A Bit of Bliss.

 This is what bliss looks like today. For me it is spare time to read a book in the afternoon (I cooked dinner this morning).

 For the boys, newly downloaded Minecraft - a cumulative and well earned reward. Jonno did wonder why the boys needed it on the computer as they already have it on the family tablet and ipod, but he did smile when Hugo said "It's so tall I feel as though I am standing in it".

 A beautiful and random grouping of colours.

And little heads waiting for little bodies. I love it when you can fit 5 heads into a match box. Hmmmm, a sentence I don't often get to write.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Building a Rabbit Maternity Ward.

 Sooooo, my next project you might ask. Well... a baby bunny maternity ward. 

 Can you imagine the amount of matches floating free-flow around our house by the time I have finished. Maybe I had better get the boys involved in building mini cabins or something. 

I am still having to make little blankets and mattresses for them so they don't get cold. Maybe even the odd beanie. Awwww.... and a teensy, tiny pacifier.... Stop it now!!!

Lots of love, 

Kate xxooxx.

A Farewell to School Holidays...

Goodness me! I am writing this post this morning after putting the boys on the school bus and having a frantic 1 hour's clean up of the house. It is amazing how much you can achieve without answering questions, opening lids and refereeing fights.... amazing.

We had a wonderful, busyish, relaxingish holiday with a week spent at my in-laws' bach (NZ term for holiday house) at the beach. Jonno was calving so it was just the boys and myself, but with a couple of days spent with the grandparents too! If my grammar is appalling right now it is because my brain has now turned to post-holiday mush. And it feels sooo good!

 While we were away, I finished crocheting this footstool cover. Unfortunately, without taking the footstool with me, I made a little too long. So much work went into it that I am now thinking I might have another box made to the crochet cover dimensions and recrochet a cover for the original which one of the boys can have in their room.

 Jonno came up to visit us for a night and gathered a wild boquet for me from the beach.  

 I am still a little addicted to sparkley wool - at the moment I am finishing a cowl that was ordered from the sale. It is such a pleasure.

 And as for other news, this magazine arrived in the mail the other day.

With a lovely little paragraph about me! By the way, I didn't do the highlighting - it was printed like that...

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

A Pop Up Studio Sale.... "Mitten Monday".

 Sorry that it has been all quiet on the blogging front. I have spent the last week getting ready for a little studio sale - something that became rather necessary as I went crazy on the wrist warmer front and found myself with about 20 pairs!

 I also went a little over the top with the washi tape and had to face the fact that you can only wear so many necklaces at once.

 So, a sale was certainly called for.

It was (thank goodness) a great success but I now feel as though I have run a marathon and it seems like an effort to even put my slippers on. Hmmmm, lucky the next one isn't until November.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Washi Tape Wooden Jewellery - a Tutorial

 Okay - first of all, the hexagon and cloud came from Spotlight - however, you can google Kasiercraft Wooden Flourishes and purchase them online in your own country - washi tape can be found by the truckload on etsy.com - have a good look around as there is such a wonderful selection.

Secondly, hole drilling - Jonno drilled mine for me but said that you could get a hand drill inexpensively from a hardware store. Good advice methinks.

So, drill your holes first - I am joining this hexagon up with two others so I have three holes in this one.

Grab your first roll of washi tape and apply a strip to your shape.

 Cut to fit so that there is about 1-2mm overlap.

 Fold around the edge making sure that it doesn't jut over the other side.

 Line up your next washi tape pattern so that it sits snugly next to the first. Repeat as with the first piece of tape.

 Continue with different patterns until the shape is covered.

 Then using a pin, gently prick the tape covering the hole until you can smooth the washi tape back to the edges of the hole.

 Et voila!

 The cloud shape is a little different. Cut enough tape so that the front and back can be covered with the same strip.

 Bring it around to the back.

 And snip once both sides are covered.

 Trim the excess tape until there is 1-2mm left, following the shape of your cloud. Snip into the v so that it folds neatly around the curves.

 At the point where the straight edge and curved edge meet, cut the tape so that first one side can be tucked under and then the other side over.

 Like that! 

 Paint with Mod Podge (or similar) to seal the washi tape and then allow to dry.

 Paint the edges carefully with acrylic paint. I like doing this after I have sealed the washi tape as then any splodges or streaks wipe off easily.

 Attach your jewellery findings and thread and start posing for photos.

Here are my three hexagons all joined up together. Note where the holes are drilled if you are after a similar effect.

I hope this tutorial made sense, please leave any questions in the comments below and I will answer them in the same section.

Lots and lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Wooden Washi Tape Jewellery.

 I have been working all day on a tutorial for you which I will post tomorrow, on how to make wooden washi tape necklaces. None of the pieces in these photos are finished, but at least you can see the direction they are heading in. 

 I love hexagons. I love washi tape. 

 And who doesn't want to wear a moustache around their neck???

 My new washi tape.

 Deathly remains looking rather pretty.

This little cake sprinkle container has been recycled into a jewellery findings holder - it is so handy. I am feeling very satisfied with it right now.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow.
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

Winter Roses.

 I love when the last bunch of roses blooms just in time with the first crop of bulbs. So, so special. Here are a few photos...

And some mittens, bundled up and ready for a "Mitten Morning" I will be holding at home soon.

Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.