I made some recycled tote bags for my shop update today- using some fairly disparate fabrics from my shelves including linen, corduroy, and some beautiful old printed velveteen gifted by Louana recently.  And the public holiday saw us walking on the beach, swimming at the pool and playing music at the university (all the kids,…

Tomorrow we'll observe ANZAC day here, and every year I make anzac biscuits for the kids to have in their lunchboxes throughout April. Maybe I overdid it last year, because I felt a little uninspired by my usual (plain) recipe, so for this year I invented my own. I looked at lots of different anzac…

I don't have much finished work to show you today, as I've been busy doing other things and I even noticed a spiderweb across my sewing machine this morning. Oh dear. Today was golden and sunny, and I went into the city to do some jobs, mooch around and meet my friend Emma for lunch.…

It's nice to be back in the city after a few days away. The colder weather back here is not too much of a shock, and it was lovely to see family and friends again, and eat as many feijoas as possible. I also did a bit of supplies-shopping while I was there and feel…

I've just finished the book 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson and had to sing its praises on my blog because it was such a moving and beautiful read. It's a graphic novel written in 2003 and tells the story of the author's strict Christian upbringing and coming-of-age in the icy Midwest. He falls in love with…

My vintage wallpaper obsession continues, and this time I have found the simplest way to use and admire it: postcards. I have made up some sets with envelopes to give away, and lots more to use myself. Because I send a lot of mail, and I like to have stationery on hand at all times.…

The kids did a bit of artwork this morning (school holidays) and K handed me this little rose watercolour. It reminded me of this small coat that I included in my shop update this morning: I used handwoven wool in a kind of tweedy mauve shade with little flecks of cream. I only had a…

I bought a book about identifying wildflowers at the opshop today, and the elderly lady behind the counter said jealously, 'I suppose you're about to go out and look for some right now, are you?' I didn't have time this afternoon, but I will plan a trip to look for some very soon. In the meantime…

It's been a very good Friday around these parts, starting with a no-school sleep-in, extended waffle breakfast and general lazing about. Then I got some work done, which is always a good feeling, K spent a couple of hours making flower jewellery including these lovely daisy-rings (note the chipped bright nail polish- it's the latest…

Do you ever find amazing fabric on old mattresses when you are 2nd-hand shopping? I do, because for some reason mattresses often have the best designs. Bu I never like them enough to buy the actual mattress and they are usually covered with plenty of dodgy stains (like these three above) so I just take…