Sweet Mary

Today I made lavender and oatmeal bath bags, to hang from the bath tap as the hot water runs - very relaxing and soothing. They will be added to my weekly Saturday stall in Napier outside Linens to Love on Market Street.

My Sweet Mary stall all set up early Saturday morning on Market Street - all quiet and waiting for the bustle to start as its Art Deco weekend in Napier. Soon the streets will come alive with people, some dressed in the style of the 1930's and others just to look and take photos of all the magnificent sights. My husband walked around all morning taking photos so I have included the following favourite shots. Please click on the highlighted link as this site gives you concise and interesting information on the devastating 1931 Napier earthquake and how the town centre was rebuilt in the popular architectural styles of the day.

I am running a Sweet Mary stall in Napier tomorrow morning, outside Linens to Love on the corner of Tennyson and Market Streets. So, a busy day today just making sure I have plenty of stock - drop by if you are in Napier.

Kate Newton included me in her "Wishlist" column in the last issue of Hawke's Bay Weekend. I was delighted with the recognition of my handmade treasures. The writing is awfully small or my photography is not very good (more likely) so here is what Kate wrote: "Even if you load them up with bills that arrive in the mail or lists of things to do, these padded noticeboards are guaranteed to put a smile on your face when you see them hanging in your home. They are made by Keriann Lancaster, a crafty Hawke's Bay lady who also stocks Redcurrent with beautiful lavender-filled hearts. To buy the boards ($65) visit her blog........but try not to form an addiction, it's easy with all the pretty things she posts. Or buy the hearts, in time for Valentine's Day or beyond, from Redcurrent.

If you are up the top of Cuba Street ( No.276 ) in Wellington you must have "tea" at Martha's Pantry. They specialize in seving High Tea - phone 04-3857228 the day before, to book. We were served a pretty array of delicious sandwiches, savouries, cakes and scones. Everthing is handmade on the premises and truly tastes like it is. Fine china to drink and eat from and Kerikeri organic tea is served. If you haven't tried this tea before you must look out for it. Don't think I have had a better scone in ages - light and delicate and perfectly topped with either lemon curd or jam. I could rave on for ages but just try for yourself and you will know what I mean.

After reading the last few posts from The Vintage Magpie , I felt inspired to make some lavender hearts with a Valentine's Day theme. These ones are made with a red and white linen top and a wool felt bottom. They are finished with a vintage style button and my Sweet Mary tag. They are a limited edition and will be available only from Redcurrent in Wellington and Havelock North.

I have been reading the UK Country Living magazine for years and constantly re-read all my back issues so each new issue is eagerly awaited. Unfortunately, in New Zealand we have to wait a long time after the issue date as most overseas magazines arrive here by ship unless you pay the big money for air freighted. The December issue arrived in our local shops last week and I was delighted to discover the feature on what people did with their empty Bonne Maman jam jars. I fill mine with buttons, still unfinished jam and homemade chutney. I would love to put homemade presents inside them and give away as they are the prettiest jars but I just can't part with them. Country Living waiting on my bed as a reminder to sneak off early and read it from front to back and no peeking at the pages ahead. That ruins the anticipation. This magazine constantly inspires me - I can pick up a back issue from years back and still find it relevant today, even down here in New Zealand.