Friday Afternoon.

It's a warm Friday afternoon and I am sitting on the veranda thinking about simple decorations for my friend's wedding that is taking place in our garden this Summer. I think this easy bunting may be a contender.

This weekend we are diving into the garden. To me tackling the garden after a huge period of neglect always makes me feel as though I am cleansing my soul. For every weed pulled, a past problem or negative situation is released. And then for every plant freed from its choke hold to receive the sun is like a dream or goal remembered.

So yes, a good weekend ahead of us... and Jonno not working - wahoo!!!

Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxx.

Craftingsyishness.

At the moment I am doing a run of Christmas decorations for presents. I have been taking photos of the process and will post a tutorial soon (except they are so easy I am sure you can figure them out from the photo).
Finally on to a new crocheting project.

And my jumper is now complete - toggles helping to finish it off. I have to admit it is a joy to wear, but just so warm I end up getting a little sweaty.

It is quite cropped but I really like that as I wear a lot of dresses over jeans and the lines of it stops everything from getting to bulky. I will get Jonno to do a photo shoot of me (wearing the new jumper, not just for the fun of it).

Just a little post tonight - the old hay fever has left me feeling very tired and snuffly, it makes me so indignant as I studied horticulture at uni and somehow I feel, that is enough to make me immune. Oh well, boys to put to bed and couches to lounge about on.

Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxx.

Progress.

I am just so, so, so close to finishing my jumper.
Lots and lots of tails to tuck in and a few amendments to be made but soon, it will be ready...
Except.... that it is now only 7 days until summer.
Lucky I live in New Zealand, a land notorious for its unstable weather. She may well be worn in the middle of January - and if not, for the first time in my life I will be hanging out for the winter.
Thank you so much for all of your lovely words to Archie - he is being very strong and brave and has a wonderful perspective on it all... but he does so miss the snuggles with his little bundle of rabbit.

Lots of love, Kate xxooxx.

Family Times...

On Thursday morning, we found that our little Bundle rabbit died in her sleep during the night. Archie was heartbroken and so we wrapped Bundle in a cloth nappy and brought her inside for lots of cuddles until the boys were ready to say goodbye. After lots of love and talking, we buried Bundle up on our bank by the side of the house, a place where Archie loves to spend quiet time and planted a tree on top. Very sad but oh my goodness how much animals have to teach us, not only in life. (It is now Sunday and Archie is doing very well - Mum did a painting for him and he adores it)

Aside from small and sad funerals it almost feels a bit heartless to say that we have been having a lovely time with Mum. Lots and lots of knitting (my jumper is starting to come together), painting, reading, chatting. We do just love her so much.

Tonight is Mum's last night so I had better hop off the computer now...

Lots of love to you all,

Kate xxooxxooxx.

Having a Mum to Stay!!

There has been quite a lot of crocheting and knitting going on in our house.
Cuddles in bed.
Painting (isn't Mum clever).
(you can probably guess I did this one)

And even Archie joined in using water colour paints on his Johnny Joe colouring in book.

Do we really need to send her back... I know Pa misses her but still, we really do love having her here.

Hope you are having a good week, love Kate xxooxxooxx.

Wahoo!!!

First of all and just quickly - a new dress I bought the other day with Hugo's help. We are having a friend's wedding in our garden during the summer and I thought this would be perfect. It nips in beautifully at the waist and makes me feel very glamorous and grown up.
Someone plonked my hair clip on the little coasters...
Bunny love.

And finally, a corner of my studio ready to receive my mum who arrived yesterday afternoon, safe and sound from Australia. We are so excited. The only reason I have torn myself away for a post is because she is showering and I thought she might need a moment of peace. The boys are beside themselves to have her here and I am even more so. We all woke very early this morning and had to wait for ages until her eyes opened too.

A pile of reading matter on her bedside table (I don't want her to get bored).

Have a lovely weekend, love Kate xxooxx.

The Problem with Knitting.

The problem with being heavily involved with a knitting project is that everything else becomes neglected. Crochet patterns forget to be developed, Stanleys lie around waiting to be tagged and having to in the interim, deal with abandonment issues.

Rose petals fall...

Coasters wait for their tails to be tucked in.

And tiaras dream about being worn by something more than a nest.

I have finished the painting though - a good thing considering it needs to be given away tomorrow. I could have worked on it for a lot longer but that's life...

The good news is that the boys are fed, no one has gangrene and we have plenty of clean underwear and socks. There is even a little bit of left over dinner from last night to go in the freezer. Breakfast has been eaten for the day and faces are about to be washed, hair brushed (maybe) and teeth cleaned. Just don't tell Stanley that the boys come first.
Lots of love, Kate xxooxxooxx.