Midwinter Carnival

On our second evening in Dunedin we made a point of going to the Midwinter Carnival. This was a really great evening - lots of people had gone to a great effort making paper lanterns, dressing up in costume, and generally bringing a lovely fun atmosphere to the Octagon.

Skry and I went to an Irish bar called the Craic for an early dinner, and commandeered a window seat to watch out for the start of the parade. This was my view, which looked very cool in real life with the church all floodlit and just visible through the trees:



The parade got going with some dancers and a white witch / snow queen type person on stilts.



They were quickly followed by dozens and dozens people carrying all sorts of paper lanterns. It really did look lovely, especially as the authorities and local businesses had got together to switch out most of the electric lights in the area so we could appreciate the candles.





The parade was followed by entertainment from the bandstand across the way, although we couldn't see what was going on and were too lazy to walk over, and then fireworks. And amazingly the weather was just perfect, crisp and cold but not even a hint of rain despite the poor forecast beforehand.

The whole event gets a big thumbs-up from me. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, the kids were loving it, and it was just good clean fun for all the family. Up with this sort of thing.

To Dunedin

Skry and I headed to Dunedin for the weekend, about a five hour drive south of Christchurch. We didn't have any particular reason except that it is a long time since we had a break together, so why not!

Since there had been lots of snow and ice down south during the past week (and in fact the road we needed to take into Dunedin was closed for a day or two because it just wasn't passable), we expected it to be cold. That didn't stop me packing a picnic! Egg and onion rolls, peanuts, yoghurt, and a Thermos full of boiling water for our mugs of soup made for a very enjoyable break in a little spot called Glenavy.


I enjoyed the view from our picnic table.



When we got to Dunedin we headed straight for our apartment. Rather than stay in a hotel or a B&B, we booked a studio suite in the Chapel Apartments, which are build in an old church (or chapel, I suppose) about five minutes' walk from the Octagon and with private parking. They were pretty nice inside too! Pity I didn't think to take some photos before we had trashed the place :)



I'd definitely stay here again if we were back in Dunedin - the location is so convenient, and the place was very well equipped. There was even a laundry area with a washing machine and tumble dryer, and free wireless broadband. Fantastic.

Playing with rubber stamps

Since Craft2.0 I have taken a complete break from the sewing machine (despite having three projects for other people that I really need to get finished). Instead, I've been playing with cardmaking again. I love to use rubber stamps, so I used some of the proceeds from the craft fair to buy a new selection and some nice markers for colouring them.

Here are some cards made with a Penny Black cat stamp from their Critter Party set:





I love that one stamp can be used in so many different ways!

I survived Craft2.0

Craft2.0 was held in Christchurch today, and it was great! I brought along a selection of bags, purses, and jewellery [this last I had made before the last craft fair I did so was just a bonus offering for today]. Skry came with me and was my helper for the day, and did a great job fetching, carrying, helping customers, and generally being a great support for me. I couldn't do it without him!

The venue was at Our City, in an old building in Christchurch, which has lots of small rooms rather than one large one. This made for some overcrowding downstairs, apparently, but we were upstairs where there was a bit more room to breathe.


My jewellery. I could do with a more professional looking display, but it still sold pretty well.


Some pouches and purses.


More pouches and purses. The sets on the bottom right are matching pouches and wallets. I was quite astounded that they didn't sell today, because they are absolutely the nicest things that I had to offer, but I think I was sending out a, "Don't buy those," vibe because I want to keep them for myself. In particular I really didn't want the red set to go so that'll be added to my private collection tomorrow.


Ready for action, five minutes before the doors opened!


There was a constant stream of people coming through the doors for the four hours that the fair went on for, and I had a lot of customers. By the end of the day my pockets were bulging with notes and coins. Of course I didn't make a profit if you factor in how much I spend on craft stuff, but at least I'm funding my hobby!

Sew sew sew

Most of my spare time over the last couple of weeks has been spent making things for Craft 2.0, or thinking about making things, or procrastinating about making things. When it's over I probably won't want to touch my sewing machine for months!

Here are some of the things that I made yesterday and today (and sorry about the awful photography - I really do not have the energy to set up for photos after working all afternoon!). They are really cute if I do say so myself - I am half tempted to keep the light blue and cream set. The bag and coin purse are padded with fleece and lined with silk, so they feel really expensive and luxurious to touch.



Opened up so you can see the linings. The zippy pouches are lined in the same fabrics as the Teeny Tiny Wallets.


That'll do for today, I think!