Day trip to Banks Peninsula

Went for a day trip to Banks Peninsula this weekend and did the short walk at Otepatotu Reserve which takes you through a totara forest, the name Otepatotu translates to 'the place of the fairies' - we didn't see any of them but the mosses, lichens and ferns were so beautiful. I took some photos but they didn't turn out so well in the dark of the trees so here are some from the summit and from Akaroa.

Sewing pile

I'm trying to carve out more time to do some sewing for me. I'm fast running out of clothes and really love making my own. I have a pile of lovely fabrics and a pinterest board full of inspiration. I've also signed up to Collette Patterns Wardrobe Architect project - this looks like it's going to be a fun way to help me get a few useful garments sewn up.

Birdlings Flat

A day trip to Birdlings Flat.

D-rings!

I've been prototyping some new products lately (exciting!!) - hopefully I'll have something to show you soon, in the meantime here are some pictures from when I got side tracked making patterns with d-rings...

Also, the new tulip print pouches in marigold are up in the shop! These are hand printed on a lovely hemp and organic cotton fabric, I'm really happy with how they turned out.

Buttons

I bought these beautiful ceramic buttons from Illyria Pottery on Etsy a while ago now.

I think the backs are just as beautiful as the fronts.

I'm wondering what I shall do with them, but in the meantime I am quite happy for them to sit prettily on my windowsill.

This weekend

This weekend I will:

print this pile of fabric,

learn how to propagate all these sweet little mother of millions plantlets,

and make a lot more mess on my workroom floor.

the weekend

textured window glass

sketches

spider plant flowers

New year, tidy work space

I'm so not one for New Year resolutions, but I figured the beginning of the year is as good a time as any to sort out my studio and make it a tidier, and hopefully more productive place to be... 

I love looking at the studios and workspaces of other makers - so here is mine (all tidied up!):

And the view out the window:

bark

from this morning's stroll in the park

summer knitting list

I think now I should stop knitting wooly winter hats and find some projects for the warmer weather. I don't know how many of these I will get through but here is my list, from the top down, for my summer knitting:

Bandana Cowl from the Purl Bee

I think if I make this in a soft cotton it would be great for cooler days. The pattern can be found here.

Summer Scarf by Leslie Webber

I love. love. love the colour and the texture of this scarf!

Silken Straw Summer Sweater from the Purl Bee

For layering. The pattern is here.

Abigail Cardigan by Cecily Glowik Macdonald

This would be my first attempt at sleeves... eeeek! The pattern can be found at Quince & Co.

Summer Socks by Stefanie Fail

And these would be my first attempt at socks... but I'm feeling confident! The pattern is here.

palette - the forest

A favourite weekly haunt is the pine forest, there is a particular patch of trees with the most beautiful lichen.