Toastandcupcakes.

I’m sorry.
I know I haven’t been posting, and well, to be honest, I might be another week or two before I can get back into it properly.
I’ve just started working three days a week and I’m struggling to find my ‘routine’ and to fit everything in. I have absolutely no idea when I’m going to find time to sew, but I guess I’ll have to find some as Craft 2.0 is approaching quickly and I have absolutely nothing.
My Grandpa had a stroke on Monday and things aren’t looking good for him. Up until the stroke he was a very headstrong, mobile old man. He still cleaned his own gutters up until a few months ago, despite being eighty plus and having every operation under the sun, twice. He kept busy and it kept him going. Now it’s looking like he’ll be put in a home and I’m really struggling to cope with how sad I am about that too.
He’s very depressed and very unwell and it’s really horrible to see, because usually he’s the happiest person I know and makes me think the world isn’t so bad afterall. It hurts.
So yes, mini panic on my front about how quickly we’re all growing old, and also about how little time I have to do everything I need to do in my week, and how I’ll manage to have any stock before December, and how on earth any of this is fair in anyway. I’m sure it will pass soon.
I’d love any soothing vibes or prayers any of you have for me, it would be much appreciated. And I’ll ’see’ you all as soon as thing settle down a bit.
Lots of love x

This is the custom order I’ve been working on. A sweet lady I know through Etsy and Flickr asked me if there was any chance I could make a cardi, or a very deep v-neck version of one of my hoodies. She’s just given birth and wanted something that has easy access to the boob. So voila! After a few convos back and fourth this is what we came up with.
The beautiful, beautiful handmade buttons are by happysilence on Etsy and are make me want to use her buttons on everything I ever make. I really wish I could afford too. Or that someone locally made similar buttons..
But yes, I’m very, very pleased with how it turned out and I can’t wait to see how she likes it (and how it fits.. nervous..) when it arrives. I’m thinking I might try and make some of these after craft2.0 in Dec and see if they’ll sell. I’ll have to charge a little more for them with all the buttons and button-holing, but they’re very cute. Whaddya think?

I’ve received all of my stock back from Dandylion this week so it’s going up onto my Etsy at a rate of about two items a day (apparently this will keep me near the beginning of the search pages doing it this way..). Once all of this is uploaded I will be taking a break from hoodies and beginning the manic sewing that will be needed for craft2.0 in December. I’m thinking tote bags, a few lighter weight hoodies, short sleeve tops, vintage cotton dresses and something lower ticket.. I can’t decide what though. I was going to try and also do skirts, but I think two types of tops and dresses might be already pushing myself a fair bit considering I’m now a working gal too!

Oh, and Happy birthday for yesterday Melissa! Lots of love!

Last Saturday we got up very early, well early for a Saturday. We got dressed and breakfasted and made it out the door just in time. We rushed down to the war memorial hall, where the annual parish fair was meant to be. But alas, it turned out the newspaper had the wrong date.
So this morning we did it all again.
We were there at 8:45, ready for the opening at 9:30 (we were told it really was an incredible fair and I would be blown away.). We were pretty much first through the door. I was excited, I was keen, I was ready with my cash-ola. But no.
It was so, so bitterly disappointing. No clothing, very little of everything else, and the very worst part? The little old ladies had used all of the incredible, drool-worthy vintage fabric to make potholders, aprons and pet blankets (?). There weren’t even records or sewing patterns.
To top it all off I got the wrong change on one of my purchases leaving me $10 out of hand, and they had the nerve to charge me $3 for two measly little asparagus rolls, which a screaming Aesop refused to eat.
I left with a total haul of: One retro kids curtain, a stack of 70’s burdas, a beaded bag and some books for Aesop. And much too little money.

Luckily after that we had lunch with Mum and Dad, followed by them relieving me of my child minding duties for a few hours, and all was a little better.

I’m very stressed, and tired. Big changes are a-foot in my world and it’s hard not to let them take a big toll on my body and mind. I’m doing my very best. I’m keeping choc-a-block full of rhubarb and apple crumble, listening to loads of Alela Diane (ohhh you neeeed to hear her. I just bought her cd.) and trying to focus on the positives. I’ll get there. <3

Abraham falls asleep at the drop of a hat.
He can’t read Aesop a bedtime story without falling asleep.
He dozes off just lying on the ground.
It’s adorable.
I like him very much.
Just saying.

It’s twenty-five to twelve and I’m baking!
Today has been a lovely day all-in-all, and I’m in such a great mood.
I had my WINZ appointment today, where we worked out how many hours I need to work and how much ‘better off’ I’ll be money-wise. It’s not much for how many hours I’ll need to work, but to be honest I wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t more at all, just as long as I don’t have to report my every move back to them!
While in town I picked up some felt for the lovely, lovely custom project I’m working on at the moment. I won’t tell you about it just yet, but I’ll tell you that it involves beautiful hand crafted buttons (not by me!) and me learning how to use the buttonhole feature on my new machine! wahoo! Now to learn how to do zips… heh. And also in town I finally bought a basket for my bike!

This afternoon and evening were filled with grocery-fetching, visitors, phonecalls (thanks for listening M!), and ridiculously over-priced-but-very-yummy fresh strawberries.

The baking is for Abraham’s work, for morning tea tomorrow. I’m making pizza scrolls, because I promised them I’d make them weeks ago. They smell so very good! I filled them with green + black olives, dutch salami, pizza sauce and loads of cheese. They won’t last long down there, but they should keep the boys going through another busy day. : )

This month is turning out to be a month of big changes.
I started the month as someone who was just beginning to work one day a week, after not working since high school. And I decided yesterday that I will end the month as someone working 20+ hours a week!
You see, there’s this darling thing in New Zealand called WINZ (work and income new zealand), who basically control the ‘benefit’ and decide who gets what hand-outs. And quite frankly, as a lot of you kiwis will know, they are THE hardest people to deal with in the history of the world.
I rung them to declare my earnings from my job, you know, I’m a single mum, I’m trying to ‘better my situation’. I realised there’d be a slight decrease in my benefit because of it, but I thought I’d still be better off, right? Wrong. After they decreased all that they needed to decrease, not only was I earning a measely FOUR dollars for my 9 hours of work, but I was also now $180 in DEBT because I failed to declare my earnings before the weekend. Needless to say I was both furious and incredibly upset.
So I’ve realised that if I work an extra day and a half each week I can come off the dole completely, and be done with the bastards altogether. It’s a huge change in lifestyle, but I think in the long run it will be so, so good for us.
It also means I’ll be able to earn as much as I want through my sewing, and anything else I want to do without them fluffing around with my rent money. Hallelujah!
So that will be occupying my mind for the next week or so, while I organise with WINZ, work and preschool.
Luckily on a lighter note my mind is also filled with garden!
So far in my little garden I’ve planted cauli, broccoli, cabbage, dwarf beans and peas, baby toms, beetroot, round carrots, two guava bushes, a lavender bush, and some beautiful poppies! phew! I’m loving spending just a few minutes each day watering (although with all the rain the last few days I haven’t needed to!) and weeding the earth. I never thought I’d get into gardening, but lo and behold, I’m in love!

The thrift gods and goddesses smiled on me this morning. Which is nice seeing as lately I’ve been at the oppies and the higher powers must’ve been preoccupied because I’ve left with very little to show for myself.
We got up really early this morning to head to the big Presbyterian fair that was advertised (fresh scone and pikelets, little old lady crafts and a jumble sale, anyone? yes! please!), but we got there only to be told the dates were mixed up and it was next weekend.
Nevermind, we heading to the second hand digs in Kope where I scored some still-packaged linen (one with an icecube tray and swizzle sticks!), a vintage nz wool blanket, bag handles, a beaded bag, green linen, a gorgeous embroidery and a few gifts, all for nz$11. Thank youuuuu very much. Aesop scored some knee pads and a hunting hat for his dress up box, and Abraham got a jumper covered in dogs.
We followed this up with a brunch of poached eggs and carved ham on pesto toast. Mmmm-mm!

The gift/mail powers have smiled on me this week too.
The birthday gifts are still arriving, with this parcel of goodies from Dairne arriving yesterday.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of receiving a parcel from Dairne knows that she really is one of the most talented, and generous, people around. I loved everything in this parcel, and I feel so spoilt!
She sent: stripy fabric, a crochet keyring, a cupcake pincushion, a bunny for Aesop, doilies, two gorgeous heart brooches (my favourite cardi has never looked better!), chai tea, chocolate, and a chocolate flavoured soap (which I want to eat!). Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. You’re such a sweetheart.

I spent yesterday evening, as you might have read in yesterday’s drunken stumble of a post, drinking pink wine with a few friends, giggling and looking at old photos. And tonight I’m going to have fish and chips with Abraham’s brother and his partner, followed by a bit of trivial pursuits.
The sun is shining, the washing is on the line, my belly is full of lovely food and left over chocolate. Life is lovely today.

Dear friend,
I’m trying to post everyday, but unfortunately I left todays post a little late. I’ve had far too many sparkling pink wines with a few dear lovelies, and I’m not much good for anything.
So please remember to comment and be in the draw for the bags, and also if you’re in wellington and have a bed/couch/floor for me to sleep on from the 14th to 18th Dec pretty please comment (or e-mail) because I’ve just booked my flights down for Craft 2.0 and I’d really love to not sleep in a park. (also I’d really love to see you all. I’ll be eating sushi at catch for as many meals as I can, and drinking faaaaaar too many jagerbombs at random bars. Come be my friend!)
Love, a very tiddly and tired, Rhiannon.

Dear blog-lovelies.
I think you are all very delightful, and I’m so heartily honoured that you all come and read my ramblings, and that some of you even take time out to comment!
I haven’t given anything away for soooo long now, and I thought it was about time I showed some love. So here you have it, a giveaway.
What do you have to do? Comment! Come out from behind your anonymous, and not so anonymous isps and say ‘hello!’ Recommend a song for me to download, tell me a story, give me a link to something cool or even just tell me a little about yourself. Or better yet all of the above!
And what will I give you? I’ll make you a custom tote bag. We’ll work together to find fabrics you love and a design you love for the applique, and then I’ll sew it up and pop it in the post to you.
And the best bit? I’m going to make two of them! Here’s the deal: In your comment I want you to also tell me which country you are from. I’ll put all of the New Zealand commentors in one hat, and the ‘other country’ commentors in another, and I’ll draw an entry from each hat. (That way I can afford to post two bags!). Sound good?
Well then..  on your marks.. get set… comment!

I love my son. I really, truly do. So, so much.
Sometimes I just need to remind myself of that. Say it out loud. Because I always know it deep down, but sometimes after a long day of yelling and constant nagging (which begins as his and ends as mine..) it’s easy to over look that and just want out.
I’m struggling again. For a few weeks I had it all under control. I was eating healthily, getting a little bit of sewing done, keeping the house under control and getting along well with Aesop. But some how it’s all gone out the window.
I really just do not understand how people find that balance. With me if I eat healthily then the house work suffers. If I sew then I pay less attention to Aesop. If I use the internet then I don’t do any washing etc. Something always has to give. At the moment everything has given and I’m succeeding in nothing bit the internet sector of life.

But this too shall pass. Luckily for me I’m still taking it easy on myself and trying to focus on what DOES get done and not what doesn’t. I’m trying to come to peace with my giant ass and not ridicule myself for the fact I don’t fit into any of my clothes. I’m trying to accept that I’m not a very tidy person, and messy person + toddler = house-looks-like-its-been-hit-by-a-tornado. Hakuna matata, huh?
hhahah oh dear. You can tell I’ve been watching The Lion King.

On a different note, I’m working on a few custom orders at the moment. Which is a little strange for me because I usually avoid them like wildfire. ‘Why?’ I hear you asking.. because they scare me.
I’m terrified that I’ll make something that someone will hate, and they’ll feel obliged to still buy it from me. Or that I’ll make something completely different than what they expected and they’ll be really disappointed (Especially if I’m using their material!). I get nervous enough about people buying things from me anyway, but custom stuff has always really given me the heebies.
(Sorry, I might have talked about this before but I can’t remember. Can I still claim nappy brain?)

So far I’ve been lucky, Just recently I made this hoodie as my half of the swap with Kelly , with some fabric she’d bought. I posted the parcel off, and sat biting my fingernails waiting for it to get to her, but it arrived safely, seemed to fit well, and she said she loved it.
*Fingers crossed* that the other things I’m working on at the moment are as welcomely received.

(Flowers from my sister in London)

I turned twenty-three on Sunday! I’m getting old!
Heh, I know, I know twenty-three isn’t very old in the long run, but it certainly feels pretty elderly.

I had the best birthday I’ve had in years, it was really, really awesome.
On Friday night Abraham threw me a little party. We invited nearly everyone we know (which really isn’t that many people in Whakatane, but still..) and lots of lovely people came up to the local charter club and drank, played pool and danced the night away. Most of the company was awesome and the music was sensational (thank you DJs: Abraham, and RichP and Dan!).
I was spent Saturday recovering with fried breakfast and a very easy day at home, which was lucky because Sunday was my second day of work!
My first day went swimmingly, was loads of fun and made me really excited about having a job, and the second day was no different really. It makes such a huge difference, I think, that I’m only working one day a week and that quite frankly, I’m only doing it for the social side of it (and the 25% off plants! haha!).
Anywho, my actual birthday was spent serving customers and buying vege seedlings. It was bliss.
And to top it all off I came home to a huge dinner cooked by Abraham, a doughnut with candles and tonnes more presents than I deserved! Phew. All in all it was a wonderful way to turn 23, and I was thoroughly spoiled by everyone, especially Abraham. So thank you!

(A compulsory ‘birthday then and now’, though by now you should all know how much I dislike photos where I’m looking at the camera! blergh!)

There’s much more to tell, but all in good time my friends. I have a little ‘thing’ going on over the next few weeks so you’ll be seeing a bit more of me around these parts than you have lately, hopefully.
In the meantime, there’s a wee  shop update with some new hoodies/tops and some older sale stuffs too.
Ohh that Etsy is a tempting place to hang around though, the list of things I want to buy gets longer by the day. Here’s links to my top five ‘wants’ at the moment (not in order) I’d love to see yours!
1: Feathers in her hair print
2: Knotwood pocketbook/purse
3: Green and brown bunny
4: Monstero t-shirt (for master Aesop)
5: Knitted chain