A little bit of cute

I went to Kraftbomb last Sunday. I got a bit confused about daylight saving and got there pretty much as they were closing but I managed to buy this little guy. Isn't he the cutest?

He has a pin on the back so you can wear him on your coat or what-have-you. But he didn't want a life of idleness riding around on my lapel so he's joined the workforce. We have those hideous office partition things covered in faux carpet at my place of work. I've pinned him up on the one by my desk. I love to look at his little blue face. He has such an expectant expression, don't you think? Interestingly none of my colleagues has noticed him yet.

I don't know who his creator was. But if it's you - I love him!

Spring sewing

Spring is on its way. The fig tree has tiny, bright green leaves and there are a few blossoms appearing on the cherry tree. Summer clothes! After months of winter woollies I can't wait to get into floaty summer stuff. I used to sew most of my clothes but I had a few failures and little time so I haven't made myself anything for years. Until I found this silk fabric at Global. I used a tried and true old Vogue pattern for this pleated skirt. The flower/sunbursts are a lovely rust colour - a bit like the fading camellias I love.

I've bought some more fabric for my next sewing adventure but I must get back to the quilt. Only five rows of quilting left to do before the baby is due in October.

Updates - 1,2,3

1. Here are some hastily taken photos of we make words creations taken from Charlotte Rivers' book 'The complete guide to designing handmade type' - just so you can see how fabulous Amy Borrell and Luci Everett are.


2. Popcorn is my latest yummy snack. It's so quick and easy and fun to make, delicious with plenty of salt, and it's gluten free. Perfect!

3. And, finally, to follow up on my Fantastic Mr Fox post ... here is the full story on the student "memories" project.

Walking the dog

My poor old dog has been unwell again. I spent most of yesterday moping around worrying about her. She seems a lot better today and we've had a couple of short, slow walks together to enjoy the sunshine and spring gardens in the neighbourhood.

Have you seen Amy Borrell and Luci Everett's blog, we make words? They take it in turns to 'make' a word using objects - ribbon, petals, drinking straws - and then post a photo of it on their blog. It's really very clever.

Knitting with Seinfeld

Jane Brocket recommends you 'knit or crochet while watching a great film'. Well, I've been knitting while watching Seinfeld : the complete series. I've been knitting this fantastic scarf. It's a pattern from Lion Brand and it's almost addictive. It's fun - and, surprisingly, easy - to knit. It's wonderful to watch the triangles form and also to watch the wool morph through its colour changes. However, I got a bit caught up in it. I'd cast on too tightly and the bottom edge kept curling up. It was bothering me. I knew if I was wearing it I'd always be fussing. But, even knowing this, I couldn't stop knitting. I was about a third of the way done before sense prevailed and I undid the whole thing. At the time, it felt like a huge sacrifice. I'm sure every knitter has been through this at some point. But it's hard, isn't it? I've started again with a really, really loose cast on and it seems to be working. Hoorah!

My lovely big book

We are about to begin renovations to our home - a new kitchen and bathroom. I thought it would never happen but, after months of research and planning, we are about to start.
So, in preparation, I've been having a bit of a clear out and I found this wonderful children's book, My Lovely Big Book. I can't find a publication date but it has an inscription dated December 1937.
It's a mixture of folk tales and animal stories and little poems. It's about A4 size and printed on heavy, textured paper with some delightful drawings.
I love the title. It reminds me of the Father Ted episode where Ted and Dougal enter a song writing competition and their song is My lovely horse.

Fantastic Gemma Correll

I had a friend with a birthday coming up. A friend who loves pugs. And I just happened to be looking at Gemma's blog - I love her drawings - and found this adorable tote bag in her shop. Perfect!

About a week later it arrived from the UK to me in New Zealand. Gemma had generously added a few other unexpected goodies to the parcel - a couple of badges and a postcard - that I was very tempted (just momentarily) not to give to my friend. I should buy some of Gemma's stuff for myself. It's all so good.

Camellia

I have been taking a lot of photos lately of fallen camellia flowers. I cannot resist them. I think they are beautiful. I love the colours. That combination of pink and rust is amazing.