Peace and good will to all

ahhh, Christmas...day of the over stretched stomach and overfilled heart. It's like a cute explosion in this family, I may be biased but my nephews and nieces are so adorable! I melt when they turn thier little faces towards me and say, 'aunty katie', even if its usually followed by, "can I have a....."(insert sweetie or junk food they think they can get me to give them on the sly!)
Peace to all, have a beautiful day. And if you're struggling do your best to find some meaning or happy moments...after all its only one day!
xKate

last market of the year...

This Friday is the last little market of the year, it all seems to have gone by so quickly.
This was taken at one of my earliest market nights, very shy looking aren't I...it always feels a little daunting in the lead up to any event, standing right behind your products, especially when so much care and attention has been put into their creation. Its exciting, also scary, no p.r person to hide behind...but I get so much encouraging feedback and it always ends up being a really enriching experience. (this photo from the lovely http://littlebrowndoggie.blogspot.com/)

Anyhoo, I am totally looking forward to having a happy pre Christmas celebratory evening. I plan to have some of yummy wine, eat some tasty nibbles' and catch up with the sweet, oh so sweet, wonderfully gifted crafty women who have shared such a lot of fun nights with this year.

I always love seeing new things everyone is working on, these are my latest'...

They are bookmarks and came about because we are all contributing a gift towards a hamper of goodies for the owners of the bookstore(Avid reader, Boundary Street, West end)which hosts our market. So I was thinking of something I could make for a book-lover.

...and then once I had made one, I was a bit chuffed with it and got a bit carried away.

Au revoir for now, and looking forward to seeing lots of dear people before I take off on hol's for a bit!
xKate

gentle hands

I had an early Christmas party with my sons and used recycled wool felt sheets as wrapping with recycled ribbon fastening to cover their gifts...


and once opened the felt became a play mat for the small toy pieces...(which was very handy with a keen lego fan to please and for my other son with a his magnet construction set!)

I spend my life wondering how to live an enriching and generous life which will sustain us all.
To be with my kids is so important and valued, I want to be with them as much as I can. So I craft around them and include them in my work and social life. It is made so much easier when friends are supportive and inclusive of children too.


The gentle hands and loving imagination of the wonderful people in their life help shape them into the kind of people who care and support others. They also reflect what they see, what is said to them and shown to them and this keeps me on my toes in a really grounding and valuable way.
I like spending time caring for other peoples children too and as my lovely friend Melania said to me, it is an absolute privilege to be trusted to look after someone else's children.

and hopefully one which will bring a LOT of joy!
It can help to connect with nature and the senses, viewing the world from a much littler persons perspective...
...and it also allows the wonder of an unfettered imagination to exist freely...

I am very excited to be making some secret presents for my most special little ones this week, not sure who will be reading this so I can't reveal much yet...but felt+cute+love=smiles!
xKate

whimsy

visited goma, apt6 opening weekend, such a whimsical delight. Came home and made some little tea cups brooches, was feeling all inspired by thoughts of whimsy, impermanence, joy and warmth.
xKate

market

Bleeding heart Boutique market(Bleeding Heart cafe, Ann street, Brisbane city) Avid reader little market(Avid Reader bookstore and cafe, Boundary Road, West end) and the bris style market(held at St Augustine church, Racecourse road, Hamilton) have all been on locally over the past 3 days.
More handmade goodness than you could poke a stick at, more warm and kind smiles than I could count. Joan at Bleeding Heart Boutique market.
The support women give each other is nothing short of beautiful and profoundly touching, the past few days I have been held in a very safe nest, pieced together by the small actions of friends, shoppers, other stall holders and more.

Angie at Avid Reader little market.
Natalie at Bleeding Heart.
The veranda of the school of arts building, where the boutique market was held.

Some wee treasures I bought from the bris-style market, including a delightful brooch from edward and lilly.

My stall, which Melinda set up for me, at Avid Readers little market.

Lynne at Avid reader little market.

And the circle of friends gets larger and looser, and my heart spills over when I am with these women and their lovely children. Thanks all who visited and supported my stalls, my friends stalls and to all who came with their smiles, presence and words and made these busy and hectic past few days so enjoyable and affirming.
xkate
P.S-Last market for the year, AVID READER, 18 th, 5.30-8-put it in your diary now!

see you tommorow!