2020 where have you gone??

Winter days, beautiful birds, and the hint of spring.

We are loving our great display of daffodils and will certainly be ordering more fabulous bulbs from

.https://www.clandondaffodils.co.nz/

                                        

I cannot believe it is 8 months or so since my last blog!!

2020 started with my darling man being rushed off to hospital and there he stayed for 6 weeks. Gave us some scary times but pleased to report, after a few speed bumps on the way, he is doing OK now.

We were so lucky to have the family visit from Melbourne at beginning of March and it was wonderful to see our 3 little grandchildren meeting up for the first time.

and then along came coronavirus and a world of lockdowns, face masks, and social distancing.

So making face masks has been the task for the past couple of weeks  And colour and themes are quite most important too !!

During these crazy times, I guess we have all been trying out new things to pass the time..I especially have enjoyed baking and perfecting cinnamon scrolls. But sadly things have been happening in the wardrobe too....there has been a shrinkage fairy lurking in there!!!😋😋😋

SO its back on the treadmill and back to the sewing machine to create some beautiful new styles for the warmer days just around the corner.

It is becoming more and more doubtful that some of the amazing craft fairs will be able to go ahead, so I will need to sharpen my computer mind and marketing skills to showcase Bo & Co in a contactless way.  Meeting and chatting to fellow crafters and shoppers is always such fun but we do all need to keep safe.

I loved this saying over our lockdown period and feel it just needs sharing again.

SO there we go, the first blog of 2020 and its almost September !!!

Let's all work together as a team, follow the rules and be kind to one another.

Kia kaha

Julie

ho ho ho from Bo and Co

Hi there in the countdown to Christmas and all the excitement and bustle that comes with this season.

Not sure which list you will be on but I think either one always brings some laughter!

🎄

So a couple of weeks ago, I was privileged to be part of the 

first (of many I hope) Walton Street Xmas Markets.

This was an amazing market with such a diverse range of creativeness and passion from an amazing group of people.

Our stands were busy from 9.30 am until 2 pm and even a major power cut in the town did not deter anyone, In true kiwi style, everyone pitched in and helped out.

The new Walton Street yoga studio is an amazing place and a real credit to all the hard work and love that Renee has put into it.

👼👼👼

I have also been working hard in my sewing room completing a summer order for one little lucky girl in town.

And also, not to forget my own little grandchildren, I have been working on a mobile for baby Evie and her first little Bo and Co summer dress and bloomers.

Today, I plan to dust and clean my machines, pop on their covers and give the a well earned and deserved rest. 
                                     💤💤💤
My daughter, Bridget, has just popped in and delivered the home made (of course) Xmas cake she has made. We made some wee holes in it an got out the brandy. We looked at the clock and thought "somewhere in the world it is 5 pm !!) but then sensibly doused the cake and re-wrapped it. Smells so yum.😋😋😋😋

So happy Xmas to you all but I have to add a quote from one of my all time favourite characters.

Enjoy the time with families
and make time to relax, read
and of course, eat chocolate!!

Take care and let's bring on
2020.

Julie

Christmas markets

Thank you to all the wonderful people who came along to the Rosetown Te Awamutu Annual Craft Fair. 
It was once again a brilliant day and despite a gloomy forecast the previous day, the sun came out and it was just beautiful.
I can happily report that the gazebo went up in a flash, thanks to the hubby and the son in law. 
There were quite a few grumbles about the early start but I did appreciate their help.
I had no sooner started assembling my racks and table, when the first customers descended on me, 30 minutes before market even really opened. So exciting and from there on in we had a steady group of happy people and children in our area. Fabulous atmosphere and a wonderful fair so fantastically organised by the i-site team.

This Saturday (23 November) we are part of another market day. This one is organised by yoga & oils and is being held in their lovely new premises on Walton St, Te Awamutu. Renee is such a warm and giving person and her inaugural market is shaping up to be just beautiful. So pop along and see us all.

I just love seeing the creativity and talent that so many people have and it is such a great feeling to buy handmade and locally made.

One of the sites directly opposite me at the Rosetown fair, had beautifully crafted garden art from timber and stained glass. treecandynz.com There will be some very lucky gardeners having an addition like this to their gardens. 





So with Christmas just around the corner, and grandchildren getting just a bit (haha) excited, I have started my shopping and also have several Xmas projects on the go at the machine.

I have been admiring the gorgeous creations that my friend Julie has been making for Xmas orders.  Her delightful and funny blog is just a masterclass in creativity mythreadbearlife.blogspot.com

The sun is shining and it lifts our spirits no end.

Happy days

Julie

Save the Date ...November 9

Well the countdown is now until the annual Te Awamutu Arts and Craft Fair on November 9. 

Only 6 more sleeps !!

Every year, without fail, this fair attracts amazing and creative people and offers such a beautiful, happy setting. With the rose gardens and the fantastic children's playground adjacent, it can be turned into a real day out for all the family.

🎈🎈🎈

Bo and Co will be at Site 30 and we have loads of lovely clothes for your little ones.

This year I will also have some great "market day specials" and some gorgeous little gifts for the lucky earlybird buyers.

Today will involve a practice run of putting up the gazebo. Sometimes the hubby can get a lot  a bit ratty if it doesn't go to plan !!

One of the best pleasures I get from my sewing is being able to create things on the "wish list" for my grandchildren.

Esmé is turning 7 this coming week and is having a butterfly themed party. So it was wonderful to make her a dress and a top to choose from.

(as you know, a girl can never decide what to wear on the day) 🦋🦋🦋🦋

Just before I left for my holiday last month, a really special and very super kind friend (Judy) came to visit. I often give her lots of my fabric off cuts to add to her huge "stash". 

Judy makes the loveliest quilts and donates most of them to the babies and children who may never get the chance to have something so special. 

It is truly unbelievable how many she creates and the patterns are so different in them all.

Anyway she arrived at my place with 3 huge boxes and then insisted that I choose four.

One for each of the little grand daughters and one for myself.

I was overwhelmed with her kindness and the children just loved them.

So the sun is shining, the coffee pot boiling and the darn gazebo awaiting it's trial run!!

Hope to see you on Saturday 9 under sunny skies

Have a great day

Julie

                                         

holidays and reality

           

                                               

 So it's back to reality after a wonderful 18 days away in Melbourne and Tasmania. I love to wander Melbourne laneways and look at the ever changing artwork. Of course, I  do like to be kind to the retailers also, so always indulge in a little bit some shopping !!
My cousin had told me about a gorgeous haberdashery shop and stockist of all things vintage that we crafters love. 
It was called L'Uccello. www.luccello.com.au   A little tricky to find on Swanston St, and up on the 2nd floor. You would swear you were in a little narrow building in Paris. It even had the old cage lift if you didn't want to do the stairs. The store was filled with fabrics of every colour and design, buttons, notions, patterns and much much more.

What a wonderful and unexpected surprise awaited us at Melbourne airport when we landed. I was just looking at my phone to contact the shuttle service that I had arranged, when a little tap on my shoulder had me dissolving into masses of tears. The photo says it all.

And there was our beautiful new granddaughter, little Evie. She is just so precious and we just loved getting to know her and cuddle her to bits !!
Evie will be the proud owner of some many beautiful Bo and Co dresses very soon.
She was a very spoilt little girl with all the gifts I arrived with from our family and some very generous friends too. Quite overwhelming.  
After a few days in Melbourne, we boarded another flight for Tasmania. First stop there was a visit to Sunbear cafe owned by eldest granddaughter, Brooke. All I can say is "GREAT coffee and delicious small plates of the tastiest morsels".

Our daughter, Kim was so pleased to have us in her neck of the woods and I have to share a link to one of the many talents Kim has. Check this out on Instagram @woolysticks.  Kim creates crochet hooks, with much love from the most amazing timbers of the Huon Valley (Tasmania). Kim herself is a beautiful crocheter, spinner and weaver, and knitter. The woolysticks can be purchased through etsy. There is a link on her Instagram page. 

We were thrilled to even see some of her work and sticks displayed in a local art gallery/store in Cygnet.

Our 9 days in Tasmania were so so wonderful. What a beautiful slice of Australia. The people are so incredibly friendly and chatty. The countryside is ever changing and just amazing. And the weather was so kind to us every day.

We cannot wait to go back again and I can certainly see why so many Australians are moving to this tranquil island. 

We stayed the last 5 nights (as a base) in Richmond, just out of Hobart. Richmond is an historic village and the B and B we stayed in was also a restored historic site. Never have we stayed anywhere more delightful. The Valley View Cottage at Mulberry Cottages was a real treasure.  

And back to Melbourne we headed again, for more cuddles and loves with little Evie. It was amazing to see how much she had grown and developed in 2 weeks. Even a little smile on the last day.
55 years ago, my school in New Zealand matched up with a school in Australia to encourage penpal writing, no emails back then!! My penpal was Heather, and we are still the best of friends. We have shared all our special moments , and sad moments. And this trip was again a chance for another catch up filled with laughter.

A fabulous holiday incorporating so many family times plus exploring places new.


But all good things must come to an end and we have returned back to reality. And bed making and cooking meals. 

The welcome home from Esmè and Sylvie was truly another tear jerking moment. The enormous hugs almost squeezed the life out of me. Those two make my heart sing 💟

Countdown is now on until Saturday November 9, for the annual Rosetown Art and Craft Fair. Very exciting and I have so many beautiful pieces to take.

I will also be at the Walton St Christmas Market on Saturday November 23 in Te Awamutu. This is a new event created by the beautiful people at Yoga and Oils-Spade to Spoon  See them on FB to follow their journey in their new premises.

Such a lengthy blog and very little about crafting and production from Bo and Co. Our Instagram page has new little dresses up on it, which on a sunny day like today, will soon be the pretty prints little girls will want to wear.

So it's bye for now and I already have some new fabric on the cutting table awaiting inspiration!!

Best wishes 
Julie

Family love

Hello from Bo and Co

Well exciting times ahead as it is nearly time to head off and meet our beautiful new granddaughter, Evie. She is 3 weeks old already and I get to talk to her lots on the phone, and the parents tell me she knows my voice. 

I'm sure they are just being kind but who knows!!

So as with all trips across the ditch, comes extra luggage goodies.

 We also get to go to Tasmania to see our eldest daughter, Kim and her husband and our eldest granddaughter Brooke. 

They have made the big brave move after living in Queensland for many, many years.

Brooke has recently opened her own business in Hobart, such a bold move for a young lady . But she is so focused and doing so well. We are very excited to be visiting her café and drinking delicious Allpress coffee.

You can follow her on Instagram @ sunbearhobart.

We also are looking forward to sampling her yummy "small plates", many of which are made by our Kim. 

And on my next blog I will share with you the amazing talents that Kim has. She is a natural crafter, spinner and all things stunning.

But in the meantime the machines have been whirring along here at Bo and Co.

So many fresh new fabrics and new patterns to try. Our Instagram page will be featuring these in regular posts.

My two little granddaughters , Esmé and Sylvie, have been keen to choose fabric for a new summer dress each. Sylvie loves and adores rainbows so she is very happy. Esmé loves nature and she has a gorgeous bird print on hers.

Although after a visit to Sanctuary Mountain reserve last weekend and being squawked at  scared by a Kaka parrot, she may have changed her mind !!

The clothing racks at Bo and Co are filling fast, in fact they are really full now in preparation for the Rosetown Craft Fair on November 9th.

You can follow them on Facebook @Te Awamutu Annual Craft Fair.

So now all that is needed is for "that man of mine" to chuck off his nasty man bugs  cold and we will be good to go.

Looking forward to lots of warmer days here and across the ditch.

Julie

Happy days

 It is exciting news to start off this blog
 We have welcomed a new granddaughter into our family. Little Evie Maree was born last weekend, in Melbourne. Needless to say i am counting down now until I can have lots of cuddles with this precious wee princess.
And it will be wonderful to have another little girl to create gorgeous Bo and Co dresses for.  


The little dress pictured  is the "Clementine" and is all cotton and fully lined,  with buttons down the back. The first one I ever made was for Sylvie 3 years ago, different print, but  such a pretty dress.  
Little Evie will be definitely getting her own design 








I have been knitting things to take over to Melbourne with me, as it is still chilly over the ditch where they are.

I made colourful patchwork blankets for Esmé and Sylvie when they were born and they still treasure them now as their "snugglys."  And now little Evie will have one of her own too.
The little hooded jacket is for next winter and made from an Alpaca spun yarn. Very cosy for those cool days. My knitting skills are certainly not 100  80 percent but they are made with love.💖 

Last winter my 91 year old Mum decided she would like to contribute to Bo and Co . She is a fabulous knitter. So she knitted up many many gorgeous "granny bonnets". These were made of merino wool and were so popular. I lost count of how many she actually made.

The 4 on the right are all that is left now. I will sell them now at a reduced price as winter is about to leave us.

We now have over 1000 followers on our Instagram page and this (and on Facebook) is where you will see new items popping up for sale.

On November 9th Bo and Co will be at the annual Rosetown Craft Fair held at the Te Awamutu i-site. This is a fantastic day out with not only craft stalls, but music and food and all the fun of the fair.

So with this in mind, my sewing machine speed has gone up a notch and I am loving trying out some new designs for the summer.

The new "Charlotte" dress is fit for any little princess. I am loving it's pretty yoke, frilled neck, capped sleeves, and button down back. 

Often people ask what do I do with my left over fabric. One of my friends uses all the small offcuts and creates the most beautiful baby quilts which are donated to the Waikato Hospital Newborn Unit. Judy does amazing work and is so kind.
My other friend, Kaye, on Instagram @kiwibooklady, just loves creating beautiful work with paper and fabric. She has made lots of gorgeous books and sent them back to me to give away to Bo and Co shoppers.

every book is so unique and some come with little surprise pockets. One has even been created into a story book using all pieces of bear fabric.
A very clever lady  !

So here we are into the beginning of Spring. Tui are singing in our kowhai tree and daffodils and cherry blossoms are everywhere.

My suitcase is slowly quickly filling with gifts to take away.

Thank you for letting me share this blog with you.

Have a wonderful week

Julie