Still Alive

Thank You to the people who wrote concerned emails. Yes I'm still alive!
My family and I have been through a time of unplanned and unexpected change.
A new job for me has made it possible for us to purchase our first home. So in three months, I've changed jobs and we've moved house. Not much time left over for blogging.
But there's something else too. I'm in a conundrum about the blog. My life is so different to when I started it. Back then I was struggling with postnatal depression, isolation and loneliness. I also depended upon the income from selling my work. Happily-none of these things are an issue for me, and, together with the time constraints of a busy life, it seems like maybe it's time to let the blog go. But it's not really that simple because I really value the memories it preserves of our special family moments, and I really value the friendships blogging has bought me.

Maybe I need a new blog for this new phase of my life?

I'll keep mulling it over. But in the meantime-yes I'm still alive. More so than ever in fact!

By the way... That photo up there is the view from our lawn at the new house. Since it was taken, it's rained. A lot. Which made that thirsty grass very happy.

Life is Sweet

My beautiful friend Christine is coming on board as my Caterpillar Cupcakes business partner. This is her farm, where we spend a LOT of our spare time. Spring is well and truly here and it really is so idyllic to sit in the sun with a dear friend, stitching and planning and watching our children-5 of them between us (although baby Nathaniel is still a babe-in-arms) play and explore so happily in Nature. Life is sweet.

Right Now

Loving; This picture of Kyan and his friend Ezekiel, taken a couple of days ago. Despite the apple in K's mouth, the runny noses on both of them, and the red eye, I love it. It makes me smile every time I look at it. Ezekiel was born two weeks before Kyan, and when I held him, as a newborn, across my huge stomach, Kyan began to kick insistently, and Ezekiel stirred in his sleep and wiggled his tiny fists. It was the first time they met and they've always been friends.

Listening; To Otis Redding on my new Ipod dock-a bit of an impulse buy at the supermarket of all places, but well worth it!

Making; A purse, a cat, a gnome. Rotating the three (short attention span!)


Wondering; If I actually love them a teeny bit more when they are sick?

Hoping; For a bit less rain over the weekend if possible? Mother Nature are you listening?

Drinking; Twinings English Breakfast. Always.

Enjoying and Appreciating; The peace of this quiet moment (after a very busy week!)

Letterbox Lovliness

Now I love the Internet and email as much as the next person. But something I worry our children may miss out on these days is the joy of running to the letterbox, finding a handwritten letter inside that's just for you (and um, not a bill!). When I was a little girl, with most of my family living in England, I used to read and reread a letter from my Granny, a cousin or an aunty. I treasured those letters and still have them today.

So it's pretty great that young Charlie, from the Heartfelt household, and my Isla have become penpals! Thanks Charlie, for another gorgeous letter and an AMAZING treasure map xx

Over the Weekend...

It's a great feeling, getting small things finished and off to their new homes! A Hobby Horse for a friend's daughter...

A zip makeup case for when I finally manage to get round to doing a shop update... I love the way those two fabrics go together...

And a pirate, for the same future shop update...

In other news, this weekend Christchurch was thrown into turmoil by a large earthquake. Here in the Bay of Plenty we have our fair share of earthquakes too (although none as large as Saturday's Christchurch one since 1987) and they absolutely terrify me-even the small ones. My heart goes out to everyone living in Christchurch who has been through this awful experience-especially those who are now homeless as a result of the earthquake. There are already quite a few organisations that you can offer assistance to the victims through-my choice was the Red Cross. Kia Kaha Christchurch.

Our Father's Day...

There's a reason we're smiling chocolately smiles today. Not only is it Father's Day in our part of the world, but it's also Liam's birthday-this means extra special chocolate cake for him!

Chocolate Birthday Cake

2 Tablespoons good quality cocoa

1 Teaspoon baking soda

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup castor sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

100 grams melted unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/2 cup black instant coffee

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

In a large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients, then mix them together using a dry egg

whisk. Think "airy"...

Beat the eggs, butter and vanilla together in another bowl, then add to the dry ingredients carefully.

Make up the coffee, then add the baking soda while it's still hot.

Mix everything together then pour into a very well greased cake tin.

Bake for about 40-50 min-until a skewer inserted comes out cleanly.

Ice and decorate when the cake is completely cooled. The shamrocks were Isla's idea-celebrating Liam's Irish-ness! Eating leftover icing, half of which ends up on your face and all over the kitchen cupboards then smiling a cute chocolately smile is optional. But recommended! Happy Father's Day everyone!

This and That

In between nana naps and coughing fits ( I thought I'd totally escaped Winter bugs this year-almost made it but not quite!) I've managed to get quite a bit of sewing done, hooray! Lots of bunting, in "boy" colours, some to be given to friends and some to go in the felt shop. And two headbands, an order from one of my colleagues.

In other news, I've been busy learning how to use the software to record my radio show. Hopefully it will be available for public consumption on Sunday. So exciting!

Small Stitches

This weekend has been a goodie for stitching little things. A recent trip to Rotorua assisted me in filling up the fabric drawer.

I made this pincushion, using the pattern and instruction from the book I mentioned here.

The pincushion is almost large enough to accommodate my huge collection of pins and needles!

And then I made some headband's. I never would have thought of putting the Omiage flowers onto headbands. I've used them on everything from little purses to fridge magnets and frequently on hair ties but I followed a suggestion on my Facebook page to make them on a longer headband with pleasing results.

With nothing but rain, rain and more rain outside, it's been lovely to sit by the window stitching small things and daydreaming about Spring.

Not Cool

I've never posted anything remotely negative on this blog. It's not the space for that sort of thing. But lately something's been bothering me and I'd like to share my course of action and feelings regarding this issue. For the last 6 months or so, I've been experiencing harassment in the form of unwelcome spam comments being left on my blog, as well as explicit comments and links being left in other languages. I have loved sharing my creations, and little glimpses into our family life over the last two years that I have been blogging. I've made some wonderful friends through blogging, but I'm offended and disgusted at the people who are putting links to cheap, smutty "adult" sites in a space where I share photos of my precious children. Comments will be moderated by me from now on. How disheartening it is that people would behave so abhorrently.

Winter Beach Love

The children and I agree that we like the beach just as much in Winter as we do in Summer. We go nearly every day. How could we not, when it's just over the road?

Having lived here at the beach for almost a year now, I'm not sure I'd ever want to live anywhere else!

What's your favourite time of year for beach visits?

Oranges and Lemons...

"Oranges and Lemons, say the bells of St Clements!

Bullseyes and Targets, say the bells of St Margarets!

Brickbats and Tiles, say the bells of St Giles!

Halfpence and Farthings, say the bells of St Martins!

Pancakes and Fritters, say the bells of St Peters!

Two sticks and an Apple, say the bells of Whitechapel!

Maid in White Aprons, say the bells at St Katherines!

Pokers and Tongs, say the bells of St Johns!

Kettles and Pans, say the bells of St Annes!"

I spent a large part of my childhood in England. And today as I looked out of the window to see the branches on the orange and lemon trees groaning under the weight of all the ripening fruit, I had a sudden vivid memory of skipping double dutch in a playground under a concrete-grey sky and reciting the above rhyme! Do you still remember your favourite games and rhymes from childhood?

And also, what should I do with all these oranges and lemons? I'll definitely visit my lemon curd recipe again, as I so enjoyed making (and eating) it last year. But what else? Perhaps some marmalade is in order as well....

Warming Words

Gosh it seems like I've made a lot of rabbits lately! I've just finished 4 (one had to be posted before I had a chance to photograph it-darned Winter light!). I do adore making rabbits, but I felt the need for some fresh inspiration, so I ordered this book, as a treat for myself.

I think I'll definitely have to try one of these gorgeous elephants...

And a new pincushion too.

What a lovely way to spend a grey, indoorsy type of Winter day. I'll leave you with a quote I read in a magazine which I thought was very eloquent.

Be careful of your thoughts

For your thoughts become your words.

Be careful of your words

For your words become your actions.

Be careful of your actions

For your actions become your habits.

Be careful of your habits

For your habits become your character.

Be careful of your character

For your character becomes your destiny.--author unknown

Hope everyone else is having an inspiring day too xx

Magic Seeds

Have you heard of Chia Seeds? I discovered these nutritional gems on the weekend. Chia seed provides calcium and protein. The seeds are also rich in boron, which helps the body assimilate and use calcium. These nutrients support brain function. When inside your body, the seeds help you stay hydrated longer, and retain electrolytes in your bodily fluids. The shells are easily broken down, even when swallowed whole. This is an improvement over flax seed, which have to be ground up to be digested properly. The seeds can be used to replace less-healthy fat in just about any recipe. Yay!

I made Orange and Chia Seed Loaf, which I adapted from the Donna Hay recipe in this book

Orange and Chia Seed Loaf

1 cup Chia Seeds, plus more to sprinkle on top of loaf
3/4 cup milk
200g butter, softened
1 tbsp grated orange rind
3/4 cup castor sugar
3 eggs
2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 tspns baking powder
1/2 cup finely sliced mandarin- I used fruit from our tree!

Preheat the oven to 160C.

Place the chia seeds and milk in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
Place the butter, orange rind and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and creamy.
Gradually add the eggs and beat well. Sift the flour and baking powder over the butter mixture and add the orange juice and chia seed and milk mixture.
Sprinkle chia seeds over the top- I sprinkled until the entire top of the loaf was covered with seeds. This created a nice crust on top.
Stir to combine and spoon into a loaf tin lined with baking paper.
Bake for 55-60 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.

And in other news, I was finally able to catch my children for a photoshoot in their Squidygums hoodies! Thanks again Kristin!

An Isla Original.

She's rather into fashion, my girl. I really should take more photos of her fabulous outfits! I adore her individuality and also, her creativity-it's not unusual for her to bring me a piece of ribbon and ask me to braid it into her hair a certain way, or to bring me a scarf and ask me to tie it "like a dress". She loves to browse The Satorialist and The Uniform Project. Tutus are everyday wear, as is a two sizes too big flamenco dress from the op shop, in fact, just like Rhiannon-pants are out for Isla. Skirts rule. Ayway-yesterday she suggested we get out the sewing machine and make one. She chose all the fabrics and the overall design. An Isla original.

Finally the sun is shining after two days of continuous, heavy rain. I wonder what creative adventures today will bring?

Happy Tuesday xx

Woof!

My sweet Zac. I love him so much.

For ages I've been meaning to make him a bed of his own, and with inspiration from this website (make and build dog stuff.com-all about making things for your dog using recycled materials-how cool is that?) a rainy grey day outside, and my two not-feeling-so-good children to help, we set to work!

I wanted to use a fabric that was washable, but quite durable. In the end I opted for a curtain that I bought from the Salvation Army.

My sewing machine and I are getting along so well at the moment- it's wonderful!

Sweet dreams Zac!

Attention Please...

If you read this blog, I'm assuming you appreciate beautiful fabric right? If so, then check this out...