Library Opening

Today I made it to work (I've had 2 days on sick leave - how frustrating is that!) to open the Library for all my customers who have been waiting patiently during the refurbishment.
Everyone that came in commented on how nice it looked - some were quite worried, but pleasantly surprised with the end result. I am very happy. It's a much happier looking place - open, bright and with lots of comfortable seating.
I also had 2 unexpected visitors. Last week a fantail came in while we were working, for a look around. Today he was back, and with a friend! They stayed for at least 30 minutes, chasing each other, and checking out lots of things. I managed to get a photo of one as he rested for a short time:

Can you see him on the shelf support leg?
Some say that a fantail inside is bad luck, but I like this poem by Eileen Duggan (1894–1972, OBE, New Zealand poet and journalist)

The Tiwai Waka

See! In the Kauwae-Raro,
O small dancing bird,
Old Kupe says you touched him,
We have his stately word.

And what said Kupe of you,
O small bird of grace?
He said: “The Tiwai Waka
Kept flitting past my face!”

O little Tiwa Waka,
O kind little wing!
I've seen a woman hunt you,
With haste and muttering.

She said it was unlucky,
She drove you out with cries,
For when a fantail flies within
A son or neighbour dies.

Unlucky! It's an honour,
A bird flying through.
He had the whole sweet countryside,
And yet he came to you.




I also got a photo of my new Issues Desk. Previously this had an upstanding, about 12 inches high, at the front - I felt that it was difficult for people to see me (and I them if I was sitting down), plus it was a mushroom coloured laminate which didn't go with the new decor. Ian cut and painted.
Now:

I just need to get lettering on the front, and the returns desk is to the side on the left.
So exciting!

Seventh Set of Pieces for Exhibition

This trio is the New Zealand Fantail, Piwakawaka. It is such a joy to have the fantails around - they are so cheeky, flitting around when you are working outside, so I could not do something with this little bird.


The first piece has a background of used tea bags. The close up of the eye has been drawn with ink pencils then thread stitched.

The center piece was one of the last pieces I made, mainly because I really had no idea how to finish it. It is made with a background of silk organza and the silk pieces of the fantail are Vliesofix-ed in place (as you would for raw-edged applique), then I have laid bridal tulle over the whole piece. It is weighted down with a brass rod in a pocket. I'm thinking about using this technique for some internal doors in our house - stained glass would be nice, but I think I could use this technique and encase it in glass.

The 3rd piece has a poem by Eileen Duggan about the fantail printed onto cotton. I then printed a picture onto rice paper. I didn't know how well this would work, but there was no problem with it going through the printer and when I used the acrylic medium to adhere it to the fabric, the ink didn't run either, so I was very pleased with the result.

Tonight, I am helping to set up the pieces at the Gallery.

New Zealand Postcards Quilt

Another WIP - Works in Progress - that I have finished, yippee! This top I made about 3 years ago after I made the same quilt for my best friend's 50th birthday. I liked it so much I had to make another, but it's taken this long to quilt it.

This is the backside of the quilt. The central design is a feathered Silver Fern, then there is a fantail, a Maori fish hook, tree ferns and korus. Click on the photo to get a better view.