Here is your printable November 2011 - Calendar!

 Here is your November 2011 Calendar...Download it here and print out the template.

Get out your paints or felt tips and colour in Hansel and Gretel...





Maybe the folk in your group (old or young!) would like to hear the age-old story while they are colouring in the picture.

Here it is! (The ultimate wicked stepmother story...!)

Click here for Hansel and Gretel - the Story! 

Have a Happy November!

Two New Bookmarks to Download and Print!

Two printable bookmarks which can be coloured in - I have also included a "Blank" so you can design your own bookmark or just decorate it with stickers and write your own messages!

Best if these bookmarks are printed on thin card - most printers will accept this. If not then print on paper and stick onto card.

Punch a hole in the centre top and decorate with a loop of cord or ribbon.

Makes a lovely personal gift - time to start looking for Christmas stocking fillers!

Enjoy...!

Birthday Placemats - Three to Print!

One of the Birthday Placemat designs...print and colour-in

and another "Ready to Go" in colour...

I have designed 3 Birthday Placemats for you to download and print - Click Here  

One is in full colour - ready to print and go...

The other two are ready to print, but can then be coloured-in, if you wish.

Just a simple little way, to make a Birthday a bit more Special!

A Song Quiz - Fill in the Girl's Names!

A Song Quiz!

I have put together another Quiz - in this one all the answers are girl's names!

There are twenty Song Titles - just fill in the girl's names...All well known songs and so an opportunity to have a sing-along with your group...Enjoy!

A Song Quiz 

Just in case, I have listed the missing girl's names on a separate sheet!

Here is your October 2011 Calendar to download and print!

Summer seems to have slipped by and so Autumn is upon us - the leaves are changing colour, ready to fall, so get out your paints and be creative with all the glorious golds and yellows of the season...(if you live in the Southern hemisphere, you, of course, are going into Spring - no problem - just paint your leaves in different shades of green!)

Click here to print your October 2011 Calendar 

Have a good October, wherever you are - and thanks for visiting my Blog!

Felt Fish Wall-Hanging Tutorial - Fun and Easy to Do...!



Fish Wall-Hanging

A simple felt wall-hanging - fun and easy to make!

You will need...

Sheet of felt for background  - mine is A4 size, but any size will do.

Scraps of coloured felt

Buttons - for eyes and other decoration

Embroidery thread - various colours to match / contrast with your felt

Sewing needle

Narrow Ribbon or cord to hang with - 60cms

Thin Wooden Dowel - 40cms

Print out the fish templates  - or use your own fish patterns if you have some.

Using the patterns, cut out the fish, from the scraps of felt.

Fold under and pin a hem of about 3cms along the top of the background (check that the wooden dowel will slip through here)

Lay the fish on the background felt - when you are happy with your design, then pin the fish in place.

I have given you different fish to work with - choose your own design and layout - or copy mine if you would rather.

Take each fish and sew on the button in the eye position - just a couple of stitches to attach it and then lay the fish on the background and continue to stitch on the button, but now attaching the fish to the background.

Attach all the fish in the same way and using simple running stitches, fix the fish bodies to the background - see in picture below.  

Just a few stitches are needed, to keep them in place.

 Add extra buttons if you wish.

Finish by sewing down the hem with a running stitch, 

insert the wooden dowel and attach the ribbon.



When doing this with your group of elderly folk - 

try putting them into pairs or small groups. 

The whole wall-hanging might be too much for one person to complete, but even just sewing on an "eye" button will make each person feel a part of the project.

 Then those who are more able, can then carry on and complete the wall-hanging!

Hope you have fun! Please leave me your comments below, 

to tell me how you get on...!





Photos to show you - Aquarium, Louis and Namaqualand Daisies

Rob's Aquarium

This aquarium definitely has the "Wow factor"...!

My son, in Denver, Colorado, replaced his smaller-version fish tank, with this one recently. Getting it home in one piece was the major factor, but now all set up in his lounge.

Who needs TV??



Louis (aka Mr Coils - don't ask!) is an avid viewer of the new Aquarium!



Namaqualand Daisies

This lovely South African, Spring photo of Namaqualand Daisies (aka African Daisies) was taken by family living in Pietermaritzburg.

Summer in UK is officially over as from today - actually think September promises to be warmer. Let's hope so...!

Calendar - September 2011 - St Paul's Cathedral, London

I found this drawing of St Paul's Cathedral in London, on Gutenberg (Public Domain website) and thought you would like to see it on September's Calendar...

I have not put any colour on mine - not sure if it needs any?

Up to you...!

September 2011 Calendar 

How to Make a Birthday Fridge Magnet!

Birthday Fridge Magnet

Instead of a birthday card, why not make a Birthday Fridge Magnet! 

Very easy to do - just use imagination - but you will also need...

A photo or picture

Card to stiffen the picture if necessary.

Card to stick on back (I cut, down to size, an old Playing Card)

A peel-off "Happy Birthday"

A magnet (mine is a single magnet, but you can also buy magnets in a strip (self-adhesive) which can be cut to size.) Look on Ebay, you'll find them there.

Glue

Double-sided adhesive pad if using a single unglued magnet.

Mine is a photo of a sunflower cut in a circle (any shape will work) - you can also use a photo of whoever is having a Birthday, to make it really personal, or any picture or painting - parents / grandparents will love a hand drawn picture, by one of the kids...

You can cut pictures from magazines - fashion, wildlife etc.

If necessary, stiffen the picture by sticking it onto card.

Add a peel-off "Happy Birthday" or whatever the occasion - "New Baby" "Happy Anniversary" etc...

Then stick a piece of card onto the back of the photo / picture.

Attach the magnet.



The Back View of the Fridge Magnet



I hope you enjoy making your fridge magnets with your group of seniors or in fact with any age group - this is something that anyone will have fun doing...

Printable Quiz - Capitals of the World!

Printable Quiz - Capitals of the World!

Time for a quiz! I have given you two lists - one is a list of Capitals - fill in the Countries and the other is a list of Countries - fill in the Capitals. (answers given on separate page)

All well known countries, so not too much brain-strain on the Seniors!

Enjoy! Just click on the link below...

Click here for the World Capitals Quiz 

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!

Poppies - nothing shy about these girls...!

Just had to share my poppies with you all!

Summer Sunflowers to Print and Paint!

This beautiful Sunflower was grown and then photographed by my sister in Hampshire...

 Using some very clever software, I converted the flower photo into a sketch and put together the "Summer Sunflowers" you see below...



and then I painted it with my watercolours

Because the sketch is already shaded, it was very easy to paint - I used two colours of yellow for the petals and two shades of brown for the centres. A few small dots of white and picture painted...

Have a go at painting it with your group - here is the sketch for you to download and print...Click here for Summer Sunflowers 

Be creative - have fun!

A Flower Pin Cushion to Make!

These Pin-Cushions are not only easy to make but very practical to use as they sit well on your work table and can hold a lot of pins and needles!

You Will Need...

Cotton / Polycotton fabric scraps

Thread and needle (sewing machine if possible)

Toy / Cushion Polyester Fibre Filling
Embroidery thread and a long needle
2 Buttons


How To Make...
Cut two circles from your fabric approx. 18cm diameter (can be same fabric or two different designs)

Place the 2 circles together, with right sides facing.

Stitch around the outer edge leaving a gap of about 5cm. This is better done on a sewing machine as will be stronger, but can be done by hand if necessary.

Turn the circles right side out and stuff with your filling - pack it well to make a firm cushion.

Stitch the gap closed, by hand.

Thread a long needle with all six strands of your embroidery thread and make a knot at the end.

Push the needle through the middle of your cushion and then loop it over the side and back into to centre, pulling it tight to form the "petals" of the pin cushion. Keep doing this to form 6 "petals"

Finish off with a few double stitches in the centre to hold the thread firmly in place, but do not cut the thread yet!

Using the same thread, stitch on two buttons, one on either side. This will cover up all your stitches and your knot!

Hope you enjoy making your pin cushion!

May Calendar 2011 - May Marigolds!

Here is your May Calendar - ready to print and colour-in, with your group.

Click here to download 

Orange and yellow flowers for May - I thought we would have a change from Red, White and Blue!

A Colourful Quiz!

Have just spent an hour, having fun, making up a quiz...!

All the answers are a colour!

You can download and print it - Click here.

Have fun putting in the colours with your groups... I wonder how many will remember all the 7 colours of the Rainbow?

Have given you a sheet of answers just in case...

Easter Bunny - Paper Plate Craft!

Easter Bunny - made by Thomas

More Easter craft! This will keep the younger ones busy, but also a novel way to dress up a gift of an Easter Egg to give to a child...

You will need...

2 paper plates

Paints or other colouring pens or crayons

Card for the Easter Bunny

Glue

Glitter, stars etc (Optional)

Small Easter Eggs (Optional)

How to Make it...

Print the Easter Bunny - Click here for template

 
Trace Bunny onto card.

Cut out the Bunny.

Cut one plate in half.

Paint the Inside surface of the whole plate and the Underneath surface of the half plate. 

Thomas painted the whole rim, but you can paint just the top half of the whole plate, as the bottom half will be covered up.

Paint the Bunny.

Let the paint dry.

Apply glue and glitter/stars if desired. (Thomas insisted he wanted the Christmas glitter on his plate!)

Apply glue around the bottom half of the rim of the whole plate.

Attach the half plate and peg together.

Leave to dry.

Pop the Easter Bunny in his pocket and a few small Easter Eggs will fit in too!

Enjoy the Easter break with your family and friends...!

A Fridge Magnet using Mod Podge!

Have just got my first jar of Mod Podge!

Decided to start small and after watching the experts on YouTube I gave it a go!

I used a playing card as the mount and then Mod Podged on a print of the gorgeous little Victorian girl.

A few more coats of Mod Podge and a bit of lace, buttons and two shiny pink beads and there it is - on my fridge!



April Calendar - The Royal Wedding!

April is a special month, as we celebrate the marriage

of Prince William to Kate Middleton, on 29th April 2011.

If you would like to download the calendar template, so you can print it out for your group to paint or colour-in, then Click Here. 

For extra "bling" try sticking acrylic beads onto the crown -for "crown jewels"!

TUESDAY 29.03.011 Here are some of the April calendars we did at our Day Centre today...

We had a lot of fun this morning with our April Crown Calendars! 

It seems that most of our members are involved in some sort of celebrations on the Big Day - including of course, watching on TV, our amazing British Pageantry at its best, as the Royal Wedding takes place in London...