Sweet Mary

Today I decided, was the day to finish my quilt.Not an obvious thing to do when there are many other needy projects to finish especially with the Craft&Design Market in Havelock North happening this Saturday. See details on the right. I don't use basting pins but prefer to baste my quilt sandwich with a brightly coloured thread. I find this the easiest way as I also prefer not to use a quilting hoop. So, out came the emerald green thread which I rather liked. Next, I pulled out my collection of leftover or unused binding strips and found I had just enough of my favourite Cath Kidston. It is a blue paisley that Ikea had in stock sbout 10 years ago. Bound, washed and drying in our sunny Hawkes Bay day. Finished off for five minutes in the dryer to get the "vintage" look I like and its now on our bed. Its the first bed quilt I have actually made for myself and my husband.

My sewing table over the weekend while making treasures for my Sweet Mary stall and yes, some of them are for Christmas! These lavender pillows (15x15cm) are filled only with New Zealand grown lavender rubbings from Hauiti Lavender Farm. Made with Cath Kidston fabric topped with vintage lace and embroidered heart, they have a red with white spot base fabric. These pillows would make a lovely Christmas present for a special friend or family member, to scent the bedroom and help with a peaceful sleep. I only have 5, so if you just have to have one, make sure you come along to the next Craft and Design Market at Hawthorne coffee shop in Havelock North. It will be on Saturday 22nd October, 9-12.30pm. And finally, a bit of prettiness to make you smile. SMILE!

The one and only peony that bloomed in our spring garden and what a beauty it is. I couldn't find a really pretty flowery bag for the summer and couldn't afford the ones online at Cath Kidston so I made my own using some of my precious CK stash. For some reason I decided to use a pattern - the instructions just about drove me mad. I kept reading each point and then re-reading and still thought it didn't make sense. Anyway, after a day of determination (and a lot of cursing) I finally finished the bag and I am delighted with it - roll on sunny days.

I was writing an email this morning and mentioned the gorgeous view outside my window so decided to put that view up on my blog for everyone to enjoy. There can hardly be a better sight to behold than the early days of spring and the promise of the warm days to come. This tree has the most wonderful shape, spreading out out from the ground from at least a dozen branches and is covered in soft white blooms that open from pale pink buds. I leaned out the window to get this photo and to let you see the under planting but just missed getting the fluffy baby in the shot who was very busy following a black bird. Just following, thats all. Recently I fiddled around with these squares of Cath Kidston fabric, vintage lace and red cotton thread. Putting all together with the idea of making a cushion cover - the idea being that it would be my twist on the popular Union Jack cushions on a lot of the English blogs. I love it! So, this one is for me and I will work on a few more for my Sweet Mar...

I loaded these photos up on Friday with the thought that I would get back to finish my blog by the end of the day but its now Monday and I am not sure where the last two days disappeared to. Anyway the above pic was taken early Friday morning from our lounge window looking out over the orchard. We woke up to a frosty morning. The house was very cold and I admit to dreaming quite alot about centrally heated houses. The dreams consist of pushing a button and by magic - instant heat! The sun soon came out though and our pretty baby, Annie, found a warm spot in the sun curling up on layers of vegetation at the edge of the bamboo patch. I spent a happy few hours in my workroom (heater on) finishing an order for Redcurrent in Wellington. My lavender wheat bags sell there and at the Redcurrent in Havelock North.

A private order, about to be wrapped and sent off. Orders of single hearts can be taken at my online shop. This order was a special request for something black and white (background ribbons not part of heart) - I try my best to fulfil special fabric requests out of my stash of mainly Cath Kidston and Laura Ashley fabrics. If my FELT site is not showing what you want ( its a little depleted at the moment ) just - email me through FELT with your query. If you go back two more posts to 'Prettiness' you will see some of the fabrics I stock.

I read a lovely blog from Hazel about what makes her happy - The Tree of Happiness. She nominated me to have a go so here is my list. There are millions of things that make me happy of course so I will just list a few off the top of my head in no particular order: Cafe's and coffee - I love to meet friend's for a well made coffee (the beans matter) and a chat. A nice piece of cake helps too. If I can't do that I am happy to make a fresh coffee at home and sit in the sun for a few minutes with the cats. Cats - I have two, one is old and a bit grumpy and the other is round and very fluffy. I still call this one my little baby, though she is now far from little and nearly 2 years old. My husband and two children who I can't live without. My family on both sides - so important that they are there, that way you figure out who you are. Friends also help with this one - telling you when you are being ridiculous or a real pratt. Both equal support. Friday nights - I still get...

This is a completed order for one of the Redcurrent shops - twelve pretty hearts, made from Cath Kidston and Laura Ashley fabrics filled with locally grown lavender. It gives me a real buzz to see my handmade hearts selling so well in New Zealand shops - see my shop list on the left to see where. I try and add a new one each month.

Three orders of lavender hearts to complete and send off by the weekend but thought I would just take a photo of one of the orders on the back porch to show how pretty they look on mass. Here are some displayed for sale in a local shop - makes me smile every time I see this photo. I have made things all my life and it is now the icing on the cake to be able to sell them and earn money from doing something I love.