2018 WK 50 - too busy to blog

Life has been a bit hectic recently - I've got a new job starting 2nd January so I have been making sure everything at my current job is up to date to be handed over . . . and I've been teaching and making gifts!

These were some of the Christmas Decorations created at a recent Family Learning class

As well as me leaving, my poor boss is losing his other admin receptionist as she's going on maternity leave.  I made a Mickey Mouse quilt and taggie for the baby

 I taught Suffolk Puff Christmas Trees at Chertsey Museum

And ran a stall at the neighbouring village's Christmas Fayre talking to people about Stitch (our Days For Girls washable menstruation kits)

One of the group had been busy making stuff to sell to put towards more fabrics and an overlocker - I got this fab fella

Richmond and Kew had it's Christmas do: We do a secret Santa and I got this lovely little pouch with an easy thread needle

I also did a little side swap with Cheryl - she makes these fab free range sewing kit bags

And was making me one, so I made her a zippy pouch

2018 Wk 44 - Teaching Families

I taught a family learning class today - each child using a pair of jeans as a starting point and seeing how they could recycle them into something else.- I really don't know why I make up samples as the kids are SO much better at coming up with ideas!

I suggested an apron, slippers, small shoulder bag or a drawstring bag

Bu no - we had a 10 year old making a summer top using pink jeans as side panels

Another one making a teddy bear

And a fab glove puppet

Along with monsters

Aprons

and shoulder bags with attitude

I thought that would be the end of my jeans stash . . . but clearly not!

And now home to a pile of Football hoodies to be embroidered

and a bigger pile of school sweatshirts - I might be finished by Christmas!

However, 'Im Indoors has finally pulled his finger out, and has hung a bar for a headrest quilt

and hooks for a pole for a wall quilt - just as soon as I find a pole I'll be putting My Small World up

A little bit of this and a litle bit of that

Being back at work means much less sewing time, but a few number of projects have benefited from half an hour or so sewing time this week:

I played with some ideas for two piece cuddly toys for a kids' class next weekend

 

And I made an I-spy quilt for our next-door neighbours who have just become grandparents for the first time, and I designed an in-the-hoop baby taggie for him too.

His was really a trial version, and here it is with two others which will be samples at next week's village craft fair.  Lets hope some people order them!

 

Books and Bunnies

Last Thursday I taught an adult education workshop in the evening.  I wasn't sure how many would come as it was enrolment on the night and the local authority hadn't advertised it much.

I put it on the Windsor Parents facebook page, and the Hive office (Military and Community information) put it on their facebook page . . .  and we had 11 ladies wanting to come!!!!!

They all worked hard

 and we had nine fab book covers finished by the end of the evening!

Well done ladies

And I've been making Easter Bunnies again!  This is another recommendation from the lovely Plum (the notebook are her instructions too).  The bunnies originated from Urban Threads - they are called Giving Bunnies, and you can read about they and the random acts of kindness they support here.

These are being made for the assorted great nephews and nieces as Easter pressies - the first batch are ready:

And I'd like to make some more to leave for children to find over Easter

Sample Sewing

I'm teaching an Adult Education workshop on Thursday, and am hoping that it will lead to a few more, so I thought I'd bring some samples to see what else the ladies might be interested in making.

I found a gathered round basket on Pinterest, and thought it might be popular.  The link took me to A Spoonful of Sugar, and her very comprehensive instructions led me to make this

Reversible too:

I think that should go down quite well!

Lots of Leaves

The first 20 leaves have been completed for the Oakfield Anniversary project:

Looking good - 30 to go

Beautiful summer day

We live in an area which is two villages within a few square miles.  Maybe once upon a time (both churches date back over 800 years) they were separate, but now it is difficult to tell where one ends and the other starts unless you are local.

Each village has a Summer Fair, one in June, one in July, and the larger village also holds a Garden party in early September: arranged by the church, and held in the gardens of the closest thing we have to a Lord Of the Manor (tongue in cheek, he would laugh if he read that!)

Anyway I got no sewing done today as I spent the day at the Garden Party on one of the church stalls, selling Mocktails.  for the 4th year running we have had the most marvelous weather, and the fancy dress and the children's races and the other activities have gone off without a hitch, and my First Aid responsibilities were not put to the test (phew)

So i just thought I'd show you a photo of the Garden Party in full swing,

and of our stall area after we have taken down the gazebo etc - aren't the hedges amazing!

One giggle I wanted to share with you: My friend Sharon's daughter Katie is 26 or so, and a mum, but 15 years ago she regularly came to our  Sunday School.  I saw her today and we had a lovely chat - suddenly she said "you'll never guess, I'm starting sewing lessons in a few weeks"  I then realised she was signed up for the Adult & Community lessons I am teaching on Wednesdays . . . we shrieked with delight and did a huggy sort of dance . . . and then realised we were being watched by her mum and dad and brother and son, and my husband and daughter, and another couple of hundred people - I don't care, LOL, I am so happy that (a) someone has signed up, and (b) I'll know someone there!  And it helps that Katie is LOVELY!!!!

When one door closes ...

No photos, and just a brief post today.  I've had car problems (thank goodness for extended warranties) and work, and planning for stained glass owl lessons , but have also had an interesting week workwise.

I was told that the school have decided not to extend my 5.5 hour a week contact as an extended school's co-ordinator.  It's a shame, as that has seen me raise two grants (totalling £12500) for a refurb to the swimming pool area, arrange extra curricular activities for 19 free-school meal children (which I have evidence that their interest in learning, self confidence and behaviour has all improved as a result), and produce a newsletter with about 20 free or low cost activities nearby over the summer hols.  This does leave me with a 3 hour a week contract to files papers for the SENco (special educational needs co-ordinator) but this isn't as rewarding either by money or by stimulation.

Anyways

less than a week later I have been approached by the adult education department at the borough to ask

whether

I

would

like

to 

teach

patchwork

once a week

next year 

...

What do you think I answered?????????

less time per week, better hourly rate, 

and P.A.T.C.H.W.O.R.K.

... 

I came over all unnecessary, 

and I may have offered to have the co-ordinator's babies

Can you see me doing a happy dance?