To warm up my fuzzy Monday morning brain I thought I might post a little on my lovely weekend. It started with a Saturday swim at the beach. First beach swim for the summer (i know soo slack) it was divine! I finished it off with some knitting.

We came home to start our baking and cooking fun. I made some more banana cupcakes, this time with chocolate icing and cinnamon. Using my icing funnel bday gift!

On Sunday we headed out with baked goods to a friend farewell pool party, where I was far too busy splashing around in a swimming pool to take photos. So I will leave you with a photo of my earlier-in-the-week attempt at making the kiwi classic pavlova. It was quite delish! Inspired by Jess over at spinning a yarn blog. It was messy and falling to bits, apparently that’s how they should be. I glued it together with vanilla cream…

I also made more cookies in the week (to use up chocolate chips) using this recipe, its fab i recommend! I sent most of them away to Kylie’s work so I wouldn’t eat them all. So addicted to baking right now.

Have a great week!

Well with all the holidaying going and work being all rather slow this month I have been out on the town writing an article for Design*Sponge and finding excuses to check out other places around town. Since no work means i cannot really spend money at these places…. LIES, i brought some lovely cups and saucers by Crown Lynn at Decodence (151 Hight Street) $5 each. No-one else go in there and buy them because they will run out for my next treat!  I have a weakness for this Crown Lynn stuff.

I have also been knitting…

The Central Park hoodie to precise (as previously mentioned) Its so much fun to knit, i am pretty happy about it. Little M decided hoodie deserved no more attention and it was time for hug…

Lastly, i wanted to highlight the hard working little bees. Hagley Park is all a flower at the moment.. a must stroll…

I recently published an article on Design*Sponge about my wonderful hometown Christchurch. This is the full one! So if you are coming here you will probably be interested in the loooong one. I will try to keep this one a bit more updated… new places, closed places and the like. So if you chch peeps think something should pop up here… just comment!

Christchurch is a small city in the south island of far away New Zealand. Surrounded by stunning scenery, whimsical old mining towns and plenty of tourist attractions, if you make it all the way down here to NZ I have no doubt its not just to see my little home town! So if i was traveling around a remote country looking at towering mountains and eating in little tearooms and restaurants on the road, what in a city would a designer like person miss the most? MMMmmm easy, coffee, shops, well designed pretty things, yummy food and the buzz of the city. I will do my best to inform you on the best places to go to feel in touch with civilization once again.

Christchurch Central City

BOTANICAL GARDENS To help with your transition into civilization I recommend a stroll through the gardens, its completely free with many themed gardens and lush green lawns, plus a fishy looking fountain. Don’t neglect the greenhouses, warm and interesting.

ARTS CENTER
Weave your way from the Gardens to the Arts Center and if this is a weekend it will be full of Market stalls!  The Markets run from 10am until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The old buildings that used to house our university are now full of permanent shops that stock mostly locally designed and made goods. Some places you even get to peer into their messy workshops. This is where you will be able to buy things that remind you of your trip here, but are not the typical tack you can get in souvenir shops. Try some fudge in fudge cottage if you need a sugary treat. The shops and galleries are open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday.

COOKING WITH GAS is a restaurant with YUMMMY (be warned… expensive!) food situated across the road from the Arts Center

THE DUX DE LUX (the dux) Popular with the locals for its beer and meals, but mostly the extensive outdoor seating in a great location, if you like ginger beer try theirs, very refreshing. They also have the occasional band playing on Fridays and Saturdays.

CHRISTCHURCH PUBLIC ART GALLERY
Over the road and around the corner from the Arts Center is the new Gallery. If you like Art and what not head in that direction. Open 10am to 5pm daily. Late night Wednesday until 9pm. Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch. Great big glass building with sculptures outside. Can’t miss it.

COCA
The Center of Contemporary Art often has some “less famous” but just as cool artists on show.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10am – 5pm.  Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm

Ok now lets head into town, walk/drive/skip towards the cathedral, take Hereford street east! On the way you will see these little favourites:

SCORPIOS
For the bibliophile, I usually feel like I am being sucked into a black hole when i walk in here. “Oh that looks interesting, and that and that…” Interior Design books are at the back, if you make it that far…. 79 Hereford Street, Mon – Thu 8:30am – 5:30pm, Fri 8:30am – 7:00pm, Sat 9:30am – 4:00pm, Sun 10:00am – 3:00pm

VIVACE
Across the road from Scorpios is cafe and a coffee roaster. Small but delightfully simple, good coffee small snack, passionate barista.

TETE A TETE
Antiques and vintage clothes, these guys were around since before ‘vintage’ was fashionable.

If you walked up Cashel Street you would see these places:

THE VAULT
Up some old wooden stairs is one the shops that begun the gifty, handmade wares craze in Christchurch. Alot of the work has a NZ feel. Get something for anyone from babies to funky grandmas. I often covet designer jewlery in the wavy wooden cabinets, some ‘manly’ stuff for the guys often in stock. Coffee shop right next door with a view of the river and street from the windows for the tired traveller.

TWO SQUIRRELS
Vintage Home ware, Antique Furniture and some clothing. Owned by the Tete a Tete peeps. Upstairs, look our for a cute sign, very close to the Vault.

REAL AOTEAROA
Clothing, glassware, gifts and art all with the New Zealand theme, classy and well presented.

NOOD
Stands for “New Objects Of Desire” this is a new Furniture and Homeware shop.  Scandinavian influence, closest stab at competing with IKEA. (No Ikea.. I KNOW.) This is at the end of the pedestrian mall, next to the hotels. 141 Cashel Street, Mon-Thu 8.30-5.30pm, Friday 9-6pm, Sat 10-5pm, Sun 9-4pm.

So concludes the two streets of interest closest to The Cathedral. Next, still in walking distance are “the Lanes” a bit like a mini melbourne we have a few hidden gems in amongst some lanes and alley ways recently redone with a lovely vibe. What was once a bunch of alley ways known only to residents that lived close by, is now a thriving community of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. A write up on it for you here .

Around and About these lanes are some gems not to be neglected:

FAT EDDIES
A popular Jazz bar.

SMITHS BOOKSHOP
An old school three story second book store, floor to ceiling books, magazines, records and anything else one might put in the book category. Smiths has even been used for the occasional fashion photo shoot.

C1 CAFE
Very Popular with the locals for good reason, best coffee, best breakfast and atmosphere second to none. Been around since I can remember starting to drink coffee. MMmmm yes gotta be a favorite of mine.

DUSK GALLERY AND STORE
A treasure trove of handmade goodies. Photography, cards, home wares and more. Great stop for some crafty handmade inspiration.

TWISTED HOP
Delicious Beer brewed onsite.

MITCHELLIS
A cafe with friendly service and good coffee.

THE VESPA ROOM
Bar and Resturant, featuring the occassional band or DJ.

FOUND
A small beautiful gallery run by design savy collectors. Vintage and New Furniture and Homewares, 179 High street.

DECODENCE
Specializes in Vintage Ceramics and lighting. However they have a lovely selection of furniture and odds and ends also. 151 High St Christchurch, Mon – Sat 11:00am – 4:00pm

BOLT OF CLOTH
Fabrics from international, local and australian designers.

FRILIGREE
For beautiful designer jewelry

THE BISMARCK
A German Delicatessen, Bar, cafe and restaurant. Fast becoming a local ‘hot spot’, good sausage.

THE BICYCLE THEIF
Pizzeria and bar. Nice atmosphere. 21 Latimer Square, Christchurch

EBISU JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Nom nom nom! 96 Hereford Street, Hours: Mon-Sun 5pm-Late. Lunch Mon- Fri 11.30am-2.30pm

LYTTELTON

Through the tunnel is Lyttelton Harbour a busy port with much comings and goings. Its a beautiful spot whose claim to fame is it was the location of Peter Jacksons “The frighteners” there are scenic walks to be explored. The shops and community have a funky atmosphere all its own. Be warned the opening times for some places are a bit sporadic. London Street and Oxford Streets are the places to meander.

Lyttelton Markets
On oxford street in the school the markets are held every Saturday from 10am – 1pm. Food, vintage and handmade stalls. Fresh, organic produce.

Lyttelton Coffee Company
Yummy food, good coffee and views. Quite visually interesting… I find myself just looking around at all the little things. London Street. Quite often has live music.

THE WUNDER BAR
Fun Crazy bar, full of weird and wacky things with the occasional band, pool table and foosball. A fun night out!

NOT CENTRAL CITY

Antiques and Vintage
Due to our lack in affordable well designed new furniture we have a thriving antiques and vintage retail presence. Here are some nice ones if you are in the area.

MR MOD
Antiques Furniture and Homeware, nicely presented. 88 Wilsons Rd, St Martins. Wed-Fri 11am – 6pm, Sat 11am – 4pm, Sun – Tues Closed

FORAGERS
Antique Furniture and vintage goodies. Lots to chose from. 369 St Asaph Street, Monday – Friday 10-5pm Saturday 10-3pm

Refreshments
The cafe culture is alive and well in Christchurch, expect good coffee and great service, if not there are plenty that offer that, so go somewhere else.

THE CUP
For a view of the city and yummy food. Just up the road some more is Victoria Park for more views. 127 Hackthorne Rd, Mon – Fri 7.30am – 4pm, Sat & Sun 8am – 5pm

UNDER THE RED VERANDAH
Run by one of the best cafe bosses ever (yeah i worked for this lady once) ‘under the red’ has delicious organic/free range food. Always good coffee and fab teas. Closed on Mondays!

LINKS:
Event finder : for events in New Zealand

Local Vanguard : Really nice blog on Christchurch

My holiday was VERY busy, infact busier than the whole month we spent in America, alot of travel was crammed into two and a bit weeks. Rest time was probably largely spent in Te Puke for five days over Christmas. Lets just say I was VERY eager to get home and get back to normal. Its a rather lovely feeling when your happier that the holiday ends than when it began. This must be a sign that I like what I’m doing everyday! Very unlike the days when i used to dread waking up in the morning! Although this year has started on the back foot work wise (a job was delayed due to less sales than anticipated, recession hello) I feel inspired and ready to see what else I can do in its place.

The photos in this post are of the property we spent our New Years at. Which was pretty cool to say the least. It was an hour and half drive up a 16k crazy four wheel drive track to a clearing that used to be a saw mill. Now it has several huts and a house with so much character and stories to tell. The land belongs to our friends parents, it is in various stages of re-growth back to native bush the land is full of caves and birds (we saw two baby rurus/moreporks – feed by their muma, Fantails, Tuis, Bell birds and the Wood pigeon.. plus lots of the little ones you get around there) The house was built in the 1970’s, they wanted colour and cheerfulness to live in, to get away from the chaos outside.

It was once completely surrounded by mess from the saw mill and goodness knows what else (not anymore!! Lovely now). Colour and happiness it certainly has. So well cared for I got to swoon over some great patterns from back in the day, when no-one was scared of using colour. The best photos are taken by Kylie, who FINALLY has some up on flickr!

To add to the many goals people are making public in their posts this year I have several. In one sentence i will write it SO quickly that MAYBE i won’t change it. Run a half marathon (EEEEEK), open an online shop, start writing here and in other places a bit more (blogs and magazines perhaps), tramp and bike alot more and have and exhibition of my photos and paintings somewhere. Others might include a stall in the markets and to create my own knitting pattern.. i had an idea over the break that I want to try. Also sell and giveaway wordpress templates and sell more photos selling in mychillybin, aswell as prints. Phew… and its at the end of the post which means maybe none of you read it right?

Reporting from Christmas Land in Te Puke. We have driven up to a warmer, wetter climate. Kylie’s Mum and Dads place. There is a big tree in the living room with a Christmas village and railway tracks complete with a Christmas train. There are lights outside on the trees and shubs with Santa’s sleigh being pulled by reindeer on the roof.

Today I have put together some of my favorite tutorials for christmas tree ornaments.. or ones that can be used for that. Some I would love to make for the tree next year. This may be the last post before the new years, busy holidaying. Wish you all a Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Years… I am off to the beach! Been hankering for some swimming for awhile… Love a NZ Christmas!

1.Christmas Birds 2. Pom poms (for garlands and hanging off the tree.. plus little “flowers”) 3. Dragon Boats 4. Circus theme Christmas Tree decorations on “design sponge”, the very cool topper on “once wed“ 5. Fabric pom pom garland (could use for anything) 6. For the knitters, little sweaters (thanks to buzzy bee) 7. Mini Terrariums

Little note to add: Twentycentmixture has just put together a really nice list of ornament ideas and Tutorials!

O and I was featured on Studio Home! Yay! Thanks lots Julia!

There are many lovely downloads popping up for gorgeous gift tags. So i was inspired to add to the fray. But for mine i wanted to add a New Zealand flavour. Our christmas is in summer after all!

Download Here (1.5 mb)

Let me know if anyone has issues downloading… not sure if it will work!

Can you believe i had 63 entries! Whoever posted on contest.co.nz was thinking clearly! After using random.org to pick my numbers, I have two winners who get to pick a print each. Emails have been sent.. thanks everyone for taking part. Watch this space for more updates and marketing shenanigans…

Must include a pretty picture: xmas decorations I have put together for some peoples this year…

Last weekend I went walking with the better half  and some friends to the Carrington Hut in Arthurs past. Pretty much 4 hours up a river valley and back again. Organised as a social trip, pancakes were eaten, other walks were explored and I am finally admitting my four hundred dollar boots were a really bad, expensive decision as I hobble around with yet another Achilles injury. Wrong size and shape…  walking on a river bed will make any boot thats not quite right, become completely obvious! My camera bag also came apart, just before a river crossing! Phew! Just in time to leave in a safe place whilst water was navigated. This batch of photos have all sorts of wacky effects. Why? Why not, one has to at least TRY these things. All in all I had a great time!

More in Flickr

TAKE NOTE: Giveaway still going on, comment on the post where i have it all explained, or sign up for the newsletter and you are in the draw to win some prints! FREEEEEE. I have a few there (thanks me lovelies), but would love some more.

Last weekend the girls and I went up Scarbourgh hill at the end of Sumner, a Christchurch beach. There is a steep and very popular walkway that heads up and over and down into another very popular sheltered surf beach called Taylors Mistake. This beach has a sweet history and a bunch of historic baches RIGHT on the beach, nestled into the rockfaces.

Baches are what New Zealanders call a small house primarily used as a holiday “home” the word “home” being used rather loosely, until recently. NZ is now coming into the 21st century we have building codes, health standards and stuff thats supposed to make us a healthier happier nation. Once upon time we didn’t have this and a person might build a little summer holiday house with a platform, some walls and roof and fill it with a few comforts of home, like a bed, chairs MAYBE running water and sink (if your lucky). With the building codes and living standards put in place our simple little baches are dwindling away. The owners often pretty normal people, with medium to low incomes, who don’t have the money to install a toilet or running water, so they are either brought out by someone more affluent to “do-up” or demolished.

Something else has happened to threaten even more or these wee places. Our whats now called the “Queens Chain”. I’m not completely certain of the ins and outs of it. But it boils down to this, all waterways, this includes beaches, lakes and rivers are public property. In the past the access to these waterways would of been restricted by properties on the edges of these waterways. Now several meters in from the edge of all of  all of these water ways have to be publicly accessible. For some places, this means, the ambling lawn from house to rivers edge will be changed into a walkway, so separating your property from that part with either fencing or an angry dog will soon be necessary. For others the house will have to be moved or just taken away. The rumors are some of the Taylors Mistake baches are on the way out.  I wanted to take some photos for histories sake.

I dont know how i feel about this. There are many positives and negatives..  to have public access to waterways we may be on our way to have public appreciation of the rivers and lakes… meaning perhaps less damming or destruction of such an amazing resource. So on a larger scale perhaps its a good thing. However there is the history in these places that i think we need to treasure. NZ is so young we have precious little houses older than a hundred or so years old left. I know the council is trying to keep some. But is it enough?

On this walk on the Sumner side I saw the results of an old historic property being sold. An old quarry stone house right on the cliff edge, amazing views and outlook has now GONE. Replaced by a fashionable dwelling of concrete and prematurely rusted metal facade. I was FURIOUS (To say the least).  I think it was one of the classic cases here in NZ where the owners let it become decapitated and uninhabitable, so due to health concerns they had permission to destroy it. Down the old historic building came… up a blocky boring fashionable building went. SIGH.

Sheep, cows, big machines, chickens, alpacas and whatever else the rural community needs to show, sell or eat.. Yup we have our “show” this weekend. I spent most of my time looking at the sheep, getting caught by sheep that were herded to the show grounds and trying to get an alpaca to like me.. I like alpacas, their yarn is so lovely and soft to spin.

One day I will have a little farm with sheep, alpacas, chickens and maybe a jersey cow or a horse…

The food tent was YUMMO, went in the tent with ice creams. We very quickly saw that it was necessary to finish the ice creams and eat other foods, so we halted our progress and finished off the ice cream as fast as one can eat something that cold. Then drank and ate all the samples we could find, I left the tent feeling quite full and a little bit tipsy!

Lots of photos on flickr! Oh and big thank you’s to those who have brought prints off me thus far! Its very exciting, wasn’t quite expecting such a lovely supportive response! Yay you guys!