If things can go wrong, Doujin Overload 2010 would have been the day they did go wrong. I spent all week boosting my immune system so I wouldn’t catch whatever plagues were going around work, only to spend yesterday with a migraine; I brought the wrong lens for my camera and forgot my mc announcement sheet… and yet, I pulled through without too many mis-haps (Friend: “Speak louder Zeb! Your sexy dulcet tones were not heard in the far corners of the hall!”) Most importantly, I had a great time! The atmosphere was fantastic; heaps of great artists and even more visitors than...

Guess what I did today? I created something all by myself *beams* I’ve always admired designers who are able to create beautiful one of a kind cross stitch patterns, so when I decided to sign up to a band sampler stitch along on a forum I’d recently joined, I thought I’d give it a go. The other ladies & gents in the group had already started sharing their own designs, and wanting to contribute, I came up with the following, which I boringly call the ‘Floral Band.’ Floral Band by Zeb Ahmed My influences were definitely Indian/Pakistany in origin. I wanted to create...

I’ve been a cross stitcher for a very long time, but I’ve always been interested in other forms of needlecraft. So when my local needlework store mentioned they were attending the Association of New Zealand Embroiderers’ Guild Inc (ANZEG) 2010 conference, I wanted to check it out and my lovely friend Laura agreed to come along too. We met up at her place in the wee morning hours yesterday. It was chilly chilly chilly… the frost was so thick and mist so heavy the route down to Hamilton was spectacular, and for once I wasn’t driving so could enjoy the gorgeous views. Once we...

Depression and life problems meant that it had been a while since I picked up the needle and stitched. To try get back my stitching mojo, I signed up to a local craft exchange. After several mis-starts… where I started on a design but it just wasn’t “doing” it for me, I settled on stitching the pink lotus mandala from the larger sampler design by Joan Elliott called ‘Eastern Promise’ (found in her book ‘Cross Stitch Wit & Wisdom.’) Pink Lotus Mandala I had originally planned to stitch this up as a needlebook, but of course, as is the case with me, I...

After the week of storms and coldness we’ve had, yesterday was a refreshingly beautiful day. Warm, sunny, blue skies… perfect for spending outdoors checking out the various markets in the city… specifically the Britomart farmers market and the Auckland City market. There were some delicious foods available and some interesting wares. Definitely not enough time or stomach space to try everything out. I got snap happy too, so I won’t bore you with my blather, and let the photos do the talking instead. ...

I love Autumn, it is my favourite season. Its still warm, but not so hot you feel like you’re on fire. Its cool, but not so cold that you feel cold to your bones. Everything is soft and muted, the sunlight, sounds, it all has a far away quality to it… the sort of quietness that sooths you in the evenings as you sit and watch the world with a cuppa tea on hand. In Autumn we also get chestnuts, and there is nothing more yummy than chestnuts that have been pressure cooked to tender sweetness. Pressure cooked you say? I know, its a novel idea… most people are used to roasting them…...

I’ve mentioned Toby the Ginga Ninja cat before, but never shared photos. I think part of my problem is that I just haven’t felt like sharing much of my life lately. Still don’t, but Toby has spent the afternoon snoozing on my bed while I read, and being adorable, it seemed so wrong not to share his awesome cuteness! Things you need to know about Toby: 1. I did not choose the girly name. I hold no blame for that one. I do hold blame for the girly pink bell, thought it suited him. 2. He likes bringing home BIG BUGS, and eating them while you watch *crunch* 3. We have learned to wear...

I have a deep and abiding love for tea. Cultured during my time spent in England (probably one of the few good things that came out of that period) and developed over the years as I have discovered and appreciated new and different blends. It is always a pleasure to discover a new taste, but regardless of all the varieties out there, there are some I go back to time and time again because they alone can plug a “need.” When I’ve just woken up, early in the morning when the sky is still dark and there is a nip in the air, a good strong cup of English Breakfast (Dilmah) gets me...

Its weird, for the last 5 years, my life has been full of highs, and regardless of the lows that did happen I’ve always felt happy. There have been moments of despair (losing my job, struggling to find a job) but always, always I kept in control. Kept focused. Never lost track of who I was and the things I loved. When I woke up yesterday morning with a splitting migraine and yet still worrying about so many things, I knew something was very wrong. I am not happy. I am not satisfied. Nothing brings me joy anymore. I am so behind in many things, and I have not enjoyed my hobbies in months. My...

Dear friend, I have enjoyed the chats, enjoyed the double-entendres, jokes, and the sharing of opinions, thoughts and interests. I looked forward to hearing from you, you were one of the few good things in my life in the last 10 months, as sad as that sounds. You know what I have not enjoyed… and I guess you’ve proven to me just how much of a stranger you really are… and I am dissapointed and sad. Sad that you aren’t willing to just come out and be who you are. Dissapointed that it has ended this way. The door is always open, but otherwise, fare thee well. Yours Zeb … and...