Peter's been busy again...........

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind here in the Coulter household, we have had lots of family visiting.  Peter has still found time to escape to the garage and get busy with some Christmas ideas.  A little forest of black and white Christmas trees, all made from recycled wood.  The black ones are painted with blackboard paint so you can add your own decorations if you want.  What I want is to keep them all, unfortunately for me and fortunately for you they will all be for sale on my stall down at the Craft and Design market in Havelock North this Saturday.

You never know what Peter will get up to in the garage next ..........

 To make sure my iPad covers are the right size for an iPad, Peter made me a cardboard shape the same size as a real iPad.

 A couple of days ago he disappeared out to the garage and would not let me see what he was doing.  It made me laugh my head off when he showed me.  He has made me a total iPad replica out of cardboard. 

 No more old lump of cardboard for my iPad covers.  I will just have to charge it up - he said and disappearing off out to the garage again.  Back he came a little while later you can see the results below. One day if I sell enough iPad covers I will be able to have a real version, but until then I love my cardboard one.  :)

A little project for me

 Sometimes its nice to do a little project just for me.  I have been having a lot of bad luck with handbags recently.  Straps breaking and items disappearing into the lining and just not finding a bag that I like.  Then I came across the vintage fabric above and loved it.  I was going to make a skirt, and I still might, then I had a brain wave.  Handbag, the fabric is perfect.  After a few minutes of thought and a quick design taken from a very old very much loved bag I had the pattern sorted.  Once I had done one I could not resist doing another and I love them both.  I just need to remember not to wear the skirt and the bag at the same time or I will look like a right numpty.  Then I thought I might make some more bags for my shop.  What do you think?

At the Deep End

 This weekend I had a stall at the Central Hawkes Bay festival, down at Pukeora Estate.  Our first four day fair. 

 I had a fantastic time chatting to customers and catching up with other stall holders. But can you guess where my stall was situated.

Yes, I really was at the deep end of a swimming pool.  The floor was still wet when we set up as the  pool was only drained two days previously.   An interesting stall site to have.  Next year I need to think through my stall backdrop as it looks a little like a washing line!

Spring

 Spring has reached Hawkes Bay a little earlier than the official 1st September date this year.  The rain has finally stopped falling for a few days and the sun has been shining.  Its great to be able to get outside to take some product pictures and enjoy the sunshine.  To celebrate I will be out in the sunshine at Havelock North Spring Fair, this event is run by Havelock North High and Intermediate Schools.  Check out their website for details, there will be heaps going on, something for everybody especially Dads.

Life is never dull

 This week I have been making cushions, lots and lots of cushions.  Kiwi flag cushions, Union Jack flag cushions and wordy cushions.  When I am working I make a lot of mess, there is usually thread and offcuts everywhere.  I happened to leave a lump of cushion stuffing on a shelf, turned round to pick it up and somehow it had grown a beak and eyes.  Hmm I wonder who that was, Peter.

Wiararapa Road Trip Pictures

 

Coulter and Coulter, well actually it was Coulter and Lancaster this time, has been out in the real world again on a road trip down to the beautiful Wiararapa.  My friend Keriann offered to help out with my market stall in exchange for a trip to all the op and junk shops on the way.  Peter was quite happy to be excused from coming with us and stayed at home to watch movies with our youngest.  Above is the view from the coffee kiosk in Waipukurau where we made our first stop.

 I rented the above pretty cottage for the night before the market.  Often when booking accommodation over the internet, it turns out to be not quite what you expected.  This time the house was more than I expected.  A very pretty little cottage, filled with beautiful furniture and set in a well manicured small garden. Inside the house was spotless.  So if you ever need a home from home in Grey Town, I can recommend Roses on West.

 The craft market was held in the Town Hall, Masterton.  My stall was on the stage, it couldn't have been a better spot, the lighting was fantastic.  All in all a great weekend, can't wait for the next trip.