I made a new batch of notecards using watercolour paints and some index cards. I was inspired by some of the pages in this vintage book I wrote about a while ago. I love the simple, muted designs of the old Swedish embroideries. And the vine and tulip motifs that are featured quite…

      I don't know what the collective noun for 'bag' is, I just made that up… I've always liked the word 'jubilee'. And I had fun making all these bags for my shop update this week. I made a couple for grown-ups, including a market bag from sturdy striped wool. But some are…

    It's been a very good week for second-hand shopping. I went looking for some preserving jars at the flea market and recycling centre on the weekend. I didn't find any of the right size, but I did find an asortment of nice blue and white things. A new duvet cover: blue and white…

    Even though these wild carrot flowers (Queen Anne's lace) are considered noxious weeds here in NZ, I do like them. Especially their incredibly delicate white petals. I found these on the roadside over the weekend. For me, they are synonymous with my childhood summers, as they grew abundantly all over the family farm…

      The light here was lovely this morning, so I took some photos around our bedroom/my workshop area. Then I found these necklaces that I made recently, and thought I'd show you. I've been collecting wooden beads for a while, I really like them. And then I realised that I could combine cotton…

    Did you see this post on card-making at angry chicken blog? It inspired me to sort out some of the many papers and old magazines that I have been hoarding, and make some stationery from them. I cut up images of botanical paintings from last year's calendar and glued them to index cards…

        Another hot day here, so K and I are staying inside this afternoon to escape the sunburn. I've enjoyed taking some pictures around the house where it is somewhat cooler. I've included some photos of things I made for today's shop update, including some new hairbands with tiny handsewn hydrangea petals.…

    A confession: I much prefer second-hand bedding to new.

I had a small piece of vintage rayon/cotton fabric- it has a nice drape and slightly 80's print and I love it. (after all, it has old-fashioned flowers with a background of orange splattered paint. They don't make fabrics like that anymore!) So I made it into a very simple skirt to wear this summer.…

    I received my copy of The 2010 Kiwi Diary recently, and have really enjoyed flipping through it, checking out the great artwork, photography and poetry within. My friend Freda is co-founder of this lovely publication, and I've used one pretty much every year since 2004… I think. Last year I was excited to…