Softies for Mirabel 2011

image via Meet me at Mike's

A group of friends and I had so much fun making softies for the Mirabel Foundation last year. Softies for Mirabel has now been running for five years which is fantastic! And it seems that the collection grows bigger and bigger every year.

Pip from Meet me at Mike's has posted about this year's collection and I am excited. It is time to start knitting, crocheting or sewing a softie which will be donated to the Mirabel Foundation who will pass the cuties onto an abandoned child.  Are you thinking of making a softie too?

Update: softies in the window

As you know, I was making and collecting softies to donate to Softies for Mirabel. Again, thank you to Kim, Sarah and Wendy for helping me with the softie collection.

For those that have not been checking, Pip's blog Meet me at Mike's has had a few updates. Check here and here for more details. In addition, you can check here for more images.

I look forward to the collection next year. Ames xo

We are proud: Softies for Mirabel

Hermione the Hippo (by Wendy)

Fish (by Kim)

Quote pillow (by Ames)

Puppies (by Ames and Sarah)

Tash and I set off in the rain today to deliver Softies for Mirabel to the Meet me at Mike's shop. I would like to thank those members of the Plain Tiger Butterflies craft group that poured their love and time into making a soft something for donation. I adore our creations and know that a child or teen somewhere will be delighted to receive our homemade gifts. Thanks to Wendy, Kim and Sarah. I really appreciate it. Love Ames xo

Are you making a Softie for Mirabel?

I have been perusing my craft books in search of a pattern for a handmade soft toy to donate to the worthwhile cause Softies for Mirabel. I think I have decided that a cat is the way to go and I will be starting it soon.

Our craft group, the Plain Tiger Butterflies, has signed up to contribute softies towards the collection at Meet me at Mike's which are due for delivery at the end of November 2010. They will then be displayed in the window of Meet me at Mike's in Fitzroy from 1st - 7th December 2010.

For those that do not know, Softies for Mirabel is a call for soft toys that will be donated to The Mirabel Foundation which is based in Melbourne. This foundation supports youth that are in the care of extended family after being abandoned by their parents. These kids deserve a chance and I am sure that each and every child that receives a softie will have a smile on their face.

So I am asking you, would you like to contribute to this cause and donate a softie on behalf of the Plain Tiger Butterflies? If so, please leave a comment on this post. The soft toys can be crocheted, knitted, sewn - made out of felt, fabric or yarn. As Pip has mentioned on the Meet me at Mike's post - some of the softies will be going to small children so keep choking hazards in mind when making your softie. However, if you have a cute design that has ribbons, buttons or beads, don't despair - these can be given to older kids or teens. Some of the softies from previous years are on display at Flickr so check it out for inspiration.

I really hope you decide to join in and share the cuteness!

First craft group project: Softies for Mirabel!

Image borrowed from Meet me at Mike's

The Plain Tiger Butterflies already have a craft project. Meet me at Mike's are collecting for Softies for Mirabel and I think we should be a contributing craft group. For those that do not know, softies are cute stuffed toys. They can also be called felties or plushies. I will be making something for Mirabel and will be asking my crafty friends to join in!