Heart Felt

An endless Summer

We reached one of the countries highest temperatures today....needless to say it has been hot!  Not to forget our poor neighbors across the ditch who have been sweltering.....but 33 degree Celsius (= 91.4 degree Fahrenheit) is hot for our area.

We made an early morning trip to the library and the children exchanged their books.  Even though I work at the library (you'rd think it would be just easier to bring books home for them, which I do) but, I like for them to have their own 'library experience'.  Of course they think they own the place, but it's good for them to become familiar with the library process. 

Charlie chose some great books and we sat under our apple tree and read for the rest of the morning.  It was very cooling, peaceful and relaxing.

Charlie 'cloud watching' through the leaves of the apple tree...
Do you like his vintage 'Power Ranger's' t-shirt?  He doesn't even know who they are, he wears it to amuse me!

Charlie doing a bit of 'tree climbing'...

The Motley Crew having fun with the camera.

The vegetable garden has been thriving in the heat, we are allowed to water the garden on 'alternative' days.  The beans have been bountiful, at least two courgettes a day along with garlic and basil.  The tomatoes are slowly ripening.

The afternoon consisted of 'tea parties' inside.  It eventually got too hot even in the shade.  Charlie loves a tea party.  I think he's seen a little too much of 'Charlie and Lola'.

I love the look on Sadie's face...I know what she's thinking.  "I want control over that teapot!"

Sadie came home from daycare wearing this skin transfer.  She thinks it's wonderful, she has been showing anyone who takes any interest.  I'm just shuddering about the thought that maybe one day she will come home in her teens with a real one and showing the same delight as she is showing now!  SHUDDER SHUDDER SHUDDER!!!

Heart Felt dress + our winner!

I love hand knitted dresses.  I picked this one up for $3 at a local thrift store.  It is beautifully knitted and I love the little details. 

 

 

I have hand dyed the dress in a boysenberry pink/purple which I love.  With the little chocolate brown felt heart it just looks delicious on Sadie.  This will be available on in my Etsy shop for purchase by tonight.

 

   

 

Sadie drew the name out of the hat for the winner of the little Heart Felt beanie...

And the winner is....

 

Which I'm really happy about because So Fawned is patiently waiting for her little girl to come out into the world!  Good luck Desiree, hope all goes well! xx

Retreating from the heat

We have been experiencing extreme heat at the moment.  It has been hard to sleep at night and going outside during the day is uncomfortable.  Without any let up from the heat we have been retreating to the surrounding forests, rivers and creeks to keep cool.  It has been great discovering interesting plants, insects and animals within our natural surroundings.

We have been very lucky with our insect hunting of late.  Last week Sadie and Daddy found this large stick insect. 

(note this photo was taken last week, therefore why Sadie is wearing a cardigan, we had a little cold snap)

Then at the river we found this huge Dragonfly.

 

Then on our way to the creek this afternoon we found this female native Weta.  I have always found insects quite fascinating, especially the Weta.

We have spent a lot of time at the river, Sadie thought a skinny dip was in order...

Discovering interesting things in the forest...

Charlie wanted to lay on a carpet of moss..



My little forest nymph..









Even the evenings are still very warm.  This evening we walked down to the creek to feed the eels.  They were out in great force...we fed them raw eggs and sausage meat which they love!

Ian hand feeding the eels.



One of the larger eels..





Charlie and Daddy having some time together at the creek...



 

Charlie really enjoying his day..



The poor garden has been suffering from the heat also.  It's been hard to keep everything going with the current water restrictions.

Sadie thought she would dress up to water the garden this morning, I had to convince her that her red hand bag and watering didn't go hand in hand, but she insisted on the headband.   She has such style!

Our 6th

Today Ian and I are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary.  I have been reminiscing while looking through our wedding album.

The wedding was held at the outdoor "Greek Theatre" at Rathkeale College.  It was a beautiful and very romantic venue. 

It was a very small wedding, made up of about 40 guests, immediate family and a few close friends.  We were on a really tight budget and we had a to 'make do' in lots of areas.  We didn't have an official photographer, but family and friends took plenty of photographs for us.  A family friend made my dress and Ian and I did all the catering ourselves.

It was a fantastic day, very laid back and enjoyable.  Wish we could do it all again!

Ian putting the ring on my finger...

The kiss...

My three adorable little 'flower fairies'...

I loved the back of my dress...

Badger was an invited guest....you can't see it very well, but he was wearing a bow tie...

My pretty little helpers...

For more photographs please visit my 'Flickr'.

Supporting local produce + a GIVEAWAY

If you lucky enough to have a local farmer's market, you must take advantage of the wonderful produce provided by local growers and artisans.   Every time I make the effort to support our local market I'm blown away by the wonderful fruit, organic vegetables, bread and cheeses made in our region.  Fresh fish, meat, wine and even local beer!

Charlie paying for an organic oat biscuit made by a local baker.

Charlie identifying the various organic vegetables.

Charlie and Sadie enjoying ice-cream garnished with local strawberries.

Sadie soaking up the atmosphere.

Well, this is my 200th post, so I'm having a small giveaway.  If you are a regular or a first time visitor, just leave a comment saying hi and I will put your name in the draw to win a Heart Felt up-cycled beanie.

This would fit a newborn - 3 month old baby (boy or girl, because not just boys can wear blue).  It's pure wool with a cute pompom and I have sewn on little buttons on with embroidery cotton.

I will announce the winner on Tuesday night some time.  Good luck! xx

~ From the heart ~

Sadie is passionate

Sadie is strong

Sadie is determined

Sadie is loving

Sadie has brown eyes

Sadie is beautiful...xx

 

Charlie, you are a mirror image of me - heart and soul,

A sensitive being, not

just of yourself but

of the world around you.

Your eyes sparkle with

wonder and it warms me so,

You are my baby boy,

heart and soul. xx

A little promotion is nice...

It's nice to have a little promotion now and then....

So thanks to Parent Dish for featuring Sadie again in their 'image of the day'.

 

Thanks to In Heywood's Meadow for featuring our beach mobile.

 

And also to Steph from Love Stitches for including this photograph in her 'Serious Cuteness' series.

Heart Felt 'upcycling'

Since we have been enjoying a warm summer here in New Zealand, it's been hard to be motivated to create some new "Heart Felt Upcycled Knits" for my shop.  But after visiting this site yesterday, I thought I had better get the felt out of the cupboard and get sewing!  It was enough motivation to come up with these pieces which are all available at my shop.  Also be sure to take advantage of my Winter Sale.

These two pieces I have hand dyed my favorite color.

This vest is super warm for your little man....

I love the variegated rainbow wool that has been used on this adorable pixie bonnet, I have enhanced it by adding a bright red felt bird.

Heart Felt packages ready to be sent overseas.

Wherever you are, keep warm (or cool) and have a great weekend. xx

My adorable Father-in-law

Recently while Noel, my father-in-law was catching up on the Heart Felt blog, he came across this photograph, which instantly reminded him of a photograph of himself when we was a little boy.   Not professing that Charlie looks like himself, (Charlie is certainly a mirror image of yours truly) but the same facial expression is quite uncanny.

I then asked if I could continue to look through his album and was blown away by these beautiful photographs of Noel as a child.  I commented on how well dressed he was and he told me his mother was a professional dress maker and she made all his clothes.

I can see a bit of Sadie in this photograph. 
I love all the toys...it was baby Noel's first birthday.

Some classic 1920s outfits.



I think you will agree what an adorable Father-in-law I have and you know what? He still is! xx

You can view more photographs of my adorable Father-in-law on my Flickr.

Beach life

We have just come home from spending two nights in the bus at Tora.  We had a fabulous time, but it's good to come home to a good coffee, a washing machine, a flushing toilet and a hot shower.

As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words".

DAY ONE

Charlie spent most of his time in the rock pools with his little red bucket.

Sadie preferred the beach.

Sadie exploring the texture of a paua (abalone)

Wind and sea sculpted rocks.

Wild mint.

Daddy and Charlie being pirates.

 

DAY TWO

A real shipwreck.

Charlie gathering seaweed.

Pirate treasure?

Crashing waves......the hard

and the soft side of life at the beach...

passing the time by creating and drawing.

Our mobile we made for the bus out of things gathered from the beach.

I'm glad I took my drawing pad out with me.

Back of the old bus

DAY THREE

Gorgeous seals

Charlie checking out the seals in the distance.

Sadie taking it all in

Saying good-bye

For more photographs, please visit my " FLICKR".