African Artists

Every year at our girls' school, the teachers organise an art show with a theme.  This year it was Africa.  Every class teacher decides what their class will make and each child makes a piece of art to show in the hall.  It's held over three afternoons and is always wonderful to go and visit.  This year was no exception, as you will see.

This is No.3's class display of shields, well some of them, there are actually 23 kids in the class.  These children have just started school in the last six months.  Lucky for them their teacher adores art and teaches it to gifted children as well.

Aren't these mosaic toucans so pretty?

The way the artwork is displayed is just as beautiful and it takes the teachers many hours to sort out.  Very dedicated teachers, every one of them.

Daughter No.1 made the zebra print at the top down here. It was sort of a lino print I think. 

And No.2 made the top left mask from papier mache.  This shot made it to the local newspaper much to her delight!  How exciting.  No not my photo, just similar!!

Blow up the frogs below if you like - they are amazing.  Some of it is paper mosaics, but look at the detail and the colour used.  Very beautiful.

But WOW, aren't these amazing?!  A Year 6 class so they are 10 and 11 year olds.  The black silhouettes are cut out of paper and glued on to the painted background.

And some more of the same...

I'm pretty sure these lions were painted by year 2 children - 6 and 7 year olds.  So artistic!

I adore this mural.  I think it must have been thirsty work putting this together...

Did you guess it was made out of these?!!  Pretty clever aye?  I never knew there were so many coloured tops out there.

And if you're still with me, well done!  Pretty good stuff wouldn't you agree?  We never did such amazing artwork when we were at school.  Painting was considered a yearly treat from memory.  Schools have to provide so many options these days, which is great for the kids, but so much work for the teachers.  We are very lucky to have such a fantastic school that always has something extra happening.  I can't wait for the next display!

Deck The Halls With...

One of the best parts of having children is going to their concerts. Last night Daughter No.1 was participating in a World Vision "Shake, Rattle and Roll" concert.

Daughter No. 2, Nana, Papa and Great Gran came along as well. It was an amazing show, really loud, awesome songs and lots of happy faces singing their little hearts out. No. 1 thoroughly enjoyed herself. The woman in the black and purple is Suzanne Prentice, a NZ singer, and she and her team have been doing these concerts for 15 years. I'm hoping I'll have someone in it next time as it was a great night's entertainment. Rather late too! We didn't get home until just after 10pm.

I find conductors such good entertainment. They appear to be looser than the rest of us, a bit like a marionette. I could have watched this man for hours!

Here are the singers. Papa counted about 400 I hear! He has a bit of a counting and sorting of colours obsession! I thought I'd leave all the heads in the photo as I quite enjoy this too. It's amazing how many balding men there are in the world!

And now we have a World Vision sponsored child. That's our little gift to someone this Christmas. She is 7 and will now be able to start going to school. Our girls were horrified, or perhaps jealous, that she didn't go yet! I'm thinking we might be able to raise a bit of money by selling our goods (the girls participating too) at Market Day before Christmas. We'd better get a jolly good wriggle on to do this.

Now on with the pretty Christmas pictures I promised you! These stood out as rather lovely and simple'ish' projects. I've tried to find something for everyone.

No.2 is actually going to make some bunting like this one for around our Christmas tree this year. My dear friend Hazel has kindly lent me her pinking shears for this job. Friends are just so perfect aren't they? She also gifted me with some lovely looking Christmas mince this morning! Gosh some people are organized.

How about some little bags with a message on them...

Here's the bunting around the tree... See the teddy with the gingham bow? It's all seriously gingham isn't it?

These oven mits would be a wonderful gift this season. You could put anything on them, but I do like the patchwork trees.

How about some little wooden or felt decorations hung on some bare branches. That always looks nice. And those cushions are a real winner for a festive feel in the lounge.

Maybe a nice new table runner is in order... Nice for a bit of quilting practice.

And for the scrapbookers out there, a very colourful Advent calendar...

Those who quite like a bit of hand stitching, this cushion would be perfect... I love the reindeer around the border.

Well I'll have to have a look in a few more mags and see what else I can find for you. Ooops I forgot the crochet lovers. Check this lovely crochet design out... http://selvageblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/sarah-london-will-teach-you-how-to.html I'm thinking strung up as a garland would be perfect. I wish I could crochet at times like this. Well more than Granny squares anyway!

Now I'm itching to get back to my sewing as I didn't get time for anything yesterday. I'll love you and leave you all for now.

Hope you are getting a bit more excited now!

Sarah xxx

Pretty Exciting Stuff!

The little girls and I have been out to Spotlight this morning. I had to do that boring bit of shopping. The one that actually costs quite a bit of money but you end up with stuff that's not so exciting. I purchased backing fabric and the border fabric for my Nostalgic Quilt and bought 3m of quilters muslin, in a very wide width of 170cm. Wish I'd known about that before! This will be the backing for the nine patch quilt I made weeks ago. Will be nice to see that one quilted.

I dangerously stopped by at The Crafty Needle to look for a suitable binding fabric for the latest quilt and threads. My girls go silly there for some reason, which is very naughty of them. Also dangerous because I am easily tempted to buy something rather stunning whilst there. I resisted, gosh aren't I a good girl?

Nothing says 'Spring is here' better than a blossom tree, does it?

Look at what I also picked up at the quilting shop. There is to be a craft fair in Hamilton next month! It's meant to be fantastic according to Ngaire, shop owner and occasional reader of my blog. Someone else put her up to that one!! I'd better behave myself!!

And look who has moved into the reserve next door. There were a pair of them after school yesterday. We took some bread over for them but they were a bit timid. It's nice to see at least one of them around today.

Well we have kindy soon so I'd better get cracking and eat my lunch. It was Grandparents Day there yesterday, so I got let off the hook. They sang some songs and showed the Nana's and Papa's and Great Gran's around. Quite lovely I'm sure.