HANDMADE EXPO 

 Saturday 20th March 2010

Ipswich Turf Club

Brisbane Road, Bundamba

Mille Fleur – The Old Flour Mill Cat

 I am a Cat…  I am Mille Fleur; a very special cat; I am special because I live in a special place. I live in The Old Flour Mill in Ipswich.

I must be one of the most fortunate cats in the world….. I live where there are interesting people, wonderful food and rather funky and fun things to look at, to do and to buy. 

Firstly there is the Old Flour Mill Café, Myra  owns this fabulous café! She and Caitie  come in every day and make the most divine toasted sandwiches, burgers… oh and those wedges… And their coffee is quite the best!

Viva Italia is where I choose to go at night or for lunch… their chef –  is quite special, and he makes delicious chicken, veal and pasta. They have cocktails, which I cannot have often as I get squiffy!   

If you wander down the stairs the magic really begins!

There is an antique emporium with very fine things.  Mrs E and her daughter Fiona are the inhabitants. Yesteryear Antiques & Collectibles! Some mornings there are wonderful parcels wrapped in newspaper to explore. I love to watch them unwrap the treasures, dust them and arrange them on the shelves.

Lija and her husband  have the Inkuku Gallery. It is very special. Her things come from places afar and she tells me stories about where they come from. She has crystals too, I like the rose quartz ones, and love to sit by them.  Lija is always busy beading and her designs sell all over the world. It is the most elegant shop.

Jody, is a rather divine. Her shop is called Stick & Giggle. She wears green a great deal and her shop is green. She teaches people how to make their photos look gorgeous, and how to create scrapbooks, and they do giggle when they stick! There are all sorts of glittery things, papers of all colours, I love to dip my feet in the stamp pads and leave footprints all over the table. But Jody is not always enthralled by this idea.

Liesa is a little bit crafty – well a great deal crafty! She has so many things, from so many people.  It truly is Handmade Heaven. All these wonderful people bring in their things and put them on the shelves, from candles, soaps, pad and bags to babies socks in jars, baby bouquets and very clever jewellery – you can always find what you want there!  Liesa also runs Handmade Heaven Markets and if I am good I am allowed out in her handbag on market days. If I am extra good I get cupcakes.

 The little shop of druids and witches is to the left as you come down the stairs - tucked away behind the Dance Studio and under the cafe  it is called Wyrdsisters – Jackie runs this shop, and Sarah appears twice a week. I like the magical shop full of tarot cards, herbs, candles and other weird stuff. She plays tinkly music, and sprinkles herbs on charcoals so aromatic smoke wafts out the door. People come and have readings, they get spells and beautiful pictures. It is an ideal place for me to nap after a hard day looking after the mill.

 Pirates & Fairies is in a small room nicknamed ‘the hole in the wall’ and there are hats and things for children.

The Sacred Cow is upstairs from the street, a yoga studio where I like to sit and watch the people relax and snooze; although I am told they are not snoozing but meditating!

There is a beauty parlour called Mechanix run by Cath and she makes people look beautiful from top to toe!

Down the end is Joey - she has a shop called Body Majic with beautiful perfume that she makes herself! There are soaps and body treasures galore, and she has fudge. If I am a very good cat I am allowed a crumb or two!

I-Dance has arrived; this is where I get my exercise.... I sit and watch all the dancers, then I get up to be stroked. Its hard work, but someone has to do it. I like Saturdays best... the little ones in their dance outfits! Hip Hop is a fun night - but contemporary really gets me going as I can imagine I am on "Australia's Favourite Dancer" move over Miah Michaels... oh she is from the USA - well she has nothing on these girls!

Christmas will be fun, all sorts of treasures are coming into the Mill - Fiona has been rustling lots of newspaper; and Leya has big boxes arriving and I know there is stuff from Mexico; the Druid has some new jewellry and gift vouchers. Stick & Giggle has some new paper with dragonflies - oh there is lots more but I love those sheets. Handmade Heaven is stuffed to the rafters - I love sitting on BubbaChenille - I get shoo'ed off though.

Come and find me at the Mill - I am hiding - but I am there!