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!