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 the way from Brooklyn, New York. This is my current favourite track from the new DP album, I hope they'll play it.
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 last picture, above.) The second-to-last picture shows a painted-wood screen that was in one of the places we visited. Black with birds, poppies and ghost-dresses. The paint was slightly chipped and worn, it was beautiful.
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 with me on a daily basis, and I'm sure the camera is happier, too.
The second picture above was taken by my friend Nikki, who has a soft spot for pigeons. I said they would be right at home here on my blog. And the last is a photo-postcard by Tina, who lives near the beach up north. It's a kind of portal into a serene place.
Happy weekend to you.
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 lemon petals and slightly raggedy foliage.
My strawflowers don't like the rain though, they are closed up – almost like a shell.
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 mooched around in the garden, painting a few of the plants for as long as I could handle the sun. Needless to say, it was a very good way to spend a morning.
Back in Wellington, I found I had a little dried lavender left although it's not from Clare's plants, it's from the Marlborough Sounds. I made it into a pair of drawer sachets, in honour of our lavendery holiday and those busy bees.
I found this photo on Pinterest recently- do you think it could be real? I think it would make a calming place to walk, if so.
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 (as part of my journalism training) and am enjoying it very much. So far I have interviewed an archery expert, a playwright, and a writer who arrived here from Poland in 1944. I am enjoying hearing and writing their stories. (It's not all like that, though- there are also some local government issues and court appearances that need investigating.)
I came across some very beautiful music recently. It's an NPR Tiny Desk concert, featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma and a group of string-playing, bluegrass-flavoured friends. 15 minutes of goodness.
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 Tom made from a block of chocolate and lit with a candle from the hut, Arlo whittling walking stick handles with his pocket knife and the summer alpine plants which I had to keep stopping to look at. Next time I must remember my sketchbook and pencil.
Happy New Year, dear readers.
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 cicada song, bonfires, guitars and children running barefoot through the garden.
Lots of love to you, and happy new year. See you soon.
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 country.
They're quite nice to give atop Christmas presents, or as matching pairs for friends and wool felt is always therapeutic to work with.
I've shared the very simple pattern + instructions below, just in case you have any spare ornament-making moments in your week ahead. You never know.
PEACE DOVE ORNAMENTS
You will need:
-a small amount of wool felt in various colours
– strong sewing thread in matching colours
– small amount of stuffing (wool or polyester)
– needle, scissors, tailor's chalk (optional)
– paper template/pattern (see below)
LET'S MAKE THEM:
Trace or print the template and cut out of paper. Cut two dove shapes from wool felt and transfer markings with tailor's chalk, if desired.
Using strong sewing thread (I find it's easier to use a single strand, rather than 2 strands of standard embroidery floss) begin at one of the points marked at the bottom of the bird shape and work a small, tight blanket stitch to sew the felt pieces together.
Finish sewing at the other marking, leaving a small gap in the base of the bird. Insert a small amount of stuffing, and use the blunt end of a pencil to make sure the wings are evenly filled out.
Continue stitching around the bird to sew up the gap.
Using the pattern markings as a guide, embroider an eye and olive leaf pattern on both sides of the bird body.
At the point where I've marked a cross on the template, sew a hanging loop from the same thread.
Make a whole flight* of doves in different colours.
*great collective noun I just found on wikipedia.)
tiny happy 