All things nice - 5 Star Baby!

Now my Miss Spice has quite a wardrobe and it is considerably better than mine. Half of her ensemble is made up of beautiful, handcrafted, frocks. I had to giggle when a friend of mine said that maybe she should return to work to fund her baby girl's wardrobe.....so true, so true!

How she ended up with those exquisite goldilocks still astounds me...

Here she is modelling one of her dresses created by our 'All things nice' business for today -
5 Star Baby!

You may know Katie from 5 Star Baby! already - she is a regular on the market scene and has a unique range of creative and beautiful products that I have no doubt you will love. You can come and visit her gorgeous stall at Woodend on Sunday June 5.

A little bit of love,

A little bit of fun,

And lots & lots of cute!

Are you more sugar or spice?

Oh, definitely spice. I eat lots of sugar to compensate!!

What inspired you to start your own business?

Our little 5 star babies of course!!

Our venture began 6 years ago, gorgeous different things were hard to find, and overpriced, so it all began, my sister (who was studying teaching) and I (who was desperate for something other than washing, feeding, baby vomit, and well, you get the idea!!) we would get together in uni holidays and sew our little hearts out. It was chaotic and wonderful. 5 star, baby! Is all my own now, as my sister has gone on to teach full time, but she remains a huge source of inspiration and encouragement in everything that I do.

How did you name your business?

A bit of an inside joke between my sister and I, but let’s just say, between us, we had 4 (and one on the way) babies, and well, we think they are 5 star!!

What is your favourite piece from your own range?

My all time favourite thing is my signature headband. No matter what I have in my range, it always stays. It is a must have item, and you can never be happy with just one!!

Where else can we check you out?

www.5starbaby.com.au

www.facebook.com/5starbaby

Thanks for being a part of 'All things nice' Katie :)

Step by step

What inspires you?

At the moment inspiring me are easy to follow, free web tutorials. Love an e-tutorial that spells out in step by step detail, how to make some sort of craft goody.

Now, I'm not a crafty expert by a long-shot, but I do love getting creative and having a bit of handmade fun.

Three web tutorials that I have called upon lately and were incredibly handy were...

Good old Martha Stewart's web tutorial on how to make tissue paper pom poms. 

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to

I was lucky enough to be given the job of organising a baby shower recently. I have always admired how tissue paper pom poms add an instant touch of class, so got my googling boots on. Martha Stewart's tutorial comes complete with step by step images, so with my $2 shop tissue paper and florist wire I made these pom pom beauties very easily.

Another favourite web tutorial of mine at the moment is Molly Chicken's love bird. A cute little softie project.

http://mollychicken.blogs.com/my_weblog/2009/02/4th-attempt.html

Ok, so I had to get my sewing-guru Mum to help me with it initially, but I have churned out about 6 love birds on my own since. Quite an achievement for someone who can't thread a bobbin. I didn't bother with the pocket on the front though and added a little rattle bell inside instead. They have been a great little pressie for the newborns in my life and I lovingly refer to them as my 'dodgy chicken rattles'

Finally a great wet weather e-tutorial for the munchkins. Perfect for today's dreary weather. A fun make over for the broken bits and pieces of crayon you have laying around at home. The munchkins and I followed these instructions from Little Melbourne and they had a great time in doing so... so much so, that they have started intentionally breaking crayons so we can do it again :)

http://www.littlemelbourne.com.au/to-do/staying-in/a-make-over-for-crayons.html

Have you found any web tutorials that are worth their weight in gold? 

More fun than a toy shop!

Anyone who drives a car like this just has to ooze fun right? 

I am very excited that Ffyona and the team from Pass-the-Parcel have come on board to 'bring the fun' to our 1st Birthday Woodend Market. Face painting, balloonology, yes that is a technical trade, music and unique toys will be on the agenda for Pass-the-Parcel to celebrate Sugar & Spice turning one!

Based in Kyneton, in the beautiful Macedon Ranges, Pass-the-Parcel have been sharing their fun for over 10 years. Their services include; roving performers, event entertainment, face painting; balloonology, mobile kids parties, craft classes, circus and clown skills lessons, music sessions - the impressive list goes on. 

Headquarters is their cute shop front in Kyneton where they have a strong focus on selling Australian made, green and eco friendly toys.

You can check out Pass-the-Parcel here for more info pass-the-parcel.com.au

Or make sure you pop into St Ambrose Hall on Sunday June 5 to share in some Pass-the-Parcel birthday fun.

Today, Kyneton's Midland Express Newspaper will visit their shop to take a picture to accompany an article about our upcoming 1st Birthday Market, yay!

Just because...

Do you have a friend that helps you just because???

I am lucky to have one such Mama friend in my life. She is always there for a a bit of last minute help, to listen to a rant, to vent to and to share the joys of the little people in our lives.

It's not just me that she is continually doing things for, just because, I see her doing things time and time again for others. She is a gem and I think you will find the beautiful posters and postcards that she has created for our 1st Birthday market just as beautiful as she is. Thank you Jackie...

These 1st Birthday posters and postcards will be finding new homes at shops, kinders, child care centres and schools throughout the Macedon Ranges.

The Inspired Occasion

Some wonderful businesses have come on board the Sugar & Spice bandwagon, and we are more than excited about the lovely sponsors that we have secured for our big 1st birthday bash.  It makes me smile to introduce you to one of them today:

The term 'Mumpreneur' is most definitely becoming a fixture of our everyday language. You may know the story - where clever Mum's create new businesses from home, that fit around the little people in their life. Two very clever Mama's who keep proving that the rise of the 'Mumpreneur' small business phenomenon may be unstoppable, are Renee and Alex from The Inspired Occasion.

Their divine boutique event management business is rapidly growing with booking after booking. You may have spotted them recently with a huge appearance on Network Ten's, The 7pm Project and a feature article in the Herald Sun.

They believe that the special moments of celebration with your children should be as beautiful as they are. Whether its a baby shower, children's birthday party, christening, naming day, anniversary, special dinner or small celebration they will help you turn it into an Inspired Occasion.... and why wouldn't you if your celebrations turn out looking like this!

Welcome Renee & Alex to the Sugar & Spice community. We can't wait to visit your beautiful stall on June 5 at Woodend, because the Inspired Occasion is truly a perfect fit with all things Sugar & Spice!

See more of Inspired Occasion's beauty here:

www.theinspiredoccasion.com.au

All things nice - Little Puddles

Today's 'All Things Nice' post features Natalie from Little Puddles Custom Jewellery.
Natalie's accessories for little people can be found at our Sugar & Spice, June 5, Woodend Market and Ballarat in both July and November.

I know first on my Woodend shopping list for Miss Spice is this cute piece :)

Are you more sugar or spice?

I would like to think I am more sugar, but I think I am naturally more spice...I will leave it up to others to come to their own conclusion!

What inspired you to start your own business?

I would like to say it is because I had some kind of calling, but it's because I have an addiction to jewellery, accessories, and homewares...and when I started crafting products for myself, I found that my friends and family were interested in purchasing these from me! It was a huge compliment and from this, I have expanded into a mini-empire (in my dreams!) which now includes accessories for my beautiful baby girl, Emily Mae.

How did you name your business?

I love this question...my mum is Welsh and her maiden name is Poole. She is one of 12 kids. When her mum (my grandma) used to go for walks with the family, people used to say, 'There goes Mrs Poole and all her Little Puddles'.

What is your favourite piece from your own range?

I have 2 favourite pieces:

1. MaeBaby Headbands! I made these for Emily Mae because a lot of the headbands sold at retail outlets were too tight for her head and had 'bits' in them that made them unsafe for babies like Emily who put everything in their mouth...these are completely safe and so soft and stretchy that even I can wear them!

2. Bunting! So much fun to create and I am absolutely addicted to crafting with fabric, so making custom orders for people completely makes my day! I'm currently sewing a set for Emily's first birthday in a gorgeous mix of reds and pinks.

Where else can we check you out? 

Come visit me at www.facebook.com/littlepuddles 

or at www.littlepuddles.com.au

Natalie and her inspiration, Emily Mae

Thanks Natalie!

A beautiful read

Nat from Tiny & Little has done it again! Issue 2 of her gorgeous online publication is full of beauty and inspiration.

If you haven't checked out Tiny & Little before, be sure to click the link below. This edition is all about the little men in our lives and the notion of a 'slow childhood'.  Ah does that mean I can skip this week's early morning kinder drop offs?

Divine pics, thought-provoking quotes and contributions from us yay, and some of our friends including; Little Melbourne, The Little Hip Traveller and Little Eats.

(Our feature is all about the market bug - which I'm sure most of you may know well!)

Issue 2, Tiny & Little:
http://www.tinyandlittle.com.au/2011/05/issue-02-tiny-little-magazine/

Mud Babies

If there is mud, Master Spice and Miss Sugar will surely find it!

It doesn't help that we live in a new, not-fully-landscaped house. We have half dug trenches, stump holes and garden beds that were created with good intentions, but haven't yet quite been completed. In the eyes of my little people this makes perfect conditions for making mud pies and puddle jumping. They splash in the mud so often that now when I hear rain I sigh, get the shower ready and NapiSan in hand.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves....

If you have mud babies of your own make sure you check out Pickle & Pop's gorgeous gumboot range at our June 5th, 1st Birthday Market in Woodend and our Mornington launch on July 10.

Pickle and Pop

All things nice

I thought it might be nice to give you the opportunity to regularly 'meet' some of our gorgeous retailers, via our new 'All things nice' blog post. Stay tuned for your chance to find out more about some of your favourite retailers and see the working-forces behind them!

First up, I would love for you to meet Jo from Grumpy Heflumpy what a gorgeous name for a kids business! Jo is a new retailer to Sugar & Spice and you will be able to meet her and her gorgeous range at the upcoming Woodend market on June 5 and our Ballarat market on July 31.

Jo and Noah (aka Grumpy Heflumpy)

Are you more sugar or spice?
I think I am a good blend of the two. On the surface I probably come across as “sugar” but it’s the “spice” that drives the business I think.

What inspired you to start your own business?
Having my own gorgeous boy I struggled to get something cute and unique for him to wear… the commercial look was just not my thing and my love all things that remind me of my travelling days and have developed a very unique taste and style.

How did you name your business?
My son was a big baby (nearly 10 Pound) so we nick named him heflumpy… and he was such a good natured baby he really only ever got a bit grumpy so the nick name stuck… He is my inspiration …my “Grumpy Heflumpy”.

What is your favourite piece from your own range?
My NEW little traveller range I love! These long sleeve tops are organic, super soft and have very subtle, fairly gender neutral designs. The fabrics are from Japan and feature designs of Paris, London and Russia. There are 3 designs per country in the range and available in sizes 00, 0 and 2. I think with this season I have found my groove and am very happy with how they have turned out.

Where else can we check you out?
We have a website: http://www.grumpyheflumpy.com.au/
And a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Grumpy-Heflumpy/155157667839740

The 'little traveller' range

Thanks Jo, we look forward to seeing you at Sugar & Spice soon!

Boy: A noise with dirt on it

My Master Spice has a secret. A secret that if exposed would bring out his best angry face. Ahh how he is renowned for mastering the angry face! Arms crossed, head down, eyebrows dropped, a look of thunder, which is usually unleashed when he is embarrassed, tired, grumpy, the list goes on. My little rough and tumble boy, who adores dinosaurs, Ben 10, and all things footy, isn't quite as tough as the world perceives. Nearly every night without fail he sneaks down the hallway and crawls into our bed and curls his fingers around mine. Yes, my Master Spice sleeps while holding my hand. Little boys were definitely made to melt their Mama's hearts.

Angry face - who me?

I know it has been said before but it's the little men who often get forgotten about in the handmade world. There is definitely a niche in the market there and I am putting a call out to all of you crafty, creative and clever people to bring on the boys goodies! Sugar & Spice would love to have you at our Markets.

Here are some of the gorgeous boys products previously seen at Sugar & Spice Children's Markets.

These beautiful pics were taken by Kim Selby.

1. Pirate dolls - Miss Ruby May

2. Little boy print - Almond Tree Designs

3. Boy bunting - Retrobub

4. Boys tees - 5 Star Baby!

Happiness is...

Time for a cup of tea? Are the munchkins sleeping?

Whatever you may be doing, if you have a few spare minutes and are up for a quality read, then click on this little link and you will be taken to a whimsical place...

http://1000homesofhappiness.blogspot.com/

My super creative and clever sister has a little (BIG) blog project underway where she plans to 'release' 1000 origami homes.... just because. She writes a word on each home and posts about her life as a working Mama of three little ladies and their interactions with the world.

I thought I would share it with you as I find her blog inspiring, beautiful and full of ideas. I have no doubt that after reading, you will leave with a smile on your face and even better you can get involved by requesting to 'release' a home of your very own. I am quite fond of my blogging sis!

You may also get the chance to meet her as one of our retailers at the upcoming Woodend 1st Birthday Market, where she will be selling her quirky children's paintings. On the condition that she never publishes embarrassing childhood photos of me on her blog ever again. What better time to introduce you to her blog when she is giving one of these very paintings away!

Enjoy...

Blow out the candles!

Sugar & Spice is turning one...
Our June 5, Woodend Market, marks one year of Sugar & Spice goodness.

A year since Ali's vision resulted in a bustling, much-talked about boutique market.

A year since the delicious cupcake stall was sold out within two hours.

A year since 100 goodie bags were snapped up by keen shoppers in the first 45 minutes.

A year since over 60 applicants applied to fill the 20 plus stalls on offer at St Ambrose Hall.

A year since Sugar & Spice Children's Market began!

On June 5 we plan to replicate all of this and more with a beautiful Sugar & Spice 1st Birthday Market in Woodend. We would love for you to join us for some celebrations and of course yummy cake!

Miss Sugar discovers the beauty of 1st birthday cake

We are currently looking for sponsors to be involved in this special event. Email me at sugarandspicemarket@gmail.com for further info.