tiny happy

making as a privilege

Autumn is marching in, which means it's a good time to settle in with some new projects. Actually, any time of year is good for that as we know, but there is a slight urgency to the hat and slipper making i need to do within the next few weeks.

One project I finished recently is a plain black linen skirt. It looks quite dull from the photo above, but I'm really pleased with it. It's sort of an update on a similar one I made a couple of years ago and wore nearly to death, but with some improvements such as using a finer fabric, bigger pockets and adding some more volume into the back half (to even out the gathers in the front). I see in the blog post from last time I mentioned that I should use a pattern next time, and of course I didn't take my own advice, again! Slow learner.

I've started at a new job in an office, so I think this skirt will be very useful for wearing with blouses and tops I've made. And I have plans to make some more work clothes in the near future.

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I thought you might like to read a long-time favourite poem of mine, Wildflowers by local poet Bub Bridger. I first found this in a NZ poetry book of my Mum's. It's still just a perfect and sweet love poem, and I think about 'the teeth of the wind' often in this city.

Also above: an old painting I found in an op-shop. It just wanted to come home with me. On the back it says 'Selworthy, Somerset.'

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The Soul Craft festival is coming up in June, and there are a few spots left in my Embroidery 101 class... would love to see you there if you can make it! In that particular workshop, we'll be working an all-over embroidered pattern from a template.

There are some really special elements to Soul Craft. One is its 'Giving Back Policy' which seeks to build a strong and loving crafting community. Felicia writes:

What we are able to do - make things - is a privilege. No matter how tiny the amount of time we have in any phase of life, or how tiny the amount of money we have for supplies, we get to engage with this thing we love because we have the time/money to do so. We are also lucky enough to have the knowledge that craft is there for us when we need it. That is our privilege.

And so Soul Craft wants to share that privilege around. To create a bit more space and time for someone who doesn't have craft in their lives as a life support.

I'm so proud to be part of this thoughtful and unique event. You can leave your thoughts and ideas about the Giving Back Policy here on the Craft Sessions blog.

morning glow

I bought these beautiful earrings from a local designer, Jess, who runs Aida Maeby. I'd been admiring her work for ages and was so thrilled to nab a pair of these, which are made from hand-painted ceramic discs with a little touch of gold metal. They jingle a little when worn, too, which is an added benefit. Thank you Jess!

If you're interested in ethical clothing production and thoughtful making, you'll enjoy the Aida Maeby journal too. This post especially is gorgeous and acknowledges all the women who contribute to Jess' business. I have my eye on an Olafur dress (that back detail!) so that may be my next purchase.

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I've been getting up a little earlier than usual lately due to wanting to fit more work into my day. That's always easier to do before it gets properly wintry and cold, so I doubt this virtuous habit will last long. The main perk (other than a quiet coffee) is the view from the window... the second picture above was this morning's perspective. I love the way it changes every minute, getting more and more golden until you hardly remember it has been dark.

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Last week I mentioned making some preserves... but really it's just been chutney. I made a big batch of it and hopefully it should last through the winter. We really like eating cheese and crackers at my place. And this is the perfect thing to spread under the cheese. 

Into a large pot or preserving pan put: 2 kgs chopped fruit of any kind (I used apples), 500 grams chopped onions, 1 clove chopped garlic, 1 cup raisins, 3-4 cups brown sugar, 2 tsp salt, cracked pepper, 1 tsp mixed spice, 1 finely chopped chilli pepper, and 4 cups malt vinegar. Mix well then cook gently for 2-3 hours or until chutney is thick and almost like jam. Pour into sterilised jars.

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This week I've been loving listening to the latest Laura Marling album Semper Femina, especially this song: Wild Fire.

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patchwork of life

Hello! I hope you've had a good week.

The big news around here is that Keira turns 13 today... 13! It feels a bit strange... mostly good, of course. It's lovely watching her grow older and adventure out into the world more and more with each passing year. But I found myself going through her baby things and photos last night and feeling amazed that her childhood was drawing to a close already. It really is true, that thing about parenting being made up of long days and short years. 

One of the things I found was this little green hand-knitted hat that she wore as a toddler. It was made by Cosette , a good blog-friend at the time and I think we did a swap and I made her a bag of some kind.

The funny thing about this blog is that I've been writing it nearly forever, and so I was able to find a post where K's wearing it, aged three or so. 

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I'm still enjoying patching my fabric scraps together... this week I made some knitting project bags, small pouches and a mat all from leftover fabrics. Actually I think I might use them all up soon. Never thought I would reach that point.

And then on the weekend, I found a few glorious hours to work on my hand-stitched hexagon quilt, and listen to an audiobook (I chose I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.) That combo is something I would recommend to anyone! Particularly those who enjoy some quiet making and listening time.

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Other things I've been enjoying this week:

The beautiful flower farm at Foxs Lane

Doing a small bit of preserving in the form of chutney (more on this next week)

Listening to the new album by Slowdive (their first in 22 years!)

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succulent garden

Hello lovely readers! I hope you've had a good week. 

Tom and I attended a beautiful wedding on the weekend and I managed to snap a quick picture of the inside of the marquee where the reception was held. The ceiling was draped in fabric bunting, which was made from strips of fabric torn and tied to lengths of rope. The fabrics were a mix of prints and textures, in pale green, blue, pink and cream and the overall effect was really beautiful.

The other photos in this post are not from the wedding, but just things found on my travels, including an amazing succulent garden growing vertically in downtown Wellington. I love this idea and wonder if it might work at our place? Succulents seem to do well in our wild weather.

I've also had some op-shop luck, including finding a copy of The Goldfinch, which is one of those books I've been meaning to read for ages, and some cotton men's shirts that I bought and offered to Tom for his collection, but they didn't fit so I'm happily re-purposing for my hexagon quilt! I really like using old things and I think the slightly-worn fabrics look great together.

Using a piece of silk bought from The Fabric Store I sewed a new top (a bit like this one) for these end-of-summer days. I found the silk a bit tricky to work with, because the threads pull easily, so French seams and a hand-stitched neckline was in order. But it's lovely and light to wear and I can see lots more of these tops in my future. I ended up drafting the pattern myself, but it's similar to the vintage one I used a while back (Style #3896 from 1983) and the Lou Box Top pattern that is available for purchase online (I made one of those here.

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In other, non-crafting news, I've been enjoying the Netflix series Babylon Berlin which is beautifully produced and interesting historically (if rather dark at times) and just finished The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides which I recommend, especially if you like reading about love triangles and liberal arts graduates.

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