Christmas Crafting - make your own gifts

Gertrude Tlou of Umbrella Studios (gertrudetlou@eircom.net) and Anna Browne (087 2222562 or annambrowne@gmail.com) offer you the chance to enter the world of hand made gifts, and realise your dreams of a better Christmas. They will teach you to make a selection of goodies which will delight, amuse and please your nearest and dearest. Choose from a selection of Bath bombs, bath bags, Heat pillows, Neck gaiters, christmas decorations, granola, chocolate macaroons, truffles, Cookie mix in a jar, and go home with recipes and instructions for all of these, and the confidence to make them at home yourself. In addition you'll learn to make gift wraps, gift cards, and cute Origami gift boxes, using recycled materials.


Remember last Christmas? Fighting traffic, stuck in shopping center parking lots? Fighting with the other harried shopper over the last Bath set at the chemist on Christmas eve? Wracking your brains trying to remember who you forgot? Snarling at the family when it's supposed to be such a happy time of year? And then realising you forgot someone very important in the stress of it all? And knowing deep down that you have missed the spirit of Christmas....

This year can be so much different. Imagine a serene day spent learning new crafts, with interesting new people - picking up tips and tricks for creating personalised homemade gifts, and wrapping them in your own individual style?

Imagine spending the last few days leading up to Christmas, relaxed and basking in the knowledge that you have already made all your gifts. Or enjoying the last minute party you have been invited to, knowing you have a unique gift for the hosts in your stockpile. Imagine the appreciation you'll see on the recipients faces, when they see that you have taken the time to make something especially for them? And, best of all, imagine not being in fear of your January credit card bill!


'Make and Bake your Christmas Presents' will be held at Mullingar Educate Together NS on November 7th (leaving you lots of time to put your skills into practice before the holidays), running from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Cost is €75 euro, and all materials will be provided.

Tie Dyeing

Did a bit of tie dyeing in the mid term break. Raw materials - Tea towels from Ikea, vest and onesie from Dunnes, Polo shirt from Penneys. Used Jungle Green multi purpose dye from Dylon, though I think this has been discontinued - both the colour and the style of dye. Amazon Green is the nearest thing.

 

2 Iris Ikea tea towels - I really like how they came out. they were accordion folded, and then folded again in thirds.

 

Light (insipid?) blue polo shirt - from Penneys. I think it looks a lot better now.

 

Cute Baby vest - hides a multitude :-)

 

Groovy all in one. Originally pristine white from Dunnes. Sold in a three pack. The snap fasteners take up a bit of the dye.

Sara's necklace

 

 

We have been making things, but I have forgotten to blog about them. That will have to change:-)

The boys have been invited to a lot of girls parties lately - earlier this week, they made 2 necklaces, which I did not photograph - bummer- and they have already been given away. Dara made a lovely one today for his friend Sara - and they are both enjoying her birthday party at the moment.

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February painting

 

 

Haven't been up to much craft and painting wise for a while now - but my acrylics painting class restarted last week. On the gardening side, I am very busy with teaching two classes, and planning and planting my garden, and the school garden, so there's not much energy remaining for this side of things.

However, these two painting got finished today, and I have to say that I am quite pleased with both of them.

Neck Gaiters

This is what happens when you leave your camera in the car overnight - and try to take photos inside before it warms up.

Neck gaiter as a scarf:

 

As an ear warmer

 

As a face warmer

 

As a hat

 

Final painting of the year

Photo taken near Mount Leinster at the end of October.

 

Painting made in December - from a monochrome image of the pgoto, so I was a bit creative with the colours.

 

Picture has now gone to New York - hope the new owners are happy with it...

Gifts from Geraldine.

Nicola's Christmas swap has come through for me -

 

 

 

 

above is the overwhelming bounty from my swap partner Geraldine. Beautiful and innovative wreath – too nice to put outside, lavender pouch made from an embroidered handkerchief, a book of dutch recipes, and letter chocolates for the boys – they were delighted with them. Another brilliant swap – thanks Nicola!