my creative space {market prep}

With a market on next week I've been spending quite a bit of time adding to my pile of stock....just a few bits and bobs here and there.  It's nice to add new things, but it's also nice to keep the regular stuff up to date and fresh.  These little booties are the result of too many off cuts of fabric and the need to provide for those with feet small enough to fit into them.  I just need to finish off the boys booties but these girls ones are looking rather colourful for the start of Spring!

Then there will be usual preparation that goes with all markets...the table, props, a float and this time some assistance in organising as it's to raise money for our local kindergarten.  I'll be joined by some friends that craft as well, so if your free on Wednesday night the 12th of September come and visit from 6.30 - 9.30 at The Neighbourhood Facility in Prospect Street, Pascoe Vale South.

How do you prepare for an upcoming market?  Slow and steady or full steam ahead on those last few days before hand?

Join in a whole online market full of creative types at Village Voices

this is where i'll be today....

Great indoor venue - heaps of stores selling handmade and vintage items

Lovely cafe's to grab a coffee, some breakfast or lunch

Please come and say hi if your there! 

at the market.....

Wow - what a day it was yesterday at the FIRST Sugar and Spice Children's Market in Woodend and only the second time I have had a stall!  First things first, Ali (organiser of the event) did an amazing job putting together such a wonderful market.  There was an area for kids to sit and draw, face painter, cupcakes from Cupcake Central the Coffee Man (much needed) and an array of creative, crafty stall to feast your eyes upon!

My friend an I headed to Woodend early and had so much fun setting up the stall and I got to meet Renee from Spunkee, Katie from 5 Star Baby, Melinda from Here We Go Loopy Lou and many others like Lark and Robin Street Market.



Of course I made a few purchases (for the kids of course).  Here is my son sporting his new hat from 5 Star Baby (doing the figures for me), and this little elephant now belongs to my daughter and was lovingly made by Renee at Spunkee.

It was a great day with loads of families streaming through the doors and David Cosma playing awesome music on stage!  As my stall was located right near the stage, David gave me his Debut Album - Hanging from Aldo, as a thankyou for selling some of his CD's and the fact that the speakers were only about a metre away from our ears! It's great easy listening music and the fact that we have such a talented Melbournian happy to come along and play at the Children's Market was such a bonus!

Thanks to my friend Sarah who was a great help on the day and thankyou to all that stopped by to say hello and those who made purchases - it was a great day and I hope to be back in September!!

sneak peak.....

"Sugar and Spice and all things nice.....kisses sweeter than candy,"

This song has been going around in my head as I madly prepare and pack for the first Sugar and Spice Market tomorrow in Woodend! I was getting my wooden ladder out of the shed (a great road side find) as it will be part of my display tomorrow, and I couldn't help but grab a few items and have a look as to how it will all look.

So you all get a sneak peak at what will be at the Mira Narnie stall....

 

Some quilts, clothes, scarves and heaps of accessories!  

I am look forward to being a stall holder (for only the second time EVER!!), but also I get to meet other bloggers like Here We Go Loopy Lou,  5 Star Baby and Lark! 

Hope to see you there! 

for the boys part II.....

I'm right into the boy zone at the moment!  I had so much fun making little scarves, that when I remembered I had bought some gorgeous duck cloth cotton in a dark mushroom colour, I knew I could create them into great pants for the little men in our lives.

I added little contrast detail to all of them in different ways, like cuffs and pockets.  They are simple wide leg, elastic waisted and will even make great 3/4 shorts....

 All of these goodies, plus more will be for sale at the Sugar and Spice Children's Market!   and possibly the North Melbourne Market! 
Hope to see you there - please come and say hi...

for the boys.....

You know boys are pretty practical creatures - so totally different to us girls who need every accessory under the sun.  Nowadays you can't escape that anywhere, even in children's boutique's whereby the girls items dominate the store and the poor boys only get a quarter (if your lucky) of the space!  I know, I know, girls need tights, and clips, and pretty bracelets and bags whilst boys are happy with a pair of jeans, sneakers and a cap!

This is becoming infinitely clearer to me the innate differences between boys and girls.  My son, happy to wear whatever I chose him and ready to head out the door on time whilst my daughter (not yet 2) cries out "bag, bag, bag" and proceeds to fill it with all her essential items (at the moment they include a balloon - not inflated, a little container, a coin, and baby wipes).  She will not leave the house without her bag - even if it is just to drop her older brother off to Kinder!  I don't know where she gets it from, because I don't shout out for my bag, but it is quite cute really.

But this got me thinking about ensuring that my stock at the Sugar and Spice Market was as balanced as can be.  So last night I worked on some much needed winter accessories for the boys!

So I have made some cozy reversible scarves!  They turned out great with soft polar fleece and contrasting cotton.  I made a big button hole on one end, so the other end just loops right through - so fussing to tie it up or snap a closure!  Seeing as they were such fun to make, I might have to make some for the girls!

Hope your all having a fun weekend...x

my creative space...

Today I am reminded of those sleep deprived days of early motherhood.  The middle of the night feeds,  the creeping around the house so as not to disturb the 'finally' sleeping child, only to drop a tissue or flush the toilet and the wails can be heard as you cringe and calculate how long they have been asleep for and work out if is it worth re-settling.  Well, it's not that my children have reverted back to infant-hood, but today I am feeling somewhat sleep deprived as my head finally hit the pillow at close to 1am, only to be woken at 5am by my son who thought that was a reasonable time to start the day - ah...the joys.

Luckily my Letter Box Fairy made a special delivery yesterday and left me a whole tray of yummy ginger crunch, which I am told is a Kiwi thing.  It is so delicious that I just had to have some with my morning tea (that was after a very strong coffee when it was still dark outside).



So taking it easy today....my kids love to draw, paste, cut and create (oooh sounds just like me!)  so after an early morning session of craft, we've hit the pavement to post out a few parcels and my mind is racing over what I am going to do with these great fabrics.  Just simple pinwale cord in a gorgeous deep red and fantastic teal green/blue!  I want to add a few clothing pieces to my stash that I take to the Sugar and Spice Market and I thought these were great winter colours.

What's your creative space look like today??  join in at Kirsty's! See you there!!

Mira Narnie @ the North Melbourne Market

I did it!  I had my very first stall at a market - something I have been wanting to do for a very long time.  The experience was great as I set off early in the morning and picked up my good friend Sarah for help and support.  We arrived at the Lithuaniun Club with a boot full of goodies and props to help display the items and set about trying to achieve a visually appealing stall.  I was amazed at all the other talented stall holders and the array of products and items offered for sale.  Luckily I only allowed myself a quick browse at the other stalls otherwise I could have spent a small fortune.  It was delightful to meet Lauralai who was in the stall next to me and sells beautiful children's and baby wear.  I also met Jessica from Truth Be Told who sells adorable illustrations and stationary and enjoyed stopping by The Rabbit and the Duck to see their gorgeous items!  

I only took a few photos of my stall and even these turned about a bit blurry.  It was a fun day and thank you to all of you that stopped by my store and made some purchases!

to market to market....

well well well, finally i can take a breath....ahhh...sip my coffee..hmmm, and thank heavens I have my computer back (yes its been away getting fixed).  I can also share with you that I am going to to hold a stall at the North Melbourne Market which will be my very first!  So I am super excited, not to mention super busy making, designing, sewing, cutting, un-picking, re-sewing, starting from scratch, planning my stall, gathering things from around the home to ensure a visually pleasing environment and did i forget to mention sewing, sewing and more sewing!  phew!  So what will I have in my stall??  Well, all the things you find in my Etsy store plus a couple of new items that have not made it on there (time being the main issue!) such as cards from bits of offcuts (never one to waste), fabric purses, accessories and baby gifts.  So if you are a regular stall holder, I would love to hear from you and about your experiences so if you have some tips, send them on through!