Braiding

Well Tuesday evening was the first of many "end of the year" functions. This one was for Tollgate Quilters Guild.   Phil Fisher did a wonderful job and we had loads of fun.

This braiding was a compitition / challenge we had.  I could not get the hang of it at all that evening but the next morning, I eventually conquered it over a cup of coffee.  I am very proud of my handywork.  

The Open Air School is a school for physically disabled learners, located in Glenwood, Durban.   

 

The Pre Vocational Skills class was established in 2010.  The class is designed to equip learners with skills that can be used to sustain themselves, and their families once they leave school.  The program caters for learners 15 to 18 years of age.   Sewing has been part of their curriculum since 2011, and Quilting was introduced in June 2012, as part of OUTREACH for FESTIVAL 2015.

"Creative Energy"

 

The sewing class is run by Mr Kwazi Madlala and he is assisted by myself as a volunteer.

 

 

Our shoppers / postman bags

Ranetsi is guiding the fabric, Sphelele is pushing the pedal and Gill is helping the fabric through.

 

Very proud students, Mr Madlala, the official teacher and my wonderful helper, Gillian Cameron.
  

Kadiso is very happy with her achievement

Siphumelele made her bag as a birthday gift for her mother for her birthday and green is her favourite colour.

Mr Kwazi Madlala assisting Siphumelele

The teamwork between these students is magical to watch.  Sometimes you forget that they are physically disabled and actually have huge obstacles to overcome just to get to class.

On the advice of a good friend, who has experience at teaching, I handed out certificates.
This week it was for TEAMWORK.

I am very proud of what they accomplished this week.

Shopper / Postman bag

Don't you just love these colours. 

Faux leather donated by Macphersons Office Furniture. www.macphersons.co.za/‎

I was going to pre cut the faux leather but there were so many beautiful colours to choose from, that I decided to let the children choose for themselves. They were thrilled.  It put a bit of pressure on, time wise and I would try to avoid doing that again. I would have preferred to go straight into the sewing.  It was good fun though. The children were so enthusiastic.

I don't normally go to Open Air School on a Friday, it is my "husbandry day", but I will tomorrow, as the children want to take their bags home. 

Team work at its best!!

This is Kadiso, with Penelope on her right. They share a sewing machine. Penelope pushes the pedal, on Kadiso's instruction, and Kadiso guides the fabric. 

I love the way Penelope added a little WOW to her green bag with a strip of blue. 

I will post photos tomorrow of the completed bags. 

Open Air School

Tomorrow we will be doing a shopper for the girls and a postman's bag for the boys.  So exciting to see their confidence levels rising.

I will post some pics.

Lunch today

Delicious lunch today courtesy of Cindy 

Add caption

I love these wet wipes and use them for everything except on my grand children's bottoms.  I took them with to Open Air School and we used them to clean the sewing machines.  These are some of the pencil bags the children made last term.

The best wipes ever!

Clinell wipes

Sketch book

First day of the third term. Students at Open Air School

Open Air School

We had a productive day @Open Air

School yesterday. Cleaned, rethreaded and generally went back to basics with our sewing machines.  It didn't seem productive but sometimes it is good to stop and make sure we know exactly what is going on with our sewing machines. 

We have a baby on the way.

iPhone Doodling

Dinner date.

What a lovely evening at @Roma Revolving Restaurant. Wonderful atmosphere with an "old time" feel. The food was hot, fresh and delicious. We watch the sky turn dark as the stars came out and we had a birds eye  view over the Barbour, city and up the north coast. We sat for 2 1/2 hours watching the changing scenery. It was a wonderful treat and perfect way to celebrate our 32nd anniversary, chatting mostly about our kids and how quickly time flies. We agreed looking forward to enjoy each moment we have and to enjoy lives together. How quickly life goes.  Youth is so fleeting.   

Celebration dinner.

Our wedding

Are you a robot

Just commented on a friends blog and I am always amused when I get challenged by a computer programme to see whether I am a robot or not.  After a day at work, i sometimes feel like a robot.

In 2 days it is my 32nd wedding anniversary.  My how the time has flown.  I got married on the 3rd October 1981, to my gorgeous man Michael Phipson.  I was 22 years old and he was 31.  We met in April 1981 and got married 6 months later.

He was a widower, Sue Phipson, Mikes late wife had passed away on 5th January 1981.  I inherited 2 sons, a home and a broken man.  Oh I also got a Doberman named Tara and a ring necked parakeet named Georgie, after the song: hey there Georgie girl.  My word that bird could screech.  

Youth, zeal and chemistry can only get you so far, I can only say my faith in God is what has brought us to this point.  We have survived a lot.  Most probably not as much as others but certainly our fair share.  I think it is that which we fight for the most that brings us the most pleasure.  Well this has certainly been the case for me.

I will try to post a wedding photo, I hope I get it right.