I Can't Wait to Explore....

I can't wait to explore the following places:

• South-West USA - For me this includes Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. This is AJ's number one trip that he wants to go on. He loves the desert. I've been to most of these places once before as a child but I'd love to see them as an adult. 

• Scandinavia - Including Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. We've been dreaming of this trip for quite a while now. The landscapes look amazing and all Scandinavians that we've met have been the most lovely people. Also, they're really into metal music there so chances are we'd be able to listen to the radio station and actually enjoy the music :)

• The Mediterranean - Mainly the European side of the Med. Places like Italy, South of France, Spain, Croatia, Greece, and Cyprus. The history in these places looks amazing and the climate seems to be quite pleasant. Maybe a cruise around these places (just not using the brand that sunk a few years back).

• Japan - This place fascinates me. It has the most amazing landscapes, a fascinating culture and really modern infrastructure next to really old places. Apparently it also has the oldest Inn in the world. I'd like to stay there if I can. 

• East Coast of the USA - I've been to a lot of the East Coast already - again as a child (I used to live in Upstate New York). I'd love to visit again as an adult. Everywhere from Washington DC north. I'd especially like to go in Autumn when the leaves are changing colour. I'd love to go back to Geneva and see it through an adults eyes. And hopefully see a few of the people that I knew when I lived there back in the day.

• Canada - I know, it's huge. But I can't narrow down specific places. Everywhere seems to have something that interests me. And AJ. We've found ourselves on Google Maps multiple times just going on imaginary road trips (does anyone else do this?). 

• Pacific North-West USA - Washington and Oregon. These places look similar to New Zealand in terms of landscape and climate. Seattle looks like a very interesting city too. There's also volcanoes, and volcanoes fascinate me (I do live in Auckland after all...a city built on volcanoes).

• Queensland - I'd love to go here when we have kids so we can take them to the amusement parks. I also have some good friends who live in the area who I'd love to visit. 

• Western Australia - AJ has some memories of going there when he was a kid and it just sounds like a nice place to visit. I've also seen pictures from various people who've visited and posted their pictures on Facebook and it really looks amazing.

• Vietnam - When we watched the Top Gear special a few years a ago that was set in Vietnam we decided that this was a place that we wanted to go. It looks spectacular and completely different culture wise to NZ. There's also direct flights there now from Auckland so easier and cheaper to get to than it used to be. 

• Dominican Republic - Might seem a bit random compared to other places but one of my oldest friends is from here. From about the age of 12 onwards I would hear her stories of her childhood and all the things that she got up to. It just sounds amazing and I'd love to go explore it for myself. Preferably with her too :)

So there you go. A list of places that I want to explore. I expect the list will grow over time. This is a large world after all. Full of amazing places. 

What places would you like to visit?

My Craft Collection - Washi Tape

So I've developed a bit of an obsession recently with washi tape. It works so well in my card making and since I've started making some Christmas cards it's been making them so much easier than gluing ribbon.
Basically this post is dedicated to all decorative tapes that I have. The first picture is where I keep them (old biscuit tin).
Please ignore the dirty carpet and any hair you see - we moult a lot in this house.

52 Weeks of Memories - Weeks 31-35

Week 31 - Sign

Some street art from Christchurch - I think it's pretty much a sign.

Week 32 - Family

A little cat family

Week 33 - Black and White

Old framed newspaper at Skippers.

Week 34 - Animal

A spider that had taken up residence outside our house - until we kept destroying its web.

Week 35 - Inside

Taken from inside the blossoms of a cherry tree.

My Craft Collection - Knitting Supplies

So I'm not a very good knitter. In fact, I've never finished knitting anything and I'm still on my first scarf which I started at least 5 years ago. And yet I still have a HEAP of yarn and knitting supplies (majority of it was gifted).
One day I will finish something. I have no idea when and if I will ever use up all of this yarn but you never know...

So this post is dedicated to all of my yarn, wool, knitting needles and other random knitting supplies.

 This is how I store all of my yarn:

All of my yarn. A lot of it is polyester but I have a lot of actual wool and cotton yarn as well as a bit of alpaca in amongst it.

Knitting and crochet needles. Also have some tapestry needles and counters that I haven't opened...

These are the books that hold any patterns that I end up making:

My 5 year scarf that isn't finished next too the bag that my Nana made for me:

52 Weeks of Memories - Weeks 24-30

So it's been ages since I've taken pictures for this challenge. So I'm going to do my best to do 5 weeks worth each week. Everything will be photos that I have taken. Though until I'm caught up it could be from previous years etc.

Week 24 - Favourite

My favourite person in one of my favourite places - Hobbiton

Week 25 - Up

View from up in an airplane

Weeks 26&27 - Eyes & Soft

The eye of my oldest friend - Ginger (well loved stuffed cat)

Week 28 - Smile

Not only did this make me smile but I can see smiles in the rocks :)

Week 29 - Bright

Bright door in Hobbiton

Week 30 - Nature

Sometimes I love my country so much