RAISING FUNDS FOR SPONSORSHIP TO BELARUS

Going on a missions trip is always a challenge. To date, I've been to a few in Asia and this year I'll be going to Belarus on April 22 - 29 with PASHLI  (http://www.pashli.org/) 

'Pashli' is a Russian word meaning "Let's Go". It is my desire to make a difference  to the economically deprived people of Belarus, who live in extreme poverty, despite the fact that their country is on the doorstep of the European Union. I want to make a difference by improving the living conditions and social opportunities of the orphan children and the neglected elderly in Belarus.

To begin with I'll need to raise 1000e for the trip there - airfare, lodging etc. On a personal basis I decided to make some soft toys and candles for sale. 

Details: With St Patrick's day around the corner I thought this little sock monkey with the colours of the Irish flag is most charming! 17 inch with no small parts like buttons that can be pulled. Price: 25e

Details: Handmade 14 inch doll with Japanese cotton fabric. No small parts like buttons that can be pulled. Price: 25e

Details: Handmade 14 inch doll with Cath Kidston fabric. No small parts like buttons that can be pulled. Price:25e

Details: Handmade Piggy with piglets. Piglets can be removed from the pouch. 12 inches (31cm) x 7.5 inches ( 19 cm) Price: 25e

Details: Handmade Ewe and lambs. Lambs can be removed from pouch.12 inches (31cm) x 7.5 inches ( 19 cm) Price: 25e

Details: Candles with an artistic difference.

                                           Height:   8 inches (20cm)                           Price: 10e

Height: 4.5 inches (12 cm) Price: 5 e

                                Height: 4 inches (11 cm)  Price: 5 e 

                                Height: 4 inches (11 cm)  Price: 5 e 

CHINESE NEW YEAR CRAFTS

For me, Chinese New Year tops the list when it comes to celebrations. Although I'm away from my home in Malaysia, I still try to do all the little things associated with it. First of all sending cards is an age-old tradition. I couldn't find any in Ireland so I decided to make some.

As my daughter Audrey was born in the year of the Rooster, I decided to make her something special.  The red packet (ang pow) in the rooster's packet contains a monetary gift. This again is a Chinese New Year custom whereby we give ang pow to family and friends who are single.

I love farm animals, so I decided to make some four-legged friends as well.

The piggy is my favourite - that's a given.

SOFT TOYS TO LOVE

I'm back to sewing again and this time it is all about making soft toys. I bought this doll making kit from Oslo and isn't she gorgeous? This is the first of three and I hope to complete the other two sometime this month.

Then I went on to make 2 elephants for my friends who celebrated the American independence day on the fourth of July this year. The colours reflect the American flag.

The elephant cushion can double up as a lower back cushion for  the driver's seat. This is particularly useful and I find great relief from a small one like this especially when I drive for hours.....

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