Indulgence of choice

I have this ongoing internal struggle going on between my urge to buy the best and my dislike of paying more than I have to for something that can be had more cheaply for the same quality. There are, however, some things that I'd rather have less- or none-of than get cheaply, and vanilla has become one of them. With vanilla extracts, you get what you pay for and once you've had the good stuff there's no going back to crap the supermarkets sell (and I'm not even going to talk about the excrescence that is imitation vanilla). My indulgence of choice is Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla by Nielsen-Massey



I'm blogging about this because I've run out and I need to remind myself to get some more after I take out a second mortgage. It's not cheap but oh! readers...readers it's sublime stuff and really, don't you deserve a bit of sublime in your life?

Internet access restored!

Spare room, originally uploaded by Ansis68.

So nice to be back, although it's made me realise how sadly addicted I am to my email and blog Reader.

My graduation went very well, I haven't got any photos to show yet - hopefully in a couple days or if I find one I like amongst the ones Mat took of me. I loved the gown and how I felt wearing it, like I had somehow become more intelligent and I could positively feel the deep thoughts percolating around in my head! What a pity I had to return it to the rental place. I think they should bring back teaching in those gowns like they use to do, but I suppose that would be considered elitist or something these days. Because Universities must not be elitist or take only smart academically-inclined people (not mutually exclusive I hasten to add) because that would exclude people and we must never be exclusive. No no. ::Cough cough::

Anyways, for lack of anything else to post I took this photo of the spare room before the in-laws arrived because I finally got around to putting up something over the bed. We had a calendar last year with William Morris wallpapers and I kept it with the intent of cutting them out and mounting them on blocks of wood. I put them up with bluetack just to see how they look and I really like the effect in the room. It's my favourite room in the house I think. It gets so much light in the mornings and has a lovely warm feel to it. I can't wait to get rid of the old wallpaper but I'll definitely keep it the same colour.

Don't forget that there's the Japanese sewing book going, if you're interested leave a comment.

Japanese Sewing Book giveaway

I've had this Japanese sewing pattern book hanging around for a year or so now and I'm never going to use it so I thought give it away to someone who will!

I can't remember the name of it in English now, something like "Cotton Clothes", I'll see if I can find it translated somewhere. As with all these kinds of books, the instructions are in Japanese, but if you have sewing experience then they're not hard to decipher and they tend to be pretty simple patterns to begin with. From what I can figure from the measuring guide the sizes are small (bust 76cm, hips 84cm), M (82,88) and L (90,94) and the styles lend themselves to slimmer-figured women which is why I've never made anything from it. I love the way they look but most of them would make me look like the back end of a bus with the biggest bust ever! I love the clothes around at the moment but they so don't suit curvy women, can't wait until fashion swings back my way! Photos open to bigger versions if you click on them.

If you're interested in the book leave a comment with a way to contact you and of course there will be international shipping. And if you'd like an extra entry just blog about the give away and let me know in a separate comment (this seems to be the in thing for give-aways at the moment and who am I to buck the trend?). I will leave it open for a week and will draw on morning of Saturday the 9th NZ time.

My in-laws arrive for my graduation tomorrow and I'm losing my desk and regular internet connection for a few days, hence the blogging vacation. Hopefully my old laptop will hold up to a few wireless connections but I'll probably be playing hostess with the mostess and that doesn't really lend itself to surreptitious blogging. Ok, back to the cleaning frenzy!

Fashion parade

I picked up my gown, hood and bonnet for graduation on Monday and have been trying on dresses and shoes to figure out what to wear underneath. Hazel suggested I go "nudie-nudies" but I think clothing is a bit more dignified to be honest. Call me old-fashioned. Shoes were a toughie


The high wedges on the right there looked good but I'm too scared of tripping on my way across the stage or simply walking a bit funny. They're better for standing around in (or even better, sitting around in). The choice was really between the low pointy-toed spike heels and the higher court shoes with ankle strap.


The pointy shoes win hands-down, something about the strap on the others just didn't look good with the gown. They look great with the dress on its own, but not with the gown. I did promise myself a new dress or new shoes for this event, but I don't wear the dresses or shoes I do have very often so I can't quite justify it! Maybe I should treat myself to some magic knickers or something really middle-aged like that! (I'm turning 41 in less than two weeks, feeling bitter much?)

Jess's pincushion

Jess's pincushion, originally uploaded by Ansis68.

I made this pincushion for my friend Jess - it's such a fun thing to make and choosing the fabrics is even better. Oh and choosing the buttons too, it's just a satisfying process. And to top it all off it's such a quick and easy project to make. Maximum result for your time and effort. Made from the 'Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts' pattern I blogged about here (along with links to other pincushion patterns I like), and the fabric scraps here.

Washing basket

Washing basket, originally uploaded by Ansis68.

A lonely washing basket waiting (probably in vain) for the rain to clear and the blue sky to come back.

Oddly enough, this basket has appeared in two other blogs (here and here) in the last couple days - is there some sort of laundry basket 'in-crowd' that I've inadvertently joined? Please report any future blog sightings to me :)

Mid-Century Modern Memory Game

My friend Steph was given this Life on Earth game awhile ago and I absolutely fell in love with it when I first saw it - she left it here by accident today when she came for a play date (well Alex did technically) so I've taken the opportunity to blog it!



Now memory games are a dime-a-dozen but this one is special because not only are the tiles so lovely and thick and rounded on top, but the artwork is stunning. Several notches above the usual kiddie art or commercial dreck we're served up in fact.



The blurb on the box says that the artwork was inspired by Charley Harper's work and I can see that when you check out prints like this one available at Fabulous Frames). Or any at his official studio website Such cool stuff! And all from a little memory game...

Eeboo have some fabulous gear on their website, even the notebooks are great. I loved these 'tot towers'