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!