Sweet Mary

Making and........ made. One order finished and already delivered to Redcurrent in Havelock North.

Making Christmas hearts to deliver to Redcurrent in Havelock North. The heavy cotton fabric used for the front is printed with colourful holly leaves and berries. Bright green ribbon, red spot fabric and a Merry Christmas label complete the look. Nearly forgot to mention - they are filled, as always, with New Zealand grown lavender. These hearts will only be available in Redcurrent, Havelock North and not on my Sweet Mary stalls. At the end of my working day, I wandered around the garden and took a few photos. My husband had picked broad beans from the garden and was podding them at the garden table. We had them later for dinner as part of a pasta dish with red peppers, bacon and mushrooms. I find these thrown together meals can often be the most delicious ones ( occasionally not!). Not a great photo to show the bronze to salmon pink colours of these Westerland roses. I love the rich green parsley and red geraniums underneath. This is the view I have from the kitchen window and it ...

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.

I have had a blogging break. I didn't plan it - it just happened. But now I am back and I have lots of pretty pictures to post over the next few days. Last weekend was a 3 day one celebrating the Queen's birthday but unfortunately we spent a lot of it huddled around the fire as it was so cold. By Monday I had had enough of that and decided that if we had to stay indoors at least we could enjoy ourselves by eating something delicious. An afternoon tea with friends cheered us all up. I baked the Victoria sponge, something I haven't done since leaving the UK over 6 years ago and it was very, very good if I may say so myself. Peter made the very delicious cumin and cheese scones (my favourites). I know he would happily give me the recipe or I could maybe work it out for myself but its just not the same if I can't harass him into making them. Off now to start on a new order for Redcurrent in Wellington but will blog again tomorrow.

I love collecting things and I especially love collecting fabric and things made out of fabric. Some of these quilts were bought new and some were made by myself and one or two of them have been rescued from secondhand shops. The second shelf down holds two small quilts on top of two larger ones. These are the most precious ones in my collection as they are the two I made for my children when they were very small. They were my first attempts and not very well made but bring back so many good memories every time I handle them . Even though they have been washed many times I am sure I can still smell my babies on them. When not in use my quilts have often been hidden away but not any more. I am now the proud owner of this lovely piece of furniture bought from Redcurrent . Every time I pass I have a quick glance over my quilts and smile a bit to myself. My sisier-in-laws birthday today and as she had given me the idea for this style of peg bag I thought she should receive the first one....

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.