Easter Break

Hi There,

Life has been a little crazy lately. Easter break has come at the right time. I have completely stopped.

The family and myself escaped our shoebox home to stay at the beach for a few days. I even went for a swim in the ocean. So lovely.  Funny to be swimming in April when everything should be cooling down but yesterday you could have been mistaken that we were heading into Summer not Winter.  However today the rain has arrived back just to remind us that a jumper is needed.

So now we are home to unpack and repack and trot off to another beach (Tutukaka) for last minute frolic in the sand.  I can't wait.

Orewa Beach, North of Auckland

The last few weeks have been busy with the 5000 Poppy Project.  We have been asked to display in the WW100 display at the Uxbridge Centre, Howick in May.  So excited!  But then that meant we only had two weeks to be ready!  Panic set in for a few days.  How was I going to sew on poppies to hessian ready for the display?  But last weekend we put on an afternoon tea poppy making session at the Centre.  It was lovely meeting some of the people who have contributed to the display.  It was also great to have people helping sew the poppies for the display as it is a big job for one person. I think we have almost sewn 500 poppies.  It looks beautiful.  I will post photos once it is finished.  

We have now reached 1400 poppies which is so fantastic.  Incredible really just how much this project has touched people.  

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Now we are in Easter/school holiday mode doesn't mean life is going to slow down. In the next two weeks I have to do the tri I have been madly training for, make a 30th birthday cake, finish poppy display, hang poppy display, attend WW100 exhibition. Fun stuff, nice stuff but all happening at once stuff.  I will have to stay organised and focused and 'just get it done'.  Then I can stop and breath and blog about it all.

Stay tuned!

L xx

Look close, Auckland Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower

Crochet Annoyance

Hi There,

Lately my crochet endeavours have been appalling!

A few years ago I bought some chunky wool in a lovely purple/pink colour.  I got inspired to make myself something warm and delicious.  The first project (I wish I had taken photos) was a vest type shawl.  It looked like a shawl with armholes.  Once I made it, my husband thought I looked like a tyre!  Hmmf!! So unraveled it was. Next was a rehash of the vest shawl that was longer and bigger and still it looked terrible. So in disgust I threw the purple/pink chunky wool into my craft room and there it sat tormenting me.  Recently I got all fired up "this wool is not going to beat me", "how dare it!" So I dragged it out, went on Ravelry found a great, very simple vest. Did a gauge (all good crocheters do apparently).  Found the appropriate hook and off I went.  I went along happily until a thought started to pester me "perhaps this is too big?" "No, its fine, you made the gauge it is right keep going.."   So I did till this point.

I put it on and swear I could fit another half of me inside!  HOW?!!  How can the gauge be so wrong?  Even now after unravelling it AGAIN I don't know what happened.  So I have decided to take off a few stitches and see what happens next.  I am telling you now, if this doesn't work I'm passing the wool onto someone else.  I AM ALMOST OVER IT!!

And then there is the cowl.  WHAT HAPPENED THERE?!!  How did I not see the massive twist in it until I finished?  So because it annoyed me WAY TOO MUCH I unravelled this too and started again.  Grr!!

So for the past week I have been fixing the cowl grudgingly.  Lots of Mad Men has been watched though.  Almost finished, then I can move on to fixing the vest.  Then perhaps I might make something small, quick and satisfying before I take on another big project.  Remember there still is the blue blanket...

So sorry for the crochet rant. I am hoping your crafty week has been a little better than mind.

On a happier note...POPPIES  814 of them now to be exact!  Delicious! 

My littlest's contribution

That cheered me up.

Have a great creative weekend everyone.
Lxx

Calm before the Storm

Hi There,

She is on her way Cyclone Luci.  Tonight is when it all begins.  Loads of rain and wind.  Garden is so dry it needs a water but I am not sure how it will cope with it all.  

Photo taken from NZ Herald

Photo of Auckland's skyline this morning looks like a massive WARNING for us. You know the old saying 'red sky in the morning shepherd's warning'.  So should I be off getting stocked up and ready for this storm? What would I need?  We joke about it, if anything went wrong we would head to Mother-in-laws place.  She's our civil defence place.  She has enough food and drink to feed us all for months!  Only if we can get there.  I shouldn't joke about this as the poor people in Christchurch must not be looking forward to this as they just got flooded last week and I guess they are still recovering from that only to have more rain hit this weekend.  I just hope it isn't as bad as the weather forecasters are saying and that everyone is safe.  I think we can safely say after this weekend that will be it for the nice Summery weather.

So I think there will be loads of movies watched, board games played, baking to be had.  Not to mention crocheting up a storm (sorry about the terrible pun!)  It will be snuggly.

Last night was Cubs night.  Which saw the family venture out to Cornwallis Wharf for a spot of fishing.  The week early our eldest lovely had made a sort of fishing rod with wire, hook, sinker all rolled onto a piece of wood.  He was so excited to get out there and "catch a snapper".

After an hour and a half, loads of bites and patience but no catch he yells "that was the best fun ever!"

So great family night out!

Cubs fishing

Where ever you are and whatever you do stay safe this weekend.
Take care,
Lxx

Autumn

Hi There,

Well this week saw a cold snap descend on us here.  Along with a lovely head cold. It truly felt like Autumn had arrived but today has redeemed itself with blue skies and sunshine.

Having a head cold, working and being a Mum has been hard this week.  Most days I would have liked to have curled up on the couch with a cuppa and a movie but unfortunately there wasn't any time for that!  So I am hoping that, that is all the bugs I will getting this Winter (please?)

I do enjoy this time of year.  The blue skies, crisp mornings that turn into lovely warm days...LOVE IT!!  I think I am definitely a Winter girl.  I love to rug up.  I have made a few yummy scarves this year which I am looking forward to wearing.  Not to mention putting on winter pj's at 4pm and snuggling under the heat pump...Bliss!

Anyway before the Winter weather comes I should really finish these projects.

Little lovelies new winter scarf

The vest

The never ending blue blanket

Only three on the go.  Not too bad?
Maybe I should go and do a little or vacuum?  Hmmm...


Happy crafting,
Lxx

Playing Catch Up

Hi There,
Golly it has been a little too long between posts.  Life has been a little busy here.
Good busy though.

Delights that have brightened my letterbox

The poppy project has taken off even more, with exceptional individuals jumping on board and helping me.  Poppies have also been arriving which is just so lovely.  We still have a little way to go with only 245 poppies so far.  But I am convinced we will do it now.  With 187 members on Facebook I think we can.  So I am busily emailing people organising craft afternoon teas, emailing patterns to crafters, looking for a venue after the local war museum didn't want it, after chasing them for four months. I was a little sadden and disappointing they didn't want to get involved.  But now I just need to get on and find an alternative. At one point this project started to feel like a full time job but now it has slowed down a little.  It gives me a chance to breathe.

Another busy time for me was making my best friend of 30 years wedding cake as well as my dress.  

Ready ...

For a look ...

FINALLY ...

The cake was made up of chocolate mud cake with chocolate ganache on the bottom, the middle was a banana cake with lemon butter cream icing and the top was carrot cake with vanilla buttercream icing.  All were then covered in white fondant and hand made hydrangea flowers.  Phew!  It was a big job but so worth it.  My best friend and her husband love it, which made my day.  

My dress I made was divine!  I loved it!  It was so comfy and light on a very hot Summer afternoon.

The pattern was one I have had for awhile, Retro Butterick 5748 and the fabric was from Spotlight.  Then a nice navy ribbon tied in a bow to finish it off along with lots of bling of coarse! Hair was literally pinned up in 5mins as we were running very late.  So much for a leisurely time getting ready with bubbles.  I think I had a shower, put make up on and did the hair in half an hour.  Crazy!  The wedding was amazing on the local beach.  But please remember if you are ever going to a beach wedding wear jandals not dress shoes in the sand - not a good idea.  Blisters arrived and made for a very ouchy night of dancing.   But nothing a bit of wine couldn't fix! It was such a fantastic weekend away just hubby and I.  We managed a nice bike ride and one last Summer swim before the weather turns.

Talking about weather.  I do laugh a little reading some of my favourite blogs from the Northern Hemisphere and how you are all waiting for Summer to arrive and here I am in the Southern Hemisphere waiting for Winter.  I do like 'rugging up', wearing my boots and drinking loads more tea. I do love to hibernate!

But I thought you Northern Hemisphere folks might like some sunshine.  So I am sending some your way...

Enjoy.
L xx

Procrastinating

Hi There,

It is a nice coolish day today so I feel I should be out in the garden tidying it up a little but then I also want to crochet.  TOO MANY CHOICES! So instead I thought I would write a 'quick' blog about my crazy week.

The last week has flown by in a poppy frenzy!  The Facebook 5000 Poppies NZ group has exploded to 138 members.  Which is just fantastic.  I did however spend a lot of time on Facebook welcoming everyone to the group...Now I sit and wait for the poppies to start arriving.  

Then I managed to get myself into the local paper.  Which was surprisingly fun.  I was nervous and a bit scared to be doing it at first as it was way out of my comfort zone. I kept telling myself though that it is for a really good cause and the word about what we are doing needed to get out there so more wonderful people could be involved.  So a lovely reporter came over and we chatted and took some photos and on Friday last week there I was on the front cover!  Unbelievable really.

I was also emailing information to a graphic designer who is making us flyers so we can spread the word even more.  RSA's are also now involved.  This project has exploded!!

My next step is to sort the venue for displaying our project and organise a little craft afternoon tea where people can come along for a cuppa, cake and poppy making. The latter will be fun as I will be able to meet some of the crafters who have chosen to get involved. OH and eat cake and crochet.  Bliss!

My big reveal of what I have made lately is still waiting to be finished but here is a little peak...

Happy crafting everyone,
Lxx

Summer Holiday...Over!

Hi There,

Well that's it.  Summer holiday is now over.
I have sent the little lovelies off to school with packed lunches and all is very quiet here.
What to do next?

I am sure it won't take me long to fill the spaces quickly with lots of crafty projects.

I actually have one to show you in a few days and it isn't crocheted!  Gasp!

Not to mention there is one triathlon I need to start training for.  Slightly crazy you might think but I quite like having something to work towards as I wouldn't exercise otherwise. I usually struggle to get out there.  The housework, crafting and eating cake always gets in the way.  However if I make the effort to put on my gear and go and do some, I quite enjoy it.  So this is one of my little goals for the year - TO COMPLETE A TRIATHLON.  I know a little while ago I wrote about resolutions and doing things that make me happy.  I am hoping that with this triathlon it will be the case.

Poppy Project has taken off.  In two weeks we have grown from 15 members to 110! I am blown away and so pleased that so many people have become involved with this amazing worthwhile project.  I now wait for all the delicious poppies to start arriving.

I also had an interview with the local paper yesterday which was a whole lot of fun. More than I thought it would be!  The reporter was so lovely and friendly which made it easy to get my points across.  It was so much fun I wouldn't mind doing it again.  I feel more fired up about the project now.  It feels like it has gained momentum and it will happen.  I am very happy!

I am off to finish my non crocheted thing and hopefully show you tomorrow.

Take care,

Lxx