tiny happy

The sky is golden through the windows today, and I've had a bit of time for playing with my watercolour paints. I noticed a bit of a yellow/gold theme when updating the etsy shop today – the mustard-coloured case shown above was made from some really beautiful vintage barkcloth sent to me a while ago by Susie. (I made a cushion from the rest of it.) There are also a couple of keys in there too.

I've been listening to my new cd, Hadestown by Anais Mitchell, which is like a folk-opera version of the Orpheus and Eurydice story, but set in the American Depression. (The opera also features songs sung by Bon Iver and Ani DiFranco). It's beautiful, and quite romantic in my opinion. Wishing you golden light through your windows, wherever you are.

I love almonds. I found a packet of sliced almonds in the back of the pantry and baked some cookies. I pretty much just used this recipe but decreased the amount of sugar by a bit, replaced the vanilla with almond extract, and swapped the chocolate for sultanas and almonds. Also today, I put some new wildflower cushion covers into my etsy shop. I made two of those vintage pink ones, so I can keep one for myself. 

* two little pieces of local news: *

fabricabrac is a wonderful fabric market taking place in Wellington, Saturday 19th June. As well as having lots of beautiful fabrics, it helps to raise money for Mary Potter Hospice. You can go here for more details.

The Colombian Women's Craft Group, run by Refugee Services in Wellington are looking for donations of sewing supplies like scissors, yarn, paint and brushes, fabric and threads… if you can help out please contact amy dot dawson (at) refugeeservices dot org dot nz

Thanks!

Thank you for all your good wishes for the craft fair on the weekend that I attended- it was a fantastic show and a lot of fun. I met lots of lovely blog readers at my stall- so thank you locals who came and said hello! 

And of course, I did some great shopping and swapping- including the above art print for Arlo and Keira's room from Sweet William, a little linen bunny for my baby niece from Helen, and a gorgeous bag made by Emma. There were so many stalls packed with beautiful goods, smiling craft enthusiasts and even a travelling photobooth (Helen and I had our pictures taken together.)

I'm feeling very calm today, like a balloon with its air taken out. I don't feel like doing anything but listening to this song, staying warm inside making soup, reading and knitting. Hope you're enjoying your Monday too.

I don't have much to say today, so I thought I'd share these pictures that I took last weekend. We want walking along the beach at twilight and K couldn't help but dance near the shore. Looking at these pictures makes me smile- and hope that she never loses this kind of expression and confidence that she has.

Have a great weekend, my friends.

Here are a few more things I've made for my table at Craft 2.0 this weekend- a little collection of 'woodlander brooches', featuring a rabbit, wildflowers, weeds and a feather.  And some hydrangea headbands too from velvet ribbon and wool felt petals.

When we were having a particularly cold and grey day earlier this week I made a batch of caramel oat slice for afternoon tea, using this recipe. It is outrageously delicious and sweet, but must be cut into very small squares to avoid a sugar overdose. Believe me, I speak from experience.

A few months ago I saw the film Bright Star, based on the last three years in the life of the poet John Keats. The film was directed by Jane Campion, who is my favourite film director (I especially love An Angel at my Table and The Piano) and the whole film is lush and poetic, with beautiful cinematography. I didn't feel a deep connection to the main characters in the film (unlike in the Piano or An Angel) but I did enjoy the whole look and feel of the film very much. 

One favourite scene is this one, in which Fanny Brawne and her little sister lie in a room filled with butterflies. And another scene I liked was one in which she wore a brass key on a black ribbon around her neck and transferred it to Keats' neck when he entered the room. 

I found a small collection of antiqued brass and silver keys recently online, and made a set of 'bright star necklaces' for my stall coming up this weekend. They're very simple, just a solid little key threaded onto hand-plaited, antique perle cotton and tied in a bow at the neck.

(first photo by steve visneau)

I designed these dress-up wings for the 'small project' section of small magazine, summer 2010 edition. This free magazine went live today- you can read it here. I was pretty excited to be asked to submit a project, as i've loved this magazine for a long time. There are always many pages of lovely photographs, ideas, artwork and general eye-candy.

These wings were first made for Keira as part of a dress-up costume. She wanted to 'be an insect' one day, so I made these and she fluttered around the house in her leotard and tights (her 'insect-body', of course.) I used an old, worn linen table cloth to make hers, but you could experiment with different fabrics for different looks. (Arlo asked for black bat-wings.) You can make your own pair of wings by following the directions and downloading the pattern here. 

Have a happy weekend- see you again on Monday…