Weekend Reflections 02

Last week I thoroughly enjoyed watching my 2 year old 'cook' with his best friend, Millie. They made some pizza - from scratch - with a fair bit of help from the mums! Actually, there was so much raw dough consumed I'm surprised there was enough left for the pizza! But they had such a great time that it has motivated me to do something that I've been planning for ages, but have yet to action.

So, watch this space for the launch of the 'kids in the kitchen' range, I'm planning little aprons and chef's hats to start with, and am really hoping they'll look as great in reality as they do in my head! But I figure that now I've put it in writing, I really need to get started... so I'm aiming to get at least one finished by this weekend! Hold me to it!!

I've also started playing around with some ideas for hair accessories, for the purely selfish reason of being able to wear something that I've made myself! Because as much as I need a bib to keep me clean during spag bol dinners, it really isn't the most flattering look to sport around town!

And yes, I know it's no longer the weekend, but that's how long it's taken me to get this blog post finished! Hope you have a great week,
Sash

Thursday Treasures - Little Sapling Toys

I can't stop checking out the beautiful items at LittleSaplingToys! They have such a wonderful range of gorgeous wooden toys and teethers, and if I could just narrow down my favourites, Noah would be biting down on one right now, instead of the bright plastic thing he's got in his mouth!

"The wood used for our toys is either reclaimed or FSC Certified hardwood and is sanded satin-smooth. We use a local beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish to bring out the natural beauty of the woods. Our teethers are left bare.
+ All the paper products and packaging Little Sapling Toys uses is recycled and recyclable.
+ We plant a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold.
+ We participate in Idaho Green Power Program to offset our business and personal energy usage."

Nick and Kimber have been able to successfully quit their day jobs to run this business and spend quality family time together. They were recently interviewed about this on etsy, and their inspirational story can be found here.
I have included some images of a few of my favourites from their shop, but again struggled to select just a few, so recommend checking them out!

Thursday Treasures - DUST SALE

Ok so this post isn't about one particular item, but the possibility of everyone finding something to treasure this weekend! What am I going on about?? This weekend IndigoElephant is participating in the Etsy DUST sale - no, not dust damaged stock from our recent dust storm - Australian etsy artists (from the Down Under Street Team) are banding together for a special sale this weekend!

So, check out the various sellers, and start your Christmas shopping before December! Not only will you be avoiding crowds, mile long queues and battling for car park spaces, you'll be supporting Australian (hand)made and receiving items you wouldn't find in retail centres. IndigoElephant will be adding more stock to the shop over the next two days, all you need to do is just add 'WEEKEND DEALS' in message to seller and save! Go on, start shopping!!

Weekend Reflections 01

The last couple of days have been quite hectic with lots of cutting and sewing, to get my gorgeous new fabrics made up into bibs, while also trying to develop another toy for the shop, and keeping up with 'life'. And the great thing about so much sewing - apart from the satisfaction - is that it really gives me lots of thinking time!

Yesterday I was remembering back to my first ever sewing experience, back in year 7, facing one term of textiles & design, and having to make a peasant top, which later that year had to be modelled at the school fashion parade!! The peasant top was a bit of a disaster. You can view a pattern for a similar style here, but need to picture it with short puff sleeves. It was too short, too tight and waay too ugly! Let's just say there had to be a bit of re-making before the fashion parade...

Fast forward about 18 years, and I find it hard to believe that I'm now making things, with a sewing machine, that other people like and want to buy. I'm feeling so fortunate to have found something that keeps me sane while being a stay at home mum, and allows for a bit of creativity in my life!

And for a sneak peek at some new releases for this week, see below!

Thursday Treasures

Having been profiled on someone's blog last week, I've decided to share with the world some of the treasures I find whilst attempting to get some work done!! There are so many independant sellers out there with amazingly beautiful products, often created themselves. And I'm all for supporting that!

That said however, I'm starting out with something that isn't handmade, but I do love it, and think it'd make a great gift for my Atticus - maybe when he's a bit older!

Yes, it's a rare first edition of one of my all time favourite books! It was found on etsy in daisychainvintage 's shop (or you can follow Sandra's blog for an entertaining read). This would definitely be on the top of my shopping list if I had a wad of spare cash floating around!!

Creating For A Cause

The other day I was catching up on reading some email newsletters from various places, and stumbled across the Softies for Mirabel charity crafting project, run by Meet Me At Mikes in Melbourne.

Mirabel is a wonderful organisation that supports the children of families affected by substance abuse. And this is something small I can contribute to help someone else out... not too sure what I'll be sending yet, but if you're feeling crafty why not send something along too?

Interview with an elephant!

IndigoElephant has been interviewed by fellow Etsian Nay, of moonangelnay, who is a great supporter of up and coming Etsy artisans, and a very clever photographer too!
Read the interview here. You could also visit her shop to check out her work.

Meanwhile over at IndigoElephant HQ, I'm flat out making bibs and toys, with my first custom order of 3 elephants and 2 birds being finished for mailing out tomorrow. New bibs are also on the way, so stay tuned for mouth watering cupcake bibs, and some cute girly ones to come. Also being developed are some new toys, an owl and a rhinocerous, who will hopefully make it to the shop soon. So much to do and so little time...better get back to it!