Tea Pea

Khandallah Kitchen Tour

Mon, 21 May 2012 01:57:00 GMT

May is a busy month for us. Fabric-a-brac last weekend, new stock arriving daily, readying ourselves for the workroom to open (more about this soon) and this weekend our home is part of the Khandallah Kitchen Tour - Tour of 10.

I highly recommend buying a ticket for this Sunday's tour. Ten beautiful kitchen to wander through. It's a fun day out with a girlfriend. And there's Dunshea's and Rosa for coffee, or the tour's very own coffee and cake stall. Bring cash too. There will be pop up shops including Small Acorns, and artist Sam Walker has both her kitchen and studio open to view. Amanda from Small Acorns will be speaking through the day at one of the kitchens.

And then there's us, and our little house tart up! Our kitchen isn't one of the flash ones. It's more the 'before' kitchen of the tour. We will do the big renovation in a few years but the house works really well for us in the meantime. It's big enough, sunny enough and warm enough. So I was quite happy to give the kitchen a $900 do up budget. That was, until I was asked to be a part of this tour! But come Saturday I'll cute it up and hey, it's worth a visit! Even if just as a respite from fancy double ovens and granite. And for this reason we are also letting the tour upstairs. Four of the five bedrooms will be open to view. One of those is still rather original, we've not had a chance to do it yet, but happy for you to have a lookie anyway!

The kids rooms will be tidied and ready for the 520 ticket holders. Hmm, will be up early making beds and hiding pj's.

And then there's Tea Pea. Our workroom will be open for business. Cushions, bedlinen, new lamps and lampshades, prints, new lunch boxes and all sorts of gorgeousness exploding out of it at the moment. Turning it into a shop is so much fun for us. And I am pretty excited about customers visiting our space. Very excited actually...

How to purchase a ticket. Either pop into Dunshea's Deli on the corner of Box Hill and Baroda St, or in the village there's Village Rose. If you're not in the neighborhood then email Toni tourof10@gmail.com.

Check out their Facebook page too, for more info.

The tour is from 11am - 3pm this Sunday, the 27th.

Fabric-a-brac

Sun, 13 May 2012 22:06:00 GMT

Are you in Wellington this weekend? Do you love fabric? There's only one place for you to be this Saturday. St Anne's Hall, Emmett Street, Newtown. 9 - 12.30.

Fabric-a-brac is back. 40 stalls of vintage and new fabrics, buttons and trims. Oh the excitement.

And this year, I am selling my wares too. Mainly from my personal collection but I will also have scrap bags of Tea Pea fabrics from past and present.

Boxes and boxes of every colour, texture and weight of fabric. Loads of small pieces I'll be selling for $1 or $2. Yes, I have had a clean out and it's not allowed back in the house. It all must sell. Beautiful fabrics that I have been collecting for years but now, with the growth of our business, I have been forced to downsize the collection. And instead of feeling sad to say goodbye, it's a pleasure to know the fabric is going to good homes and will be used. For now, I just don't have the time to sew for myself and it has been sitting, waiting, in our workroom for years.

So there's a small snippet of what I am bringing on Saturday. There will also be longer lengths of fabric, twine and bias for sale. And maybe buttons if I can bare to part with some of the mountains I have here.

Hope to see you there.

Megx

Come on in

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:15:00 GMT

I've been meaning to invite you in to our home for a while now.

This is our third family home. The first, a 'straight off the front of a chocolate box' 1910 bungalow, was on the market three months after Griffin arrived. Buggy in the hallway, toys all through the small living room - we exploded out of it!

After spending weekends renovating the bungalow, we sort out a new home we could move into and reclaim our weekends especially now we had a baby to play with. Twice the size and with views over all of Wellington we sat back and enjoyed!

But it wasn't long until we were looking around for a project. Tea Pea was thought of, and another baby on the scene but that wasn't enough. Time for a house to do up.

It took a year to find it. My brief, a 1950's house in original state on a large section in one of six chosen streets in Khandallah, was not an easy one to fulfil. But with the help of enthusiastic real estate agents, we found it. And it was perfect.

It was designed by George Porter in 1955 for him and his family, and it is his wife we bought it from, making us the first buyers of this 58 year old house.

I'm going to do a before and after in the next month or so. The original photos are a delight! But in the meantime here's a few pics of our renovations to date. This is a tart up, and we've not finished yet. Furniture in at the upholsterers as I write. We have plans, big plans, hopefully carried out in ten years or so but we are happy and loving what we have for now.

Welcome, come in. Coffee?

Our old phone. Otto, one of our cute pooches, howls at it's high pitch when it rings. The phone and peonies are sitting on a built-in radiogram.

This corner is waiting for another chair, in being recovered. Do you like the yellow pouffe?

A few of my 1950's Housekeeping magazines.

The stairs, graduated magenta. And fancy art on the wall.

A wall in our guest room.

And here's a couple of pics in the workroom. I recovered those folding picnic chairs a while back. They are leaning against my pink chalkboard wall.

And out by the wood stack, the old scooter waiting to be turned into art in Griffin's room.

xMeg

Gift Vouchers

Tue, 08 May 2012 02:09:00 GMT

We've got them. A perfect solution for new parents. Let them choose, from our well stocked shop, something they need or love.

Do you have a crafty friend? They will have fun shopping for twine, fabric and ribbon.

Out of town friends and family, and those tricky to buy for ones.... send them a gift voucher.

Our Gift Vouchers are emailed straight to the recipient, with a personal note from you. Easy.

Weekend in Christchurch

Wed, 02 May 2012 02:44:00 GMT

Last weekend Scott, the kids, and I spent an action packed couple of day in Christchurch. Glorious weather, fabulous food and special outings were on the itinerary. Thanks to the fabulous suggestions from our Facebook fans we arrived armed with plenty of local knowledge. Friends lent us a car and we off! Well, off in circles for part of it - goggle maps hasn't updated the closed streets - so we got to know the centre of town quite well trying to get to where we were going! All part of the fun.

It was great to see building happening and although there is a tired feeling from residents I felt a wonderful pride in their strength and unity to rebuild and stand by Christchurch. It's a beautiful city. I am always impressed by the cafes, the shopping, the parks and the people. Even the weekend just been, with so much of the city as vacant land and displaced businesses.

We visited visited several parks, including the markets and Riccarton Bush, tragically, without bread.

And boy does does Christchurch have great vintage shops. Will be bringing an extra suitcase next time... Here's a small corner of Mr Mod.

On the way to the airport on Sunday we spent time at the Air Force Museum.

Thank you Christchurch! We had a ball.

Megx

Bella's Playhouse

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 06:25:00 GMT

One of my many talented friends recently posted photos, on Facebook, of her latest project. A playhouse for her children. I thought I'd share these images as inspiration for those wanting to decorate a shed, hut or corner of a room as a play area.

Twine Giveaway

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:40:00 GMT

With eleven colours to choose from now, we thought it was a great excuse for a giveaway. Buy two or more 219 metre spools and we'll also send 5 metres of each of the other colours.

Offer ends this Saturday, the 31st of March.

Meg x

Vintage Chairs

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 05:12:00 GMT

I love chairs. Ask my husband. He doesn't share this love, last year asking 'why do we have 84 chairs in this house??!'. So I said goodbye to a few. Husband happy. What he didn't realise - it was only to make room for a few more.

Children's vintage chairs are a particular interest. I have numerous NZ school chairs through the decades, Coolie chairs....

I was thinking my children's collection was complete when I spied these.

Rescued from a schoolhouse in Lille, France the chairs date back to the 1950's. Oodles of history before they even arrive at your door. Then it's your turn to add to the history - these are chairs to be passed down through generations.

Available in Blue, Yellow and Green.

Meg x

My First Patchwork Quilt

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:46:00 GMT

OK, that's not entirely true, on two counts. I have made other patchworks but always for others (and nothing too big, or fancy), and secondly, well, it's not finished yet.

But hey I'm going to show you anyway. And making it public is a good incentive to get it finished. And this is big. Up until now it's been all about cot sizes.

Yes, it's pink. I didn't set out for it to be quite so pink but that's the nature of patchwork, at least my patchwork.

I have the most beautiful memories of my mother, who would have been about 25 at the time, making two matching patchworks. The fabric was left over from the clothes she made both of us so they have a gorgeous nostalgic pull for me. Not just because they were my bed covers as I grew up but also the memory of the sweet 70's frocks I wore.

I'm pretty sure we owned a sewing machine but for some reason the quilts are made by hand. I'm not sure what the system is called but Mum tacked the cut fabric onto card templates and then hand stitched the squares together before removing the card.

While visiting Mum a few years ago I noticed they were being used in a way less than ideal. One as a painting drop cloth, and the other I found in the dog basket, happy sleeping pooch on top.

Successful rescue operation. Both are safe and sound in our house.

They make great picnic blankets.

So my patchwork. It's now at the quilting, backing, binding stage, hand it to the experts stage...

Here it is half completed.

xMeg

Wild Weather Weekend

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 06:07:00 GMT

And so we ate. We lit the fire, we watched movies, and we ate. Oh, and a little sewing but I'll tell you about that later.

Scott and I were given Al Brown's new recipe book, Stoked, for Christmas. It's great. And although it's mostly meat and savory recipes it also has a good baking section. I made these chocolate chippie biscuits from it, with 1 and a 1/4 cups of butter - they taste great!

The gingerbread is a recipe I have been making for years. I noticed there's one is the Stoked book, but you know when you've been making a recipe for so long, it's difficult to change.

But the eating didn't stop there. Here's Sunday morning coffee.

And then there were the cupcakes....

I did walk the dogs too.

Meg x

I Do

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:43:00 GMT

We thought we'd show you a custom order we made a few weeks ago. Special cutters and interesting storybooks were selected and little piles of hearts were all through the workroom. There's that special feeling that accompanies anything to do with weddings isn't there. We were thrilled to play a part - ok a very minor part - of such an important day for the couple and their friends.

A fabulous idea surrounded the garlands. While the bridal party were having their photos taken, a polaroid was taken of all the guests back at the venue. By the time the bride and groom arrived, the pics were displayed on the garlands. Isn't that a sweet keepsake for them.

A Twine Romance

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:12:00 GMT

This weekend we are giving garlands to all our shoppers. And if you order twine, there's an extra limited edition Loveheart garland coming your way.

It's a good time to stock up on our twine. Only $22 for 219 metres. And so many gorgeous colours including Love, our new pink, red and white twine.Have a lovely weekend

Be our Valentine

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:20:00 GMT

It's that time again...when we give away heart garlands to all our customers.

This year, mini garlands made from red spotty felt. How cute!

We're sending the hearts out with all orders, from now until the 14th . (Or until they have all been given away, which from memory of last year was well before the 14th, my lovelies.)

And the garlands are delivered gift wrapped, how lovely!

Ready to give to your honey bun, or keep for yourself x

These garlands look gorgeous hanging near a baby's cot, in an entrance, in a bedroom..well, anywhere really.

xmeg

Hello 2012

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:28:00 GMT

We're back and we're excited. 2012 is going to be a great year.

What's on the list for this year? More daily creativity. I'm a happy chap when I'm at my sewing machine. This year I want to bring that happiness to the sofa too...I'm going to learn to crochet by winter. Anyone out there in Wellington and keen to teach me? teapeadesign@xtra.co.nz

New products and designs are high on the 2012 list - made by us, and lovelies sourced from around NZ and the rest of the World. Stay tuned.

More information and inspiration - it's all coming your way. Anyone on Pinterest? This is me. It's another step into the world of Tea Pea. I'll be writing here more too. Is there anything you'd like to see here, read about, or shop for in our store, any products you'd like us to design or source. We'd love to hear from you. Email address above.

My inspiration was kick started a few days into the new year. I visited an incredible second hand book store. One room was dedicated to vintage children's storybooks.

Heaven.

And somehow Scott managed to fit the 130 books into the car, back to Wellington.

I have many ideas swirling about what to do with them. Everyone a work of art. Oh weren't the illustrations and colours fabulous back in the 50's and 60's.

Here's a couple.....

I have also returned with loads of vintage fabrics. So much to do, so little time...

There were also a few purchases for myself. A couple of coffee cups to add to the collection.

And what do you think of the new artwork - a gift from my sister, Jo, for Christmas. The numbers are from a racecourse (I must find out which one), used in the old manual siding way to show the winning horses.And the houses were also a present, from my lovely mum. The artist is Owen Bartlett. I'm planning on collecting them.

So I suppose, to recap, 2012 is the year to expect big things from Tea Pea.

So we better get started....

Meg x

'tis two nights before Christmas

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:28:00 GMT

Next year, I will do things differently. This wonderful Christmas season has seemed to pass me by. The soirees, the end of year concerts, carols, prize giving, birthdays (we have a lot of December birthdays, in fact it is Griffin's 7th today), the shopping, all blurred into a huge red and green melting pot.

One of the main reasons for this is Tea Pea. You, our fabulous customers, and I really am convinced I do have the MOST gorgeous customers, bought, and bought and bought. And now our shelves are all but empty.

So before I go any further, can I say thank you. Without you there would be no Tea Pea, and we are thrilled there is. Two years on and everyday I still walk into our studio each morning excited about what the day will bring - the orders, the enquiries, the sourcing, the creating and the sewing.

I wanted to show you our own Christmas. We are away in Hawkes Bay this year so it's very low key, but well here it is all the same. As most years, the theme is handmade. Griffin made a little baby Jesus in a manger. Isn't it so cute.

Our tree looks a little sparce in the photos. It's not. It's a mix of yellow babbles bought on a trip to Italy, kids creations, lego reindeer, about 2000 lights and various mismatched decorations.

We sell so many vintage storybook garlands. I love making them, and I love it that people buy them. They are rather quirky, so quite a surprise they are one of our best sellers!

I made these red and pink garlands for us.

And finally, in the St Nick of time! Presents, bought or made, and wrapped. I've made pink pillowslips for my sisters and mum, framed photos of the kids, champagne, great totes from Foundry, and cute things from Small Acorns and WhatKatyDid.

And so now it's drinks with the neighbours, breakfast at Dunsheas, and then we are off to the beach for two weeks.

Holiday time for us, and hopefully all of you.

Wishing you happiness and fun.

xxmeg