Crafty Mermaid

The amazingly talented Lisa (weaver extraordinare) created this and thankfully I was able to buy it. Love, love, love it!

Cups and saucers for my office (for visitors what drop by on occasion - I have a kitchen near my office but it never seems to have enough cups when I have a meeting so I've remedied the situation).  I also bought this cute pelican, with the intention of spray painting him but I don't know if I can bring myself to do it! I've been thinking a lot recently about the things I buy.  I was watching an old Dr Who episode and a remark the Doctor made to Donna in one of the scenes really hit home.  They were freeing the Ood and Donna said something about not supporting slavery and how people must have known, and the Dr replied something about who makes your clothes. I really love clothes and enjoy having nice things like many people, but for the first time in my life I really have the money to be able to make sensible decisions about who gets my money.  Unfortunately consciences are mostly only for those with the money to exercise them. I'm at a place in my life now that

It seems so long ago now - but the earrings and tea were from my trip up the east coast to Ruatoria . The candle was from a lavender farm in the Wairapapa, which unfortunately was a disappointment - not much lavender to see (or smell more importantly!)

I have the bestest family - my wonderful auntie M sent these just to say 'hello' :)

I'm really enjoying moving out of my comfort zone making more textured and layered cards.  I think these work quite well.  Some of which use paper from magazine ads (the background paper in the top card) and others are from pages I colour printed from the internet for other projects, as well as bits I purchased.  I normally don't put a lot of text on my cards but I think these work well.  I bought a booklet of friendship stickers to make a scrapbook for a friend's wedding but then didn't have enough time to make it :( So here's the spoils!

Oh this photo is a tad on the old side - oophs.  But I've made a plant purchase!  I'm not the proud owner of a Hebe.  We're thinking of selling BM's house and when its being viewed this will be nearer the door - but for the moment, it has to be out from the roof to get watered!

Oh my backlog of posts is taking quite the time to get through. Which is just as well really as I'm a bit short of time at the moment.  I really like how the card above turned out - but unfortunately I don't have envelopes for these square cards.  I think I bought them in a going out of stock sale at a large stationers in Ireland.  The second card uses funky foam (or whatever its called) to give the card a bit of a 3D feel.  I'm not sure that it turned out as bright and happy as I was hoping for. Oh, using up 'good' stickers again - I must be making some headway into my stash of card making stuff (now, just to convince myself that I don't need anything to replace it!). And finally, another image from the catalogue embellished with some bling!

These cards are a bit of a departure for me.  Though I really, really like them.  I used a Kikki.K catalogue and I think some images from a magazine instead of just throwing them out - and accessorised with a sticker or two. :)

We were broken into ages ago and my laptop (and various other bits) were stolen . Thankfully, all this arrived on the day so there was a pretty, pretty silver lining!

On our trip to Ruatoria, we gave a lift to a traditional weaver.  Her stuff was amazing (I'll show you what I bought in another post!). She's been experimenting with contemporary colours and traditional techniques to make new shapes and her stall was mobbed for the day!

The local community hall in Ruatoria had the most amazing carvings and weaving.  I was told that each woven panel has a particular meaning and can be used to represent different iwi.  I feel cheated somehow that my village hall at home was a far more modest affair!

We had wonderful food on the marae.  One of our hosts added flowers and mint as well as lemon to the water jugs - beautiful colours and a hint of a great flavour.  And what food choices!  I had crayfish for the first time!

I recently visited Ruatoria  on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island for work.  Well, I say work - but that might be stretching it! I stayed in a local Marae .  Myself and my workmate were very kindly hosted by Ngati Porou .  The locals and the other guests at the marae were all gearing up for the East Coast Traditional Food Festival so I was able to see the creation of a hangi .  That's a whole lotta meat! I was also lucky enough to get a Rewena bread making lesson (unfortunately I didn't manage to get my head around it and I'll have to stick with Jamie Oliver until I figure out what I'm doing - I really learn by reading - eek!).