HEART IN PAPER - FIND AND CREATE YOUR MOMENT

 

Welcome to My First Blog: 

A Place to Pause, Reflect, and Maybe Even Belong:  

"Crafted Moments - The Beginning"

by Nicky Bourke 

There’s nothing particularly remarkable about me—at least, that’s what I used to think. I’m in my mid-50s, married, and a proud mum to a teenage daughter. We live in beautiful New Zealand, in a home my husband built with his own hands. It’s more than a house—it’s a labour of love, complete with blood, sweat, tears, and yes… a few swear words too.

The gardens have grown slowly over the years, filled with plants begged, borrowed, gifted, or discovered at sales. Every bloom, every branch tells a story of patience and persistence. And now, when I look around, I see the vision we had taking shape before my eyes. They say “Home is where the heart is,” and I believe that deeply—because this home holds mine.

So, What’s This Blog Really About?

That’s a good question. This blog needs to have purpose—and more importantly—it needs to connect with you.

If you’ve read this far, then maybe something here has sparked your curiosity. Maybe, just maybe, this once blank screen is becoming a place you needed to land today.

We all long to be good at something—whether it’s parenting, cooking, friendships, gardening, careers, relationships, or simply getting through the day. Most of us have something inside that asks quietly, "Is this all there is?"

I believe everyone has a talent—sometimes it’s just hidden under layers of doubt or distraction. I haven’t fully discovered mine either. But maybe this space can be a place for both of us to explore what that might be. A place to feel seen, heard, and perhaps even understood.

A Childhood of Colour and Shadows

I was born with an eyesight impairment—cross-eyed with double vision. To the outside world, that’s what they saw. But what no one realised was that I couldn’t see the world back.

Too young to speak or explain, my inner world was shaped by sound, scent, and touch. To this day, I still sniff unfamiliar food, read the emotional tone of a room the moment I enter, and use touch as a way of connecting.

The very first things I ever saw were flashes of colour. Not full shapes—just hints. My mother wore a red twinset, and somehow, I knew she was there when I saw that warm red hue pass by. That was my anchor.

As I grew older and found my voice, I stumbled—literally. I ran into door frames, spilled hot Milo, and tripped over life just like any child learning to make sense of their surroundings. But the difference was, I had been learning to navigate a world I couldn’t truly see.

Now, decades later, I can see. But sometimes, I still feel lost in the dark.

---

This is just the beginning.
If you’ve ever felt a little different, a little unseen, or just not quite sure where you fit—then maybe this blog can be a place to call home. For now let’s walk this journey together.  

My Blog touches on several themes from  Identity, Home, Belonging, and Navigating the world through unique senses, my next post will move into how these early experiences shaped my identity, creativity, resilience, and view of the world today.  

Thanks for stopping by - keep creating and celebrating life's little moments! 

Until Next Time - WaikanaePaperArtist - ThePaperCraftStudio - Nicky Bourke