Working holiday

I've had two very valuable work days this week. Since Daniel has started morning kindy, my crafting time has been reduced to 2 1/2 hour blocks twice a week. Yesterday and today, thanks to the wonderful Nazeera, I've had the chance to sit down and not only sew, but also make some new badges and mirrors and get some more books bound. Here are some pictures of my sewing:


Little felt pouches to be sold with my pocket mirrors.


Some beautiful embroidery pouches with upholstery fabric backs. You can see them at Sunday's Devonport Craft Market, 10 to 3.

It's still only September (just), but I'm starting to worry about the number of craft markets I've signed up for in the next 3 months. I have soooo much work to do, so I'd better get back to it...

(By the way, Nazeera is Joshua's daycare 'nana', and is looking after Daniel as well during the holidays.)

Bags of lemons

Just a quick update on day 1 of the school holidays (or kindy holidays, really). It rained this morning and so we stayed in rainy-day mode all day: the boys and I juiced 2 whole supermarket bags full of lemons and limes, made limonade (from the limes, no less) and shortbread. Just in time for afternoon tea in the sun.

Something new

With the help of my handy husband, I figured out how to use that little binder, and now I can show you something I've been planning to make for the last few months... Tiny rebound journals! I've included a pen in the photo to give you an idea of size, but they're just perfect for your shopping lists, to do lists, notes, whatever you want to carry around in your bag.

They're only available at the markets, so come and grab yours at Kraftbomb tomorrow!

Wednesday already

And I still want to tell you about my weekend! Where has this week gone already? The last few days have been defined by purchases and sales (thank goodness for the latter...). I feel like such a consumer; here's a list of my latest buys:

• lots of embroidered cloths and old books
• sequins, embroidery thread and felt for the bird kits
• a guillotine
• a small wire binding machine

We went to Hamilton on Saturday. The city is currently famous for being the most boring place in NZ. I really don't think so; I'm always happy to tag along when Craig needs to go on some tree-related mission. This weekend he judged the regional tree climbing competition, so I got a great deal of op shopping done, plus a visit to my favourite emporium, David's. I even had a quick look at an arty pile of rubbish.

And here we are on Wednesday. I'm getting ready for Kraftbomb this Sunday, and the school holidays next week. And right now, getting to know my little binder on a more personal level.

Things to do on a nice spring day (v 2.0)

When the wisteria is out, it's officially spring. My favourite season, for all it represents: fresh colour, warmer days, skirts and bare feet, flowers and fruit. When I was growing up in South Africa, we used to go to school on Spring Day with flowers for our teachers and friends. What a worthwile day to celebrate.

A year ago I published a post with the same name as today's, and I was honestly very surprised to see how many hits it got when spring came round in the northern hemisphere. People googled the phrase 'things to do on a nice spring day'! Many people, dozens and dozens. If this is you, one day in the future, here's my advice for the Essential Early Spring Picnic:

Put on your happiest summer dress, take off your shoes and pack a picnic (in a proper basket). Remember your picnic rug. If you're lucky enough to have a garden, set yourself up on the lawn, otherwise you'll have to find a park nearby. This picnic is best enjoyed with friends and family, and children make it even better. Have fun!

To get back to the wisteria, I was so inspired by its fleeting beauty that I just had to capture it on fabric. I did a freehand drawing with my disappearing ink pen and embroidered over it. Now I'll have those flowers all year. Happy spring!

Spring clean

I had a massive tidy-up this weekend, and now I can safely show you what my workspace looks like (for the next two days until it gets out of hand again!).

This is where it all happens. My trusty old Elna has served me well, 15 years old and still going strong.

I put the dolls on the wall, now I can see them properly and use their old shelf for all my boxes of bits.

I made this notice board from an old frame and a piece of ply I got for free from the local timber yard. Covered with a vintage sheet and some ribbon.

This is where I hide my own embroidery, unfinished projects, and those old library filing drawers are used for my tools and ribbons.

I'm happy in here. But there's always room for improvement, or at least inspiration. Just look at this, lots of light and space and gorgeous colour (Jenny from Allsorts). And this one too (Posy gets Cosy). Isn't it strange how they're both the same colours? Hope you get lost done this week!

A parcel

I sent a very expensive little parcel by courier to the USA today. A parcel containing some felt birds and a kit, ready to be photographed in a proper studio, for a real life magazine. I kid you not. But I don't want to jinx myself, so I'll have to wait and see what happens before I share any details with you. (There's no exclamation marks in this paragraph, but that's just because I'm trying to keep calm). !!!!!!!!!

Stupendous!

I made some superhero masks today, and after a few prototypes, the boys road tested them for me. I also had a go; Daniel still thinks Stupendous Mamma is a real superhero!

I've also been playing around with a new pouch pattern, and I'm pleased to say it's just great. It's a make-up pouch with some padding, and has a flat bottom to make it stand. This one's available in my etsy shop. The birds are also now available on Toggle, as well as Etsy, of course.

Now I'm going to pour myself a wine and wait for my girlfriends to arrive for our monthly catch-up, AKA book club. Have a great evening, all.

Spring!!

It's been such a great week. Some reasons:

• It's spring, the best time of the year! It's getting much warmer in the day, and our garden is full of flowers.
• Lucky Penny was great on Tuesday night; it was so nice to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. We had a really good turn-out.
• My bird kits did quite well at Kraftbomb, I sold 5. That's pretty good for a new product.
• I think I've organised my work time better, and it feels like I can spend more quality time with the boys.

And after getting some good advice from my Kraftbomb buddy and Etsy superstar, Karen, I've also updated my shop today. Have a look at my new pouches; I especially like this floral embroidery with mustard backing.