Eve's Bijoux

bye for now

2008-01-17T14:09:00.000+13:00

Well, I have not posted in almost 2 months and after this I don't think I'll be posting anytime soon. I have enjoyed taking a break from crafting and blogging. I am also very busy with little miss Isa. She is rolling all over the place, that is how she gets around. I don't think she will ever crawl. I am enjoying watching her turn into a little person and I don't want to compromise my time with her. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and hope the New Year has treated you well. Bye for now.

just need some elves

2007-11-23T10:56:00.000+13:00

I can't believe it's been almost a month since a last post, time is going too quick. I have been busy, sewing Christmas presents like a woman gone mad. I finally got inspired last week when Melissa had a few ladies over to rummage through a massive pile of fabric she was giving away. I burrowed 'Simple Sewing' by Lotta Jansdotter from a friend. Nothing like new fabric and a book on sewing to get you motivated. I find sewing a difficult craft for me because I am not perfect at it. Far from it actually. But I found this book really good. Easy projects, the patterns are easy to follow and it was a good way for me to get to know my sewing machine. I'll have to post pictures of the finished projects after Christmas, due to them being presents and all.

a chair for the princess

2007-10-29T15:41:00.000+13:00

Yesterday, we made a trip to the recycling center and found this high chair. It is in amazing condition. We seem to always have good luck finding things for Isabella there. Now she can sit with us instead of on our laps for dinner.
The trip to Wellington was lovely. We had such a nice time visiting with friends and Matt's show went really well. Whenever I visit there, it has been sunny and warm (a fluke) and everything about the place makes me want to live there. One day in the future, perhaps.
I woke at 3am completely wired, thinking about Christmas presents of all things. I better start making things. Any ideas for gifts to give the in laws?

new addiction

2007-10-16T08:45:00.000+13:00

I have been neglecting my blog due to my new addiction, face book. I don't spend much time on the computer at all, but now it seems I am happy to stay up that extra hour just to spend time looking up friends from kindergarten to high school. Oh so sad, but so much fun.

I have had some jewellery up at a local cafe for a bit and it seems to be going well. I haven't sold any necklaces, maby I should drop the prices, but the earrings seem to be flying out the door. So last week I made some more earrings to put up and with in a few days most of them have sold! Everyone seems to like the bubble gum earrings. So I better make some more.
We are heading to Wellington this weekend because Matt is playing at a punk fest there. I am so excited for us to have a break from the day to day stuff. And we get to visit some good friends, have yummy breakfast and do some much needed retail therapy. For all of you with the long weekend, hope you have a good one.

sun, veg and bubs

2007-10-05T15:06:00.000+13:00

What happened to the week?! All of a sudden it's Friday again. I don't know how that happens. Today, I managed to get outside and do a bit of gardening in the sun. I've planted some herbs, cucumber and zuchini so far. Not much room for it, but we will see how it goes. Isabella spent some time under the umbrella and she managed to help me weed a bit too.

and the cuffs go to...

2007-09-28T09:07:00.000+12:00

Well, you made it easy on me. Four cuffs to give away and four people in need of them. Nikki, Helen, Kimberlie and Ali! Just give me an email with your address and I will post them next week.

Last week, Isabella had slept through the night for about 5 days in a row. This was amazing to say the least. I felt...almost....normal. Being the first good nights sleep that I'd had in about a year, I woke Matt up at 6 am to tell him. I remember walking around the house that day, feeling like I could break into song at any moment, like they do in musicals. What a different week this ones been! She doesn't want to sleep. Not day, not night, not at all! Oh well, at least I had that brief moment of sanity. And I guess she can get away with it cause she's so damn cute!

charity and music

2007-09-27T09:45:00.000+12:00

I had time (wow!time!) to search around for some new blogs and found this one that everyone should have a look at. It's things like this that really make me want to get out there and do more for the community and people in need. Lucky I had just done a big clean out of my jewellery supplies. Now I know what to do with all these extra beads, clasps, etc.

At the moment, I am listening to a burrowed Flip Grater cd. This is my first listen and I am really liking it. Some of it reminds me of PJ Harvey. So if you like that kind of music, I suggest checking her myspace page out. She has got a good vegan cookbook as well!

I must go. I can hear wee Isa talking to herself in her cot. I think she is trying to omit her morning naps.

give aways

2007-09-25T11:19:00.000+12:00

This is a quilt that I started for little Isa. I am hoping to finish it buy Christmas. We will see. At the moment, she is lying next to me on the floor playing with her elephant and making some serious gurgling noises.

I am doing a big clean out and am sorting through the craft and jewellery stash. I have found so many half finished projects. I think with most of them I'll have to take them apart and start over. But I found a lot of finished things just lying around, not being worn by anyone. So, since they didn't sell on Etsy and I can't be bothered spending the time to re post them up there, I've decided to give my knitted cuffs away. If anyone is interested, just leave a comment with your name and the colour you like and I'll announce the winners on Friday.

four season scarf

2007-09-18T09:21:00.000+12:00

I sent my sister a parcel for her and the kids birthdays in July. I necklace for Oona, a school bag for Aiden and a 4 season scarf for my sis. I embroidered 4 sections of the scarf with different flowers keeping the season theme in mind. I don't know why, but I enjoy embroidering. I guess it's because it's fiddly, intricate and takes forever to finish.

To be honest, I wish I had kept this scarf for myself. I think I unconsciously made it with myself in mind, not my sister. I know it's not really her style, but I hope she still enjoys it.

I went on an early morning (7:30) walk with the dog and Isabella. It's pretty cloudy but not too cold. I would love to role out of bed and have the motivation to do this every morning, we will see.

birthdays

2007-09-17T14:49:00.000+12:00

It was my birthday yesterday.I had a lot of surprises in store. One of them being a little party with some close friends. I enjoyed the good company, afternoon champagne and watching the children playing outside in the 'rain' with their umbrellas.

A few months ago I had seen this blue guitar in a shop window and had mentioned that I would learn how to play if I owned that guitar. The last thing I expected was for my hubby to get it for me for my birthday! But what a lovely surprise. Now I have to hold up my end of the deal and learn how to play.

I also got some really lovely gifts from my lovely friends. These flowers have reminded me that Spring is my favorite season. I think flowers can change the whole atmosphere of a room. I'm going to try and have fresh flowers in the house over the next few months.

Yesterday has restored my faith in birthdays. I haven't really had a good one for a few years. After being pregnant for last years, I had come to terms with the fact that it will most likely just end up being another day. But it was more then that thanks to Matt and good friends.

stars and crescent moons

2007-08-09T13:55:00.001+12:00

Isabella has finally learned how to sleep. Well, really, I finally learned how to tell when she needs to sleep. This means that I get a few hours in the day to myself. I know, you're all saying 'sleep!' but I do get a good nights sleep and a rest during the day. So, I had time and the motivation to make something. I made this stars and crescent moon thingy to hang over Isabella's cot. And she loves to stare at it as she drifts off to slumber. All the sleep she has been doing lately has her and I in a much better mood. She is such a happy baby now the she's not over tired all the time. Who knew babies her age are only supposed to be up for an hour or so at a time? Not me.

A quick catch up

2007-07-26T11:24:00.000+12:00

One big mess that I would love to organize.

One finished glove, the other, hopefully knitted before winter ends.

One beautiful baby girl enjoying a sunny Sunday.

2007-06-12T15:01:00.000+12:00

Again, I have taken a long break from my blog. One, we have little Isabella to keep us busy. Two, the spare room that the computer lives in is frigid at best. And three, we had a few weeks of visitors. My mum came from Oregon to visit the new grand baby. I hadn't seen her in almost 2 years and I had such a nice time with her. She gave Matt and I some much needed tips to try with Isa and a lot of calm to some frantic situations. And Matt's mum came to stay for a week, too. I hope that the Nana's had a good time with us.
I have not even thought about crafting. The table I work at is under a huge pile of things. I don't think I'll get to make anything anytime soon either. I am still trying to get Thank yous and announcements written out. I had to register Isabella's birth and it took me a week just to get my first name on the form! Having a wee one is amazing, but wow, time exists in a whole new way. I can't imagine what it would be like to be a single mum or to not have the support of my hubby. Thinking about it makes me appreciate what I've got.
Oh, and thanks to Helen and Rachael for the surprise parcel. So many lovely things, I will have to post about them another time.

2007-05-17T12:10:00.000+12:00

Well, Isabella is due today. I wonder what it would have been like if she had decided not to come early. Would my labour still have been 37 1/2 hours? And would the medical side of things been such a factor? I have had a few reads of the hospital report and it brings me to tears to think about how we could have lost her. But all is well. The first week was a bit to serene, not much crying and heaps of sleep. This week, little Bella has found her voice and has opted for less sleep, for both her and us. She has already put on more then half a pound, which is great for a wee thing like her. I know I will just love watching her grow up, see who she becomes. One of the best things about newborns is when they do adult things, like sneeze or yawn. And they say they don't know what a smile is, but I reckon I 've already seen a few on her face.
Not much crafting, can you imagine why? I have been trying to make her some booties and a hat, but it is taking me longer then I had expected. Thank you everyone for the congratulations on her arrival.

an unexpected arrival

2007-05-09T11:44:00.000+12:00

I imagine I won't be posting much over the next few weeks as we had an early arrival of our baby girl. Isabella Eve was born on May 6 at 5:23pm. It was a long labour, but I won't go into details just now. Words can't express the way I feel, I have never been in love with something so much. My husband wrote a blog here, he is a bit more articulate at the moment.

a sunny day at last

2007-05-04T17:14:00.000+12:00

I awoke this morning with the urge to paint. This is odd, because I am not a painter and I sure as hell can't draw. I took a water colour class about 7 years ago and that was the last time I have held a paint brush to paper. I figured I must do whatever my pregnant self is feeling like at the moment, so I went and bought some acrylics and canvas paper. Our bedroom walls are pretty much bare at the moment, so I thought I would let the flowers on our curtains inspire me. I am not quite finished and I don't know how I feel about it, but I did enjoy doing it. It was the first sunny day in a while and so I sat outside and painted. I never realised it would be so relaxing. My painting may look juvenile but I enjoyed it so much that I will continue to paint on a regular bases.

bogan baby

2007-05-02T14:50:00.000+12:00

Matt and I went to...spotlight....the other day and he found this skull flannel material. He wanted me to make a baby blanket out of it. I really shouldn't be encouraging the bogan lifestyle, but here it is. I actually think it's cute, and it will go well with the Motorhead onesy.

Je suis un lapin

2007-04-30T11:59:00.000+12:00

Wow, it has not warmed up at all today. Not much natural sunlight to take pictures in either. I finished the bunny. He is so very soft. I didn't follow the pattern exactly. I wanted to make him stripy and with floppy ears. I enjoyed knitting something other then a scarf and I guess I like how he turned out.

I also started making these 'baby announcement' cards. I was so excited when I woke up at 4am and thought of this idea. But I don't know about how they look now that I have made a few. It is that old side of the fist trick, dipped in fabric paint, pressed on fabric and then sewed onto a card. Does it look like a babies foot to you? That is the point I was trying to get across. Speaking of babies feet, the novelty of getting kicked in the stomach 80 times a day has warn off.

2007-04-27T12:02:00.000+12:00

Last night, I had a baby shower with some friends. We went to my favorite Indian restaurant. It was so nice to go out and be social, I enjoyed it so much. Amongst the good conversation and yummy food, I/baby got given some amazing hand made gifts. I was very touched and felt loved. But the best gift given was...a box of condoms(not pictured). Like Melissa, I too went home so full and had a really hard time sleeping.

loved and not so loved

2007-04-26T08:41:00.000+12:00

Yesterday was ANZAC day and we went to a friends bbq. I think we all ate way to much food for lunch and then continued to stuff ourselves full of cakes. It was a beautiful sunny day, a good one to spend with friends. Needless to say, no crafting yesterday. I thought I might share a few things about my house. Well, one thing I love and another...ah.. not so much loved thing.

We live in an old renevated villa. They kept all the old doors and moldings on the inside of the house. And I am pleased to say they kept the ones on the outside too. I love the front of our house, but we don't spend a single moment out here. The reason being that it is a very busy street and there is no privacy. We often wake up to beer cans and rubbish thrown over the fence on Sunday mornings. I still would like to put some planters and maby a bench out there because at the moment , it doesn't even look like anyone lives here. Whenever I move into a place, I always think 'if I owned it, I would do', well in this case it would be planting a lot of tall trees in the front.

One thing that is not so loved, these curtains! They are so hideous. Luckily, for the rest of the house, we have been able to find decent looking curtains and these are just in the spare room. It is one of those things I am always looking for second hand.

another day

2007-04-24T12:09:00.000+12:00

As promised, here are a few pictures from the 'Loop-d-Loop' knitting book by Teva Durnham. Not only are the knitting projects a little on the odd side, but the pictures are as well. I love it. I've had enough of the fuzzy pictures of pasty children in pastel coloured knits. I really like this scarf, but the pattern is so confusing, I don't think I should attempt it. And how about this guy, not something you see everyday.

And here is my finished robe. I do like how it has turned out and it has served it's purpose for the cold Autumn mornings. I am now working on knitting up the velvet bunny, I will post about that soon.

How is it I had months of no motivation to do anything productive with my hands, no inspirational ideas and absolutely not a single drop of creative blood running through my veins, and now all of a sudden I have a million things I want to do and just have to get done before this baby is born?! I guess it's part of that whole nesting thing. I've got it bad, sometimes cleaning the house at 2 am. The littlest things bug me, like when Matt puts the hand towel back on the rack crooked. And I've got a box of perfectly good dishes I am about to take to the op shop because they have small chips in them. Ridiculous.
I just wanted to thank everyone who visits my blog and to the comments you have all made. Rachael, I have discovered reruns of Beverly hills 90210 and Melrose Place on in the afternoons which has become a guilty pleasure in these last few weeks

i'm so bored

2007-04-20T15:55:00.000+12:00

I know that I should be enjoying this quiet time because it will never be like this again, but I am really bored. I try filling my days with doing crafty bits and doing things that I have been wanting to get around to. But all day, my mind is filled with thoughts: like what is my labour going to be like, am I in labour now, oh my god, I still don't have a baby bath!! Which really doesn't matter, cause the bubs will most likely end up just getting washed in the kitchen sink, but my point is that I think I am over spending so much time with myself.

I made it to the library today and got a few knitting books. One has the most amazing photographs for a knitting book, I'll have to post some pics of it next time. I thought I would attempt this cute bunny found in a book by Erika Knights. I have been wanting to knit a soft toy for a while and am happy I finally found a good pattern. Although, I am not so sure about those eyes, maby buttons would be better.

I also had my weekly trip to the op shop. They had a $2 fill a bag sale, which I would love to take advantage of, but the big belly thing always discourages me from looking at clothes because I usually can't find any that fit. But I did find this beautiful brightly colored baby sling. It is in very good condition and you just can't go wrong when something is only $2.

in the making

2007-04-17T12:43:00.000+12:00

I started making this robe/dressing gown last week. I have wanted to make one since
going to the Mapua Easter Fair and seeing some made with really beautiful fabrics. And then I found this green apple set of sheets at the op shop and I new I had to attempt the robe. I have not used a pattern, which I know is stupid. I seem to just wing it when it comes to sewing, but most of the time it doesn't work out. To my surprise, this did work out. I have lined it with green flannel for those cold nights I will be getting up to tend to baby. And now I just have to ad the finishing touches such as pockets and cuffs. I have to say I am proud of myself.
Another thing I attempted last week was knitting a cable. I always found the idea quite daunting, but actually found it was way easier then it looks. Just a matter of following the instructions. The only problem here was that I knew I was going to run out of wool, so I had to make this poncho shawl thingy very short. Turns out the only thing I like about it are the buttons. Oh well, at least I learned a new knitting skill. I must go and eat a snack now. I have been craving popcorn ever since I walked by the movie theatre yesterday.

shoes and cats

2007-04-13T15:13:00.000+12:00

Well, we opened the gifts last night. Matt wanted to wait until the bubs was born, but there is no way I could have done that. There were so many wonderful things(to many to picture) but my favorite are these little leather moccasins. They have a soft felt inside and are tide up with the sweetest green ribbons.

We have had quite the regular visitor lately, sometimes at six am. He comes over and meows(I can hear him right now) at our door like he belongs to us and we need to let him in for a feed. We are pretty sure he belongs to our neighbor. Bliss isn't so sure about the cat, she just sits and stairs with wonderment at him out the window.

feeling loved

2007-04-12T14:39:00.000+12:00

I got a knock on the front door today and it was a package sent from family friends in Wyoming. I opened up the box to find a baby shower with in itself! I am so touched. I knew they were sending something, but I had no idea of the extent. The hard part is waiting for Matt to get home so we can open all the gifts together.

Dusty, the matriarch of the family, makes the most beautiful things. She made us this quilt for a wedding gift. You can tell she really puts a lot of time and love into the things she crafts. Matt and I have talked about doing a road trip in the States and visiting them would be a must. They built there own rammed earth home and have an amazing garden. I always remember getting Christmas parcels from them and they would send us the best popcorn from their harvest. I will have to post the open presents tomorrow, I have got a few hours till he gets off work.

hello

2007-04-10T16:26:00.000+12:00

Well, it has been a while! Almost 3 months. My excuse is that things have just been a little crazy and I honestly have not had much interest in crafting. But I finally started getting into the need to make things again. I have a few projects on. One, being a cardigan for the baby, that has taken me way longer then expected and when I went to sew the last bit on, it didn't work out. I have tried to fix it, but I think I need to focus on something else and come back to it later.
The other project was this fabric lantern I sewed up. I had these little bits of beautiful fabric but it wasn't enough to make anything substantial. So I thought I would give this idea a go and it actually turned out okay. I have another one to make that I will post when it's finished. I really wanted to put these over our lights, but I am afraid it might catch fire, so they will just have to be pretty hanging things.
I also started an Etsy shop under the name evesbijoux. I stopped doing the market a while back and I have all this jewellery collecting dust. It is strange not working or doing the market, I am not used to not contributing to the bills. I thought Etsy might be a good way to do that.
I have got a little over 5 weeks left till the baby is 'due'. I am looking forward to having my baby in my arms and not in my body. I guess you could say I have reached the point of being over being pregnant.

One project finished

2007-01-17T15:31:00.000+13:00

Here is a quilt that I made for the baby. I still have not finished the one for Matt and I because I can't seem to find that perfect piece of fabric.

This one is made out of vintage fabrics, some I have collected from op shops, some given to me from friends. I used polar fleece for the back, nice and soft.
I actually had time to make this due to the fact that I am a "lady of leisure"(this is what Matt calls it). I have quit my job. So now I hope to enjoy these next few months, taking time to take care of myself and my body, and focus on the things I have wanted to get finished before having a baby. Oh, and spend a little more time blogging then I have been.

2006-12-28T16:13:00.000+13:00

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful Christmas, that the holidays treat you well and you have joy and peace in your life. I had a good Christmas. Very quiet, just me, Matt and the dog. But I savored it, because it will be the last quiet one for many years to come. My mind has been somewhere else this year, so I didn't get into the spirit much, but what really upset me is that I forgot Solstice. I always make a point to acknowledge Solstice, I used to celebrate it with my family and friends back home. Realising this makes me miss those friends and my family, oh so far away, so if yours are near, relish it.

Anyways, Matt's favorite present was this baby-t I made him. I tried dyeing it black(he loves black) and it ended up this streaky grey/blue. The streaky bits suit the shirt because it looks like grease stains, like the baby has been working on the car with it's papa. I just had to ad the Motorhead logo(Matt likes them lots). You always think boys will grow out of loving heavy metal and black, but some just don't.

a few good links

2006-12-21T20:35:00.001+13:00

These are some brooches that I have been selling at the market. They are made with fimo. They have a better colour selection of fimo now, then when I was a kid.
The baby really doesn't feel like posting anything else today, so I thought I would give a few links to some blogs I have recently stumbled upon.

Beesnest is a great read with lovely photos.

All buttoned up does really amazing quilts and had a post on fabric boxes.

Abigail Percy's jewellery makes jewellery to be admired.

Mental health day

2006-12-15T18:03:00.000+13:00

This weekend, we had two work Christmas parties. One of them was out of town, so we stayed the night at a hostel in Motueka. We went to their local Sunday market, at which I saw about 20 people from Nelson. And then we spent the day driving to one of my favorite beaches, Pohara. I know summer is coming, cause I have a sunburn and bug bites.

Matt and I still have our Christmas tree from last year, which was planted in a pot that was way to small for it's growing roots. So I have re potted it, and brought it inside to decorate. It is about a foot taller and grown crooked, but it is a Christmas tree just the same. I imagine we will hall this tree around with us until we buy a house where we can plant it.
Something we don't have is decorations. I made this felt tree the other night which I thoroughly enjoyed, reminds me of the good old hand sewing days. I decided to try to sew some felt on to a t-shirt for my niece's Christmas present. A pink and purple (her fav colours) flower.
We have had such a busy week, I have taken a 'mental health day' off work. I plan on getting our Christmas cards ready to send out, I know, just a little procrastination. I've got some other errands to run, but I think I will squeeze in taking the dog to the beach and going to the library.

denial

2006-12-07T18:45:00.000+13:00

The other day, I made my very first shirt. No pattern, just kind of winged it. I had one mistake towards the end, a twisted strap, but I unpicked and fixed it. When I was finished, I was so pleased with myself. Isn't it pretty?

Am I in denial? Did I not think to make sure the shirt would actually fit my new puffy self? Well, as you can see, I am sad. That is my best pout, I am not pulling an Angelina Jolie. I will have to take this to a clothes swap and hope someone with a smaller frame enjoys it.

french toast and earings

2006-12-04T08:28:00.000+13:00

I sat at my jewellery desk for the first time in a while yesterday. I came up with these earings. The discs are bone and wood. I really like how they have turned out, so I might just have to make some for the market stall. I am thinking that pendants in this style might look good as well.

After visiting Creative Kismet, I have been on a search for

yummy vegan french toast. I finally found one at Recipe Zaar. One thing I would omit/change, do not send 1 husband to store for stale french bread. Your outcome will be fresh unsliced whole meal bread.
1 cup soy milk
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp nutri yeast/brewers yeast
1 tsp vanilla extact
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix it all together, dip in bread, cook up, suggested serving with maple syrup and strawberries. I was really surprised how this tasted like the french toast I used to have as a kid, you'd never know it was vegan.

okay, now the crafty bits

2006-12-02T20:18:00.000+13:00

This is a "quilt" that I have been working on for Matt and myself. I know, you're thinking I should be making quilts for the baby. Well, this is the first project I have ever used a sewing machine for and I figure making mistakes on things for me is okay. Mistakes oh plenty! The main one being the squares are not all the same size. Please, anyone who knows how to quilt, don't look to closely at this picture. This is very difficult for me because I am a bit of a perfectionist, but this is a learning experience, right? I am learning that all those fancy expensive quilting tools might be a good purchase.

dear new blog

2006-12-02T20:04:00.000+13:00

Oh, how good it feels to have a blog again. I have just started to regain my creative thoughts and energy to pursue them. My lack of motivation was due to the first few months of pregnancy. The last thing I felt like doing was making things, let alone sitting at the computer to write about them. But now that I am feeling better, I am happy to get back into it. Happy to share and happy to see what everyone else has been up to.
I have my first favour to ask! I am new to 'blogger' and can't seem to write a paragraph, then post a picture. It will only let me put the pics at the top of the page(next post is my example). Can anyone tell me how to get the pics below my paragraph, or is this just the way it is?