Making waves

Three down, two to go #Taaniko #MySignatureOmbre

Today, I hid away from the World - the World I'm feeling overwhelmed by. From 9am until 6pm I found solace in my studio (aka Ellies old room turned into my weaving room)

I'm happy with todays progress. I stopped because I kept making mistakes with the pattern so I had to unpick Taaniko is such a great teacher. If you keep making mistakes it's time to stop, think about the choices you're making and don't make the same mistakes again. Taaniko life hack 😊

Today could have gone either way .... 1. Wallow in sadness and get drunk OR 2. Honour my Papa and make something meaningful. I chose door number 2

I completed the kete taaniko. It's for one of my daughters in law. 😊 #MaoriWeaving #Taaniko #SignatureOmbre

Our big boy Tama has cancer 😢 His sister and best buddy, Kina, knows he's unwell.

I will give you blue 💙 #Taaniko #MySignatureOmbre Less than 60 seconds of 60 hours of my life

I'm tired. I think I used up all my energy raising my 5 kids. I should have reserved some energy for looking after mokopuna. Settled in now. No babies. House tidied. Glass of wine and my Kina shell light on

'Ngā Tūmanako' - the Korowai Hihimā that I wove in 2020 to bring 'hope'. It is used to herald in the birth of my mokopuna. It remains in the home of whoever is pregnant - as a Kaitiaki #MagicMuka #NgaMahiATeWharePora #Whatukakahu #Kakahu

It may be deemed discoloured & thought of as weak.It may be cast to the side- unused but I include such whenu in my weaving. The stronger threads surround it and support it. Its differences and uniqueness are appreciated.It is as important to this cloak as the rest of the whenu are. Like people 🙂

Just one more ....

The Winners of the three prizes for Dry July are 1.Sam Murray 2.Kerry Randell 3.Neta Riley Please email me [email protected] Thank you all for your thoughtful generosity that goes towards helping those affected by cancer.

How interesting that this photo should appear on my Facebook memory this morning when today I had them all out, once again - to speak of their stories. From the hands of five generations....

Decisions, decisions 🤔

I completed the piece of Tāniko I was working on. I used it to create a Kōpae Tāniko. I'll be adding this to the prizes in my #dryjuly fundraiser. Every $20 gets your name in the draw to win. All proceeds go to those affected by cancer www.dryjuly.co.nz/users/verano...

One minute of my day - weaving for Dry July

Opening her present

I wove a kete out of Taaniko and faux leather for my moko. A kete for every birthday means that at 9 years of age, she now has more kete than me 💜

I'm adding this bag to my #DryJuly2025 'kete' of taonga. Donate to my Dry July fundraiser and have your name in the draw to win. All proceeds go to support those affected by cancer Here's the link www.dryjuly.co.nz/users/verano...

The winner of the Dry July prize for yesterday is Julia McCook-Weir Thank you all who contributed to the fundraising for people affected by cancer. Aroha nui ♥️

Donate to my Dry July fundraiser today and go in the draw to win this Hue lamp. Draw will take place tomorrow. All those who donate TODAY only will have their name in the draw Every $20 donated will get you one chance to win www.dryjuly.co.nz/users/verano...

If you'd like to win this Kōauau in Tāniko - all you have to do is donate $20 to my Dry July fundraiser (all proceeds support those affected by cancer) $40 will give you two chances to win 😊 Prize drawn July 31st Here's the link www.dryjuly.co.nz/users/verano...

Thanks to all those who donated to my pre Dry July fundraising. I start today in earnest and the pre fundraising prize draw has been done with MR Taewa being the winner. Today, I started making another prize (weaving to hold a koauau)

As tough as things are - people are still giving. We're a wonderful bunch

Times are tough right now so passing my fundraising efforts from the last time I did Dry July will be a stretch. But hopefully together we can help those affected by that arsehole cancer. Every $20 donated to my efforts gives you a chance to win a Hue Lamp

My daughter Ellies plan for the past few years has been to complete her Plumbing apprenticeship before starting a family. Everytime a baby is born her resolve falters. Stay strong Miss Ellie

This week, for every $20 donation towards my 'Dry July' efforts - your name will go in the drawer to receive this lamp. $40 will double your chances. Winner drawn 1st July 2025 www.dryjuly.co.nz/users/verano...

Timeline cleanse My newest mokopuna, Waiariki with his big sister Rangiātea

My mum would be so pleased to have Ngatai Taepa wearing her Kahukiwi with such pride. Looking pretty swish there cousin 🤎 Photo credit:Richie Mills

My weekend in Turangi was spent teaching my cousins to weave Pureke for the kaihoe of the Waka that my Papa carved. Papa would be pleased with the way I chose to honour Matariki ma Puanga

At the Kohanga Reo Matariki fashion parade. Rangiātea is Super Kumara and Māhaki is Super Paua.... Matariki Avengers ✨️😎

I was chatting to my dads photo today about how terrible our government is. Checked my Facebook memory and this was there. Me and dad in front of our work in the Select Committees room of Parliament. Funny how things like that happen

My mum loved #Matariki. So I think she'd approve of me loaning one of her Kahukiwi out to be worn this Friday. This is why she wove Kākahu - to be worn. Not to sit in a collection. She lives on

Son has found a use for the Hue I painted for him. The taonga I made holds some of the taonga he's made 😊

My daughter has finally completed a commission. Red bands that may not want to get muddy

Son number 4 is making stuff from whalebone he scored out of our garage. Because...makers gotta make

Pōhutukawa I thought about my darling Papa whilst creating this hue lamp. He gave me a love of hue 45 years ago. This is his first Matariki 'beyond' and so this hue has extra special meaning #MakingStars #Matariki #Sterope

Power bill came in today. $478.79 for the month. Mercury. Omg and Winter has only started! There's only two of us living here 🤦🏽‍♀️

The best news from my daughter 😍

My mokopuna having a heart to heart chat

I completed this hue today.As I was working on it,I placed it over a light to check progress & was blown away by the 'womb' like image presented.I shared my wonderment on Twitter & one of my mates explained what was going on Fascinating! I'm saving it for the next one of my kids to get pregnant 🥰

Whew! I'm so glad my giftee likes the gift. I was worried

You have NO idea how much I needed this today.It's been an absolutely shite morning and then I remembered #MWSecretSantaAoNZ and I proceeded to unwrap a whole lot of 'thoughtful Love' ❤️ Thank you my Secret Santa for changing my frown into a smile. I love, love, love everything. Arohanui ki a koe 🥰

I made another Hue Lamp. I'm happy with the way the light shines through and the painted 'weaving' can still be seen at night time

#MWSecretSantaAoNZ Gosh how exciting!

He taonga te mokopuna Grandchildren are a gift

Thanks to the flu - my hands have been out of action for past three weeks. First day back in happy place today. Started off with painting / drilling a Hue lamp

Moenga pepi ready for the next mokopuna

My mokopuna, Louis, is now 6 months old. He was born a few days after we buried my darling Papa. I think Louis brought my Papa back with him to heal my broken heart