On the Ground Running.

Well, life in New Zealand has picked up pace again. It is amazing how fresh my brain feels after our sojourn to Australia even though it was quite physically and emotionally challenging. 

Archie and Hugo had a dress up day at school where they had to wear gold or go as a miner. Archie decided to be a canary and his little brother followed suit. So cute!!! They both made their own costumes and looked so sweet. Once again I missed taking a photo of Archie because as soon as it was made he packed it away to keep it safe in his school bag.

 I love costumes you can staple rather than sew. Archie is a professional.

 And my roses are out again. They are such a joy, especially my 'Pierre de Ronsard'.

 On Friday I finally made it back to the library where I had 11 holds waiting for me. I think the boys thought it was Christmas when they arrived home from school. I love that 'safe' feeling when you have a stack of books waiting to be read. Nothing worse than running out….

 I have also been working on some mysterious projects which I will hopefully be able to tell you about soon. In the meantime, let's just say that it looks as though a plague has swept through.

And here is Birdboy number two!

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

A Goodbye Kind of Holiday.

 After my last post saying that we were unwell, I wouldn't blame you for thinking that maybe the whole family had succumbed to the plague. In actual fact, we have been in Australia saying goodbye to my parents' farm. I thought I had better include the photo of Hugo above holding kangaroo poo for proof. He was very please with it…

And here I am in Australia - see the eucalyptus behind me. I am obviously saying something incredibly profound, maybe even mathematical?

Mum's garden is an absolute delight at the moment so I took reams of photos. I think it will be very hard to say goodbye to, particularly all of her roses which are incredible.

Her garden is filled with all sorts of little niches. I love the sedum growing in the stone wall.

 Roses, borage, valerian, echiums, wall flowers, lambs ears. Heaven.

 Precious hands (my mum and my sister) and precious roses.

 While we were busy packing, Hugo took it upon himself to conquer bike riding. As we live on a very hilly farm in New Zealand, biking hasn't really been an option. We have tried him up at the beach house a few times but he has been very firmly attached to his training wheels. So wahoo for the summer, many more bike riding adventures for us to have.

 So, a very busy and emotional 10 days. Very hard to say goodbye to everyone this time but so special to be able to help and enjoy a last stay on the farm.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Christmas Cards.

 Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments. Would you believe that I am still being lashed about by the lurgy which is so inconvenient because it's one of those ridiculously busy times. Gaahhh.

Something exciting is happening though. I have almost finished going through the rigmarole of setting up my own company (long story) so I will soon be able to sell cards and all sorts of other things online. I can't wait. Unfortunately I won't be able to sell this year's batch of Christmas cards (which are for friends and family) but I will have plenty of other ones available!

 Here is a sneak peek of one design. It was such a cold day - Nothing like wearing a crochet scarf or jumper…. or dress…. or ears… or body.

And the backside…..

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

At Last - More Books!!!

 I am sooo, sooo, sorry about being so quiet on the blog. We are all sick at the moment with yucky viruses that make us want to lie about groaning like lazy, bedridden zombies. There is an upside to all of this though - we do have lovely piles of books to be read. 

 Today I will let the pictures talk for themselves because it is almost panadol time and it was enough of an effort to upload the photos (you know how it can be).

I have been working of a few other projects but will tell you more about them next week.

In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend and please tell me what you have been reading because these piles are going to whittle themselves down pretty quickly.

Love Kate xxooxx.

How to make a Pompom Necklace.... a great project to do with kids!

 Here is a pompom project for the weekend. It makes a fun necklace (particularly for kids but don't let that stop you from wearing it yourself) or a wonderful garland.

 A little bit of bosom for you..... actually, a very little bit.

Materials:

Various yarn for making pompoms

Metallic silver 4ply thread/yarn

2.5 mm crochet hook

 First of all, make your pompoms - you can use my tutorial here but instead of using your whole hand, wind the yarn around two fingers for a smaller pompom. Start with at least five - or for a garland, twenty.

 Thread the pompoms onto your yarn. I have used metallic silver which gives it a bit of bling.

 You could of course stop at this stage but that would be too easy.

 Once threaded, push the pompoms down towards the yarn reel, leaving enough length to crochet a chain of 20. 

 Push the first pompom up close to the last chain and then...

 Making sure not to squash the pompom, grab the yarn from the other side with your crochet hook.

Bring the hook through the last chain and continue to chain 7 until the next pompom. If you are working on a garland, chain 20 between each pompom.

 Repeat with the following pompoms, leaving a chain of 7 between each one.

 Upon reaching the final pompom, chain another 20. 

 Tie ends together and then....

Put it around your neck and say, "Look at me, look at me".

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Setting up a Christmas Scene.

It's all go at our house this morning as it is the time of year when I start getting scenes ready for Christmas cards. Do you like my silver birch forest..... it's made from straws.

Lots of discussion goes into casting. Sadly the rabbits and fox(es?) voted against having John the Bear in the shoot so that was a little awkward.

MAYBE if he didn't keep going off for a quick 'hibernate' they wouldn't have had time to plot behind his back. 

MAYBE it's time for me to start getting out a bit more.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Crochet Vessels.

I love how crochet is really soft sculpture. And that there is almost a crossover with pottery. I made these bowls/vases on the weekend when I felt like a bit of mindless crochet... nothing tricky. The only thing is though, they don't hold water - who'da thunk it?
Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.