Designer in NZ

This is so my friends who don't have blogs can comment (or feel like they can). Its also nicer to have control over the website... i get a bit frustrated at times. So here it is, i hope to add a portfolio page soon.

Have fun!

Where have I been? Well... I won't bore you. ;)

But what I will talk about is my creative mojo, that seems to be back... whoop whoop. I think I blame the socks... round and round knit knit knit..... sorry YAWN. Still not finished. *sigh*

It all started when I realised I needed this xmas to be cheaper, but still as fun as ever. So begins the search for bags to make, cupcakes to bake and fun hand made gifts i can buy to give others.

To start did I ever find some cool bags, thing is, now I don't know where to start.

first and second image: craftapple, tinyhappy, better homes, mamas pocketbook, something like whats mentioned on soule mama, this lady has a great pattern.. these are some bags she sells.

A quick update before I head off for some adventure. Finished another vest. I made this one out of some leftover yarn from a sweater I made a couple if years back. I brought one more ball in a dark pink for the fair isle.

The crafty group I and my friend started is going strong! The last meeting was so good I was wearing a goofy grin part way through it when our French member brought out her accordion and played the Amalie theme. I now want to learn and own one.. so beautiful!
I got the images from this site, there are some more detailed there aswell... It's such a lovely portable instrument! Anyone know of people who teach it in chch?

I will add it to the guitar I don't know how to play that I picked up for NOTHING, the piano that I may finally get into my new house once the old family home is sold and they don't need it to make the house look prettier. I have a hidden desire to be a musician but I can't play anything accept the piano badly.. mmmm missing something here (can't sing either)

Knitting my socks STILL, I had to rip rip RIP them out the first time around. To small as I thought. But they are better now... being honest here, finding them a bit boring to knit. But I havn't reached the heel yet so we will see.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Seen some pretty things in the last few days!

Baobab Crafts
A NZ crafty girl, Laura has started a blog and regularly adds new items, here is one:

I love the idea of the wooden leaf!

Green Leaf and Owl
A link I stole from soulemams's page, quite whimsical and beautiful designs. Accessories inspired by nature and designed by Eva Bush.

Blog:http://greenleafandowl.blogspot.com/
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5012856

Now I have to go and deal to a cat who can't decide if its hugging or playing that she wants to do and is digging at my clothes, purring madly.

For the crafters out there we have lovely communities we can join. Two of my favorites thus far are:

Ravelry... ahhh yer of course. (search for SimoneQdM) Its run by two amazing entrepreneurs and you still have to be invited to join... server and bandwidth reasons I suspect. They are planning to make it so you don't need to be invited. For now you can go on the waiting list.

Burdastyle.com. Three words: OPEN SOURCE PATTERNS. eeek.

Thats that.. of course it goes without saying vox rocks! Except I may be joining independent blogland soon.... a taste for it is here: www.simoneqdm.com

Mark Boulton's thinking too...

I'm a web designer, along with the fun stuff I do comes much mundane repetitive work. Many questions pop up "what am i doing?" "why am I here?"  I should be doing something more active, more hands on.

But when I sit down to "cut-up" a design I made that I need to slot it into a completely new content management system, I get that buzz... The how sexy can I make this look? How slim lined can I make the code? I give myself little challenges involving time and file constraints. I feel like I know why I'm a web designer again.

Ultimately anything you become good at and have to do everyday will become boring. Right? But stubborn me doesn't want to accept this. I am lucky, in web design things are constantly changing. There are new methods to achieve a website popping up everyday, design fashions to keep yr eye on, new colour schemes to play with. But somethings missing.

I theorize its the lack of history or the lack of the hands on tactile approach. I can easily replace the lack of history with the existence of a massive supportive community and loads of resources. But how can get a replacement tactile approach? I have a few things I am going to do; My library visits need to start going by the computer section again, I will pick up the occasional book that I can carry around, leaf through the pages and read in bed. Start taking my laptop out with me to cafe's library's etc. When thinking up a design, first just have paper and a pencil, or a workbook with thick paper that makes a nice sound when you turn the pages.

The web design gurus out there that have been in the industry for ages write books, tutorials and create cool blogs. Perhaps this gives them new challenges when it comes to writing, the feedback gives them a fresh perspective keeping them honest. So more posts on web design!

Conclusion? My theory is a philosophical viewpoint (i do try and stay away from these in my blog, but you can put up with one or two, now an then) Life is what you make it, I am an "experienced web designer" I am all grown up and doing what i wanted to be doing, now that I'm here I have to put time aside to make sure I enjoy it. So from now on you will see as many posts about web design as knitting and spinning! If not, tell me off.

Its Monday and what better way to start the weekend than a cat on the lap and a blog post. Just to feel like I have achieved something by 8:30am!

First off here are some more links to New Zealand made goodness.

Cloud of Birds

They say it so well themselves: "Cloud of Birds brings you pretty crafts and fashions for kids and adults. Cloud of birds mixes illustration, craft and fanciful imaginings to create original, playful designs. Have FUN!" {I love this sort of quirky stuff... it makes me smile and reminds me of being a kid again}

Babylicious

Babylicious is an online shop selling items made by the owner Martha Craig and others in New Zealand. There is lots to like in here, make sure you check out the bibs and changing mats, so simple but funky.

Weekend Madness

Snowboarding at porters with a group of ten mad people, me sober driver (allergic to alcohol...) But as you will see good times were had.. these photos are taken by Briar.. Very grateful she took one of me upright and looking like i know what I'm doing!

Seven minutes past 8:30! Better get my week started...

Last night was the first craft night with more than just myself and Gretchen! I had a ball with such amazing woman from all walks of life... gotta love it really. The crafts that everyone was up too is pretty fun to see aswell.

It reminded me of what talent there is about and I wanted to show off what we have in New Zealand, rather than complain about the attitude towards crafty things. We were all sitting around discussing the different people making stuff and how beautiful they were so here are some of the ones I know of on the net.

First Tiny happy I met this amazing lady at the Nelson markets, if i had kids then i would in like flyn! But none, so when my sister in law starts "popping them out" she might get a few packages from NZ or presents when i visit (they are in Michigan :(  ) Check out her instruction on how to make a shoulder bag.. yum yum....

Second Nanna Sunday, featured this lady before... badges and toys that won my heart!

I have a few more up my sleeve but want to show them to you slowley,or read them and find you my favorite posts.

Have a lovely day! The sun is shinning here and I am LOVING it!

I have been having SO MUCH FUN lately. Ihave had adventure after adventure and by the sounds of it there is way more to come. How, i ask, am I going to fit in spinning, knitting, painting and anything else i pick up aswell? Somehow its working... don't ask me how except I don't sit down to do nothing anymore without twitching.

The photos:

Tramp in the Materi Valley, try and guess the ones i LOVE in this bunch.