So Tread Softly...

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Spring has sprung for real and here's proof...

The cherry tree in Victoria's garden was just begging to be photographed.

My camera almost captured a bumble bee but he popped into one of the blossoms just as I clicked the shutter. Quite obviously shy.

The morning of Girl Friday Craft was spent working on a second bird pillow for Jo's two girls. I'll finish it off just as soon as I'm completed this post. Embroidery work and chatting just go so well together. You're not having to count stitches or talk above the whirring of a machine. You can just...be and natter and stitch.

The afternoon was spent at Aratoi as I was eager to see the Laura Hudson exhibition. She uses images of women and hundreds and hundreds of buttons in her work so you can see why I was drawn to it. Here's my favourite piece of hers. It's called 'Train'.

 

The piece focuses around the training of women by their mothers and grandmothers with regards to motherhood, housekeeping and embroidery.

The artist says that the repetition of sewing on the hundreds of buttons represents the monotony and repetition of household tasks carried out in daily living.

Two new pieces of art went up on my wall this week by the very wonderful and exceptionally talented AshleyG. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

I'll show you some close-ups.

Until next time guys, have a great week!

it's been so long...

...since I last posted. I got carried away with life and now that Spring has sprung we'd much rather be outside trying to do something with our vast garden. Being a Brit I'm used to gardens the size of postage stamps so to be faced with a quarter of an acre is a wee bit daunting ( Kiwis will laugh at that - a quarter of an acre? Pah! A piece of cake!). We have, however made a start on growing some veggies. Mr Tread Softly did a grand job of building three large raised beds. We're hoping to feed my folks home produce when they arrive for a visit in December.

We also planted a couple of olive trees at the side of the deck. We have a friend who has an olive farm so are hoping for a few pointers from her.

My knowledge of Maori culture is pretty poor so a friend has decided to instruct me! We started this week with learning how to weave flax flowers. Women still do this today and create the most wonderful bags, decorations and small garments.

She began by softening the flax (picked in the garden) by running the sharp scissor edge up and down the split leaf.

The flax is woven using a simple under and over technique with quarter turns.

After sometime, she ended up with a beautiful twisted flowers. You can see the flax bush in the background.

A couple of weeks ago I started work on building myself a website. Since then work has taken over - it's just one of those times when there's a lot going on that needs my attention. It's meant that there hasn't been time for crafting and I'm beginning to get withdrawal symptoms! Am looking forward to getting back to the website and a bit of sewing next week.

The Daffodil Fair was a huge success I am happy to say. I'm sorting through all the up and coming fairs and will choose another 2 or 3 to sell at. In the meantime, here's a couple of shots of my stall from two weeks ago.

 

Anyway guys, the garden beckons. Until next time...

daffodil fair

It's craft city here at the moment. I'm busy, busy, busy with sewing and making price labels ready for the Spring Daffodil Fair that takes place this Sunday (9th) in our little town. Was aware that I hadn't posted for a few days so perhaps a little collection of new handmades will suffice until I have a chance to draw breath!

Linen and wool felt flower pins.

Shabby clothes peg boards.

Metis linen lavender pillows with antique fabrics.

Fridge magnets for stylish white-ware.

Embroidered linen breakfast pillows.

I've even made myself a new frock for the occasion. Needs a few adjustments because I'm not into that hot air balloon look!

If you're thinking of heading down to Carterton for the fair then I'll be under the awning opposite the Marquis Hotel on Main Street.

Happy Spring!