Grey and rainy here, but these pinks are cheering, don't you think? The geranium plant was painted from one that lives in a terracotta pot on a balcony. And some silky fabric with bright pink arrows. I'm thinking a summer dress or top, what do you think? Anticipating this gig downtown tonight… Dirty Projectors, all…

We went out of town for a day with my brother and sister-in-law, the sun shone brightly and there was ice-cream, bread and wine to try. Also a lake to stand on the edge of, cider to drink, tiny craft and second-hand shops to peer into. When I got home, I did some painting (the…

I sewed a new strap onto my camera- something that I'd been meaning to do for a while. The original strap was plasticy and scratchy, you know the type. I came across some wide bird-printed twill tape in a drawer, sent by a kind reader. I'm quite pleased that I can carry these birds around…

A golden evening, even though the rain won't stop falling. I quite like summer rain, though. It gives me an excuse to light candles (little paua shells are just right for tea lights, don't you think?) and dig out another painting from the summer holiday. This was kind of a shrubby daisy plant with pale…

The first picture above was taken in the garden of Tom's family home. That lavender row, in full sunlight, was quite something to behold. It was swarming with bees and smelled divine. While we stayed there, Clare let me use a wooden watercolour paint box that had belonged to her parents who were both artists.…

I was pretty thrilled to find this little corner about my shop in the latest issue of Frankie. It's my favourite magazine, with its blend of craft and design, art and words. Hooray and thank you! How has the beginning of January been going for you? I've started on a work placement at a newspaper…

Seals and whales, fruit cake and horses, rockpools and sand dunes, hydrangeas and shorts, limes and lemons, tents and birds' nests. Summer holidays drawing to a close around these parts. Hope you are well, I'll be back a little more regularly from tomorrow. x  

We went tramping/hiking up into the mountains this week with friends. It was good to escape the summer heat for a bit and there was even a dramatic night-time storm experienced from inside our tent. The best bits of our trip included a bottle of champagne coooled in the mountain-top lake, a birthday cake for…

Hello and happy holidays… I've been neglectful of this space over the last week but each day has been full as we're enjoying the comfort and joy of family, friends and this season. I hope you have been too! It's so warm and tropical here in the hometown… long, bright days and balmy evenings with…

Here are some simple ornaments I have been making this month whenever I have a moment. I made a bunch of them for my stall at the recent craft fair- cream felt with red stitching then red with cream thread, and they all sold out. Nice to think of them nestled in trees around the…