Craft Corner: Painted Lantern

This week, I was looking for something a bit different on the project front and while wandering around Idee, I found this cute little painted lantern project.  I especially loved the colours - not exactly autumnal but maybe a last wave to Summer.

 First, I traced the patterns with relief paste and let this dry for half an hour.

Then I filled in the patterns with the coloured paints.  So in love with these pretty colours.

After an hour in the oven, the pattern was set and I could return the glass to the lantern and admire the finished product.

I loved doing something different and would definitely try it again.

Conkers

It never ceases to amaze me here in Germany that every autumn, there are seas of conkers lying on the ground all over Bremen - nobody cares!

I'm not a huge fan of the game conkers - it seems a shame to me to put a string through the middle of something so beautiful - but for a country so hot on decorations, I can't believe they aren't exploited in some way.  

For the last few days we have been collecting every time we leave the house and above are just a selection of the conkers we've amassed.  I need to find some display idea for them but they are not going to lie about outside to rot while I'm here!

The Saturday Update

Hoooooolidays!!

Yep, we are finally on holiday.  It's been a long time coming.  We have spent the first two days getting lots of sleep but also being a bit productive.  We finished sorting wedding presents, the thank you cards are almost finished, Nico reinstalled my whole laptop and I got caught up on Project Life.

Last weekend we had a lovely games night evening with friends, which I won't bore you with since I already posted on it.  It featured heavily in Project Life this week too.

Work this week was a bit of a wind down.  I had to get several exams written - especially year ten as they are on work experience as soon as we get back to school.  I also watched Forrest Gump with my top set in preparation for a film review they will be writing.  I forgot how emotional that film is!  Luckily they are a lovely class to watch it with. However, as in need of the break as I was, I am still excited about work at the moment.  There are lots of new projects coming up and I am still feeling more settled than ever there.

My evening classes also went better and I quite enjoyed them this week.  I always pick up new things from my pupils and students and the highlight this week was teaching the alphabet.  When one of the pupils couldn't remember what 'y' was during a listening activity, the quietest guy in the class pipes up - "just do the dance...YMCA!"  Brilliant.

So, as I mentioned there has been lots of relaxing for two days here but I did go on my first run of the season last night - it was good but I did remember why I go on a morning - it was hard work.  Also, I have a couple of exciting projects lined up for the holidays so watch out for those on here.  

This weekend will be a quiet one but we are gearing up for our trip to Copenhagen on Thursday!  So exciting!!

Project Life: Week 26

I had few photos to put in the spread this week but I am pleased with those few.  It meant a lot more journalling.  The course I took a couple of weeks ago made me appreciate journalling a lot more and I am also really pleased with the black and white theme this week which ties it together a little.

I put in my latest Project Life product order yesterday so I am looking forward to using those when they arrive.  In the meantime I am thinking of playing with the photos a little more - maybe some black and white pictures in such a spread as above.

I love this project.

Craft Corner: October Cards

There are surprisingly few birthdays among my friends and family in October so not a lot to show for this month's efforts.  However, I did achieve one of my goals in finding another way to make a nice card for a male recipient.

Also, I experimented a little more with different types of lettering this month.  I was inspired by the Project Life course actually but it was quite fun to try something different and make the cards a little more personal too.

Next on the card making to do list is to find some Christmas inspiration!

Recipe: Beetroot and Feta Salad

An easy but delicious recipe this week, the perfect way to finish the summer.

Ingredients:

• Beetroot
• Rocket
• Lettuce
• Feta cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil 
• Balsamic vinegar
• Walnuts

Instructions:

1.   Mix the ingredients together, adding the dressing and salt and pepper to taste.

October Goals