Wishing my name started with R..

As seen in Etsy by missbirdies

The earrings I won

These are the gorgeous earrings that generous Jessica from Epheriell sent me all the way from Australia. I have worn them already a couple of times but don't seem to succeed at photographing myself with them, sorry!

Thrifting and shopping for the new house

We bought a house (I will do a BEFORE/AFTER at some point). And we have nothing! As we came from Europe to NZ, all we brought was our personal effects (tons of books, photos, clothing and useless memorabilia) and a gorgeous marble table that I've inherited.

So, we need to fill the house. BIG JOB!

Guess what was the 1st thing we bought? Obviously a massive wood bucket that could be "filled with ice to put all the drinks for the BBQ parties). Yes, very useful... we may sleep on the floor, wash everything by hand but hey, at least we can organise a party! Now.. what do you think was no.2 purchase?? YES! you got it... an ice bucket! This time normal size.. (and I am thinking: Is this setting the tone of what life is going to be for us from now on?) - Pictures to come

We then found a sofa from this friendly guy who only owned it for a few months in a flat where he never was (he was always at his now wife's house), so we got a bargain deal on a fabulous almost-new "design-y" piece with a retro feel.

I've been trying to get interesting pieces for the house in 2nd hand stores to create an eclectic feel between modern and vintage.

So I got hold of these beauties that I love.

This is a Mad Men inspired salt & pepper shakers. We are crazy about Mid Century now...

Nice warm piece of cloth that I got no clue what to do with but.. for that price?!
I'll come up with something!!

A granny shirt.. for... ).30 cents? I thought I could reshape it and

make something really summery with it

Some retro table cloths for my "pincnic" themed Engagement/House Warming party

(that so far is only happening in my head, must start organising!!)

Gorgeous tea set from Japan, 6 teacups, with saucer and cake dish... so delicate looking,

the photo doesn't do justice to the colour

 Apart from that and a super duper fridge (with its own separate draw for veggies & fruit that stays dry) a washing machine that is like an space-ship of how sophisticated it is and eco-friendly vaccumm (my fiancée said that after a house and a car, these were the most expensive things he's ever bought - I think he forgot the engagement ring!!). So things are happening!

Now I need to start choosing wall colours and.. wall paper!! yippee

Epheriell Designs

Not long ago I started following Epheriell to see what's happening in the creative market down under! Epheriell does a good job covering most crafters in the area and I subscribed to her newsletter. As per usual, I entered one of her giveaways, which I have done plenty of times in hundreds of blogs I follow. But, this time, I won a pair of earrings!! How exciting! Now, which one will I choose?!

Thank you Jess!!

Some necklaces

I've been a bit lazy not updating the blog lately but that doesn't mean I haven't been making things. Here is a selection of necklaces that I have made last weekend. Some of them already have an owner! See what you think. It is really good fun to make them, pretty easy and quick.

Girona crafting

A couple of weekends ago I made it to Girona, where I spent some good time with my crafting expert teacher, Mati. Once again I was amazed by the quality of things she makes and how easy everything seems when you see her at work!! Her hands move so fast and she can talk and teach whilst she is crafting. Here are a few samples of things she has made lately.

These are two necklaces Mati made for her daughters Ester and Marta. See the interesting mesh material she used that can be shaped as you wish

Cute biscornous that can be used as mini pin cushions, book marks or to hang from your scissors

I just love the 3D shape

This is a big patchwork job that Mati entered in a competition and won 3rd prize

And one of Mati's students, Anna, made a similar one, also fantastic.

The 1st fish pie I've made

The photo doesn't make justice.. it was good, I was a proud girl :-)

Wow.. no more buying endless threads

Check out this post

There is a machine that matches the colour of your fabrics to the thread, basically prints the thread!!

Bev's birthday

Since I am in New Zealand I have inherited a new mum. As my own mum is so far away, I want to feel like I have something as close as possible to her. And Bev fits the bill perfectly. She is very generous (she gave me her engagement ring!!), patient and caring.

She also cooks yummy food and deserts and always has the house full of gorgeous flowers.



She even made this incredibly beautiful bouquet last weekend!


I feel very comfortable here and I wanted to show her that by making something special for her birthday. I really thought long and hard about what to make. And the winning idea was to decorate a plain top that she could use in this coming winter. So I bought a long sleeve grey top (she loves grey), a piece of ribbon and a box of nice sparkly beads. And made this.

I also decided to make my own embroided Happy Birthday card because I couldn't decide amongst the hundreds I saw in the shops. I hang it in the bathroom as I knew that' d be the first place she'd visit in the morning so it'd be her 1st surprise of the day! hehe


And this is something I forgot to blog about, the table mats I made for her for Xmas (she really likes black & white motifs). It was a fun project and I learnt a few things whilst I made it.

Vintage findings

Passed by a Salvation Army shop and got myself a couple of bargains. Did you know they do sales in these kind of places too?! I bought a piece of knit cloth big enough to make a short summer dress or a nice top and 1 intricate doily in coffee colour, that I could use to decorate an open back top.


I've been now around 3 months in New Zealand. We still don't have a place to live so we are staying with my fiance's parents. Until I am properly settled I am trying to keep up my crafting skills making small projects. I have been discovering all the local shops but also getting lots of material from Bev (future mother in law) and Judy (future auntie).


Seems like in New Zealand everyone is very creative and crafty. Most people know how to sew, do embroidery, knit, cook & bake, etc... Bev showed me some work her mother had done. And I found a few beatiful pieces.

(remember to click on the photos to view the detail in a bigger size)

Judy was emptying her mother's house so I inherited her "Glory box" or "La caja del ajuar" like we'd say in Spanish. As well as a big lot of doilies. This box was made by Judy's father (who has already passed away). He made it for his wife and they have a romantic story about his time on the war... coming to see his beloved lady and making this box for her. I much rather inherit something like this than buy a brand new one!



I've found so many interesting things one can do with doilies that I may give it a try. If you asked me 10 years ago, I'd have thought doilies are the ugliest things on Earth. However today I appreciate the craft that goes behind them.

New coin purse

I found a metal frame to make myself a coin purse since I forgot mine in Spain. This frame was so cheap, around $NZD3, like £1.50 or €1.50!!

Well, started by embroidering the white fabric, then sew the blue dotted fabric the same way you do patchwork and then sew it all together. Took way longer than I thought to get the pattern right, as it all turned out to be too big...


I love the contrast with the inside, which is bright orange (the photo doesn't do justice).

Some books I want

Decided that I keep forgetting what books I want so I've started taking photos of the covers so that I can remember to buy them some day when I have money.

I would like to learn more creative disciplines, amongst them jewelery. Been looking at courses but hard to find a suitable one in Christchurch! Anyhow, I leave you with these wonders.

Oh.. and also wanted to share this photo of me in a winery. Just North of Chch there are a few in the Pegasus Bay (which I think is a super cool name for a Bay). So we went exploring and ended up here. Wine (Riesling) was deliciously sweet to contrast with the strong blue cheese. A great treat!!