(above: Phoebe Blouse. Photo by Anna Allen) Anna Allen is a talented young designer/maker who specialises in original handmade clothing. Via a tip-off from a friend on Instagram, I found a photo of a beautiful blouse she made for a customer, using Spoonflower fabric.  Read more about Anna's 'Phoebe Blouse' on her blog. The fabric…

My daughter Keira turned ten over the weekend. Ten! It's still amazing to me- it seems only a few days ago that I was trying to get her to stand still for these ninth-birthday photos. She agreed to be still for two seconds on her way down the steps to school this morning. Mostly so…

:: I bought this awesomely colourful and expressive skirt from the op-shop a while back, and have been enjoying its vibrant energy. It's been hand-painted, or dyed, I think. Maybe both. :: This is a favourite painting that Keira did a few years back. I dug it out to look at again.

:: Tending the pot-plants on an overcast Monday evening. :: Our resident teenager moved into an apartment with her friends on the weekend. She's been living with us since January 2014, so it's a big change in our house. I am excited for her, moving into the heart of the city and setting up her…

:: When I got up this morning the sun was glaring through the kitchen window. :: This picture of a quiet twilight was taken yesterday. This evening we have thunder, rain and lightning in the sky. The kids have gone for a walk with Tom to see it all better. +  +  +  +  +…

:: I took this photo in mid-summer in my friend Jenny's garden.  :: Hand-stitched hydrangea headbands made as a goodbye to this beautiful season (these petals last year-round)  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  + I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes…

:: surprise amaryllis (?) lily blooming in the vegetable garden :: our neighbourhood at twilight +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  + I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using…

:: A little free-form stitching on black linen – I recommend it as a relaxing evening activity 🙂 :: A ceramic pendant I bought from here over summer. I love it but sadly can't remember the name of the woman who made it. Do you know, Nelson people? It has a lovely weight and texture.…

:: Keira helped me harvest bunches of lavender at the beginning of summer. :: On the weekend, we used the dried buds to make lavender sachets to give as gifts. I embroidered patterns with white thread on black linen.  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +…

:: bedroom wall botanics :: this summer's strawflowers – I never tire of these blooms. I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using my camera and blog a little more. +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +  +…