Blogging

Blogging has kind of lost it's appeal now, with Facebook and Instagram being so much quicker and easier to share snippets of your daily life. But I know some family like to check in here now and then so I will keep blogging. I look back to when I first started blogging in July 2005, and all the things I blogged about, special times in our lives, it's a great online diary. But what will happen to it in 20 or 30 years time? Will it still be here sitting in cyberspace, will I still be able to read it? I wonder? It makes you think how technology is progressing so fast, almost out of control, it's hard to keep up. We thought it was so cool having a blog back in 2005 but now it's all about Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest and all those cool cyber places. Taking photos and they are instantly there for everyone to see. Quite amazing really.
Anyway, I do like my blog, it just takes a little time to sit down and do it, resize photos etc etc. Because a post is much better with a photo or 2 I think.

Sadly Robs Dad, Bob passed away recently. He had been sick for awhile but it's still always very very sad and heartbreaking. He had an awesome sendoff on the day of the tangi. It was lovely weather. And it was good to catch up with family members we hadn't seen for years. Here's a great photo of 'some' of the extended Gray family.

About time for something crafty I think. More art journal stuff maybe? Just some recent additions to my art journal. Love the colours in this one.

New banner

Do you like my new banner. About time isn't it!! I do love playing around in Photoshop making things, but it did take me a few days in my spare time. However I'm pretty happy with the result.

So what was in the mold. This owl pendant from a necklace I had. Pretty cute right? The flowers just there to compare the size.

Fathers day and crafting

We had a lovely afternoon yesterday with James and Emma and a couple of James' friends, Josh and Jamie. Roast for dinner and some special cupcakes I made. My fancy icing attempt; I know, bad isn't it. Just can't keep a straight line lol. Still tasted good. I used my banana cake mixture and put in individual cups instead of in the big baking tin. Turned out great. Yum!!

Gardening - made a new garden the other day with a cute dangly banner thing to keep the birds away hopefully. It has broccoli, lettuce and silverbeet at this stage and herbs that were already there. And the markers I made from old spoons. Idea from Pinterest.

Been making molds for resin. What do you think this is, there's a hint at the top right of the photo. I'll show you tomorrow when I unmold it :)

I'm Back

Had a little break but I'm back now. And it's my second favourite time of the year. Summer of course is my favourite, but I love spring too.

So we went away to Samoa. We had such an amazing trip with our friends Col and Kim. The weather was beautiful, I love the heat. Around 30 degrees every day, perfect. The evenings were beautiful, so still and warm, we were in heaven. Love the people, so friendly. So smily. :))
I won't bore you with heaps of photos but here's a few Instagram photos for a taste.
Relaxing in the pool at Aggie Greys Hotel when we arrived.

 Delicious Oka we had nearly every day. Fresh tuna in fresh coconut cream, Mmmmm.

Snorkelling at Palolo Deep, can't see the water just behind us unfortunately because of the light. Great snorkelling though.

 What we woke up to in the morning on Savaii. Glorious!!

 Swimming in front of our fale on Savaii.

 Our fale on Savaii. Just loved it so much.

Next time we won't take big heavy towels, you don't need them. Just a light towel to quickly dry you off and then let it dry in the heat. Shorts and singlets are good. Take an underwater camera for sure and definitely a book or two. I still miss it.

Music Tuesday - Road Trippin - Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Music Tuesday - Fool To Cry - Rolling Stones

Ah yes, classic.

Music Tuesday - Eternal Flame - Bangles

Beautiful song.

Music Tuesday - Break Out - Swing Out Sister

Good Times!!

Resin crazy

Been making some things for SENZ. Playing with the resin and colouring it. Just generally having fun!
Come to SENZ to find out how!! Nic Howards shop.
Resin Flower brooch

Resin flower necklace

Resin flower and heart canvas

Resin heart necklaces

Resin flower canvas

See you there maybe. Come and say hi!!

Music Tuesday - Who Loves You - Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

OMG Intermediate school memories

Music Tuesday - Hey Hey My My - Neil Young

ahh the memories

PAD Catch ups again

Day 22 - From A High Angle

A photo I took of the Mouth of the Waikato River, Port Waikato from helicopter.

Day 23 - Movement

Sonny Bill Williams scoring a try in last weeks All Blacks - Ireland test on TV.

Day 25 - Something Cute

Day 26 - Where You Shop

Pukekohe Main Street

Day 27 - Bathroom

Day 28 - On The Shelf

Iphone app - Instagram

Nearly got them all, a few days missed. Will try for this month.

So here is July's Day 1 - Self Portrait

 Iphone app - Pixlromatic

Music Tuesday - There Must Be An Angel - Annie Lennox

beautiful song

Art Journal pages

PAD Day 21 - Where You Slept

Iphone app - Instagram

PAD Day 19 & 20

Day 19 - Imperfect

I dunk chocolate in my cup of tea to melt it. Probably more naughty than imperfect. But it's the best way to eat chocolate. Thats all I could come up with today anyway.

Iphone app - Leme Cam

 Day 20 - Fave Photo I've Ever Taken
I have lots of favourite photos, I couldn't find my most favourite but these are just as loved. Pre digital.

      

Rob and James at the Auckland zoo

Emma in sunflower field - Gisborne

 This is the above one cropped.

Music Tuesday - What A Fool Believes - Doobie Brothers

love, love

PAD Day 18 - Something You Don't Know About Me

Hhmmm I don't like plain tea only Earl Grey Tea.

Iphone app - Leme Cam

PAD Catchups

Day 13 - Art - a piece of art on my wall that I made

Iphone apps - TTV Camera and Diptic

Day 14 - Time - missed this one.

Day 15 - Yellow - the DeWalt stand at FieldDays was definitely yellow :)

Day 16 - Out and About - watching these gorgeous Tuis sucking the nectar out of the flowers and making lovely birdsong.

Day 17 - In Your Bag 

Iphone apps - BeFunky FX, Labelbox and Lenslight

Friday Catchup

We went to FieldDays yesterday. First time I'd ever been. We drove down in the fog.

Wow, lots of Farming stuff, but also lots of other stuff. I bought some snuggly possum/merino socks, gloves and a cute poncho. Lovely and warm. Tasted some yummy kiwifruit, I didn't know there were so many varieties. Rob was in his element, tools everywhere. Turned out a beautiful day. That's Rob at the DeWalt stand.

I loved this cottage.

There were heaps of people, got very tired walking around by the end of the day. But was a great day. The food tasting hall was excellent. Enjoyed the honey liqueur and the lemon liqueur, yum!! We looked at wood burners and rustic outdoor furniture. Was very cool, lots of fun stuff for everyone. 

PAD Day 12 - From A Low Angle

Iphone app - Vintage Cam