I can now promise this will be the last post written solely on my wee trip into America. I have uploaded the last 100 of my photos of the road trip and Michigan. We started in New York headed up the East Coat until we reach Arcadia National Park then inland through the White Mountains, Adirondack Park, Niagara Falls then straight to Michigan via Canada (lots of corn). In Michigan I got taken on another gourmet road trip by my brother Joseph and Mel around Michigan State. From the middle to the Great Lake on the West then up the lakes until we reached Mackinaw. Then back down the middle of the state home. Aren’t I lucky?


I also want to add the crafty goodness that was had once boy was disposed of (went to visit family in the UK) I went shopping with Mel’s (my sister in law) mum, Nancy. Nancy and I hit all the best yarn shops in our area, then i was taken to the amazing craft super stores followed by the fabulous and inspiring quilting shop, “Country Stitches” (i think.. Nancy am i right?). I was taught to quilt in the super duper done up basement full of sewing goodness and many years of making stuff and all the things that come with that. Machines, accessories, haberdashery goodness… seriously so cool! I had so much fun with my Michigan family and miss them soo much! Trying to be brave tho and look forward…. hey you guys wanna live in NZ? I think though, Skype will have to do for now.


What did i make while traveling? A pair of socks for Kylie (i know, two years after saying i would knit a pair i ACTUALLY finished them) and a beret for me (crochet). Plus numerous dish cloths out of some cool cotton I got in a super duper craft store with Nancy.

Another Fabulously exciting thing thats happening is I’m moving in the with the Kylie. We are setting ourselves up with cats in a little place close to the section we are to build on. Big steps and its a little scary, but mostly pretty exciting. After traveling with the guy.. ya know, he’s pretty fun to be around, life would be rather dull without him! No doubt you will hear of the building and (sigh.. yay) the decorating. Stay tuned!

I have dotted photos throughout but the bulk (plus comments) are now in Flickr.. feel free to browse through those if you want to see more.

The Arts Festival is now all go in my wee home town. I went into town on Sunday to help with the installation of the crochet flowers that have now started “growing” around the square. It was a typical sunny and crispy Christchurch winter day, with the added Arts Festival buzz. All the stands are up, the “ice dome” (temporary skating rink) is working and wonderful Jazz music could be heard filtering out the Telstra Clear venue as we sewed and strung up our goodies. People happily wandering around soaking up the atmosphere.

The vines are knitted, leaves and flowers crocheted. The vines are sewn on. Flowers pinned, so that people can “pick” the flowers and attach them to their jackets, shirts or whatever they are wearing. A little bit of brightness for the winter season. They look great! If they stay in good condition they may make it to the New Brighton library. I loved the vines so much, I was imagining creating my own for my office. Which can be as pretty and girly as i want, seee… its MY lady cave. I can crochet and knit flowers whenever i feel like a small pretty crafty project, they can “bloom” on my vine and when i am tired of them they can be given away…

The “slip” Project Website

Arts Festival Website

The flickr Set

What can I say, crochet is on the brain. The colours and pictures inspire…

Emma Lamb

Sara Aires

Brigitte Read She has a cool flower tutorial here

Wow, just found a list of posts and tutorials on all things crafty, a rather chunky portion of its crochet. “Craft Stylish” Linda Permann..
Some picks:
How to crochet a flower part 1
How to crochet and flower part 2 (embellishing)

Finally the last one i found thanks to Linda Permann some whimsical toys crocheted and sewn by Sweet Nellie, check out her etsy shop

For this years Arts Festival a local cool Christchurch crafty chick Lucy Arnold is organizing a bunch of us crochet peoples to make some flowers to “grow” up some trees around the square (website/blog). Crochet flowers are quick and satisfying to do, so I’m obviously in! I am not sure what I like more, the growing amount of colours in a yarny flowery pile or the churning through a bunch of flowers at once. Feeling quite satisfied that I can achieve something yarny and colourful in such a short amount of time. Happy *sigh*.

I have been looking around for patterns, because I tend do have fun going on my tangents wondering what would happen if i chained a few more and attached it here and there, crochet is so easy to make the odd thing up, the quickly pull apart and try again. At this rate I will not win the most crochet flowers rumoured competition, but I will do my share anyhow.

Some cute-si crochet patterns out there..

• Lion Brand
• Fable handmade
• Lily
• Crochet leaves
• Crochet Leaf video (and more)
• Autumn oak leaves
• crochet rose and leaves
• Attic24