Christmas Preparations...

How is your Christmas prep going?  Mine is a little slow this year, but after {today} posting off the last pre-Christmas order, I'm glad to say that a few things have been ticked off the list.  There is still plenty more to do, but definitely more progress than this time last week!  If you read this post you'll be aware of a few things I had planned, so far I've made and gifted the rocky road, made the stars for the garland, made the fruit mince and the kids have done the wrapping paper and all the present shopping is completed - though I am a teeny bit worried that a few presents ordered online might not make it before Christmas... But, on to wrap the presents I do have piling up, make the boys some pyjamas, make the fruit mince pies etc etc etc!! Hope you're enjoying the season's frivolity, and are a bit better organised than me!!

PS I'm loving using TeuxDeux to keep track of my tasks in a pretty format with great functionality!

Market Markdowns.

In the interest of getting my sewing area tidied up over Christmas, I've decided to markdown some of the remaining summer stock!  Here's a sneak peek of what will be on offer at Hide & Seek market this Sunday, but be sure to get in early to avoid disappointment as only limited sizes are available!  The reduced stock will include Lounge Sets (shown pictured below) as well as a range of t-shirts, summer onesies and selected bibs, it'll be a great opportunity to snaffle up a bargain!!

It's beginning to look a lot like....

Christmas. It's only nine days away!  And I still have so much to do.  With the busyness of markets this year I'm waaay behind with my usual preparations so need to get started today.  Before I begin though, here are some bits of my 'to do' list, gathered from generous bloggy folk ::

Rocky Road from retromummy

Star Garland from Creature Comforts

Fruit Mince Pies from Margaret Fulton via The Cake Mistress

Potato Stamped Wrapping Paper from Kidspot

2010 'Work' Christmas Party.

Last night I enjoyed a lovely night out with a few of my 'colleagues'!  A few weeks ago I was chatting with some regular stallholder buddies and we decided that as we spend most of our time working alone, we should get together for our own Christmas party - away from the market atmosphere - to chat and catch up without having to worry about being away from our stalls for too long.  Unfortunately I didn't think to take any happy snaps, but assure you that there were many laughs, good food and wine and plans for more of these nights!

So thanks for a great night Belinda (Snow White Meets Belle), Kim (Kaboodle Kits for Kids), Lauren (Baby Chic Designs) and Louise (Smallprint)!  We're hoping more of our market buddies can make the next night out, tentatively planned for before things start up next year, hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a restful break!  Now, on to our last market for 2010, Hide & Seek, this Sunday!

Image from here

A Mixed Bag!

I had a bit of a disappointing market experience on Sunday, while taking part in the first Sydney Boutique Market  The organisation was great, there were stacks of shoppers there for the day but unfortunately they weren't buying a great deal of kids products.  After the fantastic day at Handmade Market the week before, it was a bit sad, but I guess these things happen and we just need to move on!

Image from Hide & Seek by Maddison Scarlett Photography

The silver lining is that I can start on my Christmas projects this week instead of waiting until after Hide and Seek market next weekend.  I have so much fabric stashed away for projects I've planned but never get around to that I'll still be busy sewing this week and next!  I also need to do a huge clear out of my sewing room, so at the upcoming Hide & Seek will be offering some big reductions on a limited range of items - because I don't want to store them over the summer!  If you're around Sydney and need to pick up some last minute gifts, or need  some additions to the present box/cupboard, come past and check it out at Wrights Rd Community Centre, Kellyville from 10am - 2pm.

I have so many fun Christmas-y things planned for this week, that it's sure to throw me into a more festive mood than I've had for the last couple of weeks with market preparations.  Today we took the kids into the city to see Santa, not sure which they enjoyed  more, their first bus ride or seeing Santa, but they definitely had a great time!  Now I must get organised for our playgroup Christmas party tomorrow!

New Market - This Sunday!!

We're doing the whole market thing all over again this Sunday at the brand new Sydney Boutique Markets, launching in Castle Hill.  Come along and say hi, it's shaping up to be a great day, with lots of lovely stalls for all ages and tastes. It's also indoors which is a huge bonus in this unpredictable weather.  Don't forget to check out the market website and enter to win $200 to spend on the day.  Good luck, we're looking forward to seeing you there!

Just Catching My Breath!

Ahh what a busy few weeks it's been here, and things aren't slowing down just yet!  This blog has, yet again, been neglected as some things just can't be kept up with - like doing laundry and being organised enough to plan meals for a whole week!  But I thought I'd stop for a minute to fill you in on life at IndigoElephant HQ!

Last week we celebrated our precious Baby Elephant #2's second birthday!  Don't ask me where that time has gone because it feels like he only turned one a few weeks ago...   I love that at two he totally got the whole party thing, the idea that friends come over, we play games, sing 'happy birthday', blow out the candles and eat cake.  And we also did the cake/singing/candle blowing out thing again on his actual birthday with a few family, which happened to be just before Handmade Market in Canberra!

That has been the other major thing chewing up any time I have and even some I don't!  I'd been told by a few creative peeps who have done the market before to prepare LOTS of stock, which meant that for weeks leading up to the day I was functioning on decreasing amounts of sleep!  I was contemplating pulling an all nighter before the market - unheard of since uni days - but remembered Posie's car crafting, and took a bag of handsewing for the drive down so I could at least get some sleep the night before!  Thanks Posie!!

Isn't that mirrored cube just perfect for displaying stock!

The day was amazing, this market is a must visit destination whether you're local or not.  The range of stalls and the high quality handmade products were a feast for the eyes (as I walked past them on my way to the loo), and my only disappointment was not having time to shop!  It was our most successful market ever, and I loved getting to meet all the lovely shoppers who stopped by.  A huge thanks also to my mum, who came over at the crack of dawn to look after the boys for the day and the most wonderful husband in the world, who did all the driving, unpacking, re-packing amidst a storm, caffeine supplying, treat sourcing as well as helping out when things got busy - I know he'd rather have been watching the cricket in air conditioned comfort!  We're really looking forward to being involved again next year!

And congratulations if you made it all the way to the bottom of this mega post!!

November Winner!

I have been very slack about drawing the November winner for sending in pictures of IndigoElephant products in action... but better late than never?!

Congratulations Anita! You've won the $15 voucher to spend on IndigoElephant products!! Thanks for sending through the gorgeous picture of Ruby and her friends hanging out in their Dribble Bibs!

Don't forget, we'll keep this going for December, so send in any pictures of our products in use and go into the draw for another store credit... You can email them through or upload them directly to Facebook.

Handmade Canberra

 Yes, it's on this Saturday (December 4) at the Kamberra Wine Company, Northbourne Ave, Canberra from 11am till 7pm.  And IndigoElephant will be there!  We are located inside so come and find us for some fabulous handmade goodness - much of which is not available online.  See the pics below for an idea of what we'll have there, though there are a few more things still being made, so you'll have to visit us to see them all!  Hope you can make it!

 

More Crayon Wallets!

Though I'm madly preparing for market madness over the next few weeks, I thought I should share some of the fruit of my efforts... These are some of the new Crayon Wallets, currently only available at markets or through Shop Handmade in Canberra.  I've been wanting to list these online but am struggling to find enough hours in the day to sew up stock, let alone photograph products, edit and list them.  So, until I find those elusive extra hours in the day, you can pick one up at a market or email me if you can't get to a market and I'll make a special listing for you!!  

The Crayon Wallets are fantastic for keeping little fingers busy and creative juices flowing while waiting for meals at restaurants, in doctors' surgeries, while a sibling plays sport/has a lesson... or to keep them occupied while mummy (or daddy!) writes a blog post 'works' on the computer. They retail for $25 (postage extra) and come with an A6 blank notepad and eight Crayola crayons. Inside the wallet there are slots for the crayons, a pocket for the notepad and another pocket for completed masterpieces, they fold into thirds and close with an elastic over a button.  I already have a mental list of which ones are destined for some of our friends having birthdays over the next few weeks!  Oh, and FYI, A6 is a quarter of an A4 sheet!

For The Love Of Handmade :: For Boys

I'm a bit late this week with my selection of goodies for Christmas from madeit...but better late than never! This week I've chosen things for boys, as they are high priority on my shopping list!  There are some lovely handmade, unique gifts available for your little boy, it sometimes just takes a little searching to find them! 

Click image to go to the item listing, images are courtesy of each shop!

 

Shop Handmade Canberra

Have you heard about Shop Handmade yet? It's a treasure trove of gorgeous handmade goodies - from lots of my favourite handmade designers -  all brought together under one roof for your shopping pleasure!!  Luckily for my bank balance, the shop is in Canberra, or I'd be a regular visitor... Soon you'll find a selection of IndigoElephant products at the Shop too as today I sent off a large box of stock! So if you happen to be in Canberra anytime, could I suggest heading over for a visit, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed. You'll find them at City Walk Boulevarde, Canberra City, please check the website for hours.

PS. We're also delighted to be part of Handmade Market in Canberra on December 4...so pop the date in your diary and hope to see you there!!

Have You Seen...?

The IndigoElephant entry for the {KID} independent Plushie Palooza has been announced on their site! Do you love this elephant? He is one of a kind, so you've got to enter the giveaway for a chance at owning him! And while you're there, please leave a comment for Bibi - winning the Golden Plushie would be tops!!

Have You Heard...?

{KID} independent - the site providing your daily dose of indie style for mums, babies + kids - is running a Plushie Palooza this month.  Each day they are showcasing the creative talents of handmade plushie/softie creators and giving you the chance to win them too. Here's how it works:

A new plushie will be posted every day at 12noon {AEST} until 30 November, 2010. You can vote on your favourites by adding a comment to the corresponding post. There will be a few spot prizes along the way comment posters, so be sure to drop by daily. At the end of the festival, the plushie with the most votes will win the Golden Plushie award along with a big boost to their ego. You are welcome to post comments on all of the plushies that take your fancy, however, please only post one comment on each post.

So what are you waiting for?? Get over there and enter to win! 

PS: Stay tuned for the IndigoElephant softie to be shared soon, then feel free to leave it some comments!

For The Love Of Handmade :: Jewellery & Accessories

Have you begun your Christmas shopping yet? I'm usually almost finished by this time of year, but not this year.  With markets galore to prepare for I'm a tad snowed under and struggling to get through my list of people to buy for.  Thank goodness for online shopping though,  and the ease of buying from home, as each week it gets more difficult to drag my boys through shops without caving to the requests for milkshakes, donuts, lollipops etc just to keep them quiet!!  At this rate I'm worried they'll end up obese by the New Year...  So I've been doing a bit of browsing and want to share some special finds from madeit.  This week it's all about jewellery & accessories - the perfect finishing touches for your Christmas functions!

Click on the pictures to be taken to each store...

October Winner!

Congratulations Amanda! You've won the $15 voucher to spend on IndigoElephant products!! Thanks for sending through the gorgeous picture of Sebastian wearing his Filigree Dribble Bib.

IndigoElephant In Action!

Kim sent in this pic of her little boy in one of his many bibs, "We would be changing his tops 10 times a day without them!"

I've recently been sent some photos of kids wearing their IndigoElephant bibs, and it delights me to see them in action, doing what they've been designed to do!  It also got me thinking that I'd love to see more, not just the bibs, but dummy clips, hair accessories, softies, washers, blankets... everything!! So you can either email them through to theindigoelephant [at] gmail [dot] com or upload them direct to the Facebook page, they will be added to the Facebook album, aptly titled IndigoElephant In Action and each photo will gain you an entry to win a $15 credit to be used in store.  And to keep giving you chances to win, let's do it monthly till the end of December!  So for October the two current photos have a great chance of winning, if you'd like your name in the hat as well, just send through a pic!

Brooches.

Yes, here is another new realease for this Sunday's Hide & Seek Market... Lovely brooches for the more grown up girls! A little something for those who are always shopping for others but would like to treat themselves to something a bit pretty, and perfect for adding that finishing touch to an outfit! Or a gorgeous gift for your BFF (Christmas is coming)!! Come along to Hide & Seek this Sunday from 10am - 2pm at Wrights Rd Community Centre, Kellyville and see them all!  Just a reminder that IndigoElephant will not be in our old spot at the market, you can find us this month in Activity Room 2 (beside the main room). Come and say hi!!

Christmas!

I'm so happy about the range of Christmas Bibs being released this week in the Madeit shop!  There's a great selection to choose from, with lots of Dribble and Feeding Bibs designed to keep your bub stylishly festive as well as clean during the upcoming Christmas feasts,  {Did you know Christmas is just over two months away??} And as we are in the Southern Hemisphere, there is not a snowman or pair of mittens in sight!!

Above are the Reindeer and Christmas Trees by Robert Kaufman, I especially love the random red noses on the reindeer!! And, as always, there is something for the boys as well as the girls!  Below are the All Wrapped Up and Christmas Stockings, also available in both sizes...  These are available online and at Hide & Seek market if you're in or around Sydney -  next Sunday Oct 24th, find future dates on the website.