Well where do I start?
On Sunday I arrived back from an amazing weekend away in Christchurch, meeting fellow bloggers from all over New Zealand. We met for Around the Table, New Zealand's first official blogger's conference. It was my first time in the South Island of NZ, first time on a domestic flight, first time meeting many of these people even though many seemed so familiar. Eeeeeeeek! It was an amazing adventure.
I've arrived back home and have been pondering about how to share my journey.
Do I tell you about how fun it was to hang with the bloggers I already knew well, and meet up with new friends along the way?
Do I tell you about the amazing city of Christchurch and how much it moved me to see the destruction with my own eyes, but also the hope and strength of the people within this fabulous city.
I could tell you about the amazing thing called the blogging community, that reaches out to help and support those that are going through rough times.
I could talk about the fabulous food, shops, crafty-goodness and absolutely amazing people that organised and totally pulled off a fabulous first ever NZ blogger's conference.
I think I'll just stick up some pictures and see how we go...
The plane ride - awesome. Great company and amazing views...
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| Gail, Leonie and Simone |
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| New Zealand is soooooo beautiful! |
The Auckland bloggers and us Whangarei Crew (represented by Jacksta and myself) have a pretty cool relationship, many of us having met up before. Most of us though, had not had the privilege of meeting the famous Widge.
She rocks - even when she got stuck at the airport gate and also got us a bit lost...
It was so good to hang out together over the weekend, and meet many (60+) other bloggers from all over New Zealand.
The blogging community is fabulous!
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| Miriam - the lady with the dream (she is sooooo much fun) |
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| Stella & Widge |
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| The very sweet and amazing Sophie |
Someone asked me today - "So what do bloggers do when they get together?". Well, apart from learning and teaching and inspiring each other, we craft in public, eat delicious goodies, laugh tonnes and share heart to heart.
We even connected online while we were hanging out in real life - ha!
We even connected online while we were hanging out in real life - ha!
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| Leonie, Rachel and Simone |
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I had the awesome privilege of speaking on the panel - Graham Norton styles...
We had swap partners for name badges and a small gift, as well as amazing goodie bags and delicious nibbles! My swap partner was Holly from Hollymayb - she is an AMAZING crafty girl!
Check out the amazing name badge and cool as mug that she made for me. "Onesies are for Babes" - so true ;)
To check out what I made her, go here!
Christchurch - what can I say. I was moved by the devastation and destruction...
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| So moving - each of the 185 white chairs represents a life lost in the earthquake |
But I was also moved by the hope and sense of celebration, despite what has happened to this magnificent city. There were bursts of fun and colour all over the place...
Some of my highlights and memorable moments?
When Jackie's lost luggage finally arrived...
Addington Coffee Co-op & C1 Espresso - the coolest places to eat and hang. C1 even had a moving bookcase to get to the loo!
I got to take part in my first ever bit of yarn bombing!! So cool that it was actually also about spreading a bit of love around Christchurch too (see the grey and pink heart at the bottom? That's my one! Symon thinks the shape makes it look like a piece of steak.).
The Craft Love Festival - such amazing talent all squished into one place. Bliss!
Meeting blogging buddies in real life. Very cool!
Getting to hug the "I don't like hugs" Widge...
Checking out Kmart! Just kidding... sort of...
Hanging with a bunch of crazy ladies in the MEGA VAN...
And the biggest highlight of all was my amazing hubby who stayed behind and held the fort while I went gallivanting around the Nation. You rock babe and are the best guy ever (especially letting me buy a Onesie especially for my trip as well).
A massive thank you to the team who organised this fabulous event. You guys are AMAZING - so much time and energy went into the planning and execution of this, and you could tell by the way things ran so smoothly!
Bloggers are pretty awesome. I was so happy that the online world and reality collided.
To see everyone else's take on the weekend, click here!
17 comments
Awesome - I am SO enjoying looking at everyone's posts. It was a delight to meet you xx
ReplyDeleteI am distracted by the awesomeness of that top you are wearing that is somewhere between pink and maroon.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what colour it is called, I wish I did.
I need to study my Crayola packs more carefully.
Love the photos, great post!
awesome post Kristy!!! I love how you've captured the entire weekend!!
ReplyDelete(and I love that photo you took of me on the spiral staircase....and I NEVER like photos with me in...hahaha)
There was a KMART???? I can't believe I missed that! But seriously, was really lovely meeting you Kristy - looking forward to some north-side hanging outs!
ReplyDeletewowsers there are some classy as pics of me on here! eek
ReplyDeleteloved meeting you, despite being an utter nervous wreck the WHOLE entire time.
X
Yes, Kirsty! Yes to it all! Said so well. It's so great to see everyone's run-down on the weekend and see other perspectives that are pretty much the same but said in their own style. Loved getting to hang out with you a bit and would love to see you again soon!
ReplyDeletep.s LOVE that last pic of the girls
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see so many NZ bloggers together! Great photos of the ladies, the food and of course beautiful Christchurch and the wonderfully colourful way they are starting to put things back together :)
ReplyDeleteWishing that one day my face will be there in amongst all you lovely ladies! XX
What an awesome post Kristy! Loved your photos, your captions, your take on it all.
ReplyDeleteSOOOOO awesome getting to hang with you girls; love you and Jackie to BITS.
xx
I love that last picture of us all!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. ♥
Love reading everyone's take on the weekend! Thank you so much for coming and having FUN!
ReplyDeleteSounds SO fun!! I can't believe that in a month I will be a NZ blogger again. Woo hoo!!
ReplyDeleteThat means next time I can come too :) :)
Great times... and I feel so honoured that I KNOW you PJ...like in REAL LIVE LIFE!!! hahah Because you are a bit of a bloggy superstar aye? (yeah you are!!)... That crochet mug warmer thing you made for Holly was AWESOME!!! :) talent galore...xxx Luv ya xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing,,, I love getting a view of another area and fellow bloggers having fun!
ReplyDeleteLoved spending time with you! You rock xx
ReplyDeletesmile from ear to ear
ReplyDeleteslight salty-watery discharge
feeling good
♥♥♥
love and light
Cool post Kris, I wish I had been there (never been to the South Island either!) I loved all the pics, where's the one of you in your onesie????? I was waiting for that one ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments... I love hearing from you!!!