Thursday, March 8, 2018

Pop up shop and floral wreath making...

Hey

It's been a while, I know.  It took some time to get back in the swing of things following the accident, hence no posts.  But I tell you what, it feels good to be back!  

My motivation came in the form of an invite to join a local Pop Up shop, The Collaboration.  It came just as school went back, so perfect timing.  I got my skates on, dusted off the sewing machine and even started producing a new product, felt flower wreaths, and they're beautiful.  I've currently got them stocked in the Pop Up shop, and hope to have them online very soon, so watch this space.  Until then, if you're in New Plymouth (local or visiting) come check us out at 22 Devon St East. There are 17 retailers in the shop and 12 artists in the gallery space upstairs.  We're open until Sunday 18th March. 

Here's a peek at the wreaths...







Monday, September 11, 2017

Our horrendous experience and what it's taught me...

I've been very quiet on social media for the last month, as we've had quite a horrific experience, which kept me very busy with injured and sick loved ones, and emotionally drained. Fortunately it has had a positive outcome.

My precious daughters (7 & 2 years) and husband, were all hit by a car while crossing the road on a pedestrian crossing.  Miraculously, they're all still here and I'm so, SO grateful for that.

It was an absolutely horrendous experience. They'd gone for a walk to the foreshore, just to get some fresh air.  I'd barely said goodbye.  Five minutes later, I answered a call from my husband, saying he'd been hit by a car. I wasn't aware the girls had been too, until Ben and I arrived at the scene a few minutes later, and what I was met with is firmly etched in my mind. I found out later that Eden, although badly bruised and with a broken collar bone, had been more concerned with how/where her sister was, which was lovely to hear, and heartbreaking too. Her sister was alarmingly quiet and covered in blood, in her stroller. I'd actually put her in a flimsy umbrella buggy for the walk, but at the last minute I got her big stroller out of the car and transferred her, so that I could tuck a blanket around her and keep her cosy, as she'd had croup the week before. A decision that possibly saved her life. Had Ben not been unwell, he too would have gone for a walk. So that week at least, I was very grateful for viruses!

Having come so close to tragedy, has made me so much more aware that none of us are immune to it. It's been a big fright for a lot of our friends too, particularly those (most of them) with young children, it's all just a bit too close to home. The initial shock of it all is fading, Dave and the kids have recovered from their injuries and the multiple viruses/ear infections that were thrown into the mix, and our house is once again loud and chaotic (which is probably a good thing), normality reigns! However, as nice as normality is, I don't want to forget how easily it can be lost. I really do want to cherish this amazing time we have with our kids, and appreciate all the moments together... maybe yell a little less, strangely easy after a fright like this.

A timely post on Facebook last week really hit home, as it so easily could have been my story too, a thought I have often, every day.   It shared a post from a dad who lost his young son and the advice he had for parents, advice on what's truly important.  I can tell you, I've never been so happy to sing along to Eden's school choir CD, or play baby dolls with Summer, or hug my husband. You can read it here, I'd recommend you do.

As well as a huge appreciation for still having my husband and daughters, I'm immensely grateful for all the love and support from our friends, family, and community.  I could have done without this experience, but if if there are positives to be found, this is certainly one of them.  We were swamped with messages of love. Girlfriends did a roster for dinners and others delivered delicious meals we were able to freeze for those nights I really needed them. People were so generous and thoughtful with their gifts, the kids thoroughly enjoyed checking the letterbox, and kids cards are often hilarious!

I hesitated writing this post. Firstly it felt a bit personal, secondly I just want to move on (and ramble on about decor/crafts etc..).  But, it's made me truly appreciate the precious moments with my loved ones, immensely grateful for all our wonderful friends and family... and a more cautious driver.  I hope reading it (without having to go through the trauma yourself) can do the same for you. Hug your kids a little bit harder next time you see them (even if bedtime was hell tonight!), nothing in life is as important as time with our loved ones... ever!

See you back here soon, with a much lighter post.

Sarah x

Friday, August 4, 2017

Bunk bed inspiration...

I know, there's definitely something wrong with the title, right? How can any inspiration be garnered from bunks? I'm not a fan. But we're about to buy some... to go with our new people mover! I don't know if it's the lack of options, or the memories of shared rooms and siblings feet pushing up on the mattress, that really put me off, or that I still adore Eden's bedhead. But, like with the people mover, practicality and space are trumping style around here.  So, I've been reluctantly searching for some (that are tolerable) for quite some time. A couple of years back I spotted vintage cast iron ones in an Australian magazine article and presumed they'd welded a couple of old beds together, I had no idea they were ever produced like that, until I found a set on trademe. I couldn't convince my husband that no ladder, no side rail, old wire bases were actually ok though, I guess it's a good thing aesthetics don't rule his decision making! Our children will be much safer for his sensibilities. As fate would have it, a mere 3 weeks later, look what I discovered...




Mocka I love you!!!! Just look at that side rail, ladder and (checkout link) solid bar bases.  There will be no resistance to these I'm sure.

I wanted to share some more bunk inspiration with you... but I couldn't find any! Feel free to link to any you've come across though, I'm sure I'm not the only one that's been on the hunt.

Sarah x


Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Kids crafts...

Our eldest two children are both at school now and developing lots of new interests, which has brought a bit of change to our online store, MissMollyCoddle.  With it mainly being for the kids (with a bit for grown ups too), my kids definitely influence the new products we introduce. Whether it's an interest they've shown for something new, or that I'm thinking of them when sourcing products, it's only natural our store will grow with them.  So although we've still got some ADORABLE baby gifts, we're getting a bit more crafty (with a bit of stylish education on it's way - watch this space) for the bigger kids too.

One of my favourite new products, you may have had similar as a child, are the Shrinkies kits.





They make fabulous gifts, or grab for a rainy day (there's always at least one!) school holiday activity.

My boy LOVES these! Loads of fun, decorating, building, and flying model planes. 





Good old fashioned colouring sets, great for out and about, or inside (quiet) time. 

You can find all of these in our new, Arts + Crafts section.

If you've got a favourite craft suggestion, I'd love to hear it, or a product you think we should stock, then please get in touch.

See you back here soon!

Sarah

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Hey there!

It's been some time, I know.

I've been contemplating the relevance of this blog and whether or not I continue (ahem... resume) blogging.  I got a very timely email this afternoon, from blogger decor8 daily, titled "Why blogs are still important in 2017".  You can read the post here.  Needless to say, I've decided to continue/resume and hopefully find the old inspiration this blog provided, both for myself (as a place to share creative endeavours and what I've been loving) and hopefully, as a place of inspiration for others.

I'd love to know your thoughts on blogging.  Do you have a blog yourself?  Do you enjoy reading them? Do YOU still find them relevant, when there are so many social media platforms out there?

I'll leave you with a few pics of what I'd been meaning to share with you, my favourite creative outlet, our little coats.  We've got some ready to ship and online now, but I am happy to work with you, if there is a particular colour/size combo you're after.

See you back here soon (ish)

Sarah x








Available through MissMollyCoddle.

Monday, September 19, 2016

Toy smeg...

Check out her grin! I knew she'd love a smeg as much as I do, I even got an excited clap.  I've been looking at this wee oven for ages (years), thinking I should give it a revamp, I finally did.  Here's a few action shots, beautifully modelled by Miss Summer.





I had leftover paint from our front door, which was the perfect colour, and a high gloss.  The knobs were painted in Resene Stack (our doorstep colour), the elements a glossy black and the inside I sprayed with a can of chrome coloured spray paint.  New handles were from bunnings.  The smeg letters were from a gold coin shop, in the craft aisle, they're foam stickers and I sprayed them with the same paint I used inside the oven.   


The oven as it was.


My inspiration (via pinterest).  I had actually started giving the oven a new coat of white paint, but was feeling very uninspired by it.  This picture got me thinking about a colour, which led to the idea of going for a pastel smeg stove.

This was a fun little project, which I'm sure will keep Summer very entertained, win/win!

Sarah x

ps.  Belly baskets available here





Thursday, September 1, 2016

Macrame inspiration...

One of my favourite trends at the moment is macrame, either plant hangers (natural and vivid colours) and glorious bohemian wall hangings, I can't get enough!  Here's some of the most inspiring pictures I've come across and links to a couple of great books, if you want to give a go yourself.  I'm keen to have a go at a larger piece and would love any advise on where to find the natural cord (preferably in NZ).  Thanks in advance!



I LOVE plants in kids rooms (as blogged about here) and this is one of the best examples I've seen, what a rad room!


via etsy

My favourite style of macrame hanging includes driftwood and lots of beautiful curves, a perfect statement piece in a lounge, or above a bed.  Next on my 'to make' list!



Here's my 'petite' first attempt.  I actually really love it, despite running out of cord, hence the staggered fringing.  It was great practice and surprisingly easy.  I used my clothes rack to hang it from while I knotted, which was perfect, I could sit on the couch with it in front of me.  I just used cord I already had from a hardware store, it was fine for this, but am after a slighter thinner one for a larger project.



For all those enjoying the resurgence of crafts, this book is for you!  Full of instructions on traditional crafting techniques, yet thoroughly modern in style, you'll love it.  Find out more here.



I bought a copy of this book off trademe, and found it covered all I needed to know, albeit in a bit more detail than I was after, at this stage anyway.  Available here.

Macrame wall hanging from MissMollyCoddle

If you're not up for making one, we sell this beauty. Perfect in all it's natural, simplicity.

Sarah x

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Belly basket inspiration...



In case you needed any convincing of how fabulous these baskets are!  

They're my favourite on the website at the moment, are in almost every room of our home, but honestly, I could use one in every room, I'm just trying to practice some restraint.  



We have the white dipped ones available in a bundle buy.  


Here's a natural seagrass belly basket, I painted to match a beautiful old chair I've restored and recovered in vintage ballerina barkcloth. The basket is available for sale here, or you could paint your own to match your colour scheme. 


Here's our hallway, with one of our medium sized black belly baskets



I love the natural seagrass look too.  We have a deal till Thursday midnight, buy a large natural seagrass belly basket and get a medium for half price, whoop whoop!  Just enter code ''naturalbellydeal' at checkout. 

You're welcome! x

*Unless stated, images are via pinterest

Thursday, May 26, 2016

My little lady in a 'little lady' coat...




A few 'action shots' from our recent photo shoot. I've got a few coats underway, so please message me if you're looking for one, or keep an eye out on our facebook page for updates. 

This wee beauty is available now and comes with a matching bonnet, it's size one and photographed on my 'bonnie' 10 month old.  I can't believe how fast she's growing,  feels like yesterday she was tucked up in a bassinet, so little and new. 




Thursday, May 12, 2016

Fabricabrac...


Hello!  Have any of you been to one of these?  I'm having a stall at the New Plymouth Fabricabrac, this Saturday, so come say hi if you're around.   I've been through my stash and tried to get a bit realistic about what I'll ever actually use, so am selling a bunch of fabric, wool blankets, trims, a few old patterns and felt balls. 

I came across this cute (and super easy) mobile the other day, made from driftwood and felt balls, I know my little lady would really enjoy looking up at this, and what a sweet way to add a few colours to a room.  


Sarah x

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