Tuesday, August 31, 2010

To Sarah


With love, Ruby xx

Monday, August 30, 2010

A weekend @ Ruakaka


Say it after me: "Roo-a-car-car."

We weren't really expecting much from Ruakaka. And when the weatherman predicted dismal conditions all weekend I packed indoor games for the kids and took plenty of reading matter. Geez, I even packed a DIY hair colour, that's how bad I thought it was going to be! But guess what? We were pleasantly surprised and the weatherman got it wrong (again).


We were right across the road from the beach which made for spontaneous strolls. Ava and Eadie even went for a swim and I don't need to tell you how cold it was. So cold I didn't even pack togs (it was going to be a horrible weekend remember). A spot of skateboarding was also had by a few and Steve introduced the kids to Four Square which turned out to be a fun family game.


Ruby was pretty chuffed at inheriting my old camera and spent the weekend snapping away.


To top it off, Sunday morning was spent picnicking on the patio. Bacon and eggs of course!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

A perfect fit??



I'm not so sure. I found the sizing a bit off but all the same, it's not too bad for a week-end whip up.

Monday, August 16, 2010

It's a wrap!


I had only planned on drafting my Clayton's versatile skirt pattern but before I knew it I was pinning, cutting and sewing! Finished in one day, except for the button hole which I finished when I found the sewing machine manual a couple of days later (had to brush up on my button-holing skills but I did do it all by myself – really!



I suppose you want to see what it looks like on?

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Netball tournament



My daughter, the netball star! Ruby was all smiles at the end of a big day of netball.


Year 5 and 6 netballers from several Auckland schools gathered together for a day of fun. Finishing a triumphant third, Mt Eden Force put in a superb effort. If you saw how they played at the start of the season you'd understand my enthusiasm. Well done girls!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Type away


I bought this old typewriter for NZ$5 a couple of months back. I wanted the kids to get a hands-on taste of what it was like before computers.

It does have a couple of problems that need tinkering with but I love it nonetheless. And even if I never get it working properly, it could be a very interesting doorstop 'cause it weighs a tonne!

PS. You can probably tell from my blog , I love the old typewriter courier font.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Hot shots


I'm loving my new Lumix camera! What you really see highlighted in this pic however, is just how dirty the mirror is!

After weeks of endless research, I decided the best camera is the one that does everything you want it to do – pretty obvious huh? For me, a good macro feature, easy menu and compact size were important and this baby delivers.

Button badges


For Mother's Day Ruby made me a little brooch – the pink one with white dots which says "No. 1 Mum". Very cute idea I thought. Since then her badges have evolved and she now makes them for her friends. After our recent trip(s) to the vintage store where we bought lots and lots of buttons–Ruby has found a good use for them.

Here are a few we made when the girls had some friends sleepover the other night–they're reversible too.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Buttons and more


There is a little shop in the village that sells vintage fabric and sewing paraphernalia. I paid them a visit recently on my search for some funky fabric to make a skirt with (stay tuned for a separate post on that topic). The woman was having a sale as she was closing shop to move to Melbourne–30% off everything. Well, in true Mara fashion, I couldn't really decide on any fabric so bought some embroidery thread instead. Who knows, I might actually learn to cross-stitch after all. A day or two later I was passing by again and this time the sign out front said 50% off so I took another look. This time I bought an assortment of buttons and some fabric which I had been looking at the previous visit. Anyway, through that week, I think I went back to the shop about five times, each time declaring to the woman that it was my last visit. Yesterday was truly my last visit as she was permanently closing her door at the end of the day. The girls rummaged through the tray of buttons and selected a few more. I bought some more fabric and a few easy sewing patterns.


I even bought a few of the old preserving jars which she used to display her buttons! Geez! I'm kinda relieved she's out of business.