Mina

Went to visit my Aunties the other day. When the cousins have been drinking, through slurred speech - they become the ‘Undies’. These ladies are like all us cousins’ Mums. Always a cup of tea, snack and laughs. They’ve always done a lot of work at the marae.

Aunty Ri (left) had made the famous ‘Peanut Brownies’ from the Edmond’s Cookbook the day before, and we sat there munching and catching up. Time to go and Aunty Trace (right) packed up the rest for me to take home in a gorgeous old biscuit tin (top left). I said to her ‘Your sister might tell you off, giving all those away’. ‘No she won’t - I’m older’ was the reply. The biscuits in the tin didn’t last very long.

I’m developing a special range of scrapbooking papers and elements right now. Inspired by the Maori culture of New Zealand, from patterns of the rafters in the meeting houses to waiata (songs) I heard while I was growing up.

The pattern on the left is based on traditional kowhaiwhai patterns found mostly inside meeting houses. Embossed into a textured paper base and slightly-grunged edges, you can get it by clicking the preview or clicking here.