This online journal is ten years old! I find it hard to believe. Yet in some ways it feels like I've been writing about my projects here forever.  Thank you for dropping by and reading. Thank you for your emails and comments over the years. It's been a lot of fun. I don't know what the…

I've always loved Japanese bento bags and furoshiki-style gift wrapping, and so I decided to try making some from that hand-printed linen in this post. I had to stare for a long time at an existing bag and employ some (ok, a lot of) trial-and-error in coming up with the method for these but I'm really…

Tom went to a Māori teachers' conference, and he brought me back this putiputi harakeke (flax flower) made by a colleague.  I was taught to make these as a child, but my finished putiputi were much smaller and inclined to fall apart. I love this one though – it's strongly-woven and smells earthy and comforting. If…

It turns out that playing around with stamps and ink is a very relaxing activity.  I pulled out some of hand-carved stamps (some I carved myself, some Indian woodblock stamps), textile ink and best grey linen and did some making the other day: a new case for keeping projects in, and some things for the etsy…

I found a few treasures at a recent Fabricabrac I attended with Constança and Nikki – we had such a lot of fun rummaging through the buttons and fabrics.  Anyway, I made a dress from one of the pieces I bought, which is chocolate brown rayon-cotton with a small floral print. I used the 'Esme' pattern…

Last month I did a little swap with my friend Amiria who just happens to be a very talented musician. I knitted her a hat for the South Island winter and she sent me some new music - her latest album Autumn and a recording of her duo The Swan Sisters. Amiria has a beautiful voice…

Despite it being midwinter, the nasturtiums are growing in full force along our street – I had to take a photo of their glossy green glory when I was waiting for the bus the other day. And in somewhat unrelated news, I wanted to show you these slippers I made. Each one took an evening…

 We've been having some beautiful light shining through the windows these days. It's of the weak midwinter variety, but still very much appreciated on these cold July mornings. I sat in a sunny spot this morning and finally finished a little project I've been working on for ages (months even perhaps!) My idea was to…

Hope you've had a relaxing weekend. Here are some pictures from mine: a) a new tote bag, screen-printed by my friend Richard – I bought it as part of a special sale of his work for a fundraiser and am so glad I did – now I can carry the sun's rays around with me.…