the makings of a library

 

image: book cupboard

I really wish that I’d thought to take a ‘before’ shot so that you could see the above cupboards transformation. I purchased it from our local reclamation yard (my new favourite place to shop). The glass was smashed, it didn’t have sides…or a top come to think of it. When I described it on the phone to Mr Tread Softly he was certain that I’d spent good money on fresh air! I knew, however, that it had potential.

image: old french photos pegged onto hemp string

For those of you who have been readers for a while now, you will know that my studio used to be in the house and that once I moved into the new work space and shop,  we had an empty room to fill. Before the move to New Zealand we wrote a wish list and under ‘little wooden cottage’ we’d written ‘library’. Both being avid readers, a little library, for us, seemed like complete decadence. Well, it was a wish list afterall. Let’s cross that off the list shall we? We now have one – well, the makings of one anyway. It’s a little sparse right now but it’ll get there.

 

image: the library cupboard

So after a lick of paint, a bit of Mr TS’s carpentry skills and some new glass, I have to say that I’m thrilled with the results. I lined the doors with a gorgeous piece of french antique cloth and it’s just perfect for a selection of our favourite books to live in.

If you’d like to see more of our home and workspace it will be featured in January’s edition of ‘New Zealand House and Garden’ - in the shops from 21st December.

Until next time…

rathkeale

image: hand printed brooches : antique buttons : sage

This Saturday (14th November) I’ll be at the Rathkeale Christmas Fete. Drop by and say hi if you’re in the vacinity.

now booking

image: stitched + printed lavender hearts

I have now confirmed two dates now fully booked for this summer’s ‘Printing Images onto Fabric’ Workshops. You’ll find details here.

2.0

Can’t quite believe that it’s time for October’s Craft 2.0 already.  You can find details of where and when here. Also, I can’t quite believe that my beloved sewing machine broke a few days ago! Panic over – it’s all fixed but it means that I’ll be sewing right up until the last minute on Friday evening so my mind is sort of focused on that right now. Here are some pretty pictures to tide you over until normality has resumed.

image: freshly picked rosemary – we use fresh herbs from the garden to cook with most nights

image: candyfloss clouds above our garden

image: pots - my first attempt at wheel pottery

image: hand printed lavender hearts

image: alpacas - I took some time out from sewing and accepted an invitation to meet these beautiful creatures

image: chippy paintwork on an old cottage door - I love how the red pops

image: the shop - a lick of paint in preparation for another magazine photo shoot

Thank you to those of you who left smashing comments on the last post – always valued and appreciated. Will be back again just as soon as the dust has settled.

~Alison~

future printing onto fabric workshops?

image: king street artworks workshop participant

image: printing directly onto vintage linen

image: gathered linens and fabrics

It was wonderful to teach and work with  such an amazing group of creative artists last week at the ‘Printing Images onto Fabric’ workshops. Because feedback was so positive, I plan to run a couple more this summer to be held at my studio. Am also thinking about offering lunch – perhaps to be eaten on the studio deck if the weather is kind?

Until next time…

on my work-table

image: printed artichoke with hand stitching

image: ‘dear freda’ - hand printed lace cuff

image: ‘dear freda’ cuff detail

home

image: wairarapa from the top of mount dick

image: mr tread softly on the way down

image: lichen

Looking down last evening on the flat plains of the Wairarapa from the top of the mountain, I realised that in just five days time, we would have lived here in New Zealand for three years. My heart will always belong to England but this beautifully, stunning, diverse country is really starting to feel like home.

 

middlerun

image: daffodils at middlerun

This morning I visited Middlerun, a beautiful old farm in Gladstone. It was a girls only morning where we celebrated the coming of Spring, drank, ate and wandered through the fields gathering daffodils for our homes. Such a special morning – can’t stop smiling.

let spring begin

images: magnolia blooms

a perfect start to the day – coffee with a friend and the gift of a beautiful bunch of magnolia blossom from her tree

wonderful…it makes me smile

on my work-table

image: printed hankie with reverse applique

image: sampler detail

This week I’ve been working on some samples to show at next months workshops(now fully booked). I’m thouroughly enjoying working on one off pieces with more planned for next week.

image: ‘new to us’ bench in open plan living area

Even though gale force winds have been forecast for tonight and we’ve been advised to batten down the hatches here in Wairarapa, I’ve been feeling particularly spring-like of late. Am wanting to throw open those windows and doors and take deep satisfying breathes of fresh, new air.

Have a great week wherever you may be and whatever you have planing.

Until next time…