Getting Sorted.

Every work space needs a good view. Early morning from the kitchen window. The cows have already been milked.
A neat and tidy spot - so ridiculously restful.

Cupboard being sorted.

And the doll's house that is need of much spring cleaning. It is funny how well a post modern house, a princess and the pea set and a box full of plastic army men unite into a great game.

This week has been very quiet in terms of creative achievement. Archie has a big few days on with his school play and so, any left over energy has been put into sorting. I am hoping this burst of tidiness means that when the gods of inspiration rain their bounty upon me, I will be ready not only to jump, but to grab a paintbrush, needle, crochet hook, sewing machine or whatever other tool is required of me.

Happy Colours.

Yesterday Hugo and I went into town - when he spotted this rice paper hot air balloon I couldn't say no.
My favourite headband and rose waiting to make my bird's nest head into something passable.

The china doll I have had ever since I was a little girl - note the hair cut I gave to her at some stage. She is currently guarding the pearls my dad and stepmother gave to me on my 21st (many, many years ago).

The mobile I made for Hugo's room when he was a little baby.

I bought the boys a bag each to hang on their walls when we were on holiday. Just too cute...

Archie's big boy feet finding a bit of comfort up on the big blue couch.

AND a new project on the needles.... finally!!!

Archie and Hugo are both at home today with sore throats and great barking coughs. Secretly it is quite nice as it means we are confined to the house all day, something we all need desperately.

This morning I had a nice few minutes wandering around with the camera, once again, capturing all of the little things that fill me with warmth and joy. It really is a good thing to do. AND thank you so much for your lovely comments yesterday, they were warmth and joy-fillers too. xxooxxooxx.

Colours.

I am so sorry that I have not been blogging over the last week. A million paper cuts from lots of little jobs have finally caught up with me, leaving me feeling a bit overwhelmed, tired and raw. So, rather than using all of my words up (I have a very small quota for each day) I will instead show my favourite splashes of colour from around the house. XXOOXXOOXX.

Crocheting a Teapot.

Well, I started off crocheting a big, slightly flattened ball - I used a new trick where I cut a plastic circle and put it on the bottom before filling it with stuffing. This means that it sits really well on any surface. I did the same thing at the top with a jam jar lid and then covered it with a brown crochet circle so it looked like it was full of tea.

Then I added a lid.
A spout.

And a handle (I inserted a pipe cleaner for added strength).

Voila, a teapot.

I have a new little niece called Lulu and I thought she might be in desperate need of a teapot being a newborn and all and unable to buy one for herself. Usually I don't put up photos of presents until I know the person has received it, but, I honestly don't think she will be looking at the blog. I can't wait to finish the tea set for her. Hurrah for Lulu! May she become a passionate tea drinker too!!!!!

French Lessons in Stripes.

While I was in Noumea, I picked up my favourite magazine that I never buy - Marie Claire Idees. And the crochet stripes were the most glorious I have seen in a long time. There is just so much to learn from the french. All of the projects were fantastic and included a whole section on mimosa which was just edible - I'll show more photos another time. Don't you love the dots around the edge of the page. To the side of the photo, my stripy creation is peeping. I am in the middle of making a teapot which is lots of fun but also a bit difficult because I want it to be perfect and it is not quite there.

More stripes and fantasticness. I love the multi-colour pompom.
One of my silk roses I bought from the most beautiful french woman.

And another. I was worried they wouldn't make it through customs as they look so real.

French Lessons.

My dress and rose waiting to be parceled up.

When we were in Noumea, much to Jonno's chagrin, I found paradise. The tragic thing is that I cannot remember the name of the shop and for the life of me, cannot find the receipt. Anyway, it was run by the most beautiful french woman and was filled to the brim with the most beautiful (I can't use that phrase enough) clothing, jewellery and frippery that I have ever seen.

And while we had very few words between us, the most beautiful french woman and I said lots of lovely things to each other like 'oui', 'yes', 'superb', 'magnifique', 'mercie beucoup' (please ignore any spelling mistakes, I learnt Japanese at school) and felt very much as though we were in the throws of great conversation.

By the way, all of her flowers were fake (or should I say faux)!!!!!

And as for the shoes, I had to quietly nibble them when the most beautiful french woman wasn't looking and sadly pat them goodbye on my way out. I couldn't even do the maths to convert them back to the kiwi dollar as there were so many zeros involved. I would say Au Revior but I am not sure if that is how you spell it - farewell!

Helloooo out there - we are back!!!!

A few images from our holiday but I will save all of the explanations until later on in the week. Returning from an 11 day cruise around the Pacific, I am still rolling around the house and am finding it quiet difficult to sit still at the computer without falling off my chair. Needless to say we had a wonderful time - Archie has turned into a professional snorkeler and Hugo has discovered a keen affinity with Hermit crabs.

Still, it is wonderful to be home although I have a fair bit of unpacking to do before I can crumple into its outstretched hands. Lots and lots of love, xxooxxooxxooxx.

Holidays.

Just a little post to say that we are going on a tropical cruise and won't be back for 10 days. I am so excited I can barely write let alone pack and clean the house for the South Africans who are coming to house sit and dog sit and chicken sit and cow sit. I am also supposed to finish clearing the room where our renovations are going to be because our builders are starting just as we go. I can't wait to see the transformation when we come back.

My words are a little garbled today (I am thinking in terms of socks, undies, bathers, passports, etc...) so the post is a little out of order but I wanted to show Archie's new shorts (with elastic inserted) and Jonno's new grown-up coat - his first. I can't wait for him to wear it for more than two minutes... a very big event for a dairy farmer's wife. Lots of love, xxooxxooxx.