Wednesday, 23 February 2011

WHERE DOES TIME GO?

Well, as the saying goes, another day another dollar!  It's amazing how I tell myself I will definitely write on my blog more often but, when it comes down to it, there are always other things to be done first, then I never get back to it.  How do some Bloggers manage, (some with young children which I don't have), to write on their blogs so often - sometimes every day.  Firstly I wouldn't have that much to say and secondly I have so much I need to do!  In fact I'm just taking a break from marking my students homework!

Today I thought I would include some photos of some button & bead jewellery I made recently.  I posted it to Facebook yesterday and received some really lovely comments from my friends:
I found some beautiful shell buttons in these amazing colours and just had to get them, then browsing around my local hobby shop, as you do, I came across some beautiful glass beads and a pendant.  It all screamed at me "Buy me, buy me" and how could I resist?  This is the result of that little shopping spree!
This is a charm bracelet I made a little while back.  I had some odd beads and charms hanging around, left over from other things I had made, and as the colours went together so nicely, I started playing and after making the brown bracelet I then began wiring the remaining beads and charms on, and by adding the rose quartz it even pleases my spiritual side! Hola! One lovely charm bracelet which I love to wear.  
My students in my Mixed Crafts class wanted to learn how to make Penny Slider cards so I practiced first with a few different ideas and came up with the plane looping the loop in the sky (the sky background and the plane decoupage were courtesy of: www.card-making-downloads.com one of my favourite sites for unusual and really cute card ideas) the idea of having the plane loop the loop was thanks to another site which used the idea of the shape for a totally different idea - two sources and one terrific idea came to mind!
The heart sliding down the wave shape was another combination of two different ideas and made a terrific Valentine card.
The final card was from a previous lesson when the girls wanted to learn how to make shaker cards and I didn't get around to writing about it here.  Well, better late than never so they say!
This is the box I made for my younger daughter, finally added to my blog two months later!! 
These are two waterfall cards - once again examples made for my mixed crafts class. They really enjoyed making these and thankfully all of them worked properly. Can't wait for two weeks time when we are doing glass painting - I can't paint for toffee so that should be a laugh a minute!!  Mind you I don't have to be able to do it - just show them how to do it!  It will be interesting to see how that works out!!
Here's another of the box and bag together - that darn sheep just insisted on joining in - she was so happy that just as I took the photo she kicked her legs in the air!

Well that's all for now.  Wonder what the next posting will bring!! Probably something patchwork again, as I have just placed a massive order for some fantastic materials, very French Provincial in style,  which should get the creative juices flowing..... ummmm now let me see, where did I put my pattern books???

Lots of love and happy crafting

Pauline

Saturday, 29 January 2011

IT DOESN'T RAIN BUT IT POURS!!

First chance I've had this year to write on my blog - I really should have a set day for doing this!


Well, Christmas was quiet to say the least, and if possible New Year's Eve was even quieter!  This was the first year we had only one of our two daughter's with us for Christmas, as the younger one was stuck in Dubai and couldn't get home, but surprise - surprise -  on 11th January she came over to the UK as a birthday treat for me and she stayed for 11 days.  It did give me an opportunity to finish her Christmas presents.  Which I didn't hurry to finish before Christmas as I didn't think I'd be seeing her till the Spring!
Yes, it's another frame and bag!  Plus I also made her a padded box in two of the materials used in the bag, but I don't have a photo at the moment. So both my girls had presents made by me at Christmas!  


I can't believe this is my third post today - if you can count the Slane's Slide Show and the Guest Book - plus I was working at the college this morning/afternoon!  Where did this sudden spurt of energy come from??


I'm busy at the college as I have three courses running at present.  The Event Planning course is midway through and the students are doing very well with their portfolios, which will be marked for them to pass to get their Level 2 Certificates in Event Planning, and I'm really pleased with their efforts so far as they are really trying hard.


My new Mixed Crafts class started Thursday afternoon and I have 8 of my previous students sign up again as they enjoyed their classes so much - which means I must be doing something right!!


Also a new course - Bead & Wire Jewellery Making - started Thursday evening and I have a lovely group of students who are all new to the craft so I'm starting them off with the basics and we will build up to great things .... they were thrilled to take home a pair of handmade earrings as they didn't think they would make anything their first lesson!!  Well done Pauline... you're a star!  (Well if I don't say so who will??)


Love the new T Mobile ad - Return of The Mac - that song is terrific!  Think I'll try to get it as the ringtone for my iphone!!


That's all for now, will be back soon with photos of my current sewing work-in-progress, plus some of my students work.


Bye for now


Pauline



The Slane's Slide Show

My Guest Book...