It Doesn't [Really] Matter.

Today it's hard to do what needs doing
when it doesn't matter which way I look

it looks like this....

Tomorrow will be different

I wont sit down.

JaM - A Week of Sewing Workshops

JaM - taking Just a Moment to gather & share the things you have noticed, consumed, created &/or bought during your week....

Sewing workshops in the Studio are a huge part of my life 

I love the sharing caring nature of them

that everyone when they walk in are on the same level

regardless of gender, age, nationality and experience,

and with the start of a new Term

 the Studio is electric with excitement & enthusiasm

so I thought I'd share a little of how it works.

 Friday mornings are a panic

as I try to find somewhere to hide put the stuff I've been creating earlier in the week
 I then vacuum, wipe down, pick up, 

make sure there's enough cups & milk, arrange the bickies

and put the jug on.

Then they're here

sometimes early

sometimes a little late

but always excited.

 

Alex isn't making a frock

I'm delighted when they turn up to create in clothes they've already REcreated,

Jo creating a Hoody pattern while wearing her Breathless REinvention.

Bron REfashioned her shirt by removing the collar & adding a lick of shirring.

are comfortable & confident enough to try their hand at creating from patten books

Kate creating her grand-daughters Christmas presents.

and bring back an outfit which was started during class & finished at home.

Jeanette REinvented a once-too-big-dress into a two piece outfit ready for Christmas lunches.

The Friday REinventing workshop is all day
so we make time to step away from the sewing machines
to enjoy a bite, more catching-up & the garden

l-r Alex, Bron, Jo, Kate, Jeanette.

before heading back in to make more.

Brons REcreated Wrap Skirt

Saturdays are slightly different in they're back-to-back classes

with enough time for a banana & quick tidy in between.

In the morning we REinvent

l-r Michelle, Georgie, Su Ann, Alex, Bree.

and in the avo we hone skills & learn new ones during the Basics & Beyond class.

l-r Alex-in-place-of-Inge, Charles, Jeanette, Sarah.

For me it's endlessly rewarding to share someones joy 

as they experience their own creativity & sewing success for the first time

or the fiftieth

Jeanettes Journal Cover is her first sewing project.

and it's an absolute pleasure to welcome a brand new sewing machine to our world

knowing the thought, care & research that went into this moment.

Brees Bernina

I love what I do 

mostly because others love it too.

Show & Tell

A couple of things nearly slipped under the radar
due to my social-media-juggling skills being a little rusty.

I mention stuff on facebook when it happens & then neglect to share on my blog
and visa versa sometimes

- it's tricky keeping all the balls in the air.

I almost forgot to tell you I made another Splice Skirt

and you can too,
the pattern is available in the Shop
and there's a new lot of workshops scheduled for 2013.

You'll make at least 2 skirts during the 2day workshop

 I've come up with a simple way to share some simple REinventions 
 with everyone
- can't say too much cos that would spoil the surprise

but one of them is how to turn two tops that don't fit into one that does...

oh and I got my hair cut

off

All I need now is new glasses, eyebrows & a body to complete the make-over.

and that's it

nothing else to share for the moment

all balls are in the air!

NZ - I Missed the 'Op-shop Boat'

I promise to never complain 

about what Australian Op Shops have to offer
or the prices they ask!

The deluded romantic in me had naively envisaged 
that whilst driving around the North Island of New Zealand

 I'd have fun treasure hunting in quaint little country oppys....

I'm not sure when the Op Shop Boat sailed in NZ

but I definitely missed it.

Country Op Shops were scarce
and most times not worth bothering with
as they'd either been replaced by or stood next to Retro and Antique shops 

with prices aimed at the tourist dollar.

 

Anything old is worth alot of money over there

Tea Cosies - you pay more for stains authenticity.

Doilies not tablecloths

 

and

there's alot of it,

not money,

old stuff

which made me think they're totally reliant on the tourist dollar
although with the amount of shops stuffed to the gills with expensive tatt 
it didn't look like much being bought or sold




as surprised as I was 
I'm not complaining
because I didn't leave empty handed....
I discovered a couple of Oppys 

well away from the tourist route
which didn't disappoint

 

NZ - we Came, we Saw & we're in AWE

The trip home to NZ wasn't all about

wandering round movie sets

Hobbiton, Matamata

Looking up to Bilbo Baggins House with the million$ fake tree above.

Hobbit feet have been here!

 playing in snow

Mt Tongariro

or stopping to play on every playground we saw.

they still have swings!

 One of us discovered new smells.

Not a very good Maori.

and if you've ever been to Rotorua 
you'll know why Stella is pinching her nose
and if you haven't
then think old eggs.

Champagne Pool - Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua

Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, Rotorua

We indulged in new tastes.

Enjoying a Jelly Tip Ice-cream outside the Dairy from the movie 'Boy'.

Lifting the Hangi at The Tamaki Maori Village, Rotorua.

Dulcie Mays Kitchen and Stellas new cookbook.

 discovered new family members

In typical Kiwi fashiong it took Mum & Heather (Dulcies daughter) about 10mins to work out we were related.

and visited some old.

We enjoyed unique accommodation

My bed was in the Cockpit of a Bristol Freighter. Woodlyn Park,Waitomo.

in beautiful places

Balcony of 'Castaways'. Rocky Bay, Waiheke Island

and the whole time it was like driving through a postcard -
the view was always breathtakingly beautiful.

(Mt Ruapahu & Mt Ngauruhoe)

Hicks Bay.

Tokomaru Bay

Trip back from Waiheke Is.

Oysters. Rocky Bay, Waiheke Is.

Foreshore at Holdens Bay, Rotorua

with some places perfect for Workshops!

Abandoned bank - Tokomaru Bay.

Abandoned shops - Tokomaru Bay

Dis-used Produce & Feed Store. Tokomaru Bay.

I was constantly reminded how warm & friendly we Kiwis are 

Mark & his wife write childrens books - he's signing mine. Waiheke Island

Jill used to live in Scarborough WA before moving to Waiheke Island.

I bought some of Jills pink buttons.

Gills shop Victorian Gilt is a Retro, Vintage & Antique Wonderland. Waiheke Is.

Waiheke Island Saturday Market

in fact the whole place is so personable 

that they remind you which side of the road to drive on

and some towns had signs farewelling you 

while also wishing you luck.

This is to avoid tourists killing themselves & others.

 I can't believe out of 1000 photos
I don't have one photo of me wearing my Going Home Coat
as I wore it practically everyday...maybe mum got one.

I've saved the shopping stories for another post...