Open Day

Coffee and cake and plenty of chat all added to a lovely day last Friday. As you can imagine, the week prior to the event was extremely manic, not just with preparations for the open day, but also because I was teaching at The Flavel in Dartmouth on the Wednesday evening and again at The Bead Lagoon in Sidmouth on Thursday, and Saturday! I am relived that it is now half term, and apart from meeting a friend to finalise plans for the wedding dress that I shall be making for her, I can spend some time with the girls without feeling guilty or worrying that I really should be working... sewing, baking, making jewellery, making business cards and signs etc....

For those of you who couldn't come on Friday I thought I would show you a little of what you missed.....

...... piles of scrumptious cushions and plumpy hearts...

...... yummy colours....

... covered journals and bags...

..oooooodles of jewellery.... Guess what was the most popular????

... delicate little button hearts....

... and bunches of button flowers...

I really enjoyed catching up with friends old and new over the course of the day, however, I have been feeling very low and emotional since the event. I know that part of that is because I am just very tired, partly because I was disappointed with the turn out, despite sending out at least 70 personal invites and many other texts, emails and advertisements, and also because it is a very vulnerable thing to do... to show off your handmade work... hoping that others will like it and appreciate it.. and buy it. I'm sure that once I have had some time to sit back and assess it all I won't feel so bad and I will pick myself up, yet again, and carry on... or look for a 'proper' job!

Sorry about the moan... sometimes it's hard working on your own.. you are a harsh critic and always think you can do better! Don't worry, I will be fine and firing on all cylinders again before you know it!

I think a walk by the sea is in order... it always feeds my soul and brings restoration.. so 'Ta ta' for now. I hope you have had a lovely weekend and that for those of you who are finding it tough at the moment, that you too can go to that place where your soul is restored and take some time out for you today.

xxx

Abel Tasman National Park

January 26th 2009 was an amazing, stunning, hot, adventurous day for me....

It all started with being brought tea in bed.... thanks Pam.... a real treat and very lazy! It was then time to pack a picnic and head out to The Abel Tasman National Park... this is another beautiful area at the top of the South Island of New Zealand... I knew that I was in for a real treat and I wasn't disappointed! We drove to Marahau where we parked up and booked a water taxi to Akerston beach. Although I say 'water taxi', the first part of the journey was in the boat, but being pulled along the road by tractor!

Once in the water we were OFF!!!! The driver was obviously a thrill seeker and was just out to get us all as wet as possible... not really too much of a problem though as it was a stifling hot day....

The first stop off was to take a look at 'Split Apple Rock'..... need I say more....

We were the first of the passengers to be dropped off at Akerston beach... the boat backed in, we jumped out, the boat roared away....

.......and we were left on our own little piece of deserted paradise....

The sea was warm, the beach deserted... apart from a curious bumble bee... and the cicadas sang in the trees as the sea gently lapped at the shore... cue island music!

We enjoyed a quiet contemplation on the beach before embarking on the walk back to the car....

... enticing views were around every corner.....

There were several of these wigwams, made from driftwood, along the coast line... isn't it beautiful.... I certainly found it truely inspirational... don't be surprised if you see the wigwam influence on some of my work soon!... The colours are so clear and pure too...

This was the beach that we stopped and had a swim from... just amazing..

This was one of my favourite days of the holiday... I was so inspired and just in awe of the beauty of creation and it's Creator.

The final adventure of the day was driving Steve and Pam's jeep around Nelson... a dummy run for tomorrow when I was to be left to my own devices for the day and was allowed to drive the jeep into town... driving there is very similar to here except for a few silly rules... once you've mastered those it's easy peasy.... still, I was very nervous! You will be pleased to know I left no dents and returned home in one piece!

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As promised, I said I would show you some of the things that I have been sewing over the last week... my poor sewing machine has steam coming from it again and the kitchen, where I sew, is unrecognisable!

Anyway.... Ta Dah.........

Journal covers made from recycled blankets that I have dyed and felted....

This has to be my favourite design... scruffy flower motifs...

... lots of swirly whirly goodness... around and round we go... wheeeeeee...

Obviously, I had Valentines day in mind for this one, but it would make a great gift for any occasion....

Ooooh look.... more swirly whirly scrumptiousness....

I'm always surprised at how well this turquoise blue and red go together.. it's a great combination, sort of clashy, but not at the same time!!! If you know what I mean!!

These are slightly larger journals ... this time covered with a variety of beautiful cotton prints..

Sweet....

It's so satisfying to see piles finished product...

I have also made some gorgeous, scrummy... even though I say it myself... bags. I was hoping to photograph those today but the light was just terrible and also I just had no idea how to set the photos up... any ideas gratefully received. I will endeavour to solve the problem over the next few days and have them ready and waiting to show them to you along with some exciting news about the other changes that will be happening with my work situation...

..... watch this space......

xxxxx

Goodbye to Waiuku

So, today we carry on with my adventure in New zealand. January 3rd 2009 was the day that I had to say goodbye to Margaret in Waiuku.... we had such a fantastic time together, it really didn't feel like we had only just met each other, more like we had been friends for years. It was therefore a very sad parting when Margaret left me at a hotel in Auckland at the beginning of my tour.

This was taken just before we set off to Auckland......

.... and here we are in Auckland... This was a fantastic view point at the top of Mount Eden. For those of you who don't know, Auckland is built upon the site of 48 volcanoes.... the crater edge of Mount Eden can clearly be seen in this photo.... as well as Sky Tower and the Harbour bridge. Don't be fooled by the clouds however, the weather was very hot and sticky!

Today was the day that I was to embark on my tour of both the North and South island... off to the Bay of Islands tomorrow......

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Now that Christmas is over and presents have been exchanged I can show you some of the many things that I made for family and friends.....

Journal covers.......

Photo collage of Porthcothan for Dad.......

...... and a wreath for the front door.......

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You'll be pleased to hear that I did manage to crawl out of bed at 4am this morning to take Josh to the bus... I also have to admit that I shed a tear or two as the bus pulled away... do you think it ever gets any easier? I'm hoping so!

Oh... I could really do with your help... it's Josh's 21st Birthday on Sunday and I would like to send him a cake.... any ideas on how to get it there safely and still edible..... I did think that I might send cake, a pot of icing and a packet of candles so that he has a DIY cake!!!! Any ideas would be very gratefully received.... please.... help !!!!

Thank you xxxxx