Watcha Been Buyin' Wednesday

It's that time again... my chance to share with you some of the goodies I have found recently - Whacha Been Buyin' Wednesday!


This item may not be very exciting to you, but it is soooooo cool for me! I have finally had a custom timber template made up for my flags!


That's right... Giggleberry Creations has been around now for just a tiny bit over 2 years and in that time I have made 100's & 1000's of flags for my handmade fabric bunting banners and all of them have been measured, marked and cut using cardboard templates. I can't tell you how many cardboard templates I have made then either over used, accidentally lost, accidentally cut, had one of my kids 'help' pack it away or similar and then needed to make a new one. So it was about time I had a sturdy, impossible to break template made. My problem was solved thanks to Say It With Letters on Etsy. These guys made my 1/2 inch thick MDF template to the exact size I need for Giggleberry flags to continue on being the perfect size and shape - Thank you!!

The other purchase I have made in the past week I wanted to share with you is from Kids Art and is for my nephew who turned 4 just yesterday. Kids Art is a WAHM business that makes fun and colourful personalised gifts from canvas art to wall clocks. I bought my, truck mad, nephew this personalised placemat and just knew he would LOVE it.


These placemats are a great gift to add to a parcel (he also got a funky T-shirt) or are the perfect bargain gift for those birthday parties that seem to pop up every single weekend that your kids are invited to and it's impossible to find a gift for.

So, Whacha been buyin'??

6th Street Design School

After a busy and fun filled long weekend here in Oz I have two very tired kiddies who have gone down for their nap a little earlier than normal today. So I am taking this perfect opportunity to catch up on my emails & Etsy 'convos'.
Lots of emails I can do the quick skim past and delete but others need more attention... one such email was from Kristen of 6th Street Design School blog.


Kristen sent me a quick email telling me Giggleberry was a part of her 'Etsy Bunting Roundup'


All these bunting finds are so cute and I even have one or two of them!! You can check out each item and a link to it on Kristen's blog HERE.

Happy Birthday to me!

It's my birthday on Monday - Yay! I am lucky enough to have been born the day after Anzac Day so with this year having Anzac Day fall on a Sunday I am spoilt with a national public holiday for my birthday - Yay again!
Now when it comes to birthdays in my house I am the one who makes the cakes (I LOVE this job) so it is up to me if I am wanting a cake for my birthday, which of course, I do!
I decided to make cupcakes for 2 reasons... 1. I won't have a huge cake that will end up on my hips!! and 2. I have been wanting to try out the recipe for marshmallow frosting that a girlfriend gave me for a while now and it looks just so very sweet on cupcakes. So with the help from my two baking assistants, Milla & Harrison we have made a small batch of cupcakes made up this morning then as soon as they went down for a snooze I got to have a little frosting fun!


Here is the recipe for this very sweet and shiny icing that is light, fluffy & tastes just like marshmallows!!
(PLEASE NOTE: this recipe is not 'child helper' friendly)

You'll Need:
* 3 egg whites
* 480g white sugar (the original recipe suggests CSR castor sugar)
* 3 tsp light corn syrup (this stuff is a bit tricky to find - I found it eventually at IGA in the ice cream toppings section)
* 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
* 150ml water
* 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Food colouring of your choice

Method:
In a metal bowl combine egg whites, sugar, corn syrup, cream of tartar & water. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water - (making sure the bottom of the bowl doesn't touch the water). Beat continuously with hand held electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy and forms soft peaks. Take the bowl off the heat and add the vanilla and a few drops of food colouring. Whisk the mixture until it forms soft peaks.
Using a piping bag frost your cupcakes in a circular motion starting from the outer edge of the cakes and working your way toward the middle - making it look like a Mr Whippy ice cream.



Between these yummy cupcakes and a public holiday long weekend with my gorgeous family my birthday is shaping up to be a fabulous one! I just have to wait until my wonderful mother in law is home from her trip to NYC, at the end of May, for my gift... Hubby has given her a shopping list for the Apple store on Fifth Ave for an iPad!! Yay, Yay, Yay!!!!!

Come and say hi!

If you’re in Sydney next weekend make sure you drop into the Sydney Pregnancy Babies & Children’s Expo. I will personally be there from 10am - 1pm on the Connect2mums stand on Saturday the 1st of May and would love you to come past and say hi face to face!! You won't be able to miss the stand just look for this custom made pink and purple Giggleberry bunting that will be hanging on it!!


While you're there you can also enter Connect2mums fabulous competition where you’ll have the chance to win a $330 Kids Prize pack including a gorgeous Giggleberry bunting banner!
The expo runs from Friday 30 April – Sunday 2 May at Rosehill Gardens Events Centre and Connect2mums will be at stand K48. Join Connect2mums by clicking HERE for more details and your free ticket to the expo!


Kids Prize pack valued at $330:
Cackleberry Kids towel in a gift box valued at $40.00 from Cackleberry Kids
Cackleberry Kids organic tee valued at $28.00 from Cackleberry Kids
Bunting valued at $39.95 from Giggleberry Creations
Punk Rock Princess Tutu Dress valued at $48.00 from Lunalei
A girls set of clothes including hoodie jumper, dress & pants & top outfit valued at $80.00 from Scootoot
A boys set of clothes including hoodie jumper, t-shirt & shorts & top outfit valued at $70.00 from Scootoot
‘Cassowary Coast count on country’ book by Pam Galeano valued at $20 from Connect2mums

Pop it on your calendar & I'll see you there!

Watcha Been Buyin' Wednesday

There are just so many gorgeous items ready for purchase out there in the wonderful online retail world. I could spend days, weeks, months just floating in and out of boutiques, madeit, etsy... everywhere. And like many of you I always have a HUGE 'wishlist' but instead of sharing with you what I want I thought I'd share with you what I have actually purchased.


So without further ado I introduce: Whacha Been Buyin' Wednesday

I will try my hardest to post this every week. Sometimes it may be a tiny little purchase, sometimes it may be supplies, lots of the time I bet they will be items for my kids! But if I have bought it online within the past week or so I will absolutely share it on Wednesdays.

Here we go... Week 1:


A gift that will be hidden away until Milla's 3rd birthday (in November). It was just too lovely so I snapped it up just the other night... 'Maximus' Hobby Horse handmade but the very clever Elke of Calamity Bolt


Spiderman on the line tee, socks & Baobab hooded dress from Baby's Got Style. I had spotted the hooded dress in the latest Shop4Kids mag and LOVE it but just couldn't seem to 'complete checkout' with out a few things for Harris too!

I told you there would be lots of kiddie purchases.... So Whacha Been Buyin'?

A Fabulous Friday Find

Where did this past week disappear to? I must being having an absolute blast at the moment if the saying 'Time flys when you're having fun' is true, because it seems to be zooming by. Which is why I didn't get a chance to tell you about being part of the Handmade Kids Fabulous Friday Find yesterday until today...


Take a look HERE to see the Riley Blake All Star bunting banner that was with a collections of other gorgeous handmade kids items in the Fabulous Friday Finds.

The closest I'll come to being a 'Cover Model'

I have been meaning to say a HUGE thank you to the amazing women behind the great online magazine Connect2Mums for asking me to be the Connect2Mums 'Cover Mum' for April - What a massive compliment!
Connect2Mums is somewhere as a mum you will find all kinds of great things - support, ideas, advice, friends, fellow WAHM's, inspiration.... and lots more!


I was asked to write a little bit about being a mum, Giggleberry Creations and (as April is Autism Awareness month) I was asked to tell all the Connect2Mum members about our Running the Marathon of Autism campaign for Felicity - if you'd like to see what this 'Cover Mum' has to say check it out HERE.
Again I say THANK YOU to Connect2Mums for the honor of being a 'Cover Mum' - the closet thing I'll get to being a cover model :)

On a side note:
If you have five minutes to spare and have always wanted to be on the cover of a magazine you just have to check out this fun website I found and make your cover shot dreams come true! www.magmypic.com or like me just have a little fun!

Sugar and Spice... for all things nice!

Who doesn't love a good market? to casually wander around sipping a latte while taking a peek at the handmade goodies from all the different stall holders with no real intention other than to see what's on offer... and 9 times out of 10 find a whole array of unique items that you just had to buy - Bliss.
Now make the market a Children's market and add to that a 'Kids Corner' (where the kids will be entertained) which is right next to a 'Dad's Corner' (where hubby can sit and read the paper while keeping half an eye on the kids) and you have my idea of a weekend morning heaven!
"There is no such place" I hear you say... wrong! For those of you lucky enough to be in the Melbourne area your market prayers have been answered with the Sugar & Spice Children's Market!


A new boutique children's market in beautiful Woodend in Victoria. You will be delighted by the gorgeous and unique products for your children, many of them hand made by the lovely person you are buying them from.
Sugar & Spice market is also designed to help support and promote local small businesses that are producing lovely children products - and I have discovered that there are lots and lots of them!! Other gorgeous businesses from surrounding areas are also being sourced as I wish to provide a diverse range of beautiful stalls to the people shopping at the market - variety is the spice of life :)
Another aspect of the market is that any profits made will be donated to local charities (of course this is once marketing needs have been accounted for). I hope that by the market giving back to the local community, the local community will support the market.

This is where (if you can believe it) the Sugar & Spice markets gets even better! Alison, the gorgeous wizz behind these awesome markets has pledged the profits from both the inaugural markets in June and the September markets to Felicity & The Marathon of Autism!!! Wow, wow, wow!!

So by shopping at Sugar & Spice not only will you be purchasing gorgeous products for your children, you will also be supporting local businesses and charities! - That's Felicity!

Here are the details you'll need so be sure to pop it on your calendar, in your phone, in your diary, into your computer reminders... heck even put it on a post it and stick it to your bed head!

Sugar & Spice Children's Market Woodend
Where: St Ambrose Hall, Woodend, Victoria (click HERE for directions)
When: 20th June 2010 (& then again September, December and March - date to be announced)
Time: 10am - 2 pm
Entry: FREE

Once you're there go nuts! And be sure to say hi (and a HUGE thanks from us & Felicity) to Alison if you spot her.

If you are new around her and have no idea what I am talking about when I'm mentioning Felicity and The Marathon of Autism take a quick peek HERE and it will bring you up to speed.

Bargains Galore... SALE!!

Want an absolute BARGAIN??? Well I have it for you. From the comfort of your own home you can snap up a Giggleberry bunting banner for cheap! I am having a SALE through the Giggleberry Creations facebook page to clear out some of the older stock that just must go!


At 8pm (Sydney, Australia time) on Sunday the 11th of April (that's tomorrow) I will publish a SALE photo album HERE on my facebook page. Items in the album will be marked with their details e.g. length, how many flags etc and the sale price. Then it's up to you to flick through the items and pick what you want... if you see something you like just comment 'SOLD' under the photo and the item is yours - Easy!

Fine Print:
* There is a flat rate postage fee for all items of AU$5 Australia wide or AU$8 for international.
* First person to comment on an item is the buyer - got to be quick!
* Once you are finished 'shopping' contact me at giggleberrycreations@gmail.com with the items you bought and I will send you a paypal invoice.
* Items must be paid for within 3 days of the sale going live or the item will be re posted.
* Items will be shipped to you within 48 hrs of the paypal payment clearing.

So, do you want to take advantage of the low prices? all you need to do is be a fan of the Giggleberry Facebook page HERE and be at your computer at 8pm on Sunday night.
See you then!

Going to the chapel, and we're gonna (see someone else) get married!

Tomorrow is the 'Big Day' for two of our very good friends - Matthew and Tricia. These two lovebirds have been together for as long as I have known them and I just can't wait to see them tie the knot!
I have had so much fun (since they announced their engagement over 12 months ago) finding little handmade goodies as fun gifts for them along the way and thought I'd share.


Hand Stamped Personalised Guitar Pick from JC Jewelry Design - Matt and Trish are in a band together... Matt plays guitar... this gift is PERFECT!
Personalized Wedding Gift Card featuring badges from HMC Designs - saw this at the last minute... asked for it to be made up an express posted. The amazing Heidi who makes them was very lovely and did it - so happy with this funky card!
Personalised LOVE magnet from Whimsical Creations - just too cute to resist!
Personalised Silver Dress Hanger from Lil Frances - I gave this to Trish a few months ago. It says 'Mrs Morosin' which is who she will be after tomorrow... She plans to have her dress photographed hanging on it - Awwwwww!

So onto the question most females think when a wedding is coming up... "What am I going to wear?"


I can't tell you the last time I had an excuse to buy an entire new outfit and get all dressed up so believe me it was so much fun finding what to wear! I found a fun and floaty black ruffle skirt and a simple white sleeveless top with a small ruffle detail to go with it. I also bought a little grey knitted shrug as the wedding is an afternoon into the evening event so it could end up a little chilly. But the most fun I had was shopping for the accessories from the comfort of my couch on etsy... I found:
Double Pearl Ribbon Necklace from Leela Beela Beads so very lovely, I couldn't resist this!
South Sea Shell Pearl earrings from Realisation Creations simple and elegant.
Vintage inspired Flower Headband from Gimme That! - Perfectly ties all the tones together and the pearls too!
I also bough some simple black heels online but they still haven't arrived... I'll find something to work before 3pm tomorrow (I hope)

We have the babysitter booked in, hubby has a new outfit and we're ready to go and share Trish and Matt's special day. We wish them every dream they have for their future together xxx

Custom Order for Sambellina

I am thrilled with the bunting banner, ordered by the lovely Kate from Sambellina, that I have just finished. Kate has her son's birthday coming up and has decided on an outdoor party at a miniature railway - CUTE! The plan is to have a marquee set up and Kate wanted some Giggleberry flags to decorate it.


Being the talented designer behind the gorgeous Sambellina party ware and stationary, Kate has a great selection of themed invites to choose from including this Choo Choo Train stationary that works just perfect for her son's coming celebration. (Seriously - you just have to check out the Sambellina range, they are just too adorable to explain! I am in love with the Dinosaur and the Garden Party themed stationary!!)
So with the Choo Choo Train invites and gift tags in mind and with a few directions from Kate, about adding a star or two to some flags, I was able to put together the perfect fabric combinations.


TahDa! What do you think??

Stockists

Giggleberry is excited to announce our latest stockist! You can get your hands on a selection of the Giggleberry bunting banners through the adorable online kids store - Holly and Eddie at www.hollyandeddie.com.au


Holly and Eddie is a brand new store so be sure to check them out for all kinds of fun and cute bits and pieces for your kiddies!

Hippity, Hoppity, Happy Easter

Wishing you all a wonderful, chocolate filled Easter!

Did the Easter bunny hop past your place this morning? Did he leave any goodies behind? There was a small bundle of mini chocolate eggs hiding throughout our home that we had to go hunting for - LOTS of fun!
Once the excitement of the Easter eggs settled down a bit we got ourselves organised and headed off to brunch at my sister-in-law's with our Hot Cross Cupcakes in hand.




These were a BIG hit and seemed to get gobbled up pretty fast... it was fun watching people eat them as they found the mini chocolate Easter egg that is hiding inside - YUM!


Thanks to The Cupcake Wrapper Co for the gorgeous Spring Bunny wrappers that made the Hot Cross cupcakes look even more fabulous!

Customer Feedback Photos

You just *have* to check out these party pics I was sent from a recent customer. This very clever lady, Cherie, threw her daughter an amazing Strawberry Shortcake 5th birthday party that looks just stunning!



Thanks so much to Cherie for including Giggleberry's Strawberries & Cream bunting banner in these sweet decorations and for sharing these photos.
Be sure to check out the rest of the party pics HERE.