Not enough time!

There is not enough time in the day....

Off to teach little bunnies again tonight but before that as you can see from my clock it is time to stop and make dinner for the family and whilst I do so, bring in the washing, supervise homework and get changed out of the sloppies into something halfway respectable. All I can say is at least I don't have to travel for ages to get there. Little Sparrow is just down the road... so handy.

I must confess that I did already stop in to see Shelley, but you see the coffee was just to fuel us for our 'meeting' - we started with giggling about the Comedy Gala on TV last night. I was also picking her lovely brain, as I have been working on a new range of kit sets for my brooches and other lovely things yet to be revealed to you all. They are so close, but it really doesn't come naturally to me, I love to make things and I love to share things but committing to paper and trying to explain my little ways I have found to be trickier than I thought. I think part of the reason is 'cause I love them so much and want you to enjoy them too. For it to be a joy not a nightmare to create I must get it right. No pressure huh?

Well right now I must be pleased with what I did achieve today and put it aside to do the aforementioned tasks. Tomorrow is another day and the school holidays will be upon me before I know it. so type, sketch, stitch, photograph and felt... see you all again tomorrow.

btw the clock is by fossil stonecraft in Christchurch, New Zealand. A reminder of home.

Luverly Lazy Sunday

Oh today was a lovely day, the weather was beautiful and I felt so happy. After ideas nudged me out of bed at 4 this morning I was soon stitching and solving nagging creative challenges.

At a much more sensible hour I got to go for a slightly chilly walk with Husband. With coffee in hand we walked around the park saying hello to the all the neighbourhood dogs and noticing all the plants recovering from the recent heat. And the geese, they are so noisy and such a funny shape, I have some stitching ideas for them, I will have to take my camera with me next time.

When we came home I was the picture of productivity doing jobs I have had numerous excuses for avoiding.

Wore myself out with all that so curled up for a wee nanna nap - now that is a Sunday for you. This is my napping zone complete with Nanna blanket.

Then the second born is off see the musical "Wicked" tonight so dragged out the curlers, check these out

Getting ready for a cascade of curls

"For a style as Elegant as this...."

Workshops

As promised....

Do you want to come and join me to make some little twin faeries in needle felting ?
29th and 6th of May
$55

Or a little gnome and his treasure in a cave for the winter?

27th May and 3rd June

$65

Isn't he cute? All the materials are supplied and plenty of instruction. Minimum of six for the class to run. Payment must be made in full to secure your booking. Full refund will be made if minimum booking is not achieved.

To book contact Little Sparrow.

Also coming up you could make these embroidered brooches made from pure wool felt and vintage fabric....

16th and 23rd June
$55

Same rules apply only this time contact me. I am looking forward to sharing these with you and a cuppa and some cake too.

Off to make bunnies

oops 10 days since my last post, where does the time go? Been busy busy busy, more about that later,

Off to make bunnies at Little Sparrow tonight, looking forward to meeting everyone and helping them bring these wee sweeties to life. They are just ever so cute.

Planning term two's classes now and holiday ones for the kids, although better move fast, those holidays are very close now. Posting details tomorrow, there, now I have a deadline....

Oh and Handmade Nation

If you can get to the show, go and see Handmade Nation or when it comes to a town near you,- go and see it.
I stayed out late after stitching all day at the show to watch it. A big storm came over while it was on and we barely had any idea, so engrossed with the film we were. It is great, cool, inspiring, affirming and lots of other positive adjectives. It is a documentry about the Indie craft movement in America. Faythe Levine talked to a whole lot of artists, designers and creators finding out more about what , how and why they create and live the way they do. I didn't realise I was a part of a movement wanting to make meaningful things, wanting to make and recieve handmade gifts, wanting to surround myself with my own and others beautiful things. Wanting to make a difference in my world so I can live as part of this big world that feel right and just. and sometimes just wanting to chill out with friends and play.
Go and see it.

Make time to visit the WOW stand

Oh and for those who can make it to the show make sure you visit Heather and Ingrid at the WOW stand. They are here from Nelson, New Zealand letting Melbourne creative types in on the magic of the World of Wearable Art or WOW. WOW is a spectacular annual show inviting designers and artists from around the world to follow thru on those creative wearable ideas. My Mum and I have worked on four collaborative garments since 2003. They were all selected for the show which is in September each year. We won two highly commended awards with one of our pieces - "When Mere Met Mary".

The photo is the back of "Who Are You". This and "When Mary met Mere" are my two favourites (just don't tell the others). "Who Are You" was a dress covered in fabric flowers and a cloak with hundreds of photos printed onto fabric and then individually sewn on to make a big picture of me as a baby. The photos are all of our family and friends. It was a joy to make, working with my Mum thinking of all the important people in our lives and 'introducing' them to each other as we sewed them all on. (ok, so there were a lot to sew on, we may have been losing the plot!)

I am a bit shy about sharing these creations with you all but the experience of bringing a concept to reality and then being part of such a spectacular show is an experience I would recommend. I would also recommend attending the show if you are in Wellington in September any year. The show is well named, I promise you will spend the whole night saying WOW!

Stitching fun

I have spent the last three days at the Stitches and Craft show setting up and then working on a "Craft Bar" A new venture this year we are one of four "Bars" around the show that anyone can come and have a seat at and try a project out- for free!. In my case we are sharing some great designs from Sublime Stitching and sharing some pointers to get people going on embroidery, for some the first time ever, for others the first time in years so a wee refresher . Some like me have been looking at these great patterns from Texas USA online and now getting a chance to have a try. This is one of the 'sexy librarians' that I have started as a wee sampler. (sorry about the shadow- it is late and I am rushing to get some beauty sleep- still 3 days to go)

It is so great to feel some new energy in the show. Where I wandered a lot last year feeling a bit stuck in nana land, new to the city and wishing to find some creative friends . This year feels so much more open and inviting and hip and now. Although I am still a bit shy about making friends. :-)

Absolutely stuffed at the end of the day, a lot of talking, on my feet all day and so wanting to see everything as well, but LOVING it. If you can make it to the show come and say Hi and have a stitch. I haven't had a chance to take any photos and being a complete newb I don't know how to share but Lark has taken some great ones including one of me at my Bar,(yes I can often be found at the bar) so check her site here out for a feel of the place.

I Love Fridays and Coffee with Friends

I am joining Tinniegirl and her friends who love Fridays.
Today (after lunch packing- smoothie making- kids off to school- chaos) I re-started my day with a coffee with my princess friend in New Zealand. We each make ourselves a kick arse coffee and chat on the phone for an hour.... at least. Today while we chatted she was baking and I was stitching. bliss
I love Fridays because tomorrow it is St Andrews market and I finally get to see my Kinglake Princess friend and have a coffee together.
Oh great coffee and magic friends and chocolate of course.