Around the world blog hop

Today I'm partaking in a bit of a blog hop after being nominated to play by Julie from My Threadbear Life.  Julie's blog is one of my favourite to visit, she creates beautiful projects and has a talent for up-cycling her vintage finds.  I am spoilt having Julie living in my region and I have loved my visits to her gorgeous house and craft cottage.
The premise of the blog hop is nice and simple with just four questions to answer:

How does my writing/creative process work?
I started writing this blog in 2011 to keep track of my stitching progress. I had just rediscovered my love of quilting and part of my inspiration was all the wonderful sewing and quilting blogs so I was excited to connect with that community.  I see my blog as a way of recording not only my projects but also snippets of our life here in New Zealand, including family, pets, home, garden and baking.  I tend to jump around projects a bit; I still love quilting but there is just something so satisfying about a quick finish!!  Since last year I have also fallen in love again with knitting and clothes sewing.

Why do I create what I do?
Like most crafters, I create because I love it.  Making things is part of my normal.  I love to make things for our home, for the children and for myself!  I am also loving the process of planning and making my own wardrobe.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I could never claim that my work is special or unique in any way because there are so many talented and creative people out there making wonderful things.  And as Julie said I don't think I really belong to any genre because of the jumping around of projects that I do!

What am I working on now?

My current quilting project is the Chateau Hexagon quilt, you can see from the crease marks that I have been ignoring it lately.  I must get back to it!

I wanted to challenge myself with my knitting so I am working on my very first shawl.  Thankfully with the long trip to Napier last weekend I had plenty of knitting time so I am getting quite close to finishing.

As for my wardrobe, I am starting to think of spring and summer.  First up is a black skirt which was actually part of my winter planning that I didn't get to.  Then I have a few fabrics I bought in the beginning of the year waiting to be made up into some summer tops.  

Now, rather than passing the blog hop onto three friends, I saw a different idea at Sew Useful Designs:  I am passing it onto YOU if you'd like to participate!  I'd love to learn more about you, just answer the four questions and post about them on next Monday the 6th October.  And please let me know if you decide to participate, I would love to come and read your post. J Wendy xx

August

August has almost come and gone and this is my first post for the month!  Life with two teenagers seems to fly by at a rapid pace.  It has been in my mind often to blog a post but have never quite got the photos (and myself) organised.  So here is a catch-up of some August things: one of the major tasks we completed was doing up the piano stool and the woodbox that we had been gifted.  Paul did all the painting and we did the upholstery together, using a laminated cotton for durability.  I am really happy with how they look especially when I compare them now with the 'before' photos.  I must thank Julie for her helpful advice and paint recommendation J.  
Josh had requested some gloves so I finally finished them for him.  They are not my best knit, I think they look quite rough but he didn't notice and is getting lots of wear out of them.  Once they were finished I started a cardy for myself in a gorgeous blue.  I do find knitting easier to fit in if I am feeling tired or busy and when we are travelling about it is great to have in the car.  My clothes sewing has slowed down despite my plans.  I would like to make myself a jacket but have only got as far as making the muslin which you can see on my dress form.
In between times Charlie had her school banquet and looked beautiful all dressed up.  Well, that's enough of a catch up, next time I will show you Charlie in her dress and Josh's finished quilt!  Wendy xx

Gift making

A special nieces 20th birthday called for a special gift.  I wanted it to be handmade as she has just made her first dress.  I decided this zippered pouch would be handy to store her sewing/crafting supplies.  The pattern is from Sewing Room Secrets and was an excellent pattern to follow, even the zip was easy to install following the instructions.  The pattern suggests covering a notebook to match so I did and embroidered an 'M' in the corner.  I gave them to Maddi today and she seemed very happy with them.
Our trip to Taupo last week was a two hour drive so I had a knitting project with me to pass the time.  I made the Skeppe hat again, this time for my boss as she loved the one I had made for myself here.  I do love this pattern and it looked really good on Cath, here Charlie has been my reluctant model!! Wendy xx

School holidays

Charlie is safely home and had a wonderful time, it was such a pleasure to hear she fully participated in the experience and loved it all.  Once she was home we spent two days in Taupo, staying in an apartment that looked out to the lake.  Such a beautiful place to visit with snow-capped mountains, Huka waterfall, the lake, and geothermal attractions.  But now the school holidays are over and the routine of term three has begun.
I have managed some sewing in between working and holidaying.  I made the Colette Mabel skirt, using a heavyweight merino ponti knit.  I made size large which ended up being too big, particularly around the waist, so I altered the waistband to make it fit.  I also added 2.5" to the length.  I don't think this is the most flattering pattern on me as it hugs the hips and thighs (the area of my body I try to hide!!), however it is such a warm, comfy skirt especially when paired with my warmest, thickest tights.  I wore it in Taupo with a long cardigan and I think it looked okay.
I also made the Plantain T-shirt which is a free pattern by Deer & Doe.  This is my third time using this pattern, it makes such a great layering top.  The first one was in white cotton knit and the second in a grey and brown merino.  This last one is my favourite, made in black merino.  I added to the length by about 1.5" and added cuffs to the sleeves as I love a long sleeve in winter, keeping my wrists toasty warm.  You may notice a seam under the bust with the black one, I couldn't quite fit the front piece on my fabric so cut it into two - call it a design feature!  I definitely don't plan on wearing the T-shirt and skirt by themselves but layered with other clothes.  These makes just happen to fit in perfectly with The Monthly Stitch where the challenge this month is to sew in monochrome. Wendy xx

Pay it forward

I have made my second Pay it forward gift and Amy has now safely received it.  Amy makes lots of beautiful things on her blog and has a knack for putting really pretty fabrics together so I tried to use fabrics I thought she would like.  I made Amy the Kite Tote designed by Charise Randell from the Playful little paper-pieced projects book.  I also made her a necklace which was a kit from Close to my heart and found her a fat quarter cupcake.  Charlie and I made ourselves a necklace each too from the same kit.

Charlie is back on Saturday from the mission trip in Vanuatu.  That's her below - in sunglasses, third from the left.  It sounds like everything has gone well and they made two water pumps for the villages.  I am so looking forward to seeing her after her two weeks away with very little contact.  I am going to make her favourite home made ice cream as a welcome home treat!  Wendy xx

A date and a dress

Paul had a day off on Friday so we visited the Hamilton gardens.  It was a perfect winter day, the sun was shining and it really felt more like autumn than winter.  The gardens are a beautiful place to visit and cover a large area with many different collections. My favourites are the Italian and English gardens.
I had also finished a new dress so Paul snapped some photos for me.  The dress is the Darling Ranges dress by Megan Nielsen, my first time sewing one of her designs.  Dear Julie gave me the fabric, it's a polyester (I did a burn test) with a nice soft, silky feel and drapes beautifully.  I finished the seams by overlocking and the neckline with bias binding as the pattern said, I do like the clean finish this gives.  I made the size medium with the following alterations:

• removed 1/2" from top back seam for my narrow shoulders
• added 1/2" to each side seam at the bust
• removed about 4" from the skirt to reduce the fullness and gathers
• added 6" to the length
• I didn't add the elastic casing to the sleeve cuff or add the back tie

I really love this dress, I like how I can dress it up with a belt or just leave it plain.  Thanks so much Julie for the gorgeous fabric.  I've entered my dress into The Monthly Stitch Indie Pattern dress competition. I'm not really one to blow my own trumpet but in this case I have to indulge in a bit of self-promotion. If you feel so inclined you can click on the button above to view the dresses and cast a vote for your favourite (it doesn't have to be mine but of course it wouldn't be self-promotion if I didn't gently nudge you in that direction). :) Wendy xx