Crafty Mermaid

A wreath (actually completed in time for Christmas) but I forgot to post it!  Syrofoam loop and some cotton yarn and three silver bells.  :)

Down in Kaikoura for work again this year.  Love the views :) And the friendly neighbours...

One of the maddening things about owning our house (a year this Easter!) is that most of the jobs we've done to the house are mostly invisible.  We've replaced all of the plumbing, certified the electrics, put in one shower vent and got the other one to vent outside instead of to the attic, moved light switches that needed to be moved, installed the television and aerial, fixed the floorboards, sprayed for borer, replaced a window and are currently getting the siding of the house fixed.  Most of these jobs aren't that noticable - though a hot shower in the morning without air bubbles in the pipes is very nice.  However, one of the great things that still gives me a jolt of happiness is the painting my parents did over Christmas (welcome anytime!).  My mother painted our front door while BM and I were at work.  The door step was also in need of love and attention. Don't you love when someone does the job right - love the masking tape! One ...

When my parents visited over Christmas a number of housey jobs got done.  Just before they arrived we had our plumbing replaced and could then (somewhat) sort out the laundry area in the kitchen.   We haven't bothered to plaster the wall yet as there's a few more jobs in the house which might require walls being hacked into - and when they're all done we'll get all the walls sorted at the one time.  But dad did a great job of fixing up the two missing cork tiles under where the supertub would go - if the previous owners had had one! The supertub in place (with our washing machine moved back in) - a mission in its own right! Its great to have a separate sink in this area.  We've been using it this week to wash out paint brushes. Here's the cupboard/press with the doors closed.  The monkey hangers were from urban outfitters and are really useful for hanging ironing.   I managed to fix up the blinds in our l...

Some  applique totes.  These were for ever in the making.  But finally finished.  The beige material is actually some old curtains BM had around the house.  Finally put to good use (they weren't salvagable as curtains!).    

A treat from a house guest - a visit to Strawberry Fare in Wellington.  While the mains were fine - the main event here are the stunning desserts!

Finishing up some tote bags.  I finally sewed up this cross stitch and lined the tote.  Ironed and residing in my present box (a box I keep of unassigned makes and gifts I spied in shops that were too good not to buy to just have on hand).   I started on this tote three houses ago (oophs!) but its finished and ready for a new owner at some point.   I've attended two sewing meets over the last two months.  They're run by a really lovely Wellington lady and basically you turn up and sew for the day with like-minded individuals.  You need to bring your own machine and all your gear, so its a bit of a mission to get to and from the car!  Apart from that, its been great to hear the latest sewing related goss for Wellington!