A Sweetie Jar!

It is so easy to make your own "Sweetie Jar" or "Candy Jar" or "Treat Jar" - call it what you like! It also makes a lovely, "homemade-by-you" gift...something our senior folk can make for friends and families.

I used a Sainsbury's Gold Coffee jar.

Soak off the label, but take care not to wet the lid if it has a card seal inside, which is best kept dry.

Take a paper doily and cut it in half. Or if you can find a small doily that fits your jar, all the better!

Print your wording on your computer and then cut it out and stick it onto your doily.

Decorate with stickers like I did (plus one on the lid!) or you can draw and colour your own pictures and stick them on instead. Pictures cut from magazines can also be used.

When you have finished decorating your doily, stick it onto your jar.

Fill it with sweets (candy!) and enjoy!

PS My husband has commandeered the above Sweetie Jar and filled it with his favourites! Mint Humbugs and Sugared Jelly Babies!

Printable August 2011 Calendar!



Calendar - August 2011

 Thought it was time for a calendar picture that would appeal to the menfolk as well as our senior ladies!

So here we have an boat in full sail!

Print it out here 

Because it is already shaded in, it is very easy to put in a touch of colour. I used felt-tip pens to do mine.

Enjoy and have a happy August!

Make Your Own Greeting Card - Printable Design!

These are two variations of a Birthday Card using the template you can download, print and colour. (see below for link)

On the left I have used just the framed picture, which I have coloured and stuck onto a blank greeting card. The one below has had a sheet of craft paper (you can use gift wrapping paper) slipped under the picture and glued down, with the picture glued on top.

The "Happy Birthdays" are actually gold (not black as the scan makes them appear!) and have been stuck on, as are self- adhesive.

Click here for greeting card picture. 

I have set up the artwork, in case you want to print directly onto card. If not, then print on paper and cut out the picture and stick it onto your blank card.

Hope you enjoy making the cards with your groups. Finish them off with other embellishments - stick on bows, flowers, flat beads, sequins or even a few old buttons.

Even though you all start out with the same picture, it is amazing how different the cards will turn out - just add a bit of imagination and dash of bling!
Have fun!

If you would rather just paint or colour a picture of the lady, then
click here for the full size (A4) print. 

Song Quiz to Download and Print!

A Song Quiz - for all your groups of song lovers out there...!

20 old time songs - all favourites of our seniors - just fill in the blanks!

Extra points if you can sing along with each Title...

Click here to Download and Print your Song Quiz





Westie Calendar for July 2011 - Download, Print and Paint!

July 2011 - Westie Calendar

Here is your July 2011 calendar, ready to download, print and paint (or colour-in!)           
Click here for your copy

The Westie or West Highland Terrier is a small white dog that originates from Scotland.

It is a very popular pet, but is no lapdog...

They are feisty fellows and love to "hunt and dig". 

I would say  the Westie is "a dog with attitude"!

Time for Gardening - Grow Tasty Health-Giving Herbs!

So many elderly folk give up gardening as it becomes too much to cope with.

So the best thing you can do, is to show your group how easy it is to grow herbs in pots.

Mine are in a greenhouse, as our first planting, when we left the pots out in the garden, was demolished by squirrels - the fresh compost was too tempting for them to resist and they happily got digging...!

Herbs do well on windowsills too - just need plenty of light and moisture (careful of too much direct sun and keep damp but don't over-water)

Herbs are fast growing and there are so many available in seed packets. We chose Coriander, Parsley, Basil (my favourite!) Thyme and Tarragon.

Apart from the wonderful flavour of fresh herbs in cooking and salads, they are also full of all the healthy bits we need, including loads of vitamins.

I have been told that any excess is easily frozen for use later in cooking. You simply rinse in water and then shake and place in a plastic bag, label and freeze. Not yet tried - anyone done this? 

Printable June 2011 Calendar!

Here is your June 2011 calendar...

Click here to download printable template of June 2011 Calendar  

I painted this one with Acrylic paints, but I think an easier option would be to use felt-tip pens or  pencil crayons, as it is a bit more challenging than usual!

Do whatever suits your group - enjoy!

Two Printable Quizzes!

I have put together, two printable quizzes, for you to do with your group. They are "How Many?" and "Fill in the Missing Food" - neither are difficult, but still mentally stimulating and as always, just for fun!

Click here to download the 2 Quizzes  

Hope you enjoy them!

Want more quizzes? - Have a look at my 41 x 10 Easy Quizzes  with Answers!