ahipara girl

Intentions for 2012

2012-01-30T02:45:00.000-08:00

It's a new year and this week is especially busy as the kids are headed back to school. I love summer holidays. Eight weeks (December-January) to kick back and enjoy my family, being together, dates with my husband, sleeping in, reading copious amounts of happy romantic fiction, beach time, and hanging out with friends.

This year I'm pretty loose about my plans. Being a mum is my first focus. I can't do much else with these awesome three boys practically filling my head and heart and days. My youngest is off to kindy this year and by the second term, I'll be free to look at 'what's next'.

I had a prayerful time over the break and felt that this year its important to continue to 'do the small things well'. I'm by nature, ambitious and its easy for me to become unhappy because of nature of work that comes as a full-time parent. You know, lots of mundane day-in day-out stuff. Felt very confused the last few years because my desire to become 'something' was undone by my inability to do lots of things well. So this years its 'keep it simple' and make sure that I'm doing things that really matter instead of just responding to my nature or other peoples expectations.

One of those small things is keeping my inner workings ok. Mind, spirit body. My own personal daily devotional life is a rich one and I love that first hour when I've got a great coffee and my bible, spending time listening to God. I love the peace and centredness that comes from just hanging out with God. It's all about relationship for me with my heavenly Father. It makes me a better woman, mother, wife and friend.

I have a workshop next week, go HERE for more information. Becoming a workshop tutor is new for me. I love making and I love sharing with others the joy of making. Does one have to be incredibly organised or is random ok? I hope so. I want to encourage others to help them find their own flavour. I don't just want to make beautiful things visually, but hopefully impart the ability to create meaningful narratives as well. Already I have a couple of workshops ready to roll out for Christmas, my favourite time of year. I love handmade Christmas decorations, and for the past several years have organised a swap with fellow makers.

With more time on my hands, its my aim to establish an online shop as well, as I get asked if I'm selling things that I make. I'm looking forward to spending more time on this blog too because I love writing. Designing and developing new 'makes' will also be on the agenda.

Community work is on the agenda too with the possibility of a parenting programme here in Porirua. I've started a women's group for prayer and encouragement a couple of weeks ago. So many single parents doing it hard. We've got to work towards solutions for them. I salute their efforts.

In the meantime, here are a few pics I snapped from around my home on my new phone. Smartphones are great and hopefully with Google synching all their programmes, it should become easier all round for me. I'm so not technical. Have a great week. xxx

Thrifty finds. Blue willow china, a silver flower holder, pale blue handmade cups and a spotty saucer.

Thrifty find. This praying lady. I enjoy vintage religious pictures. A little tacky but they have great appeal.

Thrifted. This beautiful chunky knit fellow in lovely muted tones was FREE!

Thrifted. The wooden letters and brown bottle. The green vase from a friend. The flowers from our garden.

Thrifted. The typewriter. I think I own five of them. This one cost me $5, its metallic and totes vintage.

My xmas tree. I had three of them. Handmade and gifted decorations. I tend to be heavy handed and decorate them to the max! I adore xmas. I had three trees this year. Just small ones. All with a different theme. I've already started next years decotations.

My favourite painting 'hiapo' by Naomi Chase. I love this hiapo. Now I own two. This one and the one inked on my arm. Looking forward to getting more ink this year.

Test post

2012-01-28T02:23:00.001-08:00

Checking out new phone apps.

Tribal Banner Workshop

2012-01-25T04:27:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year. There's been lots of wonderful things happening. We are all tanned and have enjoyed our few months of sunshine, trying to store lots of good memories before the cold weather sets in again. I love to batton down the hatches for two months (Dec-Jan) so I can solely focus on my family. We spent this year at home truly resting and spending time with friends. We feel refreshed. I always love this season most of all. Its like we get back to what is truly important. Spending time together, talking, hanging out, sleeping enough, eating lots of yummy things.

I've enjoyed spending time with my dear friend Shelly and her family who are creating their own home from mostly recycled things. It was a real treat to visit the new house for Christmas dinner. (Click on her name to go have a peek around).

A bit of good news is that Melissa has moved to Wellington. She is a real inspiration and her blog Tiny Happy is one of my all time favourites. She has already discovered Asia Gallery and its inspiring to see what she has made from old kimono.

After a great break over Christmas , I turned my creative energy towards creating a tribal banner for a workshop to be held in a couple of weeks at Pataka. It has a distinctive Polynesian ethnic feel with a bit of nana in there. I'm hoping we can create a bit of a stitching circle because I love the sharing that people do when we are all stitching by hand.

I used:

some old black kimono fabric from my favourite shop Asia Gallery;

plain unbleached calico as a base;

some of my wedding siapo (tapa bark cloth);

buttons I've found with the kids on our beach walks;

a doiley and an old wool blanket that I thrifted;

and vintage styled Pacific cotton fabric as used in e'lavalava.

Techniques include woodblock printing, applique, handstitching, embroidery, freehand designs, etc.

The whole banner is based on identity. I used the siapo because it reminds me of my Pacific roots and my extended Pacific Island family. Its also my wedding siapo but it got damaged several years ago. Its nice to find a new way to incorporate this unique handmade gift.

A 'karanga' is the call sent out by a woman who stands at the front of the marae calling the manuhiri (visitors) onto the marae. It serves to welcome establish identity of both the turangawaewae (the land) and the tangata whenua (people of the land) and those coming onto the marae. It is the initial part of a formal process where two people become one, a simplistic definition if ever I heard one.

I imagined this hanging where visitors can see it in our home, with visual symbols of our tribal, ethnic and cultural background. Likewise other cultures can use whatever textiles they identify with. The underlying concept was that in our home, once people cross the threshold, they are no longer visitors but become 'whanau' (family). We become one people with both the rights and the responsibilities that entails.

Of the two I made, this one is more tribal as it features Niuean symbols. My husband and my children are Niuean, and hiapo designs appear in my work regularly.

The village where my husband's father originated from.

A design that appears on both my hand tattoo and in hiapo.

This second banner is more generic with less reference to Niue and hiapo. Instead there are elements of my grandmother there. The doiley represents her love for crochet which I have picked up in the last five years. I adore crochet circles and stones.

I enjoy the methodical process of handstitching and embroidery.

The 'cross' symbolises my faith and also love, in the form of kisses above.

The buttons are found from walks along my beach with my sons. It was fun to have a project to embellish with buttons without it feeling twee.

Hand block printed with a pop of red running stitch. I enjoyed this clean colour palette. The handblocks come from Trade Aid and with their particularly tribal designs handcarved, its been fun to use them in this project.

The yellow floral explosion of colour from the Pacific e'lavalava fabric on the reverse.

I'm looking forward to new challenges this year both as a mother with all three children in school and kindy now, as well as a being a creative. I also welcome the opportunity to contribute back into my community. If you are interested in a workshop, feel free to contact me in the comments section.

Community Spirit

2011-11-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

My heart was incredibly stirred by a documentary shown on tv here in NZ about poverty and our children. It created a stir in the local community as much of it was based here in Porirua, our home town. You can view it by clicking on the link HERE.

It was a privilege today to come out and support locals from Porirua east as a city. Eighty eight submissions to oppose the licence renewal of a local liquor shop located opposite a primary school were being presented at court today. More information HERE.

Kids deserve to feel safe in their school, on the way to school, at the shop and in their community. We know people drink but let them go to the CBD to purchase their alcohol.

The press were all up in it. I was winking at her as he clamboured up for a better view.

My new friend Kiri and her son, along with a Maori warden. A calm and friendly atmosphere prevailed.

Local principal of Russell School, this woman is a modern day hero who is standing her ground for her students and community.

Lots of placards and community spirit.

Standing together united outside the court house. A community that is finding its own solutions. Incredibly inspiring.

Little Richie aka Knuckles happily plays with his balloon. Wished I'd had the foresight to pull my kids from school. Next time I'll be ready with a placard and t-shirts. Anything to support families in my country. And its lots of fun.

It reminded me of the story about the starfish. A man was walking a beach littered with 1000's of starfish that had washed up in the tide. Every wave brought more. He came across a young boy who was throwing them back, a handful at a time. It seemed futile because they were coming in faster than he could hope to throw them back. The man asked "Why waste your time?! You're not making any difference. Can't you see the ocean is throwing them back at you?". The boy held up a starfish and said "It makes a difference to this one."

"Second Skin"

2011-11-21T21:40:00.001-08:00

She is one of my living heroes. A quiet, unassuming woman who loves Aotearoa as much as I do.

India Flint, Titahi Bay beach 2010.

I'm so proud of my dear friend (and skin sister) India and her latest book "Second Skin".

India's taonga

Just this morning as I was cruising around my favourite blogs seeing what my favourite textile artists were up to, I came across a wonderful article by Natalie Chanin. (Go cruise around her website and see her amazing designs). She wrote a lovely little ditty about Indi's book here.

'skin sisters'

The book is incredible. I'm borrowing my friend Betty-Ann's at the moment. Its on my Christmas wishlist. I'm saving it for summer reading but I delve in to drink in the images which are phenomenal. I've even been credited with discovering a natural dye. Yes, I'm mentioned within these pages. Little old me!

I love reading in bed

Its an honour to be in literary company with some of the world's leading contemporary textile artists. Women who's work and often lives take my breath away.

Christine Mauersberger who does beautiful uncomplicated intriguing work with stitch on cloth. I love her simple palette of black and white, red and white. LOVE it. Go HERE, HERE, and HERE for images of her work. And HERE where she talks about India's book as well.

Dorothy Caldwell who I think echoes the same depth and expanse of NZ's incredible Colin McCahon on cloth. I feel a little breathless when I see it. The same happens when I look at McCahon's work and then look again, and then again because that's what it is, layers and layers. You never get to the bottom of it. Go HERE to here India share about Dorothy Caldwell herself. And if you are ever fortunate to do a workshop with her, lucky lucky you is all I can say!

Anu Tuominen one of my favourite collections artist because I am a bower bird myself. She did THIS amazing collection of pot holders which is one of my favourite things funnily enough for instance.

And definitely not least, Jude Hill whose work year after year stays true but goes deeper. She epitomises the words Slow and Cloth. Her latest workings are always intriguing. She shares so very honestly her process and her inspiration. This was important for me as I started my creative journey. Trying to understand how to put into words why I made what I did. What triggered the use of this object or that mark made. People like Jude, India and the women above keep us honest.

Little old Ahipara Girl

Sometimes in my own small world that revolves around a messy house, childcare and the daily routine of being mama, I get a buzz to think that in a strange way, I'm rubbing shoulders with some amazing people who I've yet to meet.

"Second Skin" is in all the great New Zealand bookshops right now. Try Minerva on Cuba Street if you're in Wellington or online here. (And you will find me on page 265 if you can tear your eyes away from all the visual candy to be found within this incredible book.)

Feeling so clever until helpful husband pointed out its back to front. ;)

Well done Indi. Your mama and your babes must be so proud of you too. I sure am and count it a privilege to be your skin sister. "Second Skin" is an incredible work. x

superman

2011-11-21T02:26:00.000-08:00

Someone took on a new identity a couple of weeks ago. Meet my own little superman. Ask him his name and he'll tell you "Supe-man" and I'm "Superman's mum". He flies and he fights bad guys. Its a whole lot cute.

We were in hospital last week for a few days. An itchy bite became infected, and his leg was swollen. I am very thankful to live in a western country where we get specialised care, great resources (the playroom and individual tv/dvd's for each child are a godsend as is the Ronald McDonald room for parents and whanau) and its all free. I heard a few people moaning and it annoyed me.

However hospital is such a pressure cooker. Everyone is there for something scary and so emotions run high. It broke my heart to see single parents struggling with sometimes several littlies, or children who were failing to thrive due to neglect. I saw angry, frustrated parents and it made me aware once again of how lucky we are to have healthy kids. Ours was just a glitch. Some of these children have life-threatening diseases.

By Saturday, Superman was fighting fit. I've whispered to him to keep away from kryptonite. The world needs all the super heroes it can get.

Flying

Pausing to consider

Up, up and away.

girly things

2011-11-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

First thing. My husband's sister (who I have claimed as MY sister too) came to stay this past weekend. She's an artist, a rural primary teacher, the godmother to our sons, and now a Zumba trainer. She's lots of fun. I got them outside on the windiest coldest day for an impromptu photo shoot.

She's inspired me healthwise because she's lost a whomping lot of weight and is looking (and feeling) amazing. I've determined that next year, when our youngest starts kindy (cannot quite believe it!!!), to commit myself to my health. Still on meds 24/7, four times a day for pain, and unable to cope without them, Naomi has given me the inspiration I needed. She did it, really did it for herself, for her quality of life. She's like that. Very gentle and kind, strong and inspiring in a quiet way and lots of fun. She's also similar in nature to my husband, completely inoffensive (that's a rare trait I reckon and worth mentioning) and easygoing. Just goes with the flow. A godly woman in character and life.

Naomi painting Hiapo

She gifted me a painting that I blogged about HERE a couple of years ago. We share a love for Hiapo and art, and making things. She stuck the first glue gun in my hands with a blackboard frame and shells I'd collected when I had my first baby. I was so depressed and overwhelmed with being a mama but she turned me onto crafting big time as an adult and didn't judge me. I'm blessed to have her in my life. Between us, my husband and I have seven brothers and only one sister, so she's precious around here. It was so good to hang out, eat banoffee pie and lemonade scones, and thrift together. My lads adore her. She totally gets 'sons' having two sons herself and being the eldest with four brothers. I'm looking forward to her next visit.

Second thing.

You may or may not know but I live in a male-saturated home as well (three sons and husband) and every now and then, I need to turn left and do something colourful and girly. Recently I posted about how inspired I was by Jane Brocket''s awesome book, The Gentle Art of Knitting. I totally recommend it if you can do the knitting basics and want some vintage inspired projects.

Each of these hangers took me the better half of the day with concentrated knitting (because I'm not fast or flash). I enjoyed following the pattern for the 'bloomer hanger' and choosing colours for the stripey ones. I added my own twist on them with crochet flower blooms that I formed freestyle. I only know about three kinds of crochet stitch but its interesting that if you mix up the colours and add a few extra stitches in a row, it can completely change the shape and form of a thing. Obviously technical speak is not my strength.

Anyway, here's the results of my little foray. I also figured that my time (and my bothersome arms) were too precious to spend-a-day-per-hanger, knitting. So I used an old bit of felted wool from an old jersey, chopped it up, stitched it on, and then added a bloom. Still took me the better part of three hours, but I'm sure I'll streamline the process eventually. Its still 100 percent handmade, the majority is recycled (hangers, yarn) and its something I'm happy to own and use in my own wardrobe although at this rate, I either streamline my wardrobe to ten items or I speed up production.

I did try and sell them at Craft 2.0, surprisingly (or not) there was no stampede for them. I think everyone will want a potholders for their kitchen and a fancy hanger or two to hang a precious vintage dress from eventually. They add a bit of happiness to any room they are in. Who wouldn't want one?! Which reminds me, I must get my online shop up and running.

signs & symbols

2011-11-16T12:42:00.000-08:00

I've been puddling around with various things this year but as always am drawn back to using my low-tech methods of using what I have, what I know and what I love. Handstitching my work takes time. Figuring out which of the bits of wool I've collected will work. Using felt for instance and then regretting it because it doesn't have the same feel. Still, its accessible for most folk. Next year I am running a series of small 'makes' classes for people in Porirua so I have to consider things like this. How to make them affordable, accessible and fun. I also found out that my little workshop proposal for Handmade 2012 was accepted which was a real honour. The calibre of tutors and workshops this year was awesome. I did a class with my favourite kiwi blogger Melissa from Tiny Happy. It was great to sit in a class with her and spend four hours (I did two of her classes). I learn more from people than books or schools. It was ideal for me and being small projects, one gets instant gratification.

This year, I wanted to play with creating my own sign language. I have this idea that before we were all so culturally different, before the continents were separated and during the Gondwana age, we were all one. So from this I draw my own conclusions. And from this, this little series of pendants and wearables was created. I wanted to take from Pacific tapa especially hiapo, a series of designs, remove them from a 2D format and start placing onto 3D objects. Especially because I love collections. A good bout of RSI after the Craft 2.0 market made me rest. I've been drawing in my ideas journal (which also has my notes from church, my shopping lists, my 'must do' lists, etc).

I also got to Wellington City Gallery for its Oceania exhibition which totally blew my mind. All my favourites. John Pule, Mike Tuffery, Fatu, Ani, Ralph Hotere, COLIN MCAHON, etc etc. I noticed this time that my eye is drawn to collections and patterns, and collections of patterns. I stood before Richard Killeen's amazing work and something just clicked. His work is so clever. Its a series of colourful cut outs. No matter how you lay them out, they work! How clever is that. And the cut outs are just shapes. They might reference something but its for you to make of it what you will. I love that. There's a freedom there, giving the viewer respect and dignity, knowing that they can draw conclusions that will end up exactly right anyway. Well, I might not have explained that well, but it was powerful. The whole collection was. And of course there was lots of Pacific tribal inspired designs everywhere and I love that stuff too. So much I wear it on my skin. Love tribal. Unfortunately that exhibition is now finished. I am so grateful I saw it, so thankful to our city for providing us with amazing exhibitions and museums.

Speaking of Killeen and his cut outs reminded of my friend Dagmar and her reference to Matisse's cut outs. I'm on Pinterest. I love it. I have collected lots of images. It started out random but as time goes by, I realise that my eye is drawn to the same things over and over. Tribal, vintage, old things, people, pattern ... and I'm retraining myself as well to look at colour and discover how its used. Pinterest, the best thing since sliced bread. Its saved me a fortune of those fancy magazines as well.

small moments

2011-11-11T03:40:00.000-08:00

There's been lots happening lately. I had a fun time at Craft 2.0 a couple of weeks ago. Its a great handmade market in Wellington and I made lots of new contacts in this friendly community. Thanks to Sue and the amazing group of volunteers who make it possible.

I loved making my small collection of crocheted and recycled potholders. I've had two weeks off resting my arms due to the familiar nag of pain in my shoulder, neck and forearms. RSI is no fun for a maker who depends on her arms and hands for making.

I have a few projects underway. The need to be creative is strong. OCD at a non-disruptive level I think. I've been painting furniture and working on a couple of conceptual pieces. Its times like now that I wish I was with some of my artist friends for feedback and development of my work. However I keep working in the moments of time that I can squeeze in around being a mum, to keep making. Pinterest has also been a great help. I'm on it daily, developing my eye and fine tuning what it really is that draws me in to things. I can't believe that in the past few days 60 people have started following my boards.

I make because I'm passionate about it. I have a busy busy mind and making things is a positive way to channel all that energy that whirls around in there. I'm completely truthful when I say its my prozac, it grounds me and brings me joy.

Plans are underway to open an online shop through Etsy.com and Felt.co.nz. I'm playing with tribal designs and trying to take them from 2D to 3D. I'm drawing and writing a lot more too. And have a textile body of work to develop as well. And of course I have a garage full of vintage retro things I have collected over the past few months to sell off as well in a vintage style market.

I'm not sure where all this is heading but I might as well do something constructive with the time I have on my minds. It makes me happy to make, to create something that wasn't there before.

My youngest son has also started conversing and I enjoy his company immensely. Everything is a source of wonder and humour at the moment. I'm enjoying this last child of mine. He's so much fun. And as much as I'd love to immerse myself more fully into my work, I'm happy to chill with him just as much.

colour 2

2011-10-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

A recent sunny afternoon gave us the opportunity to get out of the house for a wee adventure.

Lush winter coat.

The view of our beautiful little settlement as I settle down for some serious knitting, reading and quiet-ish time while the kids play at our local playground.

Off to explore the undergrowth and look for the rabbits that live under there.

My thrifted $2 Pacific style yarn basket full of odds and sods that have come my way over the years. I visited Spotlight to grab a few balls of bright colours that were needed to make my work pop. I had a lot of earthy colours.

I surprised myself by purchasing acrylic. I stood them umming and ahhhing because the difference in price is really big and gave in as the small amount of money in my account dictated. Images of my grandmother unrolling jerseys and the natural-fibres exclusives' including myself, had me in a real fuddle. Wherever possible, in the past, I've used natural fibres because they feel better, last longer and are made using processes that are kinder to the planet. Not only that but if you finally no longer need them, they breakdown quickly. And its nicer to wear real wool, silk, linen, etc.

Acrylic, horrid stuff to wear but affordable for my small homeware projects and on our small income, that was the best way forward for me. I'm hoping that some trips to the op shops and Savemart will help me out. I need more in the colour department however I am quite happy to mix things up and use new with old, acrylic with real wool. Mostly though my wool has come from op shops, friends and the free table at our monthly craft up. All that colour makes me so happy.

A spot of knitting while the kids play on the playground. This is Jane Brocket's frilly bloomer coat hanger pattern knit on my circular needles. I'm a fan of circular needles. Very practical when travelling as you can't lose a needle and your work doesn't fall off the needles either.

The following images are taken from Jane Brocket's wonderful book "The Gentle Art of Knitting" which inspired my previous posts makings.

I love those cushions and colourways. Pacific Island folk have always used these kinds of colourways as have Mexicans. I want those cushions but can you imagine how long it would take if it takes me a day and a half to complete a coat hanger!

I swear I am going to Mexico one day. I will go for the festival Dia de los muertos, The Day of the dead. I will visit Frida Kahlo's home and look at art and textile collections. I shall buy lots of kitsch religious icons, skulls and Day of the Dead memorabilia and Mexican oilcloth. I will wear a shawl in the evening, bright red lipstick and flowers in my hair. I shall drink tequila and listen to mariachi bands and dance the night away. My camera will also have a happy time snapping shots of colourful houses and costumes, and places. Not forgetting my love of burro. I dream about having my own donkeys one day. I love stubborn old mules. Random huh.

Some more projects I love. This tweedy tea cosy with pops of colour on top. Until Mexico, I shall drink tea from decorated pots, wearing my colourful apron and sitting in my colourful home. Well, its my plan anyway. I'm not quite sure how three lads feature in it. No wonder I feel a bit potty sometimes, I am two people living in one body.

I will wear wonderful vintage dresses. These are Jane's wonderful coat hangers that inspired me on my coat hanger frenzy. See, you didn't know you wanted one until you saw these either, did you?! hmmm. ;)

Knitted bunting. I recently received another knitted bunting from my dear friend Betty-Ann for my little vintage style market stalls I have from time to time. Its glorious and has lots of colour. You might think bunting is 'pants' (a phrase oft used by my favourite blogger Dottie Angel) because its been done to the death, but I find it cheerful. It makes me happy.

That's the thing about personal style. You're not dictated to by trends but by your own sense of joy and passion. If you want to wear bright red skinny jeans when no one else is, I think you should. Just because it makes you happy. I say bollocks to trends. Just do, wear and make what makes you happy.

In the meantime, Craft 2.0 in the city is in two weeks. I shall be sure to take lots of photos of my stall set up and post them for you to see. Come on down and see what I've been up to and snaffle yourself some vintage lovelies. There's lots of wonderful makers there who are passionate about handmade. There'll be plenty of things to make everyone happy. Come and find someone a great gift or something for your home. I have it on good advice that there will be lots of lovely potholders and hangers available too. ;)

I adore colour. I can't get enough of it. Today my youngest son is wearing a knitted stripey jersey like the blanket illustrated above. Enough said. Thanks Jane for a lovely book full of wonderful images. I have loved knitting but this got me in my own zone and love for vintage-inspired handmade homewares. Coolio.

My sons' baby quilt is now one of our picnic/park blankets since he moved to his big bed. I can't quite bear to part with it yet. Its such a happy reminder of him and now its getting a second life. The wind is quite cold here and so it provides some much needed warmth should my boys want to settle down with a book and a sandwich. I doubt it but I'm prepared.

Slowly down now. Must be time to head home.

My sons bring the real colour to my life. Filling it with meaning, noise, mess (ahem) and love. They are still my favourite creations. And I guess in the big picture of things, that's a good thing.

NB: For more inspiration you can visit Yarnstorm, Jane Brocket's blog. She also has a few other books out including The Gentle Art of Domesticity which I also enjoyed.

colour

2011-10-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Jane Brocket's book 'The Gentle Art of Knitting'; love for my nana's colourful crochet skills and of course all things vintage, I've been hooking like my life depended on it. Its a real joy to be working with big pops of colour, vintage inspired and totally makes me recall my grandmothers love for colour.

My growing little collection of vintage dresses and coats gave me a good excuse to create some popping coat hangers to match.

Crochet or knitting is pretty time consuming, taking me the better part of a day and a half to knit just one. I either have to get my wardrobe down to eight items or I had to find a new way to do this. So I grabbed a few felted jerseys, chopped and roughly stitched them on. I'm happy with them and now it only takes about an hour to an hour and a half including a big frilly flower. Still labour intensive but more of a quick project with instant satisfaction.

The ones to the rear are Jane Brockett's frilly bloomer knitting pattern. I highly recommend her book for new knitters who can knit, pearl, cast on and off, and increase, decrease. Don't forget that if you're new to knitting, You Tube has lots of great how-to knitting videos.

I love the stripey ones. Once I had made a few, I changed the stitches around and created a few of my own styles. Its nice to put ones own flavour into things. Thanks Jane Brockett for the inspiration and beauty that is your book (which I endeavour to feature in my next post).

A right royal potholder

2011-10-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

I've been playing with my hook and scraps of yarn. Those "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters and branded goods may have been around for awhile but they still catch my eye. Being a mama with my crew, I'm thankful for the reminder those little posters bring.

When the royal wedding happened earlier this year, I realised how much I admire the Queen. I enjoyed watching William and Sophie's wedding with my best friend and my family, marae-styles as we waited to see the dress, hear their vows and see that kiss. It was a rather grand occasion wasn't it? A bit of welcome fun and good news.

I have a small stash of cups and plates with HRH Queen Elizabeth the II on them. Collected while thrifting. Of course, I'd love more because she really is the bees knees but they are becoming more scarce and more expensive. She's so very gracious and regal. Impossible to imagine just how much she must has to deal with.

My love for vintage lovelies has only increased since I've given over to my love for homewares from the 60's-80's. The kind of stuff my grandmother made. She was an avid maker.

She used to bring home handknitted jerseys from the op shop (thrift store), wash them and unravel them. I don't ever recall her purchasing new yarn. She had a large basket of yarn by her armchair and she'd spend her evenings happily winding balls of wool, all reclaimed from other peoples disgarded garments. She crocheted giant circular bedspreads for us all. I wish I still had mine. My mother managed to save me a small circle that covered an armchair arm rest.

Recently it sunk in why I am attracted to bright patterned circles. Doh! I was raised in a house full of them. The tea cosy, the sugar covers, the bedspreads, the hems on dresses and table cloths. All crocheted and all in bright colours. It also explains my love for kitsch/retro styles as well. Her kitchen was brown, orange and yellow.

A couple of years back I spotted this image by Mieke Willems. I didn't realise then why but I started to collect vintage potholders, as well as make my own.

And I hid these weird objects because I wasn't really sure what I was going to do with them all except to maybe create a similar installation one day. I mean, one can only really justify having a couple of them for actual pot holding. To have multitudes of them didn't quite make sense.

Recently I joined Pinterest. I enjoy having a place to record images that catch my eye when I'm online. I love it and daily click away saving images that inspire me. As my collection has grown on my pinboards, a cohesiveness in what I select has emerged. I do see a rhythm of patterns, colour, texture, form, line in my collections.

I've realised I wasn't so random collecting all the secondhand stuff that I hoarded over the years. True vintage style long before it was popular. Vintage wallpaper, linens and housewares. I've even got a steady growing collection of vintage dresses now. In fact, I had so much stuff that earlier this year, I sold some of it in a little trial market. It netted me a good return and made me aware I wasn't the only one with an appreciation for preloved vintage homewares and linens. I've seen a growing interest in vintage things over the past five years in New Zealand home and design magazines as well.

These images are of my vintage inspired potholders that I made this past weekend. Of course I am no domestic goddess. I wanted to bring a touch of royalty to my home. I found that tea pot on our recent trip to Napier. Its so retro cool and only cost me $6 at the Salvation Army store there. A big draughty place but I was so happy when I found it. It warmed the cockles of my little thrifty self! I know right.

A happy domestic scene. Totally staged. ;)

Keep calm and carry on. I find that a soothing thought.

The sink looks so cheerful. I don't recognise it! Haha. Usually it is covered in the detritus that washes ashore this boy-laden home. Earlier I recruited my son who is on school holidays to do the dishes for playstation time. I know, I'm so manipulative.

I had thought about submitting this idea for a class to Handmade 2012 but seeing as how I just organically crochet, making it up by feel as I go, I don't have a pattern. And I'm not confident I could teach crochet in a couple of hours. I did submit a few other ideas though so I'm hoping that at least one will be accepted. I enjoyed attending this year and enjoyed meeting Melissa of Tiny Happy.

The boys room. The handknitted bunting is by dear friend and avid knitting guru Betty-Ann. The painting is by my mum.

100% handstitched. I love low tech methods. Meaning use what you have, hand stitching, eye balling and cutting without measuring and fussing. Sometimes work can get tight and fussy. Mine will often look a bit more rugged but I personally like to see handmade goods that look handmade. So you can see the hand of the maker in it.

For the applique side, I used an old felted blue jersey, strips of a red dyed blanket I had, a bit of black ribbon and some leftover felt I had. I have a small collection of felted jerseys. Its nice to use things that have had a life before.

Freehand hooked and designed by me with yarn that I've collected along the way. That's the beauty of potholders. One can use leftover yarn and they are such a quick and simple project. Perhaps I can get a pattern together. I shall look into it.

beautiful home

2011-08-06T07:16:00.002-07:00

I've been working on little areas around my home. Beautifying it as such. We are squeezed into a small three bedroom home. That's me (artist and collector), our three sons (2, 8 and 14), and an incredibly talented musical, technical husband. Which means a lot of stuff belonging to a diverse group of people with different needs in a tiny space. We also have one income so upsizing remains a dream for now, much to my dismay some days.

However I am a solution-focused woman. So in the spirit of 'make something from nothing' I've set about making this a home we love to be in, especially me, because as a full time parent, I spend a lot of time in our house.

I purchased these kale for $2 each. Decorative cabbages with beautiful heads that rival (in my humble opinion) any rose (in appearance at least). I dislike cut flowers which seem an expensive waste. These have lasted several weeks already and for the small price I paid, they were well worth the joy they've brought as I've stood at the sink washing the dishes. Seen here alongside an old bottle and a Japanese pottery vase on my kitchen windowsill. The biggest threat has been my husband enquiring from time to time if they are cabbages and if so, are they edible. Ha!

If your going to spend time doing chores, create a space you can enjoy while working.

I purchased three little cacti to go along the main windowsill in what is now the second living room. I brought out of storage some of my painted and crocheted stones, found some small Agee preserving jars (yes, I have a stash of them, all sizes and eras) and placed tea lights there as well.

I've made quite a few little changes, editing and adding as I go.

I love cacti for their sculptural value. I needed plants that would survive my sons and these provide the 'dare' and challenge that my boys enjoy. We all get to enjoy them. And they add a splash of life and colour which interestingly, is making a strong appearance after my home has been predominantly black and earthy colours.

I've replaced the dining table with a couch which now always has someone sitting on it playing guitar, knitting (yes, that would be me), playing tea parties (myself again and my youngest boy) or reading.

This retro lounge suite (seen here through the window of the op shop) comprises a 4 seater couch and 2 armchairs with wooden legs and was only $140 dollars at the Salvation Army shop. I am so in love and have hankered after a yellow couch for the longest time. That its worn makes me love it more and also makes it incredibly family friendly.

Knuckles and I working hard. He's watching video's on his little dvd player and I'm doing research via Pinterest and Trade Me. You can follow me on Pinterest too now if you like. Simply click the link here Ahipara Girl Pinterest and then click 'follow'. That simple.

I find my cushions in op shops as well and made the red one sewing a vintage doiley to a red repurposed cushion. Note our coats, scarves, hats and his gumboots. There was snow on the hills the day we made a second lounge. You had to dress warm to be INSIDE. Crazy.
This is me feeling rather pleased with our efforts. I've banned tv from this room and finally have a space to listen to my radio (National Radio NZ). This little space achieves its purpose. I provides me with a peaceful place for me to sit in this testosterone loaded home and potter with my crafts, or talk with members of my family. My eldest son and my husband will sit here in the evenings too playing guitar and singing.

I will post more at a later date about my creative and beautiful spaces adventures in other areas of my home. I'm so glad I found a way through my dilemna and at very little cost to myself. I've made enough money lately from recent sales of other second hand goods to do this out of the funds I'm creating. Its exciting that I'm literally shopping for nothing and that we're not out of pocket as a result.

I hope you feel inspired too, especially if like me, you're feeling stuck about some areas in your home. Leave me a comment and a link back to your website, if you have done something similar. I love solutions and ideas.

Tiny Happy

2011-08-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

I was really fortunate this year to attend New Zealand's first Handmade 2011 at Te Papa in Wellington. It was pricey and a friend loaned me some money to pay for me upfront. I'm a mama with a family so I had to budget it all in. My husband urged me out the door knowing how happy I get when I'm making. I had an agenda. I wanted to meet this woman. (Apology in advance, this was snapped on my bat phone and at the end of a long day. You're a good sport Melissa. x).

Tiny Happy & Ahipara Girl

I've loved and followed Melissa's blog for the longest time. She's a fellow kiwi who recently returned with her family from Norway where her husband was working. She stitches, journals, makes, and writes while raising children full time as well. Her blog is one of my favourites. I was determined to meet Melissa and spend a precious few hours learning a few things from her.

There's no hype. Just a simple, uncomplicated person who selflessly shared her self-styled makings and skills with our small class. As a rather boisterous kind of person myself, I felt a bit clumsy around her because she's softly spoken and rather gracious. She kept thanking me each time I complimented her. I was a bit star struck. She competently guided us along on our wee projects with a quiet authority.

Go check out her blog Tiny Happy or her images gallery on Flickr . She makes me want to draw, stitch and make. She also has two adorable children that I feel I know in part. She sews, repurposes and knits their clothes, bags and things around her home. That is a good thing. I drooled over her embroidery gallery today. And I will direct you to her Tiny Happy etsy shop but warn you that her things sell as fast as she makes them. She is a success story as a blogger/crafter and earns enough to supplement their income. She's definitely in the same arena I'd like to be a part of also.

Melissa appears in the latest issue (August 2011) of Your Home and Garden. Here's some snaps of my copy I purchased.

We both have yellow couches.

A covetable stash of vintage fabrics in her sewing room.

Books, handmade toys and prints: LOVE

Melissa's signature baby shoes made from vintage embroideries.

Pared back Scandinavian influence is evident. Uncluttered, clean lines, raw materials.

She has a yellow couch too!

That floor to ceiling window, the light that streams in, the vintage couch, the wooden floors, the Crown Lynn above the fire place and the prints on the wall ... I love it all. As different as our tastes are in some ways, I appreciate her aesthetics and relate to her love of natural resources like linen, wool, wood; her love for New Zealand which like me is reflected in her craft and she loves handmade and op shopping also just like me.

I know I'm gushing somewhat but its always nice to meet someone else, a fellow kindred spirit, who actually gets things in some of the same ways I do.

Anyway, I was pleased for Melissa who appeared in the latest August Issue of Your Home & Garden. Her home is lovely and really is an extension of all her makings. I'm a huge fan still and now we're friends of the making kind as well.

HANDMADE 2011

As an aside, I met lots of wonderful people @ Handmade 2011, especially in the stitch lounge and the makers event. I will definitely be back next year. New Zealand has its own vibe and although we've been influenced by overseas makers, we still retain our own sense of style and integrity when it comes to crafting and making. I spotted in the crowd lots of famous faces from the arts and crafts movement in New Zealand.

I do think its expensive and although I understand the need for people to be valued and the cost of venues etc (Te Papa is a wonderful venue being an incredible museum/gallery as well), I was aware I was a minority as a Pacific woman. I'm sure other women who have families have trouble raising that kind of moolah as well. Which is why I'm keen to run smaller, inexpensive courses in my community.

I've forwarded a rough proposal, and I'm hoping they might consider me for a teaching spot as well next year. I chickened out this year when asked but having attended, I feel a lot more confident about my own capacity and abilities. I think. ;)

One man's trash is anothers treasure ...

2011-08-03T19:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few things I've come by and sold lately. Its been fun knowing that what I value is also desired by others. Trusting my instincts and making sure it doesn't cost us except my time and effort has been an interesting challenge.

industrial vintage metal trolley

Two Bentwood Chairs and my roses, not really. They're kale aka decorative cabbages.

I still have these two. I love that carved seat and back rest. The back is damaged so this one either needs to be restored or used as a stand rather than a seat.

I see a tree.

Those koru's are beautiful.

This one can be sat in. Its my favourite. Lots of wonderful distressed wood.

Bent Wood.

I see a star.

Vintage faux tortoiseshell knitting needles

so pretty

our old dining chairs

our old retro dining chairs, my doiley embellised cushion.

Wellington on a Sunday morning

2011-07-31T16:31:00.001-07:00

I love my city. I love the geography. The hills, the multiple harbours, the coast, the skies. We travel to church early most Sunday's for the music team sound check. The kids and I go to the market and playground nearby. It's hard getting up on a Sunday sometimes and getting everyone ready for an early start. Especially when you know everyone else in the city is sleeping in. Still, it's worth it. There's something about being in the city when its empty, deserted. It feels fresh in the crisp morning air and the lack of noise creates a vacuum that only makes the kids voices and laughter ring out clearer. I really have come to love these times.

It's a good time for reflection.

It always pays to look up.

To look out (here, towards Te Papa).

To look down.

And because its Sunday, its also a good time to look within.

To reflect on God, His creation and His purposes for our lives.

My three sons. Really.

Complying with their mama for a moment.

This is my life. Here. These three men to be.

This is my calling.

This is Wellington on a Sunday morning with my family.

Playing shop ...

2011-07-14T00:43:00.000-07:00

Is there anything more satisfying than a collection of buttons (and thimbles) to run one's hands through and play with? (photos taken in the middle of the night hence weird lighting).

I have collected a fair amount of vintage buttons over the years. These are just some. I also love old sewing paraphenalia like wooden spools. Old jars are a great way to display my collections.

This was one of my favourite vintage cushions. Its gone to a Cath Kidston fan of all things floral. It was silky and looked hand painted. A great recent find.

I cannot walk by vintage floral cotton sheets. They're cheap and plentiful and I've had many for years however they're becoming more popular among crafters and lovers of all things vintage. I love mine. They're all patterns I remember my grandmother having.

My last son is growing up so these handknitted bears need to go to new homes where they will be loved and appreciated by other kids.

These are the choice pieces of my vintage blanket collection.

Part of my extensive vintage wallpaper collection.

Flatware, crockery including Meakin and Crown Lynn, and some retro Scandanavian pieces. Many were found in free boxes or the 20 cent table, nothing would've costed me more than $5 but most was free or thrifted for a song.

Detail.

This fine lady has hung on my wall for a few years. She reminds me of my mum. There's a photo of my mum modelling when she was younger and there's something in this picture that captures the same uncomplicated youthfuness of that photo.

This lady sold. I found her for a song as well. I loved her painterly quality and the absurd cat on her head. Her soft muted tones and that shirt as well as her folksy face gave this print great visual qualities. I shall miss her.

This is a recent folksy print I picked up locally. Its colours are incredible, this photo does not do it justice. It looked almost fairytale-ish but is actually rather sinister. Those trees are dark in nature and the animals have a manic, starved look about them. Its because of its unusual content, it caught my eye. None of these pictures cost me more than a few dollars. I'd love to know more about this print's origins and the artist who created it.

These floral prints are making a big comeback. Every now and then I need a bit of girly-girl to bring balance to my absurdly testosterone loaded home.

It was a spur of the moment decision to grab a table at Wellington Underground Market last weekend for their "Retro, Recycled and Restored" themed event. We had NO money for the booking fee, float or even a coffee (thanks to a friend for a one-day loan), NO idea of the space available, NO idea at all. However we did have a few things I thought people might be interested in.

Just a bit of history. A couple of weeks ago, having decided I did not want to return to work (which we all know now is about as attractive as sticking a pencil in my eye or smashing my head with a mallet), I did a little thing in the middle of the night. I prayed.

I simply asked God to help me create success and income to contribute to our family using whatever strengths I had and the rest would be a leap of faith. If I've had an idea since, then I've pursued it.That in a nutshell is my entire business strategy.

Then a friend sent me an email about the market last Saturday. A day and an almost sleepless night sorting out some goods and deciding on display left me exhausted on the actual day. All these things above were found in our home and garage, from years of gleaning at op shops, gala's and recycling centres throughout the country.

Suffice to say, we had an incredible response and were selling to other marketplace holders before it officially began. I also traded with other stall holders and got some great things.

Richard had to keep picking up his jaw, it kept dropping to the ground as he realised what people were prepared to pay to own some of our things. In his eyes they were old chipped bowls, vessels for his curry ingredients and things that had kept his car from being parked in the garage.

One of the successes for me was hearing him command me "You must go op shopping all the time" and he promised to never drive by another opportunity ever again. In fact he even came for a short trip to the thrift store today. So I won his support wholeheartedly.

The leather suitcase and hatbox were props only. I could've sold them many times over though.

This is about half of the goods I took. We ended up with three very full tables plus things on the floor. Unfortunately I was so busy, I forgot to get a shoot of my very laden and fun retro table that hummed for the best part of six hours.

I want to thank the girls who run the Wellington Underground Market for a great welcome on Saturday and their continued encouragement and support throughout the day. I also want to thank my friend Betty-Ann for her support on the day as a shop assistant and her producing many resources for us including white table cloths amongst a plethora of useful things. I also want to thank dear friends, fellow crafters and makers, Catherine, Bonnie and Shellz for swinging by and encouraging me along. Finally to my husband Richard, who did the majority of the donkey work of lifting and hauling all the goods into and out of our car FOUR times within 24 hours, and my kids who were self supporting at home on their own while their parents worked our neyney's off, a big thank you for your support.

Ahipara Girl, The Maker

2011-07-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

I started crafting for the local market just over three years ago. I made mostly textile things like those above. Embroidered cupcake pincushions, one-off design toys, kids t-shirts including the infamous, Day of the Dead t-shirt my son's have favoured since then. Then I had a break while I had a baby and recovered from an injury.

I've established and run our local group of crafters, The Clever Crafting Project. But as I thought about contributing to our family income, I knew there was no way I could go back to 9-5 office or menial work, nor do I want to counsel others right now while I'm raising my kids so I've decided to head back into the game, and as a 'maker' head down the indie route to start with.

There's a lot of misconceptions around these two simple little words: art and craft. When people ask me, I say I'm a maker. It leaves the door wide open for both me and my work to cross over and for those who feel the need to categorise, it gives them something to work with. It also means I'm not pretending to be something I'm not. I know some incredible artists so sometimes I'm like a baby around the big guns when all I want to do is play with fabric and make stuff. Other times, my work is too conceptual for it to be purely craft. Especially when I create something that doesn't serve any function but to express an idea or narrative.

Its 4am and I just finished posting my application to Craft 2.0 tonight for a stall in Lower Hutt at the Dowse Art Gallery in October. I had written it yesterday but learning how to collage my photos as well as edit my words has taken me more attempts than I care to share with you.

Suffice to say, my confidence had moments where it completely failed me. Does anyone else feel stupid selling themselves? No wonder artists have galleries and agents to represent them. Its awful and the whole time I was plagued with thoughts "who do you think you are saying that about yourself" and "what if your the only person in the world who likes what you make". This takes big kahuna's. I'm getting good at telling myself to 'shut up and get on with it'!

This is the new direction I'm heading in (see photo above). I hope to bring a more Pacific flavour to my work, incorporating my own themes drawn from my environment here in Titahi Bay and around Aotearoa the areas that I have significant tribal connections with. These include Te Rarawa Iwi from Te Tai Tokerau and Te Atiawa and Taranaki te Iwi from Taranaki region. I also take into considerations my children's inherited cultures from their father combining Cook Island, Niuean and Tahitian whakapapa. At some point, I'd like to learn a bit more about my Yugoslavian (Croat) great grandfather and his people as well. I am blessed to draw from so much deep history. I did some research last year when I was up north. There was a great museum full of information about the Tarara's (Dalmations) who settled into the area to dig kauri gum from the swamps. That is what my great grandfather did.

There's no denying that I've been inspired and influenced by textiles and designs of other indigenous groups including boro from Japan, kuba from Africa, hiapo and other Pacific barkcloth and mixed media objects from the Pacific Collection in Te Papa and the Auckland Museum collections, the quilts of Gees Bend, the hand embroidered doileys and linens that were found in my grandmother's home and that I collect from thrift stores whenever I come across a good piece to reuse in my work.

I've created a new theme for my range of goods, "Gondwana Land". I like the idea that before we were all divided and separated, we were one land. I like this re-merging of all these flavours as well as creating my own motifs and designs, fusing traditional with contemporary. I often joke between my creative sisters Cleo, India and Imbi that we are the Gondwana sisters. I don't know much about Gondwana Land, so am looking forward to having something new to research. I am also leaning on Matariki for inspiration as well. This is a big event on the Maori calendar.

I'm exploring getting my own line of homewares printed at some stage and in the early early stages of talking with various printers. I'd love a range of cushion covers, tea towels and also just yards of material with my own repeat designs drawn hiapo to create my own things with and sell to fabricaholics. I'd also love a paper range with journal/notebooks, cards, wrapping paper and prints for framing. Imagine if a chain store rang me saying "We want 500 units in black, green, red and natural." That's what I'd like to happen for my family and I. Some of the barriers I have to tackle ... finding ethical goods from the best possible natural range. If not it doesn't come home. I'm so against going off shore to Asia unless its fairtrade. Perhaps a talk with Trade Aid might unearth something ... hmmmm.

I've created a small range of wearable totems (in necklace and badge forms) that have naive symbols stitched on them. I've worn them the past week and they've drawn a few comments from other artists. I have to stop myself refining them, leaving them 'rougher' than my 'tidier' self feels comfortable with. I further challenged myself to use an old grey school jersey and an old black felted one of mine to see how much stuff I could make from it. I need challenges because I get bored fast.

I'm also attempting to create small specialty cloth that I will dye using methods taught by friend and natural dyes guru India Flint. I love using my own resources, and I thought others might too, but without the work of dyeing itself. I enjoy that process and I have a big stash of vintage cream silk kimono and cream wool blankets waiting for me to dive in and get cauldron out.

I'll still make 'smalls'. I have one theme called Out Of The Box which are my own sewing accoutrements like pincushions etc with my own stitched designs on them for the avid maker'

Somehow my environment will wind up on my table in the form of covered stones using felt, lace and stitch. I've just bought a metallic pen and am having fun drawing hiapo onto stone. Such a good instant 'make', one that even the kids can do. I love my country, this land. I saw a McCahon recently, he captures the essence of our whenua profoundly, its spiritual looking upon his work.

This photo includes some of my influences and inspirations. Maunga Tauatia, Te Oneroa A Tohe, my whanau, our relationship with the moana, Hiapo (Niuean bark cloth, Auckland Museum Collection), weaving, textures and natural occuring elements like water, sky, stone, and botanical life forms. Not forgetting buttons I find on the beach thanks to the waste water plant around the Bay and crochet, a nod to my grandmother and her love for crafting and homemaking.

I'm looking forward to playing with Gondwana Land theme, creating primordial narratives, symbols, creatures etc. There's something beguiling about a time when the world physically looked different, and therefore it stands to reason that the beings that inhabited it interacted with their planet differently. The kids and I were talking about Tuatara the other day. They are endangered but are from that time. Its almost like the movie Ice Age. ;)

There's so much to do as I'm also planning to attend Pataka's Craft Market which runs in conjunction with The Maori Market art exhibition, showcasing some of Aotearoa's finest Maori artisans. We're so blessed to have these high calibre events on our doorstep. Darcy Nicholas has done so much for our city as the arts person with council. His works alone are incredible. I will add links for Darcy, Pataka and the Maori Market tomorrow as well as Craft 2.0 for those who love details as well as more specifics about my work to date.

I've also discovered that I have had a stall application approved for this Saturday, 8 July for The Underground Market at Frank Kitts Park, Wellington central. 10am-4pm. The theme is Vintage, Shabby Chic, Granny styles stuff and I am such and avid collector that I jumped at the opportunity to clear some space for new things and make some moolah for my whanau. I love vintage, I'm always jealous of French, English and American fleamarkets. Tomorrow for a small window of opportunity I'm going to play secondhand dealer. My husband is clapping his hands for he will see the benefits of all the stops to the op shops, recycling centres, hauling home random things that he couldn't understand anyone wanting. He's also under the illusion that he will be able to park the car in the garage again. Ha! Dreams are free. Come on down if you're in Wellies and say hi. You'll find me. I tend to stand out.

Now I need to get some sleep. Back to my day job of being a mother in three hours time. Its a bit random working nights and then childcare during the day however we do what we can when we can. One day at a time. Bless. Ahipara Girl. x

The unhappy flower

2011-07-07T02:28:00.000-07:00

Unhappy because I was cross with him. It'd been a long day of rowing and we'd hurt each other with our words and silences. He said something dumb at dinner. I was only there for him in the first place. I was crying in the toilets for awhile. We get older but some things never change (although its been ages since I've cried in a toilet).

This little raddish sculpted like a flower on our table was both a blessing and curse that night. He couldn't be bothered helping me capture these photos. We are over it now but these images captured on my Android and edited on Picassa should bring me joy and instead make my heart heavy.

Fifteen years married so it has context and it was only one day. However I do still have my dreams about castles in the sky, a knight in shining armour and living happily ever after. I am after all that complex mysterious sometimes nonsensical creature - woman.

hand stitched ...

2011-07-04T02:19:00.000-07:00

I'm drawn to handstitching. Its a slow methodical process and in my case its not fussy nor fancy. I am self taught. My sewing looks like I'm stabbing the cloth and in some cases my fingers. I have a repertoire of about five stitches ... in and out (running stitch), tidy edge stitch (blanket stitch), one that looks like branches (feather stitch, I think), seed stitch which looks like its name and xxx's (cross stitch).

I'm not a strong artist. I've been making myself draw everyday for at least half an hour to strengthen my skills. I work by instinct. I respond to things when I hold them in my hands. I draw on my memories and experiences and work and work until something starts to surface.

Above are details of one of two long slow cloths (approx 1.5m x 1.5m) that I've been pootling with for a while now. I pick them up and in my spare time, I stitch on them, then grow weary of them, so away they go, until I'm compelled to pick them up again. One is almost two years old.

I enjoy the feel of cloth in my fingers, the bunching of it and then smoothing it back out. No pins are used. I just attach bits as I go, and my cloth grows upwards and outwards made from small pieces of salvaged cloth. . My husband is quietly frustrated at times because I can't for the life of me sew a hem for him. I take them to a friend who lives next door who's a whizz on her machine.

I use all kimono fabric gleaned from Asia Gallery. I love the cloth I find there because its old, marked and made from natural fibres: hemp, linen, silk, cotton, and wool. I'm just adding another chapter to the narrative that already exists in the cloth. Tripping across the top with my marks.

I have recently reorganised my sewing things into an old toolbox and enjoy rummaging through my things. I love collecting old wooden cotton reels, bobbins, needle books and pincushions as well as fashioning my own. I have jars of vintage buttons that I own just for the pure pleasure of having them and several times a week, my son Knuckles and I tip them out, play shops with them or just sort them into size, colours, shapes and into little pottery containers also garnered from Asia Gallery. I'm also the owner of this little beauty (click on link to see)

Buttons, little treasures that I find on my regular jaunt through our local thrift stores or along our shore here in Titahi Bay. Buttons that wash up in the tide probably due to the water treatment plant around the corner where the grey water from washing machines is drained. The local tides do the rest, dumping them in one small area along the shore, sometimes finding up to 50 buttons at a time. I have one whole jar dedicated to my beach buttons alone. Those and my thrifted shell buttons are my prize ones.

Yes indeedy, I enjoy working with a needle and thread, each stitch a decision in its placement and existence. I love my collection of old cloth, wondering as I sew who owned them and used them and reused them. I love vintage sewing accoutrements and paraphenalia, like a magpie, drawn to the tools of a stitcher. How about you? What draws you? What compels you to surround yourself with what you have around you?

hiapo tatau

2011-07-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

My long-awaited desire to have my hands inked has begun and with it, the sense that who I am is finally working her way to the surface. Years of uncertainty, coupled with the ongoing sense of being confined and hidden away as I do the work of raising my children; with age and experience, clarity comes forth.

Something hidden, something revealed.

There is much to be said about my love for hiapo, the traditional Niuean barkcloth covered in freehand painted symbols. Its fuelled my work and its silent presence can be felt in much of what I do as an artist.

Niue is where my husband's father came from. It is in his blood and therefore in my children. Tatau is the pacific (Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiin, etc) tradition of tattooing at a coming of age, and for Maori, it is Ta Moko.

I chose my hands because they are my tools that I see everyday. I am over the moon so to speak, that everyday I live with hiapo, I look at it and I display it for others to know. Hiapo is rare and mostly found in private or museum collections.

The artist John Pule has done some significant artworks that are also influenced by hiapo. Along with my eldest son Nemaia, I was privileged to view his latest exhibition and immense collection of his works at Wellington City Gallery last year. I have a much used copy of "Hiapo" that Pule wrote with co-author Nicholas Thomas. It is one of my prized books in my collection. I think I wore out the one that our public library holds prior to getting one of my own.

I currently have his book "Huaga" in my possession on loan from equally hiapo-obsessed sister-in-law Naomi, who also produces beautiful works inspired by these cloths. I will post more later about hiapo. Part of me wants to hide it away for my own pleasure but part of me is compelled to share it's beauty. In his latest book, Pule turns new corners in his own work while his paintings still strongly reflect traditional hiapo wondrously. This artist continues to inspire me with his beautiful works both in content and scale. I'm attracted too to his use of colour in his latest works.

Much thanks to Tauranga-based Pacific artist Iata Peautolu of Fekai Studio for his beautiful and delicate work on my arm. For listening to my brief and coming back to me with a design that incorporated hiapo, visual space, lace (a nod to my grandmother and her love for crochet, as well as mine for all things handmade) and mehndi design for a more feminine approach to tatau rather than the commonly seen big broad heavy bands usually worn.

I wanted something delicate and light while being strong in content. Having tatau is a ceremony, that commences with karakia (prayer) and requires a strong sense of trust. I commend Iata, who along with his wife and children speaks fluent Maori, lives on tribal land, is committed to his art practice and has travelled the world in a performing arts team, spending time in Hawaii as well doing both ta moko and tatau, as well as here in Aotearoa.

I can't wait for my next ink which will reflect my own tribal roots of the far north along with more hiapo as well. There is no such thing as too much hiapo (I can feel Naomi smiling and nodding in agreement as she reads this).

Thanks also to Ana Coffey for capturing these photos on her bat phone despite us both being at music group with our children, while many other kids milled around, the vacuum cleaner was going and being at complete odds with what we were trying to achieve. You are a phenomenal woman Ana, being a great mum, a city councillor and friend. Thanks for this service you've done me. Ka pai sis.

If this is my 40's bring it on. Like all things, women get more beautiful with age. If you ask me, society has it wrong only glorifying youth. Beauty is what we choose it to be. Indeed all ages have their qualities and we do not become less as we age. Indeed, I'm feeling more powerful than ever. It reminds me of the Maya Angelou poem that I shall leave you below.

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

http://www.poemhunter.com/

Mt Maunganui / Tauranga (1)

2011-07-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

A recent mid-winter trip to the Mount and Tauranga for a week with the kids while Richard worked was a real gift for us. The weather was beautiful.

I live in a city that is surrounded by hills, whereas Tauranga Moana has the most amazing big sky scapes. The first morning I took my smallest boy and walked the beach right where my apartment used to be (now replaced by an impressive waterfront mansion), right beneath the Mount itself.

We walked for a few hours, exclaimed over shells (the best shell beaches lie along this coast, in my humble opinion), and pootled around in the rock pools. Not much has changed since I was here last but I'd forgotten how spectacular the scenery is. Massive stretches of golden sand that just go forever and at low tide, revealing big stretches of sand. It was a spiritual moment for me. I always feel closest to God by the ocean.

The beach and my child bringing me shells, two of my most favourite things in the whole world. At times like this one can easily say "It is well with my soul", revelling in the utmost respect for the ultimate artist and creator who makes all things truly good.

He got to the top of the small bank and looked back at me as if to say "Holy toledo mama, check out this beach." And then he was off because he knows this is our time and our playground.

I used to sit here and pray and talk with friends in my twenty's, as a young single woman working for Youth for Christ, full of optimism and passion to serve others while finding myself. This view is so familiar to me.

He kept running ahead of me and then circling back with gifts of shells for his mama because he knows my love for treasures found on our walks. I love how for children, life is so simple and uncomplicated. They live in the moment.

A lot has happened since I last stood here.

"Some more mama". He brings me treasures to take back for his brothers as well.

Sky and beachscape in all her glorious and wondrous self.

A small shell, one of thousands, unique and perfect.

Nothing like a shell ring to take me back to my childhood.

When the grass is this green right beside the ocean, it speaks of life.

Knuckles goes exploring at the foot of Mount Maunganui.

A mansion where our small two bedroom flat once stood as a block of four.

Lots of memories and laughs, and where my sweetheart and I first started building our friendship seventeen years ago. We'll definitely be back.

a summery interlude ...

2011-06-02T10:02:00.001-07:00

A few days of sunshine coupled with a mid-year holiday with my husband means we toodled down to the local beach for a picnic. Is there anything nicer than a sunny day, a full tummy, a beautiful (empty) beach and the ones you love?

I even managed to complete a stitching project while my lads splashed around and reread back copies of my favourite magazine Selvedge. And there is nothing nicer than a happy baby (ok ok toddler, but he's my last and still looks like a baby to me, albeit a big one) with goosebumps wrapped up in my woollen cardigan! He enjoyed his impromptu swim and we enjoyed a break from all that is going on for us too.

I managed to catch some snaps on my phone. I seem to be forever apologising for the low quality of photos because my Canon does an infinitely better job, but my phone is much more portable and to be honest, lugging around my beautiful but heavy camera is just a bit beyond me at the mo.

I'm recovering from some kind of virus. All my tests have come back with clear results which is great news but we still remain at a loss as to why I am so ill all the time. I am thankful for days like this.

My husband and I are wracking our brains to try and figure out how we can have a more balanced lifestyle, how I can help bring in income using my brains and laptop (because I'm confined a lot). I always wanted to share parenting because he is a great man and father. Having three sons, they need him around a lot more now that they are growing up. He leads a pretty full on life too, working long long hours.

This year has meant lots of away trips since the earthquake in Christchurch. The building his company used in Christchurch is now condemned so he had to set them up in temporary digs and now they have bought a new building, establish their networks for them there. Its meant every week he's been away. Some of his trips we get to travel with him but for the most part it means I'm a sick mama at home with three boys to tend to, albeit as best I can, while he works away. And we do manage. My lads are great, but they are kids and sometimes have no ears and generate lots more work. Everything is infinitely easier with two adults around. Housework. Childcare. Having fun.

The incredible thing about it all, he never ever complains. Not about his hours or workload, not about my illness and the extra workload that puts on him, not a negative word or attitude from him. He shuts off sometimes but that's self preservation. I understand that. And that's why my boys need to see him more. Because he's a great role model. Not an ounce of self pity in him. Not an ounce of greed or malice or even discontentedness.

When the boys were young and I was struggling with depression, he'd often come home to disarray. I remember clearly he said to me "I don't look at the house and how tidy it is. I look at your faces. If you're happy, I'm happy." He's that kind of person. And we are very blessed.

It has made for some interesting conversations between us lately like how I could possibly generate income. I'd craft but I don't even know if what I make appeals to others. Likewise I think I could teach but who would attend the workshops? I have tonnes of thrifted linens I could resell, but I look online and there's tonnes there. I'm a gun at thrifting and salvaging and sourcing goods.

My ideal job would be to get paid for any or all of the following: thrifting, talking, photography and writing, plus something with loads of people contact. I love helping people to reach their goals too. I don't want to return to counselling. Right now, all the energy that I have to help others grow, is focused on my family, and I don't want to be in that kind of role for others right now. Maybe later, but not now. The idea of a call centre job or something like it has about as much appeal as sticking a pencil in my eye (someone wise actually said that today, I'm borrowing, thanks Tash). And again, I can't guarantee that I'll show up for work, with illness peppering my life like it does now, 9-5 Monday-Friday.

I do love my city and this region. I love showing people how beautiful it is, and all the hidden gems tucked away that even people who live here don't know about. I once thought about boutique type tours of Wellington for tourists, artful ones that could include thrifting, beach walks for sea glass and round pebbles, visiting working and master artists in their homes, cafe stops for high teas, scenic and cultural site visits tailored for each group or family as to their liking. We have so many good things happening in our capital that are happening off the beaten track. Then people started telling me one needed to have a licence for carrying passengers and the start up costs would be huge. Its funny because I do this anyway, I just don't charge and we call them road trips with my friends!

I love to show people a crafty creative good time. Its a different kind of good time. I think of all those wives whose husbands come here to work or play golf. What do they do? Shop probably. I'd love to travel and meet people like me in Mexico or Japan or London. Who could unravel the mysteries of the city on a low key personal basis, give me a creative sample, show me the best exhibitions based on my interests and take me off the beaten track to visit artisans in situ.

And yet our lifestyle with three fast growing sons and the expenses incurred by our family, are once again almost beyond what we earn. We are a modest income family with modest outgoings. We have cut back a lot lately wherever we can. So it means we either find a creative solution, or my husband works more hours, or a second job; or we continue to struggle along as best we can.

Trust me, I'm praying for a solution that fits our family and trusting that God will bring healing and opportunities. I have other photos that were more personal that I decided not to show but they capture how content we are when we spend time like this together. We are stronger for it in body and in spirit.

Be yourself ...

2011-05-28T20:46:00.001-07:00

Children are very good at being themselves.

They have not yet succumbed to the artifice of being something they're not.

"This above all: to thine own self be true,

And it must follow as the night the day,

Thou canst not then be false to any man."

- Shakespeare, Hamlet.

"Be yourself". Two powerful little words I wish I'd heard more of when I was growing up.

Thinking back in my life to the people who stand out the most as having influence in my life, they are the people who spoke into me, who saw the good in me and believed in me, yes, even when the exterior was saying otherwise, they chose to believe for the good in me.

And the ones who did the most damage were the opposite. They criticised me and continuously pointed out what was wrong with me and what I needed to fix. Don't get me wrong, I needed direction and correction, but I also needed encouragement and praise for the bits I got right.

The CEO of Macintosh Computers and Pixar amongst other things gives a resounding speech of his own journey to himself and the importance of doing what we love. Go hear his entire speech over here. Its 15 minutes that won't be wasted. STEVE JOBS, Stanford Commencement Speech.

"Your time is limited so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of others peoples thinking. Don't let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

- Steve Jobs, CEO Macintosh, Pixar.

this is my life ...

2011-05-28T18:01:00.001-07:00

Our three sons playing on the steps at church.

Our lads with friends Rimu and Kakati

My incredible self-styled Marcus (8) showing his thrifted clothes. Hat, jacket, wallet, t-shirt, $15!

My youngest son and I thrifting at the big clothing warehouse Savemart.

The only creative work I get to do these days is building towers and cities with my baby.

I am recovering once again from another viral hit. It feels like I have been unwell for the longest time. Anyone with a long term illness or condition will know that sometimes daily it is a battle to pull up, hold onto hope and faith, and believe that things will get better. But that is my intention and conviction. No matter what happens, I'm trusting God with my outcome.

In the meantime, the challenge is to find the joy and beauty in my everyday. Because someday's I cannot leave my bed. And when I can, sometimes I cannot leave the house. And when I can, I am so very thankful for the smallest things. Like taking my son to his playgroups and sharing adult conversation with others. Like looking in the cupboards and seeing food is there and provisions have been made for my family.

I walked along the beach with my youngest last week for about ten minutes, selecting stones together to make a gift for someone with. I have not been on the beach for longest time and I really miss it. Its my special place, where I can think and talk to God, and puddle around looking for treasures.

I was stirred this week to read on another blog something that I too have found challenging but didn't realise until I read this person's words. I have been unhappy with my home. And I realise now that I have been saturating myself with all the amazing design blogs and websites online, dreaming of my 'ideal' house which is miles from my reality. So I'm letting go of my 'ideal' in my head and looking at what I am and what I have and thinking about the possibilities I have right in front of me. Its odd how that happened.

I'm also tired of the staged photos I see online. Perfect homes with not a hair out of place. Collections of thrifted things that almost seem abnormal in high end homes. I know I run the risk of sounding like a reverse snob but I'm realising I too have fallen into that trap. Feeling that unless I do something artistic or have found something worthwhile, then my life isn't worth blogging about. How dumb is that. Its my blog. And I'm gonna be me. So that's me telling myself to stay real. I've always op-shopped because its what I can afford. I always have long before I blogged. I made things before I ever blogged.

I became more intentional having read Ornamental blog by Nina Bagley and decided to go to art school to develop what I felt I had inside. It flopped mainly because I didn't understand what they wanted and I couldn't find my own voice there. I've had a better time without it finding my own pace and route. No doubt, I've got things that need to be fine tuned. Processes I still need to develop but I need to hang those things up for a bit and focus on who I am right now.

Some things that have worked is a small community craft group that I established together with long time friend Cleo. We gather once a month to share stories, show and tell about our projects, and enjoy each others company. We have all become friends and its been a positive outcome.

I need to be careful not to be seduced. Inspired yes but remaining true to my own artistic voice. There are so many amazing websites and blogs that its easy to become influenced by what I see. So instead, I'm drawing a line in the sand and reminding myself to stay true to who I am. To finding the beauty in my everyday and in my own surroundings and experiences. To not be so harsh on myself and making unhelpful comparisons.

Be yourself. I say that to my friends and my sons all the time. To my husband. Its the most freeing thing really. Because I can be a great me. Or a poor imitation of someone else. There's no choice is there really. I'm blessed to be surrounded by so many friends and people who are also free being themselves. I've positioned myself well in my community, with enough reminders and inspiration that I cannot be anything but what I am. Warts and all.

So today I lie here under a handmade quilt a friend offered me a few weeks back. Her nana made it and she knew I'd appreciate it. I had homemade chicken soup for lunch. The sun is streaming through my window. And I'm heartened greatly by Mary Oliver's poetry today. My favourite all time poet. A woman whose words resonate in my very innermost. This one struck me as apt considering what I was thinking about. I hope wherever you are, that you are warm and well too. x

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

© Mary Oliver

Corners of home ...

2011-05-18T21:03:00.000-07:00

I love handmade things that's no secret. Thanks to a crafty grandmother who made things, made do and mended when I lived with her as a child, I've got the bug now. Both my mother and my grandmother op-shopped, thrifted, and frequented fleamarkets. Back then, a fleamarket actually meant tables of secondhand personal belongings.

In Auckland, this was the Otara fleamarket. We would get $5 which would buy us a big piece of pineapple pie and a bag of Cook Island donuts for breakfast as well as a big old paper kleensak full of clothes and knic knacs. I was the only kid at school wearing a leopard fur coat, red suede winkle picker boots, net stockings and mini skirts. I had a plethora of bracelets and rings on both hands. I've not changed and having a small child is the best excuse this mama has to indulge in such passions (although the stockings and mini skirts no longer appear in my wardrobe).

The two knitted toys in different colours were thrifted gifts from Aunty Cleo for Xmas. The green knitted toy is from Wellington hospital when my son was admitted for meningitis. There were a whole lot of donated new toys but we (ahem, me) picked this one. Knuckles wasn't even born then. The pink toy with blue face is made of recycled fabrics with a knitted face and machine embroidered details also made by Aunty Cleo.

The quilt you can glimpse is a thrifted Xmas gift from my mother from an opportunity store for $5 in Brisbane. It has the softest flannel backing and is our baby's favourite blanket. The little sun is a thrifted musical mobile, just $1 that I bought from the Sallies when I was pregnant. I usually have a thrifted embroidered or quilted pillowcase but he's snuck his brothers pillow in here. The new cot was a gift from his Nan, our last child has also been the most resourced and well equipped.

This giant felted stitched butterfly hangs above his bed picked up at a local secondhand Plunket sale for $5. The old print of this Picasso was $2 from Trash Palace, our city recycling centre by the rubbish dump.

Not a great picture but this handknitted bunting was gifted to Knuckles and I from our knitting whizz friend Betty-Ann.

Embellished with embroidery and vintage buttons this two metre long wonder also made an appearance on our craft stall last year at Pataka art gallery.

My mother is an accomplished painter. She started this painting when I was in labour with my first son almost 15 years ago.

Niwa is short for "Aniwaniwa" which is the Maori word for rainbow. I named my second son Niwa because I really love the story of Noah's Ark and the promise God made with man to never wipe the earth out again. There are also motifs in the rainbow that are from my husband's Pacific cultures and my own Maori culture.

Some wee hand stitched creatures made by the boys from old woollen blankets, a small creature made by our small friend Phoenix, a felted tiny monkey I made sitting in a little thrifted egg cup. These critters live in the kitchen ...

... On this shelf with a bunch of other curios including:

a felted and dyed stone created with friend India Flint;

a old green glass dish full of sea glass from walks along the beach with the kids;

a clay head made by friend Cleo at art school;

a chinese plastic Koi fish from Asia Gallery;

a small Asian teapot and jug thrifted for $5 from the Sallies;

a wooden and brass crucifix from my mum;

a kitsch Hawaiian tiki jug;

a wooden puzzle made by our retired neighbour Keith who does all sorts of

magic with wood;

an old wooden saw I found in a thrift store for $2.

an old glass measuring jug & a duck egg blue thrifted ceramic cup full of souvenior teaspoons and other odd utensils found thrifting;

some small vintage Doulton china (a child's tea set);

and, a set of weird nesting cat dolls found at Trash Palace also for $2.

sock and glove .. .

2011-05-18T19:15:00.000-07:00

'Sock and Glove' by Miyako Kanamori has been a good investment. Since giving up art school and being a full time mama, I've found a lot of fun inspiration and projects in various books. This one has been used many times to create gifts for new baby's and even big kids. For about $25NZ, that's great value.

The gloves themselves are really inexpensive. Because they are for babies, I have a thing about using new or quality used things. So a new plain cloth pair of gardening gloves set you back about $1 a pair depending where you shop. A multipack of 6 pairs costs about $5 at Pete's Emporium in Porirua. Then you just need some stuffing. For baby toys, I use the new polyfill from Spotlight. I have been unable to source a more environment friendly filler but if you know of one then let me know.

I also have used second hand gloves and socks, washed well of course. Rugby socks, college uniform socks, and work socks all provide interesting textures and distinctive colours, as do stripey or handknitted ones. Its just a matter of preference. I have a good selection of both new and old that I collect and keep an eye out for. I've also found the odd mitten and glove about town lying forlorn and forgotten on a footpath or in some forsaken place. I pocket orphans happily knowing they will become colourful

I knit the ear warmer and little green scarf, the crochet flowers are trims I've collected over time. I really enjoy the white and black theme, and those marle gloves make cute dogs. I hand stitch the details but machine sew the bodies and heads wherever possible when . You can make the whole puppy or rabbit very low tech, handsewing them. Each one takes one pair of gloves, some trims or buttons, and basic stitching (in and out will do) making them ideal for kids or beginner sewers. The every step is illustrated and the instructions are very clear. It only takes a couple of hours to make your first one if your new to sewing.

Because my city is cold, I knit them all accessories and used bright colours, crocheting small noses and eyes to stitch on, using a variety of bright buttons to match. I always make the sample ones in the book to start with, then when I get the general idea, I try and depart from the main idea of the author to create bunnies and puppies that are really mine. I've made several batches of these, and enjoy the making process a lot.

I think because I have three sons plus am constantly surrounded by their friends, and thus live in a fully testosterone loaded environment, I get the odd rush to make something feminine or girly. This is about as cutesy as I get. Having a toddler and children helps disguise that really, this whole exercise is more self-gratifying. A salve to my girl self living in a male dominated house.

These odd creatures are my own creations called "Maori boys". The Maori people are the indigenous peoples of New Zealand. These guys, with their brown 'skin' and big lips made it very easy to name them. I don't usually have strong Maori themes in any of my work, preferring to just think of myself as a maker and artist who is Maori, rather than trying to force culture into my work. The fact that they are made from woollen work socks also refers to many of the brothers who work on our roadworks teams and the Maori wave (lifted eyebrows and slight uptilt of the head) whenever they make eye contact with me or other Maori on the roads.

These two are made from one $2 pair of work socks from Pete's Emporium. The vintage buttons are from my favourite stash of very old buttons from Asia Gallery. I was challenged to stitch a tiki doll but this is what I came up with instead using what I had.

These two leaning against the fence remind me of my cuzzies at the marae. I am happy to take commissions for my toys. I'm also happy to have these very affordable gifts to fall back on whenever a baby is born in my family and community. They are always welcome, these Maori boys of mine, wherever we go. If only they could play the guitar.

a little sewing box ...

2011-05-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

A gift from my husband to me last year was this wee sewing box from Asia Gallery. Its got so much charm and what's more, it was filled with treasures. When I got home, instead of cleaning it out and putting my own sewing items in it, I sorted through the ephemera inside. Come have a look at what lies within those little drawers and even a hidden compartment. I'll post more treasures soon.

Polished to a high gleam with Asia Gallery's owner, Paul's homemade wood polish. The smell was amazing. There are many more sewing boxes and large chests of drawers as well in different bespoke styles starting around $100 upwards.

Knuckles toy matchbox car to give you an idea about scale.

The wood grain is awesome too.

Little brass handbeaten handle.

A replacement handle. I love all these handmade touches.

Even the hinges are attractive with their teeny tiny nails and organic shapes.

Inside were ... these two pencils, a tape measure and two metal rings, one looks silver and one looks handforged.

Yes, all these buttons came with it.

Close-up of buttons found in the sewing box.

A few wooden medallions and a teeny tiny silver tin.

My favourite buttons are mother of pearl shell buttons. There were so many in this case.

So they get special treatment and a drawer all to themselves.

Small drawers and compartments are utterly beguiling. I'm a sucker for such things. Simple things.

A few photos and receipts. These two lads look rather serious. One reminds me of my friend Stefan from Melbourne.

This one shows a group of people gathered drinking tea. Perhaps a family picnic or community gathering.

And these people all look like they've just finished work.

Just one of many receipts

A wee drawer of fabric remnants and threads, etc. I had a lot of fun discovering these bits and pieces

A packet of double pointed knitting needles (bamboo), some threads and a small pack (green) or old stitching needles.

Detail of sewing ephemera.

There are many different kinds of boxes in Asia Gallery here in New Zealand that range from about $120 onwards.

More treasures and sightseeing soon. I hope you're enjoying visiting these places with me.

Asia Gallery (Part One)

2011-05-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite places in Wellington. Asia Gallery is a favourite haunt of mine for amazing recycled Asian fabrics and lots of other treasures. Many textile artists, as well as collectors and lovers of all things Asian and old, know about Asia Gallery. Its still a well kept secret. These photos were taken on my batphone, so are not great quality however I really wanted to show you inside this treasure trove of goodies where I find so many pieces that end up in my work.

Down an alleyway in Kilbirnie, stands an unassuming shop, Asia Gallery.

Exactly why I love using their fabrics because they already have a story and history. The owners make several trips to Asia every year to stock their Aladdin's cave of kimono and relics.

A box of buttons is always hard to resist. Glass, shell, ceramic ... this is vintage at its best.

For me, the older and more worn and marked, the better.

Why go to generic stores when you can own beautiful things with a history?

Many are handmade and hand painted? Ceramics starting at just $5.

If you spend any amount of time with me, you'll see me handstitching bits of fabric together. This jacket is a classic example of boro. For more information on older Asian textiles, go to Sri Threads website to discover the wonder of Boro and so many more handmade, hand woven, and hand dyed Asian textiles.

Detail of Boro Jacket. This patched way of reusing cloth over and over again, to serve the purpose of layering cloth for warmth and function, used by peasants in Northern Japan's bitter winters, has influenced my work in honouring women's handiwork from all over the world. This idea of "making do", remaking and being resourceful for functional purposes resounds in every culture. Boro provides beautiful examples of women's capacity to make something from the barest of resources to provide for one's family and is a symbol of women's wealth during a time when women were not able to own land or assets and her wealth was her handmade textiles and goods.

For information on BORO, follow the link. Thanks to Sri Threads for comprehensive research of Asian textiles. Thanks also to Paul and Dau for allowing me inside their store, cups of green tea and sharing these images with you all.

To be continued... xxx

ASIA GALLERY (Part Two)

2011-05-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

Here are some more images taken from another trip to Asia Gallery. I really do love this store, its aisles are crammed with treasures. The owners are a husband and wife team, Paul and Dau who are welcoming and ready to impart information about the various artifacts and textiles in store.

Paul especially has a comprehensive understanding of where pieces originate from and also restores the wooden furniture himself with his own homemade wood restoring polish. His shopping trips several times a year to Japan, combined with his passion for preloved objects means he's keen to help you find something that is special whatever your budget.

Come see for yourself...

These Chinese jade necklaces for instance are $85NZ. Tell me, what you could get from a standard jewellery shop that has this much history and charm?

The incredible $5 dollar pile! That's right. Silk, wool, hand dyed, woven kimono and other textile treats... all preloved but this pile is always always picked over. Recently I have found several cream silk kimono, several cotton undergarments, and linen sheets for repurposing in my own works. $5! Its dangerous because you leave with a kimono or a dozen of them that you didn't even know you wanted until you saw this overflowing pile. So much fun is had rifling through it with my friends many times a year. These make great gifts too.

Rolls of silk, cotton, wool at reasonable prices. A metre of silk from generic stores retails around $30pm, whereas here you can purchase a decent sized roll for the same price. Remember these are vintage so there can be age spots and marks sometimes, but this adds to the charm. And more often than not, you can find pristine cloths too. It just depends on your personal taste. I love those that have been preloved, unpicked and ready to be used again, often patched and handsewn to form long strips.

I always scout amongst the cream silks because there are bargains to be had. Because my work requires smaller amounts, there are sometimes 1-2 metres of beautiful patterned cream silk for only $5. Asia Gallery is the kind of place that welcomes respectful rummaging. Dau diligently sorts through her stock, and is happy to help you find what you need or what alternatives may be had. For me, as a full time mum and new artist, my budget is pretty limited but they help me get the best value for my money.

Vintage cream silks, so dreamy and just waiting to be taken home. Many are from old silk kimono that have been unstitched, mended and are waiting to be made into new creations. I've loved my white on white work recently. It has a calming effect as I sit and stitch. I'll post soon on some slow handstitched cloths I've been working on. But for now, these images are here to whet your appetite.

The aisles are literally crammed with treasures and artifacts ranging from just a few dollars to thousands of dollars.

... like these Amulets.

The racks heave with their gorgeous burdens of vintage kimono, ranging from $30 to several hundred for the premium pieces. Its eye candy every where you look. My pulse literally races even while I'm still parking my car and I get almost a euphoric sense as I walk in and inhale the atmosphere and smell of wood polish. Not for me pristine stores, I'm happy to sit on the floor surrounded by beautiful textiles or run my hands through the button box looking for very old crude mother of pearl, ceramic and glass buttons.

A sample of a boro cloth, approx 2m x 2m, at $150! Outside of my budget but if I could, I would!

Its not denim. Its handspun hemp or linen, indigo dyed cloth that has been pieced, patched and handstitched. Go check out Sri Threads prices in the States to get an understanding of how well priced Paul's pieces are.

As an admirer of boro and other Japanese textiles, I have appreciated having Sri Thread's amazing research to fall back on as well as there amazing images and pieces for sale. We are very fortunate to have the same kind of store here in New Zealand, right in our own backyard and with an owner who's love for such things amounts to a store overflowing with textile goodness for the likes of myself and other discerning folk with similar passions.

SRI THREADS website

and SRI THREADS BLOG

Silk embroidered Obi, $5!

The $5 ceramics shelves. LOVE these and own quite a few. I've seen them featured recently in my favourite new design book by Sibella Courts "etcetera". I love the way she also uses old ethnic textiles, esp Japanese ones and old antiquities to style up her own home and also the various design sets she works on.

Design Sponge did an online article including many images of her amazing home and Design Files have a great review of her book including images. The book itself is a treasure with coarse brown paper, sheer vellum, stamped images and large full page images. Great for a visual person like me. Go check it out and then come purchase some of these amazing things at Asia Gallery. Styling at affordable prices for real people.

etcetera, Sibella's book review by Design Files website.

Sibella's home by Design Sponge website.

YES, $5!

Having meandered scrapbooking and specialist paper stores about ten years ago, I'm amazed that more people don't come here for their paper arts. Vintage school text books start at $5. The rice paper kimono wrapping papers are $2 each. Stencils for printing. And there's so much more.

I have a weakness for old wooden boxes, containers, small drawers, etc and was the lucky recipient of a very old sewing box from Asia Gallery last year for my birthday from my husband. Gold and diamonds couldn't have made this old girl happier. I thought I had written a post about my sewing box (I went to look for it on my blog to link it to here but couldn't find it, nada!). Facebook probably stole the limelight with it. I have been remiss and will post about my treasures soon.

I find a great many amazing scraps here in this aisle with lots of incredible relics scattered in here including silks, shibori dyed pieces, flags, little cotton shoes, etc. It's heaven for the artistic quilt makers and textile artists, especially if you appreciate preloved cloth. Pieces range from $1 upwards. Great for art and textile students too at these prices.

More $30 kimono.

Unusual cords and embellished cloth on the bolt!

And even more kimono.

Whew! If you're still reading, you deserve a cup of tea.

I found another review here (The Dreamstress). The shop is open most days but its best to ring and make sure if you're from out of town. I have loved introducing many of my friends and visiting international artists to the joys of Asia Gallery. As a proud Wellingtonian, I think Asia Gallery is a point of difference in our city. There is nothing else like it in New Zealand and indeed, there are very few places like it throughout the Western world. I'm very thankful for Paul's passion for Asian antiquities, and his desire to keep stock moving at reasonable prices. I'm grateful to Dau for her patience as I unroll and she rerolls cloth bundles and makes me green tea, offering me a gorgeous handhewn stool (that I covet everytime I see it) to take the weight off my feet as I spend many a happy hour poodling through the piles and listening to Paul tell me of his latest adventures.

I often think how blessed we are to have this unassuming little store down, almost hidden in small suburb in Wellington. I'm happy to blow my trumpet about its obvious delights even though it means sharing something that is very very special. I hope more people discover it and make a point of putting it on the map. Although it might mean I'll have to fight for my bits and pieces with more customers, it will also mean Paul can bring more product in and keep it moving for us all.

So if you're from here and didn't know it existed, if you're from out of town or overseas, and Wellington is on your itinerary, then please stop and pay Asia Gallery a visit, or let me know. I'm happy to do small tours of must-see places including antique and secondhand stores, vintage clothing warehouses, small and big art destinations, off the map sites of interest and wonderful beaches with smooth stones and tumbled glass. I do several road trips a year with friends and am happy to custom make one for others as well, exploring the region depending on what you want to see and experience.

I love my city and I love sharing it with others who want to get around it and see those things off the beaten track. I will be sharing a few other interesting destinations in upcoming posts as well as some of my recent works and links to a few favourite online sites.

Contact details for Asia Gallery:

23 Bay Road (down the alleyway)

Kilbirnie, Wellington

New Zealand

Phone/Fax: +64-4-387 3488

Email: shibui@asiagallery.co.nz

Holland Road Yarns, Petone

2011-04-30T13:24:00.001-07:00

I headed out recently with a few of the girls from our Clever Crafting Project group for a road trip of the crafting kind. On the agenda was the new yarn store in Petone "Holland Road Yarns".

We had fun perusing the aisles and enjoying the lovely kitsch treasures we spotted including vintage milk crates with the old school milk bottles used to hold knitting needles. A dish of button cards and reels of trims. An old wooden file cabinet used to contain needles for sale. Lovely handmade cats from vintage blankets. Yarn books and of course screeds of yarn, in all hues for sale. Our knitters purchased patterns and yarn.

We parked ourselves up on the couch and coaxed the shop assistant to take a few impromptu shots of the girls. If you love yarn, or fancy finding a place to explore your desire to knit, then we heartily endorse the new yarn shop in Petone.

The Clever Crafting Project was a group I co-founded with my art school buddy Cleo a couple of years back. We meet monthly in our own homes to craft and share in all things creative. If you're local and interested in attending, leave a message in the comments section.

If you love knitting, then you will love this store.

Gorgeous displays of yarn in both natural and coloured hues.

I have been on the look out for a vintage milk crate and milk bottles.

This trip did nothing to help my longing for one.

I loved this!

Books, another passion of mine. I love books!

The adorable Chrissy holds up one of the cats made from a vintage wool blanket. There's something more-ish about handmade toys. They're for adults just as much as they are for kids.

I'm a sucker for anything with a cross on it. Darling Bonnie with her Kath Kidston bag and handknit beanie models this gorgeous cushion spectacularly. I love my crafting buddies.

Betty-Ann and Bonnie peruse the patterns available.

I'm a numbskull. I forgot to get his name but I am always fascinated by men who knit. My grandfather did having mended his own fishing nets. Did you also spot the lovely bowl of button cards right there on the desk? And the very cool yellow chair. I have a thing for yellow at the mo.

A bowl of trims. I got some vintage rick rack for $1, sigh.

A bowl of fingerweight sock yarn. Gorgeous.

And these drawers were rather gorgeous too.

A bowl of button cards. Something for everyone.

We'll definitely be back to join in a knitalong and imbibe in the great atmosphere this store has. Go see for yourself.

My little Picasso

2011-04-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

I cherish these days with my last little son. He is growing so quickly and brings me so much joy. I am blessed to have three great sons. One teenager, one child and one toddler. Being a mama is my favourite thing in the world. Its hard, its relentless but like Jack Nicholson said in the movie 'As Good As It Gets', "You make me want to be a better man". Well, my kids do make me a better person. They really truly do.

Thrifted!

2011-04-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

A trip to Napier with a bunch of kids over the wet school holidays and a husband working long hours meant that given a couple of hours to myself I hit the local opportunity shops hard. I love thrifting. Its my favourite thing in the world.

Detail of linen shirt with shell buttons, $4.

A pile of linen and cotton shirts $2-$4 max.

My Haul

The big pile of old linens were such an exciting find. Getting four pieces for 20 cents - 50 cents.

I'm not a great cook but enjoy local books because they use the ingredients in my cupboard.

Kerikeri Casserole anyone?

I love baking and the classics.

The original owners handwritten chocolate cake recipe.

Flowers I picked with my two year old on a walk about the place. Hibiscus and lavender. Where I live is too cold for hibiscus so I'm always happy to see them. My grandmothers favourite flower.

I have a collection of body parts that have found their way into my possession over the years.

This was in the free pile. My baby has had fun high fiving everyone with it.

Old school glass cream bottles, $1 each.

Brand new handknit hat, $2.

Inscription on handmade sewing box created from Xmas cards. $2.

"From Ruth 1985"

Interior of little handmade box.

Exterior of handmade box.

Handknit for my two year old with embroidery, $1.50! Score.

A few finds. This makes me happy.

Added to my ever growing collection of vintage handmade linens.

I love piles of doileys. Shhhh .... its a secret.

A sunny moment ...

2011-02-18T00:52:00.001-08:00

A wee escape to our little place tucked down the bottom of the road ... shhhh. You can come too.

(And possibly there's a video of the Ron Mueck exhibition following ours with his giant baby so don't freak out if u see a newborn, its beautiful art.) xxx

India Flint, Jill Gunn and Debbie Leung

2011-02-17T22:30:00.000-08:00

"EARTHWAULKS" Exhibition

Pataka City Gallery

Porirua

January 2011

"Landskin"

India Flint

Pieced together from fragments of prefelt and woven remnants collected in

various places around the world. It is a garment devised for forest wandering.

title unkown

Jill Gunn

"Golden Era"

Debbie Leung

Gardenia wrap - silk laps felted with merino wool, lace, wool yarn,

silk fabric piece dyed with gardenia.

2.8m(l) x 8m(w)

"Golden Era" detail

Debbie Leung

Pataka recently held an exhibition of eco-dyed textile offerings. "Earthwaulks" was created by a group of textile artists brought together by a love of eco-dyed textiles, a method of dyeing cloth by artist India Flint

These are the three works that stood out for me. Jill's work is always executed to a high finish. It makes you stop and think "How do you do that?" Debbie's bright clean yellow colour derives from the gardenia, a flower I love. It caught my eye because its a plant I hadn't seen used before. That made it interesting. And finally, India's dress was beautiful. Thousands of hand stitches and intricate piecing. It was familiar, a classic piece of her signature work. I stood enthralled wanting to touch it (that's the problem with textiles in exhibitions, textiles being tactile and all!).

Of course, taste is a personal thing. I just really like these ones. You can follow the link here to "Aotearoa Feltsisters" to view more photos and information about the artists above and others the exhibition.

I had another wonderful encounter with India just before Xmas last year. We walked the beach, we talked, we collected sea leavings, we shared, she stitched, Richard sang.

She is rather magical. A second book is due out this year. Her first is well thumbed in our home.

And if you get the opportunity to do one of India's workshops, I encourage you to do so. She's an amazing person.

India's blog can be found here

http://prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com/

India's website can be found here

http://www.indiaflint.com/

A worldwide stitching circle

http://found-stitched-dyed.blogspot.com/

well, hello there ...

2011-02-17T22:16:00.000-08:00

My lovely little boy, Jan 2011

This guy keeps me busy. I reread my post below and one of my goals was to blog more. Well I had good intentions. I also have one of those new nifty phones that does everything except make coffee (now that would impress me). Unfortunately I send lots of my photos straight to Facebook (whom I suspect along with Twitter is stealing lots of people from blogging). Its so quick and easy. In my mind right now, its like comparing a love affair with a marriage. One is fast and instantly gratifying, but the other is definitely more satisfying in the long term. Well, I'm making an assumption because I have not actually had an affair and I don't plan on having one either. And I'm in a good marriage and I do love great blogs. Many of which can be found in the bloggy links list here.

I managed to do just a few crochet covered stones over summer. I had some lovely white quartz stones from Thames. I used 4 ply cotton purchased from, ahem, Spotlight. I promise I am still making lots of things. (Haha, someone is totally justifying herself). And I will post them once I can track down those renegade photos that hussy Facebook keeps stealing, lol.

I'm also still dealing with a gammy back which grieves me still however the good news is that I have a specialist appointment next week and hopefully a MRI scan so we can look inside and make sure everything is how its meant to be. I think there's talk of me having cortisone or epidural injections for long term pain relief. I was very concerned about taking 3-4 kinds of meds every six hours for the past 20 months. There was one period where I was really well and I'm very thankful for any respite I get. Living with constant pain is no walk in the park. Everything is a challenge.

I'm thankful for the days I have mobility and in the days when its hard, I go into a self-care mode. Doing the basics, asking for help, being prayerful and thankful for what is good in my life, and being proactive in my healing process. It is very humbling. Having to ask my husband to help with my personal needs, relying on others, being in the background even more so these days, not achieving much fast. For an ambitious and active person, it certainly highlights my own limits and how unneccessary some things are that I thought were important. There are low days but I've gotten better at managing myself so those tend to be do-able. I've become good at communicating when I need help or support and I am very fortunate to have a loving husband and community around me.

Perspective helps. We have a friend who will never walk.. There are lots of things he's prevented from doing. Even basic care for his own personal needs. Although that doesn't make the very real pain I live with go away, he gives me a context, perspective. Likewise my friend Livy, who's six year old son is battling leukemia, they give me perspective. And my friend Wendy who is facing a very difficult decision about having her second breast removed and inability to undergo chemo treatments. Her situation definitely gives me perspective.

I had a lot on my plate recently and was feeling angry and resentful. My friend Betty-Ann gently reminded me that often its a matter of reframing things so that they work for us instead of against us. I found it helpful and reframed my issues from being problems that overwhelmed me to challenges I am going to overcome and that will take me forward.

Ok, so I will post a more crafty post later on because I love the art works and crafting I get to do. I also love looking at other peoples wonderful lives and their creativity so want to share the bloggy love and intro you to some of my new blog destinations.

xOx

Goals 2011

2011-01-09T05:09:00.000-08:00

* Definitely more kissing with this gorgeous man of mine.

* More writing.
BLOG
Create memory books for our family

* Self Care to the max
Get a dvd and exercise daily at home with Knuckles
Keep new hair do maintained. (That is my new do I am sporting above).
More black nail polish

* Art
Pataka Exhibition piece
Hands and arms tattooed
Develop hiapo type designs

* Faith
Read my bible daily (So excited about this one).
Pray about my situations as they arise.
Continue to love the people around me.
Trust God

* Family
Bless my sons
Bless my husband
Trust God

* Home
Continue to declutter.
Move to a bigger home.
Create a loving warm atmosphere for the people who live here and the people who visit.

I know there's more but I gotta think on these things. These are not resolutions. These are goals I will work towards.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T04:27:00.000-08:00

Eastern Beach, Auckland

Happy New Year. This is one of my favourite places in the world. As children, my brothers and I spent many days playing on this beach. This is the ultimate in contentment. I love being here. Having no agenda except to enjoy my family, look for shells and chillax! I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying some R&R this summer. xxx

Its been awhile ...

2010-12-29T15:21:00.000-08:00

Since I last wrote. It's been an interesting year. One that's been an amalgamation of who I have been and what I am now. Most of my energies these days go into parenting my three sons. I am not grand at doing lots of things well at the same time. I am better to be focused on one thing and for now that is the raising of our boys. I still find time to potter with making things and have a bit of work for next year as an artist but mostly I am working in my home and community growing people.

a small stitched bag of japanese cotton and silk, and a doiley

At the end of every year and heading into the New Year, I am always challenged and excited by the prospect of a whole blank year ahead that is full of possibilities. Its become a prayerful time for me, each year as I set my heart and life before God and seek His heart and direction for my life. In my heart of hearts the answer is always the same "Love God, Love People." Its been this way for several years now as I've sought His presence.

stone and cotton, crochet

I have my own little ambitions. A big yellow painting or print that will encapsulate the designs and tribal influences that shape my art work for an exhibition at our city gallery. I have been puddling with art for a while now, exhibiting here and there but this year is the first year that I've started to grasp and understand my own artistic voice and expression. Its interesting that it has happened for me in my family life and my spiritual life as well. Synchronicity. Well, we shall see. Watch this space.

small treasures from the moana

In the meantime, that little voice inside me says "Don't forget the small things. Don't forget the understated. The seemingly unimportant. Being thankful. Being gracious. Being kind. Sharing. Giving a damn. Taking time to sit and be still. Laughing and playing with my kids. Being gentle with those who frustrate me. Being a blessing. Doing good. Praying." Much like these buttons I continuously find on my beach walks along our beach. If you aren't looking for them, you won't see them. They turn up in the unlikeliest places.

passion bloom

This is the flower from a passionfruit. Its from my friend Cleo's garden. It's beautiful. And the fruit grows out of the flower. I've been thinking how we can often stop short and start admiring something not realising that's its potential isn't fully realised yet. People are like that. I've been chasing this idea that I had of myself not realising that the way I viewed myself stopped short of who I actually am. My strengths, my talents, my personality are like this flower. They are the obvious. What has been more exciting is seeing what happens when I take those things and surrender them to the service of loving others. Then the fruit comes. People feeling good about themselves. Discovering a God who cares about them. Feeling supported and loved. Who doesn't want that? I love it when people encourage me and believe in me. And now I enjoy being that person who can also encourage others. May we all bloom and bear fruit this coming year.

Vessel ...

2010-08-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

VESSEL is one of my all-time favourite places in Wellington and with their generous permission, I am able to show you some of the reasons why it's on my list as a must see in our beautiful city.

Vessels are alluring objects. They are functional, decorative and especially here, they are highly desirable objects. I love the way the light played on this window display and the austere interior is gallery like, displaying wares to their best advantage.. My photos are taken from my phone and do not do justice to what one experiences in person. This is just a sampler.

I want a table like this covered with handmade earthenware. Gorgeous! It's no secret I want to learn to make my own wares, how lovely to take something as simple as clay and create beautiful dishes like these. sigh.

Those blue dishes are really striking.

My son takes it all in as I show him what I like and why, and also get his opinion on things. He was happy playing with a gadget in the corner. So funny, just like his dad.

So many temptingly beautiful things.

I love that stack of handmade plates. I have a similar stack but mine came from op shops over the years. I love the blemishes that one finds on these wares. Production made stuff from factories is perfectly (and rather boringly) smooth and symmetrical, these however are beautiful for their blemishes and marks and handcrafted shape. Tea anyone? I love a hot pot of tea, anytime, anywhere. Make mine Earl Grey please?

These would look fantastic on a wall although that old skool mentality of sticking beautiful things away and never using them is a bit nuts. I believe we should enjoy our things now. Use them. Share them with others and allow ourselves the pleasure of usage.

Green is my favourite colour although that striking blue is once again rather eye-catching.

Milk Jug, a nicer alternative to plastic.

Quirky, endearing, lovable pig.

Ceramic brooches in such wonderful colours especially the green ones.

TEXTILES

Being a textile loving girl, I couldn't think of a nicer complementary marriage than handmade textiles and earthenware. The contrast of hard and soft, cold and warm always draws me in my own work with raw materials. About twenty years ago, I remember seeing a group of specialists on tv who predicted that people would become more 'nest-like', that their homes would become more nurturing places where people would want to spend more time in rest and recreation, building haven-like homes. This is certainly true when we look at the latest home magazines. People are building homes they can retreat too and of course, filling it with objects that satisfy that instinct to indulge themselves, cover themselves and nurture self. Its definitely become more desirable proportionally as we have also developed as a nation that works long hours, fills in recreation hours with more activities and achievements, and what little time we have for ourselves privately is rather precious.

It all sounds rather hedonistic and selfish but we're more likely to entertain in our homes as well. Decks are built and bbq's are fired up in the summer, and in the winter, dinner parties where food and stories are shared abound. Imagine serving food in these dishes. I have so many foodie friends now, who love to cook for cookings sake. Sadly, I have not succumbed to that passion but I do love owning nice dishes to serve our rather simple fare on. And Vessel has lots of lovely dishes indeed. A nice platter can make anything look good! ;)

I love stitched dolls like these. A lovely handmade dolly is a great improvement from horrid plastic barbies. I was never one for dolls as a child, but as an adult I find these highly desirable. I do enjoy creating my own designs occasionally.

Flower soup anyone? What could be better than a beautiful green bowl of full of cloth stitched flower brooches? I'm excited at a few teaching opportunities to pass on some skills and a request from a group of young women who wish to make their own jewellery. I have visions of unique textile delights they can make by hand affordably and the wonderful comraderie of women gathering to stitch, talk and eat.

A textile lovers corner ... blankets, toys, felted bags. Perfect!

I love this tiki cushion, its in every second fashionable home magazine at the moment as are the other designs. The other work is beautiul too, lovely prints of New Zealand fauna like the red cusion with the kowhaiwhai flower. I'm a proud kiwi. I love my whenua.

Sophie Digard

I love crochet, its no secret and Sophie Digard is an artist who has taken this craft to another level all around the world. I was surprised to find her work here in New Zealand a few years back in Vessel.
Sophie's easily googled and has the best images for yarn lovers. I first read about her in the specialist textile magazine Selvedge . Just one of her scarves on the Selvedge website is 200 quid. Yikes!

Paul Maseyk

Artist, ceramics.

I would take any one of Paul's works home in a heartbeat. I love his sense of form and his use of symbols and motifs. They are also predominantly black and white. Colour is used sparingly if at all, to accentuate but not dominate the work. It definitely resonates with me.

There's that positive and negative almost tribal mark making happening. Nice simple forms.Imagine if my pantry shelves looked like that!

I would like to drink my first cup of coffee in the morning from this mug and my last cup of tea at night. It has the perfect mug-feel. The right weight, it sits flat and secure on the table and its the perfect shape. At around $65 its relatively cheap for a piece of art but really expensive for a cup! What a luxury to own any one of these pieces. Its another thing that if I had more disposable income, I would definitely invest in Maseyk's work. Not only the joy of owning such beautiful objects but I have a feeling these will become highly collectible in the not so distant future.

Here is what is says about Paul on the Vessel website ... "Intricate geometric patterns, repeating symbols – vases, jugs, bowls, beakers – terracotta with a black or white slip. Functional pieces by one of New Zealand's high-profile artists."

VESSEL is one of my favourite stores in Wellington. I love handmade, I love ceramics, I love authentic artistic creations and it oozes all that goodness and more! There are of course many many wonderful creations by many talented artists. Follow the link for a much more comprehensive view of their lovely wares and the artists who make them, as well as details of their location. I also appreciate stores like this that allow small artists like myself to make a living from their goods. Perhaps one day I can have goods sold here too.

Haha, upon rereading this post, I noticed rather alarmingly how many times I wrote "I love ...". Thank you for indulging me.

hidden treasures revealed ...

2010-08-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

I spent the day with my eldest son (almost 14) in the city yesterday. We went to the book fair and brought home creeds of wonderful used books for our family. Art books, children's quiz books, teenage reading and adult holiday fiction. The books were crazy affordable for $1-$2 each mostly and the money went to a great city service, Downtown Ministry who do so much social good in our city.
We then went to the art gallery. Viewed John Pule's wonderful exhibition 'Hauaga' (Arrivals). We talked about various aspects of his work together. Some grabbed him, some were just plain 'weird'. It was such a nice thing, being in one of my favourite environments with one of my favourite people in the world. Of course my children are used to galleries, but he's now more one of 'us' then one of 'them'.

His maturity is something others constantly comment on. He is also extremely private and quiet. Very very quiet. I took him around my favourite ceramic shop 'Vessel' (photos to come later) and we finished off with hot drinks on a chilly evening at the Lido cafe. It was a perfect day.

I cannot believe how big he's grown in the past year. I am also quietly humbled by his sensitivity and genuine heart for others. He is very special and I have so much pride in my heart when I watch him with others. There are so many good people in our lives, people who are helping grow our children including our extended families, grandparents and our church community. It does take a village to raise a child.

As a full time parent, there is a price to pay. Living on one income, going without, not getting ahead as quickly or much as our peers, not owning our own home, less opportunities like holidays and passing up career opportunities in order to be available to our family. My husband and I both go without and have often had to turn down offers to a better lifestyle and opportunities for personal advancement in order to be available for our three boys and to protect the well being of our family.

This has been an intentional choice, made willingly because it works for our family. It hasn't been easy and by no means romantic. There is however definite advantages for us as a family. It means here is always one parent available for our sick children (all three have had respiratory problems from infancy). There is constant surveillance that is unbroken. The kids are constantly on our radar should any needs or issues arise in any of the their lives. There is the opportunity to participate in their activities and get involved in their lives at whatever level of commitment is required. There isn't competition with our own activities vs our childrens. There is space for both to happen. I'm sure there are lots of other advantages and disadvantages, those are just the ones that run off the top of my head right now.

I haven't always been like this. Scroll back just a couple of years to my last pregnancy and you will hear a different picture. However as these significant milestones are revealed, like this amazing young man sitting in front of me, those things I thought I was going to lose and did lay down (like further art development, employment and community opportunities) are now dimmed and hushed. They are no longer worth my energy. This young man and his two brothers are, they really really are.

Parenting for fourteen years and I'm finally able to say I embrace the life I chose wholeheartedly. This life that unfolded before me quite unwittingly at times. Is it easy, no it isn't. Saying no to myself is the hardest thing I must do some days. And just because I can do something doesn't mean I should do it. I got wise to the fact that I was my worse enemy. Always looking back at what I had missed out on or looking forward at what I wanted but feeling defeated and denied. And while I was over there thinking about those things, I was missing NOW. Being present and appreciating what was right in front of me. And of course one doesn't have to be a full time parent to come to that bit of understanding. Lets just say I went the long route.

Any regrets? Only one, that I couldn't find peace earlier. I have it now though. In bucketloads. They say that as we get older, we become more comfortable in our own skin. I've found that to be true. And what's nice is that I look at my son and see someone who is comfortable in his own skin. And even though life will not always be smooth for him, at the very least, he didn't end up with the burden of my issues and at the most, he has had two parents who have poured their very best into his well being and up bringing.

And hey, I don't judge working parents because raising a family, being in a relationship, choosing a career pathway and whatever else makes us tick are very personal choices. Each person has to make the choices that are best for them. I know families with two working parents who have great adult kids. At the end of the day, for the most part, we're all trying to do our best by our kids right!

positive and negative ...

2010-08-22T05:46:00.000-07:00

Naomi Chase, Hiapo, 2010

Round Up Time 2010

The Stand Off 2010

Black and white have been my colour palette this year mostly. After viewing the John Pule exhibition at Wellington City Art Gallery yesterday, I stumbled across a few black and white pics of my own including one of my sister-in-law (my husband's sister) Naomi Chase painting me my very own hiapo painting. Naomi is an accomplished artist in her own right and we are honoured to have a one of her incredibly detailed hiapo.

May I encourage you to head down to the gallery before September 12 and view his works. He is one of my favourite influences, his work resonates with tribal markings, he shares the same Niuean heritage as my husband and I felt so blessed to view his works. It was hard not to sneak photos in the gallery, I will however save for his book.

I have written about John Pule before here, here and here. Also a link to the current exhibition John Pule Hauaga (Arrivals) is here. And I have waxed lyrically often about the origins and beauty of hiapo because they have always informed my work.

hidden amongst the rocks ...

2010-08-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

A few photos I took of my dear friend Cleo and her creations in our 'backyard'. It was exciting to be a part of this knitted creation, formed with love and excitement with the aid of many able knitters from our community. Just one of five dresses Cleo created. She is a genius. For more pictures and information click on the link to be transported to her blog Wind Between The Stars.

On the day, all the elements lined up beautifully. No posy shots here, just one of my friends standing on a rock wearing a work of art which is now exhibiting in France.

For textile lovers ... this is why we do what we do isn't it? The tactile quality of textiles, the resonance of handiwork our foremothers did and the joy of creating something from raw materials with our own hands.

Stitching is soothing. It calms and quiets a busy mind. Whether it is knitting or sewing or whatever your passion, there's no denying its therapeautic quality. I've heard there are even prayer quilts, where the stitches are made with small prayers. Imagine receiving a quilt made like that!

This is why we do what we do. x

Meanwhile in another part of the world, dear India has launched a fantastic project for folk who feel compelled to stitch cloth (there's a few of us I know already) ... please check it out and follow the link to her new website called Found, Stitched and Dyed. I am so excited by this project. I have a cloth I have been sporadically stitching, it is made up of old cloth from Asia Gallery, random bits of kimono, silk, cotton ... playing with it really.

Sitting under a tree at the beach stitching while on holiday in Auckland last summer.

details of work in progress

I am fortunate to have spent time learning and sharing with India over the past several years. She has influenced the work of many contemporary textile artists in New Zealand and indeed around the world. I will be keen to help people get started on a project if they require a bit of assistance to reciprocate the learning she generously gives.

very slow cloth
silk, cotton, repurposed kimono, silk thread, stitched and pieced
Rachelle Toimata 2010

India also runs workshops frequently throughout the world that I encourage you to participate in if you are able. She has some parcels of cloth and thread available for purchase to help you get started with your stitch project as well should you require a bit of inspiration. You are also encouraged to use what you have. And if there is enough interest from my local community, I am happy to organise some stitching parties to help move us all along here in Aotearoa.

"Kiri" ("skin") dress I made for exhibition last year using cloth coloured
with India's eco-coloured methods.

View of "Kiri" from behind, next to one of Cleo's dresses.

India also has two books published with a third on the way. "Eco-Colour" has been my main reference in all dyed work I've done in the past several years. I can't wait for her new book which I think is to be called Second Skin. Watch this Space.

India Flint

Follow the links to India's website "India Flint" and her blog "Not All Who Wander Are Lost" are just a hop, skip and jump away. If you don't know her yet, you want to!

Mark making on cloth, India Flint 2009.

thoughts of summer and other things ...

2010-08-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

I am reminded by all my American friend's that it is summer there. Here we are in the middle of a classic Wellington winter, grey skies, drizzle, cold and that means lots of days indoors. It's very easy to clock up a whole lot of plans lying here about the things I want to do once my body is back to normal. I was reminded of summers past and how much we all love the sea. It's a no-brainer, we live in a coastal settlement and the beach is my favourite place.

Glimpsing Amanda's children playing by the sea, reminded me that this summer Knuckles will be old enough to join the boys in their beach play. It's great fun and consists of digging the biggest hole right there by the waters edge and letting the sea fill it as it ebbs and recedes. It started with one son, then six years later, another one joined him making those holes by the sea, and this year, six years later, our last little son will join his brothers in this great summer tradition we have.

Of course there are other activities like making wet sand bombs and playing tag, but this is the one I love. While I look for shards of smooth sea glass and stones, the kids play and laugh and the sun warms us.

My other plans include giving my kitchen an overhaul. There was a big sale today so we picked up a new rice cooker (the old one had no lid and wobbled like mad) and a deep fryer.

After the birth of my first son, I lost my mojo in the kitchen. I haven't felt like cooking for a long time. I do so out of obligation when I do and am very thankful that Richard enjoys cooking. Lately I have felt a desire to see my sons eating more substantial meals as they grow. Less processed and more fresh foods. I'm also inspired by all my blogger friends and their efforts in their homes. My challenge has been to discover ways to entice myself back into the kitchen for my kids sakes and to make it more fun and less chore as well.

Yesterday we went to Moore Wilsons to pick up some specialty items like spices so that Rich can extend his curry making skills. We have been avidly watching the Indian cooking programmes on the food channel and are looking forward to eating more dishes like lamb Rogan Josh. I enjoy baking so am challenging myself to keep our baking tins full once again. Hungry boys need lots of carbs and fruit. I'm looking forward to trying the recipe for sourdough bread that Melissa recommends. mmm ... fresh bread rolls.

My other goal, as I lie here thinking, is to start walking for fitness once I get the all clear. Being restricted from time to time always has me thinking about how much more active I could be. The problem is I get bored. I hate walking around streets looking at houses and if I walk along a beach, I do so at a snails pace with my eyes down scouting for sea leavings. I found a solution though. Stephen Fry was on tv and talked about how he had the same problem until he discovered audio books. How could I have been so slow? I love books. So now I get to 'read' some of my favourite books and I'll eat up the miles as I do. Well, that's my plan anyhow.

I have always spurned Playcentre because the truth is I find it rather laborious. However my son went with friends last week and adored it. I really need to up my ante in this area too. We
belong to a great local music group called Bubbacino but he's getting to the stage where he needs more people and activities. So I'm gonna explore some more things for us to do together with others.

I've become a bit of a loner by choice, enjoying my quiet past times and spurning crowds and the demands of others outside my home and our little community. A big shift that was necessary for me to be able to give my family the focus it required and to separate personal life from my professional and public life. However as always, being a parent means that their needs often give me the push I need to make some changes in my life. And because I love them, its not hard.

I just hope the momentum I feel will last long enough for me to achieve some of these things because life's like that isn't it. We can plan but only God knows the future. And I'm ok with that too.

i heart summer.

my small world (cont'd) ...

2010-08-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

A steady stream of visitors through my place yesterday. My dear friend Cleo is a gifted artist and maker. She currently has an exhibition showing. Its at the art framers place on Kenepuru Drive, next to Moore Wilsons. We have done lots of collaborative work together and continue to flow together really well. I will miss her when she moves back to her hometown later this year. Cleo's blog "Wind between the Stars" is well worth detouring too if you love handmade, textiles and planet friendly art work. You will find some samples of our collaborative work here and here.
Katrina and her daughters brought us a beautiful meal and then hung out knitting afterwards. Well, we were knitting, the kids were running riot in a less peaceful part of our small home.
Betty-Ann swung by to hang out with her latest creation she whipped up in a jiffy. She's a prolific knitter and a generous soul. I love her knitting basket, seen here.
Check out the new project on her needles. Another handmade cushion cover, this time a Kaffe Fasset pattern with crazy yarn. A new concept I learned yesterday. She's holding the small gift I made her.
I had a play with a Porcelaine ceramic pen I got from Spotlight. They are only ten bucks each but with 30% off cost me so little. The cup was on special too but I'm going to keep my eye out when trawling the secondhand shops. I'm looking forward to playing with some of my hiapo designs. I wish I could create my own ceramic dishes. (Thanks to Melissa at Tiny Happy for the heads up about these).

And last, but by no means least was this little guy. My son Knuckles (aka lil Richie). Seen here demanding my new phone. He threw my last one in the bath. We had a pyjamas day yesterday. I love that he spent the day climbing in and out of bed for hugs and to watch his favourite puppy program. He's my little puppy and my favourite visitor. I can't believe he will be two soon. Someone slow time down. I want to enjoy my little boy a bit longer.

my small world ...

2010-08-05T22:14:00.000-07:00

The view from my bed, there is a big screen tv but I'm trying to avoid it. Its useful for keeping my toddler occupied (he likes the interactive kids channel) and I am loving the Food Channel. So inspiring.

I am enjoying having some time to work my way through my big pile of books. I am a bookworm. Authentic certified bibliophile. Lots of wonderful art and lifestyle books gleaned this week from the library sale for ... $1 each. How insane is that?! Mucho gracias mi amigo! I'm not complaining. $14 for my books (hardcover, will share photos of my loot later) but ahem, $45 fine for late returns. Still, its much cheaper than buying books. Some people must have chocolate, yarn or coffee. My love is books.

A bit of bedside crafting. A jar of shell buttons, one almost completed crochet hat and some felt flowers. O, and a glass of Asti Ricadonna. mmmm.

My new workspace while I heal. My mum blessed us with a new sleigh bed and mattress. So good when one has a back injury. I didn't even notice how unsupportive our old mattress was until I lay on a new one. Feeling loved and a bit spoiled. It makes a difference having lovely things.

Here it is completed. It started life as a slouchy beret type hat but when I tried it on, it looked awful. So I tweaked it and made it flare at the bottom rather than taper in. It ended up more cloche/fisherman-like. My grandad was a fisherman and I was thinking of him and his hats as I worked. I enjoy my memories of him fishing. He seemed most alive when he was out there catching our food and not cooped up in a house.

This is my own design. I have a few basic skills. Every time I start, I never really know how it will look until I reach the end. Its a fun organic process. It freaks out people who love orderly processes and counting.

The Knitting book was on sale for $10. I'm a random knitter being hopeless at complex things like reading patterns and shaping garments. I just find that having a knitting/crochet project keeps my hands and mind occupied when I get the odd gap open up in my day. I love the sense of achievement when I design and complete something. I also enjoy the process of finding nice yarns and the lull that is created in my busy world as I slow down and create, stitch by stitch. The tactile feel of yarn as its handled is also rather seductive. Anyone who loves textiles knows that this is why we're so passionate about cloth, yarn and fibre.

It's funny how these days my identity as an artist is intrinsically tied to knitting but I generally lean towards organic and natural textiles, and mixed media object making with tribal influences. But most people don't know that about me either. Currently I exhibit once or twice a year. Those are my main projects that I work on quietly in the background.

I love my new hat. I am working towards having my ideal wardrobe with lots of handmade interspersed with quality NZ made garments using natural fibres.

This green flecked heather wool was perfect for this project. I love green. Its my favourite colour. I wear all black but green is definitely my colour of choice.

I am enjoying Carefree Clothes for Girls book on making handmade garments for girls (follow the link for a review by Amanda at Soulemama). And also Homemade Home (a nice review by another blogger I love, Holly at decor8). Great buys, both using easy to get resources (think thrifting, recycling and basic cotton cloth like muslin, calico, etc) to make beautiful handmades that are simple but have a great finish because we know it is all about the finish!

NB: Please excuse the quality of my photos. These were taken on my phone and at night-time. I am also trying to figure out how to upload more than four photos at a time on Picassa. So I will be running several posts at a time until I get to grips with all the different programs. Trying to get everything synchronised is rather complicated for this technophobe. Lucky for me, I married a technical guru.

buttons, stairs and stitches ...

2010-07-31T19:42:00.000-07:00

Recent thrifting finds on our trip north. Kaitaia Salvation Army Store. Wooden needles, 50 cents a pair. Wee vintage tiled plate, $3. Shell, wood and metal buttons, $2. Kiwiana Cape Reinga and Far North CWI (Country Womens Institute) souvenior spoons, $1 each. Shells supplied in our room.

These funny overgrown unassuming stairs are where I spent hours of my childhood sorting out my collections of shells, reading books and playing by myself. The gardens were well tended back then. Being raised by my grandparents meant there was a lack of play companions but many adventures to be had with adults, walking the beach everyday, the dunes, the rocks around Shipwreck Bay. Fossicking at the rubbish tip and in the secondhand stores in town and fleamarkets.

Finally back in Wellington after a week up north, I had the pleasure of spending a great day with my mother and my friend Betty-Ann. She knits like we breathe. Here is a wee glimpse of her latest project. A cushion cover made of bits and pieces of yarn.

My mother has never been conservative. Even at 57, she's unique and quirky. Have just said goodbye to her after four weeks together. She left me some handmade treasures which I will show soon.

Its a rainy, blustery classic Wellington winter day as I post this from my bed. I have a spine injury which hinders me from time to time for weeks on end. Painkillers, physio and rest. A little frustrating for this busy mum. So very thankful for my caring and considerate husband.

te oneroa a tohe

2010-07-22T04:14:00.000-07:00

Ninety Mile Beach or Te Oneroa A Tohe looking south to Shipwreck Bay and the sand dunes we used to climb as kids with my grandmother. It's nice to be back in my childhood playground with my kids, and show them their turangawaewae (tribal standing ground).

The only way I'm ever in a shot is if I take it myself. The downfall of being the photographer in the family. My cute baby in the background. I have three sons. I am a happy mama.

My youngest at sunset. I made his crochet hat when it was confirmed we were coming home. I knew I wanted a photo of a sunshine-y hat on this wee son of mine on this vast beach. We got here late but we still did a quick trip down the beach at sunset.

My second son is so independent. He amazes me with his energy and can do approach to everything. He's a bit of a chip of the old block ... that would be me of course.

ahipara

2010-07-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

A trip back to my homelands, Ahipara on the Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North of Aotearoa. Today we were rained in. We spent some time down the beach but mostly indoors looking out at that amazing vista.

A small installation of our beach finds.

The climate is sub-tropical here and even in mid-winter, the plants are lush and flowering. My grandmothers favourite flower, the hibiscus.

A bit of crochet around a small sea shell. A gift for my mother who was visiting her brothers today and a nod to my childhood spent collecting shells with my grandmother, a prolific maker herself. I watched her crochet for hours upon hours as a child. It's lovely to be home with the children.

2010-07-17T08:05:00.001-07:00

My life has been a bit like this photo I took while clambering around rocks at a recent photoshoot with fellow artist Cleo.

I have been making, always making. Crafting old army blankets, stitching the neverending bits of old white cloth from Asia Gallery to form a slowcloth project, knitting, crochet plus the odd writing gig and making stuff for my youngest lad.

Mostly though I have been involved in raising my kids and being the full-time parent in our family. Its all been a steep learning curve again and I've found a place in it where I'm comfortable just cruising along, being oncall for different one's needs as they arise.

Always making, always. There's always a few stitch projects in the creative corners of my home. I'm also involved in several craft groups, one of which I help co-ordinate. I've been fortunate enough to collaborate and also participate in exhibitions with my own work this year, mainly textiles and a couple of paintings.

The art of making oneself fit one's life is definitely my biggest learning curve this year. Learning to slow down down down and be available solely to serve my family, putting aside my bigger artistic aspirations for now has been fantastically liberating. I don't know if I want to go back and for now am grateful for a hardworking husband who together shares the passion we have to raise our kids up ourselves.

Mostly I am excited about the way each day is a clean page, upon which there is nothing there except what I choose. As a single income family, we do live within a tighter budget and don't own the home we live in. Frankly the gift of having one adult solely committed to the needs of everyone else is awesome. Its important this awareness of what I do and the value it brings. Don't we all strive to have work that is meaningful? Lives that are purposeful? And while we may wax romantically and lyrically about the importance of raising children, sometimes its just not obvious when changing the umpteenth nappy for the day, or staring at the neverending laundry and dishes, and the clock that reminds us another meal is required.

I value women's work. Whether it's in the home or balancing running a family with paid work. It's valid and its important that we can choose what works best for each of us. I value the men who continue to work for their families and marriages too. They tend to be a bit of a rare breed in this mid-life season.

I look forward to posting more often again. Thank you all who have contacted me. Yes, we are alive and well. Yes, I'm back. A bit rusty but looking forward to a new season of writing here and posting photos of my travels and adventures. x

no eye candy ...

2010-03-15T04:06:00.000-07:00

I'm having trouble uploading photos. It's been impossible to write without visuals. I use them as jumping off points.

Lots of things have been happening:

I turned 39!
I had my first painting ever accepted into a exhibition as well as my covered stone installation.
I have finally become part of a church ministry, assisting with community ministry in our new church.
I never realised until recently how frustrated I was without a voice. I have found it and I use it regularly.
The kids are doing brilliant.
I am finding my flow as wife, mother, artist and counsellor ... slowly and steadily.
I have done a rough! business plan.
I have great friends.
My husband is a rollicking great worship leader!
My creative ventures are starting to take on a distinct Rachelle-flavour. We all strive for our own authentic style and distinction. I think I'm starting to understand what mine is.

I hope to get photos here soon. Watch this space.

little things do add up ...

2010-02-21T04:27:00.000-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me that the simplest things in life can bring the most pleasure. Sometimes we just need to see them through someone else's eyes to gain new appreciation of what was right there in front of us all along.

Who knew bringing in the laundry could be so much fun. A peg, a baby and a playful dad. Thankful my camera was nearby. Thankful that my life has lots of these moments scattered throughout it recently. Thankful immensely to be part of an amazing family and community of friends. Gratitude is a practice that keeps our souls healthy. Happy February friends.

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when

our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”

— Thornton Wilder

summer pondering ...

2010-01-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

the estuary

gathering shells

prayerful moments

my heart

stitching and thinking

Its a new year and with it my thinking is always ... what do I want to achieve? What's working and what needs to go? My mind becomes more prayerful as I seek some guidance and understanding of how best to use my life. And more importantly, how does He want me to use my life. The answer never changes. To love God and love people. He tends to leave the 'how' up to me for the most part.

I try and seek paths that are my strengths-base and in the areas where we as a family have influence. Things that include encouragement, creativity and spirituality as well as just plain loving on people. Feeding, listening and being available to those in our lives.

My biggest desire is to start each and every day with Him first. It quickly becomes apparent when I haven't. No matter, just a quick pause in my day and my spirit seeks His peace. Then I carry on. Just me and God. I like it. Its pretty simple and makes all the difference.

I used to pray before my feet hit the floor in the morning. A quick locating of God's presence and a prayer of thankfulness and a desire to spend my day walking with God. It's when I get lazy or full of myself that I start to neglect this vital part of my day. Nothing like some drama or crisis to bring me back to what's really important.

The other thing I value is the ability to look for the good in each person and situation. Its too easy to be critical. That doesn't mean being cheesey 'positive' all the time. Authenticity is key. I want to be a blessing to others. To inspire others about the good that is in them. We live in a time when it is becoming rare to find someone who has a good word about us.

New Years day on the deck of my brothers house in Auckland looking out over the estuary, I opened my bible and found the scripture that says: The power of life and death are in the words we use; we choose what we will bring.

I want to bring LIFE with my words. Raising three sons and living a full life provides me plenty of opportunity to practice blessing others with my words. I have a big mouth, I'd like to put it to good use wherever possible. Such as it is.

Without God I am lost. I am not a nicest person I can be. In my own strength, I'm fairly good at bringing people down and that includes myself. I am inspired by genuinely kind and loving people. There's admirable strength in graciousness.

This year is still undecided in terms of where, how and what ... but I know how I want to be no matter where I am and what is happening. I know who I desire most to be with and like. It's my own simple stress-free-ish plan for my life and for my family. The saying "a happy mama equals a happy household" holds true if I stick to my personal challenge.

A season for everything ...

2009-12-19T01:22:00.000-08:00

including a few things I've been working on. My best work though is still my family. So proud of these guys. Knuckles has completed one whole trip around the sun and is taking first running steps in the last couple of days. Marcus is becoming more independent than the whole family smooshed together. Maia is the promise of a beautiful man to come.

black and white ...

2009-11-18T23:34:00.000-08:00

These days I'm drawn to black and white. Especially white. All spectrum of white. From raw hemp string (which I am currently knitting on extra large needles to get those wonderful big holes) through to pure white cotton or merino yarn. I recently inherited a big bag of rough white carpet wool. A bane to any decent knitter, but then I am not decent. lol. My covered stones series is coming along wonderfully. I have loaned a few out for display. I love these black stones (when they're wet) with white lines that form circles on the stones. They are my new treasures. I recently returned a boot load of stones to the sea, some with little knitted jerseys on. It tickles me to imagine someone finding one and wondering about it. Wellington is cold, everyone needs a layer of wool even the stones on my beach, lol. I have also felted some. Its exciting. People ask me what I'm doing. I just smile. I love the idea of soft/hard, warm/cold, natural/man-made, black/white. After working with muddy colours with natural dyes for a wee while my eye is being drawn to a cleaner palette and starker contrast.

I wore a black and oyster grey outfit from Zambesi when I got married. I have always favoured dark things. White however is a new pleasure. Even in my journal I write with a black freeflowing ink pen on stark white paper.
Writing, writing, writing. I am hesitant to write about my writing ;). It's flowing well and I am getting lots of little stories and observations down. Those things I find myself pondering and sharing with others over and over. It may be useful. It may be inspirational. It may just be my own personal adventure. So far I have written most days in the gaps between childcare, therapy and community. Even blogging is time-consuming. I love it when there are big spaces but these days I am wrapped up in caring for our little baby. He's growing and absorbing to watch and spend time with. He's just discovered the joy of bubbles. I can't believe he'll be one next month.
It's getting warmer, summer is around the corner. I love to spend time on the beach with the boys. After school, even during school we will happily skive off to the beach and play all day. I'm free of pain and have mobility back again. Looking for sea-leavings is gonna absorb me this year, along with writing and getting out there with my kids. There is nothing that makes me happier than lying in green grass beneath a blue sky with a baby gurgling around in the grass, my boys scooting and whooping down steep hills on bits of cardboards or fossicking around on the beach amidst piles of stones while the children dig pools for the sea to fill.
Yes there is colour in my life but it isn't in the stuff that I own or the spending that I do. It isn't about my reputation or even the people I am acquainted with. It's not found in my career, my appearance or any other external thing.
The colours come from the people I have been blessed with and an acquired ability to find joy in the simplest of things.

more baby adventures ...

2009-11-18T22:49:00.000-08:00

It's spring, the grass is lush and green. The park where we play with our friends on Friday's for some end of week fun and beginning of the weekend adventure. A steep hill for the kids to fly down on bits of cardboard boxes and lots of birds to feed crusts of picnic sandwiches too.