Here are three things I made with my hands recently: a) a botanical sampler designed and embroidered for a customer on the other side of the world, featuring various favourite plants.  b) set of three new baby knits: a bonnet (from this pattern), booties (discussed here) and a little animal friend (from this pattern.) All…

I wrote last year about the garment-sewing book Everyday Style by Lotta Jansdotter and I'm continuing to use it now and again to make various pieces of clothing. One thing I made at the end of last year is the 'Pilvi' jacket/coat and I've worn it lots of times since. It's turned out to be a…

Over the summer holiday my mother and I visited Broomfields, which is a lovely craft store specialising in needlework kits and supplies. I bought some mottled grey linen and hand dyed 'Simply Shaker' threads in the beautifully-named shades of 'crystal lake' and 'cucumber' to use during the year ahead. And I also got a special…

In the new year, we set off on a tramping (hiking) trip with friends. We try to do this together at least annually but sometimes weather and other circumstances prevent it. However this year, the sky was clear and everything fell into place. We were walking in the Cobb Valley of Kahurangi National Park, which is one…

Hello! Happy new year to you, dear ones. I've been away on a family holiday in the South Island, spending lots of time with family and friends. It's been pretty amazing actually: days of warmth and sunshine, sea swimming and beach walking. We we went tramping up to the top of a mountain and slept…

Dear friends, Wishing you a very happy Christmas, if you celebrate it.I hope that 2017 brings you love and peace. See you back here in mid-January. M X X X X X X X X X X X X 

I set aside some time this year to make a few Christmas gifts for family and friends. Here are some of the things I've made for people who (I'm pretty sure) don't read my blog. Both Tom and I come from quite large families and both sets do a kind of 'secret santa' present arrangement…

Here are a few snaps from the last few days. I finally finished work for the year and we've had a few end-of-year gatherings and friend meet-ups which is always good for the heart. I made a new top for summer, using this pattern (the simplest version of it – with a straight hem and…

Hello! Hope your December is going well so far. There's been a lot to do around here (as I'm sure there has been in your neck of the woods also) as school and work and other activities finish up for the year. I've carved out some time to do a bit of Christmas-present-making – and…

I haven't got much to show in the way of finished projects this week – I have been working away on things but most of them are intended as Christmas gifts.  I did however find this glorious old cake platter in the op-shop next door to my workplace, and had to make a chocolate cake…