Serendipity in two parts I am overwhelmed Here's part one

So much to do. So little time

Taaniko, taaniko, taaniko and a little bit more taaniko

I'm off to New Mexico tomorrow. I've personalised my suitcase. It should make it easier to spot on the baggage carousel 😊

Each year on Christmas Eve, Sam and I celebrate Christmas with our kidults and mokopuna. Then they can spend Christmas Day with their in laws. It was a beautiful day in Waiwhetu - shared, in love, with my darlings. Sam, I, and our whānau wish you a safe and happy Christmas season. Aroha nui 💚❤️

'Te Auaha' (an educational institution in Wellington) turned the lights off and closed its doors for the last time and returned to me, a photo and acknowledgement to my mum - that was in a room named after her ❤️ I'm going to put it in my weaving room 🙂

A friend alerted me to this auction on Trade Me. I went there straight away and bought it

Sam and three of our sons are playing in a golf tournament tomorrow. The name of their team is.... 'Green eggs and Sam' 😁

My mokopuna Mahaki and Arahia finding the magic in 'shadow watching'

He was born four days after we buried my dad. He was my first smile. My life was blessed by him - at the right time. 💙 Today, my darling moko - Louis TeRangikaiamokura celebrated his first birthday by taking his first steps

Tama is home 🥺

Our Tama was the most beautiful and Good-est boy 🥹😢💔

Our goodest boy, Tama, has cancer. He's now on palliative care. Hand feeding is the vibe now. Our poor Tumtums 😪💔

I've started a new Kākahu. The first one I've woven since my dad, Te Rangikaiamokura, died. I'm weaving it in honour of him and it will go to my mokopuna, born a few days after we buried dad. My moko carries his koros name Louis Te Rangikaiamokura 💙

The whānau have gone to a Wedding. I couldn't go (I stayed home to look after my cancer ridden dog Tama), but I sent my love - wrapped up in a gift

I've completed the Kete Taaniko I've been working on and have added it to the set. They're for my daughter Erenora and my four daughters in law - Olivia, Ayla, Tara, and Chelsea. #Taaniko #MySignatureOmbre #Whanau

An oldie but a favourite. A lucky shot. Right place (my deck) Right time

At our fave air bnb on Wgtns south coast (past Red rocks) I can't just do nothing all day so I made this Hue (gourd) lamp. I'll leave it for our hosts

This photo of my mokopuna, Maia, popped up in my memories - reminding me to get it printed and framed and hung up in my studio. I'll name it "How to grow an artist" 💜

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