A handbag full of candy

We started the Alpha programme this month in Abundant Life Christian Church, Limerick. As this is our first time running the programme, we are very excited to see how God is working. We are very encouraged to see friends coming week after week. One of the lovely ladies that I've met is Olivia who comes from Kenya. She is very amiable and I think she'll enjoy this handbag full of candy which I'll give her tomorrow in church.

Mixed Media Workshop

Went for a mixed media workshop at Cork International Airport Hotel conducted by Finnabair. It was a wonderful time of learning new stuff.

First I made a layout with grungy embellishments.

Then a second one on canvas.

Made a number of new friends as well - Mary and Dola are fabulous ladies!

I wore my favourite 'bartender' apron to protect myself from the muck..

Like any student, taking a photo with the teacher is a must...

The pride of my hands...

Now to show off what everyone has done...

And finally, thanks to Cathi for telling me about the workshop and for driving us there and back home again!

Origami Box making with the International Women's Organisation

Our special crafts this month is making an origami box with lid for trinkets. We had a lovely time with friends from various parts of the world.

                                                                 All the lovely boxes!

You can find instructions to make these boxes on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkYqDiACEXg and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQNABRvb_c0

Wine glass tea-light

For a nice romantic meal, nothing beats soft music and a candle glowing. This is a tea-light table centre piece, small enough so as not to take up too much space and bright enough to light up the atmosphere.

My Sewing Shop

I'm back into collecting properties, so my latest project is to build this sewing shop which took me till 3 a.m. to complete. When you start crafting, there's just no stopping.

I normally cook and craft at the same time, don't ask me how I do it....so it is really nice to bite into succulent dumplings while waiting for the bits to dry. The only danger is that by the end of the project, there might be no more dumplings left on the plate.

 I love configuration boxes because I can just display all the knick knacks that I've hoarded....

104 days to Christmas

Found an old candle and decided to alter it. First I decoupaged the main part of the candle. Then I glued gold dust to the top part. After that, I used a doily as a mask and did some misting.

This was the candle before the makeover

The next item is a heart made of willow. I've put two clocks there to speed up the countdown to Christmas!

My Pet shop

I love having animals around me, especially dogs. Every time I pass by a pet shop, I cannot resist going in to look at the furry friends with the big sad eyes. This explains why there is always a home for animals in my house. So I thought I would make a miniature pet shop of my own.

As you can see I'm partial to the woman's best friend - note the dog bone and the paw prints. The miniature house is made from chipboard and all the details inside the shop are handmade from paper and cloth.

The dog collars and the dog garment are made from felt and the cushions are made from cloth with felt and lace trimmings. The dog leads are made from ribbons.  The cat tree pet furniture condo is made from chip board. Rope is wound round the legs of the condo for the cat to scratch. Rope is also wound round the pet basket on the shelf. I made the pet magazine by cutting a strip of paper and folding it like a fan . Since this is my third miniature shop, I'm getting better at screwing in the butterfly hinges and fixing the light bulb.

Practice makes perfect!

Presently, these are my two loveliest Irish gentlemen pets. I can't ask for more.

Mortar board card for a wonderful daughter

A mortar board card (diamond top card) is a nice card to give to a loved one who is entering university or has just been conferred a degree. My youngest daughter Audrey will be starting her first term in Trinity College Dublin in September so I thought that she deserves a token to reflect a mother's pride.

The inside of the card has a pocket to insert a little something.

Check out this link if you would like to make a diamond top card

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZNueel7Zjw