Crochet ...

I have been totally inspired of late with all of the amazing crochet blogs out there. It has been a very long time since I have used a crochet hook, let alone had any wool in the house. Taught as a child and with a sniff of a challenge, inspiration takes over and I just have to follow through with this now.

What size hooks do you use for the ply of the wool? Hmmm... not as straightforward as I thought....Mum always used to use 4 ply wool...that's all I knew! I found this Australian site useful over here. I soon discovered that there are so many different types of wool out there now. All you knitters and crocheters will know what I am talking about. Pure wools, acrylic, cotton, alpaca, bamboo...the list is endless...and a new world for me.

So, I have been playing around with colours, checking my tension, stitches etc...



....seeking and finding inspiration from so many blogs including the creative Mrs Tiff 's blog

and over here at the colouful Lucy's blog Attic24

Hmmmm...I already have a polystyrene wreath which I could use...should I dare?

If you have any crochet tips and tricks on which wool you use, what works best for you I would love to hear from you.

Absolutely loving this wreath though!

Pam x

Feathering her nest in a 1960's apartment.

Wanted to share some gorgeous bits around Diann's home in Auckland. She has purchased a 1960's renovated apartment. The only thing she had to do was to paint it all white!!

This is her wall art at the front entry.

(hard to take a decent photo)

I love these florals!

The original sailing ship glass windows have been retained in the bathroom and are a stunning feature.

Displaying a collection of Paua Shells.

Setting up for a casual brunch on her thrifty outdoor dining table re-purposed from an old door, complete with door mechanism still attached.

Time for a piece of the yummiest French Plum tart from the French markets. Mmmm.

Then take a wander out in the European inspired courtyard paved with vintage bricks.

Part of the dividing fence was falling apart so Diann bought a pair of old Kauri doors for a  couple of dollars and organised a builder to attach them to the frame of the original fence.

Voila!

 A gorgeous garden feature in her compact garden..



Hope you enjoyed a small tour of Diann's thrifty special bits and pieces as she continues to feather her new little nest.

Pam

xx

Vintage Memories

It was a huge week for me in Auckland last week, plenty of poignant moments. I offered to do my bit to help the family clear out the family home after Dad moved into a retirement village with care last week. More on that later though.

I flew over and stayed at the family home for two nights on my own, with no phone, no mobile (and I didn't take my charger to NZ of course!), no TV and no internet. A little bit scary at first.

I didn't think I could do it but I did. It was so eerily quiet and mess everywhere where sorting had already begun. How many things can you hoard in your kitchen Dad?  He had taken all that he needed with him, so I began the sorting process in the kitchen. I found the egg cups we used as kids, the retro green and brown flour sifter I always thought was pretty cool. Royal Albert retro china, Meakin plates and heavily tarnished silver spoons we had always used for special occasions throughout my childhood.

My job was to clear out all the cupboards, wardrobes and rooms and sort everything into piles in the garage. I found my self on a carousel of vivid family memories whichever way I turned. Mountains of photos, books and sewing patterns covered the sitting room floor as I ploughed my way through them, sorting them into family piles. Reminiscing.

I found even more solitude in the garden. So many memories...

I picked some of Dad's strawberries.

Took him in a bunch of his roses.

Then I found some of Mum's old linens in the linen press.

Some of her cherished china...

..and after a hugely emotional but cathartic week with my sister, brothers and Dad, I have brought home some special treasures to cherish.

Before I left, I looked in the garage and asked myself, 'is this what my life is going to come down to?' A heap of quality possessions hardly used in a big pile ready to be carted of to charity? I have learned a big lesson from all of this, just keep the things I really love, the things that matter to me and pass on the rest. Live more simply and just be happy.

That is what I am going to try and do.

Pam x

Ebay Listings.

It is a long weekend here in Brisbane and with perfect weather I have managed to de-clutter a few areas of the house which I have been meaning to for ages. This is in between lunches and long country walks of course.

The linen cupboard and my creating space were the main areas that I have attacked with absolute vigour.

 I completed the proverbial 'keep' pile, the 'charity store' pile and the 'give away' pile. The 'keep' pile is so much smaller as I de-clutter and let go. Yay!!

Oh, did I mention there is also an 'Ebay'  pile. Keep an eye out as I list more and more gorgeous items. Some of these items I have blogged here about already.

These are the following pieces I have listed.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Pam x

Tour of the Coastal Takapuna 'Hood.

Here are some images I have taken  on my walk in Takapuna  today. Takapuna  is a coastal suburb of north Shore City in the North Island  of New Zealand. I am currently visiting here with family and it is so beautiful. With a 5 minute walk to the beach what more could you want? I witnessed business men dressed in suits on their way to work, barefoot on the beach today...private school students dressed in their uniform complete with blazers and.... barefoot on their way to school. A perfect way to begin their day I'd say.

The following images of homes on the beach are an assortment of stunning architecture with a view across to Rangitoto Island.

Walking through the neighbouring streets provides a visual feast of beautiful homes, old and new and oh those hedges...love them!

Hope you have enjoyed this little tour of Takapuna. Certainly a beautiful part of the world!

Pam x