Sunday, August 31, 2014

beanies for granddaughters



... yellow for mine and grey for a friend's new granddaughter. I've been experimenting with beanie patterns and found this guide that allows you to use any wool and just go for it. I had to adjust the shaping a bit but it worked. For the yellow beanie I used a lovely soft hand painted alpaca/wool mix that was so nice I went back to the store for more colours.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

fabric-a-brac




Fabric-a-brac last Saturday was great - one of the best yet. I bought a huge bag of fun fur that I have no use for and caught up with loads of people I haven't seen in ages.

Reading: We will not cease by Archibald Baxter - memoir of a WWI conscientious objector
Listening: Angus and Julia Stone by Angus and Julia Stone

Sunday, August 24, 2014

hip hip hooray




My granddaughter is one year old today.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

poetry day

2010 Aardvark Letterpress Manifesto 

This Friday is National Poetry Day - an annual celebration of New Zealand poets and poetry. While I was searching for a poem I came across this poster from Aardvark Printmongers (in the UK) by Pea Crabtree and Lesley Greening Lassoff. I'm sharing it with you - even though it's not made in New Zealand and not even a poem - but because I like the message.

Anyway my favourite NZ poem - about an Australian bird as it happens - has to be The magpies by Denis Glover. I learnt it in school and I love it because magpies do say quardle oodle ardle wardle doodle especially when there is a flock of them warbling away in a stand of macrocarpa. Sadly, it's a sad poem but I hope you like it.
soldiers returning from WWI were given land mortgaged to the government to farm; a reward from the country for their services. But hard, cruel land as it turned out - too steep, rugged, forested and remote to ever make a living off. - See more at: http://allpoetry.com/contest/2550988-Poem-Prompt-101----The-Magpies-by-Denis-Glo#sthash.pHGoLhmd.dpuf
soldiers returning from WWI were given land mortgaged to the government to farm; a reward from the country for their services. But hard, cruel land as it turned out - too steep, rugged, forested and remote to ever make a living off. - See more at: http://allpoetry.com/contest/2550988-Poem-Prompt-101----The-Magpies-by-Denis-Glo#sthash.pHGoLhmd.dpuf
soldiers returning from WWI were given land mortgaged to the government to farm; a reward from the country for their services. But hard, cruel land as it turned out - too steep, rugged, forested and remote to ever make a living off. - See more at: http://allpoetry.com/contest/2550988-Poem-Prompt-101----The-Magpies-by-Denis-Glo#sthash.pHGoLhmd.dpuf

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

rawene

 



I spent the weekend up at Hokianga - one of my favourite parts of Northland. Usually I photograph the landscape but this time I thought I'd show you the town of Rawene and the Boatshed Cafe that I love so much. That deck built out over the water must be one of the best dining rooms. It's lovely to sit there at breakfast and watch the tide and the sea birds. At the end of the main road (yes, that's it in the photo) you can catch a car ferry to cross the harbour - even if you're not going that way.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

moss



It's nice to have some green inside during the winter. So following this tutorial I made myself a moss terrarium out of an old goldfish bowl and plants from my own garden. Apparently it's quite difficult to keep moss indoors but so far - with twice daily mistings - it seems to be doing ok. Baby seems happy.