So Tread Softly...

nesting

How did I miss out posting last week? Because sometimes life runs away with you that's why! Things have been pretty busy in the Tread Softly household. We're putting in a new kitchen (have taken 'before' photos so stay tuned), cutting more beds and planting more vegetables than a battalion can possibly eat, crafting orders, building websites, viewing houses with more land and that's before we've even thought about our regular jobs! I'm not complaining because that's just the way I like life to be. Move to New Zealand for a quieter life? Pah! Simpler maybe, but certainly not quieter!

Forgot to mention the brick patio that Mr TS has just laid for me.

They're reclaimed brinks that used to be a chimney. The patio is under one of the pear trees at the bottom of the garden and will be perfect for breakfast each morning now that Spring is here (although the past few days have been like summer).

Somehow, I've found the time to have another play with resin plaster. One of these is going to Francesca, and the other has been photographed for the new Agnes Coy website. Not quite ready yet but I'm getting there!

I popped into the carding place in the next village today to choose some soft coloured wool for our Girl Friday Craft Day. I plan on making lots of little raffia and needle felted nests, possibly, as suggested by Kelly, for the Christmas tree.

I added another stockist to the list today. Thrive in Martinborough, are now carrying Agnes Coy Hand Mades. They're the women behind the fabulous Thunder Pants! Have already added a couple of pairs to my Christmas wish list!

Until next time...

raffia

The Girl Friday's gathered at my house today for a day of crafting (and a loooong lunch!). I'd asked Victoria if we could have a play with raffia as I particularly wanted to know how to weave it. Who'd have believed that this dry piece of straw...

could be woven into this...

I added a few vintage and antique buttons and sewed a brooch pin onto the back.

I was told that the first woven piece you produce has to be given away, so this who going to Frances who gave me the flax flower a few weeks ago.

Victoria is teaching me that there are no rules when it comes to art. I do have a tendency to be a little too neat at times but the afternoon's project really did that knock that out of me. Wool yarn, wool felt, vintage lace and rafia was used to create this little nest.

For some reason it looks much better in real life. It's very tactile so maybe you need to feel it to appreciate it?

The little egg was needle felted.

I loved this project. In fact both pieces looked such a mess for a while and suddenly, as if by magic, they both came together.

Until next time...

hypnotized by knitting

{hypnotized by knitting}

{going}

{going}

{gone}

the vineyard

I've noticed that my posts are featuring food more than craft recently. The reason being that I'm working on a lot of repeat orders and they're items that you've seen bfore, so food it is!    

We live in an area that is surrounded by vineyards. Many of them have restaurants attached to them and we decided, along with some friends, to try one of them out for Sunday lunch. We'd arranged to do something completely different but the weather was so poor in the morning that we thought that hanging out at a winery would be just right. We chose to visit Alana Estate in Martinborough.

I think that my folks would really like it there so we'll book a table whilst they're here throughout December. Hopefully the weather will be kind enough for us to sit at one of those outside tables.

The food was excellent and the calamari to die for! Bring on the next visit!

Wairarapa looked soooo green whilst we were driving home. Isn't it lush? Everyday I count my blessings.

Until next time...

leisure meal friday

I love Friday evenings. The end of the working week, an entire weekend stretched out in front of you and a time when we very rarely book to go out anywhere. Friday evenings are special. It's a time when Mr Tread Softly and I cook together, crash on the sofas, watch a bit of telly, listen to the radio, curl up and read books. Our Friday meal is a Leisure Meal, meaning that we don't spend too much time preparing it but it's usually great food that we can pick at throughout the evening. Last night we decided to dust of the fondue set. It's one that my folks gave us. They had it in the 1970's when fondue's were hip and cool. Secretly, I think that they still are! Fondue's are the perfect Leisure meal.

Hey, look! Mr. TS made me two more Clothes Peg Boards for my studio. I'm going to be including some mini ones for sale in the new shop, whenever I get the website completed. Goodness they take a long time!

Until next time...

aratoi

I'm am thrilled to say that Aratoi will be show-casing a selection of Agnes Coy hand mades.

It's an amazing feeling when somewhere you REALLY rate expresses an interest in your work. Aratoi is an art gallery that I've visited so many times over the past year. Their approach to art and their loyalty to local artists is very impressive. If you're ever in Wairarapa, visit it. This is farming country and to have a place just up the road where I can go and soak up beautiful work by other artists has, in many ways, kept me sane. They have the coolest coffee shop attached to it and the BEST flat whites! Can you tell that I'm pleased? I sit in my studio in my little wooden cottage  beavering away whilst listen to BBC Radio 4 on the internet, loving every minute and knowing that out there people are actually considering buying my 'stuff' that I would, quite happily, produce for nothing! Quiet incredible!

...and and AND, they refered to me as a textile artist! Ha ha, a TEXTILE artist, who'd have believed it?! Hmmm, t.e.x.t.i.l.e. a.r.t.i.s.t. - I quite like that hat - let's try it on - oo er, it might even fit!

Until next time...

sunday sunday

Mr TS was up at the crack of dawn to go and sit in next doors garage to watch NZ V France on the big screen:

Half time, ever hopeful whilst wolfing down a fried breakfast cooked outside on the BBQ!

Full time - it seems that the entire country is in mourning. What better way to deal with the blues than to go shopping! We came home with a gorgeous little wall cupboard just right for our dining area.

A shared platter in the park,

looking out at this view,

and a quick chat to Mother Duck,

made a perfect end to what started out, well, not quite as we had planned!

With regards to the puppy, Mr TS and I have decided to sleep on the idea until January . Roll on January!

Until next time...

cupboard and puppy love

Never ever, EVER say to your girlfriends 'Hey, let's just pop into the pet shop before we have lunch.' Bad move, very bad move unless you relish the thought of lying awake for hours day dreaming about this little man.

Isn't he the cutest of all cuteness's?! If I had $1200 (yep, that's TWELVE hundred dollars) in my pocket, I would have brought him there and then. Took Mr Tread Softly to see him today. We peered in through the window and there he was, looking right back at us. Is this what broodiness feels like? Hmmmm. NOW I understand! However, I don't think he's supposed to be mine. I kind of got that feeling when Mr TS choked on his coffee whilst telling him the price!

The real reason I'm posting today is to tell you about a new craft blog that I'd love for you to visit. One of my Girl Friday Craft friends, Victoria has started a new blog  called Cupboard Love (Home is where the art is). Her third post is a fabulous needle felting tutorial. She intends to post tutorials regularly. Victoria, as well as being a wonderful artist also happens to be the crafting queen of possibly NZ. She's an amazing friend to have. I learn from her each week, so pop across if you like, I don't think that you'll be sorry.

On the crafting front in my studio, I'm working on some of my felt flower brooches. I have a meeting on Wednesday at a very special place that is interested in my work. I'll tell you more next week - if it all works out.

I'm still playing with plaster and am trying to perfect the outcome. Other things (like regular jobs) seem to have taken over as well as the website that is taking an age to build. I need to get it right though. We put our clocks forward last week which means that I'll be able to work into the evenings. I'm desperate for more time! Actually, I always have been. Some things never change.

On the Op Shop front, I luckily come across a bag of the most beautiful doilies. They really are tiny and quite quite perfect. I have lots of plans for them!

I managed to finish the two bird cushions for Jo's girls. They'll be winging their way over to Australia on Monday.

To friends in the UK - I'm soooooo behind with emails. I feel a generic one coming on soon to bring you all up to date with our life in New Zealand. Needless to say, it's just gorgeous!

Until next time...