Only in NZ...

When you see Tuis in the Kowhai trees, you know it must be srping.

Spring is here?

All the 10,000 tulip bulbs plus plenty of daffodils, are in full bloom at the Hamilton gardens.
It must be spring?

Brown beads

I bought some of these beads in Amsterdam and some from my favourite bead shop in Coromandel. The design is a copy of a necklace I saw on Murano Island off Venice, for 200 Euro! But the first time I strung them the beads did not sit in a pleasing arrangement. I restrung it as a short necklace but did not like it, so tried the long version again and worked out where to put the beads so they would sit correctly - quite a tricky process as it is one string that you double. But hey it worked, and I like them -  even if it took me a year! Thought I better get them done as it's almost time for the annual pilgrimage to the Coromandel Town bead shop! Hmmmm what shall I get this time?

Grape Hyacinths

As a child, grape hyacinths were my favourite flowers. I didn't know what they were called then but knew if you watched out in spring, particularly in the gardens of old ladies, you just might see some. They are small and often tucked away under things, quite hard to see. I have a healthy patch in my current garden, hmmmm maybe that means I am an old lady now? Probably.

Murphy's cushions

I once swore I would never make cushions again. But they cost so much to make - well the ones I like do. So, once again, I thought how hard can it be. Well Murphy sat on my shoulder the whole time and true to form, what could go wrong did go wrong. Three weekends later voila! new cushions for my new sofa. Hhmmm - never again.

My 'bunch' of flowers