Eumundi Markets

For those who have never been, The Eumundi Markets are (or should be) a national treasure. Established in 1979, the markets have become one of the most popular tourist attractions on the Sunshine Coast. About 1 1/2 hours north of Brisbane and just 15 minutes from beautiful Noosa, the markets are a must visit for anyone visiting QLD.

With over 600 stalls with everything from wooden dinosaurs and hula hoops to jewellery and hand-made clothing plus an amazing selection of coffee, food and sweet treats, there is something for everyone.

I love markets and Eumundi didn't disappoint. We actually ran out of time to see everything, so will have to do another trip back up there, what a shame!!

As promised, here are some goodies from my favourite stalls;

I love stationary, so finding Handmade by Jazzi-Bee's gorgeous range of handmade notebooks was a real treat. Each item is handmade by Louise Gerzanics who uses quality designer fabrics from around the world to create beautifully finished, unique notebooks and fabric art.

The notebooks are made up of assorted papers to compliment the colours of each cover and some contain envelopes to keep mementos.

All the notebooks have 128 pages and are available in 3 sizes - A5 (approx. 21cm x 15cm), square (approx. 15cm x 15cm) and A6 (approx. 15cm x 10.5cm). Prices range from $14.50 to $22.95.

If you order from her website, you can customise your notebook by using only lined or plain pages, or choosing your own colour scheme.

My favourite is "French Petit Animals in Natural" by Trefle for Kokka.

To clothes, and I found some stunning pieces from Laoise Designs. Laoise Daly makes one-off clothing pieces using natural fibres including linen, silks, denim and cotton.

GladRagz, the brain child of fashion designer Wendy Stanley uses reclaimed materials to create retro, vintage style clothing with a conscience. Her range includes long wrap around skirts, micro mini skirts and zip up mini dresses.

Wendy is absolutely lovely and it was a real pleasure to chat with her about where she sources her fabrics from(curtains, sheets and vintage fabrics) and her design inspiration.

For every garment sold, GladRagz donates $1 to "Friends of the Earth Society".

You all know I love hand-made kids clothes, and Mini Mermaid Clothing is a new favourite! The fabulous Shannon Graham started her business in 2005 just after the birth of her first daughter Trinity Rose. When looking for clothes for her new baby daughter, Shannon was disappointed in the range of mass produced clothes on offer, so decided to design and make her own.

The result is gorgeous vintage style kids clothes made using vintage fabrics and embroidered doileys mixed with new cotton fabrics. Designs include the Trinity Dress, wrap skirts and shorts and this year, a winter range including beautiful jackets, pants and pinafores.

All Mini Mermaid garments are designed, patterned, graded, manufactured and labelled in Australian 100% sweat shop free conditions.

By far my son's favourite stall was Dinosaur Educational Kits. These amazing dinosaurs are made from craft wood and are numbered for easy assembly. Great gift idea for the little boy who has everything!

So there is just a little bit of the Eumundi markets, but if you get a chance, you simply must check them out for yourself.

Love Jo

xx

Blanky4me

Do you have a signature gift that you give someone when they

have a baby? Blanky4me.com’s personalized baby blankets make a perfect gift for that special new little person!

With over 26 years of sewing experience and a love of sewing, art and design, Rose-Leah handcrafts each blanket individually. She says “The blankets are great for people who have unique names and perfect for people who want to give a very special gift – whether it’s for a newborn baby or their own grown child.

We pride ourselves on quality, speed and outstanding customer service. We go out of our way to ensure each and every order is an enjoyable and special experience for our customers”

Blanky4me.com also makes personalized blankets for kids and adults. The blankets are made from ultra-soft Waffle fleece or Premium Polar fleece and are delivered worldwide. Personalization can be done in English, Greek, Russian and Armenian languages.

Their product range also includes monogrammed scarfs, beanies, monogrammed soft and funky cushions and teddies. They have also bundled up their top of the range products in their Deluxe Gift Sets.

The personalized blankets are perfect for snuggling up in bed, on the lounge, in the car, in the cot or stroller/pram.

All images via www.blanky4me.com

Do you Have a Cheeky Monkey?

Not just a cute name, Your Cheeky Monkey has gorgeous handcrafted products for baby showers, new babies, and children too! They also have stuff for mums and dads. 

Monique Nickalls is the owner of Gold Coast based Your Cheeky Monkey and is a work at home mum 

(WAHM) with two Cheeky Monkey's of her 

own - 2 boys aged 2 & 3. 

Last year, Monique decided it was time to share her passion for hand-sewn products with the world, luckily for us, as her products are just gorgeous! 

Monique says;

"Our aim, after working in different industries and experiencing different levels of customer service, is to provide beautiful, unique, 

memorable gifts and practical items for people of all ages while at the same time providing the best possible customer service. We know how important your time is."

From the very practical Burp Cloths for $15 (I could have done with a tonne of these having had a son with reflux!), to the too cute hand made Googly Eye Bunnies at $19.95, Your Cheeky Monkey has great gift ideas for every baby!!

I really like the Recycled Fabric Tote for $39.95 which is made from recycled jeans and upholstery off-cuts. 

When you sign up for Your Cheeky Monkey's Newsletter, you receive a VIP discount code, exclusive giveaways, tips & recipes and entry into the 

monthly voucher draw.

Your Cheeky Monkey's current specials are;

10 - 20% off all Organic Skincare Products

Buy 6 Finger Puppets, get 

one FREE!

30% off all sunscreens and Fingerpuppets. 

Milla Ruby Designs

Introducing Milla Ruby Designs! 

Milla Ruby Designs is owned and run by WA mum Caddie Noakes. Caddie is married and has 2 beautiful daughters, Millana and Ruby.

Caddie is a self taught, her first cross stitch was done at age 8, and is told she takes after her crafty Grandmother. 

Caddie started selling her beautiful hand made items about 18 months ago and after seeing how gorgeous her products are, it is easy to see why her business, Milla Ruby Designs has taken off!

Milla Ruby Designs has beautiful dresses for the girls, and funky pants for the boys. My favourite are the "Save Our Planet" relaxapants.

                                                                                                       

There is also beautiful toys like hand made giraffes, 

monkeys and my favourite, the Chenille Owl Taggy which is only $18!

Milla Ruby Designs is a regular at Mathilda's Markets in Perth and you can see her at the next one at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Belmont on Sunday the 19th July from 9am - 1pm. 

My Etsy Addiction

My name is Jo, and I am an Esty addict!

Etsy is one of my favourite places to buy unique, hand made gifts, art, homewares, pretty much anything and everything! 

Here are a few gorgous pieces from artist Natasha Morton

"Letter from Cuba"                       

         

"Rain, Rain, Go Away"

  "81 Cents"

About Natasha

"I worked as a textile designer for ten years, and then moved away from the rigid repeats to let my work progress intuitively. I try not to 'plan' my paintings as this can lead to frustration, so I prefer to go with the flow of whatever is inspiring me at the time. I love using any materials that come to hand, from acrylic paint to bleach or copper leaf or sandpaper. I layer my paintings then sand them down, some of them over many weeks, until I feel satisfied with the effects. I try to give all my pieces an antique, worn look, as though they have been left in the attic for decades and then only recently discovered. Vintage lettering adds to this effect. I also collect fragments of real antique papers from flea markets or donations from friends and family, which I incorporate into the pieces. My fascination with the 'old' stems from a childhood playing in the back room of my grandmother's antique shop - you never knew what you were going to find!... I hope my paintings give you as much pleasure as I had creating them."

Hope you love her work as much as I do. I have put in the order with my husband for "Rain, Rain, Go Away for Christmas!!!

xx