapter....

Dear All,
Am writing this wishing I had better news, but unfortunately things with my mum didn't end how we had hoped they might.
After fighting the good fight, she passed quickly and peacefully on the 19th Feb and we buried her next to her own mother in Mackay.
We had as much family with her at the end and so many more made the long journey to help us to give her a good send off last Friday.
I'd like to thank everyone who prayed, who had us in their thoughts and who even sent her cards!
I know it may not feel like much, but please believe me when I say that it truly does help.
So, I am back in Tassie, surrounded by some beautiful people. Back in at work at sanctum, caring for my beautiful clients and back in touch with some of my family that I had let slip away over the years.
I think she would have been thrilled to see her family all come together just for her.
Be at peace Mother Duck.....

Update..

Hey folks,
Just an update on how my mum's doing. Lots of you have asked how she is. Bless.
It seems she may have contracted an infection - not great as the chemo has severely compromised her immune system - and we are watching and waiting on results from tests and scans.
Two of my brothers are on their way to her in north Queensland as we speak and as for me, I am waiting for some more news before I can decide whether I should to zip away to be with them as well.
Not the best news, but I spoke to her nurse today and she recommended to just wait the night out and decide tomorrow.
Will be keeping fingers crossed and prayers heading upwards.

Thanks...

Just a quick little post to say a very big 'Thank You' to everyone who emailled, who sent cards and who called up to show their support after my last post.
I was truly grateful to each and every one of you - Mum has recieved some of your cards and she has been so thrilled that people are thinking of her.
She has finished her week of chemo and will stay in hospital for another 3-4 weeks. There hasn't been much nausea, but she doesn't feel like eating much either - the worst of it has been the overwhelming lethargy.
We figure that's not too bad for now.
Her sister is staying nearby thanks to the Leukaemia Foundation's accommodation and so she has someone on hand for company as well.
So , thanks again everyone. From my whole family and me!

a favour to ask....

This is just a quick post to ask if anyone would be kind enough to send a few thoughts and prayers my Mum's way.

We found out yesterday that she has been diagnosed with Leukaemia and was taken straight into hospital to start 4 weeks of chemotherapy.

Needless to say, the news was a little stunning.

Unfortunately she is in Townsville Base Hospital, away from most of her family and friends. Her sister is in Mackay, a few hours away and the rest of us are further than that.

I'm hoping to find some cheap plane tickets in the next few weeks, and will certainly be keeping in touch with phone calls and letters.

But I would so appreciate any goodwill folks could send her way.

If anyone is in Townsville, and you would be happy to visit, please let us know - I am sure she would appreciate the company. If anyone would like to send a card, let me know and I will give you the address. Her name is Laurel as well.

Here's hoping for remission at the end of this all.

Thanks.

Annie

new soaps on the block....

A few posts ago I mentioned a new soap I had batched up. It's been curing nicely these past few weeks so Ifinally got to take a few snaps of it to show.
I've actually done up a second batch since then and am just waiting on more ingredients to arrive (namely my coconut oil) and I will be right into making even more.
This first batch is a new fragrance - am loving citrus-sy fragrances right now so this one is Lemongrass, Ginger and Pink Grapefruit.
The fragrance has turned out really lovely. Of course the first thing that hits you is the zesty, herbaceous lemongrass then the warm tones of the ginger comes through with the pink grapefruit tying them togehter. Can't wait to get this one in the shower!
Instead of rolling the soap in to balls, as I've done in the past, I've sliced the batch into different sizes and shapes. The idea is to have a range of sizes and therefore prices for people to choose from.
I love big, chunky blocks of soap - but I have friends who prefer the thinner, rectangles. Each to their own.
This second soap is a fragrance combination I've done before, but again I've chopped instead of rolled.
This is my Red Tea and Linden Blossom soap. Such a wonderful fresh, green aroma! It sold really well as the soap balls, so I am hoping folks will take to the more rustic looking blocks.

They won't be cured in time for the Makers Market at Festivale, but I hope to have them ready for the next Niche Market (if I get accepted) and in sanctum. Am now starting to plan my next few batches of soap. Looking forward to seeing what I end up with.

Makers' Market @ Festivale!

Just a quick post to let eveyone know about the upcoming Makers' Market during Festivale.

The Design Centre is hosting this event on Saturday 12th February in their lovely courtyard behind the centre.

A round up of local talent will be showcasing and selling their wonderful wares - we would love your support. So please pass along the word!

See the sanctum blog for more information plus the stall holder lineup!!

soaking away the new year....

Welcome to the New Year!!!
It's hard to believe we have already started on 2011.
sanctum is open as of tomorrow and we already have appointments booked in for the upcoming week. Very exciting.
We are looking forward to the challenges that this year will bring.
Recieved the application for the next Niche market in April and also chatted to the folks running the Design Centre Market, during Festivale, about being part of that as well. So am already thinking on my little production line here at home.
Whipped up a double batch of Olive Oil soap yesterday - using Lemongrass, Pink Grapefruit and Ginger to fragrance it with. Very zesty and uplifting aroma's. Will post some pictures when I get it out of the mould.
Also made up some detox bath salts for a promotion I am running at sanctum. Along with a great value Massage Treatment pack, I will be giving a bath salts to each person that takes part in the promotion. See the sanctum blog for more info.
The salts are a blend of: Coarse Sea Salt; Milk Powder, Green and White Clays as well as; Lavender, Frankincense, Sweet Fennel and Lemon Myrtle Essential Oils.
It's quite a stimulating blend, so caution needs to be taken with any skin sensitivities or pregnant women.
The idea is to kickstart the body with a course of Massage and support this with the bath salts used at home.
Wouldn't mind doing it myself!