The Last Supper

As you may recall, I mentioned in this post that I was getting close to finding out for sure why I didn't feel so flash during the second half of last year. At the beginning of December I got a blood test result that said I most likely had Coeliac Disease. This is a disorder where eating any food that contains gluten damages the small intestine and can prevent nutrients being absorbed. The doctor said that although the blood test results were pretty conclusive, the way to officially diagnose it is through a biopsy. Since the appointment would be a few months away, she said I should stop eating gluten in the meantime, and start again a few weeks before the biopsy.

For seven weeks I incorporated gluten-free foods into my diet, and was starting to feel better for it. A few weeks ago I got a letter informing me of the appointment, so had to start including gluten back into my diet. Straight away I noticed the effects, my vision went slightly odd, I felt tired and my brain went a bit foggy. So it became quite obvious it wasn't doing me any favours. The one good thing about being allowed to eat gluten again was that I could eat some of the yummy things I'd been missing out on, one last time. I didn't go as crazy as I had thought I would, but did eat cookies and cream ice cream, tim tams, pringles, black forest chocolate and raspberry licorice. Those few weeks felt like the last supper!

Now that I do have an official diagnosis it's back to gluten-free for me, and I'm starting to feel better for it. Fortunately now there are are lot more products available than there used to be, and I have acquired a small collection of cookbooks with lots of yummy recipes. So I won't be missing out too much. Here's to a much better 2010 than 2009 was!

The Lace Works

Here are some pictures of the lace work Mum is exhibiting at the VAST Exhibition in Tapawera at Shedwood Hall. It runs until the 1st February 2010.

The best crafter I've ever met

I recently made my mum some business cards for an upcoming exhibition she is participating in. She will be exhibiting some of her pieces of hand-made lace. Lacemaking is one of the more recent acquisitions to her crafting reportoire, which includes knitting and spinning among many other things. Since then she has been learning various different techniques, so when I got married, I asked her to make a piece of lace for my dress. I couldn't find any patterns that would work for a dress, so she found a book with instructions on how to design lace patterns. I came up with a design, drew it all out in illustrator, and mum made the piece of lace. It looked beautiful, and I now have a one-of-a-kind wedding dress that will be treasured for years to come.

Mum has many other crafting skills, quite a few of which she taught me when I was young. She showed me how to knit, sew, spin, weave and crochet. I still have a collection of soft toys and other things I've made. I've have slowly been picking these skills back up again over the last few years, and am enjoying the renaissance craft is having. It's nice to have learnt all these things from my mum, rather than a book. The skills have gone from generation to generation without missing a step.

If you are in the Nelson area in the next week or two, pop over to Tapawera and have a look at the annual VAST Art Exhibition. It's on from January 23 until February 1 at the Shedwood Hall, Main Road, Tapawera.

Summer break and the New Year

This post is probably a bit late to be a proper 'Happy New Year Post', but hey, better late than never! I had a lovely break over Christmas. We went up to Nelson to catch up with family, then we went camping, and we took a day trip over to Golden Bay. We took the long and winding gravel road to Totoranui, as I had never been there before. I decided that next time I visit I might just take the water taxi from Kaiteriteri!

We stopped at Ligar Bay and had a look, as I had stayed here in a school trip, and remembered there was a nice beach. I wasn't disappointed, and decided it would be a great place for a bach. Unfortunately we didn't win that lotto draw!

I don't normally do New Year resolutions per se, but usually have something I'd like to achieve. This year I'd like to be a bit more organised – who doesn't! I have had a cleanout and sold some old things I no longer use on trademe. The extra space may be shortlived as I found it's a great source of yarn to add to my stash... There's some rather pretty yarn on my watchlist right now.

I'm hoping 2010 will be better than 2009. I didn't have a terrible year, but there is always room for improvement, and now that I have (hopefully) discovered the source of the health issues I was having last year, I think things can only get better. In a couple of months I will know for sure and will be able to move on, with or without gluten as part of my life.

Rolleston Market

Tomorrow I will be back at the Rolleston Christmas Market. Come down for crafts, fresh produce, food and coffee. It is held from 10am till 1pm on the grassy area next to the Rolleston Community Centre. If it's raining, it will be held indoors at the stadium. Click here for directions.

As usual I will be offering a 10% to anyone that brings along any old candles for recycling.

I <3 Felt Showcase

Now that market madness is behind me, I've had time to put together a showcase from Felt. I have no theme, just found things I liked!

Reversable Belt

thewardrobe

$12.50

Hanna Denim Dress

greenjean

$45.00

"lucie" Ceramic Tile

littleladies

$39.00

Original Redflax Hea...

redflax

$16.00

The Bone-knitter

sabine

$17.00

3 Pack - Unlined A5...

honeydesign

$20.00

Felt featured seller

I have been lucky enough to be profiled on the featured seller section of felt. In it I talk about what I make, and where I get my inspiration from. I also mention a couch which is part-way through it's second re-covering. It's had quite a life, and anyone who spent any time at my Hereford St flat will probably remember it. It's about to move to it's next, much more grown-up stage of life. I will post before, before and after pictures when I finally finish it. Watch this space!

The Night Market last night was a great success, thanks Lucy for yet again doing a fantastic job of organising it. If you weren't able to come along last night, and still want to do a spot of craft shopping, or maybe would like a piece of art for your wall or a gift, head along to Art Attack, held at Thorrington School from 11am-5pm Saturday and Sunday. My candles and paintings from the recent exhibition will be there, along with many other great paintings and handcrafts, delicious food, music and raffles. It is a fundraiser for two Cashmere High School students.