ephemera

Am a bit hungover today. Shall i share the exploits?

I finished work on Friday, headed home and then picked my brother and his new(ish) girlfriend up from the airport. It is so good to see him again, even though it has only been about 6 months. But still. From there we had fish and chips, all the 

kids in one room - man we take up a lot of space now! All bar one are out of school and over 5 foot 9, it's bizarre. Had a few too many wines, did some grocery shopping with my sister and had the best sleep ever...

Saturday involved cleaning and baking pre-afternoon tea, which was meant to be reasonably posh like until tim came home with a box of coronas. Out of all the people who came, only one had a cup of coffee and one had tea. All the rest of us were boozing. Good, good times. Too much food, lots of sun and catching up. 

Eventually my older brother turned up after a day of shopping, and invited us to go for dinner at Nicolinis, not only the best italian restaurant around, but his old place of employ. Of course we'd all eaten too much already and hadn't booked so we didn't get there til around 10, so had the wait staff sitting with us eating their dinner, and then Raffaele himself joined us. I treated myself to the most divine banquet of pescatora - seafood, beautiful seafood. Tim hates anything you have to shell that comes from the ocean so it was a rare moment where absolutely had to take the opportunity. we wobbled home around midnight, and we paid for it this morning...to the point where i succumbed to a pie, an extreme rarity.

We've just been to yet another of the boy's family's houses for nibbles and drinks and sweltering in the sun. I think Wellington is a bit confused and has decided to provide us with weather that is more appropriate for Nelson, but it is wonderful for all these afternoon events we've been going to. 

Am now biding my time before going out to meet some old school friends for dinner, one is here on a flying visit from Auckland before heading off to the Philippines - lucky thing! So have finally managed to get labels done for all my presents, and the boy is about to learn just how carried away i got...hmmm....

I'm sure there was something deep and meaningful i was going to mention. Hmm... Despite all that i've been trying to do to get myself to actually 'feel' like it's Christmas, it still hasn't sunk in. My presents are almost al organised, there have been myriad family and friend gatherings, and yet...it just isn't the same from when i was a kid. I'm sure when all the madness that is present opening is under way, and my nine year old brother is running around going nuts on chocolate, and my stomach feels like it will pop, and we go for a walk to look at the Christmas lights to work it off, then, i am sure it will feel like Christmas. But i think once you get a certain age you really have to make an effort to feel that true vibe. In an odd moment of insight, I said to tim that Christmas only really happens if you make the effort. I get so sick of these people who go on about how much they hate Christmas, all the stress and what have you. By forcing myself to start making presents in early November, this year it has been a breeze. And i actually enjoy Christmas shopping, and baking, and cooking, and hanging out with all my favourite people. Yes, all those parties get a bit tedious, but i've taken advantage of every single one and used it as the only relaxation time i've had in months. Just sitting back quietly, watching everyone else and listening to their conversations, talking to people. it's the same reason i love the markets - i don't have to do anything at all but sit there. I feel like a total marshmallow after all that food and alcohol, but i'm going to use my two week break to make sure i get back in the exercise habit. Really people who tell everyone who will listen how much they hate this time of year need to get over it. I could go into a whole other reason as to how that can be seen as entirely selfish, but i won't.

on a final note, i happened upon the most fantastic garage sale yesterday. Check out what i picked up for $2 (and she didn't even want that much for it!). I honesty could have walked away with a giant box of fabric. Thank goodness i had that rational thought of...oh, um, where on earth would i store it all?!

A painted velvet cushion cover...
And this fabric. No idea what to do with it, of course...

And the fabric i bought in Paraparam the other weekend. How cool are the trucks!!

righty-o i better get on to tidying myself up for dinner. Have a fantastic Christmas...hopefully will post shortly after. :)

all the good intentions

My good intentions for this blog as follows:

take photos of great stash of stuff purchased at the Statue Barn two weeks ago
take photos of freaking cool fabric bought in Paraparaumu two weeks ago
put up photos of pretty coloured jingle bells bought a week ago from borders
post every day (pfffffffffft)
take photos of just completed christmas craft presenty goodness

clearly none of this has happened. In between Christmas parties, my body shutting down on me and forcing me to spend a day in bed (and miss the one Christmas party i was really looking forward to) and Tim's brother and family arriving from Canada, it's all got a bit lost in the wash. I have, however, very nearly completed all Christmas crafting/shopping, have a tidy house and even managed to seriously diminish my massive pile of work. Admittedly i did just move part of it, but cos it's filing, and can wait til January, it still counts right?

So now i am hanging out for Friday afternoon when i get to finish at the oh so wonderful time of 1, and get stuck into some serious cookie baking. Not that our house needs any more sugar...

i heart christmas

especially because i just had a work lunch. along with said lunch i imbibed perhaps two glasses of wine more than i should have. All attempts at work are rendered futile. Must abort. More work drinks commence at 1800 hours. uhoh.

not so fun times in the sunshine

I have a fast whinge to do about the Khandallah fair. It was ass. Reasonable amount of people, but lots of looking not much spending, and as a result i think the stall charges were way too much. I only just broke even. Which has made me wonder if our product is any good, if we should keep doing it...but we've got a new order, so i'll stick with it for now. 

But, if anyone would like some Christmas cards! Let me know - i have squillions. Say i'll give ten to anyone for free. Send me an email i'll put them in the post. :)

oh and i completely melted in the sun. It was hideously hot - 27 degrees! in wellington! that never happens, climate change is rearing its head, baby.

so to compensate for the whinge i am going to announce my total adoration of paperchase right now. I absolutely adore their Christmas decorations. It doesn't help that i seem to end up in borders all the time, browsing when i have nothing else to do on my lunchbreak. Which is how i ended up with the coolest bell decorations. They even jingle. Tim had fun juggling them. Only bummer - they don't with any ties so i have to go get some ribbon so i can put them on the tree. Now i just have to stop buying things for myself and start buying presents for others. It's the cruelty that is Christmas - you spend so much time looking, and all you seem to find is stuff for yourself. 

art art art art art

woohoo! am all hyped up on two glasses of lindauer and the excitement that is new art...i've just got back from the $100 art sale, and cos i'm such a geek, i want everyone to know what i got already. I was second in line so missed the art work that i really, really wanted - number 19, by 'Fluke' named 'Untitled 72'. But i got my number two work - 'Wee angel' by Dra Mackay - who it so happens i worked with on the film festival in 2005 when i was doing events stuff at Te Papa. It's so nice when you find out things like that - not only did i get what i loved, but it has a story already. it's beautifully grainy and slightly out of focus. It makes me think that angel is doing something it shouldn't. And at the same time it is nice and calm and reflective, especially when i think that it is most likely watching over a grave. Whose grave, i wonder?

Of course tim had to buy something too, as he is just as much the art geek as i am - so he bought a Rapson. It looks like a melting boat. I love it. So we now have our first sculpture and our first art photograph. Not that we should have bought them of course. But i think that makes it all the more exciting. They are guaranteed to give us visual pleasure for so, so long. 

and i managed to take a better photo of our tree. Yay!

christmas tree, oh christmas tree!

The flowers outside my window...

I got home very grumpy last night from a very long day at work to see when i walked in the door - a christmas tree! a real, pretty smelling tree. So we had a good old time decorating it, and i've just looked at the photos i took of it and they're kinda shit. Maybe i'll post it anyway. hmmm so far have had a fabulous day off - dropping off a card order, going out to see the wonderful Martha and her hubby at Wanda Harland (oh i could spend so much money there!) to see if they wanted some cards - and they do! ok, i put it up. But i did warn you that it's a bit crap.

Woohoo! Then i got a bit spendy at the kathmandu sale...we need it all, really. 

Then i went to scope out the preview for the $100 art sale tonight. I'm very, very tempted to buy two works. With these new orders i probabl

y could manage it - it i conveniently forget the fact i need new shoes and work clothes. Pah, who

 needs practical stuff! When i can buy art?! And i do have the khandallah fair on sunday to make up for it. To which you should come, btw. I'm a bit bummed we chose to go in the carpark (cheaper stall) but i'm hoping being a little off the beaten track won't matter too much. 

and i really best get on with some cutting out - tre

es for more christmas cards and fabric circles to make yoyos with so that i can finally get some handmade presents finished.

Tim and my youngest brother last weekend...what is it about youngest children?

And this is our shiny new computer. I loves it. i'm just not very good at using it yet. I've lost all that i learnt on macs when i did first year design about 5 years ago. But i'll get there. :) And that's one of tim's photos as our desktop. Pretty.

fun times

I am suffering from a distinct lack of enthusiasm today. So i'm going to try and force it on myself.

Tim's cousin came over last night and helped us set up the new baby with all the software we'll potentially need. Do you know just how great it was to plug in our modem, and the internet popped up. all ready to go? it did. Here i was expecting to have to fill in loads of fields requesting stuff i had no idea about. once you go mac, you never go back...that's for sure.

and said cousin may also have helped secure us with a mega card order. Yes, i should be very, very excited about that. And i am. really.

and i've got tomorrow off! super, super happy about that. Work has already been a total downer today, and i'm incredibly tired. I reason that's because i've been working so hard...Hopefully i'll get a whole chunk of christmas stuff out of the way, and more cards made for the fair on Sunday. and then baking! plan to make cookie decorations for the yet - to - be - bought tree.

one thing to complain about - how absurd is it to sell a printer without a cord to connect it to the computer? (Brother, i'm looking at you) how much more absurd is it that we weren't told there was no connection cord when we bought it (stationery warehouse...) so no scanned polaroid pics til tomorrow, sorry!

woohoo photos!

they're a bit crap -which is what happens when you take them at about 9pm, i suppose!
Awesome present from the boy number 1: a dewey decimal catalog chest originally from Vic Uni in Wellington - where i studied. It is beeeeeeeeeautiful. all rimu...now i have a gazillion draws to stash my stuff in. woohoo!

Awesome birthday present from the boy number 2: my very own, mint condition Polaroid camera. It is insuch good condition, the tape around the strap hasn't even been taken off yet...i get the feeling i'm the first person to use it. I got some happy snaps at dinner last night that i will try and scan when we get the mac all set up.And finally, i have to do a morning tea shout for my birthday, and i've been so busy i haven't been able to do it yet. Tomorrow is the day - Tim helped with the decoration.

i'm actually just looking around and seeing all the other stuff i should take photos of and post about - like our purchases from the market on saturday, my christmas present works in progress...but they'll just have to wait. I'm taking friday off because i quite simply need a break - and hopefully i won't get all stressy, like i did in the weekend, about how i really should go in and catch up.

my grand plan for the day: some serious card making pre-khandallah fair, some $100 art sale stalking so i can decide in advance what i'm going to buy on the night, and hopefully some purging of stuff that is taking up too much space in our flat - bring on trademe! and bring on the weekend already - i can't believe i'll be waking up to wednesday tomorrow. Gees.

bad grammar and chow

hahaha this has just cracked me up: 'Meanwhile, Amy is reportedly being pressurised by family and friends to end her six-month marriage to Blake.' From the stuff.co.nz website. That's pretty funny - pressurised? um, good England!

Am a bit distracted this morning, due to the festivities of last night. No hangover, but super duper tired. The boy and I dragged a bunch of friends to Chow for dinner and it was fabulous. The mint condition retro polaroid camera the boy got me as second birthday present was equally fabulous - i felt so spoilt. (photos tonight, fingers crossed!). It was great evening, hanging out in the booth, though i have to mention the service was seriously lacking. It's as if the staff have decided that chow is so cool they don't have to make an effort, or be nice. The problem is i love chow, so i'll probably still go back. hmmm.

birthday fun times

It was my birthday on saturday. (Also the first day of summer and world aids day). And it was certainly summer - it was the best day to sit outside, at the aro market, in the sunshine with my free birthday cupcakes. Seems people were quite happy to buy them (they were free with any purchase) so i may expand my market repetoire to include chocolate cupcakes.
and the boy got me the best freaking birthday present ever.
So am browner than i was when i was 23, thanks to the last two days, and the proud owner of some fabulous furniture.
We ran around doing stuff all weekend, so no photo yet - and won't be until we get our new baby set up with the net - hopefully tomorrow.
anyway have masses of work to do, so next post will be pics. yay!

lunchless

I just wrote a post and got some weird error and it disappeared. Dumb

i am not lunchless, per se, more unable to bring myself to eat it. Go figure. And the weather is getting crappy again, after the gloriousness that was the past three days.

title? hmmm

nope, can't think of a title.

I have been at the office for 3.5 hrs now (figure that out - it's 11am) and have done approximately an hour's work. unless you count all the phone calls i've taken, that might edge it up a bit.
But figuring i have working been my little ass off for the past month, i figure i can finally have a morning of slackness.

Slackness has also been seen on the exercise front this week due to the wind deciding to make itself known again, which doesn't bode well for bike riding. And i've wanted to do things other than run with my lunch hours lately. Hopefully i'll be in the mood to go for one when i get home, or my waistline may be in big trouble.

On the exciting news front, i bought a computer! well, the boy and i did really. A shiny new imac. We went into the mac shop the other day to buy it, but after some confusion, they didn't have the one we wanted in stock. 4-6 weeks to wait for it. My ass. I got a bit stroppy. What made me more stroppy was the fact that the VERY NEXT DAY they had a full on magazine style brochure in the paper advertising the freaking thing. Talk about good business - not - if you don't have it in stock, why are you doing a mega promo of it?
So in protest i went online and bought it, and we should have it in about 2 weeks, if not sooner. woohoo! I guess maybe i should be nice and call the store to say we don't want theirs anymore...

And it's the weekend tomorrow. I have coffee with a friend, shopping and crafting of the christmas and market stall kind. happy, happy day.

ok now maybe i should do some work.

i am here, under the elephants

Tim is already in bed - and it's only 8.30. But then last night we were all tucked up at the same time - all this sunshine makes one tired. Not too much to write, but lots of photos...

Fish and chips out at Makara - the weather was just perfect - still and warm.And I made sure we took the tomoto full of sauce...

The boy got creative with a stone...aww...

My favourite thing about Makara is the light - it makes for the most detailed pictures. The way the shadows fall on the stones, how the sun drops over the hill, how everything is bathed in a warm glow - makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.lastly...a shot of my ass. after going to the vege market this morning. We went to take the shot i scoped out yesterday morning on my bike ride and...the fountain wasn't on. Typical.

I did get a bit of crafting done this weekend, but haven't taken any pics yet, not until i actually finish something - hopefully this week. :)

beautiful, beautiful day

Finally, a day where you can't but think the cliche - you can't beat Wellington on a good day. It is just amazing here today - still, sunny, hot, hardly any clouds. it is simply magnificent. I went for a bike ride this morning (still no success at sleeping in) and marvelled the whole way. I spotted some perfect photo opportunities but when i went back after dropping the boy off at work Oriental bay was chocka. The weather is meant to be just as fantastic tomorrow, so on my morning ride i shall take my camera with me.

For a little backtrack, i went to the opening of my sister's exhibition last night. She's literally just finished a diploma in visual media, and her class is having a graduating exhibition on Manners street for the next two weeks. So proud of her for sticking with it - i dropped out of design at Massey after a year when i discovered i was much better at writing than drawing, and that i preferred sewing as a hobby than as a job. Her stuff is very cool though, and i keep thinking that i wish i could set something up that supports emerging designers - a student gallery or the like. Something to mull over for a bit.

And i had to harvest more lettuce this morning, as the plants are getting a bit over excited! All the rain and sunshine of the last week has been like steroids for them. So we get to have fresh, home grown salad this weekend.
(the lettuce post-harvest)

(the tomatoes that i really should stake)

I tried to do some more sewing this afternoon in the peace and quiet, but just can't get into it. Maybe because my brain just wants to rest after yet another crazy week! I really need to get going on my Christmas presents though...only five weeks to go apparently. Argh. One little whinge - why is it that Spotlight seems to have fewer staff every single time i go there? the queues were ridiculous, and half the stuff i needed, such as a certain colour thread, had run out and they obviously hadn't had time to restock due to lack of staff. Sort it out, people! And latest lesson - fabric warehouse has cheaper calico and nylon netting.

Am off to pick up a bottle of wine and the boy - we're going out to Makara with fish and chips to hang out and take photos. It's like a replay of something we did when we first got together, and we got some amazing shots - except they were all on film and i can't find the negs. Gutted!

something to smile about

Before the big storm the other night, the boy and i played a game of scrabble - with our set that we picked up in Petone last weekend. It has wooden letters!

And i caught a rainbow. I love how it looks through the rain spattered window, but none of the photos were just right - i had it in the back of my mind while i was taking them that i could make a card out of a good photo, but never mind.

I haven't had a bike update for a while. I rode the bike home today, and it felt different somehow - i was going faster and i did't freak out that i wasn't in control like i normally do. So i decided to tackle the short cut (ie big steep hill) home instead of the long cruisy way. I struggled. I am so unfit - the last two times i did it, about 6 weeks ago, i didn't have to stop. This time, i had to stop for about a minute i was breathing so hard. But i made it, and even biked up the next hill that takes me up to our house. My throat hurt i was breathing so hard, but it felt great. I actually can't wait to do it again. A bit nuts, yes!

And it's friday tomorrow, thank goodness. Someone was meant to come and show me what to do for my extra job today but didn't have time, so here's hoping for tomorrow - i'm getting increasingly frustrated by the fact i don't really know what i'm doing, but i just want to get stuff done. I hate that it's sitting there and people are waiting on me to get back to them.

One great success i can tick off for the day - the boy delivered our card order and the recipients are well happy with it. woohoo!

thunder and lightning

Last night we had a mega storm. The kind where you lie in bed with your eyes closed and you can see the lightning through your eyelids and the thunder rolls and rumbles like it want to destroy everything in its path. It was kinda scary, though very exciting at the same time. And it went for aaaaaaaaaages. I could just imagine the cold air and the warm air fronts meeting up in the sky in their gangs and both of them going right, we’re not going to give in easy this time – let’s fight to the death. Sleeves rolled up, muscles bulging…

And I want to whinge about some things. With the sky so grey I think I’m entitled. I’m trying to find somewhere, anywhere in central Wellington that will print digital photos for less than $1 a pop. At this point I’m going to have to do a massive lunchtime mission all the way to the other end of town to get some images printed at a reasonable price. And the place I’m going to charges extra (!!) for matt and white borders. What a freaking rip off.

And what is with the women presenting the netball at the moment all wearing the same dress? They look like bridesmaids, and they don’t seem terribly impressed by it. Going by their facial expressions, they all appear to be thinking the same thing – I feel like an idiot. Put them in news presenter blazers, and they’ll all look a million times more professional.

The only other thing I can think of to whinge about right now is that no matter what I do at the moment, my house feels like a constant mess. I swear it is reproducing. I might need to resort to drastic measures, like eating dinner straight out of the pan. Hmmm.

hmm

I feel better after that. Or maybe it's just the chocolate kicking in.

full and frank

Today is not fun. However, the new frankie is out and that had made things a little better. And the fact that we have secured out first card order. But work is still crap. bleugh.

the best news ever!!

I just sat down to write this via checking my email - and discovered that we have our very first card order! I'm having a party in my seat! And the boy isn't even here to celebrate with me! Could i get anymore excited??!

breathe...breathe...breathe...right so apart from that SUPER EXCITING news i thought i'd share my day. If i could do bullet points i would.

I woke up too early as usual, after a lovely night of sleeping and dreaming about something that *wasn't* work (happy happy me). So after giving up on harrassing the boy i eventually got up and went for a nice old bike ride... i was going to go round the bays but as usual wellington couldn't decided what to do with the weather and i wasn't too keen on getting rained on. Got home and dragged the boy's ass outta bed to go to the market, which was way busier than usual but worth it as always. Except we couldn't find any decent bananas. oh well.

um and then what...had a bit of a tidy up and sat down to cut out more things for our new Christmas cards that we're going to sell at the next Aro Market and (hopefully) the Khandallah market. I'm really excited about them, they let me feed my magazine addiction and have nice relaxing time of chopping away with my scissors and not think about much.

Then while i was making lunch i decided i should stop being so freaking lazy and actually clean something (i've been on cleaning strike lately, cos i've been working so hard the last thing i want to do in the weekend is clean). So i attacked the shower with exit mould (ahh, glorious stuff - that also ruined my boy's World hoodie - actually i should get around to fixing that) and had fabulous success making it look all nice and shiny so decided i may as well clean the rest of the bathroom too. Not that it's very big but it gets super dusty and i moult like a cat so hair gets every where and it's impossible to get off.

Anywhoo, after all that i got my ironing board out and had a go at all the fabric i washed a couple of weeks ago after my major spotlight splurge. Which meant i could then make:

Christmas placements part one (for presents) and summer pj bottoms. OMG how i love the fabric of these - the photo really is a bit crap cos the light is going and has made them look all blue. When i get the chance and the light is better i'll take another one. It reminds me of when i was 8 and my mum still made my clothes - ah reminiscing. They aren't the most attaractive when on but they are basically the boy's boxer shorts pattern so that's what you get i suppose.

And yes i'm already thinking about Christmas. Usually i'll be in denial until mid-December but this year i seem to be all for it. Might have something to do with our little card enterprise - i keep telling myself we need to take some Christmas photos for cards, and i aim to make the majority of my gifts this year to save a bit of moolah and have an excuse to do lots of sewing.

But for now, i'm off to make a semi-experimental dinner and have wee dance around the lounge - yay for card orders!!

sanity withdrawal

It's Friday night and the house is quiet. Well, quiet except for the conversation i can hear the people upstairs having, which is odd cos normally they all seem to be socially incapable. Anyway.

My week has been mental. How many times have i said that lately? Fingers crossed it will start to calm down next week, despite the fact i will still be doing two jobs - only i will be starting a new second job of which the acting period is indefinite. I'm actually a bit daunted by it, as i will certainly be out of my comfort zone, but it just goes to show how much my boss knows i am capable of, and that is a fantastic feeling. Wow, that sentence was way too long.

A few bits and pieces from the past two weeks...

the Pablos art auction was fab. My declarations of no alcohol consumption were quickly forgotten with the free bubbles. woops. The boy was intent on spending my money but we walked away with nothing - gutted we missed out on fantastic works by Paul Bradley, Sam Broad and Misery. That's what happens when you're poor like us though!

My little (8 year old) bro had his annual fireworks-slash-halloween party last weekend. It consisted of many 8 and 9 year old boys running around getting overly excited (as they do) at the pyrotechnics. To the point that one yelled 'God bless America'. Apart from being freaking hilarious you've gotta wonder if they should have said 'God bless China'.

I love watching fireworks but can't stand to spend money on them - i figure i may as well light a $20 note on fire. But we watched the Wellington free fireworks display from the best spot ever - and they were mind blowing (and ear bursting). for once i thought they were better than Disneyland (or maybe i just need to go to Disneyland again). One of the boy's friends parked in a spot on Oriental Bay from 8am just so that his brother could park his work truck in its place later in the day. The boy was home late from work and when we got there, the two of them were sitting in this truck, with the curtain pulled aside, kitted out with sofas, radio and bbq. So we sat in cosy comfort, ate sausages and bread and got many an odd look (and attention from the police), some guy even took our photo. I think it was more hilarious for us watching peoples' reactions than for them looking at us. Haha i even had my knitting out for awhile while the light was good which was a great tool to convince the boys in blue that there was no alcohol on board. i mean, if something as wholesome as knitting is being done aboard, surely we won't be breaking any laws??

And as i said, the show was spectacular.

last night i got home lateish (dinner time) from work drinks (there's that no alcohol thing forgotten again) to find the boy had dinner all ready for me...it was the best thing. Even cooler though was the cat that snuck into the flat and wandered around for about half an hour. The boy was so stoked, and spent quite a lot of time down on the floor.

and now i'm going to relax and finally finish reading Love in the Time of Cholera. mmmmmm bliss.

sleep, glorious sleep

I can't believe it's already 6pm on Sunday. Where has my weekend gone?


Friday night i was so exhausted i went to bed at 8, and when the boy got home around midnight and he said hello i could barely lift my head. The most frustrating thing was that i woke up at 6.10 am on saturday morning and couldn't get back to sleep again...so i eventually gave up, started sewing and organised everything for the market so the boy got to stay in bed til 9.


I'm super glad we did make it to the market - it is enforced relaxation time. I can sit and chat to people and hand sew and don't have all those niggly household jobs hanging over my head. It was a pretty quiet day yesterday but we still did ok. The best part of the day though was when a strange man quickly and quietly handed me a wad of papers - application forms for three local markets. woohoo! So in the coming months we will (hopefully) also be doing: the khandallah fair (9 Dec); the Newtown Fair (2 March); the Kilbirnie festival (6 April) aaaand all going well the two martinborough fairs in february and march next year. actually that would mean two fairs in two days but we'll have to plan well for that one.


Anyway i'll be glad of the excuse to make more ipod covers - when i was up at 7.30 yesterday sewing i remembered how much i love making them - they are actually relaxing, and i love putting together different fabrics and thinking of new embroidery designs to put on them. They haven't done terribly well at the aro market thus far but i don't think it's quite the right audience for them anyway.

And i just half-succesfully made us pho for dinner. (i think it's vietnamese soup). It worked really well considering i improvised on a few ingredients - but that is the story of my life.

Enough boring writing, here are some random photos.


I realised there wasn't a single pic of me on here. totally anonymous no more! Me and a very hairy boy on the way back from a trip to the mountain. Oh, for some snow!
And i didn't get to have any of my lovely toast this weekend due to lack of peanut butter in the house. Dumb. Maybe next weekend.
Not terribly exciting photos but i promise to work harder on that front. Here's to another mad week...

oops amidst the madness

have i really not posted in that long? That is quite appalling, but i have fantastic excuses - the world has gone mad. Well, almost. Am currently doing the work of three people at what has turned out to be a very busy couple of weeks at work, and it doesn't look like it will let up soon.

And the Aro Street Market is on again this week, so of course my brain is desperately trying to fit in the logistics of that along with everything else. So last night, half drunk from work drinkies the boy and i had a card making mission and got done about as many as we think we'll need, which was a bit painful seeing as all i really wanted to do was relax.
The other problem with it is that i have two sewing table options at home: too high or too low. So i go for too low, and end up all hunched over at this mini table. But at least i can see.

Anyway, the madness continues - off to the ROAR art auction tonight which should be a fun-ho time.

endless frustration

I had a blog all written and waiting for photos last night and then the boy's computer froze. Good times. This is a quick post to say things are super hectic at the mo so not sure when will get the next proper post up. Hopefully sometime this weekend, when i'll finally get to relax!

hello, friday!

I am at work. it is 4pm on the cusp of Labour weekend. The sun shineth. The office is very jolly and due to said jolliness i have consumed far too many chocolate peanuts and dried mango.

I have been sitting on the same piece of work for the past several hours trying to figure out how to make it look fantastic and have been failing miserably.

Plans for the weekend:
sewing!
knitting!
crafting!
photographing!
relaxing!
reading!
sleeping!

I would really like to go somewhere nice to test drive the tent but i am extremely aware that every time my car ventures out on to the road this weekend my risk of being in an accident is multiple times higher than normal, so i think we'll be saving that for another, non long weekend.

By the end of this long weekend i will also have found out if our cards are to be stocked in a gallery in Taupo, if the answer is yes, i will be strongly motivated to go on a recce to see if some local places will host our creations. Nothing like positive reactions to make you push yourself a bit further.

It is now 4.09 pm and only 51 minutes till i go home. woohoo!

the price of milk

ugghhhhhhhhh hayfever. I wrote this yesterday, intending to put it up last night, but i got too distracted by knitting. So imagine it's monday.

I really can’t get over how much the groceries cost me on the weekend. I kept reading things about how food prices are going to go up, and lo and behold, there were up. Maybe it also had something to do with doing the shopping at a different supermarket too.
What got me the most was the price of butter. Normally I pay $2.00 for 500g at Pak N Save. At Woolworths yesterday it was $3.50 or something absurd. $3.50! I couldn’t get over it. I knew prices for butter were going up but by 75% is obscene. I’m going to have to rethink the amount of baking I do – and may just have to change from cookies and ginger crunch to scones. Which just aren’t the same as they lose that nice lightness after a day. So let’s just say I’m glad that we started to grow our own veges – it may just be the one thing we can save money on so that we can afford things like butter and flour.

That whinge over, I had the most amazing breakfast yesterday. Inspired by the boy’s breakfast of banana and peanut butter on toast, I decided to one-up him with peanut butter and slices of apple on spelt and flaxseed vogels. It was, quite simply, divine. One of those breakfasts that are so good I am going to save it for my weekend treat – not because it’s hideously bad for me but because I like it so much I don’t want to eat it so often it loses its appeal.

Despite my grand plans for crafting on the weekend (hand stitched linen napkins, new summer pj pants, maybe a tote bag) all I managed was a peggy square that wasn’t the right size. My excuse? The boy decided to invite a couple of friends over for dinner so I ended up hanging in the kitchen making my first ever butter chicken, flat bread and raita, and some reliable as ever brownies. I was a bit reluctant at first but ended up really enjoying the whole process – planning what to make, what to serve it in (discovering that we seriously lack serving vessels and utensils), and then sitting around drinking red wine, eating and chatting with the evening sunlight streaming through the windows. We’re so going to do it again. I can’t wait. And now I have four boy-less evenings to dedicate to things like (hand stitched linen napkins, new summer pj pants, maybe a tote bag.

I also started thinking about Christmas, while I sat and knitted my half ass peggy square. What can I make everyone without spending too much? And what do you make guys for Christmas? I kept thinking that it would be a bit lame to make the women everything and buy all the boys presents. Hmmm. The other tricky thing is that I would knit them all beanies and scarves, but it’s a tad unseasonal for that in the southern hemisphere. I’m going to have to brainstorm.

great ephemera

I realised that i totally forgot one crucial magazine from the magazine post, and it is one that i see many times a day. Is not magazine lives on our kitchen wall. We bought this double A0 poster magazine in Melbourne last year. A group of aussies get together, write and draw some stuff, get it printed and paste it up alongside band posters and advertisements on the street. You can also buy your very own copy from a book shop that i forget the name of. I love its simplicity and its massiveness. If anyone is keen to help me set up an NZ (or wellington at least) version, let me know. I'd be fully keen.


aaaandd...i bought the readymade book! woohoo for Borders - i got back to work from my lunchbreak yesterday to find a nice wee surprise of a '40% off any book' voucher in my email. So as soon as i finished work I bought it for my hot little hands. Very happy. Only problem is that whilst in borders, i also discovered that i really want Jamie Oliver's new cookbook that includes how he grows his own vegies, which is also $55, and another craft book that's around the same price. Why is it that all the books i want right now are $50? Top of my list is still Bend the Rules Sewing (which Borders doesn't stock). All in time...

this is cool. i went for a bike ride this morning- a nice long one where at one point i was struggling so bad against the wind a snail passed me on the road. Hehe.

And last but not least are my sweet new vegies. We have a minute section at the flat so it's all about pots. I literally just planted them, despite the wind's attempts to blow me and the plants away. I've always been adamant that i don't 'do' gardening, so this is one big experiment. We have cocktail tomoatoes, beetroot, mixed brassicas and mixed lettuces. I just checked on the worms too and they have eaten SO much this past week and have had loads of babies. Which is a relief as i was getting a tad worried. Woohoo for new hobbies! (yes, i am still crafting.)

i only believe the stars...

when they are true.

I had a much better day today, thanks in part to last night's wee imbibing session. And when i got home, i found some good news:

I only rarely read my horoscope, and when i do, i always dismiss the ominous ones as crap and the good ones i tuck away in my memory for a rainy day. This one, though, really hit the spot. I feel like everything i'm doing at the moment is building up to some sort of climax that will make some huge difference to my life. Work has great potential, craft has great potential, the boy's work is slowly gaining momentum, the sun will soon come out (i hope!).

Which all means that i feel like i'm looking forward to something but i have absolutely no idea what it is. Christmas, perhaps!

On the craft front i decided the time was ripe for some tidying up - sewing in strands on some knitted squares for a blanket (possible christmas present) and making some citrus slice for the boy to munch on when he gets back tomorrow. Does that count as craft? I dunno. And i have to come up with a stamp design to be made up by next wednesday so i can stamp all our cards amd send them off to Taupo. Hmm that doesn't leave me much time, does it?

rain rain go away...

I'm a magazine addict. And i've known it for a long time. but i seem to have found a nice cosy habit in the past year or so of specific hits that once bought, will keep me happy, just having them, for quite some time. Even if i don't get the chance to read them for awhile after they've found their place in my hot little hands, i'll be surrounded by a mellow luxurious glow in the knowledge that they are mine to cherish. Yes, i'm waxing lyrical. But frankie, for one, is a magazine that helps me find my place again. It has just the right balance of interesting features, fashion, craft and baking. The same writers appear issue after issue like good friends should.

I discovered frankie whilst in Melbourne, and i swear it was the happiest day of my winter season when i found the little book shop in Methven, Canterbury stocked it last year.

Russh i nicked from the lunch room at my boring as hell job in Melbourne. It was love at first flick - all the lush product shots, the collages, the pictorial research. I drooled. I have since graduated to purchasing rather than pinching. The best thing is that it comes out with the same regularity as frankie, so often i manage to get a double hit.

Oyster i like, but not enough to buy all the time. It's above the $10 mark which always makes me hesitate, unless there is something absolutely brilliant that catches my eye on the first browse.

My most recent discovery, however, is readymade. Out of the states but reading like a pommy mag, it is all about diy homewares. This means powerdrills and timber. Not that i really have the means or facilities to make a craft corner workstation, but it's still pretty cool. It's a bit on the spendy side and i'll probably only buy it the once - now that i've discovered they made a book! If you see the copy at borders on lambton quay, look closely and you'll see my name on it. No touching, thanks!

and then for the slightly more geeky - i always buy the healthy food guide as it has really good, easy recipes, and is interesting and motivating - i'm always inspired to eat that little bit better after reading each one. Helps keep out of the same-old cooking rut too.

For the sporty - i pick up Manual for the boy when i can, as it's published by the boys who made staple (sadly now defunct), and i was very impressed by their women's issue of spoke - tho all the use of 'mountain' in relation to 'biking' put me off a bit.

That and New Zealand Snowboarder, tho both it and manual really annoy me due to their serious lack of attention to female snow and skate boarders. We do exist, ya'know, and we read your mag (mainly for the gear, i must admit).

Every once in awhile i'll pick up vogue, but i got sick of their 'you must have this chanel bag' mantra -it's a bit too commercial and ...hmmm... rich middle age women for me.

Ok that was a bit more rant than i intended, sorry!

and extra good news from our market on saturday - we may have a gallery in taupo lined up to stock our cards. woohoo!

now i really must get me to bed before i pass out. 'night

ahhh relaxing at last...

It's been a pretty full on weekend - two early mornings, the market, the boy's birthday, the rugby (oh, shame). I have to have my two cents about the rugby - and no more, promise. Yes the All Blacks should have won, and it is terribly sad, but it could have been worse. And if you put our ability in perspective - just think if Australia had to pick their national team from the population of Melbourne alone - which is essentially what NZ has to do - They would suck. So we are awesome, and we know it with or without a trophy. Big ups guys, you did the best you could on the day. Life goes on.

So enough writing - here's some photos!

Thanks so much to everyone who came along to the market on saturday, we had heaps of fun! If anyone is interested in cameras, cards or ipod covers, send me an email :)

too much for one day...

I had the most absurd day. It was so full on at work (for once) and then i came home to more work - helping the boy label and price his cameras for the weeekend. Only just finished so just a couple random pics. Above a work by Paul Bradley, and below, my hand putting the finishing coats on my snowboard (which did have an ugly boy design on it).

Sunshine, please!

Oh for some good weather!
It's true you can't beat Wellington on a good day, but when it's crap, it's crap.
Me and the boy have got everything crossed for sunshine (or no rain, at least) on Saturday, as it is our debut at the Aro Street Market. I will actually cry if it rains.
We've been super busy with plans for that and for tim's birthday - we had a few cocktails with friends last night, and at one stage the boy had 4 (yes, 4!) cocktails in front of him. Go the 2 for 1 is all i can say!
I haven't been able to get back on the bike this week thanks to the weather and daylight savings which is making me all twitchy.

I've tried to make a habit lately of doing things that scare me. The market is one. Going to the dentist is another (it took me about a week to pick up the phone, i swear). But every time i've put down the phone or sent an email i get the best rush - i've done it! Taking that first step - even if nothing comes of it - reassures me that really, i can do anything. I am the last person to have deep and meaningful philosophies about life but this one does work. Having said that, though, at the moment there still seems to be something kind of...missing. Hmm.

Anyway - i really, honestly will put some photos of the latest craft adventures up tonight.

upside downside

Last night was fantastic. All the cliches - good food, good friends, good drinks. Lots of laughing. A very positive reaction to a prototype gift card given as an IOU birthday present.
But the boy also went out and drank too much to drive home, so i had a very lonely sleep. Whenever he's missing it makes me grumpy - it just isn't the same without him.
And the first day of daylight savings time has come up a crapper - wind, spitty, overcast. Ugh. It's not meant to be like this. This time last year daylight savings day was beeeeeeaaaautiful - the boy's birthday, golden sunlight, long day drinking beer and then practically carrying the (by then very drunk) boy home. Oh well. So we are devoting the rest of today to crafting. Finishing our stock of cards for the market next week and finishing off a whole load of pre-cut ipod covers for the same. it's definitely an inside day. I'll take photos, promise.

poppity pop pop

a few random pics - my new baby!

and a couple of things i should be doing - sewing and housework. haha...