Crafty Girls Road Trip

I was very spoilt this mothers day. I even received a pressie from my Mum. It was this wee book. It is a cool idea.... it details all the great crafty spots all over the country of New Zealand including Vintage shops and crafters that re-use or upcycle goods.

This past weekend, I have been a very lucky duck. I have been in Nelson, craft centre of the country! Around the conference I was there for, I made sure I was able to get out and about with my darling Rach to visit all the places she had been dying to show me. Funnily enough, we talked about this wee book (which I neglected to take with me... would I need it with a local to show me around... I thought not). Once I arrived home on Sunday evening, I checked the book... We had visited nine of the recommended spots for the Nelson region plus one that is not in the book but will definately be there in the next addition!

So... here is where I went and what I thought/brought.

First up and an absolute must is the Saturday Market. This is an absolute must for any visitor to Nelson, crafter or not. It has a wonderful assortment of stalls and amazing foodie smells. I looked mainly at the clothing and vintage ones. Oh and the delicious peanut butter one.. a wee jar snuck into my bag for Macie and Daddy. I loved the vintage stall where I spent a grand total of $20. I got a sweet little leather wallet and a cool 1950's woven basket in red for my kitchen. Topped off with a hot chocolate, it was a fabulous morning.

After a day at the conference Rach picked me up and took me to her all time fav Vintage Shop, Black Cat Vintage. This delightful little shop is just off Main Stoke Road and it is home to a fabulous selection of extremely well priced second hand vintage items. It was heaven for an hour! Here I picked up a wooden chess set for my clever chess playing five year old (who was over the moon!) and 3 gorgeous doilies for a project I have in mind. I saw many many an item directly from my childhood and my grandparents homes. It was like a trip down memory lane. LOVED IT. This little gem was a definate highlight and should feature in the next Crafty girls book.

On a Sunday at this time of the year, many places are closed in Nelson. And a good thing too I believe. However, venturing a wee way out of the city to Mapua opened up many a shopping opportunity. In Mapua we visited...
...The Mapua Country Trading Co. This was like taking a step back in time upon entering this little gardening shop. It was home to 'vintage' seed packets, awesome DIY ideas for the compost/garden and many a delightful pressie for the people in your life that have everything and are hard to buy for.
...Delicious. A little wee it like Stevens but way way better. This gorgeous kitchen/giftware/toy shop was top notch at affordable prices. Spacious, not cramped it was just a treat to look around. I found a cute wee cup for Macie, purple with white spots. A sure winner!
...The Hat Factory. (Not in the book). I loved this shop. Every type of hat you could think of and nothing I saw over $20. Of course I had to buy one. Now have a lovely knitted bucket style hat in white. Scrummy. Couldn't wear on the plane home otherwise I risked having it blown back to Nelson when I stepped out of the plane in Nelson.

We headed back into town for lunch and had the most amazing food at The Suter Cafe. Attached to the art gallery, a lovely little place to eat. Its also right on the very edge of the duck pond at Queen's Gardens so a fun place for little ones to walk and feed the ducks and ducklings.

After a drive around the streets of Nelson, seeing all of these places and more I am quite sure that I could move there! Just have a few people to convince that this is the best idea ever!!! ;)

While away, I got lots of crochet done. Two hats and half a blanket not bad going I'd say for two nights away. Hope your weekend was fun filled too! A xx

Pretty neat doll!

My sewing friend sent me a link to the most adorable fabric doll kit - a Roxy Long Socks.  I just had to get one and Thea was extremely excited when it came in the mail.

This was a lovely project that we did together - she's older now and very sure of what she wants (!) and even though I tried to steer her in the winter doll option, she was adament that it was the springtime option that was perfect for her.

So I got out all my fabric scraps and we picked the fabric together - again she was pretty sure about what she wanted but I managed to get a few of her quilt colours in there.

The doll was quick and easy to sew up - Thea sat beside me passing me the stuffing so it was totally a team effort.

I think she's pretty happy with it!



I am still keen to make the winter doll (it has a hood!) but I know plenty of girls that I can sew for.  The great thing about this pattern is you can purchase the faces seperately so I think I will have a few tucked away for later.  It's also a great project for scraps.

Till next time
Melissa

Crochet? Yep... please!!

Winter is beginning to show its face around here. Not all doom and gloom for me though. I like winter for lots of reasons. One of which is the perfect excuse to crochet. Its a cosy afternoon or evening activity.. gee one of my gorgeous friends was sitting up in bed this morning on her Mother's Day, having her cuppa and crocheting.

I have been a little addicted to hats. At the most recent Martinborough Fair, I found a cute wee hat for Macie. She has grown out of the sweet wee one that Melissa made her for last winter. I loved her new one so much I decided to find a pattern to make one for someone else. Searching on etsy was hard work...to many to choose from. I narrowed it down to two.  One for boys and one for girls. Best thing is though, the patterns range from newborn to adult... several little newborns in my world will have one each come September ;)

Here are the two finished ones so far. One is for my gorgeous little nephew Phoenix, the other for a very special 4 year old who I get to see in 2 weeks time.

I hope that all of you crafty people who are also Mummies have had a lovely lovely Mother's Day. Happy crafting everyone. A x