Sneak Peek...remember when we said we were going to start offering quick ready to make DIY project kits? Well here is the first of the kits ready for purchase.
ready to sew Flag kit. only $10.
Now the other project kits will be different and "new" ideas but this is the one we get asked about the most in the shop as people love the ones we hanging in store. So we took the lovliest Amy Butler fabrics and pre-cut them in flag shapes included the ribbon needed. So you simply arange them in the order you like, sew, and hang! available in cool, warm and mix color combos. When I am all mended and back in store I'll have pics of samples so you can se them done but these are pretty self explanitory. have a great weekend.

Totally unrelated to my shop other than I do wedding flowers and this is a wedding product. By Small Object these custom wedding cake toppers are so special. If ONLY they'd been around when Stu and I got hitched 10 years ago. Maybe I'll get one for my 10 wedding anniversary next month. So special. Speaking of cakes on a sad note I found out that the beautiful bakery on Cuba street here in Wellington that did our wedding cake was forced to close as the rent went up to dramatically they could not stay open. so sad becasue they were a real institution. So a belated goodbye to Dorthy's Patisserie. Your beautiful cakes were the sweet start to so many people's lives together. You will be missed.

NEW in store this week! We are very lucky (well Katie and Sam are, I am still at home mending) to have received a limited line of Wellington loved label Starfish! We have the most amazing long cardigan, dress, and merino cami and soon we'll have a gorgeous selection of thier hats and gloves. Winter is gonna be so fine! Nobody does chilly weather wear like Laurie Foon. I Hope you like what we hand picked as I think the pieces are to die for.
about STARFISH*
Inspired by the work and ongoing legacy of Rita Angus, Starfish's winter collection HEIRLOOM acknowledges things that are precious to us, and things that we want to pass on. Central to this is enduring design and the use of natural and eco-friendly materials to create garments that last. These include a fantastic national treasure and obvious resource – wool. The 18 and 22.5 micron worsted wool that we are using is not only light, fine and gorgeous to wear, but it is also grown and woven locally in New Zealand. Another of our preferred fabrics is a lustrous fabric blending hemp, silk and organic cotton that feels wonderful to wear while also being versatile and renewable. Many of (thier) garments are then finished off with a selection of recycled buttons and buckles that have been sourced for their minimal environmental impact. Rita Angus’ incredible interpretation of New Zealand landscapes and her use of colour also resonates through our range. A blend of earthy tones and vivid highlights combine to form a mosaic of colour that complement the 50s feminine silhouette with an emphasis on the waist. Starfish garments in the HEIRLOOM collection are 100% designed and made on-shore in New Zealand.
("about"content from the starfish.co.nz)

HOME and AWAY
The shop will be open but I am away till the last week in March. As of Monday I am havin' my gall bladder out. eeek!
Please ask Katie if you need anything she is all too happy to help. But please remember she is a one-man show while I'm away so if she doesn't get back to you right away just give her a day or so.
Okay kids wish me luck...

World Sweet World issue 5 is out! We have plenty of copies so come on in and get one. $8 each as always. I must say(and I have said this each issue) this one is my favorite!!! The kitchen tins project are so cool! And the cover, well the cover is worth hangin' on your wall. LOVE IT!
AND a big sloppy kiss and cuddle to Hannah and Thomas you got hitched a week ago. So happy for them. I hear her dress was the BOMB made from heaps of vintage doilies.

What a great way to start the year! February's lucky dip was so much fun.
We made tea towel aprons, felt fortune cookies & emergency sewing books. March is already booked out(Wed 25th)....however you can get on the cancelation list which means we will call you the day before if anyone on the list can't attend. April is open for sign ups. We have plenty places on May's too.
here are some pics from last weeks get together.

the winner of the poll/prize draw is...
KELLYjust email me your postal address and I'll get your pattern off to you.
msgdalzel(at)xtra.co.nz

thanks Kelly & Everyone who participated in the poll.
your comments were all so helpful. Stay tunned those kits are
being made as we speak.

Lucky Dip Craft Project Poll and prize draw.

It occurred to me late in the night that I have amassed a back catalog of projects from the first year of Lucky Dip Craft nights. With all these projects to share and so many whom have missed out I thought it might be cool to offer the projects as kits for sale the following month. There are other reasons for this. Besides the "I missed that month" factor there is the occurrence now and then when a project was really popular with the group and people like to buy them for others whom craft OR you just don't live in the Wellington area. My question is this...
Is it a good idea and would you (being a blog reader or craft night attender) ever buy affordable project kits in the $8-$10 range?

So YES or NO?

post your view here and I'll tally up and make a decision everyone who takes the poll goes in to the draw for An Amy Butler Pattern! value $40

Cheers everybody!

Lovely Samantha
in a sewcherry A line skirt in yellow and grey.
She could be wearing a sleeping bag and it would look good. Poor thing wasn't even wroking this day but hey when fashion calls...

Fun in the shop!
Yesterday as all the tunics were finished (thanks to a massive team effort including the mysterious Damelza who makes all the apparel I design shine. I am a handbag designer by strength. I can make a prototype for a piece of apparel but making in volume is something for the truely skilled.
Katie was So funny when we opened the parcel she ripped off her top (thankfully exposing a cami underneath as she was on the shop floor. phew!) and slipped into her new tunic which she chose the fabric herself. Might I say she looks AMAZING. She made me swear not to take a picture of her face. For someone who has been acting in commercials and stage she can be so shy.

Then she turnned her excitement onto me and forced me to pick one as I always seem to get last pick. And I have to admit it was fun playing model.

It's ALIVE!!!
I always feel a bit like Dr. Frankenstien when I make the first prototype of something. And especially when it turns out. I am overcome with excitement and disbelief that it actually looks like I planned.

So here is the sneak peak at the new Sewcherry All Season Tunic. Available in 2 sizes s/m and l/xl
They look so lovely and with the belt up high or on the waist you can customise it to look just how you like. $110 and availble from this Friday in store.

juniper's
{Valentine's Day Price list} for Saturday, Febraury 14th

Dozen roses beautifully boxed & delivered Red or Pink $120 Mixed colours $105
Half dozen roses beautifully boxed & delivered Red or Pink $60 Mixed $55
Juniper Bunch Gorgeous tonal mix of fresh flowers beautifully wrapped & delivered $55 Single rose beautifully boxed & delivered Red or Pink $20 Other $18
Visa & Mastercard accepted. Delivery to all major suburbs and CBD. Friendly Service. Exquisite Flowers. Phone 04 389 4058

The other day, before the new school term started, I stayed home and had a lovely day with the kids. At the end of the day we went on a lovely bike ride and play at the park. We decided to get some ice creams on our way home and stop off at the shop for a visit with Katie. I decided to check my emails... I know now that was not the thing to do as I can never just "check" my emails I end up responding to them and looking up stuff and 5 minutes turns into 15. While doing this Gretta was chatting with Katie but Ethan my 5 year old waiting for me outside the shop under the bikes. I went outside and said "you alright buddy? would you like to come in and wait? I will just be a wee bit longer." to which he said, " Nah, I'll just guard the bikes Mum".
So here's my new years resolution (bit late) I promise to actually not come in on my day off. And I'd like to say Thanks Ethan, you're a trooper.

Closed this Friday due to Waitangi Day. But OPEN Saturday and Sunday so you can buy the amazing new patterns from Amy Butler!!! So lovely. A whole new stash of new fabrics that Katie & I areso in love with I have cut a meter of each for myself...sorry but can't resist. see ya Saturday.
Mindy

An alternative theory of Valentines Day is the story of Saint Valentine, who upon rejection by his mistress was so heartbroken that he took a knife to his chest and sent her his still-beating heart as a token of his undying love for her. Hence, heart-shaped cards are now sent as a tribute to his overwhelming passion and suffering. If only he had a really good florist...

juniper's
{Valentine's Day Price list} for Saturday, Febraury 14th

Dozen roses beautifully boxed & delivered Red or Pink $120 Mixed colours $105 Half dozen roses beautifully boxed & delivered Red or Pink $60 Mixed $55 Juniper Bunch Gorgeous tonal mix of fresh flowers beautifully wrapped & delivered $55 Single rose beautifully boxed & delivered Red or Pink $20 Other $18 Visa & Mastercard accepted. Delivery to all major suburbs and CBD. Friendly Service. Exquisite Flowers. Phone 04 389 4058

Wee moth brooches by eleven brand. Laser cut perspects. No bigger than a 50 cent piece. Lovely little lapel pin is just the perfect gift for posting. only $16.50 four colours

Today's random point of view...
Colour is our friend!
It picks us up when we are down.
Embracing it means you are not afraid to feel good.

Have a lovely colour filled week.

ECO snail mail!
Here we have Fortune Sharing greeting cards. No at first glance you think "Oh lovely little card" But no there is much clever thinking in these cards.
It can be used three times over. It comes with enough note paper for two uses and the last use the card it's self is the envelope. $6 each four colour combos.

ATTENTION SHOPPERS!

We are making way for new Prints Amy Butler Fabric Coming soon. SOooooooo... All Amy Butler fabric is $5 off a meter till the End of January. Be in quick. We have select colors of "Daisy Chain" and "August Fields" lines. Perfect time to cover that chair that has seen it's day or make the perfect fall skirt. What ever the project these fabrics sew & wash beautifully. See you soon.

It's no secret I'm an Obama fan. So today was a big day in my house. 5am start (the poor visiting mother in law had to be woke up too, sorry Cheryl) Cups of tea poached eggs on toast-ala-Mindy as we watched the swearing in.
The 44th President sworn in. Cool moment.
Watching NZ morning news butcher the coverage...not so cool.
Who do I have to pay to get TV1's Pipa and Paul to just stay in bed for one special Day. Really I think the best Newsteams in the world and inside guys have it covered you can just play the live feed. I won't hold it against you. rrrrrrr...
Okay that aside the "Day" was lovely and each word he spoke made me feel as if I was in the old Babtist church I used to go to as a child. (Yah not to keen on the church thing anymore but the "Can I get an amen?" Totally cool
I loved the "amen" part as a kid because it was the only time we were allowed to yell in church.
(pastor rob) Can i get an Amen?
(little mindy)AMEN!
(pastor rob)can I get and an AMEN?
(littlemindy)AMEN!!! then my mom lookin at me like "okay tone it down".
Loved it.

OKAY and Yes I am a complete and utter GIRL when it comes to romantic moments. The first Dance.
Beyonce, dim lights, lovely gown, tux, the couple, the SONG. I was balling. So so lovely.