Long time no talk

I admit it, I've been slack. So so slack. No posts in nearly a month, hardly any reading of other blogs either. Where have I been - well, nowhere exciting but have been in the midst of a huge work project, including creating a new website for the company I work for. I hired website designers, yet still so much input has had to come from me that I've been a little snowed under. Fingers crossed the launch all goes well next week!!

I've not let the craftiness completely slide by though, that's been very much my downtime relaxation. I sold a wee hat on felt - love the colour combination don't you?

And I've been knitting again. It's been so long since I picked up needles, but I've tried something different - socks.... Such Fun!

And I've been making loads of jewellery. Only a few items ever made it into my felt shop as I tend to carry my box of goodies in my car, so it's come with me to a party, to book group, to work and so on and I've really done well selling it to friends. I've not even had to push it - it sells very easily. Lovely little earner for me!

And of course much of it has made it's way into my jewellery box too, I get so many positive comments that it's been very rewarding.

Since I've last blogged I've celebrated a birthday, must say it was one of the nicest birthdays ever. The other half sent me out shopping for the day and I came home to a beautifully tidy house, a yummy birthday cake and then some very good friends came around for dinner. 

I also found the cutest vintage pyrex dish and lid set at the op shop so I was rapt with that too!

 

My sister sent me the most fantastic cookbook, it's a NZ one - based on recipes from an Auckland Cafe. Real treat food, and we've made a fair few goodies from it already.

My garden is coming to the end of the summer goodness, the autumn fruits are in full harvest - apples, feijoas, jerusalem artichokes and I've been busy sowing seeds for some lovely Stock plants to add beautiful colour to dull winter days. The vege garden has been planted for winter so we're on track for a plentiful garden.

Anyway it's 7:30 Friday night and I have some more work to do. Sad isn't it. Kids are slowing drifting off to sleep so it's the most productive time for me to get through the list of "to-dos".

Have a great week xxx Kylie

Wonderful weekend

A weekend full of wonderful treats - I was so spoilt by my darling friend, Leah. Gosh I am so lucky. Lots of laughter, shopping, crochet, jewellery making, cafes (Martha's Pantry was a real highlight) and of course, lots of talking!

I found some fabulous goodies on our op shop trips - including the perfect dress, and I was lucky to get a wonderful kitch tray for the caravan - made from a 70's puzzle - at a craft show (The Knack).

I also had a real treat with driving Leah's classic car - I can't believe she let me. It is the cutest bright yellow Fiat Bambina, and I must have looked a right sight grinding the gears and giggling until tears streamed down my face!

We had fun comparing our ripple blankets...

And we made some great new rings and necklaces. I've got some further supplies and have been busy making a few more goodies for Birthday and Christmas pressies. 

It's a busy time of year still, I'm not getting much time in front of the computer for fun, it's all work work work unfortunately. So I am here, but not posting much.

Roll on Christmas!!

Have a great week

Kylie xxxx

Cup of tea anyone??

Have just finished this super cute tea cosy from Crochet with Raymond - I wanted a modern look, so omitted the frill around the top and bottom. I love the effect, especially against the black of the teapot. This is again for our caravan so hence the bright green. Just wondering if I should add a few flowers to the top though? What do you think?

I think it'll go really well with all the new goodies (bowls and cups) I bought yesterday - they were all on sale and were just so cheerful. The girls are loving having their cereal out of them in the mornings. I'm loving the tea cups, they are just the perfect size.

I am absolutely loving the following book, given to us by my darling Mum and Dad. It's just the cutest little retro caravan book - perfect for our project.

I picked up this magazine - GOOD -  the other day.  It's a good read, and has a great article about Bananas and how pesticide laden the commercial crops are. I just never realised just the damage that they are doing. Most of our fruit comes from our on non-sprayed orchard so I forget about others using nasty sprays. From now on I will be buying bananas that are Fairtrade and non-sprayed (they are available in the mainstream supermarkets as well and are only about an extra $1 a bunch).

Have fabulous week

Kylie x

Autumn delights

Autumn has arrived, and it's arrived sharply. We've gone from high summer with humidity and long evening to a real nip in the air in the space of a week. It's still warm during the day but there is a real difference in the overnight temperature. The garden is sure noticing the change and all of a sudden looks a bit sad - preparing itself for winter I guess. But to make the most of the cooler air I am busy picking fruit and preserving it all.

Black Boy Peaches, simply the best peaches ever, have magically appeared on a tree beside one of the paddocks that has never fruited before. It's a very old tree, and the Chief gave it a prune last year - amazing what a haircut can do as it's absolutely laden with fruit this year. I decided to bottle a whole heap of it so we can keep enjoying them through the winter.

Our Apples are starting to ripen now, we don't spray our trees at all so they aren't always *perfect* looking examples, but being mostly heritage fruit (most of them I have no idea what type) they sure taste great. Apple sauce was made yesterday, and will make a whole heap of apple pies for the freezer next week.

I have just had a wonderful weekend away in Auckland with my very closest friend - what a fabulous catch up - no kids, just shopping, secondhand shop treasure hunting, crocheting, gossiping, tea drinking and eating. What could be better?? Just had to share a few treasures from the trip away.

Loving my new bracelet!!

Secondhand shop find and a gorgeous tray that was a gift

Cool building at the top of Queen Street

Already can't wait until next years weekend away xx