Thank you for joining in with the giveaway over the weekend. It was fun to read your comments and I have a year's worth of new books and music to check out now, which was all part of my sneaky plan.  In my next post, I'm going to compile a list of everyone's favourites for…

I thought it would be nice to start the year with a giveaway – please consider this a small thank you for visiting my blog.  I have three parcels to send out – one with a copy of my book, one with cards and one with a dress I made. I've never worn it but want to gift…

Even though it's very simple to embroider, a vine with leaves and small flowers will always remain a favourite stitching subject for me. I embroidered this plain black summer top with some tiny yellow flowers, inspired by yellow fennel in bloom along Wellington's South Coast. 'Twas a bit tricky to work with ordinary thread on…

I had the nicest time one afternoon this week just sitting at the kitchen table, making these pressed-flower sun catchers. The project idea came from the most recent issue of Extra Curricular magazine (#18) and a piece written by Isabella Pachter, with photos by my pal Sonya.  I made three sun-catchers, and used up all the pressed flowers I…

A friend gave me an armful of white lisianthus stems. They're kind of like casual roses. I love them. And late last year, Helen gifted me the vintage pincushion you can see in the last photo above. It's made from wool felt with hand-embroidery, and filled with sand (good for keeping needles sharp). I think the…

Both Arlo and Keira have loved to draw and paint since they could hold crayons, but lately Keira has been especially interested in trying all sorts of art-making, and has been attending drawing classes in town too (these ones, which she loves). It's a special thing to watch a child grow up and develop a…

Happy new year to you! I hope you had a relaxing summer break if you're on this side of the world. I was lucky enough to visit family all over the top of the South Island, and ventured to Golden Bay and the West Coast too. Everywhere was so warm and bright, with sparkling blue…

Wishing you a very happy Christmas and new year season, if you celebrate it. It's the end of the working year here, and I'm off to spend time with family and friends and have a computer break for a few weeks.  Other activities I hope to fill these days with include reading, knitting, eating summer…

Geraniums are growing in the back garden – I have some pink and some white. Geraniums are trusty, timeless flowers that remind me of childhood (my sister and I tried to make 'beautiful perfume' from them on numerous occasions.) Also pictured: a Christmas present to myself: a new summer top I made from Nani Iro (the…

How are your holiday preparations coming along? I've been making a few gifts which has proved to be a happy antidote to the usual hustle and bustle that can be expected around these parts at the end of the year.  Here are a few recent makes: * A string of elephants, made from linen with…