middlenamejane.co.nz

Finally got around to getting my web page up and running!
Thanks to Chris at superduper.co.nz.
Very simple, but good way to contact me and link through to my blog...

Extra Curricular - my new favourite magazine!
Put together by Ellie Smith & friends... it's for and about people doing exciting side projects in their spare time. Everything about it is beautiful and inspiring!
Check out it's blog: http://extracurricularmag.blogspot.com/

And... I was lucky enough to be able to contribute in this issue. Check out my vintage blanket in the 'the little holiday activity book' along with some other sweet projects!

pocket size purses

I'm loving this fabric!

Small coin/card purses, perfect for your pocket, handbag or as a gift..

On sale at the up`and coming Fraft market.

merry christmas to you

I've finally got my Gocco into production!

Starting with these cute Christmas cards & gift tags.

--------------------------------

On sale at the Fraft market in a few weeks time..

fraft #2

Upcoming 'Fraft' market (combination of a farmer's + craft market)

Lots of goodies to buy, perfect for your Christmas shopping.

--------------------

Sunday 5th December
1-4pm

44 George St, Kingsland

(cash only)

--------------------

Come one, come all!

Kneed it

My clever man made these too.. no handles just straight rolling pins.

Made from NZ pine, with olive oil rubbed into them. Varied sizes. Nice.

--------------

Made to order:

$12: 40cm x 4cm diameter

Contact me if you're interested.

--------------

Here birdy birdy birdy..

I have a very clever & practical husband who whipped up a few of these bird boxes for a market we are having. Made from treated NZ pine, they are a sweet addition to your garden. We've got ours on the side of his man shed, above our vege garden... just waiting for the birds to come now!
-------------
Made to order:
$30: non-opening lid
Height: 27.5cm
Width: 23cm
Depth: 19.5cm
Bird hole: 5cm diameter
Contact me if you're interested.
-------------

gocco!!

A recent purchase that I am so excited about!.. a 'Gocco', Japanese printing machine.. all the way from Osaka.

I've wanted one for ages, so decided to just bite the bullet and buy it.

I love the process of silk-screening to make my cards, but it is quite time consuming, more of a mish to get the screens made up, can be messy and takes up more room. The gocco is opposite. Small and compact, I can make up the screen at home, it's quick and easy to print and you can make loads of prints with a small amount of ink. It prints to only B6 size, but that'd be perfect for my cards.. and wedding invites. Only issue is that they have discontinued making them (boo) so the products are getting harder to buy and are not so cheap... but I thought I'd give it a go anyway and see where it takes me. Can't wait to get some designs onto cards.

Watch this space.

congrats

Range of gift cards.. for birthdays, weddings and new bubs.

Hand screen-printed onto 300gsm keaykolour stock, with machine sewn envelope.

hottie

Inspired by the 'Crafty Minx' book, I made this hottie cover for a friend in London to snuggle up to when the cold sets in.

Made from NZ Woollen blankets and a doily from the Hospice shop in Nelson.

deer dad

Small Father's Day card for my dad... he likes to hunt.

bootlicious

I'm obsessed with making booties.

I got given a whole bundle of felt, so after searching on the net I found a free bootie pattern by Heather BaileyTM. I made my first pair (frenchy looking ones above) and got hooked. I found these booties didn't tend to stay on the wee one's feet for very long...so, I brought a Simplicity pattern, acquired my mum's leather stash and started making booties like the white ones above. Lined with felt, these are my favourite. Ridiculously cute.

Bunting

After getting my first sewing machine, I went mad at making bunting!
It became the perfect gift for friends with new babies, for their nurseries.

------------

Shown above: plain cream bunting and 'Peter Rabbit' bunting.

Double-sided triangles, in varied fabrics joined with matching binding. Approx 3.5m long.

cushy

Cushion made with NZ woollen blankets with doily from the local Sallie's shop.

treats

I love op-shopping with a passion.

The smell that wafts in your face when you walk into the store.

Going aisle by aisle, not looking ahead but concentrating on the shelves infront of me, incase I get side tracked and miss out on something.

Trawling every shelf with my eyes alert for whatever treat I might find and the excitement that rushes through me when I find it.. although kept inside like I've just discovered a secret.

Finding the bargain of the century, something in perfect condition, a fraction of the original cost due to the fact that people don't know it's worth.

I love buying something old and somehow making it look new.

Old is good, things with character and stories behind them.. who's, where's and why's.

I like observing the people shopping around me, the little girl typing on an old typewriter pretending she's a secretary gives me a sense of joy, mother's looking at clothes for their little ones, other people on the hunt just like me.

The joy of bringing things home, unpacking and deciding what goes where.

Ahh, satisfaction and relaxation. I'm looking forward to my next treasure hunt already.

--------------------------

Above: some of my favourite finds..

bcard

Self explanatory

camp

Flyer (double-sided DLE size) designed for our upcoming camp..
Woodlands theme, think Deer antlers/pinecones/fishing rods/canoes/paddles/birds/nets acorns/pine trees/maple leaves/moose/dragon flies/logs/wood/hiking boots/guns/chainsaws/saws/hunting hats/beaver hats/plaid fabric/flying ducks. Good times.

birthday treats

A wee invite sent out for my sisters' birthday.. wrapped in twine in nice white envelope.

wheaty comfort

In need of a heat pack after a long day of sitting at my desk (grr to rsi!).. I decided that the wheaty bag I had was getting a bit manky from all it's use, so I made myself another one.. this time alot bigger, prettier and nicer to use. I got carried away and started making a few..

-----------------

Nice and cosy to cuddle up with on a colder day, or perfect to soothe your aches and pains, wheaty bags are so good! 2-3 mins in the microwave (with some water in cup) and then wrap around your neck, back, tummy or wherever needs it.

You can put it in the freezer for a cold pack too. I can make them with or with-out a removeable cover (if you're wanting to wash it).

happy birthday

Found my silk-screens from years back so thought I'd give this one a re-print..

--------------------

Screen printed onto 270gsm off-white keaykolor stock. 120x120mm.

Handmade machine stitched envelope.

i love lemons

Gin and tonic is my drink of choice, and lemon honey is my spread.. yum!

A friend had a tree laden with lemons so I stocked up and made a jar, then another then another.. here's how:

Lemon Honey
(Edmonds Cookbook)

------------------

50g butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup lemon juice

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind

------------------

Melt the butter in the top of a double boiler ( I place one pot inside a larger one and fill with hot water until the top pot's base is covered). Stir in sugar and lemon juice until sugar is dissolved. Add egss and lemon rind. Place over boiling water and cook, stirring all the time until the mixture thickens (alot of stirring and it can take quite a while.. like 15mins?). Pour into hot, clean, dry jars. Makes about 1medium size jar or 2 smaller jars.

I brought some old-school preserving cellophane and rubber band lids, which you place over the top while it's hot then add the sticker once the jar is cold. You can make cute fabric covers if you're giving it as a gift. Put in the fridge to set. EAT.

ruth perry inspires...

...me!
Amazing creative lady.. seamstress, florist, designer, baker, chef, friend!
Here's a wee bit of her branding.. check out her blog:
http://ruthperryinspired.blogspot.com/

wedding goodness

17th April.. married! oh yeah.

Photography: Jo Currie / jocurrie.com

Flowers: Ruth Perry / ruthperry.co.nz

Design/Styling: Me