Equal opportunities

Yes, this week we can tick another box for equal opps.  Hurray!  I have no less than two men in my monday group and after wracking my brain for a few seconds, they are doing some lino cutting.

The lino/rubber we are using is very easy to work with.  I found it in the local Scrap Store, but sadly it was the end of a line so cannot get any more.  I am trying to source another supplier.

D. came up with this design and worked very carefully to plan it on the rubber then cut it with lino cutting tools.  We weren't sure how it would print, or what the quality of line would be.

I hope you will agree that the quality is great! Really clean line and the overall shape works well too.  D is now planning how he can repeat the design.  He is very pleased with how it turned out and has inspired the other Dad in the group to design something.

Who'd have thought it.

Well indeed, who would have thought such a simple project would have inspired such detailed results.  I hate to say it, but it is almost a shame these little lovelies are 'just' destined for pin cushions.  These new learners have a great eye for design and detail.  Their enthusiasm is rubbing off onto the less experienced members of the group.  A really positive morning spent, thank you.

They have planned a 'surprise' project for the Centre, really exciting and I am looking forward to help make it happen for them.

Start with paper

I often start new crafting groups with a quick, but brilliant star project.  Designed  originally as a Christmas Star, it can be adapted with a variety of colours for the rest of the year.  It looks particularly lovely if each 'petal' is made in a different colour.

I either use two sided origami paper or 'duet' paper which is firmer and comes in some bright colour combinations.

A star is for ever, not just for Christmas....:-)

Patchwork with t-shirts....reference

Just thought I would reference this while I remember.....Two learners have talked this week about making a quilt with their babies old clothes, as a memory quilt.  Lovely idea, but we weren't sure whether you could make them out of jersey fabrics.  Well, after a bit of research I found this link and will now be chopping up some t-shirts of my own. There is then a link to how to quilt the lovely result.  Will report back soon.