tiny happy

I've been wanting to try drawing on ceramics for a while now, and the other day when I was at Spotlight (huge, rather hideous craft store found in NZ and Australia) I discovered that they stocked the pebeo range of ceramic ink and paint. I bought a black fine-tipped pen to start off with, but will no doubt return for more colours- it was such fun. I used a piece of old crochet for inspiration, and just drew free-hand onto the cups and plate.

I found the plain white ceramic pieces at the local second-hand store. After baking the ink on (which is done in a home oven, for half an hour), I discovered that older ceramics stain somewhat (you can see some darker marks on the vintage plate I used, above) but newer pieces worked really well. After baking, the ceramics are food and dishwasher-safe. And now the children are in on it, too- they've decorated their own little plates. Will show those once they've been cooked.

I'm half-way through this amazing book of short stories by Alice Munro, and in one of the stories, a character called Irene is boiling up a large sticky pot of strawberry jam. The next morning she writes labels and ties circles of red gingham around the lids of each jar. I made a batch of strawberry jam because it's summer, and it seemed right. And made some covers for the jars this morning, inspired by my reading. Is there anything nicer than a row of jam jars on the windowsill, shining like jewels? Well, perhaps eating the leftovers at the bottom of the pot, with melting butter underneath.

Now that Christmas, New Year, and two family birthday celebrations are over, it's time to settle in to the summer holidays ahead of us: about three more weeks' worth (for the children) and one or two more for Tom. On the agenda for the children are many playdates: they love inviting their small friends over. Today we had two children arrive in the morning and Tom built them a tent outside with some quilts and wood. Inside, I sewed up two made-to-order skirts for the girls: princess-style, from pieces of silk and vintage lace. Fun for me and them.

Happy new year, everyone. The sun is shining brightly here and the air smells like flowers. I think 2010 is going to be good. Instead of my usual (half-hearted) New Year's Resolutions, I'm going to try to find more peace, more contentment, more kindness towards my family, myself and other people.

Wishing you a happy and peaceful New Year too.

I so enjoyed making the yellow needlebooks last week that I decided to do another set: this time inspired by some delicate little violets I discovered whilst weeding the vegetable garden.

And so these four needle cases are all embroidered free-form-style in shades of purple and depict things that are growing in our garden right now: michaelmas daisies, violets, lavender and sweet peas.

We had a blissfully un-busy weekend, so I took the children for a play and walk at a nearby river. Truth be told, I had an ulterior motive because I've been dreaming about making some wreaths for Christmas and I saw my chance: some spare time, a forest, a pair of scissors and two willing children to collect pine cones and other bits and pieces from the ground.

When we got home, we made these wreaths- one for our front door and one for some friends. To make the frame I used lengths of green willow-branch and twisted them into circle(ish) shapes, and tied them in place with small pieces of florist's wire. I think string/twine would also work. Then I wrapped small pieces of wire around the base of the pinecones and attached those to the frame- and tucked in some other leaves, seeds and those little green magnolia-type flowers. I managed to attached some of the decorations by tying them with toitoi leaves, which are very strong and supple. And I was thinking that I might tuck in some fresh flowers on Christmas day, too.

And so we have a rustic, summery, Southern-hemisphere wreath for our pink front door.

When I opened up my package of wool felt the other day (I often buy from here), I'd forgotten about that lovely golden yellow colour I'd ordered. The first thing that came to my mind was a small collection of needlebooks, with this yellow felt as the inside pages. Of course, I can't just make one of anything. Not sure why.

These four needlebooks are hand-embroidered with some of my favourite yellow wildflowers: honeysuckle, tansy, dandelion and daisies.

When I first started making things to sell a few years ago, these apple t-shirts were my favourites. I had a custom order for one last week, and enjoyed doing the hand-applique so much I couldn't stop at one. 🙂

So I made a few in baby-sizes for my shop update tomorrow, using fine vintage cottons from my fabric shelf, in gingham and plaid prints. And one for the boy of the house, who is growing taller every day and seems to need new summer clothes.

Those checked fabrics seem somehow wholesome and friendly to me. Perhaps it's the country/farmer connotations. 

I finished sewing up a summer top for K using the 'queen' embroidery from the other day. I used a drapey kind of light weight cotton, good for wearing over other things, I hope. And she seems proud to have her artwork displayed like that.

And I'm rather proud of the new additions to my second-hand ceramic collection- all of these came from our local Recycling Centre (kind of like a rubbish tip with a shop for reusable things- do you have these where you live, too?) Although the wildflowers cups (top right) came from my dear friend Helen in the North Island. I like how similar they are to the ones I found here. Vintage Crown Lynn, I think.