Perfect ending

I don't know about Miracle on 34th Street, but there was sure a miracle on King George Square on Friday evening.  Somehow, in the midst of the most appalling weather, a little window of calm descended on us as we set up for our final BrisStyle market for the year.

Mind you, the day wasn't without its traumas.  We had picked up our daughter and granddaughter from the airport and deposited them at their city hotel and were driving home to pack the car with Hot Fudge merchandise, clothes racks, lighting, etc, when the car threw a hissy half way home and had to be towed to the nearest repair shop.

Naturally, there was not a rental car to be found within coo-ee.  With a couple of hours to go to set-up time, panic didn't nearly describe it.  To cut a long and painful story short, our daughter came to the rescue with a hired car from the city - what an angel.

Even before the BrisStyle stalls were set up, the crowds started to gather.

Then the fun began.  Who could not love the roller-skating Christmas Tree decorations?  I believe that later in the evening the blue bauble was knocked off its feet and was seen rolling slowly down the square. 

In no time the serious shoppers dropped by and so the beautiful evening rolled on.  There was one slight hitch when some gusty wind blew in, but it didn't last for long.

The atmosphere was brilliant as happy shoppers mingled with the wandering musicians,

decorations (bauble back on its feet),

and the giant Christmas Angel, who held the children in awe.

My five and a half year old granddaughter strutted her stuff around the markets wearing her Hot Fudge Christmas knot dress, drumming up business.  What a trouper.  Together with her mother, they did some serious shopping and just about completed their Christmas list, as well as buying the odd adornment for themselves. 

So all's well that ends well.  We had another two wonderful days with our interstate visitors, but that's another story.

Two more markets

It's one of those magic Brisbane days when you can feel the warmth of the promised summer.  Christmas is less than a month away, so it's time for some serious shopping.

If you don't live in Brisbane, maybe it's time you paid a visit to our fair city.  Next Saturday would be the perfect time, as BrisStyle is holding its Indie Designers Market and it will be packed with all your shopping needs for the family.

It's never too late to discover something about yourself.  A couple of days ago for instance I discovered that I am not an Overlocker Whisperer.  I thought it would be prudent to clean my fairly new overlocker, as it had been quite some time since its last clean and I had been working it fairly hard.  One lesson to be learned - wait until you have finished your current project before attempting such adventures.

I opened the casing and was engulfed by a wild mass of fluff which had been waiting to attack as soon as the latch was released.  There was enough to stuff a decent queen sized mattress.  During the process of shovelling it all away, I carelessly let the lower locker thread run free.  No problems.  This is one of those modern easy to thread models.  It was about here that I discovered that I am an Overlocker Shouter.  Nuff said.   

Back to the market, which promises to be full of holiday spirit with music, food and a happy Christmassy atmosphere.  You will find all your old favourite vendors and a few exciting new members as well.  It will be extended a further two hours, finishing at 4.00pm instead of the usual 2.00pm, so there's plenty of time to come and join in the fun.

Saturday 4th December 9am - 4pm

St Augustine's Church

Racecourse Road

Hamilton, QLD

If you are unable to attend this market, stay tuned for news of our final Twilight Market at King George Square on 17 December.

Twilight Time

With Christmas speeding towards us at a frightening pace, it's time to check on the shopping list.  If you will be in Brisbane on Friday 19 November, you could save your frazzled nerves and aching feet by doing all your Christmas gift shopping at the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Market.  Here are a few of the items to whet your appetite.


Miss Dish Designs






 

 

Un Cielo
























Ruby 2 Go Go

























Pannikin



Lemon Ink





Mon Petit Poppet



Marjon Scheffer



















REread



Denim Days

This is but a small sample of what's in store to delight you at the Twilight Market between 5.00 and 9.00pm.  I know I'll be there, this time as a visitor.  However, I'll have my Hot Fudge stall at the next Twilight Market, so I hope you come along then if you can't make this one.

Of course, you can always hop on line and see what we BrisStylers have for sale in our Etsy shops.  You'll see a full list of members here.  Happy shopping!

Twilight

Twilight ... it's all the rage, isn't it?  If you've seen the movie or read the books, now is the time to see it in the flesh, so to speak.  Of course, I'm talking about the BrisStyle Indie Twilight Markets coming to a city near you, if you happen to live in Brisbane.

Pick up a copy of this week's City News and there you will find two of our hard-working organisers Bec and Helen on page 12 with their new best friend, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

Sadly, I won't be there, as we leave tomorrow for a week in New Zealand, but at least my Hot Fudge skirt and dress made it into the photo shoot!

You will find all the details here:

But wait, there's more.  On Saturday 8 May BrisStyle will hold its first Mother and Child Market and I will be there, so do stop by and say hello.

 
















It promises to be the most exciting market, and just in time for Mother's Day.

Food for Thought

 

BrisStyle had a fairly important meeting yesterday.  We needed a large percentage of members to be present or to send in their proxies.  Thankfully we had the numbers and the proposals were carried unanimously.  Being a committee member of this dynamic and ever-increasing organisation takes huge chunks out of my day, but the rewards come with occasions such as yesterday. 

Then there are the other perks - these girls can cook!  Take a look at what was placed on the table for morning tea.

I realise that the table looks a little bare, but by the time I found my camera in the Black Hole (AKA The Handbag) the hungry hoards had done their worst.

I knew what my contribution was going to be.  I found the most scrumptious recipe for peanut butter fudge (what else?) on Flossie Teacakes' blog and had a terrible time keeping the flies and husband away from the tin.  The original recipe comes from Sophie Dahl, so my husband really wants to thank you Sophie and Florence of Flossie Teacakes for making his Anzac Day Long Weekend complete (yes, I did bring home the left-overs).

Committee leader Helen (top, middle) explained some of the finer points to the members.

Hard-working committee members Rebecca and Bel are clearly pleased with the outcome.

After the members departed, it was time for a committee meeting which, of course, meant time for lunch.

There was also a bottle or two of Moet somewhere in the background, if my memory serves me correctly.  A very successful day.

If music be the food of love, eat on!

(Apologies to Mr Shakespeare.)

P.S.  If you are within coo-ee of Brisbane next Friday evening (30 April), give yourself a real treat and walk over to King George Square, where you will be able to meet the lovely members of BrisStyle at their first Twilight Market.  I wish I could be in two places at once, but I will be in New Zealand with some of the family.  The Twilight Market has captured the imagination of the city fathers and the Lord Mayor of Brisbane has thrown his support beind the event, so we are expecting big things!