Makey - McCalls 7286 the Unicorn Version

Heya,

You may remember the whale top I made a while ago using the McCalls pattern 7286. I really liked the raglan sleeves and the general fit.

Then I came across some adorable unicorn fabric in spotlight one day and it somehow came home with me!

I decided to make a dress version, because really a stretch t-shirt style dress is just a nighty in disguise that's appropriate for day wear!

I adore this dress, it makes me all kinds of happy... I think there will be more!

love you more than a stretchy unicorn xxx

Bookish - How Maui Slowed the Sun

Mauri Ora!

If you grew up in my era in New Zealand the book How Maui Slowed the Sun by Peter Gossage will probably be instantly familiar to you.

Maui's slowing of the sun is probably one of the best known legend's of Maui's exploits and the illustrations have a distinctive style. The story follows Maui's scheme to lengthen the days to help his people have longer for the things that needed to be done each day.

This new version is a board book - larger than a usual small square book it is more like a novel in height and length which makes it a good size for holding.

The text is all in English so it is a great start for those who want to introduce the legends of Aotearoa. There is some use of Te Reo Māori in the book as well but where the words might be new the English partner is offered in brackets or incorporated into the sentence.

A beautiful book for your little person that still needs board books but with more text and narrative than many others.

Details - Penguin Random House, November 2017 RRP $15.99 Board Book

love you more than a plaited rope xxx

Family Making

Kia ora koutou,

In the school holidays the boys reminded me they wanted bean bags. We found this lovely simple tutorial online and I let them have a rummage in my stash.

The boys helped with all the steps but I did the zips and overlocking.

It was great fun to make something together and only took an afternoon. Sometimes its only a matter of saying yes and we all felt great about ourselves.

love you more than a relaxing afternoon in a bean bag xxx

Bookish - Christmas Picture Books

Heya Christmas Lovers,

I always try to buy my boys a new book for Christmas so we have a nice big stash that has grown over the years.

This year I'll be adding two new kiwi-Christmas books. These should already be on the shelves of your favourite book store. Make sure you show your book shop some love this Christmas. A bookshop adds so much to its community.

The Christmas Looky Book by Donovan Bixley is a fun and festive book with all sorts of puzzles to solve.

Each page is essentially a poster with a problem to solve  - can you match the people with their gifts? find the 20 reindeer hidden on the pages? or post the difference before and after Santa's visit? It's a fun book to look at together or just to entertain those who need a little distraction while the gingerbread house bakes. Bixley's illustrative style is playful and the scenery is particularly kiwi - no wintery Christmas here.

Details - Hachette NZ, October 2017 RRP $19.99 PB

The Christmas Tree Tangle by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Sarah Davis is another new-to-us title.

The book is a delightful Christmas adventure that starts with a kitten stuck at the top of a Christmas tree. One by one animals come to give a hand and they all end up tangled up and stuck. The rhyme scheme is excellent the the illustrations perfectly complement the story. Will the kitten ever be rescued or will he fall? What about the rest - who could rescue them?

A fun and funny addition to your Christmas reading pile.

Details - Penguin Random House, November 2017 RRP $19.99 PB

love you more than a Christmas carol playlist on repeat xxx

Bookish - The Adventures of EggBox Dragon

Nga mihi,

I'm sure I've said it hundreds of times but I am a lover of picture books. The Adventures of Egg Box Dragon by Richard Adams (of Watership Down fame) and illustrated by Alex T Smith was very well received at our place.

Bounce read it before I'd even had a chance to flick through it and urged me to read it on a few occasions. I adore that the start of the book is the creation of Egg Box Dragon, which really appeals to the crafter in me.

The illustration style is one I really like, it has a vintagey aesthetic. I also really like that the queen in the story is not caucasian. It's something I'm becoming more and more aware of when I read, and I think it is special for all children to see themselves frequently represented in books. Of course there needs to be a lot of swing in order to make it a more even playing field but I really notice and appreciate seeing these changes.

The story is sweet and I like that the hero is imperfect, again there is a relate-ability in this that appeals.

This is a lovely hard back book perfect for dragon lovers, crafters and those who enjoy a good tale.

Details - Hachette NZ, 31 October 2017 RRP $21.99HB

love you more than a good craft project xxx

The cape!

Kia ora folks,

It would be easy to look at this blog and think I've entirely stopped being creative and I'm only reading books! Surprisingly I think this year has been one of my most creative so far. One of the reasons you haven't seen much is that a lot of it has been creative writing and I'm not sure how to share that aspect.

I've also lost our camera so I'm relying on someone else to take pics and that doesn't always coincide  with when I'm wearing something.

I shall endeavour to do a better job by y'all on this! :-)

A work colleague gave me a large fabric piece that was no longer needed at her place. Bounce has been wanting a cape/cloak for a while.

Things came together.

I adapted an adult cloak pattern, made the XS size and cut the best I could with the fabric I had.

He chose the disco button and he is wearing it all.the.time.

I'd call that a win for very little work. These are the days I feel like I'm mumming right.

(don't ask me that at dinner making and trying to do homework o'clock!)

love you more than fabric used before it even made it onto the shelves of the sewing room xxx

Bookish - Bird Words

Kia ora Beautiful Person :-)

Over the last coupld of years I have been starting to gather a real enjoyment for anthologies of short stories. They are the perfect antidote for 20mins of sunshine or cold night when you are trying to avoid the pull of technology and just be present in the moment.

When I saw the byline for Bird Words: 'New Zealand writers on birds' I really wanted to get a copy. I love that the collection - edited by Elisabeth Easther - combines the writing of some our very most known and loved alongside lesser known writers.

She has collected a vast array - fiction, poetry, excerpts and non-fiction. Do I love every piece? No, there were a couple that weren't my cup of tea but such is the same with a lolly mixture. Some of the delight is in the contrast of flavours.

Most of the pieces are gorgeous and there is a very wide tasting plate to enjoy. I love the use of short story along side poetry and the mixture of length of the pieces too.

This is one of those books that are perfect for picking up now and again and just taking five minutes to savour or for a longer stretch enjoying a few offerings. This is definitely a great gift book. For anyone you know who loves New Zealand writers, or New Zealand birds or people overseas who love poetry and short stories. One I will be recommending and purchasing for others.

Another excellent offering to excite me in my delight of seeing more of 'our voice' on our shelves in bookshops.

Details - Penguin Random House, Oct 2017 RRP $35.00 HB

love you more than five short lines of brilliant words that captivate xxx