"Stressed spelt backwards is desserts". I read that on Facebook this week. I would rather desserts right now, but there's more stress and work than anything else. That's moving though, its one of the greatest stressors in life.
There's only a week and a half before we leave New Zealand for Australia. I will be a foreigner but I really have no time thankfully to stop and mull that one over. I've been sifting and sorting my little heart out here, trying to prepare and its like swimming in soup. Lots of effort, with small increments of progress. Still, we are about to leave our home and stay with friends for the final week. In just the shortest of times, it will all be done.
One thing that was a pleasant surprise was tracking through my old photos and finding a few of our early photos including a few dating ones, wedding snaps and our first son.
There's not many photos of our early days because a camera was a luxury as was having a film developed. Seventeen years we've been married this year. He's still my best friend and a great dad. This move we are making is for our children but our family is built on an abiding love for one another and for God.
I believe in marriage just like I believe in the goodness of people. Is it easy? No but nothing really is, is it. We can only do our best and the rest is up to God. If I can encourage anyone ever, its just to keep putting your best foot forward. Even with the best intentions and plans, things don't always work out. And sometimes from tragedy, joy and triumph are birthed. We never truly know how strong we are. But I am always up for a miracle and can truly marvel at how great the plans of God are for each of us. He really does love us, each one. I am so grateful for this life of mine. x
We are headed to Australia to establish a new lifestyle and adventures for our family. New Zealand is our beautiful homeland, our whenua. We shall be back but for now educating our sons and work opportunities beckon. My family of origin are all there so we have lots of support and there will be lots of gatherings as we visit lots of friends and family who have already made the move.
Last week, my friend Maxine turned up with a gift. The coolest jandals I've ever seen. At the time we were thinking about emigrating but weren't quite sure. Somehow those jandals tipped the balance for me. The idea of living in a warm place, warm enough for skirts and jandals. Then my mother emails and says she has got me a position in FIVE op shops. Hmmm, that surely is a sign from heaven. God is speaking my language.
Of course there are deeper reasons for moving. Jandals and op shops aside, our eldest son will have a better education and Rich has better job opportunities. We cannot get that here. Change is good. Family is our priority and giving our kids the best chance they have in life. There's great churches, a multitude of them that we are excited to visit and find a spiritual home with.
It will be great to live closer to my parents, my grandmother, and my brothers and their families. We are all about whanau and the idea of having them all nearby is mind blowing. For almost 17 years we've done it ourselves and it will be nice to have a cuppa with my grandmother or go out with my parents for dinner. To see the kids playing with their cousins and to celebrate birthdays and Christmas together. My mum is so excited she's about fit to burst.
They say that moving house is one of the most stressful things one can do and emigrating takes it to a whole new level. We are no exception to the rule. Packing down the house has become a major mission as we are due to leave soon. Meanwhile lots of friends have jumped on board to lend a hand. I love the community we are a part of here. Family, friends and church community fill our lives. Interest groups and community organisations I've formed that will go on without us ... all entwined in our narratives. I am looking forward to the next chapter of creativity, spiritual growth and family stories. I can't wait to get started establishing communities and groups. Its what I do and love.
The next few weeks will be taking care of details, packing, sorting, visiting and saying goodbye to the plethora of people in our lives in this country. In the meantime, because my home is in upheaval and I'm surrounded by boxes, I've enjoyed this blog House Handmade written by my friend Shells who immigrated here from South Africa. Her family have just finished building their home. There's lots of lovely eye candy and it keeps me dreaming about the home we can establish in a new country.
I've been filling my senses with images I've collected on my Pinterest, chiefly my pinboard 'my vintage home' board and cruising Ebay Australia a bit excited. Australia is a very old country compared to New Zealand, and I love old things. I know right! Op shops. Ebay. Garage Sales. New 'old' stuff. And checking out all the handmade movement there. Right. Back to packing. :)
I have news. We are moving. Its been a very big week to say the least. We've been a part of this community and lived in this home for the better part of eight years. I have for the longest time dreamed of a larger home, with room for the boys and their friends, a craft space for me and bigger living areas for entertaining purposes.
We have a lot of stuff. Its all my fault. My boys own things like guitars, computers, playstations and scooters. I, on the other hand, am a collector. A gatherer of things vintage. My favourite thing is looking for treasures. So as I scanned my home and inwardly groaned at the idea of emptying the house, plus a very full large garage of all that vintage stuff, plus all my art and craft supplies gleaned over the past SIXTEEN years, to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement.
However, once we decided where we were going, it became simpler. Sort of. So I have decided to let go of lots of things but keep the absolute treasures I cannot live without. The glass statue my mother gave me, my sister-in-laws hiapo painting, Dagmar's print, my art deco teapot, my favourite coffee pot, some of my silver spoons, my retro coffee mugs and the Italian cut glass mirror also from my mum. My art books and some of my sewing supplies. The antique Japanese sewing box my husband gave me one year for my birthday. A couple of my stitch works and my crochet granny blankets. A hatbox and the glass sugar bowl that winds up and plays music also from my mum. A special quilt my mum gave my son for his first birthday. My Agee jars and a crate of milk bottles. The cushion cover and bunting that my friend Betty-Ann gave me. Some of my vintage prints. My blue typewriter. My camera. My knitting needles and yarn.
We are off on a new adventure. The destination is a secret a while longer as we hold it in prayer but its going to be awesome and we are more than ready. I am prayerful that this will bless our family. Our time in this place is up and we are grateful for the many memories we have had here. For the lessons learned, the consolidation of our marriage, our unity, our learning as a family. For the friends we have made and community that rose up around us and loved us.
Titahi Bay has been an awesome place to live. I highly recommend it. The people are warm and friendly. Its a great place to raise kids (though I would suggest to look further afield for high school options). It feels like being on holiday with the ocean mere minutes away, golden sand, swimming in summer and great photos to be had at any time.
The photos below are symbolic of the kind of haul I would often return with from my thrifting adventures. I am looking forward to new adventures, to new 'old' things and my little artistic self is having a little jump for joy as I anticipate setting up a new home and viewing our new location through the lens of my camera and this blog.
The silver teapots were $5-$10 each and my silver cutlery was bulk priced about $3.
Hello. Its the school holidays here and I have discovered the best peanut butter cookie recipe ever! Its so easy and delicious and fast. I used this recipe here. Its the easiest thing.
Three Ingredients Cookies.
1 cup of peanut butter
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
Mix and roll out spoonfuls of the mixture.
Flatten with a fork on a baking paper covered tray.
Cook at 180C for about 15 minutes.
Cool and enjoy.
Soooooooo goooood. I had a couple of large family sized jars of peanut butter in the pantry that the kids weren't really eating. You could sandwhich them together with chocolate spread like Nutella if you have it but they are just as good plain. In the next few batches I made (because they really are that good and simple), I threw in some cranberries and chocolate chips. I made a triple batch of cookies and added a cup each of cranberries and chocolate chips. It says to use castor sugar but I didn't have much of it, so I chucked in ordinary sugar and brown sugar too. These are just as cookies should be, crispy on the outside and chewy in the centre.
My three year old helped with everything. It was simple as.
It did get me thinking about how kids at every single school, kindy etc has peanut butter allergies these days. How come they didn't exist in our day when we were growing up? I don't want anyone harmed but we love peanut butter and nutella and it really limits what I can give the kids for lunch some days. That's why the darn stuff is all up in my pantry still. I wonder if Indian kids get peanut allergies as I've heard from a very young age, they are given mashed up peanuts in everything. Meanwhile, you must try these cookies as long as you don't have an allergy to peanuts. Not gluten, no wheat, no dairy. Easy as.
The colour green is often associated with healing, endurance and growth; stability and strength.
I love this little green and gold tray. Its made in Italy and is papier mache apparently. My friend uses it to store her spices on and found it at a garage sale or something. I have lots of lovely things but it doesn't stop me wanting more lovely things like this little tray.
I like going to her house to stitch and sit in her tidy child-free space and talk about all sorts of interesting things. She's a policy analyst and has an intelligent mind.I enjoy these visits a lot. She is also a fervent knitter and so together we enjoy our handmade past times and weave tales about this and that.
Overall, it was still a very good week. I got several thank you cards in the mail, including a wee package from dear friend Melissa, who also sent me this lovely embroidered needlebook. I had admired just this one last week at Te Papa. It now lives in my sewing tin and I get lots of comments. Mostly, what is a needle book for? Check out her shop, she has a few good things listed there. All the best too Melissa on your new journey. x
I've had a quiet week, taking care of the basics, stitching and feeling a bit muddled. I am really good when I have things to be about, but after an eventful few weeks, I think I crashed a little. Not overthinking it though, I just quietened my life down and only did the essentials. Self-care after all these years is still really important. Knowing when to push forward and when to fall back and gather my senses again.
Thank God I no longer battle with depression but mood swings can still catch me out. My family are undemanding and my husband supportive at whatever place I find myself at. Its rare to find people who can admit they are weak sometimes, frail, vulnerable. Society applauds our successes but frowns on mistakes, flaws and yes, I'll say it again, weakness.
I have no choice, when I'm low, that's what it is. I enjoy the freedom to be real and truthful about it. Amazing how much more relate-able we are when we drop our defenses and pretenses. It allows others to be themselves too. And when life is good, it is very good for me. Has anyone else noticed that creative people soar and drop like seagulls? Some of my favourite heroes in the bible did the same. David, Elijah and yes, Jesus wept, raged and often had to leave the crowds to get some peace and quiet, pray and gather his thoughts.
I was invited to create a meaningful design for a special lad's first birthday. My friend Amanda is a chef, she bakes wonderful artistic cakes and it was a real privilege to design something for her and little Mika, who I've yet to meet. It was his first birthday, and his first year as a premature baby has seen him overcome some major obstacles in life.
My little Polynesian turtle design with lotus flower
The incredible cake that Amanda created.
Did you Know...
The Leatherback Turtle
The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle in the world and lives mostly in the Pacific Ocean. Though small at birth, it grows up to 7 feet long/wide and weighs on average 900 kgs. Its the fourth largest reptilian in the world, there are three crocodilian before it. They must overcome huge obstacles, predators and conditions when they are young and it takes a long time for them to reach maturity. Once they have reached maturity, there are few predators that can overcome them. Their bodies, unlike other turtles, are able to self-modify to the temperature changes in the different areas of the world. This allows them to travel great distances. And travel they do. They also dive the deepest distances, 1280ft and for up to 85 minutes. They love to eat jellyfish and cephlapods. The females will always return to their place of birth but the males will spend their lives at sea.
The turtle, starts small and has to overcome many difficulties. It is a humble creature having none of the defences of others of its scale like sharks and crocodiles. Instead it lives its life travelling throughout the many oceans of the world having the capacity to adapt itself to the extreme temperatures. It is listed as an endangered animal. The turtle is a symbol throughout the world for long life (longevity), support, wisdom and peace.
The Lotus Flower
The lotus grows in difficult circumstances, deep in the ground, buried in mud and away from the sun, but eventually the lotus reaches the light and becomes the worlds most beautiful bloom. It remains untouched from the mud where it originated and is a symbol of purity. Likewise man is also challenged to overcome that which surrounds him to become light and beauty in the world. To bring forth in himself that which is good, true and right. To be a light for those around him. A source of beauty, inspiration and hope. The lotus flower reminds us of the miracle of life, that good things can come from struggle and that man is not just the sum of where he comes from but also what he carries for the future. A lotus is more than a plant in the mud, with time and light and struggle, it reveals itself to the world in all its wonder, and those who see it are awed and reminded of the beauty that is within them too.
Colors
Gold (yellow) ... precious, valuable, important,
Green for healing, endurance and growth; stability and strength.
The head is made up of two koru's (spirals) representing Mika's two mothers with crowns.
The front flippers are sunshine for love, which is what leads the way. The back flippers are growth for strength and vitality like strong fronds on the coconut tree and ponga tree.
God bless you Mika and your family. I pray that like the turtle you will grow stronger and become a man who impacts the world, like the turtle, with your gentle presence. Like the Lotus, may your current struggles and difficulties be the story behind you, may these challenges strengthen you, and may your life be a light and hope to all those who will know you throughout your life.
I'm always intrigued by people's processes. My friend Nina's work table is always compelling, check out a work in progress HERE and her amazing blog ORNAMENTAL here. She makes beautiful narrative jewellery. In fact it was Nina that kick started my more intentional making several years ago when I stumbled across her work in a book and made contact with her online. We've been corresponding for several year now and I'm still inspired by her 'eye', her magpie collections of interesting things (we are all gatherers folk like us), her poetic writing and her ability to take the everyday things around us and weave a beautiful tale.
I'd always fiddle faddled around with stuff but her work brought into focus this idea of creating visual narratives. Layers of meaning using various materials. I am still playing about with bits and pieces to this day and was pleasantly surprised at the recent Handmade symposium to find that other people found it interesting as well. But then why should that surprise me? A good story is always welcome isn't it?
I'm taking a few days R&R. We have just entered into winter here and that has always effected my moods. With the help of many people, we have been accomplishing a lot in the past month. I'm trying to be wise, to balance family life and everything else that's happening around me. I have enjoyed sitting here quietly stitching some little pieces inspired by a couple of postcards I picked up at Te Papa Museum on the weekend.
I find that playing around and mulling through things is really helpful. I listen to audio books and am really enjoying Lisa Bevere's Lioness series having heard her speak recently in Wellington (some free ones HERE). I enjoy TED Talks too and Jill Bolte's talk was really inspiring. A female scientist for a start is fascinating alone. Lots of interesting people with different ways of looking at things. I hope I never stop learning. And I've always loved books but don't have the time to sit and read like I used to. Thank goodness for podcasts and downloadables.
I've always got a small project on me to add a few more stitches too. These are more light hearted things, restorative things. A few days to sit and mull and pray are exactly what this girl needs.
The red flag is Samoa who have also just celebrated their 50th Jubilee of Samoan Independence on the 1st June. My grandfather was Samoan, from the Grey family in Apia. The one to the right of course is the British flag in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
I picked these postcards up from the gift shop in Te Papa while I was working. There's lots of lovely work in there by New Zealand artists. Well worth viewing.
New Zealand's first flag, the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, was adopted before New Zealand became a British Colony. Chosen by an assembly of Maori chiefs in 1834, the flag was of a St George's Cross with another cross in the canton containing four stars on a blue field. (Wikipedia)
The second postcard is an interesting combination of the British flag and a hula skirt. One symbolises a conservative 'proper' institution, the other is designed to beguile and entertain. There is nothing more beautiful than a Pacific beauty doing the hula.
I'm always inspired by the Pacific Collection. Having children of Niuean and Cook Island descent, means weaving my husband and I's heritage into my narrative to create our story.If you go to Auckland Museum, the woman who helped display the Pacifica collection of artifacts including jewellery like this was sitting in my class last week. What a prize she was with all her knowledge. She also looked after the button collection. That has to be the best job in the world.
Our country has had a bit of a jolt. Tame Iti and his colleagues went to prison on charges of terrorism. While I don't advocate violence ever as a means of resolving conflict, I still believe the media and the justice and political system strong armed the whole case. I'm still astounded at the ignorance of those who call New Zealand home towards its indigenous peoples and their way of living. His tribe never signed the Treaty. They have always seen themselves as an independent state for goodness sake.
If I lived in China, I would have to speak Chinese and roll with Chinese laws. If I lived in your home, I'd have to roll the way you roll and negotiate my way with you. Here, many of our people have to fight to hold onto their culture. And its awful to watch them labelled as trouble makers and have all their weaknesses flaunted as an excuse to why 'our' way is not acceptable.
My heart is heavy. I know God hates His children fighting and frankly, I feel that in this case, we were bullied into submission again. A case of 'sit down Maori boy and know your place'. How could a few Maori fight the police and the legal system? It was stacked and lots of information was withheld, creating even more public confusion and feeding the fear and racism that is alive and kicking in certain sectors of our society.
Political views from a Christian woman who stands in both worlds, well, I'm just a complete contradiction on all fronts hey. I don't speak Te Reo and some would say that disqualifies me from my right to speak on behalf of Maori. I am a Christian, and some would say that's a white man's religion and it killed more people than it helped historically. And I'm a woman. Actually, that's seen as a strength these days. Anyway, so what. I'm no expert and I don't profess to be qualified to have anything other than my own opinion and feelings about these things but commonsense tells me that when they started throwing around loaded words like 'terrorist' and bombs, well, game over isn't it?
I'm all good. My Nan told me my skin, my round face, my flat nose and big lips, and the blood running through my veins qualify me. I wish you knew her. She was so strong. I remember as a little girl, she would head from house to house in our small settlement recruiting for Mana Motuhake party. She was a physical woman too, one of my favourite memories is her nailing down the down the roof on our little house in a gale storm. Come on! And I'm her mokopuna, she raised me and my brothers. There was no way I was ever gonna be a quiet woman. Nina Simone's song is a solid favourite of mine cos it reminds us all we all got something to be grateful for.
I sidestep politics simply because I know that its a waste of time expecting a small group of people (politicians) to bring solutions to the masses. They only get 4-12 years to make a difference, we have our whole lives.
I believe the masses, that's us, need to find our own solutions. Forming friendships, communities that are outward looking, caring for one another and resourcing one another with what we already have. Simpler lifestyles, recycling things we no longer use to other folk, things like furniture and clothing, making stuff, sharing, swapping, and visiting the shops less. Being resourceful and yes, going without. My husband and I have not bought any new clothes for ourselves for the longest time. We live on a single income and its a squeeze but it means there's a parent at home for the kids. Its a simple way of life we live, not easy and sometimes it gets tight, but its our way of taking care of our family within our means. I appreciate everyone has to find what works for them too. That's the beauty of having freedom to make one's own choices.
Don't get me wrong, we love luxuries like op shopping, a good coffee and every couple of years we enjoy staying in a hotel. Due to the distances we travel, we use two cars but our kids walk to and from school when the weather allows, and for my eldest, that's over an hours walk. And inexpensive housing, there's people working on affordable solutions who I salute. I love Habitat for Humanity, they are an incredible solution.
I don't like those stickers with your name on it. You know, when you go to conferences etc so I stitched my own. I worked on this one while sitting through an invigorating church meeting last night. It was only this morning that I realised that my name isn't Ahipara Girl is it! So I'm sitting here laughing at myself and have no problem admitting that a few day's rest are in order. xxx
THE GREAT SOCK MONKEY CHALLENGE
Check out all these monkeys you've made!!! Check out our Facebook page HERE and see photos of all the different kinds of monkeys that have been created by so many people and most rewardingly, see some of the kids who've received them. x
Olivia and Elijah took the first batch of sock monkeys to Starship Hospital in Auckland last week. FIFTY monkeys for fifty kids in hospital. Well done everyone. They were absolutely gorgeous, all with different personalities and quirks, just like sock monkeys should and all razzled up in just three weeks.
Our page on Facebook 'The Great Sock Monkey Challenge' has 300 followers already in its first month. We were interviewed by a lovely reporter from the Dominion Post (you can read it HERE) so hope that continues to inspire makers and newbies to join us in our quest to get 1000 monkeys out children who have a critical of long term illness. The photos of the kids with their monkeys have started rolling in on our page and its just wonderful. Cancer sucks. Sick kids break my heart and stints in hospital with my boys over the years for minor things (by comparison), I want to respond with something positive.
My friend Olivia and I are sold out to meeting our challenge. On the face of it, it doesn't seem much (its a pair of socks and some stuffing after all) until you see the pictures of the kids who receive their monkeys. And with all the crafty makers we know, its seems an obvious solution to us.
Our first free sock monkey making workshop is happening on the 16 June at Holland Road Yarn Company in Petone. We will be running more so make sure to give Tash a ring and get your name on the list.
Making monkeys is lots of fun. and Monkeys have literally taken over our home. Here's a few of mine that went to Handmade 2012 to share the love and promote our challenge.
This little guy was made for my son from a pair of his outgrown socks. We only use new materials for our hospital bound monkeys but you can make them for your kids from all those odd socks that come out of the laundry, one of the world's mysteries really how two go in and only comes out. See below for instructions, they are a simple and satisfying project and gift. xxx
TUTORIAL
I've attached a tutorial below for you if you would like to make one and can't make our workshops, or just want to get started. You only need a pair of socks, some fibre fill and basic sewing skills. Check your seams are strong as are button eyes. Although a sewing machine is used here, its not compulsory. I've made lots completely handstitched. All sock monkeys can be sent 151 Cuba Street, Wellington. Cheers. x
xxx
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
A restful day yesterday after a hectic couple of weeks. Rich and I were child free and decided to go on a date. We headed to Trash Palace, our local recycling centre here in Porirua. I had exactly $20 and challenged myself to find some goodies. Here's what I found plus a few industrial storage containers I found a couple of weeks ago. Check it out. x
I found this skirt yesterday and the bag a couple of weeks ago. The bag cost me $3. I was so happy because I've been after a big bag for a while. Its a bit trendy for me but I like that its red and recycled. I usually like more earthy styles.
Chuffed with my new skirt found in the clothing bins. Its worth digging around in them, just kick the darn thing first so you don't get a fright if there's a rat in there! I saw one once, it was huge one, obviously one of the dump rats. Gah.
This beautiful handknit colourful doiley .
I remember these little dolls. I have a small collection of them now. Well three, I already had one.
Old skool strainers, two for tea leaves and one larger one for sifting icing sugar over a cake.
Another chrome toaster holder.
Super large milk bottle carrier with a rusted label.
A blackboard and the milk bottle holder.
Best find of the day! My new blue green Smith-Corona Typewriter. I had others but I kept giving them away. This one is mine to keep. Love that colour. x
Love that sea green with those pops of red.
Playing around with my new stuff.
I found these two sets of shelves with little drawers a fortnight ago. I got these and the large cashbox below for $5 total. I have never wanted a bigger home with a studio ever as much as I have in the last couple of years. x
The cashbox is huge. x
I like seeing what other people find when they are op shopping. What have you found lately? x
