It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. Deb started doing cake decorating to surprise and delight her daughter for her birthday and it has now become somewhat of an annual tradition. We look forward each year to seeing the photos of the cake progressing and trying to guess what the final product will look like. Deb says that her first foray into cake decorating was modest. … [Read more...]
Photography: Creative Composition
It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. I got to know Sandrina through a shared love of interior design so it was no surprise to discover her creativity. (I first met Sandrina through a love of wine tasting but that is a different story). This story is about how she combines three of her passions (photography, cycling and her dog Lexi) with great flair and stunning … [Read more...]
Spinning and Weaving a New Life
This week's feature artist is a little different in that I haven't had the privilege of calling Barbara Wilson a friend or colleague - but I wish I had. I have met Barbara though and I wanted to share her story with you as she is truly inspirational. Barbara turns 90 this year and is still teaching spinning and weaving. Barbara's story is even more inspirational than her being an award-winning textile designer and artist (although that is inspiring enough). She has also had to overcome … [Read more...]
A Pottery Learning Journey
It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. Darja has been doing pottery for several years now - she started in 2016. I remember when she first started and was so excited to get into the pottery class. I got a pot plant holder in my favourite colour for Christmas that year and still have it now. It has been a hobby that has given her some very important 'me-time' along with a … [Read more...]
Homemade Hand Sanitiser Recipe
I thought I would try making some homemade hand sanitiser because it is very topical and useful in these COVID19 days. I love making things myself just to see what is involved in doing so, understanding what the ingredients are, and of course for the satisfaction of thinking 'I made that'. It turns out to be very simple: using ethanol (or isopropyl alcohol) and aloe vera gel along with your favourite essential oils. This recipe is courtesy of Go Native New Zealand. Homemade Hand Sanitizer340g … [Read more...]
Crafting for a Cause: Knitting
It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. This post is a tribute to my mother Gill and all the other people who 'craft for a cause'. Gill belongs to a group who get together regularly to listen to a speaker or just socialise and knit whilst they are there. The cause this group supports is the Kidz First Children's Hospital at Middlemore. The group also keep on knitting at … [Read more...]
Quilting the Patchwork of Life
It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. Derryn has been making quilts for a long time now and she really has been quilting the patchwork of life: starting with her first quilt for her mother; then quilts for her children; quilts for playgroup; quilts for special occasions and quilts for special friends (even on the other side of the world). Each quilt is a work of art made with … [Read more...]
Taking Beautiful Photographs of Landscapes
It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. You have met Dennis previously when I covered his talent in creating an amazing Balinese-style tropical garden. As well as his landscaping talents he produces beautiful photographs of landscapes. When I travelled with Dennis through Nepal and Bhutan last year, I remember being surprised because while most people take photos and enhance them … [Read more...]
Astrophotography or Night Sky Photography
It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. I love all of Mike's photographs but I really wanted to share his astrophotography or night sky photography with you because it is not something that most people take (good) photos of and I think his shots are pretty amazing! I also like the wonderful places that Mike goes in order to take his photographs: Patagonia, Iceland, and the … [Read more...]
Finding Your Inner Artist
It has struck me recently how many creative and talented colleagues and friends I have and I wanted to showcase some of their creations and stories for you. I have known Steph for over 30 years and have spent a good portion of that sharing creative endeavours with her - from garden design through to card making. I have always been impressed with her dedication to practicing her drawing and painting: working her way through books, doing daily challenges and learning new techniques (many of … [Read more...]
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