MAKING A SUGAN CHAIR

When I wrote to Slieve Aughty centre about a year ago (2015) and asked them when they would conduct a course on sugan chair making, I heard nothing from them. Then out of the blue in January 2016, they contacted me and told me about the Weekend in the Hills where traditional crafts would be taught. Strangely they had kept my email and decided to respond a year later. This is Ireland.

So I signed up for it and Michael and I made 2 trips just to check out the place, to be sure, to be sure. I'm perfect in the city but I get lost in the country. Slieve Aughty is nestled in Kylebrack, Co. Loughrea. The first time we drove there, we were going uphill and downhill and then we admitted that we were lost. So we pulled to the side and waited for a friendly face. Lo and behold a tractor came by.

I put on my puss in boots look and said, 'I am lost, can you help me?'. No one can resist that, not even myself. The farmer was very helpful and said, 'I will put your feet on the right path again!' He grinned and went over the directions twice. This again is Ireland.

When the day arrived, I was in no position to drive as I had sprained my ankle and tore some ligaments. It was wonderful that my friend Susan said she would take over the wheel. Such is the wonder of having a great friend. Susan had also signed up to do a different course.

At the reception counter, I asked whether I could use the lift. The lady in-charge said the lift was full of stuff and I had to climb the stairs with my crutches. I didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. Anyway, the tasty organic food made up for it. The room was lovely too.

There were five of us - all ladies. We surrounded the master craftsman Sean Walshe and gave him no peace, We chose our logs and there was a lot of sawing and drilling.

I was completely hopeless when it came to the use of brute strength. I am no brute and I had no strength.

At the end of the day, Susan came by and helped me with the weaving of the seat. The result of four hands working on the seat was spectacular. The master was very pleased and so was I.

Egg cosies or pin cushions?

We all eat our eggs differently. Over here, soft boiled eggs are placed on egg cups. With a tap of two on the shell, the top part of the egg is removed. Then the insides are scooped out with a teaspoon.

His Style of Eating soft-boiled eggs

With lots of bits and bobs in my hands I decided to make some egg cosies. These will prove handy, as they keep the soft boiled eggs warm until the man stirs from his bed. Some of these shapes can be turned into pin cushions as well.

As for me, I prefer to break the eggs straight onto a saucer, chinese cafe (kopitiam) style and slurp the goodness  up. (not forgetting to put in a dash of pepper and soya sauce). And of course, there must be a cup of strong coffee and two slices of toasted bread with butter and coconut jam. (kaya)

My Style of Eating soft-boiled eggs

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.

Egg-citing Easter 2016

Today is Easter and it is the most important event in my Christian life because without Easter, there is no Christianity. When Pastor Kevin asked me for suggestions to make Easter tokens, I thought decoupage eggs would be an interesting idea.

Since I was away in Malaysia for the early part of the year, I decided to get most of the supplies from home as they are much cheaper. Kevin got some lovely volunteers and together we made 70 decoupage eggs.

And so we completed the eggs, put them into organza bags with a note inside each of the bags and gave them to all the families who attended Easter service at Abundant Life Christian Church Limerick.

Year end crafts and Bye bye 2015

This will be the final post for 2015 before the ships blare their horns to usher in 2016. As the year draws to an end, I think I will put up all the pictures of the crafts that I've done for November and December. My favourites are mosaic-art and willowcraft and of course Christmassy stuff.

A. Mosaic and collage

1. Collage on Slate: mixed media - bits and bobs of old jewellery and paper napkins

2. Glass and tile on wood

3. Mandala Art: Tile, sculpture paste and paper napkin on MDF.

B. Willowcraft

Shopping basket:  Following instructions from a very good book .........

I completed this shopping basket on my own...........

C. Christmassy stuff

1. Fish bowl with candle : Sculpture paste for frost

 

2. Candle with trimmings

3. Hand painted snow men on wood and bottles

4. Table centrepiece

5. Cards

3D cards - the robin card won 3rd prize at the ICA Limerick federation meeting 

12 days of Christmas Cards

and a whole host of other cards....

So, I've come to the end of my last post for 2015. I already have lots of crafts planned out for next year which begins tomorrow. 

2016 HERE I COME!!