tiny happy

a wooden template

Keira was given this wooden envelope template for her birthday. By me, that is. Umm yes, it's possible I bought my daughter a gift that I wanted to use myself. But in my defence, she had seen them in the shop a few times and asked me for one. 

Anyway, we've had some good times with it already. One afternoon we sat at the kitchen table with a big stack of papers (the envelopes shown here were made with some pages from an old gardening catalogue) and scissors, listening to our favourite songs and producing a small mountain of new envelopes for our letter-writing supply cupboard (Doesn't everyone have one of those?)

I bought the wooden template from our lovely local craft store Stitchbird though you can probably find them on Etsy too.

hemlock

I did some sewing on the weekend, and tried out the Hemlock pattern by Grainline (you can download it here) to make two new tops.

I was first inspired by this post by Felicia. What a great pattern. It was originally designed for knits, but can also be made up in woven fabrics. I made one of each - the first from some striped jersey cotton that had been sitting around for a while. The result is a comfy t-shirt to wear with jeans.

Jen from Grainline suggests using 'tissue' knits, and I think I'll try these next. My knit fabric was quite sturdy, and I think it would be more fitted (erm, and stylish) in a lighter weight.

I also made one up in some woven fabric: a fine grey cotton with embroidered stripes in black and cream. I really like the dropped shoulders and 3/4 sleeves. I cropped the front hem and let the back fall a bit lower. Perfect for work.

If you feel like a simple, pleasing project (with a new garment as the end result) I highly recommend the Hemlock pattern. And, it's free! Thank you Grainline.

pohutukawa inspired

This is my latest finished project: new curtains for the sleep-out (spare room). I should say new/old curtains really, because I used some fairly old fabric to make them.

I'd been hoarding it for ages (since this post) but it was already old before I stashed it away (probably from the 1950s-60s, I'd say). When I pulled it out for sewing, I realised it had been cut up into an assortment of different strips and squares. So, the job turned into a bit of a patchwork project.

The reason why I was so keen to use this material is because it's printed with NZ flowers and plants: ferns, clematis, fuschia, kowhai, pohutukawa. And along the top of each panel, I found the names of the flowers written ever-so-carefully in ballpoint pen.

KOWHAI -- KAKABEAK -- CLEMATIS -- HEBE.

in the garden

:: Pre-washing some new fabrics bought last week. My idea is to make a couple of new things to wear to work. The striped fabric is silky grey, with embroidered cream and black patterns.

:: Nasturtiums are very much at home in our garden. 

:: Isn't this a beautiful-looking salad? I'm going to make it tomorrow night.

:: You can listen to Sufjan Steven's new album Carrie and Lowell, here at NPR First Listen. And read this interview with him, about his childhood, family, and thoughts behind these songs. The album itself comes out at the end of March.

neighbourhood walk

These photos were taken this evening on a walk in the neighbourhood. I wanted to take some pictures of the kids but they were not into it.

However they did point out some things that would make good shots: 'look at that strange garage!' 'that must be at least 150 steps', 'what about those people eating dinner?' (umm, no) and then, when we were nearly home, 'Come on Mum, you've just got to take a picture of this cat. You've just got to!'

inside the box, part two

Some more treasures from inside this parcel: 

:: blue-skies garland which is now adorning the walls of Arlo's blue bedroom

:: a collection of vintage fabrics. I have plans for them already...

Wishing you a happy and relaxing weekend!

inside the box, part one

Just a little of what Helen tucked inside the parcel I wrote about yesterday...

A copy of Betty, a gorgeous, new (to me) magazine from London, and a collection of handmade zines as well as a copy of Bill Manhire's beautiful Under The Influence.

The zines include the hand-stamped BE HERE 
                                                                  OR HERE

by Sarah McNeil,
and Biblioburbia, by Vanessa Berry. You can see these publications resting on a beautiful hand-appliqued mat, also sent by Helen.

More tomorrow..!

that time of year

It's properly autumnal here in Wellington; golden light lazily gazing through the window onto the kitchen table, soup on the stove, kids bringing home pocketfuls of acorns.

After school today, I made them some of this to drink for the first time since last winter. It's always nice to mark the seasons with special foods and drinks. We think so anyway.

A few days ago I received this beautiful box in the mail. Wrapped in brown paper, with collaged pictures on each side. Inside: a collection of treasures from my very generous friend Helen. I'll show you some things that were tucked inside in tomorrow's post. 

phoebe & vita

(above: Phoebe Blouse. Photo by Anna Allen)

Anna Allen is a talented young designer/maker who specialises in original handmade clothing. Via a tip-off from a friend on Instagram, I found a photo of a beautiful blouse she made for a customer, using Spoonflower fabric. 

Read more about Anna's 'Phoebe Blouse' on her blog.

The fabric design, 'Vita', is one of mine from a few years back, (you can find it for sale, in various fabric types, here) inspired by the Bloomsbury Group. I remember that year I binge-read lots of books about Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf and their creative community.

I really enjoyed making fabric designs, I'd like to do some more one day. Thank you, Anna, for letting me use your photo!

ten

My daughter Keira turned ten over the weekend. Ten! It's still amazing to me- it seems only a few days ago that I was trying to get her to stand still for these ninth-birthday photos. She agreed to be still for two seconds on her way down the steps to school this morning. Mostly so I could capture her in her new Totoro backpack.

We had some beautiful blue skies and hung out with one set of grandparents, who had come to Wellington to stay as a birthday surprise.

Today the weather is decidedly grey, but we're fortunate to not be caught up in Cyclone Pam. Thoughts and strength to those who are. Here's the Red Cross page for donating to help the recovery effort in Vanuatu.