Indie Gift-a-long 2014

The Indie Gift a Long is currently happening over on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/groups/indie-design-gift-a-long

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 2 month long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers which started on Nov 13 and finishes on Dec 31 2014 - so there is still time to sneak in a few christmas pressies.

I was fortunate enough to be able to interview Mary from  http://www.ravelry.com/people/marymealittle

How long have you been designing? 

I’ve been working up my own designs for almost as many years as I’ve been knitting, but I only began publishing patterns in 2010.

Where do you get your inspiration from? 
I find inspiration in a variety of places: Sometimes in nature or a place, sometimes simply out of a desire to add a particular garment to my wardrobe. For years, I envied how knitters wore their beautiful lace shawls. I love knitting shawls but somehow find myself “shawl challenged”. When I try to wrap them over my shoulders, they just never sit quite right on me lol. So, I did a series of designs (Elphaba, Daydream Believer, Iolanthe, and Sleepy Jean) that incorporate various elements of shawl design…and I get to wear a shawl as part of a sweater.

Another set of designs (my Quabbin Series) was inspired by four central Massachusetts towns that were flooded back in the 1930s to make way for a reservoir that serves the Boston area. These designs were inspired by the sense of place and history of each of these former towns.

What do you do with your free time? 
What free time lol? “I don’t always put down my work, but when I do…” I can often be found singing, cooking (I’m a total foodie), and/or in my garden (I grow much of my own produce in the summertime…I even make huge batches of tomato sauce that I freeze to use throughout the year).

What book are you currently reading? 
The Principles of Knitting, by June Hemmons Hiatt. It’s a huge volume full of “physics of knitting” type of information. I love it!

What is your favourite music at the moment? 
That’s a tough choice! I love a variety of musical styles: Pop, rock, popular song (think: Ella Fitzgerald) and jazz, classical vocal music (I’m a classically trained soprano who performs locally). What I’m listening to right now is Audra MacDonald’s latest album, “Go Back Home.”

What are 3 of your best selling patterns? 
Elphaba and Simplicity have been two of my best sellers, but my recent release, Soubrette has been selling very well in just its first month and a half.

And anything else that you would like your audience to know :) 
I try to write patterns that are clear as possible. People shouldn’t have to spend their knitting time trying to decipher what I mean, so I do my best to provide a photo tutorial for an unusual construction, text boxes that clarifywhy I ask the knitter to do something in a certain way, etc…

I also strive to empower the knitter to modify a pattern to suit their own fit preferences. No two people are shaped alike, and even two people with the same bust size will have different fit needs. So, in most of my patterns, I include a “Thought About Fit” section that takes knitters through the process of choosing a size, and modifying to best suit them.

2013 - Knitting Challenge to Myself

This year I have decided to set myself a knitting challenge - to design 1 new blanket pattern every month.  12 New Blanket patterns for 2013.

I find blanket designing and knitting very relaxing and mostly done at night time while TV watching or on road trips :)

This is not saying that a new blanket pattern will be available every month for purchase, but that I have finished a design sample.  As the process after the sample being finished is
1. Writing up the pattern
2.  Sending the pattern off to the test knitters.
3.  Design sample sent to the photographer.
4.  Test knitting completed and pattern tweaked where needed.
5.  Pattern sent to the printers.
6.  After all that is done the pattern is available for sale :)

Some months may see two or three blankets patterns released at the same time.

Patterns and House Update

Where did the time go between my post last August and now?  It has been a hectic time on both a business and personal level.
I have currently just completed two new patterns, with two more near testing stage.  Below are the photo's of the two new patterns.  Abigail Shoes and Peek a Boo Blanket.

I am also in the process of changing the pattern format over on all the older patterns, ready to send to the printers ready for wholesale.  I am also in the process of changing over the copyright on the patterns, while you still cannot publish and sell the patterns in any forms, you can now create and sell the finished products. 

We are currently still in Ashburton until the end of this year for Dylan to finish year 8 and will then shift back up to Christchurch once we have the house ready (it is still structually sound - we figure that it is still standing after 4 good earthquakes so will continue to stay standing).   On the house front - it will not be touched for ages as it is in the major fixing/rebuild group, while they say it is fixable it's at what cost.  Here is a list of everything that has to be done... the house has to be lifted, ring foundation removed as well as all the piles, new ring foundation laid and new piles put it,  all summerhill stone removed and new put on (think we will opt for wood), while the cladding is all off they have to  refloor, make sure all the framework is level so that doors shut and walls are straight up and down. Remove roof and put in new support beams and rafters (we have peaked ceilings) and then redo every room inside the house.  Outside - garage has to be demolished and replaced, all paths and the driveway have to be removed and replaced, out terrace also has to be demolished and replaced.  As the guy said - the only thing they won't have to touch is some of the inside framing! The good thing is that we are no longer living in limbo and are starting to move on with our life with the knowledge from the insurance company that it is probably going to around three years before it is finished.

Commercial Photo Shoot

This post is well overdue with earthquakes, shifting towns and settling in, but have finally started to find a sense of peace and normality.

You have to check out Sam Mothersole Photography you will also find her here on facebook.  Make sure you like her page, especially if you are looking for amazing commercial product photos with children or live in the Auckland area and looking for photographer.

I will be using Sam and her camera - plus the cute models (thanks parents) again and again - her take on my very short briefing was perfect, which has seen the photos published on a US Photography blog recently Let the Kids Dress Themselves

Anyway, enough about Sam and her photography skills - which are fantastic - check it out for yourself - below are a few photos from the shoot.

Christchurch Winter Giveaway

This has now closed, I have received 28 emails for the babies in Christchurch this winter, all of which will receive a parcel, thank you.  All emails will be replied to this week and will include whether the recipient will receive the jacket and bootie set or the hat and bootie set.

Thank you to everyone that sent in emails.

Natural Star would like to do their bit with helping to keep the babies of Christchurch warmer this winter.

I am giving away 5 jacket and bootie sets (see pics above), plus an assortment of  20 hat and bootie sets.

If you yourself or a friend has been affected by the Christchurch earthquakes and is struggling to keep the house warm and dry and has a baby under a year...send me an email to brenda@naturalstar.co.nz with their name and address, babies age in months and boy or girl, plus if it is a friend a little message from you that you would like me to include in the parcel. 

The first 25 emails received will be entered into random.org and five will be chosen by random.org to receive a jacket and bootie set, the other 20 will be sent a hat and bootie set.

Please do not post their name in the comment section.

Brenda xx

Introducing Rose

We have a new addition to the family, a 8 week golden lab who Emma has named Rose.  She is a gorgeous, well behaved puppy and we are all very excited that she is part of our family.

Blog Neglect!

Dylan Fly Fishing

While I have all good intentions to blog frequently, life has this habit of getting busy and I am the first to admit that when this happens the blog and the website are the first to be neglected.

We have had a few busy months with the business, picking up new stockists, researching products that will compliment my handknits and designing new patterns.  All of this I will share soon in it's own post.  This one is more of a catch up :)

Family life has been hectic, we have all been hit with the bugs and flus that are doing the rounds at the moment.  I have returned to work, doing what I did before Dylan's diagnosis and settling him into school at 5 years of age (I cannot believe that it was 6 years ago!).  Along with Natural Star, I am now working a 30hr week with 2 little new entrants with the same diagnosis as Dylan (ASD).  I am really loving it, life outside of the home!  Apart from the feeling more tired bit!

Dylan starts intermediate this coming year - which I know is going to be a hard couple of years for him and us as a family, the playground is not something he understands socially.  Thankfully we are seeing Alison Schroder - who runs Socially Speaking here in Christchurch.  There is the kids social clubs that Alison also runs that Dylan will be apart of.  This morning we have been to the Hospital Dentist as Dylan needed a tiny filling.  To have this done he has to be sedated and have a continuous supply of laughing gas for them to do it.  He is now lying on the sofa watching an endless supply of fishing DVDs.

Emma has her 6th birthday this month, she is such a girlie girl, but can also be such a tomboy.  This year we are having to make all the invitations (she is totally into crafts - I have trained her well, now she can tell her Dad that we are going shopping for supplies instead of me having to do it)!  Her favourite choice of clothes is dresses and skirts, as far as she is concerned these two items of clothing can be worn anywhere, even outside playing in the mud!  I am not allowed to buy clothes as a birthday present for her this year as she told me "Mum you won't buy what I like if I'm not there to help you", she also comes out with the quickest comebacks, the other day her father called her 'An Egg' she quick comeback was 'You Sausage'!

GIVEAWAY #7 - Sunday

Today is the last day of the 7 days of giveaways - congratulations to all the winners so far :)  Todays Giveaway is  - 7 lucky people will receive 2 patterns each of their choice. You need to comment on the Blog post and not the facebook post to be in with a chance.  You also need to be a fan of Natural Star on facebook.  The button is in on left hand side to visit the Natural Star facebook page :)

Good luck everyone!

GIVEAWAY #6 - Saturday

Saturday's Giveaway is....


1 lucky person will receive a black and grey merino striped beanie size 1-2yrs. See pic above.

All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, the lucky person will be published tomorrow via a comment on here and on facebook. Remember you need to be a fan of Natural Star on facebook. :) Click on the highlighted link to become a fan if not already :)

Comments need to be posted on the blog and not on facebook to be in with a chance :)

Have a great day everyone, guaranteed forecast for Christchurch today is YET MORE RAIN!!! 

GIVEAWAY #5 - Friday

Friday's Giveaway is....


1 lucky person will receive a pair of merino winter booties. See pic above. Colour is negiotable :)

All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, the lucky person will be published tomorrow via a comment on here and on facebook. Remember you need to be a fan of Natural Star on facebook. :) Click on the highlighted link to become a fan if not already :)

Comments need to be posted on the blog and not on facebook to be in with a chance :)

Have a great day everyone, guaranteed forecast for Christchurch today is YET MORE RAIN!!!

GIVEAWAY #4 - Thursday

Thursday's Giveaway is....

1 lucky person will receive a Raspberry headband size 6-12mths.  See pic above.

All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, the lucky person will be published tomorrow via a comment on here and on facebook. Remember you need to be a fan of Natural Star on facebook. :) Click on the highlighted link to become a fan if not already :)

Comments need to be posted on the blog and not on facebook to be in with a chance :)

Have a great day everyone, guaranteed forecast for most today is MORE RAIN!!!

GIVEAWAY #3 - Wednesday

Wednesday's Giveaway is....


1 lucky person will receive a Knitting Kit for the Square Tassel hat (this kit includes the pattern and 1 ball of cream 8ply merino wool - with the 1 ball of wool you can knit any of the sizes up to size  1-2yrs :) See pic above.

All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, the lucky person will be published tomorrow via a comment on here and on facebook. Remember you need to be a fan of Natural Star on facebook. :) Click on the highlighted link to become a fan if not already :)

Comments need to be posted on the blog and not on facebook to be in with a chance :)

Have a great day everyone, guaranteed foremost for most today is RAIN!!!  

GIVEAWAY #2 - Tuesday

Tuesday's Giveaway is....


1 luck person will receive a Grace Beanie size 1-2yrs :)  See pic above.

All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, the lucky person will be published tomorrow via a comment on here and on facebook. Remember you need to be a fan of Natural Star on facebook. :)  Click on the highlighted link to become a fan if not already :)

Comments need to be posted on the blog and not on facebook to be in with a chance :)

Have a great day everyone, although for most of us it is going to be a wet one!

Giveaway Day #1 - Monday

Monday's Giveaway is....

1 pattern of choice to 7 lucky people.

All you need to do is leave a comment at the bottom of this post, winners will be published tomorrow via a comment on here and on facebook.  Remember you need to be a fan of Natural Star on facebook. :)

7 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS!!!

I have managed to reach the 700 mark for people who "like" the Natural Star page on facebook....YAY! 

So, in honour of this momentous occassion I have decided to do some giveaways, in fact, 7 Days of Giveaways!  All you have to do on each day is leave a comment at the bottom of the giveaway.  You must be a fan of Natural Star on facebook to be in with a chance of winning.  The draws will be done via random org.

The winner or winners of each giveaway will be announced the following day at the bottom of the comments and also on facebook.

As, I am returning back to the hourly paid workforce on Wednesday this week - the winners names will be published late afternoon or evening from Wednesday onwards.  Because comments are moderated please be patient if it takes a while to show.

Thank you all so much for your support!

Brenda x

Emma's first Duathalon and School Disco

Emma had a really busy friday this week.  First up in the morning was her first major sporting event at school.

She had a lot of fun and is looking forward to the school cross country in a couple of weeks.  After recovering from biking and running around the school track (there was a lot of heavy puffing noises running to the finishing line) she raced home and got ready for her first school disco.  I was relieved that the day had arrived as it is all she has talked about for the last week!  Her big brother is totally over it!

Emma had a ball and was on the dance floor as soon as she was able to get in the doors.  When I went back to pick her up I found her break dancing - not something I taught her or am even capable of doing!  On the way home all she could talk about was the next disco - whenever that happens.

Time to play catch up!

The last couple of months have been pretty busy and sadly the blogging has been neglected! 

Both kids have settled into school really well this year, lots of school trips happening.  I was even lucky enough to see 4 Tarantula spiders on one of those trips!!! (I am not practicularly fond of household spiders).  On Monday Dylan is off to Arthurs Pass for the day with his class trip this term.

We have some new stockists on board with the Natural Star Brand and the website has been updated with a shopping cart.  It is still a work in progress with more products and features to be uploaded.  There are new stockists to add to the stockists page etc etc.  I am also adding a wholesale/re-seller page to the website which will be password access only.

I am also toying with the idea of being more regular on the Market scene.  I know from experience that this is very time consuming and a big committment...and I do rely on my weekends to play catch up and have time off with the family.  Maybe I could make it a family affair lol - somehow I don't think that would wear well with the two men in the family.  Emma would love to do it!

My patterns have been selling really well on E-patterns Central and Annie's Attic...I really need to devote more time to writing up and designing new products and patterns.  I have a pile of bits of paper that need to be typed up and then test knitted.  I also have a few new designs on the needles.  I call in multi tasking, my husband calls in confusing and why don't I just do one project at a time!  But I get bored with one project at a time.  We have taken on 4 new knitters in the last month...yay!  I have a fantastic team of ladies who are all beautiful knitters and love and care about the products as much as I do :)

Habitat Baby - New Stockist

Habitat Baby offers beautifully styled bedding and accessories to suit the homes and lifestyles of today’s parents. There are three dreamy ranges available – Wish, Colour Fusion and Spring. All are created from fresh, beautiful, 100% cotton fabrics, sourced from around the world, that bring Habitat Baby designs to life.

A visit to the Habitat Baby website will reveal a blissful collection of bedding and accessories, including pillows, lampshades and wall art. Most popular at Habitat Baby are the beautiful cot sets, consisting of a

classic cot quilt, fitted sheet and patchwork decorative pillow - certain to be the crowning glory of any nursery!

 

You will also find Natural Star Products are now available at Habitat Baby.  Carla is stocking a range of beanies for both boys and girls, as well as some our beautiful flower shoes to match the Emma and Bamboo Beanies.  Visit Habitat Baby to stock up on your winter handknits and beautiful bedding and accessories to create the most adorable nursery.

                                          

If you are in Melbourne for the weekend of the 5-7 March 2010 make sure you schedule in a visit to The Baby Show.  Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton, Melbourne. Where you will find Habitat Baby and can see in person the gorgeous products that are on her website.

MillaRuby Designs - New Stockist

I am thrilled that Caddie from MillaRuby Designs is now stocking our Natural Star Booties.  A few of which are custom made in different colours specially for MillaRuby.

Caddie has a gorgeous website MillaRuby Designs offering Handmade clothing, toys and accessories for the stylish and hip. Click here to view Caddie's stunning creations. Definitely stylish and hip!

Also, if you are in Perth on Sunday the 21st March, stop by Matilda's Market, Cottesloe Civic Centre, 109 Broome St, Cottesloe.  9am to 1pm.  Where Caddie will be selling her creations and a selection of Natural Star Beanies.

Yummy Mummies & Mini Me

Yummy Mummies & Mini Me has a brand new website for 2010 that is looking absolutely gorgeous.  Bec stocks some of the most amazing products for Yummy mummies and children.  You will find Pram Rock, Baby Base Ink, Cheeki Charlee and Natural Star (we are thrilled to be one of the new stockists for 2010!) just to name a few of the wonderful array of stockists that Bec has on the website.

The Yummy Mummies & Mini Me Blog is also worth the follow.  It is regularly updated with news worthy reading and is fast becoming one of my favourites!