SUMMER PROJECTS 2018

Summer is almost over and boy, have I been busy.upcycling stuff , painting, sewing and doing all the things I love to do. So I'll divide this blog post into categories.

1. Seamus the Scarecrow

I want to scare away the pesky birds from attacking my vegetables and fruit so what better way than to make a traditional scarecrow? Seamus is bigger than life and since this was my first time trying to make a scarecrow, I had great fun. The best part is I made a little vest for him from fabric that my sister gave me from the States about 20 years ago!

I also made new markers for my crops.

2. Fish and shell mural

I love shellfish so instead of discarding the shells after a meal, I decided to create a wall mural. First I made the fish out of clay. After firing, I painted them with fluorescent acrylics. Sticking them to the wall required loads of patience.

3. Water Barrels

Planters created out of water barrels are rather fetching. Due to adverse weather conditions last year, the 2 barrels that I painted were a sorry sight so I gave them a makeover.

Then I got another barrel and painted a new one for this year, inspired by Vincent Van Gogh's sunflowers.

free hand painting with acrylics.

4. Milk Churns

I purchased 2 vintage milk churns that didn't come cheap. For the one below I used stenciling and free hand painting.

Then I used grout for the poppies on the second milk churn to give a 3 - D effect.

And this was the original milk churn

5. Love the Birds

I made 3 bird boxes for nesting next Spring. They can also keep the birds warm during winter.

Then for the existing bird house, I gave it a summery feel. Notice that Mrs. is wearing a red bikini.

6. Ceramic mural

I did the abstract ceramic tiles last year and decided to paint them this year and mount them on wood.

7. Denim season

Apparently denim jeans and tops are back in fashion. I thought they'd look great in the garden too as planters! So I made a whole family: daddy, mummy and junior.

8. Gifts for friends

For their ordination as full time ministers in church, I made my friends memory boxes.

And for a lovely friend who called for tea, I made her a cactus pin cushion.

I'm back to painting with chalk paints and am in the midst of creating some new stuff so watch this space!

Capturing our renewal of Wedding Vows in Israel

It has been almost a month since we returned from the Holyland. We had 11 wonderful days in Israel and Jordan from 12 - 23/2/2018. This was my second time there and Michael's first. We flew to Amman and met up with the rest of the tour group from Malaysia. The tour was organised by World Discovery Travel, Kuala Lumpur. Our first stop was Jesus' baptismal site on the river Jordan and we then headed for Mount Nebo and Petra. Nothing can ever adequately describe the immense and intricate beauty of the Nabatean sandstone Treasury before us in Petra. 

Crossing the Allenby bridge we headed to Israel. We visited Tel Dan, Banias, Haifa, Bethany, the Kidron Valley, Caesarea, Megiddo, Joppa, the Jezreel Valley, Jericho, Qumran, the Dead Sea, Mt.Carmel, Nazareth, Galilee, Bethlehem and finally Jerusalem.

One of the highlights of the trip for us was the renewal of our wedding vows which was held on 16/2/2018. It was also the first day of Chinese New Year. It was a wonderful opportunity and all the more special when it was held in the church in Cana - the very place where Jesus attended a wedding and performed His first miracle - turning water into wine. (John 2: 1- 10)

Prior to the trip, I had made a small handheld bouquet and a floral head wreath for myself and a corsage for Michael because I knew it would be difficult to buy fresh flowers when we were travelling in a foreign land. Packing them neatly together with my dress, they were in pristine condition when we unpacked the suitcase.

We have been married for 8 years and so the symbol for 8 years of marriage is Linen. I brought along linen Irish tea towels to give to all our guests. Everyone was surprised and happy.

Pastor John Gurusamy who was one of our tour group members officiated the ceremony. He and his wife Jean lead the youth group in a church in Sydney, Australia. It was amazing to exchange our wedding rings again. (the rings still fit)

Our friends sang our favourite song STILL by Hillsong to celebrate the occasion. This was the very first song that I used in a birthday montage CD that I sent to Michael in 2008 when we first reconnected.

Hide me now, under your wings

Cover me, within your mighty Hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father, You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul, in Christ alone

Know His power, In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father, You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God

                              Helena our tour guide managed to capture the kiss of the moment.

and the 'official' renewal of wedding vows shot.

In the church courtyard

Our guests were members of the tour group and they were all from Kuala Lumpur. We hit off immediately because they were such a lovely crowd.

                    We had a very scrumptious kosher lunch and we nicknamed it our 'wedding banquet.'

 On the way out of the church we saw a stall by the roadside selling fresh pomegranate juice. So we treated the wedding guests to a glass of juice each. They all shouted: Le-ḥayyim tovim u-le-shalom (Good life and peace) Mazel u’Bracha  (Blessings and Congratulations)

The whole event was simply beautiful and meaningful beyond words. 

God in His abundant love and grace gave us a second chance in life. Our meeting again in 2008 and our marriage in 2010 is a miracle. He sealed the union one more time in the very land where He walked. We were so privileged to be able to share the joy with a group of perfect strangers who later became our friends.

Decoupaged Glass Plates with ICA ladies

We had our first ICA Castletroup guild meeting for 2018 and it was a privilege to show the ladies how to make a decoupaged glass plate.

There were 15 of us and we had fun putting the pieces together. Because of time constraints, I had prepared most of the materials earlier. (weave paper, serviettes, modpotch)

The ladies were very good and handled their plates with care. The results were stunning and everyone brought home a piece of art! These plates should be hand washed.

Although everyone used the same fairy cake image, the possibilities are endless : flowers, christmas scenes, sweets etc.

Where did I get this idea for the plate? Well, when we were gallivanting one day, we ambled into a gift shop and browsed around. What caught my attention were some pretty decoupaged glass plates. I had a look at one of them and decided I must make one at home. And so I did and because I have a teacher's heart, I thought it would be lovely to share this skill with my friends as well....................

PLAYING WITH CLAY

I signed up for a 10 week beginner's ceramic course at the Killaloe Ballina Family Resource Centre late last year and had a wonderful time pinching pots and coiling. Basically it is back to those days of clay dough fun. We met every Thursday for two hours. As we could only do so much during class time, I bought extra clay from the facilitator so I could do more at home and paid her for the firing.

There seems to be a craze in Ireland for fairy doors and fairy villages. Since I do not believe in fairies I decided to make a door for Peter Rabbit to be placed at the foot of a tree in my garden.

                                                                         After Firing

Before Firing

I've always enjoyed Beatrice Potter's books and Peter Rabbit and his sisters Mopsy, Flopsy and Cottontail remind me of my own children. Even my Facebook Profile photo is Peter Rabbit's family.

The rabbit family has a neighbour. The very loveable character Stuart Little, so I made a door for him as well.

                                                                       After Firing

Before firing

I decided to make a pumpkin and a gourd as well for Autumn.

And a Christmas tea-light tree and Choristers for Christmas.

Then I decided to make things for the garden. Mushrooms and a fish chime to begin with.

Having gained enough confidence, I proceeded to make a miniature village for my garden.

Our house

St Flannans Cathedral, Killaloe

A thatched cottage

two senior citizens and their home

and two big menacing looking blackbirds to protect my crops in the garden

I still have unfired bits in the kiln so hopefully all the pieces for the garden will be completed by Spring.