WOW-ING THEM ON NORFOLK ISLAND

You may have heard of the famous Werable Art Show that is held in Wellington, New Zealand each year. For six years, now, Norfolk Island has been holding its own Wearable Art Parade, sponsored by our very active Community Arts Society. And it gets better each year!! We make a point of getting there before the doors open, because there is usually "standing room only" well before the show commences.

I found a seat that I thought would be good for photographs, but I had the lights glaring at me, as you can see in the above shots. So my pictures will have to be "arty!"

I swapped places with Emily and Sarah, and it was a little better. But I know just which seat I will claim next year!!

Actually I did not see anyone else photographing models on the catwalk, so my pictures may be the only ones you will see!!

                          

From the recycled section - with an ocean theme.

Millie models a "Bulls-Eye" outfit - her family are into Archery!!

Georgie is one of our keenest and most creative entrants each year. This stunning outfit is fashioned from 2500 Stubbie caps from the R.S.L. club, on a wire base.  The only new materials are the red and white spray paints!

Recycled plastic!

A coffe theme, with disposable cups lined with paper doileys

And this one, designed and made by Emma, is made from thousands of bread tags! The garment is fashioned to represent our popular local trumpeter fish.

A number of little ones took part. Here Mirabelle, Sienna and Teddy model the theme "Mum told me to clean up the Toy Room."

Donna entered the "Bizarre Bra" section. She said that her creation was a result of diving to the bottom of her craft basket and staying there for quite a while!

Origami paper cranes embellish this garment!

A beautiful jellyfish....

...accompanied by a lovely seascape!

Scallop shells, with Vicki and daughter Imogen.

Emma took to the catwalk in pheasants' feathers

This garment was named "The Barking Bride". It has been fashioned from Paperbark and wood shavings.

The garment above, and the two that follow, are a trio designed by Wayne, and modelled by his sister and two nieces. They feature Pandanus and plaited Tapa cloth.

I think you will agree they are quite stunning!

Here below is a slightly risque one made (by Lou)from "adult balloons"

Wayne and Georgie were judged real winners, and as designers, they won the chance to go to the big WOW festival in Wellington later in the year.

It was a wonderful evening. The atmosphere was almost electric. It showed off the best of the "Give it a Go" spirit of Norfolkers, and demonstrated just a little of the wonderful creative talent of this island!



A GIFT FOR JENNI AND PETER

Our friends Peter and Jenni live on the South Coast of New South Wales. They have always been great travellers. In fact it was love of travel that brought them together more than twenty years ago.

However, that was before they discovered Norfolk Island, and fell in love with the place and the people. In fact, they felt so much a part of Norfolk Island that they purchased their own little piece of it, and built their own little cottage here. I might add that this picture of the cottage was taken a year or two ago, and since then the plantings made by Jenni and Peter have grown beautifully to frame and enhance this very pretty little house.

It is still just a holiday home for them, but they make sure that these holidays happen as often as possible. Jenni and Peter have made many friends on the island, and we are glad to be counted among them!

Earlier last year, Peter and Jenni asked if I would make them two Christmas stockings - one for them, and one for Abby the cat. Sadly, Abby passed away during the year, but when November rolled around, I made a start on the special stocking for the Coopers. Actually, Christmas stockings are my very favourite thing to make - you can really "go to town and over the top" with colour and embellishment!

I decided to use very traditional Christmas colours, as they had no particular colour preferences.

 But they did want a "Norfolk Pine Christmas Tree" and I planned to make one using a couched yarn in variegated greens.

I wasn't sure that it really looked like a Norfolk Pine, but I found some little charms featuring Norfolk Island, and affixed them to the tree along with beads and other glitzy bits. There a little model of the St Barnabas' Chapel,  Norfolk Pine Trees, and a map of Norfolk Island.

Now when Jenni and Peter put up their Christmas decorations at home in Australia, they can always be reminded of their home and friends on Norfolk Island!

CHRISTMAS ...LOOKING BACK

They say there is nothing as "past" as Christmas.......but the memories of a happy relaxed family time always stay with you.
Here are a few candid shots of our Christmas this year.
Here is Ed, recovering perhaps from early celebrations, and wishing he could have slept in longer! Ruby is there in his arms. The two of them have quite fallen in love with each other!

 Peter is equally laid back, happy to have the girls wait on him!

 The family has learned that Bernie is quite happy and contented with a bottle or two of red wine for a gift.

 We usually give the girls beach gear for their extended Christmas holiday with us. They live a fair way from the sea at home, and love the proximity of the beach here on Norfolk Island.

 Sarah models hers, along with the beads that Peter brought back from his trip to Delhi in October!

 Mitti gets in on the act.

 Sarah has a call from her Dad, while Digby watches on.

 And Ruby has a cuddle with Emily...

 The table is set for a late Christmas lunch. I kept looking for a suitable centrepiece, but they all looked too tacky. Finally I remembered the frosted fruits that I made for sale...and they are perfect. (I have withdrawn them from the market!!!)

 We enjoyed traditional foods, including frozen peas! We have had so many fresh veges this year, I realised I had not eaten peas for ages, so they were an unusual treat!

 The next day we had another gift opening session with Miriam and Rob, who had arrived that morning. Also with the McRitchies, who joined us in a relaxed Boxing Day "potluck and leftovers".
This was Jasper's first Christmas.

 Sienna displays the little fairy cushion and button doll I made for her.

 Jasper models his ladybird suit, and holds the little matching ladybird toy.

 And Teddy models his new Billabong hat - which, unfortunately, is a little tight!

With all the celebrations over, it is now reward time. The pace is relaxed, and we have not yet resumed normal routines. I am itching to get at some creative activities, but that can wait...it is so lovely to have the family here, enjoying informal meals and picnics, watching the cricket on TV (without feeling guilty), bumping into and catching up with other Norfolkers home for the holidays....I can't wait till next Christmas! (It will roll round soon enough)