Handmade Monday and Kente Weaving.

Last year my lovely DIL Anna spent a little time in Ghana volunteering at Trinity Yard School.  As a token of her visit she brought me two small samples of weaving done by the older children.  This is called Kente Weaving and the fabric created is only worn on ceremonial occasions.  It has taken me a little time to decide what to do with these 8" x 4" panels but I finally sat down and incorporated them into cushion covers as a way of showing them off and preserving them.  The colours are amazing.
One is finished and the other is work in progress.

You must visit all the other blogs in this link and enjoy the offerings by the clever crafters who have joined Handmade Monday.  The link is www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog

Handmade Monday

Tracey of Sunrise Cards made me two beautiful Dinosaur cards for the twin G/kids.  I made an error and showed them to my aged Aunt (Another Dinosaur) who immediately took possession of them saying "You don't mind do you?"  I ask you, would it have made any difference if I had.
I have made two more, not a patch on the first ones I might tell you and nothing to do with pre historic animals but the best I could do under the circumstances.

I have made them from scratch except the gold trim (Which I should not have used as it makes them look like Christmas cards.  The stripey coloured card I did using oil crayons and then photocopying it to prevent smudging.  All the rest you can work out for yourself.  What I have not showed you is that inside I have cartoony pics, nicked off the internet for this one off occasion, of little boys on scooters.   They are having scooters for their birthday.

You must visit all the other blogs, www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog

The Tuesday after Handmade Monday

I was unable to participate in Handmade Monday this week as day to day life took over yet again but I have been looking at all the offerings and it brought home just how much tallent and how many unsung, gifted people there are on our own doorstep. So many fresh, new ideas seep through the pages of your blogs that I run out of suitable adjectives.  From cards to cakes and bedding to bags collecting jewellery and wood crafters en route and they all seem to have that 'well loved' look too.  It beggars belief that you all don't make oodles of dosh for your ideas alone never mind the finished product.
As well as Handmade Monday, accessed via Wendys blog   http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog or http://www.craftsforum.co.uk there is Thursday Blog Hop via Carolee Crafts and now on the drawing board we have October Shop Hop also via Carolee Crafts. These can also be accessed through 'Handmade by Me' at http://bath-bomb.com/forum/
All of the above are excellent showcases for your crafts as I know most of you are aware, and it certainly gives the old creative juices a nudge along when knowing you have deadlines to meet such as these. 
Never doubt your work.  If you have put your heart and soul into it there is always someone somewhere who will see its real beauty.

Life is so unknown

A baby takes first steps and wobbles,
Launching hesitantly into unknown troubles.
Child faces first day of its scholastic life
Leaving safe haven for playground strife.

Teenager, life’s molehills become mountains

Disproportionate to reality and doubting.
Coming of age, you’re a man my son,
But still need to indulge in pleasure and fun.

Responsibility increasing when becoming a couple.

Financial pressure and stress prick that bubble.
Procreation creates baby number one
And the cycle once again has begun.

As loving parents you shelter and protect,

Minimise, reduce and reject
Hardship, disappointments and faults
That life throws at our future adults.