Monday night camera class - 26 March.

As it was a sunny and bright evening when class started we went outside to take some photos -

Then when it became too cold we came inside to the class room and played with 'painting with light' - the tutor stood in the dark with a torch and wrote each of our names - magical - 

my camera isn't smart enough to take all of the name but I'm hoping one of my class mates will email me with their photos and I'll put them here too - but you can see the general effect - excellent class tonight.

Edited to add my name - many thanks to Kevin, my class mate who forwarded it.

Matt Cardle

I went to see the lovely Matt Cardle tonight in concert at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.  (Winner of X-Factor a couple of years ago).

It was great to see him live - and his support act Roxanne Emery was brill - will be watching out for her again.

Bead Road Trip !

Beading is growing and growing in popularity and bead shops are springing up all around Northern Ireland.
My chum Lynne, who makes lovely beaded jewellery, and I planned a road trip to visit 3 bead shops and also stop for a little light lunch, of course !

Keeping in mind my New Year's Resolution not to buy beads, I didn't ! but I did make a few other purchases - display stands, skull charms, beautiful buttons and some earring wires and toggles - it's good to support local businesses - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it !!

First stop was Beads 4 Craft in Warrenpoint - a real assortment of beads, ribbons, packaging

organza bags,

display stands and finished pieces of jewellery - lots of inspiration here.

Check out their website for more details including their weekly special offer  http://www.beads4crafts.co.uk/default.asp

From Warrenpoint we headed over to The Bead Shop, Bessbrook - (using the GPS on my smartphone - very clever).
A fab spacious shop with lovely beads

buttons

bags and more.

There is also a great space for workshops.
http://www.facebook.com/bessbrook

Next on our itinerary was lunch, in the Downshire Arms Hotel in Banbridge- http://www.downshirearmshotel.com/ - a busy spot and a delish lunch.  Will definitely visit there again.

Last stop was The Bead Strand, Banbridge - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bead-Strand/110813365646002

The Bead Strand also make beautiful wedding bouquets - very unusual.

A fab day out - can't wait to do it again !

NI Beaders' Guild

The theme for today's Guild meeting was Easter - everyone was encouraged to bring a beady Easter piece. 

One of my entries - a tubular netted necklace in yellow and green beads - Easter colours.

The one I voted for.

A beaded Easter card - also made by me !

The winning entry was

and a worthy runner up -

 

and in my opinion the most inventive and creative - a beaded and fabric hot cross bun complete with beaded currants!

How clever is that?!

Folksy Friday - 9 March 2012

Mother's Day is fast approaching.  My mum has already received and enjoyed her pressie - a fab night out to see Strictly Come Dancing at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast.

However, I have chosen beautiful items from Folksy which any mum would love.


Just click on any of the pics to go straight to the Folksy shop, or browse through many of the other shops to find many more lovely ideas.

http://folksy.com/themes/mothersday

Traditional day out to buy Easter Eggs !

Every year for about 10 years now I take my nephews and niece out for the afternoon to Ward Park in Bangor, then to McDonalds for tea and shopping for Easter Eggs and then back to my house for a 'sleepover'.

Last year was the first time all 5 were old enough to come with me and this year we were able to do it again.

Ward Park is a great place for a free family day out - loads of green space, ducks to feed, a fab play park and many different birds to admire.

Spring has definitely sprung ...

The park is also a great place for climbing trees

a helping hand from big brother !

wee sister doesn't need any help !

big brother making use of wee brother's strong back ! with much shouting for help from both of them!  I was laughing out loud at their antics.

Success at last !  Over the next few years littlest nephews will also be up that tree !!

After tea and shopping, it's back to my house with their fav choc eggs !

and demolishing them !

The next day was Kyle's 13th birthday so a little cake finished off a great day !

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Tullycarnet Library

It's 'Creativity in NI Libraries' in March and my beaded pieces are on display in Tullycarnet Library.

On Thursday 22 March, Tullycarnet is hosting 'You Heard It Here First' -
An hour of original poetry and short stories written and read by Tullycarnet Creative Writing Group with a variety of musical interludes - 6.30 to 7.
30pm - admission free - maybe I'll see you there?