PERFECT DAY

When Sarah and Wayne began planning their beach wedding some months ago, they knew it was at a time of year when the weather was likely to be still pleasant and warm, and at a time of day when the tide was low.
But I am sure that the beautiful day that presented itself on Sunday afternoon was beyond their wildest hopes and dreams. The air was still and warm, there was not a cloud in the sky, the humidity of recent weeks had disappeared, and the sun sparkled on the calm and crystal waters of Emily and Slaughter Bays. The day and the backdrop were 10 out of 10, and the informality, the friendliness and the happiness of the occasion scored highly with everyone too.

The Fijiians provided the wonderful music that added to the atmosphere of the occasion.

A delicious cocktail type punch was served to all the guests as we awated the bride and her party.

The invitation had said "No shoes" and this included the wedding party, which was, by the way, a "Brady Bunch" affair, with Sarah's three children and Wayne's three all standing proudly alongside as the couple made their vows.

Later we all gathered at Dino's. It was "fingerfood", but we could not have eaten better if we had sat down to an enormous regal banquet. The platters of delicious and very substantial treats just kept coming continuously. The evening was as beautiful as the day. You could see every star in the sky. Although the fire burned in the fireplace inside, it was still and warm out on the patios, and even the mosquitoes stayed away!

Now Sarah and our Miriam have grown up together on Norfolk Island. I can clearly remember when I gave birth to Miriam in Sydney, Connie sent me a card, and in it she broke the news that they had a baby on the way!Every happines to you Sarah and Wayne!

This is the card I made for the happy couple.

I took a piece of cotton organdie (from some curtains I had purchased at the Op Shop) and fused two squares together with Mistyfuse. In between I sandwiched some glitter and some pressed flowers - Hydrangea and May. This was then placed between two cut layers of a "window" card. The flowers that I placed up on the right hand corner on the outside were actually designed to cover a small mistake - but I was really pleased with how it turned out.

ANOTHER LOOK

I went back to the Community Arts Exhibition on Monday afternoon to have a better look at the entries. At the opening, it had been difficult to have a good look at the catalogue with a glass of punch in one hand and a toddler in the other!!

I also wanted to photograph the little table with my entries without other people milling around. Funnily enough, my visit coincided with that of Klassina, who had gone back specifically to look more closely at my exhibits!
I have actually had a great deal of positive and encouraging feedback on my funny little pieces. They are certainly different from the general run of Art Show entries.

These are the pages I received in our 2008 Round Robin, inspired by the "Old Boat" photo on the journal that accompanied, shown behind. The pages were two-sided, so people were invited to turn them over.

The competition conditions said that identification tags had to be affixed to the back or the base of entries. Well, for the most part, mine do not have a back or a bottom. And that is why I placed a sign inviting people to pick them up and examine them from all angles.

This concertina book was fashioned from the pages I received on the "Tea Party " theme in our 2007 Round Robin. The crazypatch cover is my own work.

The Community Arts Society is happy to sell any items on display for a commission. But I am afraid my pieces always have "N.F.S." in the catalogue....for one thing they are often too personal. The other reason is that I am not sure what sort of appeal they will have. They do not usually lend themselves to hanging on a wall or standing on a mantlepiece. People may regard them as "too precious"...but they cry out to be picked up and fondled.

This picture shows two of my own books. On the left is the meandering book "Leaves" I put together after a worshop with Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Stephens from Wanganui. On the right is my little "Devon" book, which I think I have posted in this blog before.

I like to think, too, that my work does not involve standing back and saying "Hmmm- yes, I like that." It calls for close examination, so you can see the detail and the variety of techniques that have been used, and the different media that have been combined, including old and treasured items like laces, beads and buttons. I like people to think about the stories they tell, and above all, I hope they will engage people's emotions and memories and senses. And they most definitely need to be experienced through the fingers as well as the eyes!

I should mention that my entries were not just my work. I included a basket of ATC's, both my own work and that of others. I also submitted the Round Robin projects from our Stitching Together online group from 2007 and 2008. wanted to show how the Internet has been an incredibly wonderful tool in bringing artists and craftspeople together from all over the world.

Meanwhile, I also love our little local Craft and Friendship group that has been meeting each Tuesday afternoon for many years. Yesterday, our industrious Annette brought along yet another two woollen rugs she has completed.

Meanwhile the equally productive May P. continues to work on the baby cuddle rugs and the small quilts she has been making for all the babies born at the hospital and the children she comes in contact with, including her Sabbath school and Scripture class . May also makes loads of skirts and tops and dresses to send to Swaziland. She must have used enough machine thread to go to London and back, and I know every one of her creations will be cherished by the recipient. This is Christian love at its best.

COMMUNITY ARTS EXHIBITION

Our community Arts Society would undoubtedly be one of the hardest working groups on this island, and several times a year they manage to stage an event that showcases the talents of people on the island and encourages everyone to have a go.

The Annual Art Exhibition is no exception, and I am constantly amazed at the diverse creativity that can be found on this island.

Gone are the days when an Art/Craft Exhibition features walls of just paintings, with the occasional tapestry or cross stitch. At last night's opening, we saw paintings, prints, sculpture, photography, mixed media, porcelain, fabric printing, weaving and plaiting, jewellery and much more.

There was also a section for "Wearable Arts Revisited", with a few of the entries from that show in January put on display for a "closer look."

I had a small table of my work there, but can you believe it, I forgot to photograph it! Whenever I thought about it, someone was there, and I was to embarrassed to be seen doing it! I will have to sneak back with my camera over the weekend.

As Kim and Charles were attending a wedding, we had William with us. He was very good, in spite of having a view mainly of people's legs. But like the rest of us, he enjoyed the lovely nibbles and punch.

For William, the entertainment really started once Tina and Sienna turned up.

CHRIST IS RISEN

This morning about 50 people gathered out at Simon's Water to celebrate the dawning of Easter Day as the sun rose over the sea.As we listened to the Bible account of the women going to the grave while it was still dark, we felt as if we were there.The sky was rather cloudy, but the glow was spread across the horizon, and we were able to witness the brief burst of bright light as the sun finally rose above the line of the sea. Unfortunately I could not see the dials to disable my flash on my camera, and I missed capturing the first bright red glow appearing in the darkness. Then the "Scene" setting lost its colour - hope that can be fixed!

After many of us went around the corner to Arthur's "Onion Patch", where we enjoyed Hot Cross buns, muffins, toast and fruit, as well as a warm cuppa and good fellowship.

HE IS RISEN INDEED

WILLIAM IS TWO

It is hard to believe that two years have passed since that night that Bernie and I sat in the nurses' lounge at our local hospital awaiting news of our grandson's arrival!

It was with much joy that we greeted him then, and he still gives us great joy.

As his language develops, he finds it easier to call both of us "Granny". He often spends days with us when Kim is working, and he is a delight to have around. And those hugs and kisses and cuddles are better than winning the lottery!

When he turned two recently, he actually had three celebrations.

The first was at his Daycare, on the actual day of his birthday. A litle party was organised and all the children sat (using their very best manners) at the outdoor table and joined in. Kim had made a Pirate cake. Charles helped William to blow out the candles and to cut it.

Yummy, that 's good! Well, the icing is anyway!


They set the Jumping Castle up, and everyone had great fun!

That evening we had a small family gathering to see William open his presents. I bet they won't be able to make him wait until the evening next year!

He had great fun, and Sienna and Teddy joined in the spirit of the occasion too, and added to his enjoyment!

The following Sunday, there was the big party at the Parish Centre, with lots of his friends, and a few parents and grandparents too.

It was Pirate party and Kim had supplied pirate outfits for everyone. Evdn some of the grown ups donned headscarves and eye patches!

There was another wonderful Pirate Cake, and our talented Tina had painted a special Pirate picture!

The present opening was so overwhelming that William enlisted a bit of help from James.It was a big day for our "big" boy, and it is obvious that he is just like his Mum when it comes to making the most of enjoying an "occasion!"