I first met Constança this time last year, but over the weekend we had lunch together and she gave me a copy of her beautiful new book.  Mãos à Obra! (I think) translates to 'get cracking' as we might say in these parts, and Constança's first book (like her blog) is all about making and doing lovely…

This rainbow was glimmering outside my window this morning, just asking to be photographed.  HANDMADE: A Festival of Making was great fun over the weekend. Much sewing, stitching and printing was done in my classes, and it was great to see so many happy people getting creative. One of my favourite elements of the festival…

A long-limbed rabbit, made from cotton velveteen recycled from a theatre costume, is just relaxing in the garden this morning. He'll be accompanying me to this class this afternoon – participants can choose to make either a rabbit or a linen bear. Should be fun! I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead. – M

This was our sky today – just before the sun set. Beautiful greys and blues. Winter is here now: this morning those dark hills were covered in snow but it melted during the day. Last week I finished two knitting projects: a winter hat for Tom and another for his brother. Now I've cast on…

  I recently got prescription glasses, which have really changed my life. I'm so grateful for them. My favourite things all involve using my eyesight in quite an intense way. You know, activities like knitting, embroidery, reading, etc. I can enjoy doing these again. Hooray for optometry! At the HANDMADE festival this year, I'll be…

It's not quite cold enough for frost here yet, but this evening's sunset made me think of this great old Flying Nun song and atmospheric video: Pink Frost. I've been trying to use up some of my long-hoarded and most precious bits of fabric. I made a few new things for my etsy shop, including…

We've had some wild (rainy) weather here in the capital over the past few days – what better time to settle down with a bit of knitting? (We are extremely lucky to be mostly unaffected, unlike some of my workmates and friends who don't live on the top of hills.) Here are some more small…

Keira and I spent a sunny Saturday morning making this gift for her friend who was turning 10. K chose the fabric (a mint-green upholstery print that had been on the shelf for a while, and some grey cotton corduroy) and did all the cutting and ironing. We made a satchel-style bag and matching coin…

Here we have a couple of snaps taken in my sister's rambling rural garden during the summer.  Thanks for the kind comments on my last post! I found another copy of the journal and so decided to send two packages. The winners were drawn randomly: Jennifer and Karen. Thank you for your interest. – Have you been listening…

+ + Last weekend my friend Nicola came to stay, while she was in the city to run some workshops. She introduced me to the work of potter Paul Melser. His very beautiful dishes are used in a local cafe here, Loretta, so I'd eaten from them before. I couldn't resist buying a piece for…