this little piggy went to the PLAYFUL market ...

 ....seriously ... at the ABC 'playful' market 

we had an Animal Farm that was FREE for all ... 

& the coolest little piggy came along too

he/she got their snout right in there ... fortunately we weren't at all precious about the so-called grassy area ... never quite survived the drought!

The animals brought an awesome sense of 'playfulness' to the market & was an excellent attraction for lots of families to come & visit to see what ABC is like ..

 I made something like 50m of party bunting to hang up around the place ... 

the trees were bare ... (now in a full snowy gorgeous spring bloom!) 

but we needed a little colour & a party feel as well ... was fun & easy & I have them for the next party ... & importantly the next market too!! 

Aretha & I loved getting this 'playful' market together & we have had such an amazing response to the event that we've had people wanting to host another before Christmas ... that actually isn't going to happen but we're looking at doing this 2 or 3 times in 2012!! Whoo hooo! We could not have made it all happen without the wonderful team of people behind us! Lots and lots of people contributed in some 'little' way but we also had quite a few people put in BIG time along side us to make it all work!!

Thankyou guys!

 there was face painting (hey Lucy!) & lucky dips 
& a quilting demonstration & fairy floss

& amazing food & great coffee 
& personal service 
& a fun, playful sausage sizzle

& 34 mostly handmade market stalls 
& a little Art display & live music 

& Marcella the clown & a kite making competition 
& the ABC cafe & 2nd hand books 

& kids activities & did I say great coffee?!
& the most amazing electric BUZZ of positive playful exciting energy about the place  .... ahhh my cup runneth over!

I walked about at one point taking photos & soaking in the feeling & talking to people some more .... just absorbing this thing that we'd dreamed up & I was awe struck by the energy that had snow-balled ... so wonderful ...

 'mate'... Lindsay & Kate worked hard .... 

they made 1 coffee every 1.5 mins

oh & Kate makes the most awesome hot chocs too!

(see Rebecca in the background? She makes an awesome saleswoman!)

 now these two .... Liz & Noelene I have known most of my life!

helped out with baking ... Noelene made the cutest little gingerbread people all done up in cello bags with sweet ribbons 
& all ... they are helping here with our ABC Cake Stall ...

... we had so many baked-goods donations that we didn't really have enough room!

The Cake stall alone turned over a grand! Seriously & they were excellent prices!

 here she is - the infamous Marcella ... balloon animals all over 

... very playful for a very playful day! You're a gem ...

 we had 4 'Best Offer' Auction items

all handmade & all gorgeous ...

This one above is one of the ABC Playgroup's contributions ..

a rainbow 'I Spy' quilt .... made by the Prayers & Squares Group
& was desperately wished for by quite a few!

 here's the lovely Di working on another 'I SPy' quilt  .... she having a chat with Alma

This is our Prayers & Squares Patchwork group at Church who make quilts for people we know of that need a little love & some prayers handed their way ...

the quilts they make are not 'quilted' but they are 'tied'

the ties are left long & un-tied until someone comes along to say a prayer & take a moment to give a personalised thought towards the recipient ... 

I truly wonderful project that has world-wide chapters (808)

it was our ABC P&Sq groups' 3rd anniversary the next day!

 ... Matthew & Cameron ... 

Tiger-rific sums it up I think!

... now these two are part of this amazing team

that worked really hard but had a tonne of fun in the Cafe ...

.. if you're wondering about the bandana?

well with our council permit to sell & make foods stuffs...

if you're preparing food then you have to wear a hair net or 

....a bandana over the top is much cooler hey!!

Kate & Issy ... you are sensational!

Kate helped me cut out & make these aprons ...

started at SAY one Monday ...

they all looked pretty cool ... even Joe had one on!

& the up-shot of Kate helping me make these aprons is that she is now inspired to buy herself a more modern sewing machine than her Grandma's goodie but an oldie ... & she's been sewing things! I think I was lucky to have them all returned!!!
Next time I will make fun ones for the Sizzle guys & others too ...

the 'playful' market was the biggest thing I have organised in a long time & was so worth it all! It was great fun & we know how to improve for 'next' time ... stay tuned so if you're in Melbourne & you missed out ... I will be letting you know when it is that we'll be doing it all again!

I will have another Market post following

that will give you a round up on all our amazing stall holders!!!