Fingerless Mittens.

 Hugo has requested a new pair of fingerless mittens a few times now so I thought I had better start working on a pattern... which of oddly enough resulted in a new pair for myself. How did that happen!

 Usually I knit fingerless mittens on double ended needles but at the moment I am in a crochet frenzy and so, went back to the drawing board. The good news is, after ironing out the odd kind, I will be able to post the pattern! Wahoo!

 I am really pleased with how the rib worked as it starts off a little tricky. So stretchy and worth it though.

 I perhaps could have made them a little longer but I quite like having fingers free to turn pages... or let face it, crochet.

And this is what I spent a bit of time on this morning, playing with my watercolour paintings from last week on photoshop. I love photoshop so much. If I weren't already married.....
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

A Trip to the Library.

 We seem to have fallen into the habit of visiting the town library every Saturday morning. 

 I used to go during the week when the boys were at school. They were happy for me to gather a large pile for each for them however, things have chagned. These days I can no longer carry all of the books required for the household on my own.

Fiction, non-fiction, talking books, magazines, c.d.s and even the odd d.v.d make their way home from our library which bulges with the most incredible selection of books. Sometimes I think that New Zealand is pretty lucky not having an airforce or space program as it means that so much more money can be channeled towards libraries. And of course my overdue fines are a huge resource for the country too.

Today turned out to be pretty special... 10 books I had on hold were ready to pick up -exciting in the extreme and then..... I FOUND A WHOLE TROLLEY OF BRAND NEW NON-FICTION BOOKS WAITING TO BE SHELVED. Oh my lucky day!!!!!!
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxxoo.

p.s. This stack represents my non-fiction selection - there is a whole 'nother' metre of fiction waiting for me to crack their spines!!!!! It was a good day at the library indeed.

An Eager Assistant.

 It is always so good to have help when you are setting up a photo shoot. Archie is having a quiet morning at home, exhausted from a busy week. 

 And I am always so happy to have him involved and interested in what I am doing because somehow, I don't think this stage is going to last forever.

And extra hands when you find yourself up a ladder holding a camera are always valuable to say the least.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Lucky Stars and Hot Air Balloons.

May your day be filled with wonderful adventures... or at least a really good cup of tea.
Lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.
p.s. My day involves watching poor, innocent children being forced to run cross country. Wahoo for finishing school and never being forced to run in a horde again!

Our Last Morning of a Splendiferous Holiday.

 As I write this, Jonno is now driving Mum up to the Auckland Airport. What a wonderful time we have had together, painting, crocheting, knitting, card playing, reading, tea drinking, talking, breathing, etc, etc, etc.

 Archie took a couple of photos of us and Hugo provided the entertainment to make us smile. Note how his grandmother found him highly amusing but I, as the mother, was slightly disturbed....

 With the boys.

We love her.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.

Hot Water Bottles and Watercolours!

 Mum arrived from Australia bearing the most wonderful gift of mini hot water bottles. Hugo was delighted and promptly said "They're portable - we can take them on the bus with us"! So of course my first task was to start crocheting covers for them.

 Look at little mini snuggled up with big ummm biggy?

 Here is a message for my sister Lucy who is revelling in the world of poppies at the moment. A little watercolour I painted this morning.

And another painting from this morning.
Lots and lots of love,
Kate xxooxx.

A Little Bit of Watercolour.

I have had such a lovely time painting with Mum. My sister Lucy is crocheting the most beautiful poppies at the moment and she has inspired me hugely - so for me at the moment it's all poppies and flamingos. I am not a confident painter at all so it has been wonderful to let go and just have fun.

Lots of love,

Kate xxooxx.