Simone Quentin de Manson - Christchurch Website Design » Craft

A formal Introduction to “Made Happy”

Simone — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 04:01:27 +0000

Click to visit the site

A bit of an experiment I am running at the moment – is having two blogs. I know that its well documented that you should have only one. I think these people assume we all have one main passion and interest and they most certainly overlap. Sometimes my interests MIGHT overlap, but really, sewing, fibre and art don’t really mix with geeky old web design. When it comes to getting good visitors to my business blog – ones that have been searching for banana cake really are not the people I am after.

In the interest of keeping my life simple – all of my old posts will stay on this blog, but from now on my physical world the latest crafty project or sharing links and photos – these will be done on the other blog – called “Made Happy”. I chose the name after alot of thought and brainstorming and it felt pretty accurate. The design is super simple. I have lots of design in my life – infact I am still trying to redesign this site! I thought I would like it all pared back to basics so that photos and content took center stage. Enjoy having a look around I have written a few posts to start on. You will still get web design related information here and whatever is happening in my business’s world.

Photos and things

Simone — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:28:03 +0000

The weeks have been full of activity and projects.
Below is a picture I took on the way up to a party at a lodge close to Craigiburn Ski field.

This is my favorite shot and one of the first on the day (always the way) I have been hankering to go back and try and duplicate only this time with a tripod!

Here is one of the closeup shots i always go for:

Here is some yarn i am thinking of knitting into a lacy scarfy shawl.

I have been knitting, sewing even embroidering! But have yet to take pictures. I went on a bit a craft bender after I unravelled some socks that didn’t fit. So before starting those again i wanted to do some other things that have been looming and boy have i been loving the light relief!

As for light relief, those on facebook saw this little face I couldn’t resist taking a picture of.

Spinning a Yarn – Logo Design

Simone — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 22:46:05 +0000

I wanted to start Monday with some deliciousness. So without further adue i show you my newest little purchase. Some 100% SILK 4ply yarn from Spinning a Yarn. Yes it is that shiny and luxurious. Infact, the colour is more subtle and varied than the photo can depict. Even better!

I have ulterior motives however, I designed the logo too. This is the testing ball band Jess printed the logo on and sent to me (how I was told what logo she chose!).

Jess has been dying her own yarn for awhile now and has been open for business selling her fibres since the beginning of this year (or there abouts) every time I go to her site and Etsy she has something new cooking up – she’s the one to watch!

Now some chit chat about the logo. Jess wanted a logo with some movement in it. The logos she sent through to me were all in script typefaces with the letters linking up. The main customers really vary in age in the area of around 25-when ever one feels they dont want to spin or knot anymore…. which is when? So it needed to approachable by a huge age group. The colour red also felt very ‘right’ to Jess.

The results where several logos… and she picked this one!

The typefaces are, Black Jack and Poetica.

Central Park Hoodie – Complete!

Simone — Sat, 29 May 2010 00:32:27 +0000

For those of you not on Ravelry, Flickr or Facebook you might not know I have finished the latest knitting project. Its the Central Park hoodie from Interweave. Here are some pictures of the completed cozy clothings.

Really fun to knit up. Made it slightly longer than the pattern in body and sleeves (cause I’m an ape). Yarn was Cascade 220, colour# 8229.

As for the next project, here is a preview:

This winters fibre theme is spinning and socks!

And who feels like playing with paint this weekend? Clicked on this painting effects tutorial from somewhere and thought OOoooo if i wasn’t so busy right now….

Have a great weekend everyone!

Crochet Afghan and a Pretty Website

Simone — Sat, 08 May 2010 03:43:02 +0000

This weekend is going to be a fun one. Originally we wanted to go to the Mokihinui, take photos and explore what is scheduled to flooded and turned into a dam. But it is a bit of drive so instead we will venture out next weekend and plan to leave on the Friday night. This weekend is now turning out to be fun time making things and planning (not to mention writing in the blog!).

First I want to introduce you too the granny square afghan I have been crocheting on and off for at least a year. Its finished! I love it much more than I thought I would. At first I wanted something colourful and interesting, but now I enjoy how it blends into the lounge – like its always been there. Feeling understated and comforting. Not to mention how warm it is to snuggle under. The yarns were all sourced out of peoples stash, the main brown colour thanks to Jess and the greens and blacks a trademe find.

Today I found a lovely pretty inspiring website thanks to Kylie spotting something I would like on cellar.org. The link to this site called “upon a fold” – the blog is the coolest! I have been screen-shooting and feeling inspired to do some collage combo painting SOON.

I will leave you now with the first of the winter sewing. A peak at some pajama pants I made out of some stash re-hash fabric. Using an Amy Butler pattern from her book “In Stitches“.. I changed it up a little by adding an elastic band recycled from an old pair of torn pajama pants and a silky blue ribbon for a bit of luxury. The fabric is so soft and cuddly. Just perfect for the chilly winter nights.

Stash Re-hash

Simone — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:07:44 +0000

This sunday stash re-hash was on.

Crazy long line! Beside three sides of the building and down the street. Next year i am getting in really early! For fire regulations they can only let in so many at one time. Needless to say I am glad I have friends. Due to the sheer amount of people gagging to get in AND I was a bit out of my comfort zone surrounded by so many people, I literally ran to the cheapest stand, grabbed the first likely looking fabrics and notions then had a quick browse and left, filled two bags full in 15 minutes!

I got a few more fabrics, but once I got home, I wondered what I was thinking!? No doubt something will pop up.. these ones are the pick of the bunch and will be used to refresh the winter wardrobe.

Socks and Flash Gordon

Simone — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:39:20 +0000

Lately I have had so many things on my brain that I feel like I am fumbling around getting the odd things done in a constant daze. I keep on saying to myself “how do you eat an elephant” (not that i WOULD eat an elephant, but thats beside the point) I felt like sharing that I watched a funny little movie the other day, that sufficiently distracted me from my abundance of brain activity and I happily finished a pair of socks I have been knitting.

We watched “Flash Gordon” whilst eating a delicious pizza. I made the superior amazing pizza crust (it was rather good to spin around into a circle apparently) and Kylie put the topping on. It was a perfect pizza, we are very pleased with our Christmas prezzy pizza stone (good guess Gill) the pizza crust was crispy even in the middle!

Flash Gordon was hilarious. I thoroughly enjoyed the “Oooo Flash” moments as the woman watched in awe of his superior strength and display of human nature. The delightful wooden acting (i don’t think there was any other way to act with such a script) and great 1980 set design (little fact, i was born in 1980, which means I’m 30 soon!). All in all a good wee night.

I finished the socks and have now started The famous “Central Park Hoodie” I now know why its so popular is sooo fun to knit and after two pairs of socks with tiny tiny stitches, the wonderful FAT yarn and easy knitting is like walking on air. I wake up in the morning and think “O I wonder how much of my hoodie I will knit today” I won’t be modeling the socks yet, I want to block them first. But sock blockers are SILLY prices, so I am going to make one. Add that to the list of things to do that makes my brain overload.

Christmas Tree Ornament Tutorials

Simone — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:04:51 +0000

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!

The decorations are up!

Simone — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:29:58 +0000

This year is I was slightly more enthused on the decoration front. Probably something to do with moving in with the boyfriend and becoming all domestic, or it could be that I am getting old and I am feeling like part of being grown up is decorating at Christmas. Regardless I have begun a Christmas decoration collection. The budget was blown this year on a fake tree, yes, i know, i know.. but one of us sneezes uncontrollably as soon as they go outside and the other one of us just can’t BREATH when its too dusty or polleny, Christmas trees INSIDE just speak all sorts of wrong to a hay fever and asthma ridden person…

Due to the big budget blow out I had to make everything else. The theory is, as the years go by i will make a few more each year to add to our collection and eventually we will have an abundance of decorations. So this years start is some hand painted (by me) balls for the tree. Some pom poms by Kylie and a few others I have yet to finish. The ‘piesta resistance’ is my garland made out of pom poms and fabric yo yos including a bit of ribbon and some Christmas lights twinkling through. It looks rather sparse still but I will keep making decorations until Christmas time.

Blogland has been delivering on the decoration tutorials I have been linking like a crazy lady. I plan on adding to it and summing the best that I have found of them up on the blog a bit later. So if you have come across any or have written any let me know.

I am updating the shop at the moment with many New Zealandy images. Its been fun playing with their colours this time. All of them are up in Felt, a few left to go in Etsy..

Spring, Photography and some Weaving

Simone — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:36:57 +0000

Well it might not be “officially” spring yet, but the flowers are sure fooled. The unusually warmer weather means more flowers, more walks, more bike rides and less pollution from chimneys! Pretty happy all round really.

Another thing thats got me all excited is my new printer. I fired it up end of week last week and have been busy printing off possible prints to sell. I have all sorts of tentative plans so mostly going to try lots of different shops, ways of marketing and just go from there. I will be selling more than photo prints too. I hope to start selling prints of paintings and illustrations also. There is even the possibility of combo-ing with a friend at lyttleton markets.. maybe.

The last few weekends i have been attending a weaving course at the arts center. I got to borrow a four shaft loom and generally had a good time playing with different weaves and learning to read the patterns. After being a little disappointed with how i didn’t enjoy using a rigid heddle loom that much through another course i did last year, i was happily surprised that i enjoyed this one so much… we did a “sampler” playing with different patterns to create different effects. Here is a little closeup of the unwashed slightly wrinkly piece:

I hope everyone has a good week! My guy is coming back for good tonight, he has been working overseas for the last year or so. I have been getting him back for one week every two weeks, but its still not the same. So excited about him coming home for good… so we will be hectic getting ready for our USA holiday in the coming days, followed by coming back home from the US and setting out to move in together and starting to build a house. So grown up! Ha ha.. anyways, here are some more spring photos, heres wishing everyone a fabulous week!