beautiful home

I've been working on little areas around my home. Beautifying it as such. We are squeezed into a small three bedroom home. That's me (artist and collector), our three sons (2, 8 and 14), and an incredibly talented musical, technical husband. Which means a lot of stuff belonging to a diverse group of people with different needs in a tiny space. We also have one income so upsizing remains a dream for now, much to my dismay some days.

However I am a solution-focused woman. So in the spirit of 'make something from nothing' I've set about making this a home we love to be in, especially me, because as a full time parent, I spend a lot of time in our house.

I purchased these kale for $2 each. Decorative cabbages with beautiful heads that rival (in my humble opinion) any rose (in appearance at least). I dislike cut flowers which seem an expensive waste. These have lasted several weeks already and for the small price I paid, they were well worth the joy they've brought as I've stood at the sink washing the dishes. Seen here alongside an old bottle and a Japanese pottery vase on my kitchen windowsill. The biggest threat has been my husband enquiring from time to time if they are cabbages and if so, are they edible. Ha!

If your going to spend time doing chores, create a space you can enjoy while working.

I purchased three little cacti to go along the main windowsill in what is now the second living room. I brought out of storage some of my painted and crocheted stones, found some small Agee preserving jars (yes, I have a stash of them, all sizes and eras) and placed tea lights there as well.

I've made quite a few little changes, editing and adding as I go.

I love cacti for their sculptural value. I needed plants that would survive my sons and these provide the 'dare' and challenge that my boys enjoy. We all get to enjoy them. And they add a splash of life and colour which interestingly, is making a strong appearance after my home has been predominantly black and earthy colours.

I've replaced the dining table with a couch which now always has someone sitting on it playing guitar, knitting (yes, that would be me), playing tea parties (myself again and my youngest boy) or reading.

This retro lounge suite (seen here through the window of the op shop) comprises a 4 seater couch and 2 armchairs with wooden legs and was only $140 dollars at the Salvation Army shop. I am so in love and have hankered after a yellow couch for the longest time. That its worn makes me love it more and also makes it incredibly family friendly.

Knuckles and I working hard. He's watching video's on his little dvd player and I'm doing research via Pinterest and Trade Me. You can follow me on Pinterest too now if you like. Simply click the link here Ahipara Girl Pinterest and then click 'follow'. That simple.

I find my cushions in op shops as well and made the red one sewing a vintage doiley to a red repurposed cushion. Note our coats, scarves, hats and his gumboots. There was snow on the hills the day we made a second lounge. You had to dress warm to be INSIDE. Crazy.
This is me feeling rather pleased with our efforts. I've banned tv from this room and finally have a space to listen to my radio (National Radio NZ). This little space achieves its purpose. I provides me with a peaceful place for me to sit in this testosterone loaded home and potter with my crafts, or talk with members of my family. My eldest son and my husband will sit here in the evenings too playing guitar and singing.

I will post more at a later date about my creative and beautiful spaces adventures in other areas of my home. I'm so glad I found a way through my dilemna and at very little cost to myself. I've made enough money lately from recent sales of other second hand goods to do this out of the funds I'm creating. Its exciting that I'm literally shopping for nothing and that we're not out of pocket as a result.

I hope you feel inspired too, especially if like me, you're feeling stuck about some areas in your home. Leave me a comment and a link back to your website, if you have done something similar. I love solutions and ideas.

Tiny Happy

I was really fortunate this year to attend New Zealand's first Handmade 2011 at Te Papa in Wellington. It was pricey and a friend loaned me some money to pay for me upfront. I'm a mama with a family so I had to budget it all in. My husband urged me out the door knowing how happy I get when I'm making. I had an agenda. I wanted to meet this woman. (Apology in advance, this was snapped on my bat phone and at the end of a long day. You're a good sport Melissa. x).

Tiny Happy & Ahipara Girl

I've loved and followed Melissa's blog for the longest time. She's a fellow kiwi who recently returned with her family from Norway where her husband was working. She stitches, journals, makes, and writes while raising children full time as well. Her blog is one of my favourites. I was determined to meet Melissa and spend a precious few hours learning a few things from her.

There's no hype. Just a simple, uncomplicated person who selflessly shared her self-styled makings and skills with our small class. As a rather boisterous kind of person myself, I felt a bit clumsy around her because she's softly spoken and rather gracious. She kept thanking me each time I complimented her. I was a bit star struck. She competently guided us along on our wee projects with a quiet authority.

Go check out her blog Tiny Happy or her images gallery on Flickr . She makes me want to draw, stitch and make. She also has two adorable children that I feel I know in part. She sews, repurposes and knits their clothes, bags and things around her home. That is a good thing. I drooled over her embroidery gallery today. And I will direct you to her Tiny Happy etsy shop but warn you that her things sell as fast as she makes them. She is a success story as a blogger/crafter and earns enough to supplement their income. She's definitely in the same arena I'd like to be a part of also.

Melissa appears in the latest issue (August 2011) of Your Home and Garden. Here's some snaps of my copy I purchased.

We both have yellow couches.

A covetable stash of vintage fabrics in her sewing room.

Books, handmade toys and prints: LOVE

Melissa's signature baby shoes made from vintage embroideries.

Pared back Scandinavian influence is evident. Uncluttered, clean lines, raw materials.

She has a yellow couch too!

That floor to ceiling window, the light that streams in, the vintage couch, the wooden floors, the Crown Lynn above the fire place and the prints on the wall ... I love it all. As different as our tastes are in some ways, I appreciate her aesthetics and relate to her love of natural resources like linen, wool, wood; her love for New Zealand which like me is reflected in her craft and she loves handmade and op shopping also just like me.

I know I'm gushing somewhat but its always nice to meet someone else, a fellow kindred spirit, who actually gets things in some of the same ways I do.

Anyway, I was pleased for Melissa who appeared in the latest August Issue of Your Home & Garden. Her home is lovely and really is an extension of all her makings. I'm a huge fan still and now we're friends of the making kind as well.

HANDMADE 2011

As an aside, I met lots of wonderful people @ Handmade 2011, especially in the stitch lounge and the makers event. I will definitely be back next year. New Zealand has its own vibe and although we've been influenced by overseas makers, we still retain our own sense of style and integrity when it comes to crafting and making. I spotted in the crowd lots of famous faces from the arts and crafts movement in New Zealand.

I do think its expensive and although I understand the need for people to be valued and the cost of venues etc (Te Papa is a wonderful venue being an incredible museum/gallery as well), I was aware I was a minority as a Pacific woman. I'm sure other women who have families have trouble raising that kind of moolah as well. Which is why I'm keen to run smaller, inexpensive courses in my community.

I've forwarded a rough proposal, and I'm hoping they might consider me for a teaching spot as well next year. I chickened out this year when asked but having attended, I feel a lot more confident about my own capacity and abilities. I think. ;)

One man's trash is anothers treasure ...

Here are a few things I've come by and sold lately. Its been fun knowing that what I value is also desired by others. Trusting my instincts and making sure it doesn't cost us except my time and effort has been an interesting challenge.

industrial vintage metal trolley

Two Bentwood Chairs and my roses, not really. They're kale aka decorative cabbages.

I still have these two. I love that carved seat and back rest. The back is damaged so this one either needs to be restored or used as a stand rather than a seat.

I see a tree.

Those koru's are beautiful.

This one can be sat in. Its my favourite. Lots of wonderful distressed wood.

Bent Wood.

I see a star.

Vintage faux tortoiseshell knitting needles

so pretty

our old dining chairs

our old retro dining chairs, my doiley embellised cushion.

Wellington on a Sunday morning

I love my city. I love the geography. The hills, the multiple harbours, the coast, the skies. We travel to church early most Sunday's for the music team sound check. The kids and I go to the market and playground nearby. It's hard getting up on a Sunday sometimes and getting everyone ready for an early start. Especially when you know everyone else in the city is sleeping in. Still, it's worth it. There's something about being in the city when its empty, deserted. It feels fresh in the crisp morning air and the lack of noise creates a vacuum that only makes the kids voices and laughter ring out clearer. I really have come to love these times.

It's a good time for reflection.

It always pays to look up.

To look out (here, towards Te Papa).

To look down.

And because its Sunday, its also a good time to look within.

To reflect on God, His creation and His purposes for our lives.

My three sons. Really.

Complying with their mama for a moment.

This is my life. Here. These three men to be.

This is my calling.

This is Wellington on a Sunday morning with my family.

Playing shop ...

Is there anything more satisfying than a collection of buttons (and thimbles) to run one's hands through and play with? (photos taken in the middle of the night hence weird lighting).

I have collected a fair amount of vintage buttons over the years. These are just some. I also love old sewing paraphenalia like wooden spools. Old jars are a great way to display my collections.

This was one of my favourite vintage cushions. Its gone to a Cath Kidston fan of all things floral. It was silky and looked hand painted. A great recent find.

I cannot walk by vintage floral cotton sheets. They're cheap and plentiful and I've had many for years however they're becoming more popular among crafters and lovers of all things vintage. I love mine. They're all patterns I remember my grandmother having.

My last son is growing up so these handknitted bears need to go to new homes where they will be loved and appreciated by other kids.

These are the choice pieces of my vintage blanket collection.

Part of my extensive vintage wallpaper collection.

Flatware, crockery including Meakin and Crown Lynn, and some retro Scandanavian pieces. Many were found in free boxes or the 20 cent table, nothing would've costed me more than $5 but most was free or thrifted for a song.

Detail.

This fine lady has hung on my wall for a few years. She reminds me of my mum. There's a photo of my mum modelling when she was younger and there's something in this picture that captures the same uncomplicated youthfuness of that photo.

This lady sold. I found her for a song as well. I loved her painterly quality and the absurd cat on her head. Her soft muted tones and that shirt as well as her folksy face gave this print great visual qualities. I shall miss her.

This is a recent folksy print I picked up locally. Its colours are incredible, this photo does not do it justice. It looked almost fairytale-ish but is actually rather sinister. Those trees are dark in nature and the animals have a manic, starved look about them. Its because of its unusual content, it caught my eye. None of these pictures cost me more than a few dollars. I'd love to know more about this print's origins and the artist who created it.

These floral prints are making a big comeback. Every now and then I need a bit of girly-girl to bring balance to my absurdly testosterone loaded home.

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It was a spur of the moment decision to grab a table at Wellington Underground Market last weekend for their "Retro, Recycled and Restored" themed event. We had NO money for the booking fee, float or even a coffee (thanks to a friend for a one-day loan), NO idea of the space available, NO idea at all. However we did have a few things I thought people might be interested in.

Just a bit of history. A couple of weeks ago, having decided I did not want to return to work (which we all know now is about as attractive as sticking a pencil in my eye or smashing my head with a mallet), I did a little thing in the middle of the night. I prayed.

I simply asked God to help me create success and income to contribute to our family using whatever strengths I had and the rest would be a leap of faith. If I've had an idea since, then I've pursued it.That in a nutshell is my entire business strategy.

Then a friend sent me an email about the market last Saturday. A day and an almost sleepless night sorting out some goods and deciding on display left me exhausted on the actual day. All these things above were found in our home and garage, from years of gleaning at op shops, gala's and recycling centres throughout the country.

Suffice to say, we had an incredible response and were selling to other marketplace holders before it officially began. I also traded with other stall holders and got some great things.

Richard had to keep picking up his jaw, it kept dropping to the ground as he realised what people were prepared to pay to own some of our things. In his eyes they were old chipped bowls, vessels for his curry ingredients and things that had kept his car from being parked in the garage.

One of the successes for me was hearing him command me "You must go op shopping all the time" and he promised to never drive by another opportunity ever again. In fact he even came for a short trip to the thrift store today. So I won his support wholeheartedly.

The leather suitcase and hatbox were props only. I could've sold them many times over though.

This is about half of the goods I took. We ended up with three very full tables plus things on the floor. Unfortunately I was so busy, I forgot to get a shoot of my very laden and fun retro table that hummed for the best part of six hours.

I want to thank the girls who run the Wellington Underground Market for a great welcome on Saturday and their continued encouragement and support throughout the day. I also want to thank my friend Betty-Ann for her support on the day as a shop assistant and her producing many resources for us including white table cloths amongst a plethora of useful things. I also want to thank dear friends, fellow crafters and makers, Catherine, Bonnie and Shellz for swinging by and encouraging me along. Finally to my husband Richard, who did the majority of the donkey work of lifting and hauling all the goods into and out of our car FOUR times within 24 hours, and my kids who were self supporting at home on their own while their parents worked our neyney's off, a big thank you for your support.