tiny happy

fabric stash love

Thank you for all the fabric stash love! I nearly didn't post that picture because I didn't want you to think I was such a hoarder. But now I guess you know the truth. Does it make it any better that I took three huge bags of fabric and clothes that I had intended to cut up for sewing, but probably won't, to the op-shop? I don't think anyone in my craft group would have been interested in them, so that ruthless purge made the tidy-up a lot easier.

And while I'm thinking about op-shops, I found these nice things there yesterday:

A huge amount of green barkcloth fabric (two sets of curtains, in fact) covered in trees and flowers. Some parts of the pattern repeat are a bit strange, with people standing in front of a manor-like house, but the rest of it is lovely, very old and lush-looking. I'm thinking I could make some old-fashioned looking bags from these. (I got all four curtains for a dollar each, so thrifty...)

An old, unused sketchbook, with very frail-looking blank pages, and a little book called 'A sketchbook of NZ birds' by Molly Falla, 1966. The illustrations are beautiful and carefully done, and I think these two books would make good companions on a future bird-watching trip.

some little waxeyes on a pohutukawa branch

And this book, from 1963, illustrated by Laszlo Roth. I love autumn- and these pictures are all in black and red, and very stylish.

I always think it strange to find such an old book in perfect condition, like this one is. The pages look as though they've never been turned, there are no scribbles or rips. I think it will be a good addition to the next package I send to the Northern Hemisphere.

one way...

...to trick myself into 'thinking' I am an organised person.

They're (mostly) sorted into colours, even!

I was going to do a 'before' shot, but it scared even me to look at.

under a glass bell

I found this book recently in a big sale at our local bookshop: Passionate Minds: Women Rewriting the World by Claudia Roth Pierpont, and I've been enjoying dipping into it each day. It's a collection of twelve essays, originally published in the New Yorker, which explore the literary and artistic acheivements of twelve accomplished women of the twentieth century.

I've long been fascinated by the life of Anais Nin (I think photos like this Spanish dancer one sparked this off), and there is a nice big chapter on her, as well as a group of essays on racial issues in the American South, and another on politics and philosophy. I like the thoughtfulness with which each chapter is written, plus it's made me realise I need to read Their Eyes Were Watching God for myself.

In yet more baby news, another close friend of mine gave birth yesterday. I made this little set for baby Alfie (such a sweet name- reminds me of Alfie and Annie-Rose) who I hope to visit in hospital tomorrow.

The cute cat and dog-print fabric was given to me by my Mum- it's a 1930's reproduction print, I think.

the swaps keep arriving

Yet another amazing swap parcel arrived at our place this morning- this came from Laura at Spectacles. The children got just as much joy from opening this box as I did- look at their new clothes!

Appliqued top and jeans for Keira (even sweeter in real life) and an 'a' top and three cute summer shirts for Arlo. I'm not going to need to buy another piece of clothing for them in quite some time.

And for me- a New Look pattern to make a summer skirt (I hope- this week sometime?) and some metal cookie-cutters, vintage fabric and ric-rac... all green! Thank you, Laura!

Today I'm trying to get a few sewing projects finished to send to Wellington's Beckon Gallery. Luckily, it's Tom first day of his end-of-term holidays, and he's taken A and K out to the beach for the morning. Oh, the luxury! I listened to the whole of Nine to Noon this morning, uninterrupted but for the whir of my sewing machine.

I finished a batch of baby shoes, and these bags. The black one of made from heavy wool felt, and lined with vintage fabric with a fine pattern on it that almost looks hand-drawn. It was given to me by a woman who is now in her eighties, and never got around to sewing it up when her children were small. Luckily, I still have lots left.

a monkey and a horse

Thank you for your sweet comments about the quilt yesterday, and the arrival of my friend's baby.

Just after I finished on the computer, my friend rang to say she had just come out of her operation, and had a beautiful healthy boy with her. I can't wait to meet him and check up on her, hopefully this afternoon when Tom gets home from school.

A parcel arrived from Martha in Petone today. Beautiful babylicious t-shirts for the kids plus a stylie tea-towel printed with a weta for 'Tom'. Actually, I shouldn't pretend that he never does the dishes because it's really me who hasn't picked up a tea-towel in weeks. I might be inclined to do so now.

Here's Arlo in his horse-print t-shirt: (doing his 'camera' pose which includes a fake smile and sticking his puku out)

and Keira, who wasn't much feeling like having her picture taken, but graciously allowed me this one shot:

The horse is screen-printed but the monkey is embroidered with tiny, neat stitches- did you do this, Martha? And why aren't these on your site too?

I've been experimenting with making fabric brooches lately, partly as a way of using up all my favourite little scraps of fabric, and partly as little gifts to send with letters to friends. It's a lot of fun, but I need to work out ways of sewing the brooch-backs onto them so they are really secure and the felt is not so likely to disintegrate where I've sewn it. And then I found this jewellery website which is very inspiring, in particular the textile work of Sandra Bushby. I'd never heard of her before, but I love her brooches, especially the 'bat' ones. Perhaps I'll stick with the felt idea after all.

waiting, waiting...

I'm feeling impatient today because I've been waiting for the phone to ring with news of a brand-new baby!

One of my best and oldest friends went into hospital very early to have her baby boy, who I think is being delivered right now by C-Section. At home with three toddlers all day, I've been sending all the 'good-birth-thoughts' I can, and dying for any snippet of information on how it's going!

So, I'm going to show you the quilt I made for the wee boy a month or so ago, in preparation for this very day. (I feel this will indulge some of my new-baby-excitement.)

It's a fairly big cot quilt, with a simple pieced top, batting inner, and cotton back:

hmm, could have done with an iron, but I don't suppose the little one will mind.

I just tied the corners with embroidery thread, to secure the layers together. I love the simple look of this method. Plus, well, it's so simple!

I used almost all vintage blue and grey cotton fabrics from my stash, plus some pieces I found in an antique store, already cut, from an unfinished quilt project of someone's. To make the quilt top, I used just the same simple idea as with this quilt I made for Keira.

I embellished the quilt with small hand-appliqued patches: a rabbit, a boy, and some other little pictures:

Still waiting for the phone to ring...

picnic plans

So, the swap package that arrived yesterday was from the kind and generous Helen, of former Stripy Sock Studio. We had been planning for a couple of months to do a swap at the start of spring, with the theme 'spring into summer...' and she really delivered. (Pathetically, I didn't even stick to the theme at all, with my package to her.)

These craft-themed, spring-y little paintings are now pinned to the wall behind my sewing machine. They've even inspired me to clean up my side of the 'office/workroom'... (no small task.)

Some of Helen's sweet, colourful felt and fabric brooches, and some wonderful 80s plastic flowers- (these brought back strong memories of my childhood hair-bobbles)  I love the 'cup-of-tea' theme to those brooches. Keira's wearing one today.

And so much more, I can't even photograph it all. Helen followed through the spring theme to include lots of treats and accessories for spring/summer picnics: the amazing (unwrapped!) 1960s picnic set you see above, little umbrellas for our cocktails, ice-block moulds, black cherry jam, iced tea, fantastic 60s tablecloth to lay on the grass, wineglass markers, booklet about wine, and quite possibly Arlo's favourite part of the package...

a box of Ballantyne's Orange Chocolate Sticks.

Thank you Helen. I hope I get to actually meet you soon, and our families can have a summer-evening picnic together...

the kind of socks I've been looking for

I received the most incredible parcel in the post this afternoon. Opening it, I had an overwhelming feeling of joy, so I think I'm going to have to enjoy the glory of it a bit more before I take photos of everything to show you. But until tomorrow, a preview:

(the kind of socks I've been looking for.)

In crafting news, I made some new pants for my market stall. These have just one lined pocket at the back, and are both made from needlecord fabric. The butterfly/frog fabric was from yet another parcel of scraps from my friend Rhiannon, the woman who ensures my fabric shelves are spilling over with retro-y goodness.

music and one-liners

It's been another happy mail day today. A couple of months ago, I took part in Kelli's Wristlet World swap, and today, I received a mix-cd with a thank you note for participating! Never mind that Kelli is a super-busy woman who travels around the world for her work... There's music from the US, Europe, Africa and South America. Needless to say I'm very much looking forward to hearing it tonight while doing some sewing.

A while ago, I was in love with a little poetry/art/fabric book I saw over at pinky ponky. And then last week, Esther was offering to send two new ones she had made to a reader. How could I resist? Mine arrived today.

It's an unbound book, which can be changed around as the reader pleases. The cards have lines of a poem (written by Esther) as well as collaged pictures and fabric. There's even a tiny envelope with a picture inside... thank you, Esther!

baby shower

I'm going to my first baby shower this afternoon. My cousin is due to have her first child this month- a girl, which made the present-making easy!

I made another pair of the 'sweet pea' shoes, in the smallest size, so she can wear them this summer. And a matching summer bodysuit.

I read about baby showers a lot on overseas blogs, but I only know a couple of people here who have been to one. It sounds like a nice idea, and I regret not having organised them for two of my best friends who are due to have their babies any day now.

Along with the invitation to my cousin's baby shower, was a request for each guest to make a small page to put in a 'welcome book' for the new baby. I know nothing about scrapbooking (except for a rather hideous-looking aisle in Spotlight) so I didn't really know what to do with my page, especially because I get the feeling the other guests are serious scrap-bookers. We were supposed to decorate it and add any messages or advice. I don't think I'm wise enough to give a new human being any advice, so I just wrote down my favourite quote, and did a bit of a butterfly collage.

Enjoy your weekend...