tiny happy

(above: Phoebe Blouse. Photo by Anna Allen)

Anna Allen is a talented young designer/maker who specialises in original handmade clothing. Via a tip-off from a friend on Instagram, I found a photo of a beautiful blouse she made for a customer, using Spoonflower fabric. 

Read more about Anna's 'Phoebe Blouse' on her blog.

The fabric design, 'Vita', is one of mine from a few years back, (you can find it for sale, in various fabric types, here) inspired by the Bloomsbury Group. I remember that year I binge-read lots of books about Vita Sackville-West and Virginia Woolf and their creative community.

I really enjoyed making fabric designs, I'd like to do some more one day. Thank you, Anna, for letting me use your photo!

My daughter Keira turned ten over the weekend. Ten! It's still amazing to me- it seems only a few days ago that I was trying to get her to stand still for these ninth-birthday photos. She agreed to be still for two seconds on her way down the steps to school this morning. Mostly so I could capture her in her new Totoro backpack.

We had some beautiful blue skies and hung out with one set of grandparents, who had come to Wellington to stay as a birthday surprise.

Today the weather is decidedly grey, but we're fortunate to not be caught up in Cyclone Pam. Thoughts and strength to those who are. Here's the Red Cross page for donating to help the recovery effort in Vanuatu.

:: I bought this awesomely colourful and expressive skirt from the op-shop a while back, and have been enjoying its vibrant energy. It's been hand-painted, or dyed, I think. Maybe both.

:: This is a favourite painting that Keira did a few years back. I dug it out to look at again.

:: Tending the pot-plants on an overcast Monday evening.

:: Our resident teenager moved into an apartment with her friends on the weekend. She's been living with us since January 2014, so it's a big change in our house. I am excited for her, moving into the heart of the city and setting up her own place. We made her this book, with recipes of food we've been eating and making together. Lots of everyday stuff like muesli, scones, bread and pastry, but also some of her favourite vegetarian dishes, hand-written and decorated with watercolour paint. With lots of blank pages for her future cooking adventures. Goodbye, Becky!

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I enjoyed my 'two scenes' challenge last week. I just failed over the last couple of days, due to some unforgiving work deadlines. But it was so nice to get back into the habit of taking pictures and writing a few lines each day. Thanks for joining me here.

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:: When I got up this morning the sun was glaring through the kitchen window.

:: This picture of a quiet twilight was taken yesterday. This evening we have thunder, rain and lightning in the sky. The kids have gone for a walk with Tom to see it all better.

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I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using my camera and blog a little more.

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:: I took this photo in mid-summer in my friend Jenny's garden. 

:: Hand-stitched hydrangea headbands made as a goodbye to this beautiful season (these petals last year-round) 

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I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using my camera and blog a little more.

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:: surprise amaryllis (?) lily blooming in the vegetable garden

:: our neighbourhood at twilight

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I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using my camera and blog a little more.

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:: A little free-form stitching on black linen – I recommend it as a relaxing evening activity 🙂

:: A ceramic pendant I bought from here over summer. I love it but sadly can't remember the name of the woman who made it. Do you know, Nelson people? It has a lovely weight and texture.

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I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using my camera and blog a little more.

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:: Keira helped me harvest bunches of lavender at the beginning of summer.

:: On the weekend, we used the dried buds to make lavender sachets to give as gifts. I embroidered patterns with white thread on black linen. 

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I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using my camera and blog a little more.

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:: bedroom wall botanics

:: this summer's strawflowers – I never tire of these blooms.

I'm setting myself a new challenge: to photograph and post two scenes every day for a week. I hope it will get me using my camera and blog a little more.

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