During our holiday in the Nelson region, I fell in love (again) with weaving. My Mum is a weaver, so my siblings and I were surrounded by beautiful woven textiles growing up, but only lately have I been seriously thinking about getting a loom and learning to weave myself. (This suggestion, tentatively raised a few…

Over the new year, we embarked on a three-day tramp in the mountains with friends. We had four adults and four children on the trip, which took us from near Takaka, Golden Bay up into the Cobb Valley, in Kahurangi National Park. The terrain we covered was diverse and absolutely beautiful, from lush mossy glades…

Here's a happy memory from our long, hot summer break away from the city. We packed quite a bit into a few weeks, including a big family Christmas with a lot of food, drinks, music, noise (young cousins running as a pack and endless discussions), a funeral, babies, birthday celebrations, a big party, a mountain…

On New Year's Eve last year, Tom's Mum made the kids makeshift beds on the beach by her house and we listened to the water lapping and bonfire crackling and guitars softly strummed by people along the beach. It was such a beautiful evening and the children still talk about that time they stayed up…

I found a little time for some homely activities over the past few days, including making a few presents and baking. Inspired by our German teenager and her Dad who is visiting at the moment, I tried some Christmas biscuits from their part of the world, and luckily the finished product gained their seal of…

It's always a fairly intense time of year, December, and this one has been no different, what with end of year parties, meetings, work and school events and more. I love it though — the weather is gradually seeming warmer and lighter and everyone is happy about their upcoming holidays. I haven't made much time…

Here's something I made nearly ten years ago. My friend Felicia asked me to write about it for her series 'I Made This' over on The Craft Sessions blog- you can read it here. Wishing you a very happy and relaxing weekend. I've been making some Christmas presents. WIll show you next week. X

New curtains have been on the 'to-make' list for a while and this weekend I finally managed to complete a set for the living room. There are the most amazing big old windows in here; curved, heavy wooden sash-style (our house was built in 1912 I think) and they look out over our suburb and…

There have been some pressing things to do lately, but I did manage to stake out some time at the work table to make some gifts. I have quite a few new babies in my circle, so I've been dying to get 'making' for them. My idea is a little handmade set: baby shoes, something…

I planted some Iceland poppies in the winter and when I looked out of the window this morning, a single flower had bloomed. It's the most beautiful faded pink, with dark purple seeds and dust inside.  Made me think of this beautiful old fabric I bought at the last Fabricabrac- not sure what I'll use…