Happy Christmas!

Wishing you all a happy and joyous Christmas, whatever your persuasion might be!

I see Christmas as the ultimate lovefest, where we remember those who are near and dear. It's also an opportunity for thanks as the year is drawing towards its end. A good time to have a quick look back at what the year was like and a chance to express our appreciation to those who have made a difference in our lives.

Here's a little treat from our very summery summer. Fazer milk chocolate with crushed almonds and apricot. The Ned Sauvignon Blanc from Waihopai River in Marlborough, NZ. And beautiful Pohutukawa blossoms.

beauty break #3

Summer and lazy mornings. Say no more...

upcycled container from a tablecloth

This project was very fast from thought to finish and used 1/4 of a stiff machine embroidered linen/polyester tablecloth. The container is a perfect size to house a little herb plant that is still in its little plastic pot that I bought or raised it in. Fun to make and looks easy on the eye on the kitchen windowsill.

beauty break #2

On my recent visit to the WOW Museum gallery shop this piece from Andi Regan caught my eye. It's called Mini Urchin and made of cable ties. What a wonderful way to see a utilitarian item made into something so pretty. Here's me thinking if it would be possible to recycle cable ties towards this kind of art, but I suspect the whole point with them is that they won't come undone once they're tied up.

Summer School

I will we teaching a three day long Up-cycled sewing workshop on the theme Something new, Something old, Something borrowed at the Creative Journeys Summer School.

We are taking enrolments now, so have a look at the website http://www.creativejourneys.co.nz/up-cycle-sewing.html to find out more or contact me through fibreoflife at gmail.com.

beginners sewing workshop

I'm very much looking forward to teaching a beginners sewing workshop at my home studio during the next two Saturdays. I can still take two more students so if you are interested to join in you can contact me at fibreoflife@gmail.com.

This is great for you who already have got a machine but use it mainly for gathering dust. Something about how you thread or adjust the machine is just beyond your comfort zone... What do you do to wind the bobbin and how on earth do you get it to sew buttonholes and in a way that they land in the right place?? Cutting your design might feel a bit intimidating as you don't know how much extra you should allow for seams. You've heard of French seams but never seen one? Come along!

Fibre of Life

sewing room

Beginners sewing class

Two Saturdays 17^th and 24^th of November 2012.

·                      Learn the absolute basics of sewing from threading a needle, to using simple hand sewing stitches.

·                     Sew on different types of buttons and learn where to place buttons and buttonholes.

·                      Get comfortable with a sewing machine! Wind on a bobbin, thread the machine.

·                      Learn to start sewing forward in straight lines, and turn corners.

·                      Sew simple seams.

·                      Create either a shopping tote or beach bag and/or a simple cushion cover, and take away your finished project and the pattern so you can make it again at home!

Cost: $75
Time: 10am – 2pm. Bring a sandwich for lunch.
Materials required: Bring your own sewing machine, scissors, pins, material and matching thread for your project.