Great Giveaway::

Hands up who doesn't like free stuff?... Anyone?... Nope thought as much!!

On my fairly frequent blog readings, I came across this giveaway for some Nan Lawson art, so if you would also like a chance to win you should enter too!

Wild Thing Max - Nan Lawson

Another shop I love at the moment is belleandboo, the illustrations are just too cute, but I can't figure out where they'd fit at mine?  

New Listings::

 

                                     

Weekend Reflections 04

Another busy weekend has just flown past, did anyone see where it went?  We had two sick boys to look after so spent most of our time at home.  They're doing ok but have bad colds and the 'coughers' as my little 2 y.o. would say.  Luckily for me, the patterns I bought arrived last Thursday and I was in the middle of making myself a skirt!!! And yes, I've finished, and yes it was hugely rewarding.  Though I'm not sure I'm ready to share a photo of it just yet... but it definitely turned out better than the peasant top nightmare!!

It's so wonderful to have a new little challenge, a new skill to learn and something to stretch one's mind with.  I'm hoping I'll also be able to make the kids some shorts, nothing too fancy, just something to play around in.

On the shop front, IndigoElephant is almost up to 100 sales, so to celebrate, the next five buyers will receive a complimentary set of bobby pins with their purchase, just let me know which set you'd like in the 'message to seller' at checkout.  The newest elephant buddy is now available instore... it's just gorgeous - if I do say so myself!!

 

The Elephant Army

 Here is my own little army!! These cuties were all made over one weekend to fill Christmas orders, so I hope they are all happily settled in their new homes by now.  The one 3rd from the right is yet to be listed in the shop, it was made for a very good friend as his Christmas present, and is living it up in San Francisco. Its sibling will be in the shop this weekend!

Happy 2010!!

Happy New Year!

Here's to a fantastic year ahead for everyone, may it bring you much joy, and good times with those you love.

I have made my resolutions, but rather than boring you with them, will just say that they all involve being more organised and more productive with my time... One of them has already been achieved!!  I decided to have a go at making some clothes, and started with a little kit  of precut pieces to make a dress (for a little girl).  It was a breeze to make, but I still haven't had a chance to try it on an actual child as I've been forbidden from trying it on my boys.  I've also ordered a pattern for some cute shorts, so I can actually make something for the boys!  Will be sure to share some pics if they turn out any good!

Point and Shoot

On Saturday I had the huge privilege of shooting some photos for a dear friend's wedding.  Was a bit nervous seeing I'd never done anything like it before, but was honoured to be asked all the same!

Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 5:58pm 
{ Carolyn + Dave }

O Christmas Tree!!

We finally got our tree up last weekend! I was determined to do it before we got any closer to Christmas - unlike last year, when we put it up two days before and took it down about two days after. Our main dilemma last year was an inquisitive 18 month old who couldn't keep away from the shiny glass balls, which in turn, led to a few smashed decorations.  Not a drama at all, I was more concerned that he'd cut his fingers on broken glass.  So, in a bid to have my tree up relatively early and looking its best, I decided to buy and make some toddler friendly decorations.

I made these cute stars from felt, using this tutorial at the Purl Bee.  I didn't do any beading on them, as I was aiming for toddler friendly (and that includes the 1 year old who is drawn to the tree like a magnet!!).  The silver thread works really well as a contrast colour on the red, but I also love the silver on white too.

These started out as papier mache decorations that I painted red and decorated with some silver paint and the blunt end of a bamboo skewer - I did do one with the sharp end, but that was way too time consuming for this time of year!

 I really wanted to get a wreath for the front door, but they were so ridiculously over-priced that I figured I could make my own. I bought a plain twig wreath and some wired red berries from a florist supplier and tied it all together with some ribbon leftover from our wedding presents (over seven years ago!!). I would've loved a gorgeous clip-on bird decoration amongst the berries and may alter it a bit for next year, but was quite happy with how it turned out.

My very clever mother has learnt how to make Temari balls and made these for us. Aren't they gorgeous?

We decorated our tree with all these and some others I'd bought in last year's post-Christmas sales.  The tree has been up for a few days now, decorations get pulled off and played with, and hung back up. I don't have to worry about cut fingers, lips or tongues and I get to enjoy having a beautiful tree to gaze at!  So next year, come October or November, the IndigoElephant etsy shop will stock a range of toddler friendly decorations, (range will be finalised after the product testing phase has been completed!).