An Open Studio.

 I am two thirds of the way through my open studio (1 night viewing and two mornings) and it is going very well. So much fun being able to show everything off and also being able to play 'shops' at home. Especially when home is my favourite place to be. So, here are a few photies of the set up.

More to come.
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

The Big Day.

Weeeelllll, today is the big day. My open studio begins tonight and I am suddenly wondering how on earth I am going to finish hiding my mess that is currently strewn around the house. The junk cupboard is already bulging and there is no space left under the bed. Hmmm.

This is one of the cards I will have available for sale tonight. Once again, I can't wait to be able to offer them online next year.

Eeek. Time to stop playing on the computer Kate - start setting up now!!!
Love Kate xxooxx.

Setting Up.

 Tomorrow my open studio and sale begins and from here to there - I have an awful lot of setting up to do. 

 It is so satisfying to see things starting to line up  though.

 Here is one of my Christmas cards - I am so looking forward to doing them on a larger scale next year.

 Cushions waiting for price tags - and a good iron for a couple of them.

 Headbands and crocheted corsages ready to find heads and hands.

And I am very lucky because my neighbour is bringing over lots of her things too. I will soon have a herd of dresses on my front lawn - I wish I could keep them all!!!

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Fancy Christmas Baubles.

 This year I have gone a little bit fancy with my Christmas baubles!

 I have become more than a little bit obsessed with velvet and sparkling ribbons. The challenge has been trying to find a way to use them. And use them I have... sorry, channeling Yoda again.

Although I have to say I am a little puzzled about something. When did my sons reach the stage that they giggle every time I talk about my Christmas balls?

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Some Weeks....

 I am so, so, so sorry that it has been over a week since my last post.... I have been sick with a horrible bug that has had me in bed for the past little while. It's amazing how a little virus can stop you in your tracks. Thankfully, I have been able to do a bit around the house today and we may even have some clean clothes tomorrow.
Hugo is still wandering around with Chocolate Brownie stuffed down a sleeve, pocket or in a collar. He is just starting to grow his feathers and look a little raggedy (the chicken, not Hugo) but Hugo loves him all the same. I have never come across such a patience little rooster.

 One of my favourite roses, 'Pierre de Ronsard' is flowering. It is a climbing variety and is now well over 2 metres, shooting away over the last couple of months. I have spent a lot of time standing in front of it with admiration.

 I have my studio sale coming up next week and have been finishing all sorts of projects that have been lying dormant for the past couple of years. There are little fellows like this strewn all about the house.

 And last thing, the boys took some flowers to school today - Hugo for a little friend who is having a birthday and Archie for his teacher. They make my heart sing.

By the way, my most exciting news is that my sister has started up a blog again. She is the most wonderful photographer, creative, writes beautifully and is doing all sorts of wonderful stuff building a new house AND renovating another one. You can find her over here! I am so excited because it is such a lovely window into her world. Go and say hello!

Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

A Christmas Crochet Advent Bunting Tutorial.

I have been a little silent on the blog this week as I have been working on a new Christmas project for you. Once again I have been making end of year presents for the boys' teachers and always find this a good way of developing a new pattern.... so here we go.

I was thinking about advent calendars, bunting and how wonderful it would be to store little treats in pockets. This is what I came up with.

 How to Crochet Advent Bunting.

Materials:
For this project I have used a mix of 8 ply cotton and bamboo yarns, working with a 3.5mm hook for a firm tension.
Buttons.
This project is worked in continuous, spiraling rounds.

Abbreviations:
st/sts = stitch/stitches
slpst = slipstitch
sc     = single crochet (double crochet in u.k. terms)
ch   = chain


Round 1. Ch. 2, then sc into 2nd chain from hook 6 times. Join with slpst. (6)
Round 2. 1sc into each of the following 2sts then 2 sc into the next st. Repeat once more. (8)
Round 3. 1 sc into each of the following 3 sts then 2 sc into the next st. Repeat once more. (10)
Round 4. 1 sc into each of the following 4 sts then 2 sc into the next st. Repeat once more. (12)
Round 5. 1 sc into each of the following 5 sts then 2 sc into the next st. Repeat once more. (14)
Round 6. 1 sc into each of the following 6 sts then 2 sc into the next st. Repeat once more. (16)
Continue in this manner (increasing by 2 sts in every round) until Round 20  (1 sc into each of the following 20 then 2 sc into the next stitch has been completed. Repeat once more. (22).

Round 21. (This round creates the button hole) 1sc into each of the following 9 sts. Skip the next 3 sts and instead ch 3. Then, 1 sc into each of the following 9 sts then 2 sc into the following st. Finish the round by crocheting 1 sc into each of the following 21 sts then 2 sc into the next st. (24)

Round 22. 1 sc into the following 22 sts then 2 sc into the next st. Repeat once more. (26)

Round 23. 1 sc into the following 23 sts then 2 sc into the next st. Repeat once more. (28)

Round 24. 1 sc into the following 24 sts then 2 sc into the next st. 1 sc into the following 13 sc then slpst into the following st. Bind off. (29)

To join the bunting:

*Leaving a 20 cm tail, ch 25. With button hole facing toward you and working in single crochet, sc into every st on the back half of the bunting. The photo above shows the second row of crochet being worked.

 Sc into the first st of the next bunting triangle and then continue on until all bunting triangles are joined together. To finish, ch 25 then bind off leaving a 20 cm tail. *

Repeat from ** keeping the button hole side toward you. This means that you are left with 2 x 20 cm (plus 25ch)  tails on each side which makes it easier for tying.

 Stitch on your buttons and then have fun filling them up. There are so many things you can do with them such as embroidering numbers on them. Please let me know if you do anything exciting with them so that I can be inspired by you!

Please leave a comment below if in need of clarifications.
Have fun!
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.
p.s. For last year's project click here,  here and here.

Crochet!!!

For the last couple of months I haven't been able to crochet due to my left pointer finger suffering from a series of bizarre accidents... So when I began crocheting again yesterday, my joy was boundless.

A package arrived in the mail today from a very, very beloved friend. This little bundle of fabric was nestled inside.

Gaahhhh - look at them - the Liberty ribbon fabric will definately be trimming pillowcases soon.

Ummm, Hugo made some armor for Chocolate Brownie. I had to take a photo before I made him take it off.... just to show Jonno of course.

So ridiculously cute - and the tailoring is perfect - pretty good for a six year old. Don't worry, I have explained to Hugo that chickens don't need armor... if only they did though.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

A Pretty Party.

 On Friday my friend had the most beautiful birthday party and I was lucky enough to be able to help decorate.

 Roses, tissue paper pompoms, cupcakes, strawberries and bubbles... what else do you need.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend,
Love Kate xxooxx.

Party Roses.

 Today my friend is having a 40th and I am helping her with the decorations. I found the fabric washi tape above at A.J's Emporium (a New Zealand wonderland shop) and have been wrapping my jars so that we can tell them apart at the end of the day. I am very protective of my jars....

 Thankfully my pink roses are all in full bloom.

 So now, lots of tissue paper pom-poms to be made.

 Jonno came home with a box of chickens last night. We have been very keen to increase our flock of two so were over the moon when we opened Jonno's surprise box last night. He caught them from the wild.... what a provider.

 The  boys are smitten and have been giving them all sorts of chickeny names like 'Chocolate Brownie' and Ming Ming.

Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

Tree Huts.

 On the weekend, Jonno managed to pop the boys' tree hut up into our plane tree.... I say 'pop' but in actual fact it was a feat of modern engineering.

 It's really strange but the boys don't seem to want curtains sewn for the cubby house, window boxes or even pot plants. I am very confused by this.

 So I will stick to my card making instead. I have so much to show you.... another time.

 I have also been cushion making (although the crochet cushion was by my mum - I love it). I even found some fabric that I printed years ago and used that up too.

My new sparkly ribbon - I am wearing it in my hair today - so fancy!

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.