tiny happy

zip pocket tote and neighbourhood watch

Hello and happy end-of-school-term, if that's applicable to you. We're very happy to see the start of the spring holidays roll around here. The kids are visiting their grandparents and cousins this week and couldn't be happier about that. And we have a plan to go away for a few days with them next week which will be fun.

I made a bag for my little sister who had a birthday recently. She has a new baby so I thought a nice big bag with lots of pockets was in order. I followed the instructions for the 'Zip Pocket Tote' in Anna Graham's book Handmade Style and am really happy with it - I chose heavy black linen for the front of the bag, which also creates an outer pocket, and vintage dotty fabric for the inside.

There are lots of other projects I'd love to try in Anna's book, too - so I hope to get to those soon - maybe tomorrow if I'm lucky?

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The photos above were taken on a walk home from work this week. It still feels like a luxury to be coming home in the light of the day, rather than trudging along at nightfall.

The street numbers have been spray-painted onto a rock wall, no doubt to help the postie and newcomers locate hilltop homes without having to climb a hundred stairs in vain. And the beautiful pink anemones belong to a nearby stranger, but I take a photo of them every year.

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lemon + lime

Hello! I hope your September is going well so far. It feels like a 'yellow' month - the kōwhai trees are all in flower, even the little one that grows beside the steps up to our place. And the mornings are getting warmer and brighter too.

My Dad sent up a bag of his homegrown lemons and limes with my sister when she was visiting recently. The limes are the beautiful yellow Tahitian variety, rather than the small green ones you see in shops - so they look a bit like small lemons. After admiring them on the windowsill for a week or so I decided to make them into marmalade, because we are all quite big fans of morning toast + marmalade around here.

I used this recipe, doubled, and it turned out better than I expected. It made about 15 jars all up, so I think we (and friends) will be in a good marmalade situation for a very long time. 

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Tom and I have been watching a Martin Scorcese documentary about George Harrison (in installments, as it's rather long) called Living in the Material World, and that has led to a renewed appreciation of his songwriting. I'm really enjoying the G.H album All Things Must Pass and recommend it if you're after some new (old) songs.

Another new (to me) favourite is the thoughtful knitting podcast East London Knits which is hosted by designer Renee Callahan. There are so far 13 episodes up on YouTube, and most include interviews with well-known designers and craftspeople.

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What are you enjoying these days? Wishing you peace, happiness and marmalade on toast,
M

vintage queenstown and hellebores

There are hellebores in the garden. I planted three varieties last year and am so happy to see them flowering, although I can't remember the names of the different types. Some have green petals with a pinkish tinge, and some are very dark purple with a greenish tint, almost as if someone has painted them with watercolours.

There's hasn't been much time for my usual crafty projects of late - although I have been steadily knitting away on a jumper (it's this pattern on Ravelry). I'm blatantly copying a garment made by Bonnie and even using some beautiful dark brownish-grey possum blend yarn that she gave me after I admired her version of this pattern.

It was warm enough for a little outdoor knitting today on my lunch break, where I was joined by a brave blackbird watching me from its spot in the hedge and a prevailing feeling of hope for a warm summer ahead!

Keira and I have discovered Gilmore Girls on Netflix (only 15 years late to the party!) and watching an episode after dinner has become a cosy winter routine... and probably the reason I've been able to knit a fair bit of this jumper. We're not even through the first season yet - and there are seven altogether!

I had to include a picture of this beautiful vintage photo/artwork given to Tom by our friend Anna - it's Queenstown in the 1960s, I think. A portal to another world, currently living on our mantelpiece.

 

clematis party

It's September! Our clematis (it's this native NZ variety) is out and looking beautiful, draped like fairy lights along the fence.

And I finished a knitting project - it was a small one but seemed to take ages. Socks for Arlo - in rather boring but (I think) pretty wearable colours. You can see the yarns used, pattern, etc, here on my Ravelry page.
I wasn't sure if he would be in to hand-knit socks, to be honest. But since I handed them over, he's wanted to wear them every day, so that's a good sign.

I do think I should probably branch out and try a different sock pattern (Keira's asked for a pair of these, named after her heroine, Hermione) and I will, but I really do love this basic pattern that I usually use. The whole sock is ribbed, so they tend not to fall down or lose their shape. And it's a simple pattern to do, without being too boring. I've made a pair for my partner, my kids, my sister and my dad. So I highly recommend it if you're looking to get started knitting socks!

In the middle photo above you can see a little stack of beautiful vintage fabrics sent by my friend Helen. They're just sitting, washed and ready to be sewn up into ... something. I hadn't felt like sewing in ages but am enjoying looking at these and making a plan for them. Will be sure to report back on progress soon.

I hope you have a lovely week,
M