ways with wool

 I am totally in love with wool! Every op-shop mission has as its focus the acquisition of (yet another) wool blanket. I have a number of shelves devoted to them. Recently Evabella and Alexander have joined me in the re-purposing of them. Here are some of our early efforts.

Finally a cosy to replace my cindered first. It was really tricky getting the sizing right this is still a bit over-sized I turned over the top and added a button to make it fit better and it is probably the thing I love most about it now.

It proved a good hat too! Note the sister sulking in background :(

Our first rainy day in a while, spurred on by my little mission man, I taught my two to blanket stitch. I had been meaning to do this for some time but assumed they were too young and the whole thing would end in frustration. Much to my surprise and delight they picked it up so quickly and LOVED it. They literally spent all day making their respective blankets:Xandi made a blanket for his teacher's larger-than-life dog "Tuks"; and Bella made a little one for her grey rabbit (soft toy). It was heaven!

Alexander absorbed in the task

And Evabella, a little less so :)

Grey Rabbit's blanket

Alexander's finished work, so proud he was!

And these! A really lovely project to make with kids. This is Evabella's owl softie to watch over her while she sleeps. Alexander has fallen utterly in love with his one named "Twinkle" too, and even brought it to his school pet day complete with a homemade tree trunk habitat. They were able to blanket stitch, stuff, and choose fabric and buttons etc.,

Ethan stealing some quiet reading beside us as we work, a rare treat.

I also made some heart pincushions I gave as gifts. Next on my list are some cushions, want, must, must make. Am thinking cream and blue using some of that above vintage floral on tea cosy I seem to be addicted to just now.

arrangements and special pieces

Sometimes it is the placement of things together that makes the individual pieces sing, don't you think? Or conversely, one image/piece can somehow capture a complex mood or atmosphere, or can speak volumes about the person who created it, or to whom it belongs. Here are some collections/pieces of mine. Please share yours!

Above: 1. A painting by an old friend gifted for our wedding, a handmade book made by a wonderful old soul- friend about friendship and my gratitude journal grace all my bedside.
           2. A basket of last Friday's op-shop treasures.. I could wax lyrical forever about the joys of     op-shopping/treasure seeking. There is something SO wonderfully exhilarating about finding some time-worn discard for such a little amount. I have to admit I suffer sometimes (okay  oftentimes)from a great need to acquire something new; fashion, fabric, pottery and magic pieces for our house being my greatest weakness. Ever trying to reduce our spending and to live simply, I try to focus on needs rather than wants but op-shopping remains my indulgence and often blurs the line between the two (do I really need another wool blanket?!)... somehow it satisfies the insatiable appetite, rewards with the thrill of the "score", that "got-something!" buzz, all for pocket change- does it get any more perfect?

This one is actually the cover of an old Anthropology catalogue that I have literally hauled around the world and back, I used to almost weep with a resonance when I had the pleasure of perusing their stores in the US. I would always leave so utterly inspired by the rustic, worn, lovingly made, creative burst, of it all.

Ethan bunting by Stace of littleknightlights@blogspot.com and birds from crafty sister-in-law Frith

Even the ordinary, or sometimes especially the ordinary, can be so beautiful, can't it?

A painting of mine, of us,our wedding day. Painting I dream, will find centre- left again one day, I promise myself

I had this card line hanging in our old house, a wonderful way to display those acts of kindness/images that inspire. It started as a way to display Christmas photos and evolved to show cards gifted/found throughout the year . I used simple dute twine and wooden pegs.

Hints of autumn everywhere...Pears, crab apples, and "Brambly Hedge" oh LOVE, have you discovered? I dream to have all the seasons. Imagine my delight finding this one for 20c at the school Christchurch charity garage sale this weekend!

Windfall pears and soft bananas (intended for banana bread for the aforementioned charity event!)

A recent creation, a child's place for quiet repose and reading

 Children come naturally to  arranging and rearranging to bring new life or meaning to a space don't you think? I take to heart what is most important in any home for a child (and ourselves) is the atomosphere. As mother's we have such a powerful affect on the atmosphere and "mood" of our homes as I can attest good days and bad.

My ever- evolving dressing table arrangement

Another painting of mine, blue being my colour (and a mood tendency at times) for sure

Wow, this was a house warming gift from a friend. I have never been given such a beautiful bouquet,my colours, my flowers, thank you!

My catalogue again, and another house warming gift, my treasured tissue box, one of an increasing collection in my home. I think I would just about have to grab these in the event of fire!  This creation is one of  Florence's of sunshineofmyloves@blogspot.com and I have stitched some of my own too. They somehow make such a beautiful feature of something so ordinary and necessary (boo hoo!). Watch this spot (and hers likely) for more "ways with wool" we love, love, love it! So earthy and homespun, rustic cool, don't you think?
Thanks for stopping by. X