KNUCKLES!!!

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to all our friends and family.

At the hospital I was fully dilated and ready to deliver my baby naturally. My team consisted of my husband, my mum and my midwife. All things were going well but his position and my anatomy just weren't synchronised that day. The call was made to deliver him via surgery after several hours of labour. Knuckles was ready to make an entrance into the world one way or another.

My husband brings our baby to me for my first look at Knuckles. Our wee baby finally arrived on 17 December 2008 at 4pm, 4 days over his due date and via emergency ceasarean. Weighing 3.2kgs or 7lbs 1oz, Richard John Ngariki Toimata is in great health. Yep, new borns look funny but to me, this is the most beautiful vision in the world.My four men. How many people does it take to bath a baby? Three of course.My little bean in his pod finally at home after seven days in hospital. My mother has been here throughout the whole ordeal and what a blessing she is. I am so grateful to have had this experience with her. She has been invaluable in innumerable ways. My angel midwife, Penina who has been a godsend throughout the past 9.5 months and especially the last fortnight during the birth and after care. A good midwife is priceless.I am well, being cared for and indulged, and recovering relatively smoothly. Typical mood swings but this baby is so worth it all. I am so happy, we all are. Please forgive me for not writing sooner, and for the sporadic nature of the next month or so as we come to grips with our new baby yet again. Thank you for all your encouraging emails and comments, phone calls and gifts. Being older parents, we are so much more relaxed than 12 years ago with our first son, and even six years ago with our second son. The most amazing miracle is how our hearts just expand to fit this new little baby, with more love to go around. I now have three children and it is so exciting. I am definitely looking forward to being a 'creative crafting' mum this year as my career takes a back seat for a while. And if you want to cuddle the baby you have to take a ticket, he's in pretty hot demand.

Due date been and gone ...

And still no sign of Knuckles. However my mum has arrived and spent the past week spoiling us. We are enjoying having her around and don't want to let her go. On her first morning, my youngest sat wrapped in a blanket watching her sleep, waiting for her to wake. He then brought out all his 'friends' to meet his Nan. I miss living near family for this very reason.

A few crafty girls came over to meet my mum and get creative together. What a morning tea we enjoyed too! Banana cake with cream cheese icing, homemade cookies and lots of bevies. Hint: Don't try teaching at 40 weeks pregnant! I'm sure I was the most impatient and grumpiest tutor ever. Still we got some things made and picked up new skills along the way.

Here the girls proudly show their handiwork.

I will keep you posted on the baby news front. Until then, back to spending time with family and enjoying the warmer weather.

Sunrise Porirua Harbour

The sky was on fire.

Here's another idea ...

http://pixiegenne.typepad.com/my_weblog/crafty/page/8/
Here's a tutorial on how to make your own covered cases. I love that she uses vintage kid's books, dictionary pages and is NOT technical. All you need is loads of Mod Podge (but I use PVA for everything cause it's cheaper!), time, a sharp craft knife, a suitcase or old makeup box (even tin can's), and old clothes. What fun.
NB: I think it's important to note that while we can take advantage of other crafter's tutorials and their amazing generosity for our own personal use, it is important to acknowledge where ideas originate. Secondly, when a person is making their living from their craft, do not go and undersell them in their marketplaces. This kind of sharing is part of our wonderful world of creativity and is a real blessing. Unfortunately I have read recently of people having their work copied and sold on as 'original' works in the same towns and marketplace (Etsy is rife with blatant rip-offs sometimes). I believe that's bad practice and while no art or craft work is without influence, we need to stay honest and have integrity in our practice wherever possible. The kaupapa or protocols are tricky because it's hard to copyright a lot of what we do. It's up to us to keep it 'all good'.
Personally, I think mimicry is flattering and that we all start by copying others (even if it was your mother teaching you to knit a scarf), but we also need to try and put our own twist on our own works eventually, and develop our own designs wherever possible. Also, I think truly creative people don't run out of ideas and can keep on creating. They are not threatened with sharing their learning and knowledge. I am where I am because others were not elitist and did not withold but enthusiastically shared their passion and skills with me. I also have paid out big money to spend time with other artists learning my skills and a lot of time at art school and in my own life just playing and refining my own ideas. We just need to also appreciate that many artists and craftspeople have spent years refining their practices and processes, and to respect their work by referencing them and even making contact to make sure we don't inadvertently 'step on anyones toes'.
Ok, lecture over. Have fun making this season.

Here's an idea...

http://littlebirds.typepad.com/little_birds_handmade/sewing/page/2/ has a tutorial for making these fabric Xmas trees. Go there and download the pattern. I can see these in Tongan ngatu barkcloth with MOP buttons, or old wool blankets and embroidered lined up along the fireplace. I am having to think outside the square because I don't have space for a Xmas tree anymore, so I make decorations I can place around our home or from an old dried branch in a vase. Melissa at http://tinyhappy.typepad.com/ made some as have many others. Use felted jerseys, handmade felt, eco-dyed fabrics, old embroidered cloths, vintage fabrics, upholstery remnants etc. If you are like me, these will stay out all year. I love the linen cloth 'littlebirds' has used and her collection of sea treasures.

Crafting ROCKS!

My coffee table next to the couch. There's a big bag of polyester stuffing and a bin beneath. This is what I do when I can do nothing else, and although I am frustrated with my limited up-and-aboutness at the moment AND uncomfortable all the time AND never feeling like I get enough sleep AND getting all excited with each Braxton Hicks contraction ... this corner is actually my wee bit of heaven. Bliss!

My trusty supply of old wool blankets and felted cardigans, laundered in eco-friendly wool wash and ready to go for my projects.

This is a clue for my swap Xmas ornaments (I don't want to give too much away. Must leave some things a surprise). My own Pacifica based design including Tongan ngatu bark cloth and raw materials. I will be posting these out this week - I promise.
Unironed but freshly laundered embroidered cloths and doilies found on our op-shop (thrifting) trips.

Ironed. I didn't realise it would take so long. Husband watching in amusement as I iron fiddly lacey cloths for ages but his shirts and kids clothes sit unfolded in laundry basket, completely ignored. He does our laundry around here. I am spoilt I tell ya.

My favourite find while out thrifting recently was this doll's leg. I know, weird, but I got so excited finding it at the bottom of the free stuff trolley at Trash Palace. It sits perfectly next to the kids creations. Again, the kids roll their eyes.

Because I love it so much, I thought I would show you it again. Lovely leg.

Some crafty goodness I made this weekend sitting on my couch and watching movies, organic gardening programs and the Food Channel. They are made from my recycled blankets and doilies stash of course! 100% handmade, embroidered, and finished with mother of pearl buttons or vintage glass ones. One of the pleasures of not having a lot of money is being able to make lovely things for myself. It forces me to get creative (not that much forcing is actually required), think outside the square and use what I have.

Lavender.

Mint

LemonThis heart is a gift and was created from felted jerseys by Cleo. It's just lovely, I love her craftiness. She's so organic and loose. I tend to get a bit tight and start lining things up neatly, but Cleo helps me stay loose and free in my stylings. Not easy to do but I love the 'hand' in her work. She had it wrapped up really cool with twine, brown paper, vintage wallpaper and handstamped with a tree button.

One side ... The other side.
Which inspired me to make these from what else ... my stash and some vintage buttons.
Rich reorganising our already cramped bedroom to squeeze Knuckles change table in. Another score, this time from TradeMe: $70 and it's barely been used. They retail upwards of $200-odd. This is one motivated man. Last week he made up the bassinet with sheets and wool blankets. He packed the baby's suitcase for the hospital. He bought the carseat. He reckons he is the most excited family member re: Knuckles arrival. I reckon he is too. Might have to fight him for a cuddle of OUR baby although he can have the night shift.

Xmas is coming. Summer is definitely in the air. I am having a baby very soon (two weeks to go). My mother arrives next weekend from Australia. The Whitireia Visual Arts student exhibition is showing at Pataka currently. I am crafting with friends Cleo and Cheryl, and we are established as a crafting presence here in the Bay. My boys are swimming at the beach again. The house is reasonably tidy. We shared a community hangi for dinner last night right here in Titahi Bay last night - a traditional Maori earth-oven cooked meal - it was yum. I got some sleep! My studio is organised again. I am enjoying making lots of handcrafted goodies. My husband is Mr Wonderful, looking after his little family and cossetting me. And I can see the sea from my home. It's Thanksgiving in the States but I am feeling very thankful right here in lil' ole NZ. Now all we need is Knuckles!

Some websites I viewed today:

http://littlebirds.typepad.com/ makes gorgeous animals and things from vintage fabrics. This is her old website, and it turns into http://stephaniecongdonbarnes.blogspot.com/. I especially love those fabric mushrooms.

And ...

http://pixiegenne.typepad.com/my_weblog/ is another website I found that has lots of crafting goodness. She makes these great collaged suitcases - I want to do that. She is also really witty, calling herself a 'crafting blogger dork'. It's true, I am one too.

Visiting other crafty blogs helps keep me inspired and it is my biggest research tool. There are so many amazing crafters and artists out there making amazing things and living great lives. Rich and I are inspired by the many folk who are creating a wholesome lifestyle right where they are without the need for a lot of paraphenalia. Appreciating the simple things in life. Time with family, handmade goodness, organic food and lifestyles, free entertainment like the beach, forests and parks, etc.

I encourage you to get out there and enjoy your environment. Pick up leaves and seed pods and display them in a bowl on the table. Make play dough. Bake a cake. Plant some flowers. Buy your presents from secondhand shops, Trade Aid or make them. Or donate to a charity in lieu of gifts and let your friends know you bought some plants for a third world family on their behalf. Most of all keep it simple and authentic. It's the love we put into what we do that makes the difference.

Tagged ...

Ok, so lately I have been tagged by several bloggers (friends) and decided to lump it all together. Thanks to India at http://prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com/; and, Darlene at http://art4sol.blogspot.com/ and somebody else but I can't trace it back. Sorry.
Anyway thanks all for your votes of interest. I wanted to save them up because finding random interesting things to write about oneself is a bit of a challenge.

The rules of this Tag are:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write seven little known facts about yourself.
4. Tag seven people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

1. I love to use raw materials whenever I can in my art works.

2. I love to meet new people and share skills.

3. I'm a night owl. I love sleeping when it's daylight and working in the wee hours of the morning.

4. I have been married for 13 years which is a miracle.Two sons and a third on the way.

5. The beach is my favourite place in the world. Anywhere coastal feels like home to me. The smell of the ocean, the sound of the waves, shells/driftwood/stones for treasure gathering, gulls screaming, even stormy days. It's all music to my soul and healing for my spirit.

6. I don't like cats. They creep me out. Especially when they rub against my legs or sit and vibrate on my lap. Ergh!! Ask my kids, they all laugh at me.

7. I'm always up for a good time. A laugh. A good feed. A nice glass of wine in the evening. Some good company and conversation.

Ok, so here is where I break the rules (cos I'm good at that) ... but if you read this and feel so inclined then consider yourself 'tagged'. Respond in like by telling us seven things about yourself. You can either do this in the 'comments' section or you can pass it on via your blog.

New Stuff ...

Some things I have been working on ... I was supposed to have a craft stall last week but had a false labour (again!). So I set my stuff up on the dining room table so I could photograph it all and put it away in the garage in a big plastic impersonal box. Shame really cause it's quite fun being surrounded by my creatures. However there is no more room in my home. And I still have to fit a baby in!
With no flash you can see the white creatures.

With the flash, you can see the dark toys all lit up but the white one's disappear.

Up close. Here is my new favourite inspired by looking at Julie Arkell's amazing mixed media creatures.

She is really lovely to behold I think with all her stitches, old buttons, a pansy in one ear, doily detail. She is constructed from old woollen blankets.

And has "she gathers" stitched on her back. She is completely random, made intuitively, totally handstitched and freeform cut, and formed in the wee hours which makes her just a little magical.

Fellow crafter Cleo gave me a hand to put some personality into the glove creatures I made last week. I was stoked that the box of buttons I purchased from the Salvation Army Family Store had some incredible giant buttons that were perfect for these guys. Cleo knit the scarf on this wee girl bear.

I just love the bunnies. Something about those exagerated big ears.

And a bit of pink crochet detail on the back above her tail.

My infamous cupcake pincushions up close and personal.
Tea party anyone? I know I have posted photos of some of these things before, but it was neat to see everything together. BTW there was more but I got sick of taking photos. I also have some angry dolls and some Pacifica themed mixed media objects but they will stay under wrap as I am currently involved in a crafty Xmas decoration swap.

Happy crafting fellow crafters! It's the season to indulge all that crafty goodness, get stuck in and start making prezzies, cards, decorations for your home and yummy things for the baking tins. BTW, 2 weeks and 5 days to go ... not that I'm counting.