Lucky Penny October (and some news)

Hello there!  Just a quick wee post to say that Lucky Penny is on next Tuesday!!  I'm going to be bringing a fine selection of crafty things to give away to the Lucky Penny-ers (uhhh.. something like- wool, origami paper, buttons, perhaps some fabrics and other interesting things).


Why, you ask, are you giving away your craft supplies?


I'm going to be moving to Melbourne at the end of October- there have been changes with my work, and I've now accepted a job as a designer (yay! But same-same but different).  So this will probably be my last Lucky Penny (unless I take it with me to Melbourne and hit the craft circuit there)  Perhaps I could become a Brown Owl and hang out at Meet Me At Mikes? I'm lucky that Melbourne is such a creative city, but I must say that I am kind of fearing the 40 degree heat that the summer brings...  But seriously, I think it could take me a good few months to even feel remotely settled there, you know, get used the changes with the job, find a new house (and decorate...I think Ikea is going to be making some money from me), and in between that really try and make some new friends. My brain at the moment is really ticking overtime- there is an incredible amount of things that I need to achieve before I board that plane, and connecting with the people who matter most is high up there (as is selling may car...) I remember my jewellery teacher once saying to me that I was nomadic as I seemed to change my address at least once a year.  Now I think he's right as this is the third time I've moved this year.  So I'm hoping that this blog can be a little outlet as I move into another chapter in my life
Anyway enough for now!  Catch you on Tuesday!

whoa... its September!

Whoa... it's September! Firstly- Spring- yayyyyy! I love Spring- it's such a great season since I love blossoms. And speaking of Spring-y newness September also means that I now have a new nephew (hello Joshua!).  And September means here in New Zealand we are in the middle of Fashion Week.  I attended the Trelise Cooper show, usually not my kind of look, but a few nice pieces were spotted.  For someone who is into fashion, fashion shows terrify me.  Actually it is not really the shows per se, but the people they attract- think major wardrobe anxiety... September also means the Rugby World Cup is about to converge on Auckland, and more specifically my neighbourhood which is very close to Eden park (I am worried about parking, traffic, and whether I'll be able to get anywhere near my gym...) Ugghhhhh...

But not to worry as a perfect foil to rugbymania.... I present... Lucky Penny September- all details are on the pic- see you there!

happenings

So alot has happened since I last posted here. I have moved across town to a new house ('across town' is like, two suburbs away from where I used to live. Miles! I know!) So as a consequence I have taken much of an interest in home decorating, but when your'e flatting your are kind of restricted to what you and your flatmates can pull together, so the results are looking mish-mash-y...

I have completed the dark grey border on The Blanket. So now I only have to knit the brown border and I will be done with the knitting bit. I have also found the ideal solution to the woven backing- pre-made quilted fabric- in calico, which is a great match to the design. I was so excited when I found it- I had been grappling with the idea of quilting the backing, which frankly seemed daunting for a non-quilter like me. So this all means that I should be able to complete this project sometime next year, all going well.

I have baked these, which I brought into my office. Next time I'm trying them with peanut butter icing...mmm...

And these.

And these, which I also brought into my office. I have never seen such a large batch of cookies. Ever. I still have a tin of them to eat through at home.

Baking in action. Yes I am a modern girl and I bake directly from the internet (although I do have to be careful as flour and computers do not mix).

And if you think that my baking is wholly American, think again. I'm keen to try making Matcha Daifuku Mochi with Red Bean Paste, which I come across at sushi shops occasionally and are my new favourite things. I didn't like them at first, due to some weird flavour/texture combo, which put me off them for a while. I only wish that I liked these when I went to Japan- they were everywhere, especially in Kyoto.

I have embroidered a little, but not alot (bad lighting in my new house and my winter knitting addiction has much to account for here). You can see that I am working on embroidering Ballerina Georgie's skin, which is a very delicate process which I am approaching with a high level of caution. I am betting that her face will be one of the last things that I will be working on in this whole piece. The blue blobby bits are where I have marked out motifs to be embroidered. I certainly need to do lots and lots more embroidery as I have a deadline (late December birthday) so frankly, I need to make this, not knitting or baking, my obsession!

I'm taking my nieces to Kraftbomb tomorrow- I'm looking forward to seeing crafty Auckland and my old neighbourhood.

And not to forget! Lucky Penny is on next Tuesday- see you there!

Lucky Penny June!

Lucky Penny May!

Two Lucky Penny posts in a row..! My craft time has been slipping but hopefully I will have something new to show you soon. But don't forget..! Next Tuesday is time for our monthly Lucky Penny crafty-ness. See you there!

Hello Lucky Penny April

Hello there! Its nearly the start of a new month and I thought that it was time to let you know about Lucky Penny for April. Bring your craft to town and join us for some coffee and chitchat!

Mezze Bar from 7.30pm.

Durham Lane (above Queen St Glassons)

Auckland

See you then!

Lucky Penny March!

Hey there! The last month has just flown by and its time for Lucky Penny. Same time, same place!

...from 7.30pm onwards

Mezze Bar

Durham Lane (its kind of above the Queen St Glassons store)

Auckland

Bring our craft to town-see you there!

Lucky Penny- Back for 2011

Just a quick note to say that Lucky Penny Crafty Club is back for 2011. Next catch up: Tuesday 1st February- details on flyer above. Would be great to see you there!

Are you ready for Lucky Penny November?

Hello! Its very nearly the start of a brand new month.. and you all know that means its time for a crafty catch-up! Just a quick wee note to remind you all that Lucky Penny is on this upcoming Tuesday- so don't forget to pencil it in to your diaries! See you there!

Tuesday 2nd November

from 7.30pm onwards

Mezze Bar

Durham Lane Auckland (above Whitcoulls/Glassons on Queen St)

Bring your craft to town!

Lucky Penny... Back for August!

Hello! Hope you are enjoying the craft-inducing winter coziness (or coldness, whichever you prefer..) and are clocking up some quality time with your friends, family and various creative pursuits. I know that I have many on the go-go (sometimes its actually hard to decide what to work on as some of my projects will have important future sentimental value, but others are just there for mindless relaxation... like most of my knitting. I don't go for genius in that category).Its been a little while since the last Lucky Penny- a whole month without a craft catch up and so much has happened... so without further adue:

Lucky Penny August

...from 7.30pm onwards..

Tuesday 3rd August

Mezze Bar

Durham Lane

Auckland (its above the Whitcoulls/Glassons on Queen St)

See you then!

ps. Sorry for the absence of advertising material (aka. the usual poster) But at least I managed to include a picture..!

Lucky Penny June!

See you there!

Lucky Penny May!

For the crafty-inclined of you, the next Lucky Penny Crafty Club is so so soon! Next Tuesday 4th May, from 7.30pm at Mezze Bar, Durham Lane, Auckland. See you there!

ALSO... those of you who know me personally.. as I have been promising-there are indeed photos from my very very recent trip to JAPAN which will make an appearance on this blog... once I have sifted through 1000+ of them (whew!) I'll also be bringing some of my gorgeous new Japanese craft and fashion mags to Lucky Penny for a show-and-tell. Yay!

Lucky Penny April!

See you there!

Lucky Penny March

Just a little note to get the word around- Lucky Penny March is on in a weeks time! All details on the flyer above- see you there!

Lucky Penny February!

Well, the time has come around for me to mention Lucky Penny... Bring yourself and your crafty things for a night of gossip and craft on Tuesday 02 February at Mezze Bar, Durham Lane, Auckland. See you there!

Lucky Penny December!

So, so soon! I'm really looking forward to the next Lucky Penny- the last one for 2009 can you believe?! Catch you there!

Also on this weekend in wholesome organic Grey Lynn (aka. the neighbourhood) is the Grey Lynn Park Festival, which I am told has great markets, music and a relaxed atmosphere. 9am-6pm Saturday 28th November, Grey Lynn Park, Auckland.

And the November Kraftbomb is on for those needing a cupcake fix, kooky/pretty/crazy crafty things and a chance to do some Christmas shopping! Thats on Sunday 29th November 11am-2pm Grey Lynn Community Centre. Yay!

a good excuse...

I have finally found a good excuse to use up my hoard of felt... a Christmas ornament swap! Yay! I signed up today and can't wait to get started. But be quick.. head over to Twenty Cent Mixture and sign up pronto as applications close on Friday 6th November.

Meanwhile... Lucky Penny was good last night- catch the full report here.

Lucky Penny November!

Wow, its very nearly November! And that means on the first Tuesday of the month its Lucky Penny Day! Lucky Penny is a monthly craft-friendly social event run by the lovely Heleen (Ruby in the Dust) and me! The next event is on the 3rd November, 7.30pm onwards at mezze Bar, Durham Lane in Auckland. There you go, just like the poster above.

catch you there!

thank you

Just a little note... Thank you to all the people who have brought violet&may over the last year of craft-fairs (especially Kraftbomb). I'm going to take a little holiday from 'commercial crafting' (as I like to call it) for a while.

But don't fret! I will still be making things! At the moment I have a handful of projects on the go-go so I will try and try to post them as I finish them :)

Also, soon soon (tomorrow) is Lucky Penny Crafty Club! Please come along to Mezze bar (I will point out that we will be sitting at the couches at the back of the bar.

p.s. please approach knitting socks with extreme caution. More about that later.

making up the rules

A couple of days ago, Heleen and I hosted the first Lucky Penny Crafty Club. It was great to be able to host a gathering of crafters (or so to speak). It is nice to make up the rules (ok there arent any rules, but I just like saying that).

I'm in a little bit of project overload, so I've decided to list, just for the sake of listing:

• Bridesmaid dress x1- my sister is getting married soon, and I'm a bridesmaid. For lack of anything suitable to wear, I've decided to make a dress. Simple and stylish is all that is needed.
• Gift for aforementioned wedding- a gift that will have to be kept a secret at the moment. But when complete (and post wedding) I shall show you.
• Borders on the blanket- my endless project, a luxe yet homespun looking (bed-size, not knee-size) patchy blanket; presently on hold as my wool supply has run out.
• The new jewellery project- thankfully I can only work on this in class time. I'm making a hair-comb with a large turquoise stone set into it. Very mermaid-y.
• The scarf from bad wool- a multicoloured scarf from a kind of yucky acrylic wool. Knitting for the sake of knitting...
• Additional extras- a barely started painting, new things for craft fairs, and I've been wanting to make a matryoscka doll softie (but think I will leave that for Lucky Penny time)

...Is that all???