GARDEN CRAFTS

After months of long cold nights, the first signs of Spring are always very welcome. As the Crafts Coordinator for the International Women's Organisation, I facilitated a bird feeder making class. The bird feeder is made of willow and can last for several years. Now, we only need to wait for the birds to call. This is the sample that I made.

All the ladies went home happy with what they had created.

In preparation for the climbing plants in the garden, I also made this 6 foot willow wigwam. I plan to use for my jasmine plant (if it takes off) or any other plant that needs support.

Still in the crafty mood, I decided to make some vegetable markers. All this while I've been using store bought ones made of plastic. I found some garden border wood which I no longer needed. So I painted them white and then printed designs on them with some of my favourite stamps. After that I used a set of alphabet printers that my daughter bought me last Christmas to print the names of  different types of vegetables. I was very satisfied with the outcome.

Creative Upcycling

I was bitten by the Upcycling bug for the last few weeks and so Michael and I went hunting for furniture. We were in Kilkenny and we chanced upon a number of lovely pieces. There was a rocking chair that was simply fabulous but alas, it was too big to fit into the boot. So we went away with smaller pieces.

                                                    Before: A step stool from IKEA

                                                 After: A total makeover

Before: a dinner chair that has seen better days

After: A brand new look, with handpainted roses and a seat covered with Cath Kidston's Provence Rose Large Cotton fabric

A plain dinner chair given a total change with calligraphy ink

Still restless, I decided to turn some cans into colourful planters to remind me that summer is approaching soon!

The Lecturer and her Magnetic Chalk Wall

I made my first magnetic board when I was 23 and had just started teaching. Those were the days without the OHP or the LCD projector so it was a cool teaching aid - a smallish portable board covered with flannel on one side and magnetic paint on the other. Thus I could hold cut-outs with button magnets  or I could use felt backed pictures (I wonder if anyone still remembers such wonders!) on the other side.

Many years on and I managed to convince Michael to paint a part of the staircase wall black. Black? Yes.

As I spent a good many hours doodling on it ...way past midnight, I felt really good and happy. It is all about organising. Those little cards and momentos that mean something to me. Nostalgic: Photographs of my home in Malaysia and Oreo, the basset that went missing.

When my good friend was here, I've turned it into a chalk board as well.

And a lovely visitor decided to put her name on the wall too!

While still in the mood I decided to organise my ribbon collection as well by turning a box into a ribbon holder.

Gingerbread banner and farewells

I don't like good-byes and another of my friends is leaving for the UK. I've only known Dorina since I came to Ireland and she is pretty charming. We are all members of the International Women's Organisation in Limerick - Americans, Brits, Scots, Irish, Iranians, Italians, South Africans, Hungarians and one Malaysian. So I decided to make a banner for her. I painted and embellished some chippies with an assortment of flags to represent the countries that we come from.

With Dorina

We've got a lovely lunch planned out for her and I must remember to bring a box of tissues with me. This is the card that all of us can write down our best wishes for Dorina.

While I was decorating the gingerbread chippies, I decided to embellish these 2 chippy ducks as well.

50 shades of Tea

When Themba and Sharon invited us to their wedding dinner, I decided to make her a gift. As no two handmade gifts are the same, I thought that will leave a personal touch. The wedding was beautifully done with praises to God and music and dancing.

This couple has been serving faithfully in the music ministry in Abundant Life Christian Church Limerick and it is such a joy to see a wedding where glory is given to God and that both bride and groom love the Lord.

The well choreographed prelude dance was spectacular, with beautiful African music which attracted even the wedding guests to join in spontaneously.

Michael and I had a lovely time, drinking in all the sights and sounds.

With pastor Kevin and Breda

So I made the newly weds a tri-shutter card

and a decoupaged tea-box. 

(I didn't know whether the bride or groom drinks tea or coffee!)

But I later discovered that Sharon actually loves her cup of tea!

Christmas Jamboree in Athlone

Went up to Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone with Cathi for a Christmas Jamboree organised by Create with Kate. We set out early in the morning with Cathi at the wheel (much appreciated!) and had a full day of crafting and fun. 

The view of the bay was magnificent and the air was so clean and fresh.

The Christmas atmosphere was certainly in the air and a huge tree that was decorated beautifully captured my eye instantly.

 There was a huge array of crafting/scrapbooking stuff and I could resist all things but temptation.

It was nice to meet up with fellow crafters but I guess it is always nice to meet up with Santa himself.

Santa said I had been a good girl and gave me a beautiful pressie and not a piece of coal. He knew a number of things about me and my country and for a moment I wondered whether he was the real thing?! He also said I could continue to correspond with him even after Christmas and that I was to email him at Santa@northpole.com

The workshops went swimmingly well and these were my creations.

Soap in a Box

A Wardrobe

for my miniature china

Craft Fair at Quay Arts

Finally the day has arrived. After a month of preparation, Michael and I made our way to the craft fair. The doors opened at 11a.m. and already most of the stall vendors had set up their stalls! Praise God I had a lovely table to display my crafts.

Two of my friends had also booked tables to display their wares.

Maria and her daughter Laura were there with their lovely tatting pieces - collars, christmas ornaments etc.

Kathleen showcased her home-made scrubs and creams.....lovely smells

The best part for me was when my friends came from far and near. It felt good to see familiar faces and it was certainly very encouraging.

And I made new friends too -  Jill with her handpainted cards and Lisa with her Christmas stuff.

It was wonderful to see people admiring and buying the stuff that I made. God has given us many talents and gifts. And these are some of the stuff that I did...

So, for now I'm going to fold my hands and go for a lovely, relaxing holiday ...