Week that was

Hi There,

Autumn walk - Wenderholm

My constant companion

First week of the school holidays done!  It was a very busy one with the kiddies deposited at Gran's house for some spoiling.  Their lovely Aunty from Australia stayed too and so she was in charge of entertainment while Gran was in charge of feeding.

I got to have some time to myself which was lovely.  There wasn't much personal creative crafting going on which was sad but loads of other things got done.  The house was cleaned within an inch of its life as the local TV crew arrived to interview my friend and I about the 5000 Poppies.  It was so much fun, a little nerve racking but fun.  My house got poppyified. 

The day before we did a radio interview which was interesting.  It is hard to get your personality across with just your voice.  No chance to be animated and no one could see me waving my hands about, as I do.  But it was lovely to tell more people about what we have been doing for the past two years and how far we have come. I have said "NO MORE PUBLICITY!"  Lets hope my friend has heard me:)

Another treat was going to the local plant store and getting to spend my birthday vouchers.  My garden now has C*O*L*O*U*R!  So pretty.  

Also on my week off I got spoilt too, with dinners out with Hubby.  Such a treat. When you are knee deep in everyday family stuff...everyday...it is hard to stop and have time together and chat.  So when the kiddies are away we try to make the most of it and treat ourselves to dinners out.  I'm more than happy to have nights off cooking...luxury!

But now the noise and mess is back and it is lovely...so far!

Take care,

Lxx

Another view at Wenderholm

Easter Weekend

Hi There,

My Easter weekend has started well with yesterday spent in the garden.  I have been desperate to get out there and get my hands dirty but something called 'work' was getting in the way.  So yesterday was the day! It was very overgrown with weeds, dead tomato plants and leaves, lots of leaves to sort out.

I only have the after photos.  I really need to remember to take photos before I start just so I can show how much I accomplished.  It was a lot too, as I was out there for six hours!  I even cleaned out the garden shed.  Very satisfying.

Now that I have a clean canvas to play with and a birthday gift of gardening vouchers I am excited about adding some colour to the garden for the coming winter months. After traveling around Europe last year I have become very keen on geraniums. They were everywhere and were so bright and cheery.  I bought some this summer and they have done so well and look delicious.  So now I need MORE!  I am not sure though if they are also a winter plant.  More research needs to be done.

Pretty potted colour in Poland

Another thing I am keen to get finished this weekend is a dolly from this yummy book.  I am in love with Red Riding Hood on the cover.

Isn't she sweet.  I am going to make her next after I have made one for a little friend of mine.  LL has also requested one as well so I think I maybe making three!

Time for more chocolate and maybe a nice hot cuppa.  I hope wherever you are, you have a most relaxing and lovely LONG weekend.

Take care,
Lxx

Pinterest

Sewing

Hi There,

I have managed, in-between working and poppy madness, to make something for myself!  I know it hasn't happened for a long time.  I have had this idea of making a kimono top floating around for awhile.  Nice and floaty I thought.  So I found a pattern even though a kimono is an easy design I still needed instructions.

I found yummy fabric from Spotlight which was on special...BONUS!  

Then, as you do, placed pattern pieces onto fabric and cut.

Then I got my 'sew' on.

Now...Before I started this I thought how hard can it be to make a kimono top...Well... for this novice sewer it was.  Oh the mistakes I made and even now its finished I still don't know how to fix it.  I think I need the 'Expert' to come and visit and show me where I went wrong.

Anyway...Ta Dah (I guess?)  Certainly not the best photo but you get the idea.  It still needs a little fixing but I am pretty happy about it.  

Now I just need an outing to wear it to.

Take care,
Lxx

Poppy Madness

Hi There,

Here in the Craft Cupboard lately there has been a huge focus on the poppy project as we are slowly coming to the end of an epic journey.  We have reached a staggering 28,000 poppies and I think we just may get to 30,000 by 1st April this year.

The effort people here in New Zealand have gone to, to make this project have substance and a soul has truly blown me away.  I never thought that it would get this big and that anyone would be interested but my little country has proven me wrong. Quite humbling really.  

Over the past two years since I took on this project I have meet some wonderful people.  There is a group of ladies who come along regularly on a Sunday to the local RSA and help to stitch poppies onto hesssian.  That has been a massive task with us making 23 panels.  Amazing lovely group. There have also had over 800 Facebook followers supporting us along the way.  All the panels made will be displayed at the Airforce Museum in Christchurch, Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim and the Nazy Museum in Devonport this year. 

Two of the lovely ladies from the group bought me some beautiful poppy gifts.  I love them!  Such a nice momentum for years to come.  

So now being almost at the end it feels good to have created a memory.  A memory that will be displayed every Anzac Day for all to remember what our little country did in WWI and subsequent battles. 

Take care,

Lxx

Latest Creations

Hi There,

The past ten days have been very creative indeed.

After counting and stitching poppies onto panels and making endless little blue squares I thought it was time for a little colour.

So I took to making Mandelas. I made a couple last year and enjoyed it so much it was time to make a few more...well seven more! The large one on right I had made previously.  It was loads of fun and just the little break I needed.

The little people liked them so much too they have gone and put them on their bedroom walls.

So now I got my fix and it is back to the never ending blanket...More little blue squares BUT only six balls of wool to go.  Surely I can crochet them all by next weekend, surely?

Lxx

Blaze

Hi There,
Last Sunday my Littlest Lovely asked after watching Coraline,  "Would it be very hard to make a rag doll Mum?"
"No," I replied.

And so started the journey.

We found some calico in my sewing stash.  Then found a basic rag doll pattern on Pinterest and went to cutting out the shapes.  I made LL sew the legs and I made the body then I got her to patiently sit and stuff it.  She did a great job!

LL then decided that she only needed eyes.  No mouth necessary Mum! Easy.

We discussed hair colour for a while and then settled on two shades of red.  It gives it a nice depth I think.  The dress was the challenging part of the whole process.  Why I couldn't figure it out I don't know.  I had to add a little piece above the arms for the dress to be able to fit around to the back.  A little bit of a nightmare.  I got there in the end and it seems to be OK.

There are a few things I would do differently next time, like making the arms sit down as opposed to sticking out.  I think also I could make the dress better BUT at the end of the day my Littlest Lovely squealed with delight when she saw her and really that is all that matters.  If she loves it then I have done a great job.

Pretty contrasting sash

Vintage lace added

Name?  What do we call this creation...I wanted Abigail or Isabelle or another super cute girlie name...but LL had that all covered...

"I will call her Blaze because that is cool and she has red hair."  Can't argue with that!

So meet...BLAZE

Then..."Mum do you think you could make another one with Blue hair?"

Oh Boy!

Lxx

Beginnings

Hi There,

My little people went back to school last week. My OL (Oldest Lovely) is in his last year of primary school.  So a special year for him.  Both have settled in nicely to the school routine while I madly do little jobs around the house before work starts again.

This week has been a very busy one with me counting over 1,000 poppies and tidying up some poppy panels and then packaging seven up ready to go to Christchurch to be displayed at the Airforce Museum for Anzac Day this year.  

One panel - beautiful

Rolled and almost ready to send

Display of three panels at Glenfield Library

We now have over 23,000 poppies!  It is crazy to see how massive it has become.  I am really looking forward to seeing all 23,000 poppies displayed in one place later in the year.  The effect will be breath taking.

On the crochet front I have managed to make a few things too!

Introducing...

Emerald

 The newest Imp to the Imp Family.

Apparently she is the girlfriend of Limestone.

L-R: Pearl, Indy, Limestone and Emerald

These four Imps are very mischievous together and play some pretty creatively made up games.

Puffles

These critters aren't my favourite to make but the little people like them so of coarse I am obliging and make them.

So that I feel is everything that has been happening here in the cupboard this week.  It is almost time to go make tacos and tortillas for dinner along with a banana loaf for school lunches.

I hope you all get to be a little creative this week.

Take care,

Lxx