The last time I published something here was at the end of autumn, and now we're nearing spring! For some reason, I thought I had nothing to share, such a long, dark winter it's felt, with little space and time to work on my creative projects.
But looking through some photos, I can see that I did find time to do some making - the results of which I've shared in the images above:
- This is a Homme Wrap Dress (pattern by Elbe Textiles) that sat in pieces on my desk for a decent length of time before I decided to sew it up! I had been worried about my fabric choice, a coffee-coloured linen with cream grid pattern, colours I don't usually wear. But I love the finished dress, and it was fun to make as well. Please excuse the bathroom mirror pic! I recommend the pattern, if you're looking for your next dress to sew.
- Is it even a Wellington winter if you're not knitting up house slippers? I made a couple of pairs of these classic slippers for a 3-year-old family member and a larger pair for Tom. He wanted leather soles on his, and ended up hand-sewing them on himself. For all three pairs, I used the trusty Temple of Knit 'Simple House Slippers' pattern (more info on my Ravelry page here).
- Cosmos-inspired things: a small bouquet from my sister-in-law inspired a bit of watercolour card painting, and some embroidery, too. I turned the stitched piece into a needlebook for a friend.
- These little pouches were inspired by a book about sashiko I found at the library. I used small scraps of avocado and indigo-dyed linen to hand-sew these and sent them to friends for keeping small treasures in.
- On the shortest day of the year, or very close to, I heard Tiny Ruins perform in the Begonia House at the Botanic Gardens. It was such a beautiful concert, cold and dark but cosy with the plants, music, and company of dear friends. I had to buy a copy of 'Ceremony' to play at home through the winter, which I've faithfully done ever since!
Some other things I've loved lately:
This beautiful song in particular ('Earthly Things' from Ceremony). It's accompanied me on many a dark evening walk home from work this winter.
Making classic lemon meringue pie, which will forever remind me of my nana. I made one last night for friends.
This documentary about musician Martin Phillipps, who passed away recently (and a new appreciation for the beautiful lyrics in this song)
The NZ International Film Festival - I was lucky to see Eno and The House Within, both of which I loved.
This book: Love is a Pink Cake by Claire Ptak. So many beautiful bakes to try! And super pretty photos, styling and writing about the cake life.
Take care sweet friends and see you next time,
M X