stamp my feet

I type this with ink-stained fingers as I have just been playing with my new stamp set! I picked up this beautiful little set from the Christmas Encraftment Market today. I couldn't wait to get home to stamp my afternoon away (not in a tantrum, but in a ink and rubber utopia). This set is going to be the handiest crafty accessory for Christmas present labelling, I'll post my homemade cards in the next couple of weeks.

Also at the market I managed to get my paws on some vintage linen teatowels from Follow the White Rabbit which should be morphing into something soon!

Here are some more stampy things that I have found on pinterest... hmm I can see this developing into an obsession.. Time to crank out the rubber eraser and craft knife?

 

Source: etsy.com via Wayward on Pinterest

Source: blogdelanine.blogspot.com via Wayward on Pinterest

Source: craftycrafty.tv via Wayward on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Wayward on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Wayward on Pinterest

Also, I hope everyone exercised their democratic right as citizens of New Zealand today. I feel so lucky that we live in a country where we can participate in the election of our leaders.

embroider me

I have been keeping my fingers busy over the last few weeks after receiving this magnificent book for my birthday. The book has detailed pictures of how to perform anything requiring a needle and the pictures above are of my first effort to try out some of the fancier embroidery stitches.

I'm not entirely sure what the project will result in, perhaps an applique on a t-shirt, a circular cushion or a framed piece. I welcome ideas from any of you clever folks out there!

Again we have been given the gift of stunning weather for the weekend and it is so tempting just to sit in the garden and do nothing/ponder.

peace

Source: weheartit.com via Wayward on Pinterest

Now that I'm prepared to write about the joy that I'm currently getting from my new yoga classes I'm almost at a loss for words. Words that do spring to mind are; calm, control, patience, tolerance, compassion, strength.

If you live in Christchurch I sincerely recommend you try Pavitra's classes at Yoga for You. The classes are Satyananda yoga which integrate breath, mind and body in the pratices. If you're not sure about the 10 week investment for the Introductory Course there are community classes in the weekends by donation.

I'm such a diligent student I am now practicing daily and have purchased Asana Panayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and am gradually building my skill base. Hoping to visit the Anahata Retreat in the near future too.

Better go pack, am off across the ditch tomorrow to Melbourne. For work, not play.

vitamin d

To become a brooch

unfinished daffodil day

I have been trying out my embroidery skills using inspiration from the stylish Melissa. I'm quite pleased with the results and how easy it was. I used standard DMC cotton and scraps of calico.

Outstanding day today, you would think we are in summer already (short-sleeves!). C and I helped clean up the neighbourhood this morning (was a bit icky at times) and spent the afternoon soaking up the vitamin d in the backyard, bliss.

go retro

Source: amyallsopp.com via Wayward on Pinterest

Source: wearcolor.tumblr.com via Wayward on Pinterest

Found these on pinterest. They also reminded me that I have been meaning to write about this article  for a while now. Great news on the 'living like your nana' front - the fact that it can make you feel younger (hmm seems contradictory..) certainly increases the concept's appeal. So turn off your teles, have a convo and play some cards.
Back to the dresses for a moment though, they are getting me quite excited about the love vintage fair in October where Kelly Doust will be signing books and there are ACRES of vintage items for me to spend a whole day in. woo.

I am exhausted from the week,  I have been in corporate training (joy). Looking forward to the weekend ahead with some projects and web-wasting (my new terminology for surfing your time away). What are your plans? Whatever they are I hope you find joy in them.

all eyes on

What a week! Bit out of routine and quite dazed now we are at the end of it. Early morning flights, late nights and dinners have left me feeling quite guilty for my lack of 'blogging'.

Most of our eyes have been on all things english this week and just found this video which I thought was worth sharing.

What I'm quite excited about this week is a new book that I'm reading by Caitlin Moran. If you're a woman, read this book. It's marketed as the new feminist doctrine but I disagree, I think this is simply a summary of some incredible experiences in Caitlin's life and her perspective on the world. It is filled with hilarious stories of Caitlin growing up in a family of 8 in Wolverhampton. Do warn you though, it's not for everyone, you do want to retain an open mind as she tackles some rather 'hot' topics.

More snow is on the way so I'm ready to bunk down and finish some crafting!

i felt it

I think felt is one of the most versatile craft mediums. These little pieces are quick creations that I have made to decorate the house. The fish was for C to congratulate him on catching one of the smallest fish I have ever seen.

You can really make anything from felt, it's cheap and easy to use. Just perfect your blanket stitch - mine still needs some work - and open your imagination. One of the most talented felt crafters is threadmark, take a look at her blog.



warm joy

Now that the snow is melting and its a matter of staying warm through the freezing (-2°C!) nights I am so grateful to have my patchwork wool blanket.

Even though putting together a blanket like this is a time consuming process - finding the oversize tight knit wool jumpers, gently shrinking and washing them, and deciding what order to put your squares, it is well worth the process. I cuddle up with mine every night on the couch. Tonight its with a pinot, recovering from the work day and enjoying some Jonathan Creek. I was talking to a felting expert in Hamilton recently who advised me how easy it would be to add some detailing to the blanket. If I get up the nerves to give it a go I'll post the results.

The design for the blanket is from Kelly Doust's book The Crafty Minx.

Kelly is a self taught crafter who puts together the simplest patterns and is also a vintage clothes aficionado, I'm hoping to pick up her book A Life in Frocks soon.
I have made a few different things from The Crafty Minx and I'll gradually pop them on here for you to take a nosy at. For someone new to crafts I highly recommend this book.

Tonight I'm going to try out a homemade muesli bar recipe - sadly quite excited - I've promised C that it's going to be better than a bought one, fingers crossed.

in winter wonderland

Last night C & I flew in late from a wonderful weekend in Auckland (I will gush about Waiheke another time) to snow starting to collect on the road on our drive home. By midnight there was almost 10cm on the ground and when we woke up the backyard was this:

I remember the total excitement as a kid waking up and seeing your own home transformed so silently overnight into a beautiful white playground.

The snow continued to fall and the neighbourhood was full of squeels of delight from kids frolicking.

With the roads covered there was no work, or leaving the house at all, except to get milk at the dairy and a wander down the street through the slush. An inconvenience, but absolutely the best kind.

A day stranded meant that I could finish this book that I got at the airport:

Wendyl is so inspirational and I thoroughly recommend you visit her site for handy tips for reducing chemical inputs into your home. I am looking forward to trying her recipes for cleaning and am even trying to figure if I could fit some chooks in the backyard.

The rest of the day was spent working on my knitting,

 rescuing animals - we are now officially dog-sitting - hello zita!

and making peach and pear crumble.yum.

As for the weather, lets see what tomorrow brings. Secretly I'm hoping that we may have another day stranded as I have some felt work that I wanted to do and a skirt to make that I have been meaning to put together for ages.