A Moment of Quiet

I took this photo last weekend, there was a break in the weather that we made the most of to take a walk at Mt Eden. Auckland is full of dormant volcanoes and this one in particular has great views from the top. I love this photo of the two of them, a quiet moment for just daddy and daughter.

Is It Me or Is It You?

I also entered the portraiture category in the metro competition but didn't place....but this picture featured in the exhibition at the Gallery whos name I can't remember at the moment (shame on me!)

Adam Ricketts who stars on Shortland Street and used to be on Coronation Street, he was really nice and chewed a lot of chewing gum. You can just make out the Auckland cityscape in the background and Rangitoto Island, and I liked the fact that Adam was wearing a suit whilst also wearing gumboots. Gumboots that I had just bought because I'd checked out the site in the morning and didn't think he'd appreciate wading deep in the mucky mud.

Time to Return From Isolation

The winner of the Metro/Canon Documentary section - me!

Technologically retarded

I'd really like to change my banner to something else, and how on earth did that text get up there?! If anyone knows the answer could they let me know?

More Procrastination

The holidays are here, yippee! And I thought I'd start attacking my piles of homework by procrastinating and making a present for a good friend who has just had a baby boy. We're all about girl around here so I had to think a little out the circle and find some 'boyish' material in my general girly material stock. I think i've done quite well and hope my friend likes her new robot pants and flannel bib. Both done with the best of intentions rather than with the best of skill!

Easter was spent doing family type things in Rotorua and Hamilton. Doing vastly different things than we do here, patting horses, chasing chickens and wondering what kind of noise that strange animal made aka cow. Luca had a wonderful time and it was really nice to just relax and not worry about schoolwork for a while.

While I was in Rotorua I stumbled upon this great shop - The Styx, unfortunately they don't have a website so I can't share it. A beautiful shop featuring both vintage and new houseware items, I was in heaven and managed to walk out with one thing. This great suitcase, I thought it was a steal at $30.00 and can't wait to go away so I can pack my clothes in it...I'm thinking for my next class trip in July.

Phew! I'm building up a sweat

This whole studying gig is hard work! I spent the weekend doing no less than 3 assignments which meant three different types of photographs - and I'm only a month into the degree, hmph - this does not bode well! Saturday morning was spent in the studio at school attempting to manage all things technical, I managed to somehow capture a decent image using sync lights, slaves, flash, halogen, tripods, digital nikons and other jargon filled implements! My reward for working hard, this picture of Luca which I think captures her spirit nicely.

Omaha Marae

I spent four beautiful days at Omaha Marae as part of my course. Four days of getting to know fellow classmates, workshops by some very cool photographers and lots of eating. My first stay at a marae went off without a hitch, it was a beautiful time.

Form & Simplicity

The beauty of form and simplicity. I took this photo a couple of days ago trying to work in collaboration with another fellow student and dancers. We were trying to respond to an artwork by Gretchen Albrecht which I think is called St Sebastian. I, being the great student I am, haven't even looked at this painting to use as a reference point which probably explains the difficulty I had trying to make a suitable image. I think the image is a sweeping gesture of paint, lots of movement and very simple. Anyway this is my favourite image of the peice although I'm not entirely happy with it as I was wanting more of a curve....we may have to reshoot.

I'm loving my course, I feel like me once again - not just (I use that lightly) a mother or a wife but me pursuing the thing I love - photography. I feel so spoilt being able to spend my days concentrating on something that I have been wanting to do for so long.

Happy New Year

Four months.....could it really be that long? A LOT has happened in those four months and I won't even attempt to recall half of it, the biggest thing I guess is that we have moved to Auckland. Funnily enough the city I said I would never, ever, ever live in. So why the sudden change of heart? One word that can change a choice in a second, if it's the right word and it has particular meaning......that word is work! Or more likely a great opportunity for Ed's writing career. So here we are we have been Aucklander's for three entire weeks and I have worked like a woman possessed to get every box unpacked so I can just relax! One great change is that we are finally living in a modern house, something I also said I'd never do...there's a theme here! I love houses with character, wooden frames, high ceilings, a house made with craftmanship. But after a few years living in older homes with damp, mould and other things that 'add character' we decided this time we would opt for something a little newer and less maintenance. Also Luca, who is nearly 15months old deserves something nice and warm. Another great thing about this house is that the living room is big enough to swing a cat - we don't have a cat, nor would we swing it if we had it, but you know what I mean. So it means I get to bring out the beautiful yellow formica table that has been hiding under mountains of paper in our bedroom/office. The table used to be Ed's family table from before he was born, once upon a time it would have had some very styley blue vinyl chairs, but unfortunately they got sold somewhere along the track. Never fear, we will replace them one day but in the meantime I have given a new lease of life to my old oak chairs which had yuck brown vinyl on the seatpads.

Here is to a new year, a new beginning and a great new start for our family.

All is Quiet

A quiet moment taken in the morning, babies are asleep and the neighbourhood is hushed. Time before the traffic starts buzzing, the day starts quietly. Here is a vibrant peice of colour in our rambling garden.

Crowds and Consumerism

I hate crowds! Living in a big city though, one has to get use to them. So when I have to face one, I do so with a mission in mind! Today was such an event, I thought I would buy Ed a book to celebrate the finishing of his Masters in Creative Writing. We are very proud of him and so I thought that a book from one of his favourite authors would do the trick. Neil Gaiman is a science fiction writer who has created a wonderful childrens book that is beautifully illustrated by Dave McKean. The book I bought him is called 'The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish' and is a beautiful book full of imagination and creativity. I hit Whitcoulls, the bookshop at lunch time - the peak of business, took two escalators, said excuse me countless times and then stood in a queue of twenty people, all in order to get the book! Sales are madness, do we buy things just because they are on sale or because we were going to get them anyway? I always dislike crowds in a sale as well because it reminds me of mass consumerism, like a feeding frenzy with people trying to grab the best bargains - all in order to buy stuff. mmmm. Anyway, yes I gained my massive 30% off and felt very satisfied with my purchase.

The page below reads; "Last week my little sister told everyone at school that I was adopted. The week before she told everyone at school that I was a space alien pretending to be me"

Artistically Cropped

I don't know what's up with this header thing, I'm technically challenged and can't work it out!

Impending Birthdays

Yes, well....you wouldn't think it so hard to type a paragraph every day and then upload it would you! Here I am yet another month late for my next entry. However must stop beating myself up. Anyway, mini moopys aren't they cute! I finished the mama moopy at lunchtime today and made the baby last night. They are for Luca's first christmas party to be held at her creche. I wonder what she'll make of Santa? Will she holler or just take it in her stride, I have no idea..

It is also fast approaching Luca's first birthday and I am considering what to give her, I want it to be something special that she can keep for a long time to come. But also something she can enjoy now. I have a couple of things going through my mind, and have thought about painting a picture from a photograph of her with her dad, or there was a great idea from the Soulemama here which looks like great fun too. I shall ponder.

Perhaps I should start making entries from work, that way I'm sure to do it everyday....

Time - Give Me Some More!

Yes, I'm only nearly a month late for my next entry - so much for the daily entries! I will try to get her more often I promise...We went to Eastbourne on the weekend and enjoyed precious time together before ed had to fly to Auckland. Time is such a precious commodity at the moment. He arrived back yesterday and flies off again on Friday, I feel like a single mother! I love this photo Luca is looking at her dad with quizical fascination. Speaking of time, it is now 9.00 in the evening and this is the first time I have gotten to myself. Problem is I feel absolutely exhausted and would love to crawl into bed. I've just spent the last three hours, eating, cooking and cleaning in some form or another. I'm looking forward to the weekend when I will have a little more energy and hopefully attack some craft ideas that are calling to me!

The end of a chapter

Today was the last day of attending playgroup with Luca. It's a beautiful sunny day and I am only now realising how hard it will be to give up this lifestyle to return to full time work. No more dictating my day however I like...I guess it just furthers my resolve to create a career for myself where I can be the one making the rules. I've posted a photo that I took a couple of years ago, Wharariki Beach which is at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. A beautiful wild beach that is so out of the way that only a few people know about it. These are the places I miss most about leaving Nelson. It also represents another life before Luca, one where I would get out freely whenever I liked to capture beautiful spots on film. Aaah how life has changed!

Help!

By the way, I am a little technically challenged, I have no idea if anyone else is even looking at this blog. But by chance they do, I would really like to know how to change my header using a photograph - any advice?

Appreciating the now

My record of blogging isn't going to well, a week later and here I am although I meant for this to be a daily occurance. Latest thrift finds was this cool old knitting book which has loads of vintage patterns in it. Of course, first I need to learn to knit! I have all the gear, the knitting bag, the patterns & the baby to dress - just the knowledge is required... Life is about to change dramatically for our household, I am returning to work full time. I have mixed feelings about this but most of all guilt. This means that Luca will need to be put into childcare for almost 30 hours a week, something I never thought I would do. She's so little. I plan for this to be just a temporary thing, six months down the track and hopefully it's all over. Me returning to student life which will hopefully allow more time spent with Luca. Last night I was watching a movie on tv, of no significant importance - I think it was called 'Light a Candle For Mr Harvey' or something like that. But whilst watching I got to thinking about life and how our priorities change as we enter new stages in our lives. We spend all of our lives trying to find the meaning of life, but I think it is simple (well in theory anyway). Life is about enjoying all that life has to offer, spending time with our loved ones, cherising our children, watching them grow. Experiencing moments of happiness, appreciating all that we have instead of thinking what we could have in the future. I think I have spent too much time thinking about the future and the possibilities rather than enjoying the now. It really is the simple things that bring about the most pleasure. Receiving a smile from my beautiful daughter as I get her out of bed, a giggling baby, dancing with my husband, eating a delicious meal, laughing with friends... so in my moments of 'I wish I had this' or 'I wish it was like that' I should remember those times and put it all in perspective.

Can you imagine wearing this to the beach!

I love the cute horse & the little boy looks so adorable!

First Attempt

So here I am, hopefully this is my first successful attempt at blogging! After becoming addicted to reading other crafty folks, I am inspired to have a go at my own. Also, hopefully this will prove motivating to me and actually get my a into g!

I had a great day today, on my own for a couple of hours so I headed to the op shops - and came back with some great finds. I found a couple of shops I hadn't been to before and discovered a little treasure trove of embroidered doilies.....is it just me or do these things seem to be incredibly rare now? I also found an old knitting bad, well yes I don't knit - but that will change soon hopefully. In the meantime I will fill it with fabric.