Countdown to Christmas 2014

Snowmen made from pasta jars

 The Snowmen looking out of the window

In early December, I thought I would start the countdown to Christmas by posting something that I've made everyday. It was a great idea because I found myself very busy and very happy doing the things that I like, going places, meeting loads of friends and making new friends along the way.

Fresh Christmas wreaths

My friend Phil informed me that there would be a wreath making session at Southill Area Centre

hall so I went and made 2 fresh wreaths - one for a relative and the other for my mother-in-law's resting place. An added bonus was making a new friend Mary who introduced me to the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) - Limerick Guild

Together with new friends at Southill Area Centre.

So I went for the ICA meeting and learnt how to make a centrepiece for the Christmas table,

From the ICA facebook page, I discovered that the women had created a lot of stuff for past Christmasses. The one that caught my fancy was the quilted bauble so I tried my hand at making one and gave it to a good friend.

Went for a workshop at Killaloe Community Centre and made two tree ornaments

Then it was time to decorate the house and get it all ready for Christmas

                                                 The fresh Christmas pine tree

                                       Hand sewn new cushions and patchwork quilt sofa throw

                                 Some bears and a cat that I made earlier this year sitting on
                                              a cross stitch quilt that I made last year

                                        A Christmas quilt I made two years ago

Two more new cross-stitch quilted cushions

And in-between the sewing and crafting, I was invited to a number of parties and celebrations!

Christmas party at Carrygerry country house - International Women's Organisation

Made some cupcakes for the

Christmas party at Woodview Hotel Limerick - Busybees Organisation

Theresa's party where we feasted and made music with a variety of instruments, beautifully coordinated by the very talented friends from the Music Faculty at the University of Limerick.

                 And not forgetting the beautiful Christmas candlelight service at Abundant Life Christian                                                                                 Church, Limerick

The holiday spirit  would not be complete without some form of  travelling........to London Christmas Market and I bought a paper shoe making kit.

                    ( I gave this away to a good friend who fell in love with it)

And a Sainsburys Commemorative Chocolate bar from the beautiful 2014 Christmas Advertisement based on Christmas 1914 during WW1. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWF2JBb1bvM)

And finally this is the little boy I brought into the world 24 years ago, wishing everyone a very blessed Christmas and a great year ahead!

Samuel at 6 months

Christmas Craft Workshop

When Susan suggested that I conduct a craft demonstration at the Active Retirement Group in Raheen, I couldn't wait for it to happen. As usual there was a time frame and we finally decided on two crafts - a demonstration of decoupage technique and a hands-on session of card making. The night was pretty cool so I was thankful that I was appropriately dressed in something warm and made of fleece.

A wooden wine box totally transformed

A day before the event I scouted out the place which was located in a strategic part of town. I got the basic raw materials ready, so that everyone who participated would hopefully go home satisfied with what they had created. Time wasn't really a factor as I was prepared to pay extra attention to those who needed more.

                                            Some of the lovely cards made by the ladies

All in all I enjoyed the session tremendously. It was a lovely group and a very diligent one too. Some were busily taking notes while others asked where they could purchase the materials. It was also nice to be in the teaching mode, doing what I love and speaking into a microphone.

A teacher is always a teacher, whatever the circumstance.

Cushions galore

With Christmas coming up soon, the desire to decorate the house escalates. New cushion covers will perk up any dull looking sofa.

I was at the Knitting and Stitching Show at RDS, Dublin recently and that was really a crafter's haven.

I came away with some interesting ribbons, so I've used them as embellishments for cushions.

                                         
                                                       Snowman cushion with sequin snowflakes

                                                                 The Advent Cushion

As I count down to Christmas, the candy cane serves as a marker!

Sonya has sewn for me several cross stitch pieces and since I could find no more walls to have them framed and hung up, I decided to make cushions instead.

Monochrome cross stitch Rose

Cross stitch Rooster

A Snipe among Treasures

Kitchen Herbs

Now that I've done all the cushions, I must get ready for the craft workshop that I'm conducting next week.......