Tuesday 19 November 2013

Three New Printable Christmas Placemats




Here are some more Christmas Placemats to colour-in and use to decorate your Christmas table - either on the day or at your group's Christmas Party!

Three Christmas Placemats

If you want more of my designs to choose from, just enter Christmas Placemats in the Search Box (top right)

They are all ready to print and colour in - whatever the age group, just doing this together will get everyone into the Festive mood...

Still lots to do?? If you want a Christmas Countdown just click on this link...

Friday 8 November 2013

It's Time to Make Christmas Cards!


We had a really good afternoon at Mencap Art and Craft Group, in Braintree, yesterday. Everyone very excited about the start of the Festive Season. We made our first batch of Christmas cards, using a few ready made (from eBay!) embellishments as well as cutting out our own backing paper and Christmas Trees.

Click here for the Christmas Tree Template

A bit of tinsel, ribbon or rick rack and "Merry Christmas"  and we were very happy with our resulting cards - made with much discussion as to who the recipients would be...

Tea, making Christmas Cards and lots of chat and laughter!

More Cards!

Enjoy making your own Christmas Cards with your groups!

Do send photos of your cards and crafts in to put up in Our Gallery for everyone to share...

Tuesday 29 October 2013

Printable General Knowledge Quiz - All About Numbers!

Titanic




Time for another quiz I think...

Thirty questions - all the answers are numbers...No not maths! Just general knowledge questions. Things we all come across and work with, in our daily lives - have a go with your group or maybe see how many you know, best over a cup of tea!

Here is the link - can be printed out...

Quiz - All About Numbers!

If you enjoy this one, then do have a look at my Quiz eBook

Printable eBook - 41 Easy Quizzes

Perfect for winter days to keep the mind ticking along...!

Friday 11 October 2013

Wall Mural - Autumn!


Our Art and Craft group at Mencap (Braintree) made this lovely Autumn Wall Mural - inspired by Shaun, our group leader.

Having decided we wanted a lake and a few hills in the Mural, it then followed that we needed to put in Nessie - the Loch Ness Monster...!

So this became a Scottish Autumn Wall Mural complete with Loch Ness, Nessie and don't you love the Sunset!

The whole background is made from torn pieces of coloured tissue paper glued onto large sheets of white paper. (the whole mural is about 4 x 8 foot) the trees were painted on white paper and then cut out and glued on. All the leaves were made by painting real leaves on the underside with poster paint and then pressing them onto white paper and when dry, cutting them out. All the other creatures and footballer (!) were then coloured-in and stuck on as well...

It took us three afternoons to put together but we were thrilled with the result...


Tuesday 8 October 2013

More Lid Fridge Magnet Ideas!



 So many of you have asked for more ideas on making Lid Fridge Magnets so here is another batch...!

For more detail on how to put them together  - click on this link...

Lid Fridge Magnet Tutorial

Look amongst your craft stash - you will find lots of different bits and pieces that can be used to make up your unique lid fridge magnets - so be creative and have fun!


Wednesday 25 September 2013

Make a Cone Christmas Tree - Tutorial!

Jo's Cone Christmas Trees from "Things to Make and Do"

And here is Mine!






I came across an excellent Tutorial on making these sparkling little Cone Christmas Trees.

After making one myself, I decided to give you the link to Jo's website "Things to Make and Do" so you could get your group busy making these decorations ready for Christmas...

Here is the link   Cone Christmas Tree

There is much more on "Things to Make and Do" so do have a browse around! 

Thanks to Jo for sharing her craft with us all...

Saturday 24 August 2013

Quiz - Movie Stars and Singers - Do you know their Birth Names?


 Just as well most of us stick with our birth names - just imagine the chaos if we all changed our names, as is common amongst Movie Stars and Singers...

However, we have to admit that Marion Morrison is hardly the name for an enduring American icon, who epitomized rugged masculinity and is famous for his demeanour, including his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height.

So by what name do we know him now??

I have compiled a list of Movie Stars and a few Singers who did change their birth names - you will  have to agree mostly in their best interest. Have a look at and see how many you know or can work out...
Here is the link....

Quiz - Movie Stars and Singers Birth Names



If you are looking for a supply of Quiz Material for your group, why not have a peek at my 

eBook - 41 EASY QUIZZES with Answers 
 
Most are General Knowledge, but have included others 
eg Books, Movies, Girls Names, Flowers etc    

Not just for Seniors - anyone will enjoy these!


Thursday 22 August 2013

Gorgeous Owl Felt Wall Hanging - Easy Tutorial!


A new Felt Wall Hanging for you all to make - this time we have Owls!

You will need...

An A4 size, rectangle of black felt (or any size or shape, but that is what I used)

Scraps of other colours - for the owls, branches, moon and flowers

Embroidery thread (Use three of the six strands to sew with) and needle

Buttons

Wooden dowel

Ribbon  

How to make your Owl Wall Hanging...

Turn over and pin a 2cm hem across the top of your black felt. Using a running stitch, sew the hem down - this is to slip your wooden dowel into.


Cut out your felt owls, branches, flowers and moon - here are the printable patterns...




Turn your black felt backing over and on the other side, stitch your three owls into place.

The easiest way to do this, is to first attach the owl's button eyes. Leave the thread attached at the back of the owl and then stitch it onto the black backing felt, going back through the buttons again.


Place the moon and stitch with blanket stitch (or running stitch will do fine)
 

Next, take your branches, pin them into position and using a running stitch, attach them to the black backing felt and across the owls, which will hold them and the owls in place.

Sew your buttons onto your flowers and stitch them in place. Attach the three leaves with running stitches.


Slip a wooden dowel (or garden cane does as well) into the upper hem, tie on a ribbon and hang up your Owl Felt Wall Hanging for all to admire...!

Easy to do and a lot of fun. Who doesn't love those big eyes!!