Lack of a computer is...

Refreshing.

But when it's time to play catch up - it's an afternoon sitting down and sorting images.

Since the reno has started, I've been without a computer pretty much since. But not without my camera. After these last few weeks, I was able to finally get about 300 images on to my machine! Yikes.

So here is the beginning of a quick catch up...

The destruction

New Crochet Blankets - another WIP

Some random colour choices and progress. Always with the granny squares!

And the sun has finally started to shine, for a couple of days at least! 

x

New Crochet Blanket Inspirations

I've decided to start a couple more blankets. For the boys, so I'm hoping to finish them before they go into big beds. (See, a deadline! That'll help with my blanket problem!)

Here is what I've found inspiring so far... Thank you Pinterest!

Crocheting again...

Oh yes. My wool problem has returned. I've taken to making smaller things lately... yes, my five year blanket is still going. Sad. But true.

In the past, I've gone into projects without a means to an end or without direction or an end date. So now, I like to think I've learned from my mistakes. I finished a pillow cover, a hot water bottle cover and two hats for the boys in a few weeks. It's a record for me!

The rainbow pillow was something that I had been wanting to make for a long time. I had drawn out the colour pattern ages ago and originally wanted to make a blanket, but we all know how blankets end... Or don't end... So a pillow it is. 

The hottie cover was without a pattern too. And noticeably so. But it serves it's purpose and keep my hottie hot until the late morning. Heavenly.

The hats were from a pattern (micahmakes.com). And thank goodness. While Willem's (the blue one) is slightly small, I'll easily be able to make another. 

It feels good to actually finish some crochet projects. It makes me want to do some more smaller pieces, but what to do...?

What are you working on this weekend?

xx

Dirt and worms

Yesterday, we cleaned out from behind Jacob's little shed. Beyond all the Wandering Willie, the random bits of rotten timber, a barn door, and a giant iron scrolled window bar... We found worms. And lots of them! 

There is actually concrete behind that little shed, underneath about 4 inches of solid dirt filled with any amazing amount of healthy worms! In our fantastic recycling fashion, we moved the dirt into our newly developed garden beds around the deck. Score! And we can now have the back of our shed again! 

Here are some photos of the rest of our adventures this week!

A lovely morning walk with the Dog Tales - Awoohooo!

Gardening and some recipes.

 Still Granny Squaring away and some new doodles.

Coolness today as we are going to be heading over to the Botanical Garden for a bit! I'm super excited! I haven't been there since my first ever trip to Welly! 

Have a good rest of your weekend!!

xx

The weekend catch up...

... not including my soon to be written love note to the All Blacks - who, yes!, won the Rugby World Cup on Sunday night! I think I'm still recovering... but here is the rest of the weekend!!

Chaos Kitchen. I can't wait to have bench space. And a pantry....

Running out of space. And the celebratory cake stencil!

Lemon Sour Cream Cake from the good old Edmonds Cookbook
recipe below for you eager beavers!

We are suckers for marketing.
Jacob and his Duff, me and my Dirty Granny Ciders (notice the crochet work?) - very nice btw!

Granny Squares. From now (top) and a couple years back (bottom). Such a difference!
And Halloween bunting!

Peabody you reckon? Jacob excited over his thrift find, Bruce being sleepy.

So, yes, a very lovely weekend. Catching up with some lovely friends, baking, thrifting, more pre-move de-cluttering and a bit of Rugby!

How was yours? 

125 g butter, softened 

2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 cup Edmonds plain baking flour
1 teaspoon Edmonds baking powder
1/2 cup sour cream
icing sugar

Beat butter, lemon rind, sugar and eggs together until light and fluffy.
Sift flour and baking powder together.
Fold sifted ingredients into egg mixture alternately with sour cream, mixing until smooth.
Pour mixture into a greased and lined 20 cm round cake tin.
Bake at 160°C for 45 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
Leave in tin for 5-10 minutes before turning out onto a cooling rack.
When cold dust with icing sugar.

via Edmonds Cookbook

Fill in the _____ Friday!

This was my last weekend - and will probably be this weekend too. Crochet. Beer. All Blacks. The life.

1. The most selfless thing I've ever done was moving countries to be with the one I love... even though I guess I did it for me as well... I guess that doesn't count as selfless.

2. When it comes to working out I'm hopeless. I'm all for exercise, but don't have the patience for actual workouts. I like to think riding my bike to work everyday, and covering about 125km per week is enough.

3. A woman should always be prepared. Wait. Is that Girl Scouts? Or Cub Scouts?

4. I wish I could fast forward through the moving process. I am learning a lot and am thankful I've been working as a Project Manager for the past couple years, but nevertheless, it's still stressful and nerve-wracking.

5. A best friend is my dearest husband. Seriously, don't know what I'd do without him. We pretty much do everything together, except for craft/girl group of course... But yeah seriously. BHF. Love you babe!

6. I can't get enough of tea at work and The Great New Zealand Songbook. I'm a geek.

7. This weekend I am see above. Watching the Rugby World Cup. GO ALL BLACKS!!!!! Crocheting, cleaning, and probably a little beering with friends... Woohooo!

Have a good weekend!!!

xo

And again... GO ALL BLACKS! 

Week One in Wellington.

Back in New Zealand.

Early for the Rugby. South Africa vs. Wales RWC 2011.

Slightly cold and damp before the match.

Wellington from the dog park.

Lucy Dog.

Our soon to be 'hood.

Kia Ora. 

Soooooooon! Not that I am stalking our house or anything...

After the hail storm...

We've had a good first week here in Wellington. I've had some time to get myself a little more acquainted with a great city. So far - some place that I love ...

• Wellington City Library - This is an amazing library. Everyone, including the staff of the Citizen's Advice Bureau, is so helpful and nice. There is an immense amount of resources, books, periodicals, videos, and music. Of course having a view of the harbour while looking up some great craft books or some fiction is always inspiring. And access to the CBD's free wi-fi connections is always helpful for emailing your mother from far, far away whilst sipping your soy flat white... (Did you get the email Mom??)
• Minerva (Cuba Street) - THE Textile Bookshop that everyone should stop if they are in Wellington. They have the largest and best selection of craft, fabric, knitting, textile, fashion... the list goes on... that I have seen in this hemisphere! And of course, seeing the Meet Me at Mike's book there will make everyone's day back in Melbourne!
• Knit World (Cuba Street) - So many choices! So many colours! So many ideas! While they have a lot of imported wools, they have a lot of New Zealand made wools that may be pure merinos, or a mix - check out the merino-possum-silk blends! Fascinating! 
• SaveMart - As a seasoned thrifter, I cannot recommend this shop enough! We were able to hit up the Porirua store and I was quite impressed. Think Savers on Sydney Road, but about 50% larger and just as cheap! I was able to pick up a couple vintage dresses (from the costume section of all places) and a pair of jeans for about $35.00 NZ. Brilliant! I think I'll be making the drive out to Porirua on a regular basis!
• Vincent's Art Workshop - Now THIS is a great place! Vincent's is an open studio where you can use their space and have access to their art supplies during most business hours. Every Thursday is a Women's Only Day, this is when I was able to pop in to check it out. There is such a huge sense of community that is just astounding. They do have certain classes and workshops that you can attend for a small fee, and there is also at least two tutors on hand to help. I was very excited to see they have a woodworking shop, clay and pottery and their own kiln, mosaics, painting, drawing and a whole heap of other things to get your hands dirty. I'm going to try and attend a couple of their life drawing classes in the next couple weeks. 
• The French Art Shop - The best way to describe this art shop is stated on their website... "A cross between a chemist shop and a lollie shop for artists." How true is that statement? Oh so very! After just popping into Gordon Harris's up the road, I came across the French Art Shop and  found myself in love. 

And on a silly note - yesterday while on our way to an appointment, we saw the Springbok Prop, Tendai Mtawarira aka BEAST hanging out on the streets of Lampton Quay! Very cool to see some international Rugby players around town! Loving this city right now!

The Weekend.

According to my iPhone.

Jacob working on our chairs. And a sniff from Timmy.

Brown Owls - A Crafty Parliament

Every other Wednesday night, a Parliament of Owls congregate at the Sporting Club over on little old Weston Street in Brunswick. It's always a lovely evening filled with drinks, tapas, chatter and a lot of crafting! 

I'm really happy I've been able to be apart of the group, as it's sometimes hard for me to get moving on a project because I may not fully understand or just don't have the time. But having the gals there to ask and putting that two hours aside has really pushed me to try new things and to really feel good about the things I'd like to accomplish. 

A little while ago, our little group was featured on a show called "Made by Hand" It's a lovely piece!! 

Check it out!!

I'm hoping to start a NZ Brown Owls group once we get settled in Wellington, maybe after the New Year. I think for me that would be the best thing ever! Not only do I have to move to a new city - and country for that matter, but how amazing to start a group and meet more and new like-minded crafty people... Can't wait!

*the long weekend

Is it really almost over??? So sad. But I was able to do heaps of stuff around the house. Cleaned. Rearranged my office. Did a little sewing. Lots of crocheting. I should have been drawing, but wasn't in the mood. Watched a lot of Rugby.. not happy about the Hurricane's game, but I'll survive.

Here are the random bits I did...

Got my toys together.

And painted some old frames.

The 'after' is much nicer now.

Fixed one of Timmy's old toys..

He's a happy boy now!

Worked on the Granny Square Monster Blankie.

And organised like mad...

And went a little nuts with the Blue Tack and some dodgy old samples from work. 
I love being able to use things that would just get thrown away.(*)


And last but not least.

Taking advantage of the fact it's still semi-warm enough to hang out the laundry. 

*So. Yeah. My work and a few other companies, I'm noticing, have so much wastage. I work with a few companies that go through constant retail display changeovers and the materials just go to waste. It's been really doing my head in. I'm not sure if I could ever do anything to change this, but at least I can take advantage of the throw away materials. Whether it be old samples, paper nobody will use, vinyl material that if misprinted, would just get chucked out. I'm trying... but having fun with it. 

xo

*Rose Street Market - Part 1

I hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day!!! <3

Jacob got me some very cool Barrel of Monkey earrings and some nice handmade non-soap soap. I made some yummy prawn alfredo pasta for dinner... it was a good day. I took a couple photos and if I wasn't so forgetful, I'd have them up by now.

Anywho. The Market went well on Saturday! Even with the rain and chill in the air. Thank you Marky for the giant cafe umbrella, even with the leaks, we would have been much worse off without it!!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! 

 Woodrow, a friend of Aida's took a couple shots - he's much quicker than I with the uploading.. Thanks!!!!

 

Aida and I after the rain

 

Scary zombie mannequin. Creepy as!

 

Aida modeling one of my lovely neck warmers.

  

Cutest market visitor!!

  

Thanks Woodrow for the shots!!

Once I am back at my computer, I'll have more images of the stall and goods. Can't wait for the next installment of the Market this weekend!! Hope for no rain and sunny skies!

xo