mamaG homemade

(fragrantless) trees and cloves and johnny...

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 04:55:00 +0000

This year's tree is the real mccoy. Pint sized but still alive. I'm hoping to bonsai it thereafter. It's not as fragrant as I hoped it would be. But then again, I've lucked out in the past buying ceiling sweeping chopped tress that are of some inobviously different and pineless smelling variety. Also, this one has droopy branches that can only handle light weight decorations, so we have reinstated the driftwood one from last year (as a kind of double act) with the added bonus that the kids get to do their own thing and make one of them look ugly. Seen as I have been making jute stars and stockings I decided to sit the tree pot a plastic bag inside a coffee bean sack as well. And I'm remembering to water it.

Some hungry stockings hanging and other decorations strewn around the house by the kids...

I have also made these small hand embroidered decorations to stuff with wool and cloves to give as gifts. In case other people have rip off neutral smelling trees and so we still get to enjoy the smell of Christmas. I guess there is always cinnamon and brandy and almond too and beer and barbeques and.... who needs the pine really?

Anyhow, leaving you today with 'The Man in Black'. It's Ok to laugh.

Merry Christmas peeps - have a goodie x

ho ho ho hat

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 07:56:00 +0000

ho hum... bah humbug... I don't care...

Ho ho He he look at me

"me more cherry!!!!!"

The kids were harping on about a Father Xmas hat.

I hate acrylic felt - so I made one out of red linen triangle (50cm base, 45cms high) cut on the bias (diagonal grain of fabric) with a side seam down the back + some white cotton ribbing (50x 7 cms) + a doodacky pom pom me wipith upith.

It's solstice tonight. So I think I might

go have a beer outside, while its still light.

above the red verandah - STORE

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 01:09:00 +0000

Under the red Verandah is running a store upstairs (Above the red verandah!)

where you will find a choice selection of art, textiles and vintage goods.

Entry is thru the big red door down the side of the cafe on Tancred St.

Open every day 9-4 until Christmas. (artwork and floral brooches by Brooke Georgia)

It's bustling and merry and full of heaps of wonderful Christmas gifts.

(Mandy's been cooking up a storm downstairs and is stocking a wide range of her ever popular sauces, jams chutneys as well as chocolates UTRV t-shirts, funky tea towels + more!

There's a little mamaGhomemade thrown in for good measure as well as a whole host of other product by talented artists and designers.

Emma has also sourced a selection of second hand vintage goodies for fans of unprocurables.

and made these geometric books...

There are quite a few decorations, stockings and the like to adorn your home.

In the words of James Brown... Get on down and get on up! (or visa versa)

needing to knead

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:57:00 +0000

We have another bug on the go for our sourdough. And a budding and bossy apprentice...

...how amazing is that technique of hers! - she's totally putting her back into it and giving it all she's got.

I'm loving the age they get to when you can start teaching them how to do it themselves.

The bread is coming along nicely too.

I'm finding these two books the most helpful and inspiring.

I will happily donate some starter to anyone wanting a low maintenance (and edible) pet and a new healthy hobby... sing out or miss out. X

coffee sack decorations

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 03:46:00 +0000

I've been playing around with burlap coffee bean sacks - making over sized decorations -

during which I even used a protractor for the first time since high school!

The ginormous five point star came to me in a flash of inspiration was made with a few tips from here. The rest of the process was guided by gut feeling and the added benefit of having no sprogs around offering to "help".

If you are keen to do something similar - it goes a little something like this...

80 cm radius (the average length I could get out of one side of each coffee sack) with 2 pencils and a piece of string and/or a measuring tape to form the circumference. A whopping 1.6 metre diameter...

Pattern folded in four to make a cross and center the protractor...

72 degrees x 5 star points...

Join points to get intersections, cut out petal shapes and use as pattern for burlap and canvas interfacing. Baste interfacing inside seam allowance before sewing up, leaving hole to stuff.

Skuzzy op shop pillow inners are practically free and make for perfect filling.

The star is a little too big to hang anywhere inside the house without it being a hazard. I thought about putting it outside, suspended under the pear tree - only it'll get rained on and rot. See those lovely angles... the wonderful symmetry and awesome accuracy...cabinetry and boat building just might follow.

The sprogs are requesting more of the stockings. I suspect that has less to do with craft and aesthetic appreciation than it has to do with their intended function and fill-ability a month from now. Ho Ho Ho kiddo.

wool gauze singlet

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 00:12:00 +0000

Beetroot wool gauze.

Slippery and prone to fraying quickly after it's cut.

In hindsight I wished I'd used 'french seams'.

I used pinking shears and zigzag instead.

The bias binding kept loosing its shape and needed to be re-cut much wider.

But it drapes beautifully and is slightly transparent which is elegant and cool to wear.

It has pretty gathers through the front and simple neat shoulder seams.

I adapted the pattern by shortening it to just below the waist with a curved hem.

Adapted from this dress pattern form my favourite Japanese sewing book.

today - I (re) learnt....

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:37:00 +0000

That my sometime confidence belies a great deal of shyness.

That just looking at lemons makes me feel healthier.

That I must get back into that habit of having half a lemon squeezed into a glass of water every morning upon rising - it feels so good.

That one bottle of Lemonade is too much in the bellies of a 2 and 3 year old and should be shared - not one each (or they will burp endlessly and won't eat their lunch)

That on a hot day, a mac's pilsner straight from the fridge is a very good idea.

That drinking said beer under the sprinkler is an even better idea.

That cut-up milk containers make for the best tiered fountain.

That hummus always looks best in a wooden bowl with paprika sprinkled on top.

That porridge doesn't look so good 6 hours after it was made, but the kid will still eat it.

That cacti look great in german pottery.

That bottle brush are quite christmassy.

That stainless dutch water pitchers by stelton and travel cups are beauty to behold. (I'm collecting them.)

That the kids are going through a growth spurt not unlike the beans and every time I turn away and look back again they have shot up some more.

just because

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:18:00 +0000

Thinking about rustling up some santa sacks for the kids with these 4 from spotlight.

Like these sweet little numbers. More crafty chrissy ideas here and here.

And this song is pretty much the soundtrack of the last couple of weeks. Best played as loud as the kids will tolerate (or even better alone) in the car driving down on a long stretch of road - ...just because I just worked out how to bring it to you. There will be more.

blooming heck!

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:33:00 +0000

Bring back BLOOMERS! It's a blooming revolution... a revival... a hankering back to 'The Little House on The Prairie" perhaps...

I for one would like to see a little more modesty regarding girls undergarments.

For practicality's sake - I'm not talking corsets and white gloves, but enough coverage and prettiness so young girls can play freely whilst maintaining decorum.

soooo.... I've been sewing a LOT of them...

I've discovered I think they look quite sporty with leggings underneath (also practical if your lass is riding her bike on a cooler day and to avoid her trousers getting caught up in the chain) Leggings alone tend to look a bit dance, ballet, fame inspired but if you put the bloomers on over the top, I reckon they get this whole new funky street look going on. A pair under dresses and skirts is perfect and worn with sandals and sneakers they look just like frilly shorts. Also sweet for the little ones as a nappy cover like no other!

Have you seen those elasticated shelf bras available in toddler sizes? Why do people put their- still-only -a -child-daughters in bikinis? don't get me started... modesty folks... I'm bringing it back...

The out takes for this shoot were HILARIOUS by the way... 2 boys reluctantly wearing bloomers - one with his extremely skinny scared and very knobbly knees, the other podgy one

laughing like a hyena.

Available in a few fabric options and in sizes 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 from my shop and at the upcoming UTRV Christmas shop (upstairs) from December 10th onwards or email me direct gretchenATimotion.co.nz

Steiner fair

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:56:00 +0000

The weather on the day was a bit of a disappointment - pouring down at first, easing to a drizzle and clearing to sensational as I was packing up! But alas, the people came all the same with brimming Steiner smiles and made the most of it.

I was determined the rain wasn't going to dampen my spirits and went all out and painted my nails a very cheerful and uplifting blue (a bold move for someone who never usually ventures beyond nude and pearly colours - its the salt waters, they're giving me balls in the polish department where I never used to have any!)

Most popular products on the day were the Granddad's spinners (Grandad really does make them from his garage and I paint them up for optimum optical effect) and my newly devised retro revival game-Elastics. Remember this...we used to play it for hours on end as kids, some of us even used to play it on the trampoline! I also remember practicing with two chairs to get the advantage over my competitors.

Also, the winner of the mamaGhomemade $50 credit is....

Phil Claude. From memory Phil had his eye on the embroidered ten cent tiki cushion. Sweet.

girl garb

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:27:00 +0000

Miss sunshine modelling the size 3-4 Donkey shorts I've been making for this weekends Steiner School Fair.

Available in sizes 1-2, 3-4 and 5-6 years.

As you can see they sit long on a two year old!

I couldn't quite convince the nearly three and a half year old to model them for me today

...something to do with the pink fairy pocket and lack of a lolly pop with which to bribe him!

(but they are the same size as a blue pair he has which sit just below the knee).

I always encourage parents to go the next size up if their child is at the tail end of the age bracket. But if you're a fan of getting extra mileage out of your girls garb, then getting their tooshies into a pair the next size up - and wearing them as 7/8th length trou - is a sensible idea anyway.

To give you some idea, the waist band of size 3-4 measures 46- 65 cms with an outer leg measurement of 40 cms. They are quite roomy too-which makes them non restrictive to play in!

Also shown with a contrast spotty pocket in size 5-6 years.

Corduroy is the perfect fabric for pants like these. It endures. Dirt brushes right off it and it wears as well as denim but with a softness akin to velvet.

It always reminds me of Paddington bear and Winnie the Pooh - particularly in this caramel colour.

To recap: the Steiner School Fair is on this Saturday from 10-3 pm at 19 Ombersley, Opawa. Admission is free. Come along for some good old-fashioned family fun in the sun, with all day music, fairyland, games, books, real fruit ice creams, organic food, white elephants and lots of others stalls. See you there!

...If you're not able to make it, but you're keen for a pair of donkey shorts-check out my shop this time next week or drop me an e mail gretchen (at) imotion (dot) co (dot) nz

I do them in boys colours too!

why wait?

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:15:00 +0000

Last week I became friends with a woman from my kid's school.

She's quite a measured sort of a lady, on the board and well respected etc but not lacking in her ability to surprise.

On our first play date together, she asked if I would like a glass of wine with some cheese and crackers.

It seemed like a kind of tempered extravagance which I wholeheartedly welcomed.

She then went on to explain that she quite likes to tipple at unconventional times of the day and that in her mind there is was no wrong time of the day to savour a glass of something special- surely it was no different from having a coffee?

On one such occasion she found herself thoroughly enjoying a buttery Chardonnay at 11am.

Did I think this improper? hell no...I couldn't help but be impressed and inspired by the notion.

And so there we were, at just past 3 pm (with the kids making a racket in the background) toasting to our imbibing at an unusual hour, to drinking without social stigmas of time restraints, the breaking the formality etc

Suffice to say, I will be seeing more of my new friend and her outlook has set a new precedent for my views on such matters.

This is me indulging at 1.45 pm.

I felt I deserved it - I had been sewing like a mad women all morning and had just tarted up quite an unsightly aspect of the garden with some stolen succulent cuttings and another op shop chair...

So yes, I will also be advocating a buttery Chardonnay, in the sunshine, perhaps with knitting in tow, sipped half naked in the sun to all the house wives out there any time you like- providing the children's needs are still being met, and it's just the one glass, not on an empty stomach and you don't forget about the school pick up!

Cheers!

favourite things #3

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 06:46:00 +0000

Organic bananas. If you're dubious that organic doesn't taste any better then non organic.... then get your laughing gear around one of these... and be prepared to have your taste buds prove you wrong. Liberty seem to have the cheapest all year round $2.99 kilo from memory.

Salt water sandals. In red. From here. Couldn't resist after seeing these three ladies sporting theirs. Douglas sandals here in NZ also do similarly cool sandals and slides here and Soul sandals in Hamilton do some nice styles too.

Burt's bees lip balm. Feels a little like chapsick and better than Lucas paw paw but without the nasty petrochemicals. Tastes/smells divine. Works well when all the other hippy stuff slides straight off. They have quite a big range available at most Life chemists. Men will go for this stuff too as it's not got a lot of shine.

studio happenings

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:56:00 +0000

Hello!

The wee sun room that has been my sewing room for the last few years is very chaotic of late.

It's generally a fairly well organized place and I usually pride myself on putting everything back where it belongs -otherwise I wouldn't be able to move or turn around in there and I would forever be standing/sitting on rogue pins!

But currently I am in the throws of sewing up a storm for the Steiner School Fair and things are spilled out everywhere and there doesn't seem much point in putting it all back until I am completely finished.

There is also something wonderfully freeing and quite inspiring to see a myriad of colour and combinations laid out everywhere- accessible to the eye in ways it isn't normally. I think a bit of intentional creative mess is my favourite (and only permissible) kind.

you can always tell how busy I've been by the state of my cottons...

a randomly scattered inspiration board...

a getting fuller rack...

...how much more can I stack and stuff in there??!!!!!

beach babes

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:25:00 +0000

Snapped at Sumner during school hols. Hipstamatic is proving very addictive!

weekending

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 20:01:00 +0000

breakfast

freesias from a friend

lemons on black

mustard toes

outlook

gourmet dishcloths

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 03:33:00 +0000

I've started knitting dishcloths! l...like I don't have better things to do with my time!

But they are thick and thirsty, nice to touch and really quite pretty.

The 100% variegated cotton is from here and the pattern comes from my 85 your old friend Shirley (who knits them up for fundraising). I'm planing on giving a few for Xmas gifts to the women who will get the notion of a gourmet dish cloth.

Here's Shirley's Gourmet Dishcloth pattern...

Cast on 4 stitches

K2, YO (yarn over) Knit to the end of the row

Continue increasing like this on every row in garter stitch (knit every row) until your have 45 stitches (smaller cloth) or 50 stitches (slightly larger cloth)

Begin decreasing as follows:

K1, K2tog, YO (yarn over) K2tog, knit to end of the row

Continue decreasing like this on every row in garter stitch until you have 4 stitches remaining

Cast off

Nb) the YO makes the pretty decorative holes along the edges.

surprise treats

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 08:05:00 +0000

A surprise package turned up my mailbox the other day....for me!?!! from somebody I did not know!!!

With much enthusiasm I ripped into it and found inside...two skeins of beautiful Knitsch sock wool (that I had coincidentally been eyeing up in knit world the previous day!) a handy little measuring tape (great for traveling with) a selection of beautiful gift tags and a packet of Tim Tams that the kids and I went nuts over!

All of this was are care of the very kind hearted Tash -from Knitsch yarns, intended as a post quake cheer up and graciously received as such.

I had been wondering if the rest of the country was getting sick of hearing about post quake Christchurch but I have heard quite a few stories of out of towners sending relief packages like this to friends and family in the region.

While I feel very fortunate to still have a home to live in, all our basic amenities reconnected and just a whole lot of insurance palaver ahead of us, it's still touching to have a moment of indulgence bestowed upon you by a hitherto stranger, helping to reverse some of the the effects of the stress that we all experienced.

Big up's to Tash then... because of you, the kids and I had a very rare shared sugar rush and now I get to knit my very first pair of socks with some of your delicious wool!

coasting

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:28:00 +0000

getting there

arriving

finding

coming home

A road trip, a change of scene, some heavy rain, bursts of sunshine and a batch swap with friends who have impeccable taste... all so good for the soul.

onwards and upwards

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 04:39:00 +0000

It's been ten days post quake and finally the nervous system, blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety levels have subsided. There is still the odd aftershock felt, as other fault lines readjust to new pockets of pressure. Some are big enough to act as a cautious reminder, a fearsome phasing out, but many of them pass undetected, unless like some you are hooked up to GeoNet or hanging off some iphone quake app.

We have moved out of our marae style sleeping arrangement in the lounge room and are back in our bedrooms. The kids have 100 year old brick fire places in theirs which was cause of concern, but by and large life in our wee corner seems back on track. The safe area of our house has been decluttered, the car is at the panel beaters, the buckets of broken crockery await the inspection of the insurance man and nicknacks have been blue tacked back in place.

There is however, a lot of red tape around town and with it an airy feeling that things in the inner city won't be the same for quite some time. Many of the buildings destined for a date with the wrecking ball are still standing, and others are gone like gaps in a gaping mouth where teeth used to be.

Hopefully there will be sufficient debate and discussion to ensure Christchurch is rebuilt right, with thoughtful design that is pleasing to the people of the city. The last thing we need, is to live with quick fix plasticky knocks ups reminiscent of say... Blenheim ...sorry Blenheim!

Anyway, part of what aided and soothed my senses was the doll making classes I have been attending for the last few weeks.

Isn't she a welcomed distraction!

The dolls are in the tradition of the warldorf steiner dolls. Though I am told by our guru doll maker Mayjan, this tradition of hand made cloth dolls goes as far back as the ancient Egyptians.

Marjan (from Spindlewood...the coolest kids toy shop in town) has been making dolls like these for the last 20 years. She has a great eye for bringing out the character of each doll and magically deft hands.

The dolls are made entirely from natural materials: wool and cotton which stimulates the sensory motor skills and feels human and warm to the touch. I held a life sized new born doll Mayjan had been working on and I found myself trying to wind the baby over my shoulder and feeling rather clucky!

Mayjan is also responsible for rekindling my passion for hand stitching (specifically the almost invisible 'his and her' stitch) and for teaching us to forgo knots in favour of anchoring.

I was inspired, rather romantically to commit to hand sewing throughout (even when machine sewing was optional). I am also going to hand stitch her some clothes, just for the pleasure and satisfaction inherent with sitting quietly and stitching away (those machines really are noisy).

I recall Mayjan saying that "every stitch is a loving thought" and when you have the time, it really feels that way. Given that this doll is going to be gifted to my wee lady for her 2nd birthday, it felt right to be 'slow sewing' along the same principles as the 'slow food' movements etc. I could become Amish right now.

The doll should ideally resemble the child they are intended for, as to inspire imitation of the future parent and so each child can easily see within the doll, a reflection of themselves.

For this reason, I went with unruly hair, blue eyes and a big pumpkin shaped face. That's our Nina!

Making the head for our doll was a lengthy and challenging process. The contours of the head are surprisingly, skeletally accurate. Hanks of carded sheep's wool are tightly wound into a ball and wrapped in cheesecloth. That alone took a couple of hours and our hands were sore from squeezing and massaging the living begeevers out of our heads to firm them up. We used a heavy duty linen thread to create the eye line, the contour of the chin, and the back of the neck, anchoring the thread where the ears would be then sewing a cotton sleeve as a skin over the skull.

pinning the skin to the crown

back of the head

Triangular positioning of subtle eyes and mouth.

The faces are intentionally pared back so the child can impart onto the doll what it wishes. Less facial features leaves the child free to imagine a wider range of emotions.

loved those 4 inch needles!

a part Maori doll and a pale blondie

I feel very fortunate to have crafted alongside such an awesome and gorgeous bunch of like minded women. All of us are housewives and mothers so it was great to share quake stories and soothe our frazzled selves through the classes. There was much laughter, cups of tea, sweet treats and baking too. Thank you lovely ladies and much gratitude to the wonderful Mayjan.

If you are interested in attending Mayjans doll making classes you can contact her via Spindlewood.

I will leave you with one more shot of the dolly... who incidentally, in less than completed form (ie the body in two parts, limbs not fully stuffed but face finished) was scooped up and saved as if she was another one of my children, amidst the quake and the smashed array of preserves and soya sauce! Thankfully she too came out unscathed.... oh and see that belly button.... shucks!

quake

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:42:00 +0000

earth's belly was rumbling

he got angry and threw his plates

and children wondered in innocence how santa would get to them this year

men atop roofs everywhere,

quickly fixing

a power pole collapsed like a toothpick and

the grandmother who spent the last few months of widowhood redecorating her home in modest yet romantic tones, to frame a loving memory of her one and only, sees it sinks into swamp and become full of silt as she struggled to leave through reluctant doors with warped frames, with family jewels and a wedding photo in her arms

concrete has cracked like fissures in vagrants feet, deep and sore

and mounds of mud and sewage spew forth like vomit,

bodies still sway, all day,

spooked in every cell

families lay camped out in lounge rooms, pulling in, keeping low, warm but waiting

disc jockeys voices, coming from a huddled over wireless, are well rehearsed to calm and soothe and play mellow jazz and crooning country

but still the east and west are fighting and they won't let go

a mother lays in bed with one eye open, glad for snores abound but knows all is not over

old brick and mortar turns to dust and motes

historic frontages toppled like dominoes, too old to hold tight

fires when fuses frayed and spat when the power came back on

some of us were running with babies in our arms, carpet burns from when we fell and fought against the agitation in the walls, spinning us in all directions, shaking concrete, to a corner of a room, unable to move forward and desperately clawing with every step

buckets full of broken crockery and a car buried under brick

the house became a ship and we the fearful captains

the road was arching and sparking, it's metal rubbing raw

quick, think, heart racing, terror... do what you can...

still... wait... shake... down... hold... held... hide...

we're alive... keep going... another and another...

coming towards us like a train, when you are only inches from the tracks

the elderly, fragile and calling blindly out for help are thrown from their beds

almost crushed by furniture,

touching forehead, chest, left and right over heart

and afterwards and in between, anonymous neighbours chat for the first time tweaked by adrenalin that makes them cheerful and concerned

everyday a zigzag

we anticipate collapse,

craggy cliffs of volcanic rock snap and roll down the valley, scaring it for life

and we are wearing clothes to bed, again

afflicted by the imprint of fear, the cold and acidic kind

a lampshade was liberated, swaying side to side by metres

white noise deafens too quiet children sitting on pillows, a favourite toy in hand,

cannot-comprehending why parents can't make it stop

fire walls are falling, parapets toppling down, missing heads all the way

sirens constant calling, warning, helicopters searching

and Pakistan and Haiti a little closer to home

intestines in knots and hearts nearly beating right out of their chests,

frightened new born baby mice, sensitive and still,

another round of aftershocks coming... calling...

a gradual goodbye but not soon enough

a cinema seat sits lonely,

perched on the open edge of its former grandeur,

fallen and never replaced

the shaky isles are shaking

and we are looking the devil in between the eyes

half asleep children clinging luckily to life with a parent praying

bones shaking, nerves rattled, teeth gurn, stomachs churn

living with a tech tonic monster beast

the taste of worry is like blood and bone and bile

and when darkness surrounds, our babies are snoring and shaking without knowing it

and later still, when the fridge stops complaining, making noises of its own,

I can hear a magpie calling, laughing "fools, you have no feathers!"

lines and shapes are forced out everywhere like shattered walnut shell

and we are trying to find our breath again, a resting place for the mind,

hoping all that can be done, has been done.

new knits

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:08:00 +0000

I have spent a great deal of time of late, sitting and knitting on this green chair

the thinking and worries too, are there...

but the view from there is quite nice and the sun within reach,

and the quiet voice within has something to teach...

...trackies and slippers are the new knitting uniform...

...a new cardi for moi, in a mousey possum merino blend from these guys.

free pattern found here. It's called the...

for baby Lincoln

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:03:00 +0000

mamaG's had a few merino commissions on the go lately...

Raglan sleeve tops, merino pants, antenna beanie and black zoo bib for a newly hatched baby boy called Lincoln.

If you have any queries or if you would like to place an order, please refer to my email address at the top of this blog. Or checkout my shop.

I have plenty of colour way and style options I can email through to you.

...have a goodie!

x mamaG

spring cardi

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 22:15:00 +0000

the kids have been sick, but all that home time meant i finally finished her spring cardi.

cabling also slows things down...

a kind of starfish before before I sewed the seams up

wool.... and pattern...

from this typically cheesey looking book...

with others ideas in it for next winter

...a good garment for bridging between the seasons and for cool summer evenings.

collecting in

noreply@blogger.com (gretchen) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:02:00 +0000

gifts from little people

given in small unfurling hands,

special things they have found.

presented with big eyes, big heart, big smile

and a tilted head.

for you mama! i found it for you...

pulling me away from whatever to now

where i see what sweet babies they are, the pleasers, the heart melters, the impish little dreamers, the treasure gatherers.

perhaps having found these things, they don't know what else to do with them, but can't bring themselves to throw them away.

the innocence, the magic, the notion that the treasure found them first.

the mother acting as custodian of precious collections.

sometimes it is just because their pockets are uncomfortably full

and they still want for more

...lumps of smooth brick, broken glass bottles and smashed crockery

worn smooth by the waves, the salt and the tide.

my hair is filled with daisies, weeds behind my ears,

around my feet a circle of stones and oddly shaped bark and all manner of organic and inorganic matter,

my handbag sandy with shells and feathers and bottle tops and brightly coloured plastics.

still, i won't diminish the gesture of having given them to me

and i choose my moment to let them fall away, or add them to the garden or into a bowl on the bench for a while longer

...a little gesture of gratitude given back.