Mathilda’s Market…thanks everyone!

Just a quick note to thank all of those who came along to help make our first Mathilda’s market a great success. What an incredible turn out! Over 160 stalls of such high quality, unique crafts for our favourite little people.

I only spent…ummm, all of my profits on goodies for the kids. Finally scored some green sunglasses for Miss Chuckles from A Teaspoon of Colour, a gorgeous bag of wooden cars for Puddsy and a new hat for his gigantic head from Missmouse. I was terribly distraught to find that after skipping breakfast in the mad rush the only food within my reach was the scrumptious cupcakes made by The Cake Collective, mmmmm delicious!

For all of those crafters trying to decide whether they should give Mathilda’s a go, definitely do! The market was so well-organised and heavily promoted. The experience of the organisers is evident throughout the whole process and consideration is given to both stall holders and market-goers alike. Ample space is provided for showcasing your craft and aisles are wide enough for multiple double prams! Thanks again, Mamma and Grandma Chuckles.x

Mathilda’s Market, Caulfield and the Kris Kringle Night Markets, Northcote

Well, ho ho ho, christmas is approaching fast and I am sure all of your little (and big) people would love to find a chuckles toy of their very own under the tree! We have been so very busy stocking up on new and unique toys for you to choose from so please make sure you come say hi at the Kris Kringle Markets, Northcote Town Hall, Thursday nights 5.30-10pm for the next four weeks.

Also, we are getting very excited and a little nervous about our first ever Mathilda’s Market. Please come and visit our stall at the Caulfield Racecourse, Station Street, Caulfield. Free parking all day! on Sunday 27th November, from 9am to 1pm. Entry is free. With plenty of stalls, yummy food and kids’ entertainment on offer, Mathilda’s Market is undoubtedly Melbourne’s finest shopping destination for our littlies. For a sneak preview of what’s in store, head to www.mathildasmarket.com.au, or check out their blog at www.mathildasmarket.blogspot.com. We really hope to see you there!

New Stock

We are getting loads of new animals ready for our upcoming markets and thought we would post a few pics of our current stock. Grandma Chuckles launched her new vintage dogs and monkeys at the High Noon Street Festival and sold out completely! Thanks to everyone who came and visited or purchased some Chuckles Toys. We received great feedback on the new look of our stall and are still working on ways to make it more appealing and accessible to our visitors.

This Saturday is, as you would all know, Grand Final day, but it is also the next Sister’s Market at Brunswick Town Hall. I am currently working on some Collingwood and Geelong themed sock animals to sell at the market so if you are a fan drop into the market in the morning and pick up a sock mascot and if you are not, come along and avoid the Grand Final festivities.

Mathilda’s Market

I am very pleased to announce that Chuckles Designs will be at our first ever Mathilda’s Market. We are very excited! It is the christmas market held at Caulfield Racecourse on November 27th. We will keep you informed as we get closer to the date. Grandma Chuckles and I are doing something ‘Chuckles’ related every day to make sure we have plenty of new and wonderful stock to bring to the market.

For your immediate Chuckles needs, we will be at High Noon Festival this Sunday, September 18 from 10am till 6pm so get yourselves down to the festival and remember to drop in to the town hall to visit us stallholders. We will also be at the upcoming Sisters Market on Grand Final day so remember to come and say hello before you hit the Grand Final Festivities.

Lastly, check out my most recent mini monkey. I just finished and haven’t decided whether I can part with it, he is so teeny tiny he fits in the palm of my hand…awwww

Teeny Titchy Tiny Monkey

High Noon Festival

High Noon Festival is approaching fast. Grandma Chuckles and I will be at the Northcote Town Hall market next Sunday (sept 18) from 10am-6pm as a part of the High Street festival come-back. A few weeks later we will be at the Sisters Market in Brunswick and many mini monkeys will soon be making their journey to the Little Shop of Handmade in Carnegie. The first little vintage scotty dog made by Grandma Chuckles has already been adopted by my darling Puddin’ baby, James. He loves that dog sooooo much, walking around hugging and kissing it…”dog, dog, dog, dog, dog, dog, dog, dog.”

I have quite a lot of monkeys stuffed and ready to sew and a fair amount already in stock so please email to place any orders or come visit at High Noon next weekend. Will post some pictures when I finish the new batch. We are also planning a big change in the presentation of our market stalls, however I am having trouble getting my hands on two hat/coat stands…so if you know of any I would love to hear about them! Meanwhile, I will post some pictures of my lovely children just because I think they are wonderful.

Ok, Seriously, I am back for real this time

I keep saying I’m back but this time I’m serious! The puddin’ baby is now officially a toddler and the big kid is no longer a toddler. I am thoroughly enjoying the one and three year old time, so lovely!
I have been making toys still however, I was barely keeping up my stock from market to market. We are hoping to scale back on our small markets and build our stock while we look at applying for some of the bigger markets like Mathilda’s market. In the meantime, check out the photos of our current stock and as always feel free to email chucklesdesigns@gmail.com or visit with any special requests. Grandma Chuckles has just got her hands on some very cool vintage toy patterns and is busy sewing so stay tuned for the launch of those gorgeous little things…

Back to business

Ok, ok, ok, ok. I have officially started makin’ monkeys again…ok, so far only for friends babies, these bubbas are poppin’ out all over the place! I have had a number of repeat orders which is just lovely and have heard many stories lately of babies who have chosen their monkeys as the comfort toy of choice. So sweet! Anywho, if you are after a monkey please email me at chucklesdesigns@gmail.com. Also, in a mad rush to create some stock for the final chrissy markets I whipped up some funky little puppets designed to fit on kidlet sized hands. I will post some pics soon if anyone is interested. In the meantime, I will share some photos of my beautiful bubbas

I’m dreaming of a christmas filled with monkeys, sausage dogs, elephants and poodles!

Well Chuckles fans, it has been a long time since I have posted. I have had my hands full with a very refluxy, eager to feed, not so eager to sleep bubba. Grandma Chuckles, however, has been extremely busy in her christmas workshop making loads of wonderful goodies for a series of chrissy markets.

We are at the Northcote Town Hall, Kris Kringle Markets for the next three weeks if you are looking to finish your chrissy shopping. Loads of great, quality crafts for all ages. Come and visit between 5.30 -10pm on Thursday Dec 2, 9 and 16.

Grandma Chuckles will be making her first appearances at the Monkey Markets over the next couple of months. A new area for Chuckles so come along or spread the word about the following locations and dates:

19th December 2010, 10am – 2pm
Kingston Town Hall
985 Nepean Hwy (cnr South Rd)
Moorabbin

30th January 2011, 10am – 2pm
Eltham Community & Reception Centre
801 Main Road (cnr Pitt St)
Eltham

It’s been a long time…

Well, it has certainly been a long time between posts and a very long time between monkeys!! Master James and his horrendous reflux has kept us busy, exhausted and very preoccupied. After four months and a lot of medication he is now enjoying life and I think it is time to start making monkeys again. I am hoping to get up enough stock to get to a number chrissy markets. Grandma Chuckles is still very busy and even has her own blog up and running. Make sure to visit her at http://grandmachuckles.blogspot.com/

James Wyatt McKinnon Briggs has arrived…

I am so very, very happy to announce the safe arrival of baby James. After a lovely, natural, 4-hour labour in the wee hours of June 30, my incredibly adorable son made his way into the world. He was a tiny bit early at 36 weeks 3 days gestation but that seemed full term after our last experience. He spent 2 nights in the Special Care Nursery due to low blood sugars, but joined me in the ward on day 3. What a beautiful experience this time around. Everything I could dream of.

The statistics:
Weight: 2960 grams at birth, 2665 grams on discharge from hospital
Length: 48 cm
Head Circumference: (remarkably small for a Briggs head!) 33.5cm

First meeting with baby James

Little piglet looking for milk in Daddy’s nose!

Kiss for baby James

First cuddles

Me and my kiddies

Awwww, my little blondie!