green valley crafts

52 things i made {7/52}

2012-02-17T16:16:00.001+13:00

This chunky scarf.
I made this for my girl, though the weather is still far too hot to wear it. I wanted something quick, and this fit the bill, being done and dusted in less than a day. And (yusss!) she loves it!

I can't believe it's been a week since my last post, where did that time go!? I spent a lot of last weekend dealing to (sauce/jam/freeze/share) all those plums. My husband and I went out to a cute wee french place for our 5th wedding anniversary. I've got an assignment due Monday! (AGAIN! btw, my teeth aren't sore anymore!) We've been back in a kind of routine after summer, back to playcentre and it's busy! Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things and regular posting soon! I missed it this week!

x

52 things i made {6/52}

2012-02-10T12:36:00.000+13:00

This cross stitch.
I had to step away from the knitting for a while, but I wanted something methodical that didn't require too much brain power, that I could pick up and put down around kiddo stuff/study/life. This wee stitchery fit the bill perfectly.

better late than never

2012-02-09T14:04:00.002+13:00

I did try to take a Wardrobe Wednesday photo yesterday, but it just wasn't a happening thing. The best shot of the lot was this out take.

Anyway, you've seen this outfit before, here. But it has been my favourite outfit this summer, so I thought it suited the love to love you theme for February. You can read an interview with me, and see inside my wardrobe, over at Nin's!

Things are busy round here, but in a good, full kinda way. Here's a few notes...

I spent a lovely lunch out at Kathleen's for her birthday. Seriously, the food was awesome. Who needs restaurants, we put the restaurant's to shame!!! If you look closely here on Jess's post you'll see the plum tart I'm working on perfecting. And you'll see Jess's AH-MAY-ZING to die for (vegan!) chocolate cake. Seriously. I had to hold myself back from stealing the whole plate and running away to hide in the garden and scoff the lot. She generously shares the recipe here.

On another note have you seen these amazing wedding photos! Whoa. Gorgeous.

Speaking of weddings its our 5th anniversary very soon! Where did that time go!?

Just enrolled for next semester...I'm on a roll!

And I've stopped knitting milos (temporarily) and I'll show you my latest project if I can get it finished tonight, after my weekly walk with my BFF. I hope to watch Miranda while I get it finished. Do you watch Miranda? SO funny....

slice of life

2012-02-04T20:39:00.000+13:00

:: to eat ::


:: still to be picked ::

:: to read ::

:: mess ::

:: mess maker ::

52 things i made {5/52}

2012-02-03T09:18:00.001+13:00

I made this wee stitchery. Is that the word? I like to call it a stitchery anyway! You may have seen it here!
I had a lot of fun creating it, and I can imagine a grouping of hoops would look very sweet in my daughter's room...putting it on the list. The list is loooooong.
All I can seem to do at the moment is knit milos. I'm still in the midst of studying, and just life, and all my brain really seems to want to do when I get some time out in the evenings (if I can get the toddler to stay. in. her. bed.) is to knit and watch telly. Looking forward to this starting soon!
A long weekend this weekend, YAY!
Have a good one.
x

ride

2012-02-01T13:13:00.003+13:00

On the weekend we took a family bike ride (ah, I felt so wholesome. heh.) to a park about 20min from our house. We were the only ones there. It was really nice.

I know I should be posting a wardrobe wednesday shot today, but the inspiration is just not flowing (translate: I am wearing leggings and an old dress and am too lazy to get changed) HOWEVER, you should enter! Because I am judging this month, oooh fancy! And you can see the prize I've donated here! Now, go put your glad rags on while I make myself a coffee!
x

52 things i made {4/52}

2012-01-27T19:12:00.001+13:00

I really love this little red and grey number. I wonder who will end up wearing it?

Teeth: Still sore! But apparently there's nothing wrong. Hrrrumph.
Assignment: Aahhhhhh due Monday! Best get back to it.
x

Wardrobe Wednesday

2012-01-25T09:14:00.000+13:00

Dress - homemade, Top - warehouse, Necklace - vanette

I think you've seen this dress before, but the white top is a new-ish addition to my wardrobe. This photo is from last week sometime. I'm not feeling so bright today! Feeling decidedly blah today. I have sore teeth two weeks after visiting the dentist. I'm hoping it's as a result of work they did and that it will just settle down and I won't have to have anything else done. It's toooo expensive! An assignment due Monday is weighing on my mind, and a toddler who won't stay in her bed in the evenings! Grrr. Must try to sort out attitude today.
x

lovely

2012-01-22T18:19:00.000+13:00

I've enjoyed a lovely Sunday afternoon of knitting, chatting and cake. The best kind of afternoon really. I got to finish another milo (I'll show you the latest colour combo soon). I met the lovely Jess and tried her delicious cinnamon scrolls, MAN, they were gooood. Along with lots of other friends and too much other yummy food ~ homemade custard tarts, with real egg custard, sigh...heaven!

If you've got a spare minute this evening as you're internet-ing you might like to read this post on slow fashion, which I found really interesting (the whole slow fashion movement really rings true to me...) I've also been watching this video on repeat LOVE the song! And these ladies are making me think it might be time to put the knitting needles away for a bit and get crocheting instead! Lovely! Should probably do that assignment that's due in a week first though....ugh.

hot day kiddo activity

2012-01-21T15:26:00.000+13:00

Early in the morning or the day before, fill some cupcake shapes or any small containers with water and food colouring. Freeze!

I've found stars are really good (these shapes are from Nood) as they are easy for toddlers to hold onto when the ice is melting and slippery.
We've just had fun watching these melt and dripping them on our hands and feet. Today I was folding the washing outside while she was playing and I let her have an old cloth nappy to use as well.

It ended up looking really great! She was wrapping it around herself and saying 'I'm a fairy', so cute. I think the colours will probably come out in the wash, but it was a fun activity and we'll be doing it again soon!

52 things i made {3/52}

2012-01-20T11:24:00.001+13:00

A simple skirt for my daughter, based on this tutorial. EASY! Must be the easiest thing I've ever made. I made it as a practise run for some corduroy I got to make autumn/winter skirts and dresses. It's turned out to be very handy as we are in the midst of our first proper week of wearing knickers round here (her, not me people).
Happy weekend!
x

waiting

2012-01-19T09:49:00.001+13:00

I'm waiting, somewhat impatiently, for our plums to ripen. I can NOT believe how many there are! Last year we only had 18, the year before 3! We planted the tree when we moved in and it is thriving. YUM. Can't wait!

Wardrobe Wednesday

2012-01-18T08:58:00.001+13:00

dress and bag ~ both from savemart (a second hand shop)

This outfit is my latest thrifting score, and I was very happy indeed! A new dress (originally from Max) and a new leather handbag! Savemart is a little more expensive than most op-shops, but I got both these items for a grand total of $28 which is pretty good really, as both items seem like they have never been used.
I'm linking in with Nin over at Sailor Spy! I'd love you to join in Wardrobe Wednesday with us! I'm also WAY too excited about a scrap fabric swap she's running on her other blog, the Wardrobe. I'm IN.
x

shhhh...

2012-01-14T11:08:00.001+13:00

winner!

2012-01-14T08:06:00.001+13:00

And the winner is...Rhiannon! Yay! Thanks for all your lovely entries, I truly wanted everyone to win this one as I do love these tops and I think they're so cute on wee ones!

I even finally managed to figure out how to get my random number thing to show up! Heh.

Happy Saturday!
x

52 things i made {2/52}

2012-01-13T09:12:00.000+13:00

I'll try to make this 52 different things i made, instead of 52 milos I made, okay? I'll try...
I added my newest creation to the growing pile sitting in my gift drawer. Someone was told not to touch them, but surely touching with toes doesn't count, right!?

She was desperate for the pink one to fit. No such luck my girl.
Remember I'm drawing my giveaway tomorrow!!
x

Quick re-style and Wardrobe Wednesday

2012-01-11T09:00:00.000+13:00

I found this skirt at the op-shop the other day for $5. I liked it for its fabric, which when I got home I discovered was liberty! It was slightly gathered onto a (too small for me) waistband, which I removed and shaped the top slightly to fit. I'm not overwhelming pleased with the result, and am considering its future as a dress for my daughter (or any other ideas?)
Here's a pic of it on me, which I'm also using as my Wardrobe Wednesday shot ~ WW is being happily resurrected by Nin over at Sailor Spy! I'm sure she'd love it if you'd join in!
x

t-shirt - glassons, with homemade bias trim round the armholes, skirt - op-shop, shoes - overland

box of tricks

2012-01-08T15:05:00.001+13:00

I love a good box of tricks. This is my current favourite.

Full of surprises and beautiful colours and textures. I love rifling through it looking for the finishing touches for wrapping gifts and orders. A great way to spend some time on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
x

don't forget to enter my giveaway! x

52 things i made {1/52}

2012-01-06T21:14:00.000+13:00

So I've decided to pick up on the idea of sharing a weekly handmade item here on my blog. Dee did this last year with her 'make my week' series, and Rhiannon is currently doing 'make my week, baby'! I'm sure I've seen at least one other blogger commit to this for 2012, but I can't remember who (let me know if it was you!) Anyway, I'm going to call my series '52 things i made' with a bit of a wink to this lovely video in my naming.

While not technically 100% finished (still gotta weave in the ends) it's off the needles so that's good enough for me to declare this milo is my first week's making. I must admit, I'll be surprised if I manage to get 52/52, it seems quite challenging to me. Wish me luck!
x

giveaway

2012-01-06T11:06:00.001+13:00

I thought I'd taken down all the Christmas stuff, but when I went out to the 'photo-taking-spot' I found I'd missed something. Pretty, isn't it?
Anyway I promised a giveaway late last year and here it is. I'm giving away one of my summer tops! This is the one. It's a size two, but a fairly easy fitting style would probably fit a range from 18mths to 3yrs (you'll know whether your kiddo is big/small for her age).

The pleats are hard to see but they're there. Not great photo weather today. To enter, just leave a comment on this post. I'll be drawing a winner on Sat 14th (NZ time) Open internationally.
Thanks!
x

whirring

2012-01-05T20:50:00.001+13:00

That's what my brain does. It whirrs. Constantly scheming, worrying, going over and over. Sometimes its so annoying, other times it's lovely planning and dreaming. I couldn't even lie in the sun on the beach the other day and relax. I had to have my notebook and jot down ideas as they came to me.
x

note book by louana

making

2012-01-03T13:09:00.001+13:00

So far, this summer has been cooler (and much rainier!) than usual for our town. I'm a bit sick of the wet, but I don't mind the cooler temperatures at all, I hate being too hot, and not being able to sleep at night. An added bonus of the cool weather is that I am far more interested in my knitting than I usually am in summer. This is good, especially seeing as a few dear bloggy friends are expecting in the coming months. Of course, they'd probably guess, it's just milo after milo round here...
x

to be continued

2012-01-02T20:11:00.001+13:00

About this time every year, I consider giving up blogging. After some time away from internet land, and more often than not, a holiday in a more rural part of the country, this little blog just seems a bit silly. Really, I mean how much time do I spend here!? And for what purpose?
I don't really talk about my blog in real life. Somehow, it embarrasses me that I spend so much time thinking and writing about myself. Selfish. Vain. Self indulgent. Narcissistic. These words float around in my head and make me want to leave it all behind.

But then something reels me back. Most likely a beautiful photo or post on someone else's blog. A moment they shared. A moment they shared that made me feel something. And then I remember why I blog. Because it makes me feel good. It makes me happy. And reading your blogs makes me feel happy too. And we all need a bit of happiness, right!?

This blog is not a complete reflection of my days, or my life. I'm not trying to make it seem perfect. It's not. No one's is. I don't deny this for a second. I'm just trying to record and share some moments. And I'm going to continue to do so this year. I'd love for you to join me.

x

holiday

2011-12-31T08:49:00.002+13:00

ahem

2011-12-14T20:45:00.004+13:00

I know I said I was gone for the year but I had to pop back and tell you about the Vanette half price sale! Of course, I have already snaffled my favourite, wasn't going to risk you picking the one I wanted!! You can't go wrong really though, they're all GORGEOUS! Perfect Christmas present to yourself. That was my logic anyway. Check them out here.

I'm really going now. See you in the New Year! x

take it easy

2011-12-13T12:33:00.001+13:00

My blogging mojo has left the building. It may have gone on holiday. It may not be back till the new year! Who can really tell. Anyway, I know I promised a giveaway of my own, but since I can not face the post office at this time of year I've decided that it will be a new year giveaway. Stay tuned! The photo above may be a little hint!

If I don't pop in again before the big day, do have a lovely Christmas and festive season with your loved ones. Thank you for all your comments and for reading this year, I appreciate it so much.

Till next time, take it easy!
xxx

music

2011-12-09T21:47:00.001+13:00

creative and messy

2011-12-08T09:45:00.001+13:00


bonus points if you spot the kiddo

So it's all go round here. Planning for Christmas, while carrying on the usual routine. Very little Christmas shopping has been done! And the projects I planned for the kiddo and her cousins, well one was great and one is WAY harder than I thought (to get to a tidy standard I'm happy with anyway)... SO I need to know what you are making or buying for toddlers this year please!!

festive

2011-12-07T12:51:00.001+13:00

Oh my. A bit of glue, a few strips of fabric. These Dottie Angel inspired coat hangers were SO quick, easy and satisfying to make! I may be addicted. I think I'm going to have to make some 'non-xmas' ones for my craft room to hang things on all year round. Love.

~ decorations: trees made by me last year, cross stitch squares by ella, heart by me this year, reindeer was a gift, and red heart by me 2 years ago ~

today

2011-12-06T15:28:00.001+13:00

Raining today. Lots of rain. Managed to save some good mail from the down pour, which was lucky! I got this gorgeous print from Susie at Flower Press - she had a special giveaway for people on her mailing list! Isn't it lovely?! It's going up in my tea corner once I find a frame for it.

Which reminds me I never thanked Deb for the copy of Mollie Makes which I won on her blog about a month ago! Thanks Deb!!! Those coat hangers are out for a Dottie Angel inspired project later today.

I spied this wee scene when I was walking past my bedroom and thought I'd catch it for you...dress by me, bag by Croutons.

And I'm working on a few wee gifts today for some friends who have made me smile a lot this year. I love making things.

But I guess you knew that already x

xmas-ing the house!

2011-12-05T18:56:00.001+13:00

Everything except the tree! Still trying to decide. Do we get a real live one (miniature, in a pot), a real chopped down big one, or a fake one...hrrrrm....

sale

2011-12-04T16:20:00.001+13:00

I've lowered the prices in my felt shop for a pre-xmas sale! I'm really, really hoping to add some more items...but I have an assignment due Wednesday, so it would have to be after that. In the mean time, check it out! Summer tops now only $25!!!

winner!

2011-12-03T12:12:00.001+13:00

congratulations to Morgan from Crowns Clothing - random.org chose you!

Thanks all for entering, and big thanks to Nin for offering up such an awesome giveaway!

Go check out Sailor Spy!

what I wore ~ new dress edition

2011-12-02T11:54:00.001+13:00

So I was telling you how I bought myself a new dress from Nin the other day. I finally got around to taking some pics of it to show and tell! So here goes...

pretty!! I love it.

so comfortable

haha pose-y! have a laugh, I did!

with Sailor Spy belt!!! (which Nin sent me as a gift. I bought the dress full price, just FYI, and it is worth every penny. I'm doing this review just because I LOVE it.)

Isn't it gorgeous!! It's just what I was after. So versatile, to make it look different by adding accessories, it is flattering to women with hips etc, doesn't need ironing, so comfortable and easy to wear. I really do just love it. And if twirling is a consideration for any of you, it does that too!

When was the last time you actually twirled? Yikes. I must be getting old. I had to go lie down for a minute after I took these. Holy!

Thanks Nin, I looooove my dress!!!

PS don't forget, I'll be drawing a winner for the giveaway tomorrow!!!

making

2011-12-01T13:13:00.001+13:00

Making. Reading. (should be) Assignment Writing. Sewing. Appointment Visiting. Playcentre-ing. Walking. Recovering (finally! from that cough). Looking forward to so many things!!!

This is what's currently filling in any spare moments, a basket full of love hearts! I am undecided as to whether they're going to become individual ornaments, a garland or what!? As for Christmas shopping, I've done exactly zero. Arrrgh. Think a trip to the market may be called for this Saturday. Hope you're having a good day. Don't forget to enter the giveaway I'm hosting for Nin!!! SUCH a cute prize, I wish I could enter!!!

giveaway and interview - Ninotchka from Sailor Spy

2011-11-27T13:25:00.001+13:00

I'm sure most of you already know the lovely Nin via her crafty blog The Wardrobe, but today I'm focusing on her beautiful fashion label, Sailor Spy. The amount of effort and love she puts into her business is inspiring, especially while having to deal with challenges such as the earthquakes which have shaken her hometown of Christchurch over the past year. I recently purchased one of her dresses, which I'll share pics of later this week, and it is seriously gorgeous. But for now, here's a wee interview, and if you stay to the end, a giveaway!!! Yippeee!!!

Tell usabout yourself.
I'm a 35 year old mother to Lala (nearly 3) and wife to Gordon. All the women and most of the men in my family are 'handy' in some way,so working with my hands in a creative way could be considered a genetic faitaccompli. I like small things, mustard yellow, bare feet in warm sand.

What is atypical day for you?

My day always starts when my daughter Lala wakes up somewhere between6:30-7:30. Three days a week she goes to pre-school, so once I have her organisedand settled in there I come back home and get on with the design/manufactureprocess. Each day is different, but I try and save these daytime sessionsfor cutting and sewing (because it’s easier on my eyes) and for meetings withsuppliers and advisers.

I work until Lala's home time at 3 - typically we will run errands,come home for a little play before the dinnertime/bedtime rush. I'llnormally start back to work in the evening after dinner. I'm a bit of anight owl, so it’s not unusual to wind up working till around 1:30am. Iguess motherhood has conditioned me to sleep deprivation - I tend torun on 5-6 hours per night these days.

How did youget into doing this? How long have you been doing it for?

I put myselfthrough a Bachelor of Fashion Design at Massey a zillon years ago! I'vealways wanted a creative career, but I needed to go out to work, travel andachieve my independence first - so my journey was a little backward to lots ofpeople's.

I startedmy first fashion label 'Seratonin' pretty much the moment I graduated Uni. I had to exit the rag trade for a few years due ill health (long hoursand little income didn't help me support my health!) and for financialreasons. I went back to the corporate world and I was good at beinga PA, but it just left me wanting. Several years on I met my husbandGordon and we moved to Whangamata in the Coromandel, where an opportunity arosefor me to open a little shop - The Wardrobe and start up my label again.

Canyou tell us about the philosophy behind Sailor Spy?

Pleasesee my blog for the Sailor Spy philosophy.

Favouritematerials to use?

I have anenduring love affair with silk - always have always will. I love that itcomes in so many weights and textures, its lustre and that it holds dyewell.

However, Iwork with a wide range of fibres and fabrications within my range because I'mlooking to balance a bunch of factors like easy of laundering, cost and the enduser's lifestyle.

Where do you get your inspiration?

My summer designs are based around a vivid dream I had of holidaying inSantorini (one of the Greek Islands) and a little bit of Audrey Hepburn inRoman Holiday - think Deep indigo and turquoise waters, coral sunsets onwhitewashed walls....billowing soft silks and cottons, tailored cotton jacketsand bermuda shorts.

I wanted Sailor Spy to have a mix of tailored and softer pieces. As an emerging designer - tailoring requires a degree of technicalskill which marks me out from a talented home sewer. I oftenreference a bygone era because I personally think it's really important forcurvy women to wear tailoring to show off those curves. I don't wantSailor Spy to be pigeon holed a retro or rockabilly or pin up label -there are others out there that do that well, but I do like the idea of takingstyles and details more common in the 30's, 40's and 50's and putting my owncontemporary twist on it.

Can you recommend a favourite blog (or two) you read when you're having abreak?

I have atotal girl-crush on Elsie Larson over at A Beautiful Mess and I love looking at modern hepburn on tumblr -it’s just pictures and quotes - but put together in such an atmospheric way. I think that's quite an art - being able to tell a story in pictures. I talk too much. See?

Thanks Nin!!
My own story about my recent dealing with Sailor Spy, began when I realised I have a wedding coming up in a month, and was thinking about buying a new dress to wear. I was browsing the websites of some chain stores, looking at very 'current season' dresses, and just thinking that they were just not right. I didn't want to spend my precious little money on something that I would only wear this summer, and that is almost always ends up being of a lesser quality. Then, brainwave, I decided to check the Sailor Spy website!! This dress caught my eye, and after a few emails to Nin, and a very short wait, I am the happy owner of my very own gorgeous, classic style, flattering to the female figure dress and one that I know will have longevity in my wardrobe. This is so important to me, in terms of sustainability, value for money and just feeling and looking good!

For today's giveaway Nin is offering up this beautiful hand cut leather, suede and vinyl scallop clutch! I know, LOVE!!!

To enter she wants to know what you think this clutch is worth, what she should sell it for, considering the materials and that she is planning to a run of only 4-5. It measures approx 28cm long, by 14cm deep. If you find that too difficult, then go to her shop, and tell me your favourite piece from her current collection. This giveaway is open to New Zealand entries only, and will be drawn at noon on Saturday 3rd December.

You can visit Nin at Sailor Spy

shop for gorgeous clothes here or here

join her mailing list

and don't forget to check out her crafty goodness here and here!

Yes!!!

yawn

2011-11-25T09:23:00.001+13:00

I slept here last night, on foam mattresses on my daughter's bedroom floor. Well, slept is debatable actually. She was sick yesterday afternoon and was actually asleep in her cot at 5pm! But awake again at 11pm and vomiting. We cleaned her up and changed her sheets and put her back down. We went to bed. But I could. not. sleep. I am quite a heavy sleeper, and while part of me just wanted to go to sleep a bigger part of me was worrying she'd be sick again and I wouldn't hear her. (In the light of morning that sounds silly, cause surely she'd cry, but you know how your mind works in the middle of the night.) So I just had to go sleep there. Had to. Even though I only got about 4 hours sleep. She was fine, by the way, no more vomiting. But I'd do it again.

Busy weekend ahead! Girls dinner out, playcentre fundraising stuff, assignments to do, crafty stuff to make and Christmas making to prepare for. AND an exciting giveaway post to write!! Eeeeek!

Have a good Friday!

still here

2011-11-22T20:38:00.001+13:00

Still coughing, but still here. Thought I'd add a little peek at some of my Christmas makings...


beginnings of a teddy/dolly sleeping bag ~ inspired by this


beach collecting bag (made of mesh to let sand and water escape) ~ inspired by this


the state of the dining table ~ everything pushed out of reach of the two year old

Next on the list is a custom order for a summer top, and then some more Christmas pressies. And, next week I have another guest giveaway lined up, I'm SO excited about this one!!

cough. repeat.

2011-11-19T19:17:00.001+13:00

I've self-diagnosed that I have bronchitis (had it before). Cough, cough, wheeze, cough. Fun. Anyway. The toddler is still a snot-machine, but her cough isn't too bad thankfully. We took our delightful selves off to the A&P show today.

I wore this...

...including the cardi which I mended with a doily, inspiration coming from a comment by Nin and this post on ABM! Perfect!

hello

2011-11-17T12:12:00.001+13:00

notes of today::

~ we're all a bit sick with a cold~

~it's beautiful and sunny~

~i just had salad for lunch (thank you for all your yummo suggestions last post!)~

~my girl is napping (and snoring!)~

~i'm starting the xmas making, a little later than i'd like~

~i am obsessed with gift tags~

salad

2011-11-14T12:23:00.001+13:00

Nom. I'm all about salad at the moment. Do you have a favourite recipe you could share? Doesn't have to be a proper recipe, just a great combo of ingredients will do! I'd be most grateful x

drum roll please....

2011-11-12T12:22:00.001+13:00

~ Congratulations Janelle! ~

You win your choice of necklace from the Vanette etsy shop! Thanks to Ella for offering up this great giveaway!

Happy weekend everyone

last chance!

2011-11-11T13:49:00.001+13:00

Have you entered yet?! You can win a gorgeous necklace from Ella's etsy shop! Keep it for yourself or pop it away for a Christmas pressie! You have to enter by 12noon tomorrow!! Go here! Now!!!

And while you're at it, check out my new listings, a couple of sweet summer tops up in my shop! Yay!

full

2011-11-10T21:32:00.000+13:00

Life is full at the moment. By full I guess I mean busy. I'm not alone, it's that time of year, right? In the last month or so, I've finished one paper and begun another, joined a new weekly craft group, started swimming twice a week instead of once, taken up evening walks with a friend, been doing more work on this here blog, and taken on more responsibilities at playcentre. I'm feeling relieved that decisions have been made on both sides of my family that Christmas will be a low-key event (from a gift giving perspective) this year. I have way too many great ideas, thanks pinterest, and I know that I can't do them all - but that's okay. I am grateful of the experiences of my past, which have led me to learn when to say no. No to opportunities which are very tempting, but not right for me, right now. I guess, I'm trying to say, things may get a wee bit quieter round here in the run up to this years end. I hope not though, as this place has become so important to me! There may be more of those mainly photographic posts. I hope they're not too boring.

Are you curious about this new, weekly craft group? Well, it is with my mother, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law. It might not be as hipster as my previous group of ladies who met at our local funky cafe, but there is something very special about spending a couple of hours a week with the most important women in my life, without the menfolk or children, sharing a cuppa and having a chat (crafting, as with most craft groups, is really a secondary concern).

And I've gotten back to that space, where sometimes when you're quite busy, you get more done. As long as things don't get overwhelming, I tend to get myself more organised with chores, meals, activities and study, and the days are busy and productive. I like phases like this.
Thanks for listening to my wee self-analysis this evening.
x

...and before you ask where I get the time, my darling mother is the primary gardener round these parts...

today

2011-11-08T14:53:00.001+13:00


i think my kitchen windowsill looks pretty


we're having morroccan vege stew with cous cous for dinner

i just finished these tops to list in the shop when i can be bothered taking proper photos of them ~ both size 2

i'm thinking about covering this hole with some kind of patch cause i just can't throw this cardi out

...and just so you don't miss it, you must watch the video i posted earlier, and enter this giveaway to win a beautiful necklace of your choice!!!

a. maze. ing.

2011-11-08T10:33:00.000+13:00

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Possibly everyone has already seen this. But I couldn't risk you not seeing it. So watch it now.

interview and giveaway - ella from vanette

2011-11-07T12:09:00.000+13:00

So it's no secret that Ella is one of my dear friends, though we've never actually met in 'real' life! As well as having an awesome blog, with beautiful photos and clever words, she makes the most amazing necklaces. I am lucky enough to own three of her creations, and I wear one nearly every day. She recently showed some sneak peeks at her new line, and I can see I'm going to have to buy one of those too!
She was kind enough to let us in on her life a little, and provide a pretty sweet giveaway too! Lucky or what!?

Tell us about yourself.

I like to read a lot of books and think about things, and I try to do a reasonable job of raising two kids.

What is a typical day for you?

Get the girl ready for school and do the most essential chores (laundry if the situation is desperate, maybe vacuum some dog hair), then ignore the filth in the rest of the house and spend a lot of time daydreaming, doing internet things, and making sure the boy hasn't escaped the garden. I've started running in the evenings which is quite nice. Then I stay up too late making things until I can't see straight.

How did you get into doing this? How long have you been doing it for?

I just like trying to make lovely things. I can't remember when I started on jewellery exactly, but I've been refining my style for some time (actually I don't think that will ever end, there's always room for improvement!).

Would you like to make a career out of this? (If not, what would you like to do)

YES!

Favourite materials to use?

Real materials, not synthetic stuff. I've just started using vintage beads and sterling silver - love them!

Where do you get your inspiration?

Mostly online. I spend way too much time on the internet looking at tumblr, flickr, art blogs, craft blogs, and shops like Pour Porter and totokaelo. I try to interpret things into my own style but I have a split creative personality, which is a bit tricky - my hippie self likes colour and experimentation, but my practical self likes neutrals, minimalism and order. I've recently decided to embrace both, give them each their own platform.

Favourite food/drink while you're working?

I can't eat and make at the same time. It doesn't work out.

Can you recommend a favourite blog (or two) you read when you're having a break?I read far too many blogs but a few favourites are For Me, For You, Jeana Sohn, and I'm Revolting. I'm also crazy addicted to Sunday Secrets on PostSecret.

Ella is offering the winner of this giveaway their choice of necklaces in her etsy shop!! How generous is that! I wish I could enter...haha. To enter all you need to do is be a follower of her blog, and then leave me a comment here telling me which necklace you'd like if you won. Easy. For an extra entry, the usual applies, blog about this or 'like' the vanette facebook page.

Thanks Ella! x

This giveaway is open internationally and a winner will be drawn 12noon (nz time) on Saturday 12 November 2011

garden party

2011-11-06T19:04:00.001+13:00

We were so lucky, it was perfect weather for our tea party today. A whole bunch of lovely ladies joined us for tea, wine, macaroons and pink velvet roulade. Yum! It was so lovely and I hope we can do it again soon.

~ a wee gift we made for our guests to take home ~

*guests included, but by no means limited to, some lovely bloggers you might like to visit here, here, here and here xxx

winner winner

2011-11-05T14:14:00.002+13:00

And the winner of Fran's lovely giveaway is Jenny! Congrat's to you!

Please email me with your address, so I can get your goodies on the way.

So I stayed up way too late last night making this:

I want to find an old blanket to attach it to, so it can be a picnic rug. I'm hoping it will get it's first use (probably in this unfinished state) tomorrow as me and a friend are hosting an afternoon tea party at my place! Very excited...getting pretty tea cups ready, planning on making macaroons tonight, and hoping for a lovely sunny afternoon tomorrow!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway, I'm hoping to get organised to have another one up on Monday or Tuesday, so keep an eye out!

Happy weekend xx

don't forget to enter

2011-11-04T20:44:00.001+13:00

I'll be drawing Fran's giveaway tomorrow! xx

gift

2011-11-03T19:22:00.002+13:00

So recently I won Stella's very generous giveaway and got these great postcards. I really wanted to send her something to say thank you. I have a bit of a soft spot for her sweet daughter, since she is nearly the same age (one week apart) as my girl. So I sent her a couple of wee tops for Eleanor's summer wardrobe...

a windy day made for an interesting photo shoot...

There will soon be some of these beauties in my shop ~ with permission from the tutorial writer, Jess from craftiness is not optional. Thanks Jess!

art

2011-11-02T12:46:00.001+13:00

Check out my daughter's playcentre creations - beautiful things indeed!

don't forget you have till Saturday morning (nz time) to enter my current giveaway

giveaway and interview - fran from frangipani

2011-11-01T09:17:00.000+13:00

One of Fran's daughters in some gorgeous home made knitwear

Fran's blog always inspires me with its knitted delights, delicious dinners and cute kiddos! At the moment she's in the midst of moving house, but she was kind enough to answer a few of my questions and offer up a great giveaway for you! Check it out!

Tell usabout yourself.

Ilive in Christchurch, NZ. I work as a mother, a teacher and administrator forour own business. I love to craft and have tried lots of things over the yearsbut my favourite is knitting. Knitting is what I am best at and enjoy the most.I also like to cook and garden. I’m not much of a reader but when I do I readmagazines-craft, gardening, cooking and gossip! I also like to borrow referencebooks from the library on craft and cooking and over the last year or so I havefound lots of blogs that I like to sit down and read over a cup of tea.

What is atypical day for you?

Atthe moment I am working as a teacher every morning so the mornings are prettybusy. I get the girls dressed, pack their morning tea and we have breakfast.

Ithen drop the girls off at their caregiver and get to work in time to startteaching at 9.30. I give individual lessons to four children who are strugglingwith reading. I pick the girls up and we go home for lunch. In the afternoons Ido housework, play with the girls, do admin work for our block laying businessand try to fit in a bit of crafting. It is after the evening meal and gettingthe children into bed that I get most of my crafting done.

Cutie pie!

How did youget into doing this? How long have you been doing it for?

Icome from a long line of crafters on both sides of my family. My Mum tells methat despite her making a rule that she would teach us girls to knit at age 6 Ipestered her so much that she gave in and taught me at 5 years old! I startedmaking blankets and basic garments for my dolls. Overthe years I have made a wide range of knitted garments, toys and accessories(many can be viewed on my blog by searching ‘Past Projects’). More recently Ihave mainly been making babywear for use on my own children and also becausethey are fairly quick, don’t require a lot of yarn and seem to sell well.

Would youlike to make a career out of this? (If not, what would you like to do)

Thatwould be fantastic but I can’t ever see a career being made out of one-offhandmade goods. It is just too time consuming and costly so it would beimpossible to make a living from. I love teaching and I love being a Mum and myhusband and I enjoy the challenge of running our business so at the moment I amvery happy doing what I am doing.

Yummo!

Favouritematerials to use?
I only use natural materials-wool, cotton and bamboo as they are nicer towork with and I prefer children to wear natural fibres.

Wheredo you get your inspiration?

I always love to see what crafty thingsother people are making. I enjoy going to local craft markets and visitingsmall town craft shops. In terms of my knitting I pretty much just do my ownthing but in recent times I have found and tried some lovely patterns onRavelry. A particular favourite is theSpring Butterfly pattern.

Spring Butterfly Pattern

Favouritefood/drink while you're working?

I’ma big tea drinker. I enjoy sitting down with a cuppa and some home baking orchocolate (dark chocolate and peppermint is a fave)

Can you recommend a favourite blog (or two) youread when you're having a break?

dee*construction A good variety of craft and familygoings-on presented in a light hearted way.

Little Jenny Wren She makes beautiful dolls with thesweetest clothes.

BendingBirches Nice ideas and photos from a Waldorf homeand education environment.

cute baby booties!

Thanks Fran!! I love having a nosey into someone elses day!

Fran is generously offering a choice between a pair of handbag slippers or a set of knitted food from her shop!! To enter, you must be a follower Fran's blog and then head over to her shop and check out her wares! Pick your favourite pair of slippers or set of food (as she's busy moving, it's only a choice from the slippers and food sets already listed on felt) and let me know what you would love to win in the comments! What an awesome gift to tuck away for Christmas, or to keep for yourself of course!!

This giveaway is open internationally and will be drawn by random number generator on Saturday 5 November 2011

If you'd like to offer up a giveaway and do a short interview with me on this blog, please feel free to email me!

two

2011-10-31T11:24:00.001+13:00

Well what I was doing in that last post was making icing leaves for a jungle cake for a certain wee one. It didn't turn out quite as I imagined! But she loved it all the same.

new doll is now called Lucy, and was getting into the animal theme by wearing a dress up tiger tie!

She was very spoilt, and amongst her goodies were a tiny eyes doll and a heart felt crown, and lots of lovely other things including lots of new books about animals! Her favourite!
x

can you guess what I'm doing?

2011-10-27T17:42:00.001+13:00

I smell a giveaway...

2011-10-25T10:59:00.001+13:00


entirely unrelated photo of basil on my window sill

Keep an eye out round here. There's going to be a few giveaways in the lead up to (dare I say it?) Christmas!

At least one from me, and some from some special friends! Yippeeeee!!

~ if you'd like to get in on the action and have something you'd like to giveaway on my blog then feel free to email me!~

wearing

2011-10-22T15:27:00.002+13:00

off to a house-warming this evening and hoping the rain stays away!

wearing my new (old) dress ~ $7 at the oppy

note to self: clean the mirror!

snapshot

2011-10-21T13:22:00.001+13:00

sharing life over a cuppa

snapshot

2011-10-20T11:11:00.003+13:00

new shoes

lovely mail

2011-10-17T11:16:00.000+13:00

So today my postcards arrived from Stella! I was lucky enough to win the personalised postcard giveaway on her blog a few weeks ago! Check out what she created for me...

Such a sweet image of my daughter in one of the dresses I have made her for this summer. I love it! I have a whole stack of these gorgeous cards! I am thinking of squirreling a few away, I thought she might like to use them for birthday invitations in the future (like when she's 21...which just seems impossible right now, I still feel like I'm 21!)

If you'd like Stella to create a postcard for you, you can check out her Christmas illustration options and prices here. OR, you can enter this giveaway over at sweet little library girl, and you could win some! Chances are looking pretty good, so I'd get in quick!!!

Even though it was a giveaway I won, I couldn't resist making a little something for Stella in return...I'll share here once she's received it!

today

2011-10-16T16:55:00.000+13:00

today we went to this exhibition - pretty awesome for our town to host this amazing collection of art

we had coffee here after

we went to the library and came home with plenty of good stuff

i've been re-living my late teens/early twenties by listening to the posies. oh my, that video, hilarious.

still love that song though

we had smoothies

and I admitted that last nights dishes were not, in fact, going to wash themselves

and we hung out

now i am looking forward to a quiet evening sorting stuff out before another week begins

and a glass of 3 berry cider

and i never thought i'd say it, but the rugby too!

new (to me) music

2011-10-15T12:55:00.001+13:00

thanks to melissa for introducing me to feist via a post on her blog x

outing

2011-10-13T19:45:00.001+13:00

I handed in another assignment this morning, meaning I have completed the bulk of the assessment for my current paper. Just a small exam to go in a couple of weeks and I'm done! Now I just have another 5 papers to go...
To celebrate there was a wee outing today.

more baking

2011-10-08T22:23:00.002+13:00

We celebrated spring and my mother in laws birthday today. I made treats to share, of course.

friday

2011-10-07T09:41:00.000+13:00

going to kiddo craft morning/coffee with other mums at my friends house ~ taking pink mini cupcakes

experimenting with t-shirts tucked into skirts ~ a little nervous

listening to one of my favourite ever singers on the radio ~ this was the song

easy toddler dinner

2011-10-05T13:23:00.001+13:00

When we are having something for dinner that is not suitable for my daughter (ie: spicy...) or I'm making something that won't be ready for her dinner time (she eats around 5.30pm, we eat around 7pm) I often make vege fritters for her. I just grate and chop up a bunch of veges and give them a quick saute in the pan. Then put the lightly cooked veges in a bowl, stir in an egg and a tablespoon or two of flour and about 1/3 teaspoon of baking powder, and cook spoonfuls in the pan, just like making pikelets.

brocolli, capsicum and mushroom, you can use any veges.

Served up with a blob of sauce these always get scoffed quick smart by my daughter.

saturday morning restyle

2011-10-01T11:26:00.001+13:00

Take one handed-down-from-your-mum grey cardi,

Add hearts,

You're done.

Inspired by Elsie, Stella and this pin. Perhaps hearts are the new birds?
Maybe we should put a heart on it!?

Happy Weekend! x

snapshots

2011-09-29T19:20:00.000+13:00


and another top

cute line up of cut glass with spring violets

freshly washed and dried

ready to cut

I have been studying. Really. The house is a mess, exhibit A: bench, exhibit B: dining table

cute

again

2011-09-21T19:49:00.000+12:00

Now, I really must get some study done. See you back here in a wee bit.
x

little tops (pin real life!)

2011-09-20T13:23:00.001+12:00

So on Saturday I made this little top. Then on Sunday I made another. And on Monday? You guessed it. And there is still plenty of time left today too...

It's inspired by and based on this pin (click through for the tutorial). Have I mentioned I'm on pinterest? I can't remember. So that makes it my first 'pin real life'! Yay!
Jess (who wrote the tutorial for this top) has an amazing blog, and a HUGE list of tutorials. The ones for little girl clothes have totally sucked me in! What to make next!?

Honestly, I'll probably make another top. Haha.
The only stupid thing is that the pink top you see above is made from vintage fabric and it has such a strong smell of mothballs (smells gross like petrol!) that I don't think I will ever want my girl to wear it. It's been washed multiple times and hung in the sun for the last two days but it still smells. I think it, and the remaining fabric will sadly end up in the bin...

her spring/summer wardrobe

2011-09-17T16:38:00.000+12:00

Is going to be huge. I just can't help myself. My mum took this dress off me while I was busy with study and put the zip in and hemmed it up. Thanks Mum!

And though I do love dresses, they do restrict her a little when climbing and crawling around. So I decided some light summer tunic kinda tops would come in handy too. Still pretty, but practical for all activities. I'm working on one now...

stuff on a wednesday

2011-09-14T13:06:00.002+12:00

So I guess you can tell by the amount of blogging that I handed in an assignment last week, and have been studying a little less since! It's nice to have a break. However, another assignment looms...about 3 weeks till it's due. In the meantime I've made room for a little sewing. I finally put the buttons on these dresses...

If you like the covered buttons, you should try it yourself, it is sooo easy! Most sewing shops should sell little kits with everything you need. I still need to try these dresses on my girl and see if they fit. I made them in a size 1, but the pattern is an 'easy fit' one and I think they're going to be okay, even though my daughter is a solid nearly two year old. I may need to add a bit of length though, so I have some lace just in case...

I've also been working on a dress for myself, from some fabric I scored at the op shop...

Bodice halfway finished. Still a good few hours till this one will be finished. But I'm hoping it will be a summer staple.

On another note I made this for dinner last night, and it was SO good. It's pretty easy and nice and fresh tasting. And I keep wanting to make custard squares again!!! So far I am resisting xxx

cat proof (hopefully) fence

2011-09-13T09:06:00.002+12:00

It's not that a cat couldn't easily jump over this fence, but I'm hoping they just won't bother (there are plenty of other bits of dirt to dig in). We don't have any cats but it seems to me like every one of our neighbours has at least 7*.

So far, this plot has broccoli, red kale, green kale, rainbow silver beet (chard) strawberries, rhubarb, carrots (seeds just in), chives, thyme, and oregano. I have lettuce and red onion seeds in trays, ready to transplant in a few weeks. I love food from my garden!

*this may be a slight exaggeration.

edit: yes there is a gate so I can get in! it also makes a good toddler-stay-in fence when weeding/planting. also, the black plastic surrounding the garden? it's an attempt to keep weeds down in the parts of the plot we're not planting.

milo

2011-09-12T10:54:00.001+12:00

I don't think I will ever tire of knitting this wee vest.

get your own milo pattern here

so, this is how I make custard squares

2011-09-11T15:25:00.002+12:00

Gee, it's all about pastry round these parts lately huh?!
Let's begin. I use store bought pastry (I often make my own short pastry but have yet to try making flaky or puff pastry...) I cut one sheet into 9 squares (or however many slices you want) and leave the other whole. Prick all over with a fork, so they don't puff up too much.

Bake your pastry at about 200c till puffed and golden...

9 squares (tops)


whole sheet (bottom)

Now make a thick custard. I use the recipe from the Edmond's cookbook. If you don't have one, I'm sure google can help you.

See how thick it is!

Spread the custard on the bottom sheet of pastry.

Now make a basic icing - and don't forget a generous splash of vanilla. Use this to individually ice your top squares.

Arrange your tops onto the custard.

Now slice! (In between your top pieces)

The reason I do the tops separately is because I find if you leave the top sheet of pastry whole, when you cut it into slices all the custard gets smushed out the sides. This way they are nice and neat (I like things neat you know.) Arrange your lovely slices on a plate.

Pat yourself on the back! Good work.
At this point a taste test is essential, in my opinion.

Happy Sunday x

saturday

2011-09-10T15:55:00.001+12:00

~ needing : a haircut ~

~ reading : about professionalism and ethics in librarianship ~

~ eating : chocolate buttons from the pantry ~

~ listening : to the silence of an empty house ~

~ knitting : a milo with an xoxoxo cable ~

easy dinner idea

2011-09-09T19:41:00.001+12:00

Make an easy curry. Mine was kumara, peas, lentils, carrots, onions and a few spices. It needs to be fairly thick, not runny.

Cut some store bought pastry into rectangles. Put a blob of curry on one end.

Fold, seal and make some holes to let the steam out. Bake according to pastry instructions, serve with rice and natural yoghurt.

ps. The spinach pie from last post, well it doesn't have a recipe I just made it up! It was bought pastry, and the filling was made from some spinach/silverbeet/swisschard (precook this and drain well), some red/spanish onion chopped finely, 3 eggs, a couple of big spoonfuls of sourcream, around 100g of feta cubed, 100g of cheese grated, a spoonful of pesto, salt, and pepper. I hope that helps! x

snapshot

2011-09-08T20:17:00.003+12:00

Spinach and feta pie for dinner

snapshot

2011-09-06T21:24:00.001+12:00

the side of the fridge

still here

2011-09-04T21:06:00.000+12:00

Yes I am still here. Just finished my first full draft of my next assignment (due Thursday). I didn't want to post until I had got that far at least. Now I just have to cull 550 words to get within the word limit! Oh dear.
I have been doing some things, other than studying. Here's a selection...

sewing


baking (oops!) crunchy lemon muffins and...


Paisley Jade's bar biscuits

receiving special mail from Stella!

planting (and building a hopefully-cat-proof-fence, photos to come)


and visiting the fair, where unsurprisingly the animals were a hit!

Oh and I am reading and enjoying all your blogs in my free moments. Just not so much time to comment anymore! Now, back to study...
x

some cool stuff

2011-08-30T08:48:00.000+12:00

Wellington was lovely! It was one of those fantastic sunny Wellington days and we made the most of it! Mostly window shopping (love here and here!). I did make a few wee purchases. We had a lovely lunch (arancini - crispy risotto balls with mozzarella - on a rocket and parmesan salad! nom.). The show was great, and featured dancers from the Royal New Zealand Ballet which was a bit of a treat. Also featured John Rowles which was, well, not really a treat at all haha. The next morning we had a wander through a farmers market down by the waterfront before heading back home.

one of my purchases!

a few more rolls of washi tape to add to my stash

Then once I got home I found the lovely Ella had sent me a wee surprise. She was getting rid of some of her fabric and sent me a bundle...

loving the yellow cord and that white/grey/yellow stripe on top!

I've also just signed up for Sew September over at City Birds Nest! It's going to be great. I'm going to make sure I fit in a little bit of sewing everyday for the whole month. Can't wait!

great timing

2011-08-26T16:57:00.001+12:00

My copy of this book arrived today. Just in time for me to pop it in my bag, some 'in flight' reading for tomorrow. I'm very excited to be heading to Wellington for the night to see this show. It will be my first night ever away from my daughter, so I'll probably miss her a lot too. I don't know whether I'm more excited about the shops or the show!
Hopefully I'll have some treats to show you next week!
Have a lovely weekend x

shop update

2011-08-23T16:18:00.000+12:00

I added a couple of zip purses to the shop yesterday. It is a bit of a funny mix of stuff in there at the moment, but that is a good reflection of me, my crafting and my short attention span! x

thrifted and gifted

2011-08-22T14:44:00.000+12:00

This morning was a good morning for vintage thrifted goodies! I picked up a couple of bargains at the opshop, but first let me show you what arrived on my doorstep from Sarah at Miss Molly Coddle as part of Stella's* vintage kitchen swap!


Beautifully wrapped


Duraware for my daughter!


Pretty plate and a glass juicer


Crown Lynn jug - love this, love the roses!

Thanks so much Sarah! If you haven't checked out Sarah's blog you really should. She makes the most gorgeous vintage baby creations. This jacket? Arrrgh, so sweet. You can buy here stuff here and here.

On top of those lovely goodies, I picked up some great fabric at the op shop...

There is 4 metres of the floral. I'm planning a dress.


Smurf offcuts - bag for $1

And these sheets, still in their bags. Originally from Ballentynes.

And for those of you asking about yesterday's post...that lovely hem was an apron hem!

*ps. Speaking of Stella - have you seen the amazing giveaway she's got going at the moment?! Enter enter!!

a week in photos

2011-08-21T18:45:00.000+12:00

ahem... just me going on about the stamp again

2011-08-16T09:38:00.000+12:00

Third post in a row about my stamp. I promise I'll try to find something else to blog about soon. I'm currently loving these tags I made up to go out with a few parcels this week. Oh the possibilities!

For sanity's sake

2011-08-15T11:14:00.000+12:00

Sometimes you just have to make something. Right? For sanity's sake.
Last night was one of those times, so while my lovely husband cooked dinner and my daughter made a mess, I whipped up a little zip purse to replace my tattered wallet.

For some reason I have had a bit of a fear of trying to make a lined zip purse. Turns out, it was pretty easy, though I did push the zip to the wrong side when sewing it all together. It still works fine, just means it looks tidier inside out! I can see a lot of these in my future, especially since I got a rotary cutter, which makes cutting them out a breeze!
I should have tidied up a bit first, but I didn't. This is the mess I sewed in amongst.

I did stack some of my fabric on my new (old) shelves though. If you ever see me at spotlight please direct me AWAY from the printed cotton. I think I have plenty to be going on with...

2011-08-11T17:20:00.000+12:00

Today I got this new stamp in the mail, and I managed to scrape 5 minutes this afternoon to try it out. I'm pleased! However, it does make me a little sad, only because I have no time at the moment to make any goodies to stamp. I'm finding this course of study challenging, not in the content of the paper, but in my ability to balance my time and to find some solid hours to concentrate. I'm getting there, but I am definitely noticing my lack of time for creative endeavours. Hopefully I'll get a great library job one day to help my family and it will all be worth it. In the meantime, I hope you keep popping by this space. I know it isn't that interesting at the moment, I feel a bit like I'm getting left behind...

PS.... the stamp is from here

what I wore - flea market morning

2011-08-06T13:38:00.000+12:00

It's a kind of ritual observed by many Nelsonians, that one must go to the Saturday market. For food, veges, fruit, cheese, bread, chocolate, crafts, candles, coffee, shoes, wooden toys, baby clothes... We go regularly, and it's funny, because we never buy much. A few vege seedlings, a bag of pears, a flat white. We say hi to people we bump into. It's just something we do.
This is what I wore today.

Dress - thrifted by my dear friend Ella

Belt, Glasses and Cardi - Glassons

Tights - Farmers

Shoes - Local shop

Bag - Croutons by Rhiannon

Gorgeous new sparkly bow ring from my beautiful SIL - by Madame Fancy Pants

Now I'm off to take off my tidy clothes and pop these in the garden.

season

2011-08-05T09:04:00.001+12:00

I feel like I am ready for spring. Though I do prefer the cooler weather, there is something about the new-ness of spring, the freshness and the rejuvenation that I am yearning for. Cardies and skirts, spring flowers, planting seeds for future dinners, cool drinks, and evenings that grow longer by the day. Those fresh crunchy foods, garden picked lettuce, snow peas, with a homemade herby dressing, yes! Bring it on. Never mind that the home garden is going to be more of a necessity than ever this year, with trips to the supermarket becoming more and more ridiculous every week. I am considering reverting back to vegetarianism, it's cheaper. If you've never had a garden before, make this the year. Just plant a few things, you'll be surprised how easily they grow (try lettuce, parsley, silverbeet to begin with, all pretty fool-proof.)

All my dress making has had to be put aside, as I've realised that multi-tasking wasn't doing my study any good. However, there are busy times and quiet times and I hope to get some crafting in soon. Sales in my shop are growing, and this makes me very happy. Thanks for your support.
Of course some of this reflection may be to do with the fact that I've just celebrated my birthday, and it was one of those ones ending in a 0.
Of course, the no baking rule went out the window...

Caramel and Lemon curd cupcakes - worth every bite

I surprised myself.

2011-08-02T09:27:00.000+12:00

I really thought I was going to end up painting that bedside cabinet. But some of your comments made me reconsider. I had a good look around my home. As it turns out, perhaps I couldn't see the (ahem) wood for the trees...

So, yes. I do believe she'll fit in just fine as she is.

your advice

2011-08-01T11:03:00.000+12:00

I have acquired myself a new (old) bedside table. I don't love it in it's current condition. What would you do with it? Leave it? Change the handle? Re-paint the whole thing?? All suggestions (and links!) most welcome. Thanks! x

In progress

2011-07-28T10:35:00.000+12:00

I'm hoping to add some dresses to my shop soon. That is, if I don't keep making them in my daughters size and falling in love with them.

little dresses

2011-07-25T12:33:00.002+12:00

I spent a lot of time sewing and watching 'tv' on the computer over the weekend (mostly late at night). It was great! Here's my progress, two un-hemmed and not yet zip-able dresses...

I don't usually do pink, but I couldn't resist this vintage print.

chocolate dipped cake on a stick

2011-07-24T10:55:00.000+12:00

That, my friends, is the essence of the 'cake pop'. I've been intrigued by these wee things which have been showing up all over pinterest (find me here). The fact that I'm attending a birthday dinner tonight inspired me to give them a go yesterday afternoon. There are various tutorials around, so I won't go into that...suffice to say making a perfectly good cake, crumbling it up and mixing the icing IN with it, is a very strange thing to do. I think they look cuter than they taste, but they taste fine. If I was to make them again, I'd do a chocolate cake. I also made the cranberry and white chocolate fudge Fran showed here. I was on such a sugar overload last night I was up till 11pm sewing dresses (...I'm now on number 3)

I've got the bug

2011-07-22T09:22:00.000+12:00

The sewing bug that is. It seems to be how it goes with me. I'll knit for two months and not even touch my sewing machine, and then all of a sudden it's over and I have zero interest in knitting. I move on. And around it goes. My current obsession is sewing, and I'm loving the new dress pattern I'm working on.

At the suggestion of my Mum, I'm leaving the dress un-hemmed until summer. Then I can see how tall my girl has got, and what length I want the dress. I love having my Mum's sewing experience on hand, it has helped (or saved!) me so many times.
I may have cut out another dress already. Ahem.

If the interest is there, I may list some in my shop for summer...

sewing

2011-07-21T10:54:00.000+12:00

Today I'm hoping to do a little more work on a dress I started last night. It's for my daughter (if it fits...)

Also, check out what Louana sent me! I was lucky enough to win her giveaway. I got some gorgeous cards and postcards, a crochet heart and a little patch with a lovely crochet edge (you might recognise the fabric, it's Melissa's). Thanks Louana! xx

little house

2011-07-18T18:45:00.000+12:00

I'd love your ideas for the new paint job...what colour would you pick?
x

a clue

2011-07-18T11:45:00.000+12:00

Can you guess what this great summer DIY renovation project is?

drive

2011-07-17T19:19:00.000+12:00

We woke up this morning, and decided to go for a drive. I really should have been studying, but it was one of those days when the sunshine was just too tempting.

So we packed some snacks for the little one and hit the road. The fresh snow was felt by a nip in the air.

We headed for Mot.

Explored at the shore.

I wore my new (old) dress (squeeeeeee!!! thanks Ella!)

Had coffee and the biggest fluffy ever.

And I picked up an amazing fabric score at the market.

Good fun was had by all.
I hope you enjoyed your Sunday xxx