seaside

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside! (My children too).

cacti

I have a friend who often laments that she can't grow anything, bemoaning the fact that she can't decorate her house with any houseplants, especially disgruntled as now it seems to be making a comeback! I didn't think I'd see the day that my mum's macrame plant hangers would be on trend! 

So I crocheted some cacti for her using some hand spun wool that seemed to be a good "cacti" colour, a combination of merino, alpaca and silk. 

I "potted" up a couple of cacti for her and with a few cacti left over I potted up some for me too. They are now sitting on my work desk, a little bit of colour, with the added bonus that they don't need any watering! 

I didn't have a pattern, but I did google "crocheted cacti" for a bit of inspiration, there are some amazing examples. If crochet isn't your thing, have a look at these painted stones! I think the kids and I might have a go at those these holidays.

Easter crafting

 I've been busy this week making a few things to celebrate Easter (leaving it to the last minute again!) Unfortunately I can't show them to you yet, least I spoil the surprise for my family and friends! But I'll show you a couple of past Easter projects.

Easter bark! A big hit with my little man who hates the peppermint Christmas version. Below, a cute way to recycle an egg carton and egg shells. It makes a great table centerpiece/runner and I make a long row of them nearly every year.

Any Easter makings at your place? 

Waitawa

One evening just before daylight savings ended we popped out to visit the newest regional park in Auckland - Waitawa. The light was golden and the beach deserted, quite magical.

baggy trousers

Textile waste is a world-wide problem, growing by the day, with  our desire to change our clothes each season and the ability to buy cheap fashion readily it's no surprise that there is a problem! It's hard to balance the desire to dress ethically and still clothe myself and fast growing kids without breaking the bank. I am part of the problem, guilty of buying cheap clothes more often than I'd like (no one's perfect right?)  I try to even things out by buying second hand when I can and upcycling those thrifted buys too.

I recent call for some warm clothes for a friend's little one meant I raided my stash of thrifted Merino tops. I keep my eyes peeled for them year round, often picking them up for just $1 over the Summer months (the best time to buy Winter woolies). A few wee holes here and there don't put me off, it often means I get them for a bargain price.

I quickly made up three pairs of little pants to keep the little legs warm. I first made some of these upcycled pants back in 2010 from this great tutorial by Craftykin. So quick and easy!I've made many pairs in the following years. I was inspired by this upcycling post by Dee too when I made the red pair.

As not to waste a scrap of Merino I've got a project in mind for the off cuts - stay tuned!

Bundraiser day

I'm a sucker for fundraising edibles, if you turned up at my door with some chocolate, told me it was for a school trip, I'd be buying some. It's a win/win right? Something yummy and for a good cause! It's the same thing at Easter time, with the Bakers Delight Bundraiser day on Saturday April the 5th. 

Every packet of 6 Bakers Delight Hot Cross buns purchased on April the 5th equals $1 donated to the Starship Foundation. The aim this year is to raise $3000 and I can't think of a better cause than the Starship Foundation. 

Bakers Delight generously sent me two different types of Hot Cross buns to try. I had them delivered to work and shared them around! I wrapped up a couple in bright serviettes to pop into pigeon holes as a surprise for lunchtime.

I love the traditional ones, the spice blend is perfect and the chocolate ones are a hit with my kids (and husband). They disappeared pretty quickly.

There are over 31 Bakers Delight stores across New Zealand, so hopefully there is one near you!

Grandma, me and Dee

I contacted Dee for a special custom doll a wee while back. My Grandma made my sister and I dolls when we were small, they were big, their limbs were long and they were stuffed so hard! I have memories of their heads feeling like rock. They had beautiful dresses and lovely shoes. As time passed they fell apart somewhat, and with their big gangly limbs were hard to store. We made the decision to keep the best bits, the clothes and shoes and carefully unpicked the faces with the hand stitched details. I also had a small piece of the original dress fabric saved from my Grandma's estate.

This is what she came up with! Isn't it fabulous! Once the doll arrived here I added a few details. I crocheted a little shawl with a shell pattern, the clasp is actually one of my Grandma's screw on earrings! As a child it reminded me so much of a cape gooseberry, it still does. My Grandma made tatted doilies and although it's not her tatting, I stitched a delicate length of tatting around the bottom of the dress. 

A true collaboration - Grandma - Me and Dee! 

knowing me

I thought I knew myself pretty well,  for example the foods I like, the ones would be temped to try. The ones that would never pass my lips! I thought I knew my crafting style too, willing to give anything a go at least once. I've often looked at free form crochet and wanted to have a go at a crochet wrap. I started off well, and then I quickly realised that the "organic" nature of free form was just not me! How did I not know that I like things to look straight and uniform!

I gave up in disgust, it sat forlorn for weeks that then turned into months. I was so disappointed that I had wasted my precious handspun yarns in such a way (breaking off as I went along left no chance of ripping back).

It is funny how after a break things can look different, when I picked it up again last week I didn't feel so deflated in my efforts. Once some of the ends were woven in I started to like it even more. Now I'm quite looking forward to the cooler months and swinging this over my shoulders and a black top. It's turned out much more uniform than "free form" but it turns out I'm not a "free form" gal after all.

peek

floral brooch by Jennie.