I just checked out my Facebook memories. This time last year I was deep in grief of losing my dad and I had found solace in creating stars with Hue (gourd) lamps. Papa taught me to work with Hue when I was a teenager. He made me fall in love with them #blessed

He was the first man to hold my hand and he has never let go 💕💞

Weaving for whānau

Today at the opening of the Wellington City Council building, I saw a Kākahu being worn. A Kākahu that I had woven years ago. It was like seeing a long lost friend. I whispered "hello"

One body....many faces

I reach into the pile of aho - leftover from all of the Kakahu I've woven since my mum died 20 years ago. I've been saving them for this very Kākahu - the first one I'm weaving since my dad died. I reach into the pile of aho - like some kind of 'lucky dip'. 1/3

It's been raining all day so there's plenty of water around but roadworks outside our house has brought a 'no water to our house' situation. Luckily the Waiwhetu aquifer is just across the road. No hot shower tonight though. At least Im not homeless. I'm warm & dry #blessed

A year ago I completed this little backpack with a Taaniko insert. I've waited a year for someone to come along to give it to. The right person never showed so I'm going to auction it off. I'll put details up this week sometime

All I've ever grown in my life is flax and weeds (oh, and a family), so seeing these hue / gourds grow outside my weaving room window brings me much joy. Every day, they've brought me joy 💚

Sam & I are proud of all of our five kidults & their creative pursuits that they do in their 'spare' time.Our youngest son has a particular love of bone carving.He's an Electrician by trade-An artist at heart 💙 He was asked by his cousin,Matiu to make him a Toki. Here it is

esterday morning, Sam and I attended the dawn ceremony - opening the new MFAT building in Wellington. Sam stands under the Pare. Centre part carved by my dad. It needed to be extended to suit wider door and was done so by Sam and Sonny Davis. Im proud of him

I completed the challenge I set for myself

It's a Wintery day here in Waiwhetu - perfect for Taaniko and TV 🙂 I've set myself a challenge #Taaniko #MaoriWeaving #I_Weave_I_Breathe

Celebrating the anniversary of the opening of New Zealands National Museum - Te Papa Tongarewa - with a video filmed by Capital Kiwi. This video features a Kahukiwi woven by my mum, Erenora Puketapu-Hetet, especially for Te Papa

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