SPRING HAS SPRUNG

BACK TO SCHOOL.

Oh yes folks Nora is going back to school.

Not only that but Nora has been back at school.

Two different schools, two different projects.

One to come, one in the past.

Let me take you back to my first school adventure.

Because trust me it was an adventure.

The Ginger ninja's school have started a programme of parent volunteers.

Sadly I am never going to be good at sitting in a class room reading with

bored children.

I politely explained this but did say I had other more crafty skill to offer.

I was collared by Mr D, the Ginger one's teacher from last year.

"I'm not very good at craft, please help!"

Ooh hoo! I do so love a challenge.

So just before half term in I wandered to have a chat with the kids in year 5.

They explained to me that they were in the middle of a BIG project.

The apprentice.

The children are in enterprise groups.

Each group has to come up with an idea.

An idea that will make some money.

An idea that will bowl every one over at the school christmas fair.

The groups are putting their pitches to the headmaster

and the lucky ones will have their own stall.

So we all sat down and came up with some ideas of

what they thought they could make.

A week later armed with lots of felt, beads, buttons and

colourful fabrics I was back again.

Even though it was only mid October and felt quite frankly wrong we all set to making Christmas decorations.

5M's decorations

5D's decorations

It was quite a challenge for me.

My classes usually only have 10 - 15 children in them, and then I have a glamourous assistant.

That day I worked with both classes in the year group so that was probably pushing 60 students over the whole day.

But the teachers were all amazing getting really involved and helping the children.

Though as I now recall it I don't believe I ever saw Mr D with a needle in his hand!

The students worked really hard and came up with some great ideas.

Some were neat

Some were inventive, yes that is lavender stitched on to the star.

Some were traditional.

And some were so amazing they still make me smile and laugh when every I think of them. Before you ask this is of course a Henry Hoover.

I can't put a photo of every single decoration here,

but let me say they were all fantastic.

And I went home at the end of the day, exhausted, having more or less lost my voice (a blessing for some) and feeling very very excited about what we had all achieved.

So excited in fact that I have been asked to go back after Christmas and do something relating to the Tudors and Elizabethans.

I feel a costume extravaganza coming on!

Let me tell you as some one who made Colin Firth's costumes for "Shakespeare in Love" and Cate Blanchete's costumes for "Elizabeth"

this is some thing I do know about!

And so on to my upcoming school adventure.

I have been asked by the lovely people at Telferscott school to host

an evening sewing workshop for adults.

So I bring you

The Flora Extravaganza.

We shall be making beautiful floral brooches.

There will be lots of amazing fabrics and trims for people to play with.

In fact I went today to my secret stash, so secret it is locked away in a top secret location away from the rambling shed.

So secret and wondrous are the fabrics stashed there that I had forgotten some of them existed as I rummaged wildly looking for the prefect leaf fabric.

Needless to say I brought lots of brooch making goodies back with me.

So on to the nitty gritty.

The class is on the evening of 17th November

at Telferscot Primary school in Balham SW London.

It costs £10.

If you are in the vicinity and fancy taking part let me know.

Love Nora xxx