Redemption

The South Island has redeemed itself. I was driving along and complaining about the lack of quilt shops in NZ when I came across this store on the outskirts of Ashburton

I slammed on the brakes and much to my father and brother's disgust (they stayed in the car) mum and I spent a pleasurable 1/2 hour inside. On our way back from Lake Tekapo two days later we stopped again and bought some goodies. Never again will I complain about the lack of quality quilt shops on the South Island

My (on the road) Creative Space

 image from here

No, that's not my arm. I'm not that committed to knitting! Having been on the road for the last week or so I haven't been able to manage much creating. I did bring a small amount of yarn to New Zealand with me and over the weekend I made some granny squares that will form part of my granny rug. While here I also bought some locally produced alpaca yarn and I've have spent a few nights crocheting a giant granny square that I intend to make into cushion cover.

For more creative space head on over to Kristy's blog.

Closed

I feel that the thrift shop gods are working against me this week. In Christchurch I spotted a vintage clothing and collectibles store called Two Squirrels, but unfortunately it is only open Fri-Sun and I won't be in the city on those days. 

I did spy a promising thrift store in Greymouth. We arrived with ten minutes to spare before closing, but when we tried to enter an elderly volunteer barked at us that they were closed. I was shocked at her tone and  if I hadn't been so taken a back I would have pointed out that her tone and attitude were not appreciated. The only other Greymouth charity store I found was also closed. Then, today we drove past a promising looking antiques and collectibles store on our way to Akaroa. But alas, it too was closed. Oh, why? Oh, why?

Views of Akaroa

 

Sweet

Images from here, via Cafe Cartolina.

Vroom, vroom!

How cool is this vespa brooch? This is my one big NZ purchase. I love it! It's made from a piece of recycled  Kauri weather board from a house built in 1904.

New Zealand

Hello! I've been having a fabulous time here in New Zealand. The South Island is a beautiful place. in teh last few days I've caught the train across the Southern Alps to Greymouth, driven south to to Hokitika Gorge, north to Westport (one of the most beautiful drives I've ever done) and back across the Southern Alps to Christchurch. Off to Akaroa tomorrow and then down south to Mt Cook on Tuesday. The way things are going, I'll need a holiday when I get home to recover!

Trans Scenic Train Trip

Self portrait 

North Beach, Greymouth

Pancake Rocks

Kanerie Lake

Southern Alps

Autumn in Christchurch

Font Inspiration

here

here

here

here

here

Copy Cat

The subject of today's post has been popping up in both my real-life and cyber conversations of late.  The issue of plagiarism or copying (whatever you like to call it) seems to be a particularly pertinent topic among crafters/designers/artists.  Recently Diane Gilleland wrote an interesting article of the subject (you can find it here). Diane makes the point that no idea is truly original, that we are all influenced, whether consciously or not, by images and ideas that are all around us. She gives and example where she and a good friend both produced very similar paper hearts without ever having discussed the idea with one another. I have had similar experiences myself. Her article is really worth a read if you are interested in the topic. 

completely unrelated image...sorry, can't remember where it's from

Going, going....gone

image from Lovely Clusters

Screen Printing Class in Pictures