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!

Giddy Up!

I've been flat out, flat out, making horses! No less than 5 in the last week. Here are two- going to my lovely colleagues' children-as Christmas presents I think so sssshhhhhhh...

And the other thing taking up my crafting time is below. Yes folks, it's time once again for the town's Christmas Float Parade, and I've been busy crafting 25 or so Superhero costumes. It's been fun, colourful, sparkly, all those things that make me smile. The parade is next weekend and I can't wait!

In other news, I'd like to wish a huge (albeit rather late) CONGRATULATIONS! To the beautiful Janelle of Heart Felt, on the birth of her lovely little son Oscar.

The annual Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap is on again! Check it out at 2o Cent Mixture

And here are two things I can now definitely say for sure... Firstly, Summer picnics are gorgeous, even if they're only in the back garden.

And, after last night's power cut, I can promise you that candlelight really does make things look more magical.

The Blocks That Weren't

A few months ago, I decided to make some baby blocks, similar to these, but using calico pieces with simple embroidered images on them, instead of patterned fabric. Good idea in theory, and I was happy with the embroidery, but when I put the blocks together and stuffed them, they didn't quite "work"-altogether too large and squishy and not blocky looking at all...

So I took them apart and decided to make little coin purses instead, which will be heading off to the shop
Last night I did the tree/sun one, and tonight I'll do the rainbow/raincloud one.

A while ago, the lovely Hanna, of Craftykin, sent me a fabulous parcel and one of the goodies within was a little purse which is the perfect size to hold my ipod, headphones, itrip and cord. It has been so handy, keeping all those things together in my handbag, so I've made these wee purses the same size.

Pretty much sums up the weather of the last few days. Sun one minute, rain the next, tsunami warning the following...

Wishing you sunshine wherever you may be xx

Comedy of Errors

Well I'm still here. Me and my broken sewing machine. Yes that's right. All these babies you see below are lovingly stitched by hand. I haven't heard back from the fix-it man at the sewing shop as to how the machine is doing. Perhaps she just got worn out. It's been a bit of a comedy of errors around here recently, but I don't mind hand stitching actually. I do a running stitch as small as I can along the seam, then turn the item out and restitch the seam using a backstitch, and the effect is quite tidy, as well as sturdy, albeit very time consuming!

This horse was a commission project for a friend. I've made it in return for some puppy sitting in October, while I go to Swan Lake (I can't wait!).

And a few stockings. This one is calico, some stripes, some spots and a bit of vintage floral that I rescued from an old dress I found in an op shop. Oh and sequins of course!

For this one, I used some of the bird print fabric gifted to me by the lovely Rachel, of The Two Windmills, and some vintage children's nursery rhyme print fabric which I blogged about way back here. Sometimes fabrics just have to sit until the right project comes up, you know?

It's also covered with small clear glass beads, but it didn't really show up too well in the photo. Oh digital SLR, one day you will come home with me but for now I will just ogle you through the shop window xx

This one's my favourite. A rainbow sequined calico number with tie dye detail and some more of that wonderful bird print.

I've got two more that I'm hoping to finish this weekend. I'm so enjoying making the stockings, and daydreaming about the Christmas approaching...

This year my family are all travelling from Auckland to spend Christmas here at the beach. Very exciting, and very Grown-Up feeling for me to host the Big Day at my house for the first time. So I'm busy planning and dreaming of surprises and little touches to make Christmas extra special. I can't wait!

What are your plans for Christmas?

Ho ho ho!

I've started work on my un-traditional Christmas stockings. I intend to make... A lot!

Each one will be unique, and they will be completely un-traditional with sequins, animal prints, retro recycled fabric and colour galore! This is going to be fun. I stopped at my local sewing shop yesterday afternoon for some supplies...

It reminds me of pirates' treasure.

I'll be sure to blog about it when I have some in the shop xx

So Far This Week...

Here's a Temari Ball which has rolled off to the shop

Nothing else to report really. I'm home taking care of poor Isla who had a nasty asthma attack on Monday and is still a bit shaky-although she's very pleased and keeps reminding me; "Mummy, I went in an Ambulance!". Not something I'm particularly keen to relive, but it's good to see her smiling.

And this made me smile; Look closely at the armpits... Oh the things we find to entertain ourselves with on these at-home days! Have a good one xx

completed

It's nice to complete things. I've just finished this bunny-who has hopped off to the shop
And this trio of owls, a commission project for a lovely lady who is very supportive of my little business and who has shown me that there's genuine kindness in the world-even from strangers.I often wish I was a knitter, because it would be cool to say "also on my needles..." But anyway, here is a sneaky glimpse at the project I'm working on for the giveaway I'm planning. And then, after I've completed that, this lovely little stack of fabric will be transformed into some sets of soft blocks, like these to be sent to The Happy Tree in Napier. I'm so happy that they are going to Napier, because it's really one of my favourite places in New Zealand-all that Art Deco...Don't you just adore those gnomes?

So it's very rainy outside. But I don't mind, I've got a nice cup of tea and some good things on my needles...

Holiday Stitching

My holiday project so far has been baby shoes, made using this tutorial. This fabulous person has compiled a list of the top 100 tutorials of 2008, what an awesome idea! And the wee shoes are featured there.

I was relatively pleased with them, until I attempted to put one on Kyans' foot to get an idea about what they would look like being worn. I couldn't get his foot into them.

I never make things to sell or give away until I'm completely satisfied with them, so, I'm thinking a little pattern adjusting may be in order, making the back ankle part slightly longer. I'm glad I have some real baby feet to help me out! Watch this space.

Shop Update

The only positive of the hideous stomach virus currently residing at our house is that I managed to do a wee shop update. I thought I'd better secure some sort of livelihood, as my actual employers are probably growing quite tired of me, my children and the constant array of bugs we bring home from preschool...

Bring on that holiday everyone's talking about huh?

Caraway Crackers

Soft blocks for the shop. Love that Fantail fabric

And a wee apron too.

Now, on to the crackers

At first I couldn't believe it when I went to my Annas' house and realised she had actually made her own crackers. I mean, I knew she had the domestic goddess thing down pat, but this truly impressed me. Then she gave me the recipe and showed me it's actually not very tricky at all. I'd love her to start a food blog, but she's a BUSY law student and Mum, so we'll just have to be content with me plagiarizing from her. These are delicious with hummus. They might be nice for those vegans amongst us too? (I'm looking at you, Miss Twenty Cent Mixture)

Caraway Crackers

1 ½ cups Flour

Salt and Pepper

Caraway seeds (or fennel seeds, ground coriander, mixed herbs, or cumin also work)

2 tsp sesame seeds

60ml oil
100ml water

Mix all ingredients together and knead for one minute.

Wrap in cling-film and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Roll dough out very thinly. Cut into rough squares or diamonds. Prick all over with a fork.

Bake at 170⁰C for 10 minutes.

Cool on racks. Store in an airtight container.

Good News

Wow! THREE lots of good and exciting news in one day! First of all, I've been invited to be a stall holder at the Ecobubs market featured here.The organisers saw some of my products on Trade Me and got in contact. I'm really excited to be involved, it's my first ever market! Today I was emailed a list of the other stallholders' products and there is everything from natural beeswax crayons, wooden toys, organic merino clothing and eco-friendly nappies. If you happen to be in the Tauranga area please come along and say 'Hi'

A little purse to go into the shop

And a little Eskimo too.

My next exciting piece of news was that the lovely Kim from Heart in the Country has given me an award! Now, the novice blogger here had to send a quick email to find out what an award actually is and what to do with it, and there will be more about it in a future post when I pass it on. Fun!

Red love birds, commissioned for the shop.

And my third piece of good news was that I have won this giveaway! which is so exciting! I love reading Twenty Cent Mixture. A big, speckled, Thank-You to Louise for organising the Kiwi Christmas Ornament Swap, the great blog, the inspiration, and the gorgeous Tote Bag!

So, as you can see, it was a great day for firsts, and for good news! Hope you had some good news today as well.

Good Stuff...

A HUGE (as in-hanging off the end of the table huge)bolt of calico, given to me by a workmate, and some aprons already cut out and waiting for the sewing machine, which, in turn is waiting for the children to go to bed! I'm reminded of this post by the lovely Janelle.

Getting ready for Christmas. Here is Islas' stocking, made from cotton, corduroy and a piece of very vintage lace that belonged to my grandmother.

I'm very excited to be a part of this handmade ornament swap, and wanted to make a start as soon as possible! I had so many ideas, but decided on these felt angels with simple embroidered faces. See more of the swap here

A couple of eskimos for the shop. This one is made from one of my favourite fabrics, you can also see it used on my mixtape, and on the banner of my shop.

And another, this one from Kaffe Fasset fabric (I wanted to see what they'd look like with ears!)

And Islas' theory that this shell must have had a baby, because 'it has a hole in its' tummy, like Mama'. Although she noted that the doctor had neglected to stitch the hole up, so, not exactly like Mama.

(I considered explaining the effects of errosion etc, but the idea of a shell having a cesearean was just too sweet)