Pink Shirt Day

Today is Pink Shirt Day.  It is Anti- Bullying Day.

The day started in Canada in 2007 when a boy got bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school.  The next day, in a show of support, the other students wore pink shirts to school.

Bullying has been a little too close to home recently, as it has happened to my son.  It has been an emotional roller coaster filled with anger, sadness, and worry mixed with plenty of tears.
The journey will be a long one and we slowly edge our way forwards.  The boys involved have already managed to move on but it is so much harder for the victim.

So talk to your kids about bullying.  Make sure they know it is not ok to bully or be bullied. Make sure they know they can tell you anything that is happening in their lives. And above all make sure they know how important it is to be nice to all, even if you don't really like that person.  Words can hurt just as much as fists.

Today I am wearing a Pink Shirt and hoping that my son has a good day at school.  This is for him...

Kate x

My Dad

I don't usually write any too personal on my blog or facebook page.  I am quite a shy, quiet and private person.

But today is a little different.  Today something amazing occurred.

Firstly I will take you back to Jan 2006.  In the blink of an eye, terrifying moment my Dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer.  A tumour the size of a tennis ball.  He was given a 15% chance that treatment would help.  They thought he would likely be gone within months

Well my Dad, simply said ' buggar that'.  He took that 15% chance. And so began his journey through chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, more chemotherapy and more radiation. At times being in incredible pain because the cancer then spread to the bones in his lower spine.  At times feeling so sick, so weakened, so exhausted we wondered how he would ever go on.

There were times when we prepared ourselves for his passing, numerous times.  I once even asked him if he ever felt like just giving up.  His response..... 'No.  I don't like the alternate'. I also asked him if he thought of dying....'no, I think about what I will leave behind'.

In the 7 and a half years that he has battled this nasty vicious disease that affects so many people, his positivity and his will to survive has been phenomenal.  Some days have been incredibly tough, he is the first to admit that.  Some days he has tried so hard to hide how he is really feeling, but those of us close to him, can see he is not 'fine' as he says he is.
The strength that he has also gained from my mothers love and support has helped him in more ways than any of my sister, brothers or I can imagine.  She too has been phenomenal and a tower of strength

Never did they give up hope.  And today that has paid off.  Today my Dad tells me that he saw the oncologist yesterday.  He is officially in remission.  Those that have survived the 5 year mark are generally considered to be ok, his oncologist tells him.  But Dad is a little different.  He wasn't expected to last 6 months, his cancer was so aggressive that they did not think they could help him.
He is a medical marvel but they still have to keep an eye on him, so will see the oncologist every few months.

Dad still suffers extreme pain.  He has constant pain and pins and needles in his hands and feet due to the effects of the chemotherapy.  The radiation has caused the bones in his pelvis to weaken and reach the point of crumbling so that he has a fracture where his sacrum joins his pelvis.  But they are hoping to help him with that too.  Today he had an infusion of drugs that aim to improve his bone density so that the pain should lessen.  They are very positive and, of course, so is my Dad.

He can take that....he is in remission.
We all take our hats off to you Dad.  You are Amazing and we feel so incredibly lucky to still have you.  Go you good thing.  We love you lots xxx

Something new

As a little bit of a bonus at Kate M, we are stocking a few items from the super cool and vintage chic range of homewares called General Eclectic

We are sure that you will think this is a fun and stylish way to add that little extra something to your home

Blue Trays
Small $19
Medium  $25
Large $29

Large Glass Cake stand
33 x 11cm
$35

Divided Wire Storage
46 x 30.5 x 23cm
$89

Magnetic Blackboard
79 x 39cm
$89

Silver Rustic Bowl
17 x 17 x 11cm
$29

Wire Tealight Lamp
Small Blue $29
Large Black $39

 Have a Happy Happy Day

Kate 

The Sweet Rendezvous

Good evening everyone,

As I told you all about on a facebook post recently, I am working on a collaboration website project with Hazel, the girl behind Hazel Loves Design 

It is an exciting project, that is really beginning to take shape.  The website is called The Sweet Rendezvous. It lists all markets, workshops and music events within the crafting and indie world in NZ.

The difference with this just being an events site is that stallholders can register for a profile page on the site that links up to any markets they are attending.

So how about a little sneak peek at how the website is coming along.  The Sweet Rendezvous can be found here....

Just remember it still needs a few tweaks and the new logo is coming

If you are keen to register as a stallholder/workshop organiser/music group click here and music events and markets can click here

Hope you enjoy your sneak peek

Kate

Monday Magic

A very quick Monday magic this morning as I need to tidy up the tornado zone that has hit my house and also do some work for Shop Me Pretty which is on Wednesday night in Kirwee.

Some talented ladies visited my facebook page over the weekend to show me their wares.

And here they are......

Simply too cute is this spotty stool from Hibiscus Kids

Just one of the range of delightful crochet hats from Meys Made

The devine new range coming out today from Pretty Birds

What little girl wouldn't love this pink ensemble from Michael and Maisie

(who also happens to be having a sale soon)

That's it from me this morning

Time to tidy the mess and then have some fun with paper!!

Have a Happy Happy Day

Kate 

Monday Magic

As I dragged myself out of bed this morning, I really felt like I needed something to inspire me.  Did anyone else feel the same??

So I thought what about taking a look at some pretty things and share my favourites with you all.......

Pretty pretty pretty bracelet from Wildflower Designs

Oh so popular Wall Art From Harmonie
Love her flash new logo

super cool and devine flying ducks from Pepin Design

appliqued goodness from Little Drop Design
One of her owl cushions has pride of place on my 12 year old daughters bed

So maybe that will brighten you day.

Have a great Monday

Cheers

Kate

The Last Fair......

Whilst I have slowed down dramatically in the last month (mainly by doing all my work during the day and not going back to the workshop in the evening), I still wanted to finish with the March Martinborough Fair.

I have a really great site at the fair and did not want to take the risk of losing it. So I have steadily worked away and managed to produce a reasonable amount of stock.

I am also very lucky in that I have great friends in Martinborough.  After the Feb fair, I left my gazebo, tables and all my 'props' with them and just took any remaining stock home.

All that needed to be packed into the car to go back up for the March fair was my stock.  That being said there was a slight problem..... once the car was loaded with stock (and it was fully loaded!!) where would all the props go.

It meant unloading the car of the stock.  Here it all is (well some of it anyway) at the house we stayed at.....

Then loading up all the tables, gazebo and props....down to the fair (at 4.45am! it is a busy place even at the time)...husband back to the house and loaded up all the stock and back down to the fair to unload and set it all up.

Here it is alomost finished.  Just some last minute 're-styling' to be done.

It was a super busy day.  Shoppers coming in at 7.30 am to start their day.  So by 5.30pm when we were all packed up (thankfully not much stock to put back into the car otherwise we were not going to get it all home again), we were absoloutely shattered.

So now I can relax and rest up and 'get myself fixed up"!!!  As much as I love my sewing, I am looking forward to a couple of months down time.
Here's hoping I will be all revived and ready to go by the end of April.

Thanks very much to everyone for their very kind thoughts and words.

Have a happy happy day

Kate

ps Can't beleive I forgot to mention the tables my husband made and the children and I painted.  You may have seen them in the photos above.  We sold both and will be making more.  Thrilled about that

A difficult decision made

Hi everyone,

Well today I came to a big decision.  Not one taken lightly by any means.

So much tooing and froing (are they even words that are spelt right) went into this decision but it had to be made.

Someone once told me that the difficult decisions are often the right ones.

So what is it you ask.... (and for some of you this may seem very minor indeed but others will totally understand the dilemma)..but I have shut down my online store.

At this stage it is only temporary.  But for health reasons, I need to take a step back and releive some of the pressure.

I will still be attending the Martinborough Fair in March and will just concentrate on getting ready for that.

Following that some much needed rest and 'me time' and family time.  I will very much look forward to that.

I also look forward to catching up with you all later
Hope all is well in your worlds.

Happy happy day

Kate x

Culverden Giveaway

Morning All,

This was supposed to be done last night.... OOPS!!  But I headed off to my workshop to get more sewing done in preparation for the Culverden Fete next Thursday.

So the giveaway.  On facebook there are plenty of rules about giveaways and I have had some help from the lovely Mel at New Zealand handmade.  But to be honest, I am a little swamped with sewing at the moment and just don't have the time to make this too complicated!!

Hence this is nice and simple.  Post a comment on this blog about the Culverden Fete....what you love, what you are excited to see, if it is your first time...etc.  Then email your name and phone number to kate@katem.co.nz.

I will do the draw on Sunday night and contact the winner.  If you are in Christchurch the tickets can be picked up from my showroom on Blenheim Road on Tuesday or wEdnesday morning.  If not in Christchurch I can mail them out to you on Tuesday.

Good luck everyone.  I look forward to reading your comments.

Have a happy happy day,

Kate

A bit of building

With the popularity of facebook for business, my good old blog has suffered once again!!  But with a momentary change in my vocation this week, I felt the need for a wee blog post!!

I am continually looking at new ways to display my wares at fetes/shows.  One must admit that I am a little fussy ( my family would say a lot fussy) about the way my stall looks.  But with travelling so far to fetes sometimes, display items must be easily portable.  Something stylish and portable is a hard mix sometimes.

With that in mind I went on a bit of a blog hop and found this......

Now this I like!

So I decided to become a builder for a day with a little help from a builder husband.

Firstly I needed some tools and timber....

and a large kinda mean looking saw..

Now unfortunately I don't have any more photos.  It is a little hard to photograph oneself cutting timber and drilling holes! But 2 nights ago in the living room my husband and I finished off this little beauty.  Last night it made it's debut at the Lincoln Primary School All things Beautiful fundraiser.  And if I do say so myself it looked fabulous!!

 One pretty happy stallholder here.

Next on the project list is these chairs I purchased on trade me.  Lovley wooden slat chairs that fold down.  Yesterday I got my girls busy painting them....

Not so sure about the paint job but we did have some fun.  Will let you know how they end up.

So a bit of building and painting as well as some sewing this week.

So much fun!

Have a happy happy day

Kate

A few of my favourite things at my house

Since we moved into our house 18 months ago, we are very very slowly trying to 'do it up' (I have a builder husband who is super busy!!!) but at least it is happening.



Here is a few shots of my favourite things......

The purple paint still needs to go but it is slowly taking place.  One thing taking pride of place in the hall is my vintage crate and bottles purchased at the Takaka market in January on our family holiday.....

I think it is way too cool but my husband is not so sure!!  He much rather prefers the framed print on the opposite wall......

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE the wallpaper in the bathroom.  It gives me a thrill every time I go in there.

And last but not least, my son's bedroom.  He wanted orange.  His favourite colour since he was a little chap.  So we went for it.......

and a bit of storage under the bed that my husband built.  Works great

I forgot to take a photo of the new linen room (which used to be the laundry), so will save that for next time.

Hope all is well in your worlds.


Cheers
Kate x

Snow and a birthday

Last week we had our first snow of the season.  Snow seems to be making a regular feature here in Christchurch each winter. I know the friends of mine back in Michigan would get a giggle out of the fact that schools were closed for 3 days because of the snow. Not such a great amount of snow in their world but in ours it causes a bit of bedlam. We just aren't used to it or prepared for it. It does look pretty when it first falls and the kids, of course, just LOVE it.  I took some pictures of the house but completely missed getting photos of the children.  OOPS

 and a photo looking up our street...

Now, of course it is all gone!! But it still has been very cold.

Today was my baby's birthday.  Not really a baby any more as she turned nine.  Molly has been a bundle of energy all day.  Usually I have to drag her out of bed in the morning but this morning she was dragging my toosh out of bed!!!
I took her shopping to the mall this afternoon with my Mum.  What a blast she had.  Here she is with my Mum in her new outfit, shoes, socks in all!

 and at home later with her cake....

She asked for a marble cake.  Something I had not made before.  so I dug out the Donna Hay Kids magazine.  I can tell you my cake did not look like hers.......

I had too much chocolate mixture.  But at least Miss Nine loved it.  I am not brave enough to show you a photo of the inside!!
Miss Nine is now tucked up in bed, very very happy with her day.  YAY!

I must get myself to bed too.  I have a busy rest of the week with Shop Me Pretty work to be done, bags to make, patterns for new bags to work on and a visit to the accountant!!

Hope your day has gone well.
Catch up again Soon,

Kate x

A few changes

Hello all,

Well so much for being better at writing this blog.  Hmmmm...not much I can say about that really!!

Life continues to be busy at Kate M with a couple of trips to Martinborough.  As mentioned in my last post the March fair was unfortunately cancelled due to the 'weather bomb'.  A little heart breaking I .  have to admit.

But good news followed with a re-run organised.  So last weekend my daughter and I made the journey back.  A wee trip on the ferry, which Olivia was very excited about.  It was such a beautiful day for a sailing........

So the fair went well.  A good crowd really and the weather really was very settled....a bit cool and cloudy but no wind and rain.  Thank heaven for small mercies!!


Back to the workshop this week and a much needed tidy up of the tornado zone.  I do have to say that whilst I am in full swing sewing, I am not at all good at keeping my working areas tidy.  Hence the 'tornado zone'!!!

I also decided to have a complete change around in position.  The warehouse is very cold in winter.  This means I tend to spend most days working there in many layers of clothing including my coat and scarf.  Not ideal really.  The oil column heater just cannot heat up that huge space.  So back into the front office I go.  I just have made a smaller 'showroom area' and will only keep a few things on display.

I am thinking at this stage this is a good idea!!

So here is some pics of the results of my days work.  Firstly a before and after shot of the cabinet where I keep all my sewing supplies.....I am so excited about this.  I have even shown my friends already....tragic I know!!!



BEFORE



AFTER

Now a couple of photos of the showroom.  It is only half organised at this stage........

So some good things going on.  Now I just need to tackle the mounds of fabric scraps....oh perish the thought.

Hope all is well in your world.

Happy happy day


Kate x