One of my 'side-lines' is creating knitted charity blankets from wools donated by those wishing to deplete their stashes. This is a win, win, win situation. Firstly I am using the wool; secondly, I enjoy the knitting in quiet moments; and thirdly, someone benefits from the comfort offered by the end product.

This week I completed another blanket; a baby's blanket using some of the softer colours. Marge had included some crochet rosettes in her bag of wools and I have attached them on to this blanket.

During the next week I shall deliver this baby blanket to the local Women's Refuge. It is winter here in New Zealand and hopefully it will help to warm some child, somewhere.

My next adult size blanket is already on the way....

An honour indeed....

Earlier this month New Zealand celebrated the Queen's birthday with a national holiday on June 6th. At this time it is customary to announce the Queen's Honours List to those “who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions, or other merits”.

And guess what, I have been made a Member of the New Zealand of Merit, MNZM, for services to the textile arts. What an honour! I feel humbled and excited all at the same time. The fact that the arts have been recognised and, in particular, the textile arts is very pleasing. We are all winners!

Looking back I started on this journey in the early 1970's, forty years ago, and it amazes me that I am still as enthusiastic as ever.

My medal will be awarded by our Governor General, at Government House, Wellington, in a few week's time and my boys have been instructed that they must attend! The image here is the man's version of the medal, as I haven't been able to find an image of the woman's medal!



This weekend the Surface Design Association conference is under way in Minneapolis-St.Paul, Minnesota, USA. Having attended the previous three conferences, a little bit of me is there. Here's hoping I might be able to return for the 2013 conference!