Frantic Feb.

I was certain last week that February was going to be my quietest month ever of trade, sales were extremely slow, but that was to be expected, right? I mean, it is still early in the year, some people are still recovering from Christmas and all that!  

Check out these crowds at Handmade Market!

Well, Handmade Market in Canberra on Saturday has opened the flood gates and I'm slowly drowning in a sea of orders, not that I'm complaining about that!!  Saturday's market was fantastic, in fact we were flat out trading half an hour before the market was due to even start, plus leaving some stock behind for Shop Handmade meant we brought very little home again. Now I have to make 40 bibs and applique some t-shirts to fill orders and I guess I better get cracking on making stock for the next market!!

Image from here

New Stock : Library Tote Bags.

If you read my last post, you'd know that I recently whipped up a library bag for our big boy to take to preschool.  He loves it "sooo much" and it's given him a real sense of resposibility with the books he borrows.  I had fun making it too, (and getting to use my bias tape makers again), so decided to make some for this Saturday's Handmade Market in Canberra. Depending on how well they're received I may add some to the online shops too! 

The book is not included, sorry!

A New Season.

Things have been a little quiet on the IndigoElephant front lately, as we prepared to send our big boy off to preschool.  He was a bit apprehensive, which made me nervous about it too.  He has only ever been looked after by family or close friends - all people he knows and trusts, so the anxiety was understandable.  The hardest part of his school days would have to be leaving him upset and calling for me to stay.  But the staff are fantastic, reassure me that though he's upset for a short while, he'd settle into the day and have a wonderful time.  At one point on day one, he'd said to his teacher "this place is really great, I love it here"! Drop offs are still hard, but I'm hoping they'll improve soon!

Of course he couldn't head off to preschool without some handmade goodies from mummy!  On the list of things to take were a couple of items I was more than happy to give the IndigoElephant touch... the library bag and the hand towel! 

For the bag I dug out some lovely Echino fabric I was saving for something special and made a simple lined drawstring bag, which he loves - not sur eif it's because mummy finally made something just for him!  It's great for taking books and toys over to Nana's house as well (And yes he did bring home 2 books from the preschool library).

With the hand towel, I simply bought a cheapie white towel and added some gorgeous tape from Lilla Lotta (that was also being saved for something special) and a loop for hanging with some of the leftover library bag drawstring.  I also finally had the chance to use my Clover bias tape makers...and they are amazing! Almost no steam burns and evenly folded fabric, you've gotta love those little gadgets that make jobs easier!

Couch Picnics!

There are so many cute, fun, romantic ideas around for celebrating Valentines Day.  If my Mister and I celebrated V-Day, this would be such a fun way to do it! I love how Amy describes it:

For something simple, inexpensive yet still romantic, I would highly recommend the following concept: Instead of splurging on dinner at a fancy restaurant, have a cosy night in on the couch. A couch 'picnic' of sorts. Snuggle under a blanket, order take-out, indulge in champagne, popcorn and candy in front of your favourite romantic movie.

You can even eat on disposable picnic plates and cutlery so that neither of you have to wash any dishes afterwards!

The whole idea is just a little more fancy than a night at home with takeaway, wine and a movie , plus the last bit, about disposable plates is genius!  I might have to book in a night before the footy season begins!  Oops too late, he's already glued to the AFL and league, and here I thought they were winter sports!

All images are from Eat Drink Chic.