On my summer holiday in Paekakariki, I bought a pad of pieces of cardboard and decided to make them into ‘Happy New Years’ postcards. I wanted to ‘free up my hand’ after a long spell not doing anything much visual. (They didn’t photograph very well because they are shiny with paint and glue and glitter, … Continue reading Freeing up my hand with a postcard project
In early autumn, when our apple tree was fruiting, I read an article about making apple vinegar. I had a go, and it was the easiest preserve I ever made! You fill large jar/s (sterilised, as per preserving) with apple cores and peelings. Obviously it is easy to do this when apples are abundant and … Continue reading the easiest preserve I ever made
I’ve been knitting a few of these lately – somewhere between a cowl and a thin scarf – they are simple and quick to knit. I knitted a dark grey one for myself, a lighter grey one for a friend’s birthday and this bright orange and pink one for another friend. I wanted something that … Continue reading a quick autumn knit
(this is the last post about the book launches, you might be relieved to read…) The Comforter Cocktail (We made this in a big punch bowl, but of course you can make it by the glass also.) One part Blackcurrant Vodka Four parts soda water Enough rose-infused sugar syrup to make it pink and tasty. … Continue reading The Comforter Cocktail
First some writing news – Fourth Floor Literary Journal is up and I have two poems in it! Yay! You can read them HERE. Back HERE I mentioned my friend Helen wrote an essay about ‘Taking Care’ (killing) ‘Of Animals’. It’s also in 4th Floor. It is a funny, chilling read – you can read … Continue reading beets and pieces
Mothers who are also creatives (writers/artists/musicians etc) are extremely resourceful in terms of snatching creative time from days that fill up (and sometimes overflow) with children and domestic stuff and work. I feel like everything I make is done in intense short bursts, taking half an hour here, an hour there, ten minutes over here … Continue reading snatched creativity
Every time my lavender needs a prune, I tie up the prunings and hang them up in our porch to dry. Then, some months later when I have a spare hour, I pull the dried blooms off the stalks and add them to my lavender jar. When I have enough lavender, I will make lavender … Continue reading keeping the prunings
