It rained for the first time in what seems like weeks yesterday, and again today. So what? You might well ask.
New Zealand lamb and dairy products, New Zealand wines, all world-class, all contributing to this small corner of the world’s wealth . . . we began building this country and made a name with primary produce, farmers are known as ‘the backbone of the country’ and we have a clean, green image, although in reality we’re probably no greener than many other places. Perhaps we’re a little greener though in that our native forests are predominantly evergreen.
But I digress. The entire North Island and much of the South is experiencing a drought, a severe drought that has everyone saving water. There are often water restrictions through the summer however in Wellington the situation is such that there is a ban on all outdoor water use . . . no watering your garden, washing your car or windows, filling the kids paddling pool. So the rain is very welcome even though it isn’t nearly enough. This satellite picture, courtesy of NASA shows how parched the land is.
Satellite images from March 2012 (L) and March 2013 (R) show significant browning across the North Island. Photo / NASA
Our lives can have their own droughts too. It may be time, affection, money, but all, hopefully, temporary situations that will be relieved eventually – harsh circumstances are easier to accept when there is an end in sight.
Sometimes I feel as if I don’t have the time to do what I’d like to do and my weekends could be regarded as ‘drought relief’ as I relax with my family, catch up with friends, or work on some creative project. Recently I have been making some pencil cases out of hand painted canvas.
I borrowed Canvas Remix by Alisa Burke from the library and started to play . . . with a little help. I used canvas fabric, acrylic paints, an old credit card and stencils – there’s still some more to sew up. I even made a label for my laptop bag.
Each piece will make 2 pencil cases. I did 2, and the others were done by my granddaughters aged 8 and 4 . . . I defy you to guess who did which ones!
Drought broken!
late start studio 
I love the pencil cases – both yours and your granddaughters!!! 🙂 Alisa Burke has some wonderfully creative ideas. Nice that your drought is broken. I think flooding may be a problem here if spring ever comes. It started snowing again last night and we are looking at another 10 to 20 centimetres by the time it stops. Time drought is a bit harder to fix. I find anytime I open up some space of time in my schedule, somthing else tends to roll in and fill it up…so “drought relief” is a great idea!
It rained through the night but this morning I can hear the surf and the magpies chortling away in the macrocarpa trees nearby. I hope the rain is enough to get the grass growing so the farmers have enough for their stock.
I tend to lurch from one weekend of ‘drought relief’ to another as I’m not much good at making a few minutes count in the evening. 🙂
I love how they came out. Sewing in zips scares me…just the idea of it, but I have some painted canvas I could use. We have that book in our library as well, I am inspired to get it back out.
Yay for rain…something I never thought I would say.
If you can sew a straight line, you can sew in a zip . . . be brave! When/If we meet up I’ll show you my easy way of doing it 🙂
Love that thought about weekend drought relief 🙂 Check out Alisa’s other DVD at the PN library – Expression Session – I think you’ll like it. She works so freely
Thanks for the heads-up about the DVD Lynette – PN Library is the best!
Congratulations on the end of the (creative) drought.
Hi Jan, like the real drought it was short lived but any relief is better than none . . . it certainly energised me!
That is such a good idea!…thank you.
You’re welcome Jo, I’ll be back to your blog to see where you take it!
I love your pencil cases! We have lots of rain here in Ontario…I’m excited for the summer, my favourite season! Congratulations on getting through the drought, your personal drought that is. 😉 Anita
Love those pencil cases! Do you have break coming up at work? It’s really hard, isn’t it, to balance it all.
Oh Diana, the break has been and gone . . . I must write about the walnuts and the mouse and how they sabotaged my plans . . . it’s a good news, bad news kind of story.