LOVE AT SOUL



SOUL Gallery held their "LOVE" exhibition last weekend, leading up to Valentine's Day. Most of the artists who exhibit there worked on new items with a theme of love, hearts etc.

 I showed you all the hearts etc I nad made in the previous posting. Because I had my dates wrong, I found I had time to produce a few more items, and gather together some old projects. I made a few brooches like these a few years ago, but tried a different colour scheme of black and gold.

 I made these little cupcake magnets a couple of months ago, but was not sure how to display them. In the end I sprayed an old "Weetbix" tin with white paint.

 I had already made  quite a few cards with heart shaped windows, but was able to add to them with some with red backgrounds and lace appliques.

 This is what my display looked like - just a few finishing touches to go! I decided to call it "Romantic Notions", naively thinking that no one would ever have thought of that name before!! Just a minute or two on Google proved me wrong!

 Here are some of the contributions of other artists - I am not altogether sure who made what, but they were all great.

 Tina made these wonderful rose necklaces, using twisted fabric and a hot glue gun. They look just fabulous.

 A great display of assorted items with hearts and other romantic themes.

 Lou and daughter Ada produced these yummy cupcakes.

 And Shari's little girl Nova painted this stunning picture. Nova must be all of six years old - what a talent! 

A delightful arrangement of shells.

 One of Tina's very creative photographs.

And Tina is not happy with a static exhibition. She has decided her car could do with some embellishment!

THE LOVE OF CREATIVITY

 I received a lovely bunch of flowers a couple of weeks ago. It was a thank you for being a judge in our wonderful local "Wearable art" show.

 The photos do not show it well, but the arrangement had some really stunning flowers - roses and others - in rerally dark reds. They had me quite inspired. When I got home that evening, I really had to restrain myself from going to my fabric stash and hauling out all my dark red fabrics, and auditioning them for a creation of some sort!.

 As it turned out, I waited until the next day, and then I began work on this little bag. I had a number of pieces of lace that I had dyed in shades of red, and used some of them to embellish it. And I used one of my fabric prints, which I find myself using more and more nowadays in my work. I am really grateful to Peggy in Taupo for giving me the CD's of pictures to add to my growing collection.

 While I was in creative mode, and really relishing using some of my lovely laces, Soul Gallery  decided to hold a special exhibition on Valentine's Day weekend with a "love" theme.  We were encouraged to creatye a couple of pieces specially for this. Well, that was right down my alley, and I certainly could not limit myself to a couple!!

 I have made these two heart shaped "treasure bags." One still has some of its plaited "strap" to be attached. They are made mostly from silk pieces with lace embellishments, plus some beads and vintage mother-of-pearl buttons.

 I see a stray pin on this one above....
And the inevitable thread on the one below....

 Then I got going on some collaged cards. When I made a batch once before, I just loved the way a red heart made them "sing." At the time, Tina suggested I could make the red heart my signature theme.Well, red hearts are just perfect for Valentine's Day!

 Then I got started on some little hanging hearts. The base and backing for these is some cream felt, which means I can sew them up without turning them inside out. That way I can let all the lacy bits dangle from the edges. Once again my pictorial prints came to the fore and set the theme.

 I still have to join most of these and make the little hangers, but here is one that is finished.

 The show opening is only two days away. I wonder if that gives me time to make some little heart shape brooches?

WILLIAM'S FIRST DAY

Here is Liam, looking a little pensive - or is he just a bit tired of smiling for all these photos? He is about to embarlk on his first day of "big school".

 Well, that's better - but the smile is still a bit forced.

 Will a funny face do?

 That's better. Liam never stays out of sorts for long!!

 He is all kitted out with brand new everything.....

 Including the shoes ( "no laces please", the teacher says.) By the end of the day they felt a little uncomfortable, and Daddy went down the street for a pair of sneakers he can wear until he breaks the shoes in!

 Meanwhile little brother Nate is off on some learning experiences of his own.....

such as finding where the solar lights are, and pulling them out and re-planting them! It won't be long before he is also off to school. Time goes by so fast!

A FAMILY MILESTONE

Last week I attended a 40 year reunion for a class I taught in my earliest years on Norfolk Island. Such events always make you reflect on how quickly the years have passed. But I was not quite prepared for the comment from one former pupil who had lived away from the island since leaving school, and had returned for the occasion,

"I didn't think you would still be with us" she told me bluntly/ Well that makes you feel OLD! And so does having the first of your offspring turn 40!!!!

Miriam, who is the only one of our five kids to live away from Norfolk Island, was very keen to have a big island style celebration for this special occasion. Fortunately her birthday is just a couple of weeks after Christmas, so it was a great time to have a party while she and the girls were over on their Christmas visit, and everyone was still in a holiday mood!

Above is a picture of Miriam with Sarah and Emily, and the love of her life Tony, who was on his first visit to Norfolk Island. In the background is our son John, preparing for a big Fish Fry, which was to be part of the catering and festivities.

In fact, everyone pitched in to help get ready and make sure it was a great occasion.

The girls and their friends blew up hundreds of balloons to make this grand arch.

Charles and his offsiders put fairy lights through the trees.

 Miriam wanted a Tropical Island theme, and everyone came dressed for the part.

 Charles even found a Mother Hubbard dress that was made for Kim by friends when they were in Vanuatu.

We put citronella flares and lanterns all about in case the mozzies gatecrashed the party.

There were welcoming jelly shots as people arrived.

 And we killed the fatted pig - two in fact, generously provided by Peter from Simon's Water, and competently carved by Jamie.

 There were loads of other dishes too...

 John's Tahitian fish was popular - every last morsel was eaten! But apart from that, there was enough food left over for every single guest to take home a big doggy bag. But everyone was so full, they could not be persuaded to do that!

 The guys always like to congregate around the fish fry, just as they do for a barbecue.

It really was a feast - and that was before we started on the sweets and the cake!

Then it was time to bring on the dancing girls!

 I have no idea how they managed to persude the usually reticent Peter to join in - too many jelly shots, perhaps?

 Darls was a great DJ,.

 The kids all took to the "dance floor" and had an amazing time.

 Miriam enjoyed catching up with rellies and friends...

And we even managed a family photo or two - although it took a bit of effort. I think this is the first time in the history of our family we have been able to get the kids to more or less co-operate! They musy be getting more mature!

Tina took lots of photos for us, and I am looking forward to seeing hers!

Later in the evening, the KAVA bar was in action - set up by Charles, with Ernie doing the ceremonial honours.

The next day it was just a lovely memory - and leftovers!!!