Hawkes Bay break

It’s been a wee while but I’m back at it. Have been busy at work and then took a week off to head up to Hawkes Bay to see the other-half’s family and friends.

It was a blessing to be in a camp site out of cell phone reception where those annoying work calls can’t find you. However, being in close and constant confinement with so many kids (about 12 of varying ages) was a bit of a shock to the system.

However the days got themselves into a rhythm. The boys would head off in the morning diving for crayfish and paua. I would find a shady spot and read a book, looking up occasionally to count heads or fins. Then in the middle of the day we would shelter in the shade of the camp site, and venture out again in the later afternoon for a paddle in the sea. A few wines and then an evening fry-up of BBQ and the days catch was not a difficult way to spend ones time.

A few photos of the sea and the mighty Kahikatia trees in the nearby reserve. They were so huge and straight – one was over 600yrs old. Extremely impressive.

New Year - still old projects

Its a whole new year. Hope it will be a happy, exciting, fun-filled year for all. I have some nice dreams for the year - we will just have to wait to see if any of those come around.

I am still working on my holiday resolution of finishing off some of those projects. But, I'm doing ok, I've sorted out quite a few.

First was a tote bag I'd started. The reason I stopped with this tote bag was the effect the fabric had on my sewing machine. There was something about the grain in this that my sewing machine hated, so this has been sitting around, pinned and ready, with all but the top hem complete. Done! Pat myself on the back with that one.

The last two were a bit trickier.

One was the same cowl neck pattern as a previous post but using a very light knit fabric I had got at the fabricabrac sale (another previous post). I haven't used knit much at all so this was a learning experience for me. The outcome is ok but I think with this type of light fabric the neck needs to be lower cut to get the drape of the fabric.

The second was a quick attempt at using a scarf I'd found in an odds bin whilst secondhand shop roving. The fabric on the scarf was wonderful and I loved it. I thought it could make a wonderful top.

I just used a basic straight across bust section and elastic (a line under the boob line with thinner elastic and thicker elastic for the top part). I really like this and would make straps for it, but sadly I just suspect it won't hold. I used iron on interfacing for the bust part to give it strength (and not be see-through) but the scarf material is so light I suspect it will eventually pull apart at the seams, and the interfacing won't stop that. Its already a bit touch-and-go, and whilst it will hold for a wee while, I wouldn't risk it anywhere without a back-up top (which ain't the way to dress really is it). However, the design is easy as pie and I like the simplicity, so I might try it on a sturdier fabric. Watch this space.